At Wangxian Gate, a young woman wearing a six-panel skirt with cyan silk patterns mingled among hundreds of similarly aged daughters from respectable families, following the Bird and Flower Official as they filed through Wangxian Gate.
A girl in a red pomegranate-colored skirt beside her grumbled: “We can’t even enter through Danfeng Gate but must use the side entrance of Wangxian Gate to enter Daming Palace. Who said being chosen by the Bird and Flower Official means rising from obscurity to prosperity?”
She asked the cyan-clothed girl: “Lingye, don’t you agree?”
The cyan-clothed girl called Lingye didn’t respond, only staring at her exquisite lotus-patterned cloud-toed shoes, seemingly lost in thought. The girl in the red pomegranate skirt huffed: “Always silent like a mute. With your attitude, dreaming of gaining His Majesty’s favor is truly wishful thinking.”
The Bird and Flower Official ahead seemed to hear the commotion and turned around, shouting: “Who’s talking? One more word and you’ll be expelled from the palace!”
The girl in the pomegranate skirt jumped in fright and dared not speak further, obediently walking through the palace gate. The Bird and Flower Official stood at the side of the gate, counting heads. When he saw the cyan-clothed girl called Lingye, he nodded approvingly. The eunuch beside him asked, puzzled: “Sir, this Jiang Lingye is merely from a merchant family. Though beautiful, her status is truly base. Why choose her?”
“What do you know?” the Bird and Flower Official scolded. He watched the cyan-clothed girl’s graceful figure and murmured: “This Miss Jiang’s future fortune will be great—greater than either of us could imagine.”
The eunuch thought privately that a daughter from the lowest class of merchants couldn’t amount to much. Even if she wore fine clothes and good shoes, it couldn’t wash away her merchant background. Moreover, the palace had the Empress and consorts from noble families, all exceptionally distinguished. The current Emperor was accomplished in both civil and military arts, young and promising. How could this Jiang Lingye, an uncultured merchant’s daughter who couldn’t even read, possibly catch the Emperor’s eye?
The Bird and Flower Official must have lost his mind.
When Jiang Lingye had passed by earlier, she had heard both the eunuch’s words and the Bird and Flower Official’s comments. She showed no anger at the eunuch’s remarks—she had heard too many such cold mockeries. As for the Bird and Flower Official’s words, though it was her first time hearing them, she displayed no joy, maintaining her cautious demeanor.
Only after stepping through Wangxian Gate did she slightly raise her gaze to survey the magnificent Daming Palace.
At that moment, her eyes revealed her previously concealed, vibrant ambition.
Daming Palace, Wangxian Gate—she had entered.
What did it matter that it was a side entrance? As long as she could eventually sit in that position, who cared whether she entered through the main gate or a side gate?
Wangxian Gate, this side entrance, was her stepping stone to greatness.
Around her, the young women’s voices filled with amazement and longing for Daming Palace. Jiang Lingye pressed her lips together, lowered her gaze, and when she looked up again, no trace of ambition remained in her eyes. She had returned to being the cautious, reticent Jiang Lingye.
After the daughters of respectable families selected by the Bird and Flower Official entered the palace, the Department of Internal Service trained them in etiquette before assigning them to various palace chambers. Those with money bribed the Department of Internal Service to be placed in desirable chambers, while those without were assigned randomly. Jiang Lingye had no money, so she was assigned to Qifeng Pavilion of Consort Xian.
The well-informed among the young women felt sorry for Jiang Lingye because, although Consort Xian bore the title meaning “virtuous,” she was notorious for her jealousy and cruelty. With her appearance, Jiang Lingye would surely be tormented beyond recognition in Consort Xian’s service.
But Jiang Lingye did not complain and quietly went to Qifeng Pavilion. Indeed, upon her arrival, the richly dressed Consort Xian looked her up and down, then relegated her to washing clothes in the outer hall, forbidding her from entering the inner chambers.
Normally, Consort Xian was especially wary of her, not only having capable palace maids watch her but also sending her far away when the Emperor visited. However, the palace maids discovered that during her half-year at Qifeng Pavilion, Jiang Lingye had been completely obedient without any intention of seeking favor. They presumed she understood her lowly status and dared not dream of rising above her station.
