Beyond the heavy palace gates lay the Forbidden Palace.
The palace walls stood tall and majestic, solemn and awe-inspiring. Each gate was guarded by the imperial guards, requiring a palace token for entry or exit, with each token meticulously registered. This was a place difficult to enter and equally challenging to leave.
Ji Yuluo followed Huo Xian, and they passed through smoothly.
The emperor’s sleeping quarters were even farther inside.
Before Emperor Shun’an, the emperor’s sleeping quarters had always been located in Qian’an Palace, closest to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, for convenience in attending court sessions and handling state affairs. However, Emperor Shun’an, being uneducated and incompetent, loathed attending court and listening to the ministers’ reports. He feared being surrounded and interrogated after court sessions, so he moved his sleeping quarters to Chonghua Hall, deep within the nine palace gates.
In the depths of the palace, he could indulge in a life of debauchery.
Speaking of debauchery, Huo Xian had a role to play in it.
Emperor Shun’an was naturally timid and cowardly, though he always harbored lustful desires. When he was still Prince Qi, he had the intention but not the courage, being closely watched by the Empress, who was then Princess Qi. He didn’t even dare to keep a concubine. Although he later became emperor, his courage didn’t grow overnight.
This was all thanks to Huo Xian.
With persistent whisperings in his ear, Huo Xian managed to stir up Emperor Shun’an’s faint sense of imperial dignity. Gradually, there was music and dancing, and he began to amass concubines, leading to the current harem of three thousand beauties.
Many of these women were exquisite beauties selected by Huo Xian.
Therefore, while the emperor favored Huo Xian, the empress was not as warm. She maintained a distant and indifferent attitude, busying herself with trimming freshly picked plum branches, arranging them one by one into white porcelain vases. When the newlywed couple came to pay their respects, she offered only a few lukewarm words of blessing.
It was evident how much she disliked Huo Xian, yet had to suppress this dislike, making her appear even colder.
Compared to the empress, Emperor Shun’an was much more affable. He rose and said, “Zhe’an, come quickly! I want to see what kind of person you’ve brought before me.”
Ji Yuluo stood upright, allowing Emperor Shun’an to scrutinize her.
After a while, Emperor Shun’an nodded repeatedly with his hands behind his back. “She’s lovely, and bears a certain resemblance to Minister Ji.”
Huo Xian cupped his hands. “This is all thanks to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Shun’an said happily, “What do I not grant you when you ask? It’s just as well you’ve come to the palace today. Those old fossils at court have given me trouble again; you must help me decide what to do!”
Huo Xian glanced sideways at Ji Yuluo, and Emperor Shun’an teased, “Don’t worry, she’s safe in my harem. The empress is quite bored; it’s just as well your new bride can keep her company.”
Huo Xian then leisurely adjusted Ji Yuluo’s collar and smoothed the fine hair at her temples, saying, “Don’t wander off.”
His fingertips, touched by the cold wind, were icy.
Ji Yuluo looked up into those eyes that never truly smiled and replied nervously, “Yes.”
Huo Xian and Emperor Shun’an entered the study, and the warm chamber fell silent. The Empress continued trimming plum branches, pausing after a while to look over with an expression of weary indifference. She spoke in a gentle voice, “I’m not feeling well today. Since Madam Huo is new to the palace, why not let a maid guide her to the imperial garden to admire the daffodils? They’re in full bloom now.”
This was a clear sign that she couldn’t be bothered to entertain her.
Ji Yuluo was more than happy with this arrangement and bowed as she left, heading towards the imperial garden.
The young maid leading her was quite curious, unable to resist frequently glancing up at her. The news of Lord Huo’s special request to Emperor Shun’an to have Ji Yuluo enter the palace had spread like wildfire, not only outside the palace but also within. Many had racked their brains trying to figure out who she was, having never seen her at any palace banquets before, thus piquing their curiosity.
They wondered what kind of woman could win the heart of the formidable Lord Huo, thinking she must be extraordinary.
With these thoughts, the young maid looked at her with eyes full of admiration.
Although it wasn’t far from Chonghua Hall to the imperial garden, it wasn’t exactly close either. Walking there would take some time, passing several concubines’ palaces along the way, with maids coming and going. Ji Yuluo silently observed the palace’s layout but couldn’t help pausing when she saw several eunuchs heading in a row towards a corner.
The young maid following her gaze explained, “That’s a room specifically prepared for the chief eunuch, to be close to Chonghua Hall and better serve the emperor.”
Ji Yuluo looked at the eaves of the room and asked, “The chief eunuch…is it Eunuch Zhao?”
The maid replied, “Yes, it is.”
Ji Yuluo continued, “Does Eunuch Zhao usually rest here?”
The maid answered, “I suppose so. Eunuch Zhao serves the emperor, but I’m from Fengqi Palace, so I’m not very familiar with his movements.”
Ji Yuluo glanced around. This room was located right by one of the palace gates, with imperial guards patrolling both front and back. Even outside the room, there were junior eunuchs standing guard. Sneaking in unnoticed would be difficult.
But she didn’t know when she’d have another chance to enter the palace; she needed to come up with a plan immediately.
Ji Yuluo walked slowly, her brow furrowed in thought, when suddenly, the sound of a clatter interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see a maid in pink kneeling on the ground, facing a maid in purple who stood before her, indicating a higher rank.
The maid in pink repeatedly kowtowed, crying out, “It’s my fault, it’s my fault! I didn’t mean to; please, sister, spare my life!”
The maid in purple replied coldly, “This Ruyi hairpin was a gift from the emperor. The consort cherishes it dearly and was planning to wear it at her birthday banquet. How dare you damage something bestowed by His Majesty? Even if I don’t punish you, the consort will not spare you!”
