Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Even though Geng Shuning was curious, she wasn’t moving from Changchun Garden, and gathering information in the Summer Palace was more challenging than in the main palace. After Niuheru Jingyi left, it was difficult for her to get fresh gossip, so she had to put it aside with regret.

As for going to Nine Continents Clear View to listen to gossip, Geng Shuning hadn’t even thought about it.

The Emperor letting her off was already a sign of her ancestors' good fortune. For the rest of the year, her task was to survive with style and creativity while serving the Empress Dowager.

The one who took over as the female official of Changchun Garden usually stayed by Garudai’s side and was familiar with Geng Shuning, so they didn’t even need an adjustment period as they lived together in the back hall.

Her life was going extremely smoothly.

Palace maids were ranked according to the palace rules.

Compared to the mostly Han eunuchs, the palace maids, at least those from bondservant families, had a slight advantage in status over the eunuchs, apart from being able to leave the palace.

Once entering the palace, everyone started as a low-ranking palace servant without rank.

Those from the Imperial Household Department were trained and then assigned to various places. If a young eunuch wasn’t considered useful, they wouldn’t receive a rank.

On the other hand, once a palace maid started, even if she was just doing cleaning, she was considered a tenth-rank palace servant.

The first, second, and third-class palace maids serving inside the halls were gradually promoted from the ninth-rank palace servant.

Anyone referred to as 'Lady' held at least a sixth-rank Si Ji position.

The high-born ladies from prominent families who entered the palace through 'special selection,' even if their family background wasn’t the best, were assigned to the imperial presence or the Empress Dowager's palace, starting at least at the Si Ji rank.

Those responsible for specific duties, such as Geng Shuning and Garudai, held the rank of fourth-class inner court female officials.

The original Geng Jia Shuning was luckier than others.

The inner court female official who mentored her accidentally fell onto Cheng Prince Yinzhi during the selection in the forty-first year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign. She was then granted to Cheng Prince’s mansion as a secondary consort, allowing the original Geng Jia Shuning to take the place of that Hada Nala clan member.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, the female officials entered Cining Palace, and Geng Jia Shuning was directly promoted from the fifth rank to an inner court official, skipping the usual steps.

Because of this, although Geng Jia Shuning was around the same age as these new female officials, she had already been an inner court official for two years and was naturally the head senior female official.

Whether the other female officials were convinced or not, they all deferred to Geng Shuning on the surface.

Geng Shuning was extremely pleased. With the tiger gone, this monkey could comfortably be the king for a year and then leave the palace to enjoy life!

She didn’t compete for other duties and still managed the storeroom, which had no oil or water, but she loved hanging around the kitchen.

After Garudai left, the Empress Dowager perhaps felt bad for Geng Shuning and rewarded her with ten pieces of fine fur and a box of gold ingots.

Each gold ingot was worth ten taels, and the box contained ten, equivalent to a thousand taels of silver.

The original Geng Jia Shuning had been in the palace for many years, saving diligently, and had only saved seven hundred taels of silver.

This sudden wealth made Geng Shuning eager to please her generous benefactor.

It wouldn’t be easy to recover her mother’s dowry after leaving the palace, so the extra silver she saved would be her capital for future enjoyment, and naturally, the more, the better.

*

The Summer Palace, with its abundance of water and trees, was much cooler than the main palace. Changchun Garden, surrounded by water on all sides, wasn’t too hot even during the day.

Geng Shuning didn’t bother researching refreshing or appetizing foods; she was solely focused on creating delicious yet non-fattening dishes.

For example, hot and sour fish!

Pickled vegetables had long been present in the kitchen, a humble dish passed down from Shengjing. They were mostly used to mask the odd smell of slightly spoiled meat fillings, turned into buns for the servants as an occasional treat.

No one but Geng Shuning would even consider serving something like this to the masters.

Geng Shuning had tasted this sauerkraut, which was different from the sauerkraut in her previous life. It was pickled with water celery.

