"I pay respects to the Junzhu, may the Junzhu enjoy boundless blessings." Chief Stewardess Cui led the officials from the Stewardess Bureau in a synchronized bow.
"Chief Stewardess Cui, you may rise." Shen Xihe personally helped up this elderly and experienced female official. "I apologize for making you venture out in the chilly wind."
"I dare not accept such words. This is my duty," Chief Stewardess Cui replied with utmost respect. "I have brought the Directors of Treasures, Garments, and Adornments. Would the Junzhu prefer to review the clothing designs first or the precious jewels and accessories?"
The palace maintained six chief bureaus, each with four departments. The Stewardess Bureau's Department of Treasures was responsible for clothing patterns in the palace, the Department of Garments handled attire and accessories, while the Department of Adornments managed towels, combs, balms, perfumes, and decorative items.
Shen Xihe's coming-of-age ceremony attire and accessories were all arranged by the Stewardess Bureau. The rituals included bathing, hand cleansing, and incense burning—all under the Department of Adornments' purview. There was also a Department of Ceremonial Guards responsible for protocol and security, but these followed standard procedures and didn't require Shen Xihe's personal review.
"Chief Stewardess Cui may proceed as you see fit." Shen Xihe showed equal respect.
Chief Stewardess Cui unfolded the clothing designs for Shen Xihe, presenting several patterns. Each had been carefully crafted according to Shen Xihe's preferences—auspicious in meaning yet appealing to her taste.
Shen Xihe's eyes immediately fell upon an ivory-white gown embroidered with Eucommia leaves resembling butterflies. Among all the ceremonial dresses, this was the most understated—the others featured lavish peony and rose patterns or peacock and sparrow motifs.
"This one." Shen Xihe pointed to the ivory-white high-waisted ruqun.
"This attire is somewhat plain. Since the Junzhu favors it, we shall select more luxurious hair ornaments to complement it." Chief Stewardess Cui instructed her subordinates to carefully store the chosen garment, then had the Director of Garments present matching hair accessories.
For the most important crown, Shen Xihe selected a silver-white floral coronet adorned with pearl chains and numerous pearls—elaborate and ornate, perfectly balancing the dress's simplicity. She efficiently chose other jewelry without further deliberation.
Unlike other noble ladies in the palace who would nitpick everything from overall style to minute craftsmanship—often requesting incompatible designs due to their lack of expertise—Shen Xihe's decisiveness brought visible relief to Chief Stewardess Cui and her staff, who couldn't openly contradict their superiors' impractical demands.
The selections were quickly finalized. The ceremonial utensils, fragrant spices, and balms would be coordinated by Hongyu, allowing Shen Xihe to speak privately with Gu Zexiang. Chief Stewardess Cui readily granted this request.
"Junzhu." Once alone, Gu Zexiang appeared visibly uneasy. Last time, when Shen Xihe had inquired about the Crown Prince's past, she had answered under the Crown Prince's instructions through Chief Stewardess Cui. Though everything she said was true, she still felt she had betrayed Shen Xihe.
"You're troubled about the previous matter, aren't you?" Shen Xihe saw through her immediately.
"Junzhu, this servant..." Gu Zexiang's shame deepened, leaving her speechless.
"There's no need for distress. You caused me no harm—everything you told me was truthful. Had the Crown Prince not instructed you directly but had an elderly palace maid relay the information through you, you wouldn't feel guilty. You'd believe you were helping me rather than participating in a scheme." Shen Xihe smiled gently. "To me, there's no difference. The process matters little—what's important is that in my heart, you did help me.""Your Highness, I..." Gu Zexiang still felt deeply embarrassed. She wanted to say that in her heart, Shen Xihe would always be the sister who exchanged letters with her via carrier pigeons, who comforted her, and brought her small gifts.
But given her current status and Shen Xihe's position, they were as different as clouds and mud. She had no right to address Shen Xihe as a sister.
"You and I only interacted through letters. You don't know how cold-natured I am—I value benefits more than sentiment." Shen Xihe's way of comforting people was rather unique. "I came to find you today because there's something I'd like your help with. Of course, I'm not asking out of sentiment, but to see if you can use this opportunity to rise higher. How high you can climb as a wardrobe attendant or supervisor depends on your ability."
Gu Zexiang stared blankly at Shen Xihe, her heart aching with bitterness. The Shen Xihe who had entered the palace to find her, wanting to take her out of the palace, was gone. She had been the first to adopt a mindset of calculating benefits with Shen Xihe, so from now on, their relationship would only involve transactional exchanges.
Though her heart ached, Gu Zexiang didn't wallow in sorrow for long. She quickly composed herself: "Please speak, Your Highness."
"You're in the Bureau of Imperial Attire. I'll give you a type of clothing incense. Find a way to make Yangling Princess fond of it—this incense was blended according to her preferences." Shen Xihe spoke calmly. "It would be best if you could have someone you want to undermine present it to Yangling Princess. Don't succeed before the New Year; plan slowly and achieve it after the New Year when the Tibetan marriage alliance takes place."
Having been in the palace for so long and witnessed numerous covert schemes, Gu Zexiang knew immediately this was no small matter. Her chest tightened. After some thought, she asked: "Could Your Highness tell this servant whether this clothing incense is harmful to the Princess?"
Shen Xihe didn't conceal it: "Nothing major, but excessive use may cause dizziness and nausea."
Gu Zexiang couldn't guess what Shen Xihe intended, only wondering if it was meant to incapacitate Yangling Princess. But if that were the goal, incense or poison would be quicker and simpler.
"You can consider it before deciding." Not only did Shen Xihe not pressure her, she added, "Rest assured, even after telling you, you can refuse. I'm not afraid of people knowing my secrets because no one can ever find evidence against me."
Even if Gu Zexiang knew but refused to participate, and later saw Yangling Princess meet misfortune and suspected Shen Xihe was behind it, she would find no evidence to prove it—she could only keep the secret to herself.
Gu Zexiang was intelligent enough to understand that Shen Xihe's words conveyed not only confidence but also that if she didn't participate, Shen Xihe would find someone else.
Her parents and siblings were all dead, and she had already avenged them. She had originally thought about joining them, but remembering her mother's dying wish for her to live well, she didn't dare take her own life. She was no longer of Convict Status, and would have the chance to leave the palace at twenty-five.
She planned to save some assets, eventually marry a honest, reliable man and have children, choosing one child to carry her family name—this would continue the Gu family line. But to survive safely in the palace until release wasn't achievable by avoiding conflict; avoiding conflict only made one a pawn or scapegoat. Only sufficient fierceness and vigilance ensured longevity.
Having someone's protection would make stability even more certain. After weighing her options for a long time, Gu Zexiang said: "Your Highness may entrust this to me. I will not fail this mission."
"Just proceed with confidence. Someone will assist you in the palace." Shen Xihe smiled and signaled to Zhenzhu with her eyes.She intended to cultivate Gu Zexiang with purpose. In the future, when she arrived at the Eastern Palace, with the power of the Imperial Harem and in the absence of a mother-in-law, how could a concubine hold authority when there was a legitimate daughter-in-law?
The Noble Consort was also a concubine.
The Palace Administration Bureau operated throughout the entire Imperial Harem. She needed to start cultivating her own influence from within the Palace Administration Bureau.
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