Three days later, the Palace Administration Office’s major examination was held, and all forty-four new female officials passed.
This result was expected from the beginning – after all, these were female officials selected through multiple rounds. If they couldn’t even handle a palace regulations and etiquette examination, how could they cope with the complex and demanding palace duties in the future?
After the examination results were announced, the six chief female officials of the Six Bureaus plus Palace Administrator Fan from the Palace Administration Office – these seven highest-ranking female court officials – began “competing” for their preferred talents.
Yes, talent is always in demand in any era, especially top students.
The names of the forty-four female officials were written on wooden plaques awaiting selection. Each of the Six Bureaus and One Office had six positions – six times seven equals forty-two, with the remaining two female officials to be placed later according to actual vacancies in each department.
All the Six Bureaus and One Office coveted thirteen-year-old top scholar Shen Qionglian, the most sought-after person.
Palace Administrator Fan from the Palace Administration Office, who appeared gentle and mild-mannered but was commanding when working, said, “Shen Qionglian is learned and knowledgeable, but she’s still young with an unsettled temperament. The Palace Administration Office is planning to revise the palace regulations completely. With her assistance, not only would we accomplish twice the work with half the effort, but it would also temper her patience.”
Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui from the Court Etiquette Bureau was beautiful enough to be painted – the most beautiful among all the “Chief” ranked female officials. She definitely wasn’t young, but her true age was undetectable, as if she were especially favored by time.
Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui’s voice was somewhat languid but sounded warm, “The Court Etiquette Bureau is about to begin classes teaching palace maids to read and write. Who could be more qualified to be an instructor than the top scholar?”
Chief Dress Official Wang from the Dress Bureau was displeased, “Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui, you snatched away the last top scholar. This time you must yield – you can’t always pick the best!”
Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui laughed, “I can yield on other matters, but not on talent.”
Chief Works Official Song from the Works Bureau hadn’t had time to compete for talent when she was beaten back by Chief Palace Official Cao from the Palace Bureau, “Shen Qionglian’s needlework is ordinary. The Works Bureau guides women’s needlework in the palace. Shen Qionglian’s strengths are in writing and poetry – she’s most suitable for our Palace Bureau.”
The Palace Bureau directly assisted the Empress in governing the Six Palaces and had the greatest power as the head of the Six Bureaus. Once Chief Palace Official Cao spoke, Chief Works Official Song was publicly embarrassed but dared not retort, swallowing her anger.
They both sounded like “Chief Palace” officials with the same rank and pronunciation, but “Chief Works” and “Chief Palace” were vastly different.
The other six bureaus were more or less subject to the Palace Bureau’s authority, except for the Palace Administration Office.
Palace Administrator Fan chuckled, “Since everyone wants to compete and one person yielding won’t change this situation, I propose using the most fair method to compete for talent – we’ll draw lots. Whoever draws Shen Qionglian gets her.”
Chief Works Official Song was the first to raise her hand, “I agree.”
She had no choice – drawing lots was the Works Bureau’s best hope of getting the top scholar!
Chief Dress Official Wang and Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui exchanged glances and raised their hands together.
Chief Food Official Xu from the Food Bureau and Chief Bedchamber Official Zhao from the Bedchamber Bureau were relatively quiet. Seeing most had raised their hands, they followed suit.
Chief Palace Official Cao, seeing the one-sided situation, had to agree whether she liked it or not. She snorted coldly, “In that case, let’s see who has the best luck – anyway, I’ve never lost at leaf card games during New Year celebrations.”
Palace Administrator Fan had a female historian from the Palace Administration Office take out seven pieces of paper, drew a rouge mark on one, folded them up, and put them in a wooden box for everyone to draw.
Palace Administrator Fan shook the wooden box, “Who goes first?”
Chief Palace Official Cao said, “There are good and bad results, but I hate waiting most. I’ll go first.”
Chief Palace Official Cao stood up, drew a piece of paper, opened it to see a blank sheet, and couldn’t help feeling annoyed. She threw the paper on the table with an unpleasant expression – what a pity, such good talent wasted.
Palace Administrator Fan set aside the paper Cao had thrown and instructed a young palace maid, “Brew Chief Palace Official Cao another cup of lotus heart tea to cool her fire.”
“Yes.” The young palace maid complied and indeed brewed a cup of clear lotus heart tea.
Chief Palace Official Cao didn’t even touch it.
