Chapter 19: Pampered into Pettiness
"Good, today is just right. I had the kitchen prepare a few snacks. Let's go back and chat. You can teach me some needlework. I've been working on a dudou for a month and it's still not coming together," said Shen Chuliu.
"That’s not hard. I could make it for you, but you insist on learning," Yao Baolin replied with a smile.
The two walked off together, and only then did Lu Xiaoyi come out from the shadows.
"I saw it clearly. She drew a little black dot by her eye. That’s how she lured His Majesty into giving her those tribute items. Normally she acts like she’s not interested in competing, but as soon as new people enter the palace, she starts dressing up. Look at her today—she’s nothing like she was before," said Shuxiang.
"Keep your voice down," Lu Xiaoyi said, her expression complicated. The two made their way toward the Imperial Garden.
"Now that’s a clever person. If she’d come in looking like that from the beginning, with six other newcomers and the older ones already here, they’d all be targeting her. But now she’s been in the palace for a year, and only two new girls have arrived. If she stands out now, who’s going to come after her alone? You should learn from her. In the palace... she and I are of similar family background and entered the palace together. I should be building a good relationship with her."
"Yes, but I still feel it’s unfair. You’ve worked so hard serving the Empress to get where you are, and she’s done nothing..." Shuxiang muttered angrily.
"People aren’t all the same. In the harem, who cares how much you’ve done? Let’s go, let’s enjoy the breeze." Lu Xiaoyi tapped her lightly with a fan, signaling her not to say more.
Back at Cuiyun Pavilion, Shen Chuliu had changed into a comfortable old dress and was sitting on the outer couch with Yao Baolin doing embroidery.
She was slow, but her work was delicate. Not quite on Lu Xiaoyi’s level, but it had its own charm.
In the afternoon, just after Shen Chuliu had risen from her nap, Zirui came in and said, "Xiaoyi, the new maidservants have arrived."
"Mhm, let them in. I want to take a look," Shen Chuliu sat up.
Soon, two young maids around fifteen or sixteen came in and knelt. "Greetings to Xiaoyi."
"Rise. What are your names?" Shen Chuliu asked, eyeing them closely.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant is Yingchun."
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant is Taoyao."
"Where did you serve before?" Shen Chuliu asked. These names sounded awfully familiar.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant used to work in the porcelain storeroom," said Yingchun.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant used to serve Princess Dowager Zhu," said Taoyao, head lowered.
Princess Dowager Zhu had passed away earlier that year. She hadn’t originally held the dowager title—she had been a Consort of lower rank, posthumously granted the title due to having birthed a daughter.
Those who didn’t bear children had long since been sent to temple retreats.
Typically, maids who had served such mistresses would be avoided by new masters if they were superstitious.
"You look quite young. You didn’t serve the Princess Dowager long, did you?" Shen Chuliu asked.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant was there only three months before she passed," said Taoyao quickly.
"That’s unfortunate. In that case, let’s change your names," said Shen Chuliu.
"Yes, thank you for the honor," the two said, clearly more eager to please than Zizhu had been.
"Yingchun will now be called Jimei, and Taoyao will be Chisu. You both have fine appearances, the names suit you. I don’t enforce too many rules here, and I won’t restrain you. Just one thing—you must never betray your master. We don’t have many people here, so you don’t really have examples to follow. But if you’re willing to be those examples for others later, I wouldn’t mind."
The two immediately knelt. "Thank you, Xiaoyi, for your grace. We will serve with all our hearts and never betray you. If we do, may we die horribly, struck by lightning!"
"Since you’ve said that, I’ll believe you. Get up. Cuiyun Pavilion doesn’t have many people, so we keep things simple. If you need guidance, ask Zirui and Zizhu. Since you're new, and back when Zizhu started she got rewarded too, you won’t be left out—ten taels of silver each. From now on, you’re family," said Shen Chuliu.
The two were overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly.
Shen Chuliu wasn’t without her defenses, but as a Xiaoyi, it wasn’t like she’d be under close surveillance from every direction yet.
The eunuchs in Cuiyun Pavilion were shared with Yao Baolin. Only upon becoming a Talented Lady could one have a dedicated eunuch.
So there really weren’t many people in Cuiyun Pavilion for now.
Still, given her good family background and moderate favor, she wasn’t struggling.
Cuiyun Pavilion was considered mid-tier, and the Internal Service Department didn’t dare short them.
By evening, officials from the Department of Internal Affairs came to deliver the name tags of the concubines.
"Your Majesty, it's time to choose a companion," said eunuch Huang Jinzhong cautiously.
"Are the two new ones settled?" Qi Yixiu immediately noticed the two new green tags.
Newcomers to the palace naturally had to be shown favor.
Huang Jinzhong replied that all had been arranged.
Qi Yixiu’s eyes, however, landed on another green tag—Shen, Xiaoyi.
