Noble ladies were divided into two categories: inner noble ladies and outer noble ladies.
Inner noble ladies were imperial family women enfeoffed by the royal house—princesses, princess consorts, and the like. Outer noble ladies were the wives or mothers of officials. There was a distinction between inner and outer, between close and distant relatives. During the grand court assemblies of the palace’s three major festivals when paying respects to the Empress, according to the order of audience, inner noble ladies stood before outer noble ladies.
When noble ladies had audience with the Empress, they waited outside the West Flower Gate before dawn. Those living far away, after staying up on New Year’s Eve to set off firecrackers and fireworks and distribute New Year money to juniors, would change into ceremonial court dress and crowns, board sedan chairs, and hurry toward the West Flower Gate, fearing they might miss the appointed time to enter the palace.
After the female officials of the Palace Supervisor Bureau’s key department distributed palace gate keys and opened the gates, the noble ladies entered the palace and waited in the Inner Palace Bureau for imperial summons.
After Hu Shanwei threw the door bolt onto the roof and left the aftermath to Huang Weide, she hurried to the Inner Palace Bureau to await the noble ladies. The last time she had stood here, she was still carrying an examination basket, trembling with fear during the female official examination. Now, in less than a year, she was a seventh-rank chief who had weathered great storms.
These noble ladies whom she previously had to look up to were now being guided by her.
Hu Shanwei took the roster to count her assigned group.
She was assigned outer noble ladies—wives of first-rank meritorious nobles or those of super grade. Cui Shangyi of the Court Bureau of Rites was thoughtful, trying to group related ladies together. Since everyone knew each other, there was less restraint, and it also meant mutual supervision—after all, with family relationships, one loss meant all losses, one honor meant all honors.
Each of the six bureaus and one department had their own methods—none were simple.
The roster in Hu Shanwei’s hands was arranged by rank, with the Grand Lady of Duke Zhengguo, Lady Lan, naturally first.
Lady Lan’s daughter was the deceased Crown Princess Chang.
Lady Lan’s younger brother was Marquis Yongchang Lan Yu, a young general of the great Ming’s rising generation.
However, Lady Lan’s husband was most famous—Chang Yuchun, known as the “Killing General.” When Xu Da and Chang Yuchun attacked Suzhou city, the Hu family from Jining, Shandong, all died on the day of Chang Yuchun’s massacre, except for Hu Rong who escaped to Reclining Buddha Temple carrying his daughter Hu Shanwei and was saved by Chan Master Dao Yan.
Historical records state: “When Suzhou city fell, Chang Yuchun entered through Qi Gate, slaughtering almost everyone in his path. Xu Da entered through Chang Gate without killing a single person. When they met at Reclining Buddha Temple, Xu Da finally warned Chang Yuchun not to kill.”
Chang Yuchun died at the end of the great Ming’s first northern expedition, succumbing to wounds and illness at Liuhe River. That year, Chang Yuchun was only forty, dying in his prime. Emperor Hongwu grieved deeply, granting the Chang family iron tablets with golden inscriptions, the hereditary Duke Zhengguo title, and posthumously enfeoffing Chang Yuchun as Prince Kaiping, buried with princely honors.
Hu Shanwei clearly knew that Chang Yuchun was one of the ten founding heroes, a major figure honored in the imperial temple, and a positive character for the great Ming. Back then, the Hu family had despised the peasant-born Zhu Yuanzhang, chosen the wrong side by supporting another Wu King Zhang Shicheng, leading to near-total clan extinction.
But Hu Shanwei was human too, with normal human emotions. Because her clansmen and mother died in Chang Yuchun’s massacre, Hu Shanwei harbored natural hostility toward the entire Duke Zhengguo mansion and even the Eastern Palace.
As a palace female official, such hostility was absolutely unacceptable. Hu Shanwei controlled her emotions, pointing to a small room and speaking pleasantly to Grand Lady Lan of Duke Zhengguo: “It’s cold outside. Please, Grand Lady, take a seat here. Lady of Duke Zhengguo, please join her inside.”
This young Lady of Duke Zhengguo was Mu Chun’s eldest aunt—daughter of Duke Songguo Feng Sheng. Feng Sheng’s second daughter was the Princess Consort of Zhou.
Grand Lady Lan was actually only around forty. She maintained herself well and looked more like sisters with her daughter-in-law Lady Feng of Duke Zhengguo than mother and daughter-in-law.
Palace building thresholds were built quite high, and noble ladies wearing elaborate court dress and heavy phoenix crowns moved with difficulty.
Lady Feng of Duke Zhengguo extended her hand to help her mother-in-law Lady Lan cross the threshold, but Lady Lan stepped aside, saying, “No need. I’m not that old yet.”
Lady Feng unobtrusively withdrew her hand, smiled, and followed closely behind.
Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law came from prominent backgrounds—proud daughters of wealthy families. Before the grand court assembly, they competed privately. Behind closed doors at Duke Zhengguo’s mansion, it would be even livelier. Watching this scene, Hu Shanwei mentally played out at least twenty rounds of mother-in-law versus daughter-in-law domestic warfare scenarios.
Audience order was arranged by noble title rank.
