Chapter 44 Gaze Under the Palace Walls

Chapter 44: Watching from the Palace Walls

After the meal, the women rinsed their mouths again, and the palace maids served tea, fruits, and snacks. The imperial consorts rose, bowed in thanks, and then sat back down to enjoy the refreshments.

The Jingxi Emperor also ate a little before rising to leave.

Tied up with state affairs, he naturally had no time to waste with the palace women.

He first bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, then turned to the Empress and said calmly, "You are virtuous and capable, running the inner court for me. Noble Lady Ning is still settling in, and I am often occupied with governance. I leave her in your hands. If she steps out of line, please let me know first."

His words were tactful, but the meaning was clear: *My concubine is new here. As the principal wife, treat her well. Even if she does something wrong, you must not punish her without consulting me first.*

The others stole glances at the Empress.

Yet the Empress merely lifted her eyes, smiled at the Jingxi Emperor, and obediently agreed, looking every bit the obedient, virtuous wife.

With no drama to enjoy, the onlookers felt disappointed but could do nothing.

As the Emperor prepared to depart, the women escorted him out, and A Wu joined them.

Honestly, A Wu felt a little lost watching the Jingxi Emperor leave. The palace was dazzling but stifling, filled with intricate rules, and surrounded by strangers—he was the only familiar presence to her.

She gazed at his retreating figure, but he didn’t look back—not even a glance.

Beside her, Consort Hui gently tugged A Wu’s sleeve.

A Wu snapped back to attention, quickly dropping into a meek curtsy.

Soon after, the Empress also took her leave to attend to palace affairs. Before departing, she shot A Wu a pointed look.

A Wu acted oblivious.

Once the Empress was gone, the ladies returned to their seats to chat over tea. Some of the higher-ranked consorts joined the Empress Dowager in a game of leaf cards.

The Empress Dowager even asked if A Wu knew how to play. A Wu naturally did not, so Consort Hui guided her from the sidelines.

After watching for a while, A Wu still hadn’t grasped the rules.

Her mind was too chaotic to focus on games.

Moreover, the surrounding consorts and noble ladies were covertly studying her, sizing her up, speculating about her.

Consort Hui exchanged a few words with her and explained the rules of leaf cards. Because of this, the other consorts also spoke to her briefly—except for Consort Kang, who kept giving her sly looks, smiling inscrutably.

A Wu couldn’t stand it. Pressing her lips together, she locked eyes with Consort Kang, defiant.

Her reaction was so abrupt that it drew everyone’s attention to Consort Kang, who, caught off guard, looked downright flustered.

*Now it looks like I’m the one bullying her!*

Flustered, Consort Kang quickly covered by saying, "I’m thirsty—let me have some tea."

Only then did A Wu look away.

She knew full well that as a newcomer in an awkward position, she shouldn’t provoke Consort Kang—the birth mother of the Jingxi Emperor’s most beloved daughter.

But… that didn’t mean Consort Kang could push her around!

If anyone crossed her, she’d return the favor.

She *is* a Noble Lady now...

Sure enough, after that staring match, Consort Kang no longer looked at A Wu, who finally felt at ease.

************

When it was finally time to leave, everyone took their turns bidding farewell, which involved kowtowing three times to the Empress Dowager. Fortunately, A Wu had already mastered the ritual.

After completing the three kowtows in one breath, the Empress Dowager glanced down at her and instructed a palace maid to reward her with gold and silver pellets.

Gold and silver pellets?

She didn’t quite understand, but soon a maid presented a large lacquered box, inside of which were indeed gold and silver pellets.

A Wu hurriedly expressed her gratitude, accepting the gift with grave gratitude.

By the time she stepped out of the palace hall, it was only early afternoon, with the sun shining brightly. The view before her was magnificent—intricately carved beams and painted ceilings, intricate and resplendent decorations, all exuding imperial grandeur.

Walking along the covered corridor, she gazed at the dazzling surroundings, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

She was now officially Noble Lady Ning. According to protocol, she was seen back to her residence, Langhua Hall, by the head palace maid and maids.

She knew she would spend many years here, perhaps never leaving.

