The Jiuzhen Temple was constructed during the reign of Emperor Xianzhen. In his middle years, Emperor Xianzhen became a devout believer in gods and Buddhas. That year, a severe drought plagued the north for three months, with not a drop of rain. As a result, he ordered the Ministry of Works to commence construction of a temple in a location surrounded by mountains and water. Miraculously, upon the temple’s completion, it rained heavily, alleviating the drought. Since then, whenever turmoil arose in the Yong Dynasty, the emperor would come to the temple to pray. Over time, the temple became more and more complete.
Gradually, it became an imperial residence.
The place was adorned with exotic flowers and rocks, winding corridors, and elegant pavilions, exuding an air of solemnity and grace.
A grand procession set out from the imperial palace.
The Jinyiwei, the emperor’s personal guards, were responsible for protecting the emperor both in the palace and the imperial residence.
Surrounding the dragon carriage were the Tiyi guards1The Tiyi guards (缇骑) were elite imperial guards in ancient China, often seen as a specialized unit within the Jinyiwei (锦衣卫), which was the Jinyiwei and bodyguard unit directly serving the emperor., with Huo Xian closest to the carriage.
Dressed in a qilin-patterned robe, he rode his horse, striking a conspicuous figure with his bright red attire. He resembled a sinister Yanluo (King of Hell), deterring anyone from approaching recklessly.
Further out were the imperial guards, each performing their duties. The journey took the entire day, and they arrived at Jiuzhen Temple smoothly.
By then, dusk had fallen, and the light was dim.
Jiuzhen Temple was nestled halfway up the mountain, with a palace beside it for those who came to pray to rest. Emperor Shun’an, exhausted, ordered preparations for the next day’s prayer and retired to his exclusive villa. The other concubines, courtiers, and female attendants were assigned their accommodations. It wasn’t until the evening that a eunuch brought over scriptures and writing materials.
The female attendants were not idle, making this a particularly grueling task that no one usually volunteered for—except Ji Yuluo, who had genuinely volunteered.
In the middle was the wife of the Minister of the Department of Sacrifices, who only rolled her eyes after the eunuch left, saying, “Copy them. There’s no need to be too meticulous. The emperor never looks at these, just likes to make people suffer.”
The Department of Sacrifices handled ceremonial matters, including royal prayers. Whenever Emperor Shun’an visited, the minister’s wife had to endure the ordeal, including personally copying the scriptures, a task she couldn’t shirk.
Everyone knew the emperor wasn’t sincere in his prayers, which inevitably bred resentment.
The ladies, familiar with each other, often shared their complaints without holding back. It was only after much grumbling that they noticed Ji Yuluo, who had remained silent, and their expressions changed.
Everyone knew Huo Xian was the emperor’s favorite. If he found out, things could go badly.
They tacitly stopped talking, with someone awkwardly laughing and asking, “Why isn’t Madam Huo speaking?”
Ji Yuluo’s gaze was distant, fixed on a figure hurrying through the corridor opposite the Jiuzhen Temple.
She recognized the figure as Consort Xi.
Followed by several maids, Consort Xi suddenly stopped and slapped one of the maids across the face.
The sound of the ladies talking pulled Ji Yuluo’s attention back. She smiled serenely and said, “You are right, ladies. This task is indeed exhausting and no one has it easy.”
Upon hearing this, the ladies each breathed a sigh of relief and began to seriously assess Ji Yuluo.
As the eldest daughter of the Ji family, she had rarely been seen before but was often heard of. She spoke softly and elegantly, embodying the demeanor of a true lady from a prestigious family. However, anyone who could handle the North Zhenfu Division’s chief couldn’t be a simple person.
Everyone became more cautious, no longer speaking carelessly. However, they all noticed Consort Xi’s antics, and the conversation quickly shifted:
“It’s said that in the harem, imperial favor is as fleeting as flowing water. No flower remains red for a hundred days. Last year, Consort Xi was highly favored, with her birthday celebrations being grand. Look at her now; the emperor has someone else attending to him.”
“I heard from my husband that if she hadn’t bribed the eunuchs close to the emperor, she wouldn’t have been included in the entourage today.”
“Who wasn’t courteous to her before?”
As they chatted, they reached a fork in the path and parted ways, each returning to their rooms.
Having just arrived, Huo Xian was on night duty and stayed near the emperor’s villa, while Ji Yuluo occupied a separate room. She called Biwu to ask about the accommodations of the other ladies and concubines. Once Biwu explained, she went to sleep, ignoring the task of copying scriptures, and slept dreamlessly through the night.