All ladies on Hu Shanwei’s roster were wives of dukes, marquises, earls, and other first-rank or super-grade nobles. The second Lady of Duke Zhengguo came with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, but since her husband Chang Sheng was only a second-rank military official, she wasn’t qualified to enter the room. Other female officials guiding second-rank noble ladies called her name from their rosters and led her away.
Hu Shanwei continued reading names: “Lady of Duke Yingguo, Lady of Marquis Changxing, Lady of Marquis Xiping…”
What a coincidence today—almost everyone on Hu Shanwei’s roster was related to Mu Chun. The eldest aunt Lady of Duke Zhengguo had just entered, and now crossing the threshold was his maternal aunt Lady of Duke Yingguo. Lady Geng of Marquis Xiping was Mu Chun’s stepmother, while Lady of Marquis Changxing was Lady Geng’s birth mother—by propriety, Mu Chun’s maternal grandmother.
Dazzling nine-phoenix crowns, dozens of layers of phoenix robes, cloud-patterned silk draped over shoulders, jade belts at waists, exquisite makeup—the room was filled with jeweled splendor.
Hu Shanwei’s eyes were nearly dazzled, feeling all these noble ladies looked the same. After checking her roster to ensure no one was missed, she instructed the little palace maids: “Serve tea and refreshments.”
The imperial palace had to display grandeur and couldn’t neglect guests, especially since the husbands and sons of the ladies in this room were high-ranking military officers who charged into battle and risked their lives for the great Ming.
Little palace maids skillfully brought hot tea and carved red lacquer tiered boxes. Opening the lids revealed various small pastries for free taking.
But the thirty noble ladies only went through motions, lifting teacups to barely touch their lips before setting them down. Almost no one touched the food in the boxes.
Eating and drinking felt good momentarily, but needing the toilet would be troublesome. During the lengthy worship ceremony, would you have the nerve to say you needed to use the restroom mid-way?
At minimum, you’d be mocked and become a laughingstock.
At worst, it would be improper conduct before the throne—a serious crime.
When entering the palace for audience, one had to control one’s mouth. Going hungry for one meal was nothing—everyone had eaten their fill at last night’s New Year’s Eve reunion dinner anyway.
As they were all relatives within five degrees of kinship, while waiting in the room, the noble ladies wished each other Happy New Year with great intimacy, like one big family.
Some families clearly had irreconcilable conflicts, yet seemed to forget all grudges at this moment. For example, Lady of Duke Yingguo and Lady Geng of Marquis Xiping. Duke Yingguo Feng Cheng had beaten Marquis Xiping Mu Ying into a pig’s head again this summer—how could Marquis Xiping not feel sorry for her husband? But meeting Lady of Duke Yingguo now, both smiled warmly wishing each other New Year’s greetings like dear sisters.
Lady Geng of Marquis Xiping made a full round of New Year greetings with all the noble ladies in the room, then returned to her mother Lady of Marquis Changxing’s side and picked up a teacup.
Taking advantage of all the noble ladies greeting each other with no one paying attention here, Lady of Marquis Changxing gently patted her daughter’s hand and whispered: “Today is the grand court assembly. How can you drink palace tea? It’ll be inconvenient to relieve yourself later.”
Lady of Marquis Xiping felt very wronged: “Mother, I’m so tired. Every New Year, I dread it. The marquis mansion has many people, complex relationships with relatives and friends outside. Just managing gift exchanges gives me headaches, plus preparing sacrificial ceremonies. I stayed up all night last night, still had to take care of the whole family’s New Year celebration—you know our marquis is most tender-hearted, keeping a houseful of vixens who’ve birthed little demons, all relying on me as the principal wife to manage the inner residence. I worked until the fourth watch before resting briefly, then changed into court dress to enter the palace. I only closed my eyes in the carriage. Right now I just want some tea to perk up.”
Mu Ying loved beauties. Marquis Xiping’s mansion already had four sons and four daughters, each with different mothers. Lady Geng, the principal wife, appeared glamorous on the surface but was actually constantly exhausted, helping her husband raise so many concubines. Being a virtuous wife with a heart big enough for boats was quite tiring.
“No drinking,” Lady of Marquis Changxing snatched away the teacup. “Later you’ll walk from the Inner Palace Bureau to Kunning Palace—such a long distance. Some cold wind will wake you up.”
“Mother—” Lady of Marquis Xiping acted coquettishly before her birth mother. “I don’t even have a good daughter-in-law to help manage household affairs. I’m so tired my eyes won’t stay open. Just let me have one small sip.”
“No.” Lady of Marquis Changxing asked quietly: “I heard my son-in-law submitted Mu Chun’s name for prince consort selection?”
Lady of Marquis Xiping whispered: “Yes, but the marquis never lets me meddle in outside affairs. If he wants to submit it, so be it—it’s not something I can influence.”
Lady of Marquis Changxing’s expression was complex: “If Mu Chun really becomes prince consort, for dignity’s sake, he’ll probably be enfeoffed as heir to Marquis Xiping before marriage. Then what about Sheng’er in the future…”
Mu Sheng was Lady Geng’s legitimate second son and also Mu Ying’s favorite son.