Yet she didn’t feel particularly sorrowful. Even if she had remained in the Eastern Sea, she wouldn’t have been able to wait for her father and brothers. Here, within the high walls of the palace, she could at least find a place to settle, spared from a life of drifting.

Today, she had met the Empress Dowager. Though the Empress Dowager disliked her background, A Wu vaguely understood that since the Jingxi Emperor had made it clear she was to stay—whether liked or not—she had no choice but to remain in the palace, digging in her heels here.

Most would need thick skin to stick it out, but A Wu didn’t need that.

She'd stay put - so what? The Empress Dowager might dislike her, the other imperial wives might resent her, but as long as the Emperor wanted her here, that was enough.

Lost in these thoughts, she continued walking when suddenly a palace maid beside her stopped and whispered a reminder, "Noble Lady."

A Wu gave her a questioning look, then followed the maid’s meaningful gaze.

There, she saw the Jingxi Emperor.

Before the grand palace halls, beneath the sprawling red walls, stood the Emperor's lavish palanquin. Surrounding it were the Imperial Guard, palace eunuchs holding curved yellow parasols, and embroidered dragon fans.

The palanquin’s curtains were drawn back by the eunuchs, revealing the Jingxi Emperor seated on the throne, his silhouette regal and severe, yet silent.

As if sensing her gaze, he turned his head toward her.

The moment their eyes met, A Wu felt as though something had seized her, rooting her to the spot.

The corners of the Jingxi Emperor’s lips lifted slightly in a subtle smile.

A Wu's pulse quickened.

She hadn’t known he was watching her here. She had thought he had left long ago, without so much as a glance back.

Yet he was smiling at her—across the palanquin, beyond the curved yellow parasols, past the guards and eunuchs—his bearing polished yet restrained.

In that warm smile seemed to converge the refined grace of Great Hui's century-spanning legacy.

Before, A Wu hadn’t understood. Now she did. The palace operated by strict rules; even the Emperor might not act freely.

But he was smiling at her.

The sunlight was glorious, and a crisp autumn breeze whispered along the palace walls, stirring the golden, patterned drapes and playing with the tassels of the Emperor's headpiece.

Their eyes locked like silk threads, parting, meeting, and tangling together with tender affection.

A Wu felt her cheeks grow warm. She wanted to mouth words to him but her thoughts scattered. In the end, she simply pressed her lips together and offered him a faint smile.

A whisper of a smile, lighter than air.

At that moment, the Imperial Guard and palace eunuchs around them all lowered their eyes. The scene was utterly silent, yet a charged tension hummed faintly through the air.

Fu Tai kept his head bowed, but in a fleeting glance, he noticed a faint blush at the corner of the emperor’s eyes.

He stiffened, scarcely believing his eyes.

Having seen every beauty the realm could offer and weathered countless storms of court politics, this emperor who ruled the world had flushed like a green boy—all because of that barely-there smile from a young woman!

His imperial majesty!

A Wu finally withdrew her gaze, lowering her head with a faint smile. She bent her knees slightly and offered a distant curtsy to the Jingxi Emperor.

Then she dragged her steps forward.

Fu Tai stole another glance and saw the emperor’s gaze lingering on the young woman’s retreating figure, his features still lit with quiet amusement—until that slender silhouette disappeared behind the palace walls.

The emperor's gaze cooled gradually.

Crimson maple leaves spiraled onto the slate paving as a eunuch hauling sloshing wash water passed beneath the palace walls, head bowed.

The emperor’s distant profile now betrayed a quiet desolation.

Fu Tai’s barely suppressed smile slowly turned into melancholy, and his eyes grew suspiciously moist.

He was a eunuch, ignorant of love's ways and unfit to know them. Yet in this moment, he tasted the bittersweet complexity of intertwined emotions.

*************

A Wu knew watching eyes were following her from behind.

So she dragged her steps.

But no matter how slow, the path would eventually end. After turning a corner with the palace maid, the watching eyes were finally cut off, vanishing from sight.

A Wu knew the road ahead would not be easy. From the moment the Jingxi Emperor commanded her to the palace, it meant he had staked his lifelong reputation on her.

One misstep, and they would be condemned as wanton lovers, defying all moral principles.

