Chapter 15

Chapter 15

The following morning, after the morning court, Geng Shuning received news that Su Peisheng, the highly trusted chief steward of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, had been punished with ten strokes of the cane for shouting too loudly and disturbing the emperor.

Geng Shuning: “……” Is the emperor made of paper or something?

However, since Su Peisheng wasn’t a good person, his beating gave Geng Shuning a secret sense of satisfaction, and she enjoyed a few more bites of the pea cake brought from the Imperial Kitchen Bureau.

The news and snacks were brought by Niuheru Jingyi from the Six Bureaus.

Niuheru Jingyi had learned of her fate from Nanny Zhou and knew that this fate was brought by Geng Shuning. Blushing, she brought gifts to specially thank her.

Interrogation and sentencing were under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Punishment Bureau, while the punishment and caning of palace servants were carried out by the Imperial Household Bureau.

“When I came, the eunuch responsible for the caning had just returned to record the incident, and the strokes drew blood,” said Niuheru Jingyi as she poured Geng Shuning some rose syrup.

“They claimed he startled the emperor, but I suspect Chief Su crossed a line.”

Geng Shuning thought to herself, that bastard’s wicked schemes could get him killed eighteen times over, so it’s no surprise.

But she wasn’t interested in their drama. She pushed back the pair of fine jade bracelets that Niuheru Jingyi had brought.

“Sister Jingyi, you know that if it wasn’t you, it would’ve been someone else. I chose the most advantageous approach for myself, so I don’t deserve such a grand gesture of thanks.”

Niuheru Jingyi understood. “Since I’ve benefited, thanking you doesn’t conflict with my intentions.”

She spoke with great sincerity, looking at Geng Shuning openly.

“I also owe you an apology. Previously, when I knew that the Empress Dowager intended to push you forward, both I and Siya were blinded by greed and truly wronged you. We won’t do it again in the future.”

“Knowing that your ambition doesn’t lie within the palace, I’m not someone who forgets kindness, and I’m being honest with you. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I’ll help you achieve your desires.”

Geng Shuning tried to refuse a few times but eventually gave in.

She still smiled gently. “Sister, your future is bright, and if your ambitions remain unchanged, you should be more cautious of those around you.”

Originally, Geng Shuning had intended to target Tong Siya, but since Niuheru Jingyi still wished to enter the imperial harem, her additional reminder wouldn’t hurt.

As for whose future it would be, she didn’t care and couldn’t control it.

Geng Shuning nibbled on the pea cake slowly, softly expressing her thoughts.

“I only wish to serve by the Empress Dowager’s side and get through this year peacefully.”

Sincerity and help—Geng Shuning had never expected these, nor did she accept them.

No matter how open Niuheru Jingyi seemed now, after the festival, we’d be mistress and servant.

Previously, Niuheru Jingyi and Tong Siya, for the sake of benefit, had not hesitated to harm others. When the time came that harming me would benefit them, even sweet words wouldn’t stop them from using a servant as a scapegoat.

The palace had no room for kindness or naivety.

Niuheru Jingyi stared intently at Geng Shuning’s smiling face, hearing the underlying message. She sighed inwardly.

Who said Geng Shuning was soft and easy to bully?

This was clearly someone who was soft on the outside but strong on the inside, not allowing an inch of insult.

After that previous quarrel, we wouldn’t be able to be as close as sisters anymore.

Niuheru Jingyi silently vowed to remember this favor and repay it when the time was right.

*

Over at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Su Peisheng, after receiving his beating, had to continue serving. He shuffled into the imperial study, wincing with each step, his face a mask of discomfort.

Honestly, he didn’t even know why he had been beaten, but that didn’t stop him from deliberately lowering his voice as he reported to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, Nanny Chen sent a message saying there’s no need for Nanny Wu Ya to relay it. The Retired Emperor sent someone earlier to ask the Empress Dowager to assign a female official to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

Hearing the strange tremor in Su Peisheng’s voice after he had lowered it, Yinzhen looked up and gave him a casual glance.

If Su Peisheng hadn’t taken Geng Shuning to Qingyu Pavilion that night without permission, he wouldn’t have received this beating.

Worse, this despicable slave had also tried to arrange for Geng Shuning to serve him closely, which only fueled his hatred and led to that absurd dream last night.

Beating him was meant to teach this dog of a slave a lesson, so he wouldn’t forget his place and know his own weight.

Yinzhen didn’t bother to look at Su Peisheng’s pained expression, instead focusing on reviewing the formal reports with a furrowed brow.

"I don’t want the Retired Emperor to hear any rumors about the recent developments. If you can’t handle your duties properly next time, you’ll be sent to Xinzheku for reflection."

He had already warned Gua Jia, and Yinzhen didn’t want anyone to know about the connection between the recent events and Geng Shuning.

Even though he despised her, Geng Shuning was now his, whether he liked it or not.

Some matters could be temporarily controlled by the Retired Emperor, but he would never allow the Retired Emperor to make moves on his people.

Su Peisheng hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, despite himself, "Your Majesty, if the Empress Dowager assigns Miss Shuning as well..."

Yinzhen shot Su Peisheng a cold, menacing glance, as if he were ready to send him to Xinzheku at a moment’s notice.

Su Peisheng’s heart trembled. Recalling his master’s orders from the early hours of the morning, he didn’t dare to test further and forced a dry laugh as he bowed.

"This slave knows what to do. I’ll make the arrangements right away."

But before Su Peisheng could exit, Yinzhen suddenly spoke again.

"Come back."

Su Peisheng clenched his back teeth, enduring the pain in his buttocks, and respectfully turned around to await instructions.

