Clouds and Mist at Spring's Depth

  The day I first entered the palace was a very sunny day. The twelfth year of Qianyuan, August 20th in the lunar calendar, a lucky day according to the Yellow Calendar. Standing in the empty courtyard of the Forbidden City, one could see the exceptionally clear sky, blue and crystal-clear like a pool of jade, without a single cloud, occasionally with large geese flying over in groups.

  Swans flying high, it is said that this is a very good omen.

  Outside the Yongxiang Gate, countless carriages for delivering the showgirls were lined up in an orderly manner. Everyone was silent as if they had lost their voices, maintaining an unusual silence. I stood together with the showgirls from all over the country, a sea of people, some plump and some thin, with delicate faces and slender waists, their fragrant powder and rouge filling the air. Few people spoke, focusing on checking whether their clothes were in order or curiously stealing glances at the nearby showgirls.

  The selection is the fate of every official family girl, every three years a selection, after layers of screening, talented and beautiful unmarried women are selected into the imperial palace to fill up.

  This draft is not very important to me, I just came to make up the number and go back. Father said, our daughter is spoiled, how can she bear the constraints of the palace? Forget it, forget it, marry a good husband peacefully.

  My mother always said that with a face and family like my daughter's, it's not worth mentioning that her character and talent must be the best. I've always thought so too, Zhen Huan must marry the best man in this world, and live a peaceful life with him until old age, that is happiness. I cannot easily disappoint myself.

  But the emperor, who holds the world in his grasp, may not necessarily be the best man in my heart. At least, he can't focus on me alone.

  Therefore, I don't pay much attention to dressing up. With a light dusting of powder on my face, I wear a newly-fashioned pale green silk palace attire with cloud and wild goose patterns, which is cut and sewn according to the rules, with an ordinary style and color that blends in with the crowd, without any hint of extravagance or pettiness. On my head, I wear a single white hibiscus flower that has just been picked, and apart from this, I only wear one branch of jade seven-treasures tinkling hairpin, adorned with fine silver threads and pearl drops, slightly showing off my status, to show that the humble family's jade is not something that can be easily looked down upon.

  I'm too lazy to put in more effort, I'll just wait for His Majesty to "throw a tile", and let me lose the selection.

  The venue for selecting the show girl was in the Forbidden City, in the main hall of Changchun Palace, Yunyidian. The show girls were divided into groups of six and led by eunuchs to be selected, while the rest waited in the east and west warm pavilions of Changchun Palace. The selection process was simple: they would kowtow to the emperor and empress, then stand and wait for instructions. The emperor might ask a few questions or not ask any at all, and after thanking him, it was over. Then the emperor decided whether to "discard the card" or "keep using". "Discarding the card" meant elimination, while "keeping using" meant being selected, temporarily staying in their original home, and entering the palace as a concubine on an auspicious day.

  The emperor has long been married and has many concubines. This selection of beauties is merely a widespread search for consorts to fill the imperial harem, in order to ensure the emperor's descendants continue unbroken.

  The whole house was filled with beautiful girls, but the only one I knew well was Shen Mei Zhuang, the daughter of Shen Zi Shan, the governor of Jeju Island. My family's mansion and her grandparents' mansion in Beijing were adjacent to each other, and she and I had grown up together since childhood, our relationship was not ordinary. She saw me from afar and smiled, walked over and held my hand, with a happy expression on her face, "Xuan Er, now that you're here, I can rest assured. Last time, I heard from my grandmother that your sister had caught a cold, but she's all better now?"

  I slowly got up and said, "It was just a couple of coughs, I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, sister. The road is bumpy, did you suffer from the dust?"

  She nodded, looked at me carefully with a smile and said: "After resting in the capital for two days, I've recovered a lot. My sister is dressed up neatly today, and her beauty stands out even more, outstanding among all."

  My face flushed red with embarrassment as I said, "Isn't sister a beauty? Saying so would be embarrassing for me."

  She smiled silently, and gently scratched my cheek with her fingers. Only then did I take a closer look at her, wearing a rose-purple thousand-petaled chrysanthemum-patterned dress, a moon-white hundred-pleated skirt, with raven-black hair styled in an inverted bun, adorned with a golden phoenix on the side of the bun, a gold-edged flower-shaped ornament on her forehead, and red gemstone earrings swaying with a soft glow, exuding an elegant and serene demeanor.

  I couldn't help but smile and praise: "It's been a few days since we last met, and sister has become even more elegant. The emperor will surely be unable to forget her at first sight."

  She raised her eyebrows, pointed to her lips and signaled me to be quiet, whispering: "Be careful what you say! There are many beautiful girls in this season's selection, sister, your looks are just average, it's not necessarily that you can be chosen."

