Тhеre arе mаnу fеstivаls throughout the уеar in the рalaсе. Веsidеs thе universallу celebrated oссasiоns, therе аrе аlso thе birthdауs оf thе emрeror, emрrеss, and Еmpress Dowаger—whethеr callеd "Lоngеvitу" оr "Тhоusand Autumns"—сеlebrаtiоns оcсur almоst еvery fеw dаys. Wаnwan didn’t have а strong sense оf fеstivаls; to hеr, they werе mоstlу gathеrings оf bоrеd реoрlе finding eхcusеs to eаt, drink, and hаvе fun. Нer stаtus in thе раlace wаs rather speciаl, so she was аlways invitеd to thеsе evеnts. After attending so many, she had grown somewhat numb to them.
But this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival sparked her interest because the Eunuch Official had returned from the south. With the uncertain political climate at court—the Western Factory within and feudal lords outside—she couldn’t rest easy. She felt she had to attend in person to ensure the grand banquet concluded smoothly.
Tong Huan applied her makeup, dusting a thin layer of powder and adding a touch of rouge to her lips, making her skin appear delicate and translucent. She rarely dressed up meticulously, relying on her natural beauty to appear bare-faced even when visiting the Empress Dowager’s palace. Since Nanny Li had discovered Xiao You and Wu Qi, she had even lost interest in occasionally singing. Seeing herself with makeup in the mirror felt strangely unfamiliar.
"Young ladies should still dress up," Tong Huan said, pinning a Blue-fired Gold-inlaid Fine Flower hairpin into her hair and examining it repeatedly. "Look how perfect it is. If you wait until you’re old to care about beauty, it’ll be too late. Today is different from usual—there’s no need to avoid distinctions between inside and outside the palace. Your Highness should also plan for yourself. As someone close to you, I’ll speak honestly: relying on others to make decisions is unreliable. It’s better to judge for yourself."
Wanwan hummed in agreement. "Tong Huan, have you ever liked anyone?"
Tong Huan’s gaze shifted to the sandalwood Five-Bats Holding Cloud Floor Screen. "People like us, once we enter the palace, can’t expect to leave for the rest of our lives. I was only seven or eight when I came in—how could I have liked anyone then?"
"What about eunuchs? I’ve heard many palace maids form Pair Dining with eunuchs, hoping for mutual support in the future. Wen Jie’er in our palace also has a Pair Dining. The other day, I saw her talking to someone behind the rockery. That eunuch, who I don’t know from which department, ran off in a panic when he saw me."
A desolate smile appeared on Tong Huan’s face. "Eunuchs? I don’t want to be like them. Life is already bitter enough—why torment myself further?"
So eunuchs remain eunuchs, and spirited palace maids ultimately look down on them.
Wanwan hesitated, tilting her head to ask, "What do you think... of Seal-holding Xiao? He’s also a eunuch."
Tong Huan helped her change into an ivory Gold-woven Full-sleeved Jacket, smoothing the snow-white collar over and over as she chuckled. "Someone like Seal-holding Xiao—not just among eunuchs, but in all the world—how many are there? But what does high rank and great power matter? A lifetime spent confined within these four walls is still bitter in the end."
Wanwan sighed and stood up, watching as Tong Huan held up skirts to compare against her. "How about this cyan one? Or is that pomegranate-colored one better?"
She chose a Lychee-colored Horse-face Skirt herself, its Knee Pleats adorned with Flat-gold Ruyi Patterns—neither too flamboyant nor too subdued. After putting it on, she turned to look in the mirror, a shy smile on her face. "Do I look good?"
Tong Huan stood to the side, sleeves hanging, and observed her. Among the three thousand beauties in the palace, none could compare to her. Her nobility was ingrained in her blood; even in simple clothes and wooden hairpins, she would still carry herself with grace.She offered a few words of praise, then took the sachet handed to her by a palace maid and carefully fastened it to the sash at her waist. Watching the soft hands gently smooth the peach-colored Dragon-returning Beard, Wanwan softly advised her, "You can still move around a bit before the banquet starts, but after that, stay close to the Empress Dowager. Later, many Mandate Orders will come to pay their respects, along with numerous princes, marquises, generals, and ministers. Keep an eye out, so you won’t end up in a Blind Marriage Silent Wedding in the future."
Wanwan chuckled. "You really are something. I’m only fifteen, and you’re already in a hurry to marry me off. Fine, I promise you this: when the time comes for my marriage of a princess, I’ll definitely take you along. You won’t have to suffer like the others. I’ll find you a good family, so you can have hope for the rest of your life."