—
The next morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
As expected, Emperor Shun’an had not risen. The chief eunuch, Wu Sheng, unfazed by this, announced the schedule for the prayers. Before leading everyone into Jiuzhen Temple, he personally collected the handwritten scriptures from the ladies.
Though it was officially required that the scriptures be copied personally by the noblewomen, most had their maids do it. Despite this, they managed to submit something. When Wu Sheng received Ji Yuluo’s contribution, Biwu handed over a stack of blank paper.
Biwu kept her eyes down, her hands trembling.
Wu Sheng’s smile froze as he looked at Ji Yuluo.
Ji Yuluo returned his gaze and even gave him a slow, serene smile.
Quickly, Wu Sheng hid the blank papers at the bottom of the stack, pretending not to notice, and continued collecting from the others.
He couldn’t help but twitch his mouth. No wonder they were a couple—they both blatantly deceived others, acting recklessly and often making life difficult for the poor eunuchs!
After the trivial matters were dealt with, eunuchs and palace maids led everyone to Jiuzhen Temple.
Located not far from the palace, Jiuzhen Temple was indeed built for rain prayers, surrounded by mountains and water, with alluring scenery—a perfect summer retreat, no wonder Emperor Shun’an liked coming here.
The group stopped at the foot of the long stone steps, waiting for the concubines before entering.
The officials who accompanied them were already kneeling outside the temple in prayer positions, looking tired and barely awake, probably cursing Emperor Shun’an in their hearts.
Ji Yuluo entered the main hall with the five concubines and knelt on a mat.
Leading them was Noble Consort Ling, the highest-ranking among those present. The others were Consort Xi, Consort Yuan, and two court ladies.
The missing one was the newly promoted Lady Yu, presumably still with the emperor after last night’s revelry.
Ji Yuluo looked at Consort Xi, lost in thought.
By midday, the first prayer session finally ended.
These women, kept in the deep palace, were delicate. After kneeling for so long, they seemed wilted, needing the support of their maids to stand, their faces barely maintaining a composed expression.
The group exited the temple hall in a single file.
“Consort Xi.”
Consort Xi was about to step down the stairs when she heard this and stopped, turning around, almost failing to recognize the speaker for a moment.
It had indeed been a long time since they last met.
When she first met Ji Yuluo, Consort Xi was still highly favored. Time had changed things. A hint of melancholy flickered in her eyes as she spoke softly, “It’s Madam Huo. You’re here too. How could Master Huo bear to let you suffer along?”
Ji Yuluo carefully descended the stairs, her gaze fixed on her steps, smiling slightly. “It’s because I can’t be away from him. I volunteered to come.”
These words made Consort Xi look over, filled with envy.
At that moment, Ji Yuluo suddenly stopped. She took a deep breath and spoke in a helpless tone, “Your Highness.”
Her tone was so solemn that even Consort Xi couldn’t help but pause, looking puzzled.
“The inner quarters of the Huo residence, Your Highness, must be known to you. It’s no easier than the palace. Men are prone to favor the new over the old. As women, my heart truly aches. Your Highness, do you intend to just resign yourself to fate?”
Her voice was neither loud nor soft, low and gentle, without any inflection. Yet every word seemed to pierce Consort Xi’s heart. She first reacted with anger: “You—you dare to mock me?”
Ji Yuluo replied, “How could it be mockery? My situation isn’t much better than yours, but I’m standing here now. Wouldn’t you like to hear my suggestion?”
Consort Xi frowned. She had heard about the many women in Huo Xian’s residence. Truth be told, she was quite curious about what methods Ji Yuluo had used.
Seeing her slight hesitation, Ji Yuluo smiled, leaned in, and whispered a few words in her ear.
Consort Xi was stunned, her face flushed. “You—”
Ji Yuluo remained calm, tilting her head slightly. “The emperor has been confined in the palace for many years, accustomed to the usual protocols. He’s grown weary of the palace, which is why he sought a trip to Jiuzhen Temple. Why not seize this opportunity?”
Consort Xi, having regained her composure, said, “The cave halfway up the mountain was carved out by the previous Empress, overlooking the waterfall and mountain stream. It indeed has a unique charm. But the mountains aren’t very safe. What if something happens…”
Ji Yuluo played with a strand of hair, smoothing it out. “The Jinyiwei have already inspected the mountain. There’s nothing unsafe about it. Outside the palace, can you find another place to avoid the other concubines?”
Consort Xi furrowed her delicate brows. There was indeed no other place.
Jiuzhen Temple was surrounded by mountains and water, with no other residences nearby.
She was right. The emperor, sitting on the dragon throne, had no freedom and no real power to govern. Hence, he harbored wild desires and loved those unconventional and thrilling experiences.