  I knew I had misspoken, so I stopped talking and just chatted with her about some household matters.

  All I heard was a distant "clang" sound, the sound of a teacup falling to the ground. My conversation with Mei Zhuang came to an abrupt halt as we both looked up to see what had happened. A woman dressed in dark green satin, her hair adorned with pearls and jewels, stood with one hand grasping her skirt and the other tightly gripping another courtesan's arm. "Are you blind?" she shouted. "You've splashed scalding hot tea all over me! Do you want to die? Which household are you from?"

  The girl's attire was not particularly impressive, but her features were delicate and elegant, captivating in a subtle way. At this moment, she had shrunk into a ball, unsure of how to conduct herself. She could only lower her head and reply softly: "My name is Anling Rong. My father... my father... is..."

  That woman saw her ordinary clothes and had long since looked down on her, even more fiercely: "Can't you even mention your father's official position?"

  An Ling Rong was forced by her to be unable, his face turned purple with rage, and his voice was as thin as a mosquito: "Father... Songyang County Magistrate... An Bi Hua."

  She raised her face with a look of disdain and snorted: "As expected, you're from a humble background! You don't even know basic etiquette."

  Someone on the side interrupted and reminded Anling Rong: "Do you know that the one you offended is Xiatianjun, the daughter of the new Fushou Sishi?"

  Ling Rong's heart was filled with anxiety, so she bowed her head and apologized to Lin Shi: "Just now, I was thinking about meeting the Holy One later, and my heart was uneasy, so I accidentally spilled tea water on Sister Lin. I'm here to apologize to my sister, hoping for your forgiveness."

  Xia's face showed a look of disgust, and he frowned: "You also want to see the Holy One? What a ridiculous idea! Today's matter can be settled, you just need to kneel down and kowtow to me for forgiveness."

  Anling Rong's face immediately turned pale, tears rolling in her eyes, looking very weak and helpless, evoking sympathy. The surrounding Shu girls did not dare to comfort her for a moment. Everyone thought that the Emperor would choose a county magistrate's daughter as a concubine, while Xia Shi had a good chance of being selected. The power was uneven, who would be willing to offend the thousand-gold daughter of the Minister of War for the sake of a small county magistrate's daughter? It seemed that An Shi was bound to suffer this humiliation.

  I despise such bullying in my heart, and I furrowed my brow. Mei Zhuang saw me like this, held my hand and whispered: "Don't provoke unnecessary trouble."

  I didn't dare to comply, I struggled free from her grasp, pushed forward through the crowd, and reached out to pull An Shi into my arms. Then, in a gentle tone, I said to Lin Shi: "It's just one piece of clothing, don't be angry, Sister Xia. My younger sister has brought some spare clothes, you can change into them in the back room. Today is the grand selection, if we make too much noise and startle the imperial carriage, and if the emperor becomes enraged because of this, how could we sisters bear the consequences? Moreover, even if the emperor doesn't become angry today, if this gets out and others hear about it, it will ruin your reputation as a virtuous woman. Is it worth losing everything over one piece of clothing? I hope you'll think carefully, Sister."

  Xia thought for a moment, looking somewhat displeased, but ultimately didn't say anything and just walked away. The surrounding maids dispersed, and I smiled at An again: "Today, Zhen was being too talkative here, Sister An, please don't mind it. Since Huan'er saw that her sister was alone, would she like to come over and keep me and Mei Zhuang company? That way, everyone can take care of each other and not feel anxious or at a loss for what to do."

  Anling's face was filled with gratitude, and she bowed her head to thank her: "Thank you so much for speaking up for me. Although I come from a humble background, I will never forget the kindness you showed me today."

  I smiled and said, "It's just a small effort, we're all sisters in waiting, why bother calculating." She hesitated slightly: "But sister, you've offended others for my sake, isn't that adding trouble to yourself?"

  Meizhuang stepped forward and said to me, "This is the imperial palace, you can't be so reckless! It makes me worried." Then she smiled at Anshi and said, "Look at her, acting like a madwoman. Does she really want to get selected? She's not even afraid of offending people."

  I took a glance at An's attire, her clothes were new and shiny, obviously newly made, but the fabric was ordinary, clearly not of high quality. On her head, apart from two plain silver hairpins without any precious stones and a few fluffy flowers as adornments, on her hand, there was only one ordinary gold bangle, with no other accessories. In the midst of the beautifully dressed girls, she looked a bit shabby. I slightly furrowed my brow, saw a pot of autumn begonias in full bloom at the corner of the wall, took a pair of scissors from the table and snipped off three branches to pin on Ling Rong's hair, instantly adding a few points to her beauty. Then I plucked a pair of jade earrings from my ears to put them on her, saying: "People value clothes, Buddha values gold. Sister, your attire is ordinary, those people who judge by appearance will look down on you. This pair of earrings is today's gift for meeting each other. Hope it can help sister succeed in the selection."

