After walking a long way, they finally arrived at Jiaofang Palace.
The moment they stepped through the main gate of Jiaofang Palace, a woman in palace attire came walking toward them.
This woman looked to be two or three years older than Rui Lian. Her skin was somewhat dark, her features pretty and lively, with a pair of quick, expressive eyes that carried a touch of allure as they moved. She smiled before she even spoke:
“Rui Lian, this must be Miss Ling! She really is as lovely as a flower and as fair as the moon. Don’t be upset at me for saying something unflattering—you used to be the most outstanding, the most exceptional one here in Jiaofang Palace. Now that Miss Ling has arrived, you’ll have to give up your spot as the number one beauty.”
It sounded affectionate, yet every word carried an undertone of instigation.
Who was this woman?
Was she one of the female officials Rui Lian had mentioned?
Ling Jingshu pondered silently while a polite, light smile rose on her face. “Sister Rui Lian, what should I call this sister here?”
Rui Lian curved her lips into a smile. “This is Qiu Shuang, the one I mentioned earlier. She’s two years older than me—you can just call her Sister Qiu Shuang.”
Ling Jingshu obediently stepped forward and said, “Sister Qiu Shuang. My given name is Ling Jingshu—you can just call me A’Shu.”
Qiu Shuang had the most people under her charge, responsible for the sweeping and cleaning of every room, and she also managed Empress Xu’s storerooms.
Clearly, this Qiu Shuang was also one of Empress Xu’s trusted confidantes—otherwise the Empress would never have entrusted her own storerooms to her. Just what the relationship between Qiu Shuang and Rui Lian truly was couldn’t be discerned yet; it would have to be observed slowly over time.
“A’Shu is truly a lovely name, both elegant and pleasant to the ear.” Qiu Shuang smiled with great warmth. “Since you’ve only just arrived, you haven’t been assigned any duties yet. Her Majesty has gone to Zichen Palace and hasn’t returned, so I’ll take you to get settled into your quarters first. Once Her Majesty returns, you can go pay your respects then.”
Whatever she might think privately, since the other woman was being so warm and friendly, Ling Jingshu naturally had to act flattered and grateful. “To trouble Sister Qiu Shuang so much—I really feel quite bad about it.”
“What’s there to feel bad about. If you keep being so formal with me, you’ll be treating me like an outsider.” Qiu Shuang took Ling Jingshu’s hand, then turned to Rui Lian with a smile. “Rui Lian, Her Majesty instructed earlier that the moment you return, you’re to go over to Zichen Palace. Just leave A’Shu here to me.”
Rui Lian nodded. “Very well.”
In that brief exchange of glances between the two of them, a look of mutual, silent understanding flashed by.
Although Empress Xu hadn’t explicitly stated how Ling Jingshu was to be placed, the trusted female officials who had served at her side for years were, without exception, sharp and perceptive women.
For Empress Xu to go to such trouble to summon Ling Jingshu into the palace, the real reason was surely more than what appeared on the surface. Until the situation was made clear, it was best to treat Ling Jingshu with thorough warmth.
Ling Jingshu took in the silent exchange between the two of them, guessing at their thoughts to some degree, and felt her heart settle somewhat.
Even the people closest to Empress Xu didn’t know the Empress’s true intentions and purpose in summoning her into the palace, and so they didn’t dare treat her with anything less than courtesy. Seen this way, her life was, for the time being, not in danger.
…
After Rui Lian left, Qiu Shuang led Ling Jingshu to her quarters.
There were many eunuchs and maids in Jiaofang Palace; the housing provided for them consisted of four rows of buildings, each row containing twenty rooms, with two people living in each room.
Eunuch Sun and a few favored eunuchs had separate quarters, and the five female officials each had their own residences as well.
“Rui Lian, Yao Huang, and the rest of us live in the row of rooms at the very front. The rooms don’t look very big, but they’re kept clean and tidy inside.”
Qiu Shuang smiled as she pointed out the rooms not far off for Ling Jingshu to see, and continued, “Holding a post in Jiaofang Palace—being a female official isn’t a huge position, but it’s not a small one either. Every month there’s a fixed allowance, every season new clothes are made, and on top of that, Her Majesty often gives generous rewards. Over the course of a year, you can actually save up quite a bit of silver!”
Ling Jingshu listened intently, fully absorbed.
This was about to become the place where she would live. She needed to adapt to everything in Jiaofang Palace as quickly as possible!
Qiu Shuang led Ling Jingshu into the room.
Ling Jingshu took a brief look around.
The room indeed wasn’t large, but it had everything—a bed, chairs, a table, stools, chests, and cabinets—and it looked quite clean. It couldn’t compare to her own chambers back home, but for someone serving in the palace, this kind of treatment was honestly more than passable.
Qiu Shuang said pleasantly, “A’Shu, Her Majesty specially instructed a few days ago that I have people prepare your quarters for you. Take a look and see if it’s to your satisfaction?”
“Thank you for your trouble, Sister Qiu Shuang.” Ling Jingshu replied obediently. “The room is clean and tasteful—I’m very satisfied.”
Qiu Shuang said with a smile, “There’s an empty room right next door, which can be left for these two maids to stay in. The three of you get settled and unpacked first—once Her Majesty returns, someone will come call for you.”
Ling Jingshu accepted with a smile.
…
The moment Qiu Shuang left, the three of them—mistress and the two maids—let out a breath of relief, as if by silent agreement.
Having suddenly arrived in an unfamiliar place, surrounded entirely by strange, unfamiliar faces—to say there was no anxiety in their hearts would have been impossible.
“My lady, this Miss Rui Lian and Miss Qiu Shuang both seem quite kind and friendly,” Bai Yu said in a low voice.
Qiao Yun took up the conversation quietly. “That’s not necessarily true. You can know a person’s face without knowing their heart. Anyone who can serve here in the palace is bound to be full of scheming, two-faced before and behind your back. They may seem warm and affectionate to your face, but behind your back, they might not treat you sincerely at all.”
“This servant thinks Miss Rui Lian has a kind face but a cold heart, and Miss Qiu Shuang’s eyes are far too sharp and lively—she’s no easy person to deal with either. My lady should be very careful when dealing with them in the future.”
Ling Jingshu nodded. “Don’t worry, I know what to do. Bai Yu, both you and Qiao Yun should stay alert too from now on, and be careful in everything you say and do. We’ve only just arrived—we need to be cautious in everything.”
Bai Yu and Qiao Yun acknowledged in unison.
Although the room had already been cleaned, Bai Yu still felt uneasy, so she and Qiao Yun swept through the whole place again, inside and out.
When Ling Jingshu tried to pitch in and help, Bai Yu stopped her. “These things should be left to us servants—how could we let my lady do this kind of work?”
Ling Jingshu smiled faintly. “Things now are different from at home. Since I’ve entered the palace to serve, there will inevitably be tasks of waiting on others from now on. Am I supposed to rely on the two of you to help with everything?”
Bai Yu was left speechless, watching helplessly as Ling Jingshu picked up a cloth to clean the dressing mirror. Seeing Ling Jingshu’s somewhat clumsy, unpracticed movements, Bai Yu’s eyes immediately welled with tears.
Her lady had been raised in luxury and comfort since childhood, clothed in fine silks and fed delicacies—when had she ever done such menial labor?
Qiao Yun comforted Bai Yu in a low voice. “Bai Yu, my lady is right. Now that we’ve entered the palace, we can’t keep dwelling on how things used to be. People have to look forward—the sooner we adapt to our current circumstances, the better we’ll be able to live.”
Bai Yu hummed in acknowledgment and quietly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.