Of course, there was also the possibility that one day he might regret it, and she would become a blood sacrifice to burnish his spotless reign, her death cleansing his name.

At this thought, A Wu's feet stuttered before she continued forward.

The journey from the Empress Dowager’s Shouchang Palace to her own Langhua Palace was not short. Soaring pavilions and serpentine passageways unspooled endlessly, and A Wu's slippers had rubbed blisters before she reached.

Before her stood a palace gate with lozenge-paned windows, its arched roof covered in cylindrical tiles. Above, a green screen door bore a red square inscribed with the characters "Langhua."

A female palace official awaited her there, welcoming A Wu inside and explaining the layout of Langhua Palace and the arrangements for the future.

After walking so far, A Wu caught only fragments through her exhaustion.

The female palace official noticed her weariness but still outlined the upcoming arrangements.

As a noble consort, she would receive a monthly stipend of fifty-three taels, called 'rouge silver.' If assigned duties or tasks within the palace, she would earn additional wages and rewards. Noble consorts were entitled to two meals a day and one serving of tea, fruits, and snacks, all provided by the palace without cost. Seasonal provisions of vegetables, clothing, fabric, shoes, and accessories were also supplied by the imperial household.

Within her palace, there would be attendants responsible for cleaning, laundry, sewing, and tailoring—all expenses for these palace maids and eunuchs covered by the palace treasury.

A Wu took a moment to digest this information.

She then asked, "So you're saying, fifty-three taels of silver every month, free food and lodging, maid service included, and I don’t have any expenses at all?"

The court official paused briefly before nodding. "Yes."

She quickly added, "Besides the fifty-three taels, there are also rewards, work allowances, and extra bonuses."

A Wu grew somewhat intrigued and asked curiously, "For example?"

The official replied, "For instance, preparations are currently underway for Princess De Ning’s coming-of-age celebration. If Your Ladyship takes on duties assigned by Her Majesty the Empress, such as overseeing certain arrangements, she can receive an allowance."

A Wu immediately felt a headache coming on—earning money under the Empress would likely be quite difficult. Never mind then.

She could only ask, "What about the bonuses?"

The official explained, "Every month, officials provide instruction to the imperial consorts and palace maids. If Your Ladyship excels in her studies and demonstrates literary proficiency, she can be promoted. With promotion comes a higher monthly stipend. By convention, Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty the Emperor also grant additional rewards."

Studying? Literary proficiency?

A Wu grew even more astonished. She looked at the official and cautiously asked, "But... I am here to serve His Majesty, not to pursue studies, am I?"

The official gave a light, respectful smile. "Your Ladyship may not be aware, but this has always been the rule in the inner palace."

A Wu stared at the official in confusion.

The official smiled and said, "If Your Ladyship listens carefully to what this official explains, she will understand."

Thus, the official elaborated in detail. Only then did A Wu learn that Great Hui had always placed great emphasis on imperial heirs and the selection of their maternal lineage, yet disliked external relatives. As a result, most women in the inner palace were from respectable commoner families. These women underwent layers of selection before entering the inner palace, either pursuing the path of female officials or serving as candidates for the imperial harem.

Those who took the path of female officials naturally had to be literate and well-versed in literature, first becoming female scholars, then advancing to female historians, then palace officials, and finally rising to the six bureaus’ seal-holders.

As for the imperial harem, women of good character and literary proficiency were selected, though the Emperor’s favor also played a role. Based on the Emperor’s preference, an initial rank was assigned. Afterward, they had to study the Four Books and Five Classics, funeral rites, hosting and sending off guests, as well as music, chess, painting, and calligraphy.

In short, they had to study.

If they excelled, there were annual tests—yes, actual tests!

Performing well in these tests provided opportunities for promotion.

A Wu felt her legs grew weak. She was indeed literate and had even read some books, but... now that she'd finally entered the palace, she was expected to sit for exams to become a female scholar?

She could hardly stand, shakily leaning against the screen. She asked the official, "Aside from studying, are there other ways to get promoted? Or—"

All her excitement had vanished, and she asked meekly, "Can I just get by on the fifty-some taels of spending money every month?"

