Chapter 7

The duties at the Palace of Heavenly Purity have always been the most critical in the entire Forbidden City.

These duties are divided into two categories: the outer circle and the inner circle. The outer circle consists of palace maids like Li Shuyao, who wander along the periphery and can be ordered about by anyone who passes by. Aside from being expected to work hard without complaint, another characteristic of this role is its extremely high turnover rate—a new batch of people is usually rotated out every three months. To use a modern term, it is akin to an outsourcing agency.

The maids and eunuchs who serve in the inner circle, however, hold legitimate, established positions. They are the ultimate aspiration for every maid and eunuch in the palace.

Matron Jiya had previously instructed Li Shuyao to keep watch at the storage room, largely out of a desire to curry favor with Guwalgiya Qingyao. She did not actually intend to use Li Shuyao for any grand scheme; she merely wanted to use her as a stepping stone to build a bridge of goodwill with Qingyao.

She never expected, however, that Li Shuyao’s fortune would turn so dramatically. In just a few days, she had bypassed her entirely and secured a proper position in the tea pantry of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Though the title of "Tea-Serving Maid" sounds ordinary, it is technically considered a minor female official rank. In previous dynasties, such a position would have carried a formal grade. While the current dynasty lacks strict ranking definitions, because the role allows free access to the Imperial Study and puts one in closest proximity to the Emperor, it has always been a position coveted by everyone in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Yet, it had fallen to Li Shuyao.

At this moment, Matron Jiya’s feelings were indescribably complex. She had spent a long time mentally preparing herself before coming to notify Li Shuyao. As she spoke, her demeanor was uncharacteristically gentle and kind. She dared not let the corners of her upturned mouth drop for even a second, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were layered upon one another due to her forced smile. Her voice was pitched in an unnervingly sweet, artificial tone.

Li Shuyao was so frightened by her that her small face turned pale, and her fingers nearly tore her own sleeves apart.

"Ma-Matron," she stammered, "could you, please, just speak as you used to?"

"You child, what are you saying?" Matron Jiya’s voice remained gratingly sweet.

Li Shuyao fell silent, feeling a chill run down her back. Her mind was dizzy, her large eyes blinking rapidly, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time.

Matron Jiya: "..."

After a moment of silence, the Matron abruptly straightened her mouth, returning to her usual expressionless state.

Only then did Li Shuyao relax. She exhaled and patted her chest. "Matron, the way you were just now really scared me to death."

"Pah! In this palace, if you mention those words, do you not want to live?" Matron Jiya raised her hand as if to rap her on the head, but remembering that she would soon be serving in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, she let her hand hang in the air for a moment before lowering it.

Li Shuyao watched her movements, gave a small, sheepish laugh, and, gathering her courage, leaned in closer to act spoiled. "May I ask, Matron, have you ever seen the Emperor before?"

Matron Jiya nodded. "In the past, I saw him from a distance a few times."

Li Shuyao let out an "oh," disappointed to learn nothing more from her.

Matron Jiya glanced at her sideways. "If you want to inquire about the Emperor's temperament, why not ask Matron Rong?"

Li Shuyao was so startled by this suggestion that she shuddered. "Ah? W-why?"

Matron Jiya replied, "I hear that Matron Rong was once close with Matron Ling."

Matron Ling—who was that?

Li Shuyao tilted her head in confusion, the tassels of the velvet flower hairpin on her head swaying against her cheeks, making her look innocent and naive.

Watching her, Matron Jiya’s gaze softened, and she found herself speaking more freely. "You have been in the Palace of Heavenly Purity for a year, and you don't even know who Matron Ling is?"

Li Shuyao bit her lip guiltily.

Matron Jiya sighed, lowering her voice to whisper, "The Crown Prince’s wet nurse—that is Matron Ling."

She finished whispering in Li Shuyao's ear and quickly pulled back.

Li Shuyao suddenly realized. "Oh..."

She remembered.

Immediately, she beamed and curtsied to Matron Jiya. "I understand now, thank you for telling me, Matron." She paused and added, "I will never forget your kindness in promoting me!"

She was naturally beautiful, possessing a bright and upright aura. Her large, watery eyes often shimmered with light, clear and gentle. When she looked at someone with a sincere expression, it was easy for others to feel a sense of fondness and closeness toward her.

Matron Jiya twitched her fingers, taking these words to heart, and her expression grew even kinder.

...

After Matron Jiya left, Li Shuyao, with a heart thumping in her chest, went to see Matron Rong. She treated Matron Rong with even more respect than Matron Jiya; while she only curtsied to the latter, she felt like kneeling and kowtowing to the former.

By the time she finished gathering advice and returned to her room, she was filled with the joy of someone who had narrowly escaped a disaster.

However, before she could rest, she was met with waves of surprised inquiries from other palace maids. Fortunately, Matron Jiya arrived in time to chase away the crowd gathered at her door. Only then did Li Shuyao have time to pack her belongings, filling two large bundles that were handed over to a young eunuch sent by the Palace of Heavenly Purity to be taken to her new "living quarters."

The next morning, she followed Matron Jiya, her head bowed, walking obediently through one corridor after another and up flight after flight of stairs, finally stopping in front of a spacious courtyard.

A clear, refined male voice spoke up. "Is this the one?"

Matron Jiya hurried to offer a smile. "Replying to Eunuch Liang, this is indeed Li Shuyao."

