Chapter 16: The Thing Called Bed

Chapter 16: The Thing Called Bed

"All at your command, beautiful lady." The twelve maidservants said in unison.

Fan Xueyao nodded in satisfaction.

"How old are you this year? How long have you been in the palace? What skills are you proficient in?"

The maidservants paused for a moment to recall. They had only been in the palace for a few years and were just released from their aunties' tutelage to serve the concubines. Naturally, they were chosen for their outstanding qualities. Each one was confident and unafraid, eagerly sharing their ages and best skills with Fan Xueyao.

Among the twelve, the oldest was seventeen, while the youngest was only fourteen. All of them had just completed their training under their aunties and were assigned to the Spreading Fragrance Hall. These twelve were specifically designated to handle all matters within the hall, from serving tea and water up close to cleaning the courtyard outside, as well as delivering messages and items.

If there were no major issues, these people would be with her for a long time. Although they appeared obedient on the surface, their true natures and intentions remained uncertain...

Fan Xueyao suddenly let out a gentle laugh, her smile harmless like a kitten. Could any hidden thoughts escape her? No matter how well they pretended, they could not deceive her mind-reading ability! She was not afraid of their ill intentions; it was best if they kept them hidden forever. If they dared to show them, she would catch them.

"From now on, Guo Huaping, Du Qiaoqiao, Mao Zhuzhu, and Cao Su'e will attend to me personally. Du Qiaoqiao will manage the hairpins and accessories, Cao Su'e will manage the clothing, and Mao Zhuzhu, since you can read and write, you will manage the study. Guo Huaping, I see that you are quite mature, so you will manage my dowry chests and oversee all affairs in the hall." Fan Xueyao thought for a moment and assigned tasks to the four senior maidservants, then continued to arrange duties for the remaining eight.

Hearing this, Guo Huaping realized she was now the chief maid of the Spreading Fragrance Hall, and she couldn't help but feel overjoyed, trying hard to suppress her smile.

Fan Xueyao continued assigning duties to the other maidservants. After assigning the four personal attendants, she considered the ages and skills of the remaining eight and slowly said, "Huang Xiaohong and Liu Xiaojin will be responsible for washing and cleaning inside the hall. Wang Chuntao and Zhu Fengyun, you two will handle matters in the front hall. Wu Yuegu and Wang Hongxiao will be responsible for cleaning the courtyard and tending to the flowers. As for Sun Fuyun and Zhu Qionghua, you will be in charge of the teahouse and boiling water."

"From now on, apart from Guo Huaping, Du Qiaoqiao, Mao Zhuzhu, and Cao Su'e who will stay overnight in the hall, the rest of you will take turns on night duty."

Fan Xueyao smiled gently, her lips curved softly yet regally. "Let's start with this arrangement, and we'll adjust based on your performance later."

The twelve maidservants bowed again in gratitude. "We will serve you wholeheartedly, beautiful lady."

Nodding, Fan Xueyao looked outside the hall. "My dowry should have arrived by now. Chuntao, Fengyun, go check if the palace servants have come."

"Yes, we will withdraw," Wang Chuntao and Zhu Fengyun immediately bowed and left the hall.

"You may each go about your duties. I saw your luggage still outside. Huaping, lead them to the servants' quarters to settle down," Fan Xueyao instructed.

She had already inspected the Spreading Fragrance Hall upon arrival. It was spacious, but its layout differed from the Forbidden City she had seen before. Unlike the neatly symmetrical structures of the Forbidden City, the Spreading Fragrance Hall had no side chambers, only connected by corridors. The front hall had two rooms on either side, one for the small kitchen and the teahouse, and the other two were unused. The back hall had five rooms, with three side chambers on each side.

Behind the sleeping quarters was an open space, where the servants lived in low houses. Opposite the open space were three pavilions, residences for lower-ranking concubines. If an emperor was particularly lustful and indulged in debauchery, there might be too many lower-ranking concubines, even several living in one pavilion.

Fan Xueyao sent Huaping to settle the others, and once they dispersed, the hall became quiet.

After sitting in a carriage for a long time, Fan Xueyao felt her waist stiffen. However, she had just focused on receiving much information and did not want to forget anything, so she closed her eyes to rest, recalling the thoughts she had heard from the twelve maidservants.

It was natural that not all twelve maidservants were loyal to her. Despite being their mistress, they had just met and had not truly developed loyalty. Most intended to follow rules and do their jobs properly, but some were outwardly respectful yet inwardly disrespectful.

For example, Wang Hongxiao, while kneeling, was thinking about how to gain her trust and pass messages to Jia Sibin. Fan Xueyao silently noted Jia Sibin, intending to find out who he served. Otherwise, why would a mere attendant send someone to her small Spreading Fragrance Hall?

These four senior maidservants were carefully selected by her. Their thoughts were honest and diligent, with a bit of cleverness but no ulterior motives. Fan Xueyao decided to observe them first and replace them if necessary.

Fan Xueyao walked around the front hall and returned to the back hall, entering the western chamber, which was the bedroom. The entire back hall used floor-to-ceiling windows, providing ample light. The central room was decorated with elegant vine-patterned screens, while the side rooms were separated by flower-patterned lantern screens.

The golden woodwork was intricately carved and beautifully detailed, a style Fan Xueyao loved. The most striking feature in the chamber was a gilded lacquered nanmu canopy bed. Engraved with patterns of qilins and peonies, the bed was grand and ornate. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the bed was surrounded by curtains of apricot red, bright and romantic.

The bed was covered with a hibiscus red silk quilt, adorned with auspicious patterns of a hundred children. Though slightly tacky, it clearly aimed to please her. As a concubine, having children was crucial, and who wouldn't want more?

The bed was spacious, with a three-paneled screen standing beside it. When sleeping, the curtains could be drawn, creating a cozy and secure space.

Fan Xueyao was particularly satisfied.

In her previous life, she had no family background and built everything from scratch. In the cutthroat business world and political arena, everyone seemed friendly but could turn vicious. She could not afford any mistakes, as one wrong move meant falling from grace. Every day was filled with scheming and stress, often sleeping only five or six hours. Therefore, the quality of her bed was crucial to restoring her energy in those brief hours.

She had a special attachment to beds. As a young orphan, she once lived with relatives, sleeping on a sofa in the living room. She had to wake up early to tidy up, not disturbing the male owner. This experience instilled a desire to be like him, commanding respect and authority.

Though she later learned he was just a minor clerk, the desire remained. She envied his power and wanted to be someone admired and respected, with everything under control.

She also wanted a bed of her own, comfortable and spacious, where she could sleep without fear of being displaced. This desire was as strong as her ambition to become powerful.

In her villa, every room had a comfortable bed, even though she didn't need so many. She always paid attention to bed-related items, buying sets of bedding. This habit persisted into this life.

She once heard of a high-ranking official in the capital who owned a dragon bed, a genuine imperial bed. Black and glossy, intricately carved with dragons and clouds, it exuded majesty. The official slept on it every night, even during naps. She envied him, not just for the precious sandalwood bed but for the privilege of sleeping on it. Others might buy such a bed but dare not use it, fearing accusations of aspiring to be an emperor. Yet the official flaunted it openly, making her envious and restless.

Later, she bought an expensive sandalwood rosary, black and glossy, with a strong fragrance. It was valuable, but it wasn't a bed.

Instead of feeling comforted, her longing grew stronger. Eventually, she gave away the rosary, trading it for a good opportunity. At least it served its purpose.