Gradually, Consort Xian’s vigilance toward Jiang Lingye diminished. She focused all her attention on competing with Empress Zheng for the Emperor’s favor. After another half-year, she even forgot Jiang Lingye existed.
Although Consort Xian forgot about Jiang Lingye, the ambition hidden in Jiang Lingye’s eyes never disappeared but grew stronger with each passing day.
After lying low for a year, her opportunity finally came. Because Consort Xian was not receiving the Emperor’s favor, her temper grew increasingly volatile, and she had beaten several personal maids to death. Since Jiang Lingye performed her duties reliably, she finally had the chance to serve personally in the inner chambers. Her good friend Yu Wan was very concerned and privately advised her not to go, but Jiang Lingye accepted without hesitation, going to serve Consort Xian personally in the inner chamber.
Because only by serving personally would she have the chance to see the Emperor.
Consort Xian’s temper remained volatile, and Jiang Lingye served her with great caution. Though she was beaten many times without cause, her life was not in danger. In such a hostile environment, the young Emperor finally stepped into Qifeng Pavilion.
This was Jiang Lingye’s first time seeing the Emperor. The Emperor was nineteen that year, in the prime of his youth. Jiang Lingye secretly raised her eyes to look at him and saw a tall, handsome young man with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and perfectly trimmed sideburns—truly a man of exceptional beauty.
No wonder Consort Xian still pined for him obsessively despite his neglect.
The Emperor’s gaze casually swept over Jiang Lingye as she prostrated herself, and Consort Xian’s gaze followed. Jiang Lingye’s heart jumped, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to look up. The Emperor’s gaze soon moved away from her, and Consort Xian was satisfied with her obedience.
The Emperor and Consort Xian entered the inner chamber, naturally engaging in intimate relations. Jiang Lingye kept watch outside the chamber, maintaining her position throughout the night.
As the fifth watch approached, the other servants grew drowsy, but Jiang Lingye remained completely alert. She had been calculating all night: Consort Xian liked to sleep late, and after last night’s exhaustion, she should still be sound asleep at the fifth watch. As for the Emperor, according to what she had learned over the past year, he never slept late. The Great Zhou court sessions began at the fifth watch, and he always prepared half an hour in advance. So, at that time, the only one awake in the chamber should be the Emperor.
Jiang Lingye had planned each step in detail. Half an hour before the fifth watch, she said to the other palace maids: “His Majesty will be rising soon. We need to enter and serve him.”
The other palace maids, all terrified of Consort Xian, shook their heads, fearing she would suspect them of ulterior motives if she saw them. They exchanged glances and unanimously decided to push Jiang Lingye into the fire: “Lingye, you go.”
Jiang Lingye feigned a sigh: “Then I’ll go.”
She entered the chamber amid the sympathetic gazes of everyone, prostrating herself beside the bed, waiting for the Emperor to rise. Sure enough, after some rustling, the curtain was lifted, and the Emperor got out of bed while Consort Xian continued to sleep soundly.
Jiang Lingye hurriedly approached on her knees, took the black-leather six-panel boots from under the bed, and helped the Emperor put them on. Throughout the process, the Emperor squinted at her thoughtfully.
After helping the Emperor with his footwear, Jiang Lingye dared to glance up at him. She saw that the Emperor was bare-chested, with suggestive red marks on his muscular abdomen. Jiang Lingye blushed but didn’t lower her head. Instead, her eyes conveyed unspoken words as she whispered: “Your Maj—”
The Emperor placed his finger to his lips, hushing her. He looked at Jiang Lingye with interest, then opened his arms, indicating she should help him dress. Jiang Lingye quickly took the bright yellow dragon robe, shook it out, and helped him put it on. While smoothing the collar, her fingers, as if accidentally, brushed against the Emperor’s ear, then slid down to caress his neck.
The earlobes and neck are the areas most likely to arouse desire in men when touched by a woman’s fingertips.
Yes, she was seducing the Emperor.
And it was a long-planned seduction.
The Emperor raised his eyebrows slightly but remained silent, still extending his arms for her to dress him. Jiang Lingye lowered her gaze and continued to help the Emperor dress, securing the black rhinoceros jade belt. While fastening it, whether intentionally or not, her arms almost encircled the Emperor’s slender waist, and her fingers lightly brushed his sides through the clothing.