"Hmm, she looks like she understands the rules. Raise your head and let me have a look."

Matron Jiya gave Li Shuyao a gentle nudge.

Remembering Matron Rong’s instructions, Li Shuyao only lifted her chin slightly, keeping her gaze fixed firmly on the ground.

Liang Jiugong was satisfied by her actions, but when he finally caught a clear view of the young maid’s face, even someone as composed as he couldn't help but let out a silent gasp.

She possessed such beauty.

With a mixture of amazement and novelty, Liang Jiugong mused to himself, wondering what kind of mindset the person who recommended her to the Palace of Heavenly Purity had. Were they truly not afraid that the Emperor would take a fancy to her?

This thought flashed through his mind, disappearing as quickly as it had arrived.

Liang Jiugong flicked his whisk, regained his calm composure, and signaled Matron Jiya with his eyes. "Since you have brought her, you may leave."

Matron Jiya bowed and retreated.

Only Li Shuyao and Liang Jiugong remained in the courtyard. Li Shuyao gripped the hem of her sleeve, feeling incredibly nervous.

Liang Jiugong took in her small actions without a word. He looked up at the sky, sensing that the Emperor would soon be finishing his morning court session. He waved his hand at the young apprentice following him. "Take her to get settled first. When I have time this afternoon, bring her to me for questioning."

"Yes, Master," the young eunuch replied with a bow.

Liang Jiugong turned and left. Li Shuyao, however, dared not relax, maintaining her pose with her chin raised and eyes fixed on the floor.

The young eunuch left behind by Liang Jiugong walked back to her side after seeing his master off. "Miss Li, the master is gone, you can relax a bit."

Li Shuyao finally let go of her "battered" hem, her taut shoulders relaxing slightly, though she dared not fully let her guard down. She smiled at the young eunuch. "May I ask your name..."

"I wouldn't dare, Miss. You can just call me 'Xiao Quanzi.' Please, follow me."

"Quan? Is it the 'Quan' for 'all,' or the 'Quan' for 'spring water'?" Li Shuyao asked as they walked.

The young eunuch replied politely, "The 'Quan' for 'spring water'."

Li Shuyao nodded, then suddenly realized something, her eyes widening. "Spring water... can you read?"

The young eunuch nodded as well, smiling. "I learned a little from my master."

"That is truly impressive!" Li Shuyao praised him sincerely.

Xiao Quanzi could tell that the envy in her tone was not feigned. He turned to look at her, then quickly looked away, feeling quite pleased. His tone became livelier. "You are the truly impressive one, Miss."

To be personally named by his master to work in the tea pantry—if that wasn't impressive, what was?

Li Shuyao did not realize he was hinting at something. Hearing his praise, her smile brightened, her clear, dark eyes glimmering, and a rosy glow spreading across her fair cheeks. She looked both proud and a little shy.

As they spoke, they arrived at Li Shuyao’s new "dormitory."

The bundles sent over yesterday had already been unpacked and placed where they belonged. After entering, Li Shuyao looked around and found that this room was larger than the one she had lived in before. It was divided into an outer and an inner room. The outer room contained a round table with four stools, and against the wall were a set of shelves and a cabinet with drawers.

The outer and inner rooms were separated by a screen. Behind the screen, against the innermost wall, was a wooden bed made up with light green bedding. To the left of the bed was a small wardrobe, and to the right was a vanity and a chair. Aside from these, there was a wooden stand in the corner holding a brass basin; there was no other furniture.

Li Shuyao walked around, looking through the rooms, and upon not finding a second bed, she couldn't help but be surprised. She asked Xiao Quanzi, "I am living here alone?"

Xiao Quanzi smiled and nodded. "Yes."

Li Shuyao couldn't help but ask, "Do all the maids in the Palace of Heavenly Purity get treated this way?"

This was far better than the environment in the Palace Maid Quarters, almost on par with Qingyao’s conditions. This made Li Shuyao wonder if there had been a mistake.

Seeing her confusion, Xiao Quanzi’s smile paused. After a moment, he replied, "Not everyone gets this treatment. It is mainly because you are to serve the Emperor. Had it been any other duty, the treatment would not be like this."

Li Shuyao finally dawned on the truth and let out a long "Oh."

Xiao Quanzi quickly went over the details of the shift changes and, at the end, told her to get some rest, promising to come back in the afternoon to take her to see his master.

Just as he was about to leave, Li Shuyao called out to him, "May I ask, Eunuch Xiao Quanzi, who is my direct supervisor... that is, who is the Matron in charge of me here in the Palace of Heavenly Purity?"

Matron Rong had told her yesterday that there were four Matrons in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, three of whom were difficult to deal with, and only one, Matron Lin, was easy to talk to.

Because of this, Li Shuyao had spent over half an hour before bed the previous night, hands clasped, praying that it would be Matron Lin who oversaw her.

She didn't want to...

Before she could finish her thought, Xiao Quanzi smiled. "Oh, is that what you are asking about? Don't worry, you were personally named by my master, so naturally, it is my master who will be in charge of you!"

Oh, as long as it wasn't one of those three Matrons.

Wait—who did he say?

Liang Jiugong??

Was it the same Liang Jiugong who had stood firmly by Kangxi’s side for decades, serving as the Grand Eunuch of the Palace of Heavenly Purity?

Li Shuyao’s pupils dilated in shock.