Palace Administrator Fan said casually, “Does Chief Palace Official Cao look down on our Palace Administration Office’s tea?”
Chief Palace Official Cao frowned, took a sip – terribly bitter – and put it down.
Only after Chief Palace Official Cao swallowed the lotus heart tea did Palace Administrator Fan reach out second, also drawing a blank.
Beautiful Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui felt the atmosphere was too serious and joked, “I’ve heard everyone’s luck is limited – use it in one place and you’ll lack it in another. During New Year when we gather to play leaf cards, Palace Administrator Fan and Chief Palace Official Cao are always the big winners while we only lose money. Today with this mindless lot-drawing, I estimate I might have some luck.”
Having said this, Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui reached out third. Opening it, the bright red rouge was clearly visible.
Everyone sighed in regret. Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui smiled charmingly with beautiful, expectant eyes, “In that case, I won’t be polite. From now on, Shen Qionglian belongs to our Court Etiquette Bureau.”
Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui took the wooden plaque with Shen Qionglian’s name and brought it to her side.
Besides Shen Qionglian’s placement being disputed, the next most controversial was Hu Shanwei.
However, while everyone wanted Shen Qionglian, they all pushed Hu Shanwei away, avoiding her.
Why?
Simply because of the world-destroying demon king Mu Chun.
When Hu Shanwei first entered the palace to study palace regulations, her amazing writing speed and accurate records made her a popular choice. Moreover, she had received boots from Empress Ma upon entering the palace – a first of its kind.
But after the peach blossom powder incident, all Six Bureaus and One Office knew she was someone the world-destroying demon king Mu Chun had his eye on.
This was troublesome. Hu Shanwei was certainly talented, but Mu Chun was a troublemaker. If another peach blossom powder-like incident occurred, the entire bureau would be implicated.
Mu Chun had the Emperor and Empress as his backers – no one dared provoke him. Even pregnant Imperial Noble Consort Hu yielded to him.
If you can’t provoke him, you can avoid him.
So when selection reached the end, even thirty-nine-year-old Jiang Quan from Fujian was snatched up by the Dress Bureau, leaving only Hu Shanwei’s wooden plaque lying alone on the table, ignored.
Before the seven leaders of the Six Bureaus and One Office were high piles of wooden plaques – forty-three female officials all had destinations, while the plaque with Hu Shanwei’s name sat in the middle of the table, kicked around like a ball.
Proud Chief Palace Official Cao “kicked off,” first passing the ball to Chief Works Official Song, whom she often bullied.
“Chief Works Official Song, don’t you often complain the Works Bureau lacks people? Hu Shanwei can be yours.”
Chief Works Official Song smiled awkwardly, “Well… the Works Bureau indeed always lacks hands, but as Chief Palace Official Cao just said, our Works Bureau manages needlework – the stitching can’t be poor. Hu Shanwei is good, but she’s not quite suitable for our Works Bureau.”
Chief Works Official Song began passing the ball, kicking it to Chief Dress Official Wang from the Dress Bureau, “Chief Dress Official Wang, you asked about her most diligently when Hu Shanwei first entered the palace and spoke with her privately. Since you like her so much, take her.”
Chief Dress Official Wang did indeed like Shanwei, finding her clever, intelligent, and quick-thinking, but… Mu Chun was like a rat dropping that spoiled the whole pot of porridge.
Though Mu Chun had admitted his mistake and promised not to repeat it.
But anyone who believed Mu Chun’s words was a fool.
“I was just getting a feel for things then – besides Hu Shanwei, I chatted with other girls too.” Chief Dress Official Wang passed the ball to Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui from the Court Etiquette Bureau, “Hu Shanwei is beautiful, dignified in bearing, and articulate – most suitable for the Court Etiquette Bureau, don’t you think?”
Everyone agreed.
Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui lowered her eyes, drinking half-cold tea, rolling her eyes at the teacup – even a beauty rolling her eyes looked good.
“This tea is cold, bring another cup.” Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui put down her teacup, took out a handkerchief and dabbed at her lips, wiping away non-existent water droplets, saying:
“Our Court Etiquette Bureau handles large and small banquets daily, plus guiding external and internal noble ladies entering the palace for court ceremonies. We emphasize being busy but not chaotic, advancing and retreating in order. If Hu Shanwei entered the Court Etiquette Bureau, we’d only have chaos left. I don’t want her.”