  An was moved to tears and said, "Labor sister is being too kind, my family background is humble, I should be the one being 'thrown out', instead I'm letting sister down."

  Meizhuang comforted her: "Heroes have never asked about their origin. Sister, you are beautiful, why must you belittle yourself?"

  Just then, a eunuch came over to summon An Lingrong and several other xiunu into the palace. I smiled encouragingly at her as she left with Mei Zhuang, hand in hand, to continue waiting.

  As soon as we sat down, a little palace maid came up to serve tea. I and Mei Zhuang each took out a small piece of silver from our bags to reward her, and the palace maid thanked us with a smile and left. After the palace maid withdrew, Mei Zhuang worriedly said: "That was quite a sharp tongue just now. She's not afraid of offending the newly promoted imperial concubine."

  I held the tea bowl, slowly blowing away the hot air inside, and seeing that no one around us was paying attention, I casually said: "You care about me, how could I not know? But sister, think carefully, the emperor's selection of concubines, family background is important, but virtue, appearance, speech, and skills are also indispensable. Xia Yu Jing may have a good family background, but with such behavior and manners, she will never enter the emperor's eyes. Even if she enters the palace, I'm afraid she won't end well. So why bother offending her?"

  Meizhuang nodded and smiled: "What you said is indeed reasonable, no wonder your father has been looking at you with admiration since childhood, praising you as 'the female Zhuge'. Of course, Anshi is indeed pitiful."

  I smiled and said, "This is a layer. It's no surprise that Sister was selected with her family background and beauty. Although An Shi's birth is not good, she has a polite demeanor, a beautiful appearance, and a unique charm, so it's possible that she might be more likely to be selected than Xia Shi. My younger sister didn't want to enter the palace, but if An Shi were to be selected, Sister would have someone to take care of her in the palace. Of course, there are many beauties today, and whether An Shi can be selected is another matter, it's just my foolish opinion."

  Meizhuang's expression changed, and she stretched out her hand to grasp mine, sighing: "Xuan'er, thank you for going to such trouble for me. But with your beauty, it's a pity you don't have the heart to enter the palace; if you were to fall into an ordinary family, it would be like a bright pearl being cast away."

  I didn't say yes or no, but just smiled faintly and said: "Everyone has their own ambitions. Besides, Huan'er is foolish and not used to palace life, I only hope that my sister can rise to the top."

  Today, the number of women to be selected is numerous, and when it's my turn and Mei Zhuang's turn to enter the palace for an audience, it's already the time of dusk with a crescent moon. More than half of the candidates have already left, leaving only about ten people still anxiously waiting in the warm pavilion. The hall has been lit up, with rows of river Yang flower candles from the imperial throne to the main gate of the palace, hundreds of branches, each as thick as an arm, with agarwood powder poured into the candles, the flames are bright and the fragrance is refreshing.

  I, along with Mei Zhuang and four other xiu nu, dressed neatly and walked in, listened to the inner monitor's command to kneel down and pay respects, then stood up together, hands hanging by our sides, waiting for the ceremonial inner monitor to call out our names before we went out one by one to pay our respects. Only the voice of a sixty-year-old inner monitor was heard, hoarse and shrill, calling out one by one: "Jiangsu Salt Commissioner Yan Jian's daughter, Yan Fangchun, eighteen years old."

  "Suzhou Weaving and Dyeing Sun Changhe's younger sister Sun Miaoclear, seventeen years old."

  Fu Xiaotang, a 13-year-old daughter of Fu Shuping, the magistrate of Xuancheng.

  I hung my head, staring at the ground, where large dark green stone bricks were seamlessly inlaid, with a mirror-like sheen in the middle and intricately carved cloud patterns on all sides. I listened to the previous few showgirls kneeling and bowing as if in ritual, their clothes and hair ornaments making soft rustling sounds. I couldn't help but sneak a peek at the side, where several showgirls were already so tense that their hands were slightly trembling, and I secretly smiled to myself.

