As the carriage approached Guangde District, Huang Zixia thanked them once more and alighted. The Western Market was not far away, and feeling it inappropriate to return directly to the Prince’s residence, she walked alone into a soup noodle shop at the corner of the market.
The noodle shop was extremely cramped. She shared a table with a mother and daughter – the girl, no more than seven or eight years old, sat on a wooden stool with her feet dangling above the ground. The mother used her chopsticks to cut the long noodles into shorter pieces before feeding them to her daughter.
Watching them, Huang Zixia fell into a daze. The mother, noticing her constant gaze, smiled sheepishly and said, “The child is young, and the noodles are too long for her to eat conveniently.”
“Yes, indeed,” she responded, but her eyes suddenly burned with heat. She remembered when she was around ten, how her mother would cut her noodles short just like this. Her father, sitting across from them, would shake his head and say, “She’s already so big, yet you still spoil her. She still needs you to do this for her.” Her brother, seated to her left, would slurp his noodles loudly while teasing her: “Shame, shame! Still need someone to serve you at this age. You’ll have to find a husband who knows how to take care of you, to replace the mother in serving you after marriage.”
Back then, she had thrown down her chopsticks in anger and run back to her room, refusing to eat in protest. But after a while, her mother still brought food to her, coaxing her gently to eat. After a few bites, she looked up to see her father standing by the window, watching her from afar. When he noticed her looking up, he pretended to just be passing by, slowly strolling away along the cobblestone path in the back garden.
Such a small, ordinary moment from back then, yet now every detail was crystal clear in her mind – from the pattern of the cobblestones under her father’s feet to the shadow of tree branches falling on her mother’s hands.
This ripple of memory stirred the sorrow and hatred in her heart, weaving them deeply together. Only by biting her lips and controlling her breathing could she force back the grief and tears, swallowing them down and burying them deep in her blood.
Father, Mother, Brother…
She ate her noodles slowly, swallowing them along with her tears.
One day, she would return to Shu and personally reclaim justice for all these grievances and bloodshed.
Wang Ruo of the Langya Wang family had become the future Princess Consort of Prince Kui.
The news quickly spread throughout the capital. People said that the Wang family had produced two Empresses and a Princess Consort within a few years – truly bringing glory to their lineage.
Huang Zixia, using the name Yang Chonggu and dressed in eunuch’s clothes, followed the grand betrothal procession through half of Chang’an city, listening indifferently to others’ discussions.
She touched her face. Before leaving this morning, she had noticed her complexion was too good, probably from recent rest, so she had borrowed some yellow powder from the Prince’s residence maids to make her skin appear less fair. Today, they were going to the Langya Wang family’s mansion in the capital, and she might encounter her former fiancé – though they had never officially broken off the engagement – Wang Yun.
Though she and Wang Yun had never formally met, according to Prince Li Run of E, he had only caught a glimpse of her profile in the palace three years ago. Still, it was better to be cautious. She decided that yellow powder would become her essential companion whenever she went out.
Marriage customs required six rites. The Proposing Gifts and Requesting Names, and the Divination rites had already been performed. Today, she accompanied the Betrothal Gifts presentation.
The Langya Wang family’s mansion in the capital was magnificent, befitting their noble status. With seven courtyards, east and west gardens, and high walls, it presented an impressive sight.
Wang Yun, the only son of the main branch in this generation, carried himself with the dignity of an aristocratic scholar. Though everyone knew his former fiancée had brought destruction upon her entire family rather than marry him, he maintained his elegant demeanor despite the embarrassment. Wearing a deep purple plain silk robe, his smiling face was like the spring breeze at dawn, his every movement refined and composed. Only centuries of noble breeding could produce such bearing.
The betrothal gifts from Prince Kui, one of the most noble figures at court, to the daughter of the equally prestigious Langya Wang family were naturally extraordinary. In the long line of chests, the gold combs, jade rulers, and silver cosmetic boxes bestowed by the palace consorts drew the most attention. Wang Yun had them delivered to Wang Ruo’s courtyard and arranged for gifts to be distributed to the hundreds of messengers, handling the grand occasion efficiently.
Huang Zixia and a female official from the Prince’s residence bowed before Wang Yun, saying, “This humble servant and companion are here by the command to instruct the Princess Consort in the rules of the Prince’s residence and palace matters.”
While saying “You may rise,” Wang Yun fixed his gaze on Huang Zixia, studying her thoughtfully.
