Chapter 40: Your Majesty, long time no see. [One update]

Chapter 40: Your Majesty, Long Time No See. [First Update]

The glory of Tingxue Palace lasted but three days.

By the fourth day after Jiang Yunran was appointed as a Selected Attendant, Jing Huayan had yet to summon her for the night. This sparked quiet speculation and calculation among the palace staff.

The imperial palace was the most pragmatic of places.

To fawn over the favored and disdain the fallen, to elevate the powerful and trample the weak, was almost human nature here.

After all, those below mirrored those above; the attitude of the superiors dictated the demeanor of the serving palace staff.

Otherwise, wouldn't that be disrespectful to the nobility?

Thus, in just three days, the treatment at Tingxue Palace plummeted.

Not only were the three daily meals neglected, but even the daily water supply was ignored by the duty office. Qian Xiaoduo had to repeatedly plead and urge them before they reluctantly delivered a single cartload.

After three days together, Jiang Yunran had come to understand Zi Ye’s character.

She was quiet, gentle, positive, and optimistic, always facing everything with a smile and never complaining.

Jiang Yunran liked her immensely and, knowing she had been sent by Peng Yu, didn't feel the need to put on any pretense in front of her.

Looking at the dishes before her, which resembled leftovers, Jiang Yunran’s expression subtly darkened.

Zi Ye, however, remained composed, gently reassuring her, "Don’t worry too much, Mistress. This is just how things are in the palace. The cabbage with mushrooms and stir-fried radish aren't actually leftovers—they're just the last bits from the bottom of the wok. The imperial kitchen didn't bother with presentation, so they don't look very appealing."

She continued in a soft, soothing voice, "The stew was specially chosen by me, Mistress. Please try this braised beef brisket; I hope you like it."

To obtain these dishes, Zi Ye must have pulled strings and endured some unpleasantness. The scullery staff in the imperial kitchen would surely have made things difficult for her.

Jiang Yunran sighed, "I've put you in a difficult position."

Zi Ye paused, then smiled. "You are truly kind-hearted, Mistress."

"Serving my mistress is my duty. Whether I succeed or not depends on my ability—how could it be called a difficulty?"

Jiang Yunran looked up at her, and seeing the genuine smile on her face, said, "If things are like this for me, the food for all of you must be even worse. When Xiaoduo returns, let's have lunch together."

Zi Ye smiled shyly. "Thank you, Mistress."

Once Qian Xiaoduo finished his tasks, Zi Ye called him over. He hastily wiped the sweat from his face before entering the main room.

A portion had already been set aside for Qing Dai. The three of them—mistress and servants—sat down to eat.

There was no rule against speaking during meals at Tingxue Palace.

Jiang Yunran said to Qian Xiaoduo, "Later, take two taels of Biluochun tea and give it to Eunuch Li to thank him for his previous kindness."

Qian Xiaoduo quickly replied, "Thank you, Mistress."

Then, Jiang Yunran turned to Zi Ye and said, "You’ve worked hard caring for Qing Dai these past few days. This month, your monthly allowance will be doubled, and I’ll cover the difference. Once Qing Dai recovers, she will resume dressing and attending to me. You will be in charge of meals and the storeroom. Your duties will be clearly defined. If it becomes too much, let me know, and I’ll find a way to bring in more help."

Zi Ye hadn’t expected that Selected Attendant Jiang, who had suddenly appeared in everyone’s eyes, would possess such a decisive and efficient character.

Anyone else, upon being named a Selected Attendant, would have been overjoyed—but not her.

Any other consort, being so neglected, would have been deeply distressed—but not her.

She carried out her duties step by step, organizing each task methodically and without confusion.

When Zi Ye first met her, she thought she was genuinely fragile and pitiable. But upon their next meeting, that perceived fragility vanished completely.

She suddenly understood why Jiang Yunran had become a Selected Attendant.

His Majesty must have seen something extraordinary in her to keep her by his side in the magnificent Changxin Palace.

No wonder Eunuch Peng Yu had personally traveled to bring her to Tingxue Palace.

Zi Ye was not one to waver in loyalty. Since she was here, she would settle in, fulfill her duties, and do her part—that was enough.