What exactly water celery was, Geng Shuning didn’t really know.

It looked similar to cabbage, and though it wasn’t as good as the sauerkraut from her previous life, which had a sweet aftertaste in its sourness, the texture and mild sourness were quite similar.

Given the abundance of water in the Summer Palace, fish were naturally plentiful. This day, as soon as Geng Shuning entered the kitchen, she spotted several massive grass carp.

Her first thought was to make sauerkraut fish.

*

In the kitchen, Zhou Xi sliced the fish so skillfully that the slices were almost transparent; Geng Shuning didn’t need to lift a finger.

Due to the special nature of the palace kitchen, outsiders were not allowed to interfere, so Geng Shuning mostly gave instructions and felt more at ease experimenting, asking them to slice the fish in various creative ways.

For seasoning the fish, they had everything except oyster sauce.

Without oyster sauce, Geng Shuning asked the kitchen masters to use their homemade mushroom powder to enhance the freshness.

Then, she stir-fried the base with garlic, ginger, and fermented black beans, added the fish bones and sauerkraut, and cooked it with spring water from Jade Spring Mountain until it was rich and fragrant.

Finally, she added the fish slices, sprinkled minced garlic, Sichuan peppercorns, and evodia, and poured two spoonfuls of hot oil over it. The kitchen masters couldn’t help but sneeze but stood around Zhou Cheng, who was in charge of the wok, unwilling to leave.

Though they could make exquisite dishes, this large pot of food was fresh and irresistibly flavorful, especially with its tantalizing sour and spicy aroma.

Even Nanny Zhou, who was training the young palace maids under the corridor in the front hall, was drawn over by the smell.

"Miss Shuning is making something delicious again?" Nanny Zhou smiled as soon as she saw Geng Shuning, speaking in a particularly friendly tone.

In just a dozen days in the Summer Palace, while the other female officials had left and no one new had emerged, the Empress Dowager had become increasingly reliant on Geng Shuning.

The Empress Dowager trusted Geng Shuning so much that she let her come and go as she pleased, only asking her to return when needed.

When Geng Shuning did serve, it was mostly to chat with the masters and amuse them.

Both Nanny Wu Ya and Nanny Zhou observed cold-eyed that Geng Shuning was less like a female official and more like a pampered guest invited into the palace.

Nanny Zhou, who had served the Empress Dowager for decades, knew best how difficult her mistress was to serve. Though she appeared gentle, she was actually very particular and not easy to please.

Yet, without doing much—mostly preparing food and drinks—Geng Shuning managed to gain favor in front of the masters. Anyone with a brain knew not to offend her.

The most feared Nanny Zhou was unusually gentle with Geng Shuning, to the point that it was almost frightening.

What impressed Nanny Zhou about Geng Shuning was that no matter how much favor she enjoyed from the Empress Dowager, the girl remained the same as she had always been.

Seeing Nanny Zhou, Geng Shuning still smiled shyly, her lips pursed, and both her small hands gesturing as she warmly took Nanny Zhou into the kitchen.

She explained softly, "I saw the fish in the kitchen, and since the masters don’t like fishy smells, I thought of a new and interesting way to prepare it."

Leading her to a large basin of sauerkraut fish, Geng Shuning swallowed and spoke even more sweetly.

Offering a pair of chopsticks, she said, "Please, Nanny, help us taste the dish. You’ve served the masters the longest, and we’re all counting on your guidance!"

Nanny Zhou was beaming from Geng Shuning’s words.

It was no wonder this young girl was so likable. Not only did she have a fortunate appearance, a gift from her parents, but even her compliments always hit just the right note and warmed people’s hearts.

She earned the respect of everyone in the kitchen and reciprocated with sincerity, giving a clear answer.

"I smell something spicy. The master can't handle too much spice. Even if it tastes good, we can't upset the master's stomach."