As Huang Zixia turned to follow the betrothal party to the back garden with the female official Su Qi, Wang Yun walked behind them and asked, “Young eunuch, what is your surname?”
Steeling herself, she answered, “This servant is Yang Chonggu.”
“Could you be the Yang Chonggu who solved the Four Directions case in the capital? What a pleasure to meet you in person!” Wang Yun exclaimed delightedly. He then asked Su Qi’s name before stopping at the small courtyard entrance.
Standing under the eaves, Huang Zixia felt as if needles were pricking her back. Unable to resist, she looked back to find him still staring at her thoughtfully. Seeing her turn, he smiled slightly and bowed, saying, “We’ll soon be having the Five Blessings pastries. Please don’t be late.”
She lowered her head and bowed: “Yes, today I will only meet with the Princess Consort. Formal instruction will begin tomorrow.” In truth, she hadn’t even read the etiquette manual yet, so she had nothing to teach.
As they entered the corridor, four maids came forward to greet them with bows. Laughter drifted from inside. Entering the room, they found it filled with flowers, with plum branches by the window lattice, lotus-embroidered curtains hanging, and crabapple blossoms in the plum vases. About ten elegantly dressed noble ladies sat around Wang Ruo, who reclined on a glass couch, each wearing brocade and flower ornaments.
Today, Wang Ruo’s attire differed from before. She wore a lotus-colored short jacket with red peony patterns, creating a vibrant and graceful effect. Her hair was styled in a lover’s knot, adorned with that glass ornament, and two jade hairpins askew, maintaining dignity while preserving her unique spirit.
Huang Zixia thought privately that she was truly skilled in dressing herself, very aware of her beauty.
When the betrothal party arrived, everyone stood to welcome them. Wang Ruo gracefully bowed and listened as Minister Xue from the Ministry of Rites, serving as the betrothal messenger, read the engagement letter. As Huang Zixia listened to the lengthy prose, she looked out the window in boredom, seeing swallows chirping among the beams, the beautiful spring day full of vitality.
When Wang Ruo received the letter and looked up to see Huang Zixia, her lips unconsciously curved into a joyful smile. She said, “I come from a humble background and have never witnessed imperial dignity nor understand palace etiquette. I must trouble you both to guide and instruct me.”
Su Qi quickly replied, “Not at all. The Princess Consort comes from a great family with a complete understanding of etiquette. You will naturally grasp everything through association.”
But Wang Ruo only smiled at Huang Zixia like an innocent child. Though the accompanying ladies all wore bright smiles, they were merely present because of Prince Kui’s betrothal – few of the Wang family members had arrived, and most were officials’ wives chosen by palace consorts to assist. So among all in the residence, except for Wang Yun and the woman beside her, Huang Zixia was probably the only person Wang Ruo had met before.
The excitement of finally finding a familiar face in a room full of strangers radiated from Wang Ruo’s face, making Huang Zixia feel somewhat ashamed as she stood before her. She wondered internally if such a beautiful and innocent woman could truly be harboring any schemes.
When they were about to leave, Huang Zixia felt someone secretly tugging at her sleeve at the doorway. Turning back, she saw it was Wang Ruo, looking awkward.
She smiled and turned to bow: “Does the Princess Consort have any instructions?”
Wang Ruo whispered: “I’m so glad to see you. Here… everyone else is a stranger to me.”
Huang Zixia smiled while studying her and asked: “Isn’t the elderly nanny I met in the carriage with you before here? By the way, why isn’t she accompanying you today?”
“Oh… because I was selected as Princess Consort, the nanny hurriedly returned to Langya to fetch my daily necessities,” she explained, her expression slightly unnatural. After a pause, she added, “She’s elderly, so she might not return, probably staying in our hometown to live out her years.”
“Won’t the Princess Consort miss her? After all, she raised you since childhood.”
“Yes, but there’s nothing to be done about it. One must adapt. I’ll be fine, but at her age, it would be hard for her to adjust,” she said with a smile, revealing shallow dimples in her cheeks. “Besides, I’ve met you now, haven’t I? I was so nervous this morning, worried that my instructor would be some stern, rigid old eunuch. I never expected it would be you.”
Huang Zixia smiled: “It’s thanks to the Princess Consort’s kindness that I had the fortune to share a carriage with you.”
After exchanging more pleasantries, Su Qi came to call her out, and they went to the main hall for refreshments. The Wang family’s Five Blessings pastries were naturally different from those in ordinary restaurants and teahouses. Five types of small pastries made from poria, hawthorn, pine nuts, dates, and sesame were served on crystal plates. Wang Yun personally brought them to Huang Zixia, asking, “Which flavor does the young eunuch prefer?”