After she fastened the belt and tucked in the remaining ends, the Emperor remained perfectly calm, neither speaking nor stopping her. Jiang Lingye’s heart pounded—she didn’t know if her seduction was working. Was she failing? Was the Emperor simply not interested in her?
But it didn’t matter. Even if she failed this time, as long as she remained in Qifeng Pavilion—or rather, as long as she remained in Daming Palace, as long as she still breathed—she would have another chance.
So Jiang Lingye didn’t lose heart. After securing the belt, she had no more excuses to adjust his clothing, so she released her hands and prepared to step back. Suddenly, a burning palm covered her waist. Before she could react, a powerful arm pulled her forcefully into an embrace. Her chest pressed tightly against the Emperor’s, and she looked up in confusion to see the Emperor’s enigmatic eyes.
The Emperor’s arm gripped her like a vise. His callused palm, as if in retribution, repeatedly caressed her slender waist, causing her to tremble. The Emperor’s lips curved upward, seemingly pleased with her reaction. His other hand caressed her beautiful face, then moved downward to stroke her long, elegant neck.
Behind the curtain, Consort Xian’s breathing remained deep and regular.
Jiang Lingye glanced anxiously at the curtain, her eyes filled with fear. Outside the curtain, the beautiful maid’s eyes showed panic and fear; inside, the sleeping consort remained oblivious. Perhaps this illicit scenario gave the young Emperor great excitement, creating a fresh sensation he had never experienced before. The desire in the Emperor’s eyes grew heavier, and the hand caressing her waist grew hotter.
Just then, Consort Xian mumbled something and turned over. Jiang Lingye became even more frightened, her delicate body trembling in the Emperor’s embrace. Seeing this, the Emperor chuckled softly, though it wasn’t clear whether he was laughing at her or something else.
In the bed, Consort Xian fell silent again. The Emperor gently lifted Jiang Lingye’s chin, looking down at her panic-stricken eyes. He had been her prey, but now the roles had reversed—he had become the hunter.
He placed his fingertips on her cherry-blossom-soft lips, teasingly stroking them. He didn’t kiss her, as if she weren’t worthy of his kiss. He treated her like the basest plaything, repeatedly toying with her.
He watched with satisfaction as humiliation gradually appeared in the beautiful maid’s eyes. Having had enough of his game, he was about to push her away when suddenly Jiang Lingye opened her mouth and bit his fingertip.
The Emperor froze.
This slave, so base she would seduce him at her mistress’s bedside, dared to bite him?
Tears welled in her eyes, behind which lay a hint of grievance and something like… resentment?
It was a resentment against fate.
This resentment momentarily reminded the Emperor of his own when he learned he was not Empress Dowager Xue’s biological son, and that his birth mother had been buried with her face covered by her hair and rice husks in her mouth.
He stared at Jiang Lingye, his restraining arm unconsciously loosening. Jiang Lingye also released her bite—not too hard, but not too gentle either. The Emperor withdrew his finger and saw it now bore a tooth mark.
The young woman had already retreated, prostrating herself with her hands crossed on the black wooden floor, her forehead touching her hands—the most humble posture of a servant. The young Emperor looked at his finger with the tooth mark, gave her a long look, and then left expressionlessly.
Only after the Emperor had gone did Jiang Lingye raise her head. At this moment, the panic, humiliation, grievance, and resentment in her eyes had completely vanished, leaving only boundless calm.
Consort Xian was in a foul mood all day.
When Jiang Lingye knelt to serve tea, Consort Xian took the cup, drank a sip, then set it down. She looked suspiciously at Jiang Lingye: “When you helped His Majesty dress, did anything happen?”
“No,” Jiang Lingye replied without changing expression.
“Really nothing?”
“Nothing,” Jiang Lingye denied again.
Consort Xian glared at her. The girl before her was just sixteen, in the bloom of youth, and her beauty was, even Consort Xian had to admit, exceptional.
Suddenly, Consort Xian delivered a heavy slap to the kneeling Jiang Lingye’s face. Jiang Lingye fell to the ground, her cheek swelling and blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. Consort Xian raged: “Listen, if you dare seduce His Majesty, I’ll flay you alive!”
Jiang Lingye knelt properly again, as respectful as always, repeatedly kowtowing and begging: “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”
But as her forehead touched the ground, she thought:
Wouldn’t dare?
No, next time I will dare again.