Zhou Cheng hurriedly smiled and spoke in favor of Geng Shuning. "Don't worry, Nanny. Miss Shuning is very attentive and avoided spiciness. She didn't use chili peppers; she only used Sichuan evodia. She also specially prepared small servings of chilled pear tea to clear the palate for the master. Please do us the honor of tasting it?"

Nanny Zhou nodded.

With the first bite of the tender white fish slice in her mouth, Nanny Zhou was too distracted to speak.

The sour freshness made her mouth water, and the spiciness of the evodia was neutralized by the unique taste of the pickled vegetables, making it appetizing without being overpowering.

Even though she only meant to sample it, a bowl of rice was gone in no time, and after a few sips of the chilled pear tea... she felt comfortable from the inside out.

Nanny Zhou let out an involuntary burp, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"It's still Miss who knows how to serve. I'll go ask the Imperial Kitchen Bureau for some digestive pills to prepare just in case."

Everyone understood what she meant. This dish would definitely be presented, and the Empress Dowager would surely enjoy her meal, leading to rewards.

Zhou Cheng beamed at Geng Shuning, wishing he could treat her like a revered ancestor.

Even simple dishes could be transformed into treasures. She was truly an ancestor bringing him fortune, much more precious than those in the ancestral line.

The kitchen staff cooked with full vigor, not just for the Empress Dowager. Small portions were also prepared for Geng Shuning and the female officials.

To prevent lingering odors, they prepared mint drinks to freshen the air, all without asking the female officials to contribute. The kitchen offered it as a token of respect.

The other female officials knew how the kitchen's offerings came about. In their spare time, they sent handkerchiefs, pouches, and round fans they made to Geng Shuning, making her happy again.

*

In the late afternoon, when the Empress Dowager woke up from her nap, Geng Shuning had cleaned everything thoroughly to remove any lingering smells and entered the inner chamber carrying a bowl of cooling mung bean and pumpkin shaved ice.

As soon as Uya saw Geng Shuning, she smiled and scolded, "You little monkey, you made me lose face at lunch. You dare to hide and not show up, and now you come here?"

The Empress Dowager's words were affectionate, and Geng Shuning didn't stand on ceremony.

Using the same persistence she had when coaxing her grandmother to pay for her tuition in the past, she blinked her distinctly black-and-white almond eyes and put down the food box, smiling as she moved close to the Empress Dowager.

"This servant wouldn't dare to take such a big blame. If you can eat a few more bites, Zhou Interpreter and the others will almost enshrine me in the Buddha hall."

"If you don't give a reward, it's too pitiful. I was afraid you'd get angry from the spiciness, so I specially made an ice bowl. After receiving such a scolding, I should hide and whimper a little."

Uya laughed so hard she couldn't speak. Crying was one thing, but whimpering?

All the women in the palace could cry, but even Uya, who was stunning when she cried in her youth, couldn't imagine what whimpering sounded like.

She didn't know before, but this girl spoke in such a clever and witty way. It sounded like a gentle and soft coquettish plea, but it made people want to laugh.

Ever since Geng Shuning started serving closely, she made her laugh eight times out of ten sentences.

The nannies and workers serving in the hall also laughed uncontrollably. Geng Shuning opened the food box and presented the particularly beautiful shaved ice.

Her lips formed two small dimples, looking both obedient and sweet. On her fair oval face, her especially endearing eyes now flashed at the Empress Dowager.

"Master, don't just laugh. Are you really not going to give a reward?"

"A few days ago, some tribute from Jiangnan was sent to the imperial court. When it was being stored, this servant saw that there were several pieces of lake-green silk that would especially suit a young lady with an oval face."

Uya laughed so hard that her stomach ached, and she had to hold onto the table, tears streaming down her face.

It took a long while before Wu Ya had the strength to point at her and look toward Nanny Wu Ya.

“Listen, get her back to her room pronto, or I might get squeezed out by this oval-faced girl.”