Lady Geng glanced from the corner of her eye at Lady of Duke Yingguo, Lady Feng of Duke Zhengguo, and others across the room, whispering: “Don’t always pressure me. Of course I care for my own children, but you have to ask whether those people agree.”
Indeed, Mu Chun’s maternal clan was too powerful, with intricate family relationships and various interest groups. Not to mention Lady Geng, a woman of the inner residence—even Mu Ying himself couldn’t choose his successor based on personal preference alone. When the Emperor wanted to select a prince consort, he could only submit Mu Chun’s name.
Lady of Marquis Changxing looked at the room full of countesses’, marchionesses’, duchesses’, and super-grade grand ladies, sighing quietly. Still feeling sorry for her daughter, she picked up a chestnut flour cake: “You can’t drink water, but you can eat some dry pastries. Don’t go hungry.”
Lady Geng said: “Sweet and cloying, and I can’t drink water—it’ll stick in my throat. Who would eat this…”
Mother and daughter shared private banquet talk.
In the Inner Palace Bureau, seeing the time was about right, Hu Shanwei had little palace maids bring copper basins with hot water and dry towels for the noble ladies to wash their hands.
Actually, the noble ladies had barely touched tea or food, but still had to wash hands for appearances—just dipping fingertips in water.
Hu Shanwei bowed: “Please follow me, ladies.”
Everyone prepared to depart. Just as they left the door, eight female sedan bearers carrying a phoenix sedan stopped roadside. A female speech official from Empress Ma’s retinue announced: “The Empress bestows a phoenix sedan on Grand Lady of Duke Zhengguo.”
Crown Princess Chang had died early, but Empress Ma always treated Chang’s mother Lady Lan with special courtesy. Granting the in-law mother a sedan was unique among all noble ladies.
Lady Lan bowed toward Kunning Palace in gratitude and boarded the sedan.
The first group was inner noble ladies, guided by female official Jiang Quan.
The second group was guided by Hu Shanwei. Lady Lan rode in the sedan while the remaining twenty-nine noble ladies formed two columns following behind. About ten paces apart, female officials led the third group of noble ladies along planned routes behind them.
The distance from the Inner Palace Bureau to Kunning Palace was nearly a mile. Except for Lady Lan’s granted sedan, everyone else had to walk.
The noble ladies formed a grand procession in long columns, each with downcast eyes and folded hands, expressions solemn. Through various ceremonies, the imperial family subtly instilled concepts of ruler and subject, loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness. Everything put loyalty to the ruler first—ceremony was actually a form of politics.
Hu Shanwei, positioned in the middle of her group, noticed something wrong with Lady Geng of Marquis Xiping in the third row—her steps seemed unsteady.
Was she feeling unwell?
Hu Shanwei approached. Lady Geng’s makeup was perfect, lips painted with rouge, showing no signs of illness. Suddenly, Lady Geng’s body went soft and she nearly fell. Fortunately, Hu Shanwei was paying attention. With her good health—able to throw door bolts onto rooftops—she quickly caught the nearly falling Lady Geng: “What’s wrong with Lady of Marquis Xiping? Where do you feel unwell?”
Lady Geng pressed her forehead: “Sudden dizziness.”
The procession stopped due to Lady Geng’s incident. Seeing the rear groups about to collide and disrupt the worship order, Hu Shanwei quickly had two palace attendants help Lady Geng to a nearby palace hall to rest: “…Request Imperial Kitchen Bureau’s Director Ru to send a female physician to examine Lady of Marquis Xiping. Everyone else, don’t stop—keep moving.”
The procession slowly advanced.
Lady of Marquis Changxing stayed to explain for her daughter: “It’s nothing serious, just tired from New Year activities. She’ll be fine after resting. Daughter, can you persist a bit longer?”
Lady Geng bit her tongue tip—pain brought clarity: “I can do it.” She wasn’t ill, just hadn’t slept all night.
Hu Shanwei made a quick decision: “Lady of Marquis Xiping’s health is paramount. I’ll explain the lady’s absence to the Court Bureau of Rites. Her Majesty the Empress is merciful—all weak, elderly, ill, or pregnant noble ladies are excused from grand court assemblies.”
Better than having her collapse while walking or faint during worship—that would be real trouble. Word would spread that Her Majesty the Empress cared only for ceremony without pity for frail noble ladies.
Lady of Marquis Changxing felt having only her daughter absent was improper: “She says she can manage.” Why wouldn’t this female official listen to explanations?
This wasn’t Marquis Changxing’s mansion or Marquis Xiping’s mansion—this was the imperial palace, which had imperial palace rules. Hu Shanwei told the attending palace servants: “Lady of Marquis Changxing is worried about her beloved daughter and wants to accompany Lady of Marquis Xiping to the side hall. Escort both ladies there together.”
With that, Hu Shanwei quickly caught up with her procession to continue her guiding duties.
Lady of Marquis Changxing was stunned. She was a marquis’s wife by marriage, her daughter also married well as a marquis’s wife. Having attended palace assemblies multiple times, she considered herself respectable in the palace. How could such an insolent female official dare to embarrass her in public?