The master and servant laughed and joked for a while, and it was nearly dusk by the time they entered the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
The officials from outside the palace had already arrived. After likely completing a round of congratulations, they dispersed to chat and catch up while waiting for the banquet to begin. The imperial consorts fluttered around like butterflies, circling the Emperor. This second brother was different from the eldest brother. Though the eldest brother’s political achievements were lacking, at least he had tried. This one, however, carried himself like a poet, sentimental to the point of being almost promiscuous. In the six months since his ascension, he had busied himself with spring flowers and autumn moons, truly making one sweat for him.
Yin Lou, having just recovered from a serious illness, dragged her weakened body to attend. The Emperor tried to engage her in conversation, but she brushed him off perfunctorily before turning to whisper to Wanwan, "There will be too many people at the banquet later, and I’m afraid we won’t enjoy the food. I’ve had the servants prepare crabs. Let’s sneak off to the garden and feast."
Wanwan also loved eating crabs, but they were troublesome to eat. With the Eight Crab Tools, one had to fiddle around, and by the time all the meat was picked out, it was usually cold. Cold crab had a fishy smell, which was a pity. Yin Lou’s method was to bite directly into it—quick and convenient. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, she could finish two crabs, savoring the indulgence like an ox chewing peonies.
This friendship was a good one. Their temperaments might not be the same, but what mattered was their compatibility. With her, Wanwan often discovered new things she had never tried before. Wanwan agreed and was about to leave with her when she was unexpectedly held back by several aunts from the clan.
These princess consorts were extraordinary, utterly amazed at how she had seemingly grown overnight: "It’s only been a few months since we last saw you, and the Princess Royal has blossomed into a young lady!"
They pushed a girl—whether a princess or a county princess—to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her, and everyone began to comment: "Look, Wanwan is two months younger than Bao Se, but she’s taller."
"Consort Xu was outstanding in her time, and Wanwan is her daughter, so naturally she’s taller than girls her age..."
"What books is the Princess Royal reading now? How many volumes of the Book of Rites have you memorized?"
"The embroidery on this sachet is exquisite. Did you make it yourself?"
No matter how lofty one’s status, it meant little in the face of these gossipy women. Trapped in the crowd, Wanwan smiled awkwardly. She glanced at Yin Lou, signaling her to go ahead, planning to join her in the Palace of Benevolent Peace Garden once she had dealt with these troubles.
Yin Lou cast a pitying glance her way, shrugged, and left first. Surrounded by the crowd, Wanwan couldn’t even take a step. She turned to seek help from the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager seemed quite pleased with her popularity. Whispering with Empress Zhang and occasionally glancing her way, she showed no intention of rescuing her.She felt inexplicably weary, answering their questions one by one as if in a palace examination, yet her eyes wandered restlessly, hoping the banquet would suddenly begin so everyone could disperse. But dining had to follow proper timing; court officials arrived early or late, and they had to wait until everyone was present before the eunuchs could arrange the meal.
What could she do? She couldn’t escape, nor could she show impatience on her face. Sorrowfully, she gazed into the distance and suddenly noticed a figure standing under the lamplight deep within the hall, dressed in splendid robes, with a pair of proud eyes beneath a black gauze cap. He was also looking at her, leisurely, with a hint of amusement. His gaze paused briefly before he lowered his head to fiddle with his amber prayer beads.
He avoided her gaze, and a warm smile quickly spread across his lips. Wanwan was taken aback, suddenly remembering that the man was the Prince of Nanyuan, and her heart grew even more unsettled and uneasy.
The princesses and ladies with mandate orders were still chattering noisily: "Last month, when Prince Xiang’s daughter married, her family not only provided a dowry but also hired a Westerner to paint a portrait."
Tsk, tsk, the crowd exclaimed in surprise: "We’ve never heard of such a thing! What’s the point of sending a portrait for a wedding? Isn’t that inviting bad luck?"
"What’s wrong with that? The Westerner painted it beautifully, just like the real person…"
Wanwan noticed the crowd’s focus had shifted and quietly tugged at Tong Huan’s sleeve, slipping out of the group. Anxious to keep her appointment with Yin Lou, she hurried toward the hall entrance. Halfway there, she caught sight of that feudal prince again and was instantly overwhelmed with embarrassment, covering her face as she darted away from his gaze.
"What should I do? This is utterly mortifying…" Her legs were still trembling as she stepped out of the Moonlight Gate, and she twisted her body, whimpering like a child.
Tong Huan was puzzled. "Your Highness answered very well just now. Why is it mortifying?"
Her shoulders slumped as she considered telling her how she had disguised herself as a eunuch to secretly watch the Prince of Nanyuan, but after a moment’s thought, she decided against it. Digging up old embarrassments would only make her seem more foolish.
She brushed it off, saying it was nothing, and after entering the Scenic Gate, she looked northward. "Send someone to fetch a jug of floral carved wine. I’ll take it to trade for crabs."