The maid in pink wept in terror as she was dragged away by attendants. Meanwhile, the other maids, seemingly accustomed to such scenes, carried on with their tasks, carrying items neatly as they walked past.
Ji Yuluo withdrew her gaze, and the young maid beside her whispered, “That’s from Consort Xi’s palace. Her birthday is approaching, and they must be preparing for the celebration. Did it frighten you, Madam Huo? Should we take another route?”
Ji Yuluo had no interest in palace trivialities; her mind was still on Zhao Yong’s quarters. She merely responded with a “hmm,” then paused and asked, “Besides the empress, can consorts also hold grand birthday banquets in the palace?”
The young maid’s expression turned odd, and she cleared her throat before saying, “Madam hasn’t heard? Consort Xi is currently in favor with the emperor. He dotes on her so much that if she wanted the stars in the sky, someone would have to fetch them. Even our empress has to give way to her. What’s a mere birthday banquet compared to that?”
The young maid silently muttered to herself about Consort Xi’s arrogance. She was determined to avoid any interaction with those from Consort Xi’s palace. Just as she was thinking this, she spotted a bright figure in the distance at the imperial garden. Her expression changed instantly. Talk about bad timing!
She stammered, “Madam, Consort Xi is just ahead enjoying the flowers. Perhaps we should take another route?”
Ji Yuluo seemed deep in thought, her gaze fixed on the slender figure in the garden, then slowly moved to the pool filled with daffodils. She said, “The Empress mentioned that the daffodils are in full bloom. I should certainly go and have a look.”
With that, she stepped forward. As the maid wasn’t paying attention, Ji Yuluo discreetly picked up a pebble from a potted plant she passed by and held it between her fingers.
Consort Xi walked gracefully among the flowers, her fingers brushing over them as she walked, moving closer to the pool. Turning around, she leisurely began to feed the fish.
Meanwhile, the purple-clad maid from earlier hurried over, probably to report the broken Ruyi hairpin incident. The young maid leading Ji Yuluo sighed inwardly, fearing Consort Xi’s imminent fury, hoping that the innocent wouldn’t be implicated. After all, this wasn’t just any concubine, nor was she the Empress. This was Madam Huo, the newlywed wife! If something happened to Madam Huo here, wouldn’t she, the guide, be in trouble too?
The young maid’s heart raced with anxiety. She didn’t notice what was happening with Consort Xi, only catching a glimpse of something flying past her. Suddenly, Consort Xi let out a scream. Looking up, she saw Consort Xi, who had been admiring the flowers moments ago, fall straight into the water.
The maid’s mouth dropped open. It took her a moment before she joined the others in shouting, “Help! Help! Consort Xi has fallen into the water!”
Consort Xi floundered desperately in the daffodil pool, while the palace maids, none of whom could swim, watched anxiously from the shore. A few loyal maids jumped in to help but only added to the chaos, as more people started drowning.
Calmly, some maids ran to fetch eunuchs who could swim.
But before the eunuchs arrived, Ji Yuluo had already taken off her jacket and was walking towards the pool.
The young maid gasped, grabbing Ji Yuluo in alarm, “Madam Huo! What are you doing?”
Ji Yuluo smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry.”
Without another thought, she jumped into the water. As soon as she touched Consort Xi, Consort Xi clung to her like a lifeline. Ji Yuluo swallowed a few mouthfuls of water but managed to pull her towards the shore. By the time they reached the shore, Consort Xi was nearly unconscious from the water.
Meanwhile, Emperor Shun’an wasn’t exactly discussing state affairs with Huo Xian seriously.
He had started by genuinely reviewing some memorials but soon began to complain about the court officials, accusing them of bullying him for being a prince who ascended to the throne, always causing trouble. As he spoke, gazing out at the white expanse of snow, he sipped a few cups of wine and began lamenting the fleeting nature of life.
He sighed, “I used to live carefree in my fief, never imagining I’d one day sit on the throne. But becoming emperor isn’t as joyful as one might think. I can’t do as I please in anything. The only thing I can decide is which beauty’s bed I spend the night in, yet for this, everyone calls me a foolish ruler. I look at the entire court, and there isn’t a single person who truly respects me! Only you, Zhe’an, understand and protect me, willing to handle affairs sincerely for me.”
Huo Xian looked at the potbellied emperor, a smile playing on his lips, “The Jinyiwei are the emperor’s claws and fangs. The Northern District Office directly obeys the emperor. It’s my duty to handle matters for Your Majesty.”
Just as Emperor Shun’an was about to pat his shoulder in appreciation, a eunuch hurriedly came around the screen, and urgently reported, “Your Majesty, Consort Xi accidentally fell into the water. Madam Huo jumped in to save her. The imperial physician has been summoned. Would Your Majesty like to go see?”
Huo Xian paused, and Emperor Shun’an instantly sobered up from his drink. “Prepare my carriage!”
Due to the rules, male officials couldn’t enter the concubines’ sleeping quarters. Huo Xian sat in the outer hall, listening indifferently to the sound of women sobbing inside.
Consort Xi had already awakened and was clinging to Emperor Shun’an, crying, “Your Majesty, I almost lost my life! If not for Madam Huo’s rescue, I might never have seen you again!”
The sight of a beautiful woman in tears nearly broke Emperor Shun’an’s heart. He uttered all sorts of comforting words to appease her.
When Ji Yuluo emerged from another room, she saw the man seated with a hint of impatience on his face, rubbing his ear. As she walked over, he stood up, looking her over as if he was about to say something. But before he could, Ji Yuluo sneezed.