Before Chief Court Etiquette Official Cui could pass the ball, Chief Food Official Xu from the Food Bureau spoke up in refusal:
“During the peach blossom powder incident, our Food Bureau was scolded by Imperial Noble Consort Hu, who blamed us for being careless, allowing outsiders to warm rice wine in Yanxi Palace’s small kitchen – full of loopholes. The Palace Administration Office docked the monthly salaries of thirteen people from our Food Bureau – myself, the food division chief, the meal supervisor, and female historians. Her Majesty the Empress also had complaints. Everyone in the Food Bureau from top to bottom doesn’t welcome Hu Shanwei. I can’t risk universal condemnation by taking Hu Shanwei in.”
Chief Bedchamber Official Zhao from the Bedchamber Bureau always stood with Chief Food Official Xu from the Food Bureau, and she also clearly refused:
“We manage firewood, charcoal, candles, and such in the palace – fire prevention is key. Bringing Hu Shanwei in would be like playing with fire. It won’t do.”
“How won’t it do?” Chief Palace Official Cao passed the ball to Chief Bedchamber Official Zhao, “Hu Shanwei is a person, not a firecracker.”
Chief Bedchamber Official Zhao said, “Who in this palace doesn’t know – beware of fire, theft, and Xiao Chun? Water and fire are merciless, unlike small things like peach blossom powder. Once fire breaks out, it’s not just a matter of docking one month’s salary – our entire Bedchamber Bureau would lose our heads.”
Chief Palace Official Cao turned her gaze back to Chief Works Official Song, frightening Song into quickly grabbing six wooden name plaques from the table, “My personnel are complete. I still have business in my bureau. I’ll take my leave – next time I’ll treat for tea.”
Though small in stature, Chief Works Official Song ran very fast, disappearing in a flash.
Everyone looked at each other – you could operate like this?
Everyone followed Chief Works Official Song’s example and fled. When people leave, tea grows cold, leaving only Palace Administrator Fan alone – she also wanted to run, but this was the Palace Administration Office, her territory. Where could she flee to?
Palace Administrator Fan sighed at Hu Shanwei’s wooden plaque, “Beauty brings disaster indeed.”
The new female officials repacked their luggage and were led away one by one by the Six Bureaus and One Office.
Under a row of corridor chambers, Hu Shanwei waited and waited, watching the six “Chief” ranked female officials from the palace come in to collect people. Her pair of autumn water eyes brightened and dimmed, dimmed and brightened, but she never waited for someone to come in and claim her.
Until the last female official – thirty-nine-year-old Jiang Quan – was led away by Chief Dress Official Wang, she still had no one to claim her.
Hu Shanwei finally couldn’t hold back. She gathered courage and approached Chief Dress Official Wang, “Last time… you were clearly very satisfied with me.”
Chief Dress Official Wang didn’t explain, avoided her eyes, and brushed past her.
Hu Shanwei stood rooted to the spot like a wooden post until dusk.
Feelings of abandonment and frustration nearly crushed her.
Why?
Why doesn’t anyone want me?
Am I not excellent enough?
While pondering, Palace Administrator Fan approached and gently patted her shoulder, “Come with me.”
Palace Administrator Fan led Hu Shanwei for a very long time, winding through many turns, to a remote storehouse in the northwestern corner of the rear palace.
She gave Hu Shanwei a key, “Open the door.”
Hu Shanwei opened the door and pushed it open. A familiar scent rushed out.
It was the fragrance of books, aged book fragrance.
Palace Administrator Fan said, “This contains various books collected from all over. Behind the storehouse is a lake with a newly built library in the center. You need to organize the books in the storehouse, number them, categorize them, and move them to the library for proper storage. From now on, the library will be under your management.”
Hu Shanwei was stunned, “Which of the Six Bureaus and One Office does the library belong to?”
“None of them.” Palace Administrator Fan said, “The positions in the Six Bureaus and One Office are now full. You’ll manage books here first. Rest assured, as a standby candidate, when there are future vacancies in the Six Bureaus and One Office… you’ll still have opportunities.”
Hu Shanwei’s first job was as a librarian, and a temporary one at that.
However, librarian is a profession that no one in the world dares to underestimate – too many remarkable people have emerged from this role. For example, five hundred years later, a certain library administrator from Hunan who couldn’t get his wages changed all of China.