Yinzhen was silent for a moment, slightly frowning. "If the Empress Dowager has any intentions of arranging a marriage, stop it."

He felt conflicted and didn’t want to see Geng Shuning just yet.

Before she reached the age, let her cause trouble in Cining Palace. Out of sight, out of mind.

But since they had already shared intimate relations, he couldn’t just watch her leave the palace freely.

When she was closest to success, he would crush her hopes, which would finally ease the irritation that had woken him in the middle of the night.

He could place her in a remote palace to live as a living widow, fulfilling her desire, no?

With these thoughts, Yinzhen felt a sense of relief, easing the irritation that had woken him in the middle of the night.

"If there’s any unusual activity, report it immediately." Yinzhen no longer looked at Su Peisheng and calmly continued reviewing the formal reports.

Once outside the imperial study, Su Peisheng finally allowed himself to take out his handkerchief, abandoning all pretense of dignity. He roughly wiped from his neck down, inside his collar, feeling the dampness on his skin.

From a steward of a prince's mansion to becoming the chief manager of the imperial palace, Su Peisheng had indeed become a bit too full of himself, just like his master.

The beating he received today, along with the emperor's cold, dissatisfied gaze from earlier, made Su Peisheng feel as if he had been soaked in ice water on a hot summer day, filled with both coldness and fear in his heart.

The beating was well-deserved. Even though he might appear dignified to outsiders, he was merely a servant by the emperor's side. He absolutely should not make decisions on behalf of his master.

Quickly regaining his composure, Su Peisheng waved for Zhao Song to come forward, with not a trace of restlessness visible on him anymore.

He urgently ordered Zhao Song to pass a message to the planted agents in Cining Palace, instructing them to closely watch Geng Shuning.

"Report any matters, big or small, daily. If anyone dares to act without permission, they will be severely punished without mercy, understand?"

Zhao Song shuddered. "Son understands. I'll go right away."

But the daily reports yielded no significant news about Geng Shuning, as she was resting in her room after being granted a favor by the Empress Dowager for her well-being.

She spent her days copying scriptures, over and over again.

Su Peisheng didn't receive any useful information, and soon the Thousand Autumns Festival arrived.

*

Before dawn, the various palaces became lively.

It was as if a slumbering beast had finally stirred after a year and a half; though it remained quiet, the air was filled with anticipation.

The liveliest place was Cining Palace.

As soon as the hour of Yin passed, Geng Shuning got up, had the young palace maid fetch water for her to wash, and changed into a summer palace maid's cheongsam in lake green, unwashed, with silk cloud patterns specially embroidered on the hem, collar, and sleeves, adding a festive touch to the otherwise simple attire.

After preparing herself, Geng Shuning led the young palace maid to the front hall.

Tong Siya, whom she hadn't seen for several days, was also there, standing shoulder to shoulder with Niuheru Jingyi in the courtyard outside the corridor.

Before long, Garudai and the maids under her also arrived.

Like the palace maids, female officials did not have the privilege to meet the Empress Dowager on such grand occasions; it was the right of the Empresses in the imperial harem.

But compared to ordinary palace servants, the head female officials had a thin layer of dignity. Before the Empress Dowager arrived with the consorts, they could offer their birthday greetings outside the main hall and receive a reward from her.

It had been the same when they were in Shoukang Palace.

Eight female officials gathered outside the main hall, kneeling in the courtyard to perform the three kowtows—

"We wish the Empress Dowager long life, health, and prosperity, may she live as long as the pines and cypresses, and shine as brightly as the sun and moon!"

"May the Empress Dowager live for a thousand years, a thousand years, and a thousand thousand years!"

Nanny Zhou lifted the crystal-beaded curtain of the main hall and stepped down the stairs, calling out in a loud voice—

"RISE!"

"The Empress Dowager commands: bestow one box of pearls and one bolt of tribute silk!"

Geng Shuning knew what the reward would be before anyone else.

Last night, Nanny Chen had brought the register over. The items were taken from the storeroom, so she had to affix her personal seal and send them to the Six Bureaus for record-keeping, to prevent items with the palace seal from being privately taken out of the palace.

But at that moment, she joined the others in feigning surprise and completed the final three kowtows.

"Thank Empress Dowager for the reward!"

Their part was done, and they didn’t have time to gossip.

On this grand occasion, aside from Tong Siya and Geng Shuning who stayed behind in the Cining Palace storeroom, everyone else was swamped with work.

The storeroom also had its share of tasks today.

By mid-morning, the consorts and inner and outer court ladies would come to the Cining Palace to perform the traditional two-kneel, six-bow ceremony, paying respects and offering birthday wishes to the Empress Dowager.

There would be a variety of gifts, as well as items to be distributed as rewards, all of which needed to be carefully recorded.

Geng Shuning headed to the storeroom, and as she stepped over the threshold between the front and rear palace, she faintly heard the murmurs of greetings near the main gate.

She slightly turned her face and only glimpsed the vibrant hems of elaborately embroidered robes, fluttering gracefully as they headed toward the front palace.

It was the Empress leading the consorts of each palace.

Compared to when Geng Shuning was first assigned to deliver rewards, the colors were much more vibrant than the dull and muted tones she had seen back then.

The Fourth Master sure had his share of luck, and there were still many who dreamed of getting closer to him...

She looked towards the direction of the small Buddha hall with hope in her heart and pressed her palms together in prayer.

Bodhisattvas above, this believer sincerely prays that this lord dedicates himself wholeheartedly, spending many nights together, and best of all, forgets about that ‘slap’ altogether.

For this, this believer is willing to give up ten pounds of flab, Amituofo!