The palace evening banquet wouldn’t begin until nightfall, so the Empress had invited the ladies to view plum blossoms to pass the time. In this winter season, viewing plum blossoms in the snow was indeed an elegant affair.
Han Yan walked with Deng Chan behind the ladies. Those who knew each other naturally conversed, and even those who weren’t acquainted exchanged pleasantries and soon became familiar.
At such gatherings, the relationships between ladies always had their purposes. One family might have a daughter of marriageable age, another a son ready to start a family. After inquiring about each other’s family backgrounds, a good match might be made.
While men’s politics played out over wine cups, women’s politics unfolded through domestic gossip. And marriage was women’s greatest political game.
Lost in these thoughts, Han Yan caught sight of Madam Zhou and her daughter from the corner of her eye. She saw Zhuang Yu Shan surrounding a richly dressed young lady, saying something with a fawning expression. The young lady’s extraordinary attire and proud bearing suggested she was someone of significance.
Sensing Han Yan’s gaze, Zhuang Yu Shan turned and flashed a challenging smile. Han Yan paused, shook her head, and looked away, thinking Zhuang Yu Shan foolish to be proud of currying favor with a wealthy young lady.
Though this art of flattery must have been inherited from her mother – Han Yan watched thoughtfully as Madam Zhou chatted animatedly with a group of ladies.
Indeed, she was socially adept, quickly dissipating the ladies’ displeasure and even gaining their acceptance. This wasn’t good for Han Yan – she needed to find a way to prevent it.
Seeing Han Yan lost in thought, Deng Chan pushed her: “What are you daydreaming about? Look at these plum blossoms, aren’t they beautiful!”
Han Yan came back to herself and followed her gaze to see a plum blossom blooming on a branch, its fragrance intoxicating. She took a deep breath, feeling drunk in body and spirit.
This was the imperial garden, dozens of li of land all planted with snow-white plum blossoms. When the wind blew, fallen blossoms drifted to the ground, indistinguishable from snow, creating a fairyland of breathtaking beauty.
The ladies were also captivated by the scenery. The Empress had set up small tables and chairs in the garden, laid with exquisite desserts and fruit tea. Viewing plum blossoms and chatting here was indeed delightful.
Han Yan sat with Deng Chan beside Madam Deng, a kind-faced woman who showed Han Yan gentle affection. Ji Lan and Shu Hong were helping other maids arrange fresh preserved fruits near the plum grove. Zhuang Yu Shan sat beside the richly dressed young lady, her eyes occasionally sweeping over – undoubtedly spreading gossip.
This couldn’t be prevented. Zhuang Yu Shan had come with ill intentions from the start, and given how Han Yan had humiliated her, her vindictive nature meant she would seek revenge.
After some conversation, Zhuang Yu Shan suddenly stood and approached Han Yan: “Little Sister Yan, I need to visit the washroom. Would you accompany me?”
Han Yan immediately sensed Zhuang Yu Shan’s ill intentions and instinctively refused: “Let a palace maid accompany you. I don’t know the way either.”
But Zhuang Yu Shan persisted, looking at her carefully: “I… I’m still afraid. We’re sisters – Little Sister Yan, you don’t dislike me, do you?”
With things put this way, refusing would suggest she didn’t consider Zhuang Yu Shan a sister. With all the ladies watching, what could she say?
Deng Chan also sensed something amiss and stood up: “I’ll go with you both.”
Han Yan shook her head: “No need, I’ll accompany Sister Yu-Shan. We’ll be back soon.”
This matter shouldn’t involve Deng Chan. Han Yan reasoned that being in the palace, Zhuang Yu-Shan wouldn’t dare do anything openly harmful. She just needed to stay alert. Her gaze swept over the richly dressed young lady who kept watching them – who was she exactly?
The palace maid led the way, with Han Yan and Zhuang Yu Shan following. Zhuang Yu Shan maintained her smile, and though Han Yan was wary, she couldn’t guess her intentions. She could only secretly grip the wooden hairpin in her sleeve.
This hairpin was a tenth birthday gift, handmade by Zhuang Han Ming. Though the patterns were rough, the maker’s care was evident. Initially touched, she hadn’t wanted to use it, and as an official’s daughter, wearing a wooden hairpin would have been inappropriate, so she had kept it stored away. After her rebirth, while sorting belongings, she found it still gleaming like new – Zhuang Han Ming must have used excellent wood.
Making use of it, she had taken a small knife and sharpened one end to a point, adding a barb for self-defense. Though it might not help much in real danger, it provided some comfort.
Now facing Zhuang Yu Shan’s ill intentions, she had to be cautious. However… Zhuang Yu Shan had no allies in the palace, so she shouldn’t do anything foolish. To deal with her, she would need palace support. Han Yan recalled the richly dressed young lady – she seemed high-ranking, perhaps someone from the palace?
What had Zhuang Yu Shan told her to gain her help against Han Yan?
Unable to figure it out, Han Yan decided to take things as they came.
The palace paths were intricate. The palace maid led them through countless small paths and corridors until Han Yan’s legs began to ache. Finally, the maid stopped: “Young Miss Zhuang, we’re here.”
Zhuang Yu Shan pulled Han Yan inside. Even the imperial washroom had red tiles and vermillion walls, quite impressive. Han Yan caught herself and inwardly scolded herself for comparing palace and mansion washrooms at such a time.
There were three stalls, and Han Yan and Zhuang Yu Shan each entered one. Han Yan had remained vigilant from the start, expecting Zhuang Yu-Shan to do something, so she kept watching the door, guarding against a sudden intrusion.
But after waiting and waiting with no movement from Zhuang Yu Shan, Han Yan grew puzzled. She pushed open her door and called out: “Sister Yu-Shan?”
Only the bitter wind answered.
Han Yan’s heart chilled as she suddenly realized something. She quickly went to where the palace maid had been, finding the spot empty.
After standing there for a while, she laughed helplessly. She had been guarding against Zhuang Yu Shan harming or confronting her, never expecting this approach.
They had simply abandoned her here?
On her first palace visit, Han Yan naturally didn’t know the paths. Now she realized the maid had led them through only small paths, remarkably empty of palace servants – too unusual.
Many palace areas were restricted, and some involving secrets were forbidden grounds. Standing there alone, Han Yan couldn’t help wondering if this might be a forbidden area.