Whether the mistress she served was favored or neglected, her responsibilities remained unchanged.

Zi Ye paused, then bowed her head and said, "Yes, Mistress. I understand."

"At dinner time, take five taels of silver to the imperial kitchen and ask them to serve us properly."

This was actually meant to make things easier for Zi Ye and spare her from having to endure sarcastic remarks.

Though Jiang Yunran came from a humble background and lacked favor, she was, after all, a newly appointed Selected Attendant by the emperor. In the entire palace, aside from the early-appointed Selected Attendant Han and the uniquely positioned Ruan Hanzhen, she was the only one who hadn’t entered through the official selection process.

Regardless, the imperial kitchen had to show some deference.

They couldn’t actually starve her.

Zi Ye was deeply touched. "Thank you, Mistress."

After some casual conversation, lunch came to an end.

Jiang Yunran went to check on Qing Dai and, seeing her complexion had improved, returned to rest.

In the afternoon, Jiang Yunran sat on the daybed in the elegant room, leisurely embroidering a pouch.

As a court embroiderer, her skills were exceptional. The silver needle in her hand seemed to come alive, darting through her slender, fair fingertips.

After finishing her tasks, Zi Ye came over to refill her tea and couldn’t help but admire, "Your needlework is truly remarkable, Mistress."

Jiang Yunran smiled and said, "This is my specialty. Since I’m skilled at it, I must do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to enter the palace."

Over the past few days, Jiang Yunran had been embroidering the pouch, and by today, she was nearly finished.

Zi Ye took a look and said, "Is it the Ruyi Tongxin Pattern (Harmony and Unity Pattern)?"

Jiang Yunran excelled in gold and silver thread embroidery. The Ruyi Tongxin Pattern was exquisitely detailed. When sunlight shone upon it, the design shimmered with a radiant glow, as if blessed by gods or Buddhas, full of joy and peace.

With a snip, Jiang Yunran cut the thread.

She began weaving a plum blossom knot for the pouch.

In just a short while, a delicate and beautiful pouch appeared in Jiang Yunran’s hands.

She held it up, examined it for a moment, and nodded in satisfaction. "As expected of me."

Zi Ye couldn’t help but laugh.

After finishing the pouch, Jiang Yunran began tending to the spices.

Qing Dai was still recuperating, and Tingxue Palace hadn’t been assigned a Palace Cleaner, so both Zi Ye and Qian Xiaoduo were busy running back and forth inside and out.

She only rested with Jiang Yunran for a short while before going out to work again.

Qian Xiaoduo returned, his face covered in sweat.

He didn’t approach Jiang Yunran directly but stood in the small study and spoke from a distance: "Eunuch Li bade me thank you, my lady. He said Ziye is a girl from his hometown and hopes you will take good care of her."

Jiang Yunran placed the freshly prepared Liluoxiang, shaped into incense pellets, into a sachet using an incense holder and stored it inside the heart-patterned sachet.

"So they are old acquaintances. It seems this Director Li is also trusted by His Majesty."

Amid the palace turmoil, those who remained and were reused were likely favored by Jing Huayan.

Qian Xiaoduo said, "Yes, I told him that you, my lady, have the best temperament, and Ziye is doing well here. I asked him not to worry."

Jiang Yunran replied, "From now on, pay your respects to him. You know how to handle such matters."

"Yes."

"Did he mention when?"

Qian Xiaoduo paused before answering softly, "Eunuch Li didn’t go into detail, but he did say that if the weather is clear, one might see His Majesty after around 3 to 5 PM each day."

Jiang Yunran smiled faintly. "I understand."

With silver in hand, the Imperial Kitchens became much more accommodating, and for a time, things were peaceful. However, the late summer heat persisted these past few days, and the entire Yujing was sweltering. Even living in the side hall, Jiang Yunran was drenched in sweat.

The Changxin Palace was crowded with buildings, its alleyways deep and narrow, preventing any free-flowing breeze from entering.

Qian Xiaoduo, who was even more susceptible to the heat, said, "My lady, you can’t endure this. Should I go to the ice cellar and fetch some ice?"