This remark sparked another round of laughter in the hall.

The servants guarding the door outside had gone from shock at first to becoming accustomed to it now, their admiration for Geng Shuning growing even more in their hearts.

When Geng Shuning returned to the back hall amidst the respect and envy of the servants, she discovered that not only was there lake-green silk, but also a piece of bright satin that had once been bestowed upon Niuheru Jingyi.

*

Geng Xue, who had come from the storeroom, moved close to Geng Shuning in a hesitant manner.

“Nanny Wu Ya said to keep this for making pouches and small clothes.”

Geng Shuning looked at Geng Xue. “Not hiding from me anymore?”

Since Geng Shuning told her about her father’s actions, Geng Xue had been acting like she was trying to atone for it. She even seemed willing to die to make amends. Ever since then, she had been fighting to do chores, only avoiding Geng Shuning.

Geng Xue looked up at Geng Shuning, her eyes rimmed with red, as if she were on the verge of tears. She hesitated, unsure of how to express what she wanted to say.

Yet, she refused to leave.

Geng Shuning became curious; it was obvious there was something hidden here.

“Did you go to the Four Archives Hall to ask our uncle?”

Geng Xue instinctively lowered her head and softly replied, “Father said... it was arranged by our paternal uncle.”

Geng Shuning didn’t react immediately. “Which paternal uncle is so—” lacking in brains?

Before she could finish her sentence, it dawned on her, and she widened her eyes.

“Are you saying it’s my father?”

Geng Xue remained silent and nodded.

Geng Shuning was speechless. 'Of all people, it had to be my own father?!'

She was momentarily distracted. Had the Emperor found out about this?

Having a father who betrayed his own daughter was as good as her own fault.

It must have been found out; otherwise, they wouldn’t have dragged her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation late at night.

What was going through that worthless father's mind? What could he have been thinking?

In the memories of the original body, Geng Jia De Jin wasn’t lacking in brains and was quite reliable in handling matters.

The fact that the family had been raised in status showed that he knew how to seize opportunities and even create them when there were none.

Except when it came to women, he wasn’t picky, and his backyard was filled with concubines and illegitimate children, but this worthless father still doted on the original body.

After all, the rules for the imperial selection were strict, and the ladies of Manchu families held high status. Being the legitimate daughter, even the stepmother didn’t dare to do anything openly; otherwise, the original body wouldn’t have been able to enter the palace even if she tried her hardest.

So why was he now digging a hole for his daughter after she had entered the palace?

Was he giving up on her, seeing her as a lost cause, and trying to curry favor with the Tong family for a better future?

"Seeing that Geng Shuning's expression darkened, Geng Xue hurriedly explained, 'Cousin, don't jump to conclusions. It's not Uncle's intention; it's an imperial edict from Changchun Garden...'"

"'Uncle didn't dare to hide it and specially entered the palace through the Xihua Gate to deliver the incense.'"

"The Forbidden City has four main gates."

"The Meridian Gate is rarely opened, while the east and west side gates are used by ministers and royal family members for court business."

"The Shenwu Gate is mostly used by servants and concubines to enter and exit, and even the Empress Dowager uses this gate. It's the only palace gate Geng Shuning has ever seen."

"The East Hua Gate and the Xihua Gate are open daily for officials on duty."

"However, the East Hua Gate is mostly used by officials from the Hanlin Academy and the Grand Secretariat, while the Xihua Gate, being closer to the Imperial Household Department, is primarily used by officials of that department."

"Since the Imperial Household Department is the only office permitted to bring items into the palace, the guards inspect everything thoroughly. All items brought in must be checked repeatedly and carefully recorded."

Geng Shuning immediately understood. Her no-good father was following the Retired Emperor's orders, openly entering the palace to 'medicate' his daughter... It was just another mess that Kangxi had stirred up!

After the initial shock, Geng Shuning felt a headache.