The cave walls even had images of gods and Buddhas…
The more Consort Xi thought about it, the warmer she felt. She glanced at Ji Yuluo, realizing that appearances can be deceiving.
She asked, “Why….are you helping me?”
Ji Yuluo observed Consort Xi’s expression, certain that she had already made up her mind, and a faint smile played on her lips.
Now that Prince Xingnan was continuously losing battles and Xiao Cheng would soon march towards the capital, it was the perfect time to build momentum for Xie Subai. But two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain; for one to rise, the other must fall.
Emperor Shun’an needed to abdicate. He was destined not to witness the coming turmoil in the capital.
However, his abdication had to be clean and aboveboard, leaving no room for anyone to use it against Xie Subai, which could hinder his succession.
Before coming to Jiuzhen Temple, Ji Yuluo had obtained a map of the surrounding area from Shen Qingli.
The Jinyiwei and imperial guards had already cleared the mountains of wild animals.
But as long as there was one, just one, that slipped through the net…
An illicit tryst with a concubine in the deep mountains during prayers, only to fall prey to a wild animal…
Even the court would be too embarrassed to investigate.
Ji Yuluo’s mind raced with calculations, but when she turned around, she felt a sudden jolt.
Huo Xian, dressed in armor and leading a squad of Jinyiwei, stood at the foot of the stone steps, watching her. His gaze shifted between her and Consort Xi, as if trying to discern something.
Ji Yuluo met his gaze, feeling a brief pang of guilt. She bid farewell to Consort Xi and walked towards him. “What are you doing here?”
“Patrolling,” Huo Xian replied.
His duty was to patrol the emperor’s residence, an area secured by the imperial guards, but he was slightly worried about Ji Yuluo.
On the way there, he had an uneasy feeling.
Seeing her emerge from the temple quietly had somewhat eased his mind, but when had she become so close with Consort Xi?
“I’ll escort you back,” he said, looking at Ji Yuluo.
—
Back in her room, Huo Xian couldn’t stay long.
After Ji Yuluo inquired about Xiao Yuanjing, Huo Xian left.
Xiao Yuanjing, from the Shenji Camp, was naturally part of the escort. Today, he stayed at the imperial residence, guarding the east and west gates with the imperial guards. This was the…
This was the path connecting the women’s quarters to the main gate of the residence.
Huo Xian, in armor, and Xiao Yuanjing, also in armor, passed each other. Huo Xian’s expression changed slightly, catching Xiao Yuanjing’s attention.
Quickly, Huo Xian composed himself and greeted, “Lord Xiao.”
“Lord Huo,” Xiao Yuanjing returned the salute, hesitating slightly before continuing on his way.
Huo Xian watched Xiao Yuanjing’s back. Ji Yuluo knew well that Xiao Yuanjing’s duty as a guard exempted him from the prayer service. Not seeing him at Jiuzhen Temple was not surprising; it was easy to deduce why.
Why then did she ask?
Huo Xian took a few steps forward, then suddenly turned back.
Meanwhile, after seeing Huo Xian off, Ji Yuluo encountered a patrolling imperial guard.
The man was unremarkable in appearance, someone Ji Yuluo was sure she hadn’t seen before.
Until he lowered his voice and said, “Miss Yuluo.”
Ji Yuluo was slightly taken aback. Before coming here, she had consulted Shen Qingli. Was this the method Shen Qingli mentioned?
It wasn’t surprising that Xie Subai had people embedded in the army and among the imperial guards.
She glanced around, then led the person to a secluded corner of the corridor.
The man pulled a blood bag from his chest and said, “The large wild animals in the mountains have been driven into the western forest by the Jinyiwei and imperial guards and are closely monitored. I’ve tampered with things a bit; those animals are now wandering somewhere. If you plan to go up the mountain, please be careful.”
Ji Yuluo rarely showed genuine gratitude, but she smiled sincerely. “Thank you. What is your name?”
The man cupped his hands and said, “I am Su Fang.”
Ji Yuluo nodded. “Leave quickly while no one is around.”
After Su Fang left, Ji Yuluo returned to her room and took out the map she had hidden under her pillow. After studying it carefully, she instructed Biwu, “If anyone comes looking for me, say I’m feeling unwell and have gone to sleep. I’m not seeing anyone.”
Biwu dared not ask any questions and quickly agreed.
Biwu looked worried, wanting to sigh slowly, but before she could, she was startled by the sudden arrival of Huo Xian, which made her choke on her breath. “S-sir?”
Huo Xian frowned. “Where is she?”
“She… she…”
Biwu covered her mouth, closed her eyes, and lowered her head in defeat.