Although Jiang Yunran was only a Selected Attendant, a position far too low, the royal household was not entirely without compassion. For instance, during the scorching summer, the Three Bureaus and Two Directorates distributed a block of ice every other day, and the same applied to Cainü and Selected Attendants.

But allowances were one thing; how much actually reached them was another matter.

After all, a block of ice could vary in size—chipped, broken, melted, or entirely gone—all seemingly acts of fate, and who could defy fate?

Given the precarious situation of the Tingxue Palace, Jiang Yunran had avoided stirring up trouble and hadn’t mentioned using ice from the start.

However, she was not one to endure hardship needlessly. "Go ahead."

On the first day, Qian Xiaoduo successfully brought back ice.

Naturally, Jiang Yunran had no ice basin, so they placed it in a lotus-shaped basin, which still provided a pleasant coolness.

She invited Qingdai to join them, and the four of them—mistress and servants—sat around the lotus-shaped basin drinking tea, a rather odd sight.

After five days of recovery, Qingdai had visibly improved.

Her cheeks had regained their rosy hue, her wounds were mostly healed, and, more importantly, her energy and spirit had returned.

"My lady, I’m much better!"

Qingdai said apologetically, "These past few days have been tiring for Ziye. I’ll take over the night shift starting tonight."

But Jiang Yunran shook her head. "I will compensate for her hard work. Focus on recovering completely. Only when you’re fully well can you work for me diligently in the future."

Qingdai and Ziye exchanged a glance and smiled together.

Jiang Yunran kept herself busy. No sooner had she finished the pouch than she started making socks.

The style made it clear they were intended for a man.

But the good times didn’t last. The next day, when Qian Xiaoduo went to the ice cellar again, he returned empty-handed.

He came back with a dejected expression, not wanting to worry Jiang Yunran, and simply said, "It was just bad timing. The ice for today had already been distributed. Fortunately, it’s not too hot. I’ll try again tomorrow."

Jiang Yunran stood in the courtyard, watching the blooming Four-Season Osmanthus, when she suddenly felt a faint, almost imperceptible breeze.

It was no longer as stifling as during the peak of summer.

She decided promptly. "Ziye, tidy up. We’re going to the Imperial Garden."

Ziye brightened immediately.

Jiang Yunran had never shared her plans or intentions with Ziye, but Ziye was observant. From these past few days, she knew Jiang Yunran was not one to sit idly by.

If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain.

This saying perfectly captured Jiang Yunran’s approach.

Ziye took great care in dressing Jiang Yunran, even using her best skills to paint an auspicious lotus blossom forehead design on Jiang Yunran’s forehead.

By the time the two of them set out, half an hour had passed.

Jiang Yunran didn’t seem rushed. She led Ziye straight toward the Imperial Garden.

Some of the palace staff they passed recognized her; others didn’t know her background but could tell from her clothing and stopped to bow.

Jiang Yunran kept her eyes forward, heading directly to the Imperial Garden, paying no mind to the whispers behind her back.

"That’s the embroiderer. I heard she advanced by undermining Little Consort Ruan."

"What’s so special about her? I don’t see anything remarkable."

Another added, "Have you heard? She hasn’t even served the Emperor yet."

"Oh my, it’s been days. How pitiful."

The bystanders gossiped, opinions varied.

Jiang Yunran ignored them all. She went straight to the Imperial Garden, not detouring or stopping to admire the scenery, and arrived directly below the Lanyue Pavilion.

Standing before the wintersweet tree, Jiang Yunran paused slightly and used a handkerchief to gently wipe the thin layer of sweat from her forehead.

When she looked up again, she saw a familiar profile through the open window of the Lanyue Pavilion.

Jiang Yunran’s eyes lit up, a smile spreading across her luminous face.

Her voice was light and gentle, like the spring breeze of March, flowing softly over Jing Huayan’s heart.

"Your Majesty."

Jing Huayan lowered his gaze, looking down from above.

The auspicious lotus on the woman’s forehead was blooming brightly.

Her smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling—with just one glance, it felt like the most beautiful moment.

"Your Majesty, it’s been a long time."