The official observed A Wu’s lack of ambition and, after a moment’s thought, nodded. However, she still reminded her, "But if that’s the case, Your Ladyship will naturally have no status with Her Majesty the Empress, and His Majesty will also be displeased. In the past, His Majesty has always favored those with outstanding literary talent—such as Consort Hui, who excels in her studies and has been praised by His Majesty several times."

Upon hearing this, A Wu suddenly remembered how the Jingxi Emperor had entrusted her to Consort Hui, instructing her to "take good care" of A Wu.

So this "care" meant assigning her a mentor to study under?

Trembling, she clung to one last shred of hope. "Is there... anything else?"

The official thought for a moment and added, "According to the ancestral regulations of Great Hui’s inner palace, the Emperor visits the inner palace every month. If one receives his favor, there will be additional bonuses. Beyond that, if one can bear royal children and extend the royal lineage, it’s not just about bonuses—there will also be promotions."

A Wu said, "Oh, so Consort Kang rose through the ranks this way?"

The official, however, wouldn't speak out of turn about Consort Kang and merely said, "Everything in the palace goes by the rules."

A Wu quickly assessed in her mind that the Jingxi Emperor had few children, with only two women in the imperial harem having received such an honor so far—one of whom had already died of illness.

She felt she probably didn’t have the luck to bear a child for the Jingxi Emperor and could only rely on frequent nights of service to be promoted.

That shouldn’t be too hard, right? She could just be more seductive and get the Jingxi Emperor to sleep with her a few extra times!

But as she rubbed her hands together, planning to diligently share his bed for a promotion, she suddenly felt something was off.

Were the women in the inner palace his wives and concubines or his subordinates? Was he running a school or training soldiers?

What kind of ridiculous rules were these?!

The female palace official looked at A Wu with some sympathy but still reminded her, "According to the rules, every year, the ladies of the inner palace must undergo examinations conducted by specialized female officials and eunuchs. If one fails these examinations, their name won’t be written on the summons plaque."

A Wu: "What do you mean? Summons plaque? What’s that?"

The female palace official patiently explained, "The Emperor’s visits follow strict protocols. Usually, before dinner, the summons plaque is issued, listing the concubines to be summoned for the night. Afterward, the eunuchs of the Office of Imperial Household Affairs and the female officials responsible for palace records make dual records. If your name isn’t on the summons plaque, you won’t have the chance to receive the imperial visit."

She looked at A Wu but thought to herself that even being listed wouldn’t help—the Emperor hadn’t followed the usual harem visits for years. He wouldn’t even call concubines over for tea as a formality, refusing to grant them the slightest dignity.

Rumors said the Emperor’s health had long been ruined, that he was no longer able—but she dared not speak of it.

In any case, since imperial visits had ceased, everyone had lost their motivation and simply resigned themselves to passing the years.

Besides, the Emperor wasn’t easy to please. A man who commanded the court could see through the inner palace women at a glance. None dared to approach the Jingxi Emperor too boldly, so the real focus was on seeking favor with the Empress Dowager and the Empress...

For the concubines of the inner palace, the Jingxi Emperor’s indifference to the inner palace and his lack of attention to them was actually a good thing.

If he ever did take notice, everyone would tremble in fear.

A Wu could hardly believe it. Her eyes widened, her lips slightly parted in shock. "If... if I don’t study well, then—"

The female palace official looked at her impassively and delivered a harsh truth: "If you can’t serve in bed, your chances of promotion will only grow slimmer."

A Wu: "..."

She felt like every possible path had been blocked!

How was she supposed to live like this?

**********

The female palace official withdrew, and a palace maid stepped forward to ask about tea service. It turned out that in the palace, there were two formal meals and one tea service per day—now was the time for tea.

The tea and snacks had to be fetched by the maids from the Imperial Catering Office. Noble Ladies and above were entitled to them, and A Wu, as a Noble Lady (a rank just meeting the threshold), barely qualified.

—She was nearly ineligible.

Unfortunately, A Wu had no appetite at the moment. She weakly waved her hand. "It's fine, I don’t want any. No need to fetch them."

To her surprise, the maid shared a look with another maid, hesitant to speak.

A Wu: "What? Can’t I refuse?"

Did she have to force herself to eat? Were they fattening livestock here?