Before Huang Zixia could answer, he had already placed a poria pastry before her, saying, “Our cook has a special talent – the poria pastries never taste medicinal, yet retain their fragrant, glutinous flavor. Try it and see. Of course, it’s best to try all flavors to receive all five blessings.”
Huang Zixia quickly thanked him and slowly ate a white poria pastry. Wang Yun sat beside her and asked, “Young eunuch, where are you from? Are you a native of the capital?”
She nodded, saying, “This servant is from the capital’s outskirts.”
He continued, “Your speech seems to have a slight Shu accent. Have you lived in Shu before?”
Huang Zixia shook her head: “Never. But this servant’s mother was from Shu.”
“Ah…”
“This servant was recently castrated and assigned to Prince Kui’s residence by the Department of Internal Affairs. Because I know some characters, the Prince had me instruct the Princess Consort – truly this servant’s greatest honor.” She casually mentioned the Department of Internal Affairs and Prince Kui’s residence as her cover. As expected, Wang Yun smiled slightly and changed the subject, only asking, “Are the palace and prince’s residence rules very complicated?”
She naturally replied, “Not particularly. With the Princess Consort’s intelligence and quick wit, she’ll surely master them all within days.”
“It seems… there are rather too many rules…”
Looking at the twenty or thirty thick volumes Li Shubai had thrown before her, Huang Zixia stared in disbelief: “Are there this many rules for the prince’s residence and palace?”
“No,” Li Shubai spoke slowly.
She sighed in relief: “Some aren’t included?”
“No, this is just a portion,” Li Shubai said coolly, “And only a portion of the prince’s residence rules.”
Huang Zixia felt like coughing blood: “I have to learn all these in a few days to teach your Princess Consort?”
“No, you should learn them all tonight, and memorize them completely.”
“Surely no one could memorize all this?” she asked incredulously.
Li Shubai glanced at her, casually tossing a volume before her, saying: “Open to any page, pick any rule.”
Huang Zixia opened it and read: “Spring Lanterns – Chapter Thirty-five, Annual Festivals, Article Nineteen.”
“Thirty-five, Annual Festivals, Nineteen. Spring Equinox, kitchen customarily bestows spring pancakes. Rewards protocol: Noble Ladies receive ten rolls of silk, five rolls of cloth; Consorts receive eight rolls of silk, three rolls of cloth; Attendants receive five rolls of silk, three rolls of cloth. First-rank palace servants receive ten taels of silver, second-rank five taels, and third-rank three taels. Remaining miscellaneous staff one tael.”
Huang Zixia’s mouth twitched as she took another volume and opened it: “Spring Lanterns – Chapter Sixteen, Lectures, Article Four.”
“Sixteen, Lectures, Four. The court appoints lecturers for princes, lectures every five days, titled Royal Teachers. Before coming of age, Royal Teachers select from Poetry, Documents, Rites, Music, and other classics for instruction. After coming of age, princes may choose subjects, lectures every ten days, studies must not be neglected.”
No wonder he could recite every detail about any guard in his service. Huang Zixia truly admired him now, and opened another volume: “Twenty-four, Pavilions and Halls Regulations, Article Ninety-three.”
Li Shubai finally paused, and she looked at him triumphantly: “Finally stumped?”
“Naturally, because Pavilions and Halls Regulations only has ninety articles. Where did you find ninety-three?”
Huang Zixia couldn’t help but look at him with admiration: “Honestly, I’ve never met anyone with such a perfect memory as you.”
“With dedication, nothing is impossible to remember,” Li Shubai said, pressing his hand on the pile of books on the table, his lips curving in an almost imperceptible arc. “So, tomorrow I will test you the same way. You’d better apply yourself.”
…This was going to be the death of her!
Huang Zixia watched him leave and couldn’t help but let out a groan, collapsing onto the table.
Regardless, though memorizing all the rules in one night was impossible, Huang Zixia gathered her spirits and at least read through them once, remembering the general content.
The next day, before going to the Wang residence, she expected to face Li Shubai’s thunderous examination. But when she went to see him early in the morning, she heard the Prince had already left to inspect the Left Guard of the capital, leaving word that since Yang Chonggu was new to the residence and might not be familiar with the rules yet, she could bring the books while instructing the Princess Consort.
She immediately felt relieved, but also slightly annoyed – if that was the case, why had he frightened her so much last night?