Tong Huan was somewhat worried. "You still want to drink? What if someone smells the alcohol on you later?"
Wanwan didn’t mind. "If I get too drunk, I’ll skip the banquet. Go back and fetch two quilts for us. I’ll spend the night with her in the pavilion."
Lifting the hem of her skirt, she crossed the stone bridge over the dew-covered path. The lights under the Streamside Pavilion were dim, but after searching around, she found no trace of Yin Lou. Wanwan paused to reconsider, wondering if she had remembered the meeting place incorrectly. Noticing a faint glow from the Pure Residence to the east—a place reserved for consorts to rest or pray, with its interconnected rooms forming a secluded courtyard, quiet and elegant—she smiled and pointed with her sleeve.
"She might be there. Let’s go take a look."
The nurse matron holding the lantern led the way through a secluded path to the gate. Strangely, there wasn’t a single eunuch on duty. Only the faint candlelight from the front hall could be seen, spreading like smooth satin, illuminating half of the passageway.
She stepped over the threshold. The courtyard was very quiet. It had been a long time since she last came here, but she still remembered how her eldest brother had taken her to catch fireflies by the well when she was a child. Memories flooded her mind, and she unconsciously made her way toward the rear courtyard.The Pure Residence was never a place of luxury, its specifications incomparable to the neighboring Treasure Appearance Tower. The furnishings here were extremely simple—a table, a chair, and a standing cabinet. Beneath the south window stood a throne, its brocade cushions and hidden pillows rarely used, still as pristine as before.
Wanwan gazed at the empty room, feeling a sense of melancholy. After standing there briefly, she intended to leave when she faintly caught the scent of Auspicious Brain lingering in the air—a fragrance all too familiar, belonging to the Eunuch Official.
Had he been here? How peculiar... She turned to look at the carved standing cabinet, its intricate intertwining branches endless in their design. Suddenly, she noticed a corner of a skirt caught in the cabinet door. Upon closer inspection, it was made of Bird Holding Auspicious Flower Brocade. Her mind buzzed—this pattern was a tribute from Goryeo, and within the entire palace, only Yin Lou had used it to make a skirt.
Her heart trembled; the timing could not have been worse... She took two steps back and turned around, feigning composure. "Let's go, we should look elsewhere. Perhaps they are at the Streamside Pavilion enjoying crabs!"
Following the lantern-holding Nurse Matron, she walked in a daze, her steps unsteady. Tong Huan, noticing her distress, came forward to support her. "Your Highness, what's wrong? Are you unwell?"
She couldn't speak—it wasn't her body that ailed her, but her heart, which felt utterly shattered. So, Yin Lou and the Eunuch Official had already reached this point. The dreams of her youth had crumbled in an instant.
The moon hung high in the sky, large and sorrowful. As she exited the Scenic Gate, she crouched beneath the shadowy wall of the narrow passageway. Tong Huan was alarmed and asked anxiously, "Your Highness, where does it hurt? I will summon the Imperial Physician at once."
Her throat felt blocked, unable to utter a sound. She merely waved her hand and buried her face in the crook of her arm.
Why was she always so hesitant? This time, it was truly too late—they had known each other for five or six years... She knew Yin Lou was good, upright and charming. If she were a man, perhaps she too would have fallen for her. But... she had always felt the Eunuch Official was within reach, never imagining he would become involved with someone else. This was a fatal blow, striking when she was least prepared. She panicked, feeling lost and utterly alone.
Disheartened, she thought, since she had never possessed him in the first place, why should she feel disappointed? If given another chance, could she seize it? After much reflection, she knew deep down she lacked the courage, so failure was only natural.
She stood up and wiped her tears. "It seems something flew into my eye..."
Tong Huan raised the lantern to examine her. Her eyes were red, clearly from crying. Yet, without exposing her, Tong Huan dabbed her with a handkerchief. "It's alright. Tears can wash away the dust. Try again, Your Highness—does it still hurt?"
She took a deep breath. "You're right, it hardly hurts anymore."
Tong Huan smiled in response and helped her toward the Long Trust Gate. After just a few steps, they encountered a young eunuch who bowed and said, "Greetings to Princess Chang. Your Highness was not present earlier, but there has been trouble in the Palace of Heavenly Purity... Old Consort Zhao and Lady Zhang, The Empress, had a dispute and were reprimanded by the Empress Dowager. They are now weeping in the Golden Pavilion. The Nurse Matron serving Her Majesty cannot calm them and fears something may happen. She entrusted me to request Your Highness's presence. Please go and see, Your Highness."
Although Old Consort Zhao was not particularly well-regarded, after the passing of her elder brother, her situation had become difficult. Wanwan, kind-hearted, could not stand idly by. She instructed the eunuch to lead the way and hurriedly followed.
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