Chapter 10: Desiring to Learn to Read

Chapter 10: Wanting to Learn to Read

The Emperor seemed busy with court affairs, rarely visiting the harem throughout October. The women of the harem had plenty of time on their hands, and their favorite gossip revolved around whose plaque the Emperor had flipped.

Panliu told her that the Emperor had flipped Lady Tongjia's plaque two days earlier. Although Lady Tongjia had not yet been granted an official rank after a month in the palace, she had already spent the night with the Emperor.

Panliu also counted, "Last month, the Emperor summoned four people to serve him. Consort Wan had her plaque flipped five times, Lady Tongjia three times, Noble Lady Guo twice, and Concubine Zhang once."

Fangyu felt that most women in the harem struggled even to catch a glimpse of the Emperor, let alone serve him. Since her plaque hadn’t been flipped last month, if it happened again this month, she feared the servants would see her as a disfavored noble lady.

"What’s for lunch today?"

Panliu, exasperated by her indifference, widened her eyes. "Noble Lady, don’t think about food just yet. Why hasn’t the Emperor flipped your plaque? This servant is almost dying of anxiety."

Fangyu chuckled, patting Panliu’s round cheek. Panliu was more worried about her falling out of favor than she was. Smiling, she said, "How about we take a walk in the imperial gardens after we eat? Maybe we’ll run into the Emperor."

Panliu shook her head. "Noble Lady, it’s cold now, and your health is delicate. It’s better to stay indoors to avoid catching a chill. The Emperor is so busy; he probably won’t visit the gardens at this time. This servant will go to the kitchen to get your meal first. We mustn’t let you go hungry."

Fangyu smiled and nodded.

A quarter of an hour later, Panliu returned with the meal, placing the steaming dishes on the table. She pointed to a plate of lotus seed cakes, saying they were a gift from Xiao Shunzi.

"Xiao Shunzi is quite steadfast. It’s been a month since I last served the Emperor, and he still remembers to offer gifts."

Panliu replied, "The Emperor has bestowed rewards upon you before, Noble Lady. It’s only been a month since your plaque was last flipped. Perhaps in a few days, the Emperor will remember you again. If Xiao Shunzi were to turn his back on you now, it would only prove he’s an opportunist. Such a person is neither trustworthy nor reliable."

Though Panliu was around the same age as her, Fangyu hadn’t expected her to be so mature in judging character and handling matters. She was right—if Xiao Shunzi changed his attitude just because she hadn’t served the Emperor for a month, he was indeed untrustworthy and needed to be watched carefully.

Fangyu first stuffed a piece of lotus seed cake into Panliu’s mouth.

The warm lotus seed cake was sweet, perfect for the chilly weather. By November, the Forbidden City was already bitterly cold.

After eating her fill, Fangyu took a nap. Worried that sleeping too long would keep her awake at night, she asked Panliu to wake her in half an hour. When she awoke, Panliu was beaming at her. Before she could speak, Panliu eagerly announced that the Emperor had flipped her plaque—Eunuch Fu from the Office of Attendants had just come to inform them.

It was still early afternoon, unusually soon for plaques to be flipped. Fangyu, having just woken up, was in no hurry, but Panliu was already planning her makeup and attire, debating which jewelry to wear and which Manchu robe would suit her best.

Sitting on the bed, Fangyu listened to Panliu’s chatter, occasionally murmuring in agreement as she let her busy herself. There were few books in her room, and she wondered if she should ask the Emperor to borrow a few to pass the time. But she didn’t know if her original self was literate. If she wasn’t, wouldn’t that give her away? Moreover, she only recognized Chinese characters; Manchu and Mongolian were like gibberish to her.

Since she was to serve the Emperor, she had an early dinner. As dusk approached, Fangyu boarded the palanquin from the Office of Attendants and headed to the Qianqing Palace. She wore the silver-gilt filigree hairpin inlaid with pearls and gemstones and pearl earrings the Emperor had gifted her last time.

This wasn’t her first time serving the Emperor, so she was familiar with the routine. But while waiting for the Emperor, she grew bored. She asked Cailian, a palace maid serving in the Qianqing Palace, for a book. Cailian brought her a book titled *The General’s Garden*, which discussed the art of generalship. Written in Manchu, Mongolian, and Chinese, it was likely a book the Emperor read. Though she could understand it, she found it rather dull.

She only looked up from the book when the Emperor arrived.

"What are you reading?"

Fangyu answered truthfully, "A book, but I can’t understand it."

The Emperor asked if she was literate. Fangyu, considering her previous status as a servant, assumed she shouldn’t know how to read much, so she lied, "I only recognize a few characters, but none of the ones in this book. Your Majesty, could you explain what it says?"

"Are you here to serve me or to read?"

Fangyu snorted lightly. Fine, if he wouldn’t explain, she wouldn’t press. She said, "Your Majesty, I want to learn to read. Where do you think I should start? What books should I use? This one is too difficult for me."

The Emperor had already sat on the bed.

Fangyu quickly stepped forward to help him undress. The Emperor’s bedchamber was heated by an underfloor heating system, making it warm and cozy without any fear of catching a chill.

"Do you really want to learn to read?"

Fangyu nodded solemnly.

"I’ll have someone fetch a few books from the imperial library for you. Since you’ve decided to learn, don’t give up halfway. I’ll test you when I have time."

Fangyu hadn’t expected the Emperor to personally check on her studies. Clinging to him, she cooed, "Your Majesty, I’m not the quickest learner and learn slowly. Please don’t think I’m foolish when the time comes."

The Emperor wrapped his arm around Lady Uya’s slender waist. He thought, how foolish could she possibly be? It was good that she had ambition, and he had no reason to stop her. But now wasn’t the time for studying. It had been a month since he last summoned her, and he missed her charming demeanor during their time together. He flipped her onto her back, leaning down to kiss her.

The woman beneath him arched her body against his. Soon, her lips turned crimson. The Emperor’s gaze darkened as he brushed his thumb over her glistening, red lips.

Lady Uya boldly opened her mouth, sucking on his thumb while staring directly at him. The Emperor felt a tightness in his lower abdomen, his resolve crumbling.

Later, even when Lady Uya begged for mercy, he didn’t let her go. She had been the one to start it.

Afterward, Lady Uya’s hair was disheveled, a fine sheen of sweat dotted her forehead, and she lay limp on the bed, her eyes dazed and unfocused.

The Emperor couldn’t help but pinch her cheek to bring her back to her senses.

"Your Majesty, you went too far."

"How did I go too far? You clearly enjoyed it. You were the one clinging to me."

As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Lady Uya lightly swatted at him a few times. He laughed, his chest rumbling with laughter, his mood exceedingly cheerful.