Because of her promotion, her name tag had been newly made. He recalled that tiny black dot near her eye and that delicate lotus-like face. A faint smile flickered across his lips.
Forget it—if he flipped Shen Xiaoyi’s tag tonight, her days would become difficult.
So when it came time to flip Wu Baolin’s tag, Qi Yixiu’s mood seemed almost indifferent.
Huang Jinzhong went off to make arrangements, while Chu Si, observing from the side, clicked his tongue silently.
This Shen Xiaoyi, huh!
She doesn’t make a move often, but when she does? Ruthless.
Just that one little move and she made the new girls seem completely unappealing to the emperor.
Tsk!
Who knows if these newcomers can even hold a candle to Shen Xiaoyi?
Even though Shen Xiaoyi came to the palace last year, over a year ago, she hadn’t spent much time attending to the emperor.
So in the emperor’s eyes, she was still new.
Unaware that her tiny beauty mark held such power, Shen Xiaoyi slept soundly that night.
The next morning, after her night with the emperor, Wu Baolin didn’t show up to offer morning greetings.
Instead, her maid came to Fengzao Palace and said their mistress couldn’t get up—His Majesty had said she could skip today.
Everyone exchanged strange looks. After the maid left, Consort Feng laughed, "Now this is a first. Back then even Song Xiurong, as frail as she was, wasn’t treated this delicately."
Song Xiurong smiled awkwardly. "It is only proper to pay respects to Her Majesty and the elder sisters."
Song Xiurong was only moderately favored and had no children. She wasn’t doted upon, but being in a high position, her conduct was certainly impeccable.
"If it’s His Majesty’s word, then let her rest," said the Empress, though clearly she thought Wu Baolin was getting spoiled and delicate. Still, she didn’t say more.
He Xiuyi chuckled, "Chen Baolin shares quarters with Wu Baolin. She’d best not start copying her."
"Don’t worry, Sister Xiuyi. I’m the most timid one—how could I dare break the rules?" Chen Baolin replied with a smile.
With that, everyone could see it clearly—these two who entered the palace on the same day and shared the same residence weren’t quite on friendly terms.
Wu Baolin’s pampered behavior wasn’t entirely unjustified though—she had attended to the emperor three nights in a row.
Author’s Note:
Some readers asked whether the heroine and the emperor will fall in love. After thinking it over, I figured I’d explain. If you think they might, then maybe... on the surface. But I’ll say it again: don’t compare this to older stories. I don’t like being tied down by outlines. I’m walking this journey with Chuliu—let’s see where it ends. For me, love isn’t essential. If you can’t accept that... try to?
"That’s not hard. I could make it for you, but you insist on learning," Yao Baolin replied with a smile.
The two walked off together, and only then did Lu Xiaoyi come out from the shadows.
"I saw it clearly. She drew a little black dot by her eye. That’s how she lured His Majesty into giving her those tribute items. Normally she acts like she’s not interested in competing, but as soon as new people enter the palace, she starts dressing up. Look at her today—she’s nothing like she was before," said Shuxiang.
"Keep your voice down," Lu Xiaoyi said, her expression complicated. The two made their way toward the Imperial Garden.
"Now that’s a clever person. If she’d come in looking like that from the beginning, with six other newcomers and the older ones already here, they’d all be targeting her. But now she’s been in the palace for a year, and only two new girls have arrived. If she stands out now, who’s going to come after her alone? You should learn from her. In the palace... she and I are of similar family background and entered the palace together. I should be building a good relationship with her."
"Yes, but I still feel it’s unfair. You’ve worked so hard serving the Empress to get where you are, and she’s done nothing..." Shuxiang muttered angrily.
"People aren’t all the same. In the harem, who cares how much you’ve done? Let’s go, let’s enjoy the breeze." Lu Xiaoyi tapped her lightly with a fan, signaling her not to say more.
Back at Cuiyun Pavilion, Shen Chuliu had changed into a comfortable old dress and was sitting on the outer couch with Yao Baolin doing embroidery.
She was slow, but her work was delicate. Not quite on Lu Xiaoyi’s level, but it had its own charm.
In the afternoon, just after Shen Chuliu had risen from her nap, Zirui came in and said, "Xiaoyi, the new maidservants have arrived."
"Mhm, let them in. I want to take a look," Shen Chuliu sat up.
Soon, two young maids around fifteen or sixteen came in and knelt. "Greetings to Xiaoyi."
"Rise. What are your names?" Shen Chuliu asked, eyeing them closely.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant is Yingchun."
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant is Taoyao."
"Where did you serve before?" Shen Chuliu asked. These names sounded awfully familiar.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant used to work in the porcelain storeroom," said Yingchun.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant used to serve Princess Dowager Zhu," said Taoyao, head lowered.
Princess Dowager Zhu had passed away earlier that year. She hadn’t originally held the dowager title—she had been a Consort of lower rank, posthumously granted the title due to having birthed a daughter.