She propped herself on the kang table, looking at Geng Xue with a weak and listless expression. "You should have told me sooner. Why are you bringing this up now?"

Geng Xue was not allowed to leave without permission and had to report to Nanny Chen, something Geng Shuning was already aware of, as several days had passed.

Hearing Geng Shuning's question, Geng Xue was close to tears and, without hesitation, knelt before Geng Shuning.

"After much thought, I didn't dare to hide it from you, cousin. I'm sorry!"

Geng Shuning was startled and almost fell backward. She quickly got up to help her but heard all of Geng Xue's words.

She wiped her face. "Alright, stand up and talk."

Since she was already prepared to be betrayed, it didn't matter much whether it was by her father or her cousin.

Geng Xue refused to rise, keeping her head lowered as she spoke in a small voice. "After the emperor investigated the matter, he summoned my father. Now, my father's master is the emperor."

Geng Shuning narrowed her eyes and understood. "Your master has changed too?"

Being father and daughter, their honor and disgrace were tied together. Without needing Geng Xue to say much more, Geng Shuning figured it out.

Using the analytical skills she had developed from planning, she continued, "Did the emperor instruct you to do something that betrays me? Like monitoring my every move? Or inquiring about my past?"

"You came to me today because your master gave you an order that puts you in a difficult position, right?" The more she brainstormed, the heavier Geng Shuning's heart sank, and her scalp tingled.

Sitting on the edge of the kang, she looked down at Geng Xue with a calm gaze. "You can't hide it anymore, so you're putting me in a difficult spot? Just say it. After all, we're family, bound by blood."

Geng Xue was startled by her cousin's sharpness. Geng Shuning had guessed everything correctly!

The implicit threat in Geng Shuning's words turned Geng Xue's face pale, and she felt a bit embarrassed.

She had been by Geng Shuning's side for three years. At first, she saw her cousin as gentle, sensitive, and overly concerned with appearances, but also timid, all of which were the results of being raised by her stepmother.

Now, she realized that her cousin only appeared weak but actually understood everything clearly and was not someone who could be easily deceived.

She nervously shrank her neck. "This... this is also Uncle's intention. After all, the master is the emperor, and we are all the emperor's servants..."

Geng Shuning interrupted her justification. "I understand. Get to the point."

Geng Xue awkwardly lowered her eyes. "The emperor sent a message, saying... that cousin has been so content in the Changchun Garden that you've forgotten what you said. He specially sent someone to remind you."

Geng Shuning: “……” I see. Even someone who works like a horse to repay a favor immediately, I can understand that.

Geng Xue: “The emperor’s wish is for you to repay the favor as soon as possible, otherwise what was said in the Hall of Mental Cultivation still holds. The Hall of Mental Cultivation still lacks, lacks……”

Geng Shuning waited calmly for her to continue.

She wouldn’t demand loyalty from the relatives of her original body; even if they shared the same blood, selfishness was only natural.

It was Geng Xue’s flushed face that surprised Geng Shuning.

She asked directly, “Do you lack someone to warm the bed?”

Geng Xue’s ears turned blood red, but she shook her head.

Geng Shuning grew even more curious. Besides what happened in bed, what else could make a young girl so embarrassed?

Geng Xue closed her eyes and blurted out Zhao Song’s instructions——

“……the Hall of Mental Cultivation needs a competent *Shangqin Mama* (a senior female attendant responsible for the emperor’s rest and comfort).”

Geng Shuning: “……” So that’s it. She had underestimated the level of villainy.

The emperor didn’t want her to warm his bed, but he expected her to arrange for someone else to do so—and make sure they were willing.

Even a seasoned courtesan would be shocked by such a request.

Originally, they had forced her to come at midnight, but now it had escalated—she had to find a way to offer herself.

How could she degrade herself so much?

If she agreed to this, how weak would she appear?