The maid stepped forward and explained, "Of course, you don’t have to take them, but... if you don’t, the Imperial Catering Office will just pocket the portion."

A Wu suddenly understood. She looked at the two maids. "What are your names?"

The two maids bowed and introduced themselves—one was Yilan, the other Weilan, both around fifteen or sixteen, about the same age as A Wu.

A Wu instantly read their minds—at their age, with few other distractions, they were probably just craving the treats.

So she said, "I already had some at the Empress Dowager's place today and am not hungry. Go ahead and keep the snacks for yourselves."

The two maids were surprised and overjoyed but also a little embarrassed.

A Wu waved it off. "No need to be polite. Go ahead."

Only then did they thank her and leave cheerfully, their steps lively as they hurried down—perhaps truly eager for the treats.

A Wu watched their retreating figures with envy. Having an appetite was a gift, yet she no longer even had that.

A pang of sadness hit her. She had never imagined being a nation-toppling temptress would be so difficult. She had thought it would just involve swaying her hips and batting her eyelashes.

No wonder the Jingxi Emperor had refused to let her enter the palace before, preferring to keep her outside. Palace life was brutal.

She also recalled the unfriendly gazes of the other concubines in Changshou Hall earlier, but now she somewhat understood them.

They must have clawed their way up to maintain their current status, excelling in literature, poetry, and even household management, accounting, and etiquette. No wonder they scorned her for sneaking in the back way!

Then she remembered the way the Jingxi Emperor had looked at her earlier—devouring her with his eyes.

If she failed the palace examinations, would he still summon her? Would he cheat to keep her?

She thought... probably?

But everyone else had entered the palace through rigorous selection, while she had been forced in. Surely there were no precedents for favoritism in the harem?

Perhaps he would sternly say, *"A Wu, you must learn to stand beside me on your own merits... Study hard, pass the examinations, and then come to me."*

A Wu sulked. He should’ve spelled it out! Had she known, she might not have agreed to come. Couldn’t she study anywhere in the world? Why put up with palace hell?

Just then, she suddenly remembered the gold and silver *dou* leaves the Empress Dowager had gifted her and hurriedly took them out to examine them closely.

The gold beans were perfectly round. A Wu estimated each was about one *qian* in weight, and the Empress Dowager had given her twenty—so twenty *qian*? That would be two *taels*.

If she ever left the palace and decided to sell them, they might fetch even more, since palace goods were higher-grade.

This thought comforted her somewhat. She then unpacked her bags, which the palace eunuchs had arranged for her in Langhua Hall.

After checking, she confirmed everything was there—the gold from the Crown Prince, the jewelry and gems from the Jingxi Emperor—all accounted for. She locked the gold *dou* leaves and other valuables away together.

Clutching her treasures, she glanced around. The room was lavishly furnished: a carved bamboo nanmu screen, a green gauze cabinet on one side, and a railing partition on the other, all framed with boxwood inlaid with rosewood. The floor was paved with bricks, while the bedroom had wooden flooring covered with plush rugs.

She found a spot to stow her things, finally relaxing a little.

Just then, the two maids returned, first offering the snacks for A Wu to sample. She glanced at them—they were indeed delicate—but still had no appetite and let the maids share them, which they happily did.

A Wu, wearing only white silk socks, padded barefoot across the rug, enjoying its softness and warmth.

Beneath every palace bedroom were hypocausts fed by charcoal furnaces. In winter, the palace would first ignite silver charcoal elsewhere before pushing the burning coals in with iron trolleys, ensuring the entire chamber stayed toasty.

She stood by the window and looked outside. The courtyard was meticulously designed, with connecting verandas, tiled roofs, and winding corridors adorned with wisteria trellises and rockeries—almost like a private garden.

Leaves drifted down from the wisteria vines, scattering sporadically, adding a poetic charm.

Some junior maids stood under the eaves, sharing the snacks and whispering among themselves—both delighted and slightly nervous, occasionally breaking into soft laughter.

A Wu smiled faintly too. Suddenly, the deep palace didn’t seem so terrifying after all.

As for studying? She just wouldn’t. She’d stubbornly stay put—she had fifty-three taels, after all.

As for serving the Emperor and men in general... she’d just quit men cold turkey!