Those who didn’t bear children had long since been sent to temple retreats.
Typically, maids who had served such mistresses would be avoided by new masters if they were superstitious.
"You look quite young. You didn’t serve the Princess Dowager long, did you?" Shen Chuliu asked.
"Replying to Xiaoyi, this servant was there only three months before she passed," said Taoyao quickly.
"That’s unfortunate. In that case, let’s change your names," said Shen Chuliu.
"Yes, thank you for the honor," the two said, clearly more eager to please than Zizhu had been.
"Yingchun will now be called Jimei, and Taoyao will be Chisu. You both have fine appearances, the names suit you. I don’t enforce too many rules here, and I won’t restrain you. Just one thing—you must never betray your master. We don’t have many people here, so you don’t really have examples to follow. But if you’re willing to be those examples for others later, I wouldn’t mind."
The two immediately knelt. "Thank you, Xiaoyi, for your grace. We will serve with all our hearts and never betray you. If we do, may we die horribly, struck by lightning!"
"Since you’ve said that, I’ll believe you. Get up. Cuiyun Pavilion doesn’t have many people, so we keep things simple. If you need guidance, ask Zirui and Zizhu. Since you're new, and back when Zizhu started she got rewarded too, you won’t be left out—ten taels of silver each. From now on, you’re family," said Shen Chuliu.
The two were overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly.
Shen Chuliu wasn’t without her defenses, but as a Xiaoyi, it wasn’t like she’d be under close surveillance from every direction yet.
The eunuchs in Cuiyun Pavilion were shared with Yao Baolin. Only upon becoming a Talented Lady could one have a dedicated eunuch.
So there really weren’t many people in Cuiyun Pavilion for now.
Still, given her good family background and moderate favor, she wasn’t struggling.
Cuiyun Pavilion was considered mid-tier, and the Internal Service Department didn’t dare short them.
By evening, officials from the Department of Internal Affairs came to deliver the name tags of the concubines.
"Your Majesty, it's time to choose a companion," said eunuch Huang Jinzhong cautiously.
"Are the two new ones settled?" Qi Yixiu immediately noticed the two new green tags.
Newcomers to the palace naturally had to be shown favor.
Huang Jinzhong replied that all had been arranged.
Qi Yixiu’s eyes, however, landed on another green tag—Shen, Xiaoyi.
Because of her promotion, her name tag had been newly made. He recalled that tiny black dot near her eye and that delicate lotus-like face. A faint smile flickered across his lips.
Forget it—if he flipped Shen Xiaoyi’s tag tonight, her days would become difficult.
So when it came time to flip Wu Baolin’s tag, Qi Yixiu’s mood seemed almost indifferent.
Huang Jinzhong went off to make arrangements, while Chu Si, observing from the side, clicked his tongue silently.
This Shen Xiaoyi, huh!
She doesn’t make a move often, but when she does? Ruthless.
Just that one little move and she made the new girls seem completely unappealing to the emperor.
Tsk!
Who knows if these newcomers can even hold a candle to Shen Xiaoyi?
Even though Shen Xiaoyi came to the palace last year, over a year ago, she hadn’t spent much time attending to the emperor.
So in the emperor’s eyes, she was still new.
Unaware that her tiny beauty mark held such power, Shen Xiaoyi slept soundly that night.
The next morning, after her night with the emperor, Wu Baolin didn’t show up to offer morning greetings.
Instead, her maid came to Fengzao Palace and said their mistress couldn’t get up—His Majesty had said she could skip today.
Everyone exchanged strange looks. After the maid left, Consort Feng laughed, "Now this is a first. Back then even Song Xiurong, as frail as she was, wasn’t treated this delicately."
Song Xiurong smiled awkwardly. "It is only proper to pay respects to Her Majesty and the elder sisters."
Song Xiurong was only moderately favored and had no children. She wasn’t doted upon, but being in a high position, her conduct was certainly impeccable.
"If it’s His Majesty’s word, then let her rest," said the Empress, though clearly she thought Wu Baolin was getting spoiled and delicate. Still, she didn’t say more.
He Xiuyi chuckled, "Chen Baolin shares quarters with Wu Baolin. She’d best not start copying her."
"Don’t worry, Sister Xiuyi. I’m the most timid one—how could I dare break the rules?" Chen Baolin replied with a smile.
With that, everyone could see it clearly—these two who entered the palace on the same day and shared the same residence weren’t quite on friendly terms.
Wu Baolin’s pampered behavior wasn’t entirely unjustified though—she had attended to the emperor three nights in a row.
Author’s Note:
Some readers asked whether the heroine and the emperor will fall in love. After thinking it over, I figured I’d explain. If you think they might, then maybe... on the surface. But I’ll say it again: don’t compare this to older stories. I don’t like being tied down by outlines. I’m walking this journey with Chuliu—let’s see where it ends. For me, love isn’t essential. If you can’t accept that... try to?
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