With a cold, beautiful face, Geng Shuning’s apricot eyes brewed the chill of midwinter, which fell fiercely on Geng Xue, making her feel a deep chill in her heart.

Geng Xue held her breath, wanting to run away. She felt like her elder cousin was about to say something that would get the entire Geng family beheaded.

“Send a message to your master: my head may be cut off and my blood may flow, but I, Geng Shuning, will never——,” her usually sweet and soft voice was colder than her gaze.

“——be an ungrateful person!”

Looking down at the dumbfounded Geng Xue, Geng Shuning declared powerfully——

“For every drop of kindness I receive, I will repay it with boundless gratitude. I will give your master the satisfaction he desires, but a position as important as a *Shangqin Mama* is beyond my capabilities.”

Geng Xue opened her mouth, then opened it again, but still couldn’t say anything.

Elder cousin, you could have surrendered a bit more gracefully, really.

With unyielding pride, she dismissed Geng Xue and slammed the door shut. Once alone, Geng Shuning collapsed onto the kang (a traditional heated brick bed).

Her small fists pounded the bedding as she buried her head in it, crying out in frustration.

She wished she could defy the emperor so fiercely that his face would bleed. If she died, in eighteen years, she’d be another hero.

But she didn’t dare to die. Having taken over another’s body, she couldn’t repay the kindness, but at least she shouldn’t repay it with hatred, endangering the Geng family.

A child who came out of the mountains, even the poorest had the hard bones nurtured by the landscape, each with a bit of defiance.

But after banging her head against the harsh realities of life, she had learned to be pragmatic, gritting her teeth, swallowing her pride and tears, and casting aside her dignity to become the highly paid strategist she once was.

Geng Shuning would never make the same mistake again. Since she was alive, no matter how difficult the journey was, she would make sure to live a better life.

After venting for a while, Geng Shuning, with red-rimmed eyes and disheveled hair, slowly got up, sat down, and took out the *Qingxin Sutra*.

For now, she decided to copy Buddhist scriptures to calm her mind, so she could carefully consider what she could do to get back at that despicable person.

Pausing for a moment, she put away the *Qingxin Sutra* and switched to the *Benyuan Sutra* for transcendental guidance. A little spiritual transcendence for the despicable person might help her stay calm.

*

Before Geng Shuning could finish copying the sutras, Yinzhen received the message passed by Geng Xue.

Yinzhen had just finished a set of boxing at the wrestling arena.

When Zhao Song reported, Su Peisheng was helping him undress for bathing.

With a smile, Yinzhen stepped into the bath, his rarely seen muscular body submerging into the warm water. He listened with great interest to the polished version of the message Geng Xue brought over.

Although Geng Xue had to follow Zhao Song’s arrangements because of her father, she still had feelings for her elder cousin, who had taken care of her for more than three years.

Moreover, she realized from recent events that the emperor held her elder cousin in high regard, so she didn’t dare to cross her.

Yinzhen only smiled and asked Su Peisheng, “What did she say?”

Su Peisheng bowed his head, seemingly unable to hold back his laughter. “The secret guards reported that Geng Xue had been dismissed, and after the door was closed, there was quite a bit of noise from Miss Shuning’s room. The bedding likely bore the brunt of her frustration.”

Yinzhen chuckled softly.

No matter how many times he had beaten the guards at the wrestling arena, nothing had made him feel as satisfied as he did at that moment.

Finally, that little troublemaker was truly furious. It wouldn’t be fair if only one of them was angry.

As he stepped out of the bath, Su Peisheng bent down to dry Yinzhen off. With a lazy smile, Yinzhen issued his command.

“Keep a close watch. I want to know how she plans to satisfy me.”

Dressed in his regular robe, Yinzhen regained his usual vigor.

Feeling pleased, he settled onto the Luohan couch and focused on the messages collected by the Imperial Guard from various places.

Before receiving the report, he decided to attend to some unfinished matters to avoid ruining his mood.