  I couldn't help but steal a glance at the emperor and empress on the throne. The Cloud Intention Hall was grand and spacious, with walls, beams, and pillars all adorned with cloud-patterned flowers, elegant and colorful, without any of the usual dragon and phoenix decorations found in palaces. On the magnificent throne made of red gold and nine dragons sat our fourth ruler of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Xuan Ling. He wore a Heavenly Crown on his head, with twelve white jade pendants hanging down to cover his face, making it impossible to see his expression. His posture was slightly slanted, revealing a hint of fatigue, probably from looking at the candidates all day. When they paid their respects, he only nodded and waved his hand for them to withdraw without asking any questions. Those poor candidates had been nervous all day, afraid to eat even lunch to preserve their beauty, and came to participate with trepidation, only to be easily dismissed. The empress sat on the right side of the emperor's throne, wearing a pearl crown and phoenix hairpins, looking very dignified. She was also elegant and beautiful, with gentle eyebrows and eyes, although she looked tired after a long day, she still sat up straight, her demeanor unchanged.

  "Jeju Island Governor Shen Zishan's daughter, Shen Mei Zhuang, is 16 years old." Mei Zhuang stepped out of the line, her figure was light and graceful, she bowed her head and curtsied, her voice was like a singing oriole: "Your servant girl Shen Mei Zhuang pays respects to Your Majesty and Her Majesty, wishing Your Majesty ten thousand years of good fortune and Her Majesty a thousand years of auspiciousness."

  The emperor sat up straight, his tone quite interested: "Have you read any books?" The hall was empty and the emperor's voice carried a faint echo that seemed to reverberate from afar, making it sound somewhat unreal, like a hum in a fantasy realm.

  The princess answered with a gentle smile: "Your Majesty, I am uneducated and have read very few books. I have only glanced at the 'Nü Ze' and the 'Nü Xun', and know a few characters."

  The emperor said with a hum: "These two books expound on women's virtues, not bad."

  The queen smiled and nodded in agreement: "A woman's family is mostly concerned with needlework and embroidery, you can already recognize a few characters which is very good."

  Mei Zhuang heard this and didn't dare show too much joy, smiling slightly in response: "Thank you, Your Majesties, for your praise."

  The queen spoke with a smile and ordered the inner attendant: "Don't you hurry up and write down the name for future use."

  Meizhuang stepped down, turned around and stood beside me, letting out a sigh as we exchanged a smile. Meizhuang was elegant and refined, with outstanding looks, her selection was expected, I never worried.

  Just then, the master of ceremonies called out my name, "The daughter of Fenzhuan, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhen Yan's daughter, Zhen Huan, fifteen years old." I stepped forward two steps, curtsied deeply and said: "Your subject Zhen Huan pays respects to Your Majesty and Her Majesty, wishing Your Majesty ten thousand years of good fortune and Her Majesty a thousand years of auspiciousness."

  The Emperor softly said "Oh", and asked: "Zhen Huan? Which 'Huan'?"

  I lowered my head and blurted out: "Cai Shenchu: 'The slender waist of the Chu palace, just like the name of a maiden's boudoir.' As soon as I spoke, I regretted it. It was really terrible, I had spoken too hastily and revealed my intentions, saying something from a book, probably already catching the emperor's attention, which went against my original intention. Regretful, regretful!"

  As expected, the Emperor stroked his palm and laughed: "You are indeed well-versed in poetry and books, Zhen Yuandao is a good teacher for girls. But I don't know if you can live up to this name. Lift your head!"

  I knew I couldn't avoid it, and now I regret showing my sharpness too much earlier. Now all I can do is lift my head up and hope that after seeing so many beauties from the north and south, the emperor will not be interested in me with my proper and modest attire.

  The queen said, "Come forward." As she spoke, she slightly turned her head, and the eunuch beside her immediately understood, picking up a cup of tea and splashing it in front of me. I didn't understand what was going on, so I pretended not to notice and calmly stepped forward two steps, treading on the spilled tea.

  The queen smiled and said: "Very dignified."

  The emperor raised his hand and slightly lifted the twelve white jade pearls hanging in front of his face, stunned for a moment, and praised: "Soft and slender, charming and elegant. You really live up to this name."

  The queen said with a smile: "You are also dressed up very elegantly, and compared to Shen's earlier appearance, you two are like peach blossoms and green willows, matching each other perfectly."

  I hung my head low, my face burning hot, I thought it had already turned red like flowing clouds, so I could only remain silent. All I felt was that in front of me were the golden candle lights flickering softly, the fragrance wafting gently, and the scent lingering on the tip of my nose.

  The emperor nodded with a faint smile and ordered the Minister of Rites: "Take note of her name for future use."

  The empress turned her head and smiled at the emperor, "Today's selected palace ladies are all stunning beauties, some are well-versed in poetry and books, while others are virtuous and gentle, truly adding to the harmony of the palace." The emperor smiled slightly but did not respond.

  My heart sank, the man sitting high above was going to be my husband for the rest of my life?! I bowed and returned to my place. Zhen Zhuang smiled at me radiantly, so I had to smile back too. My mind was in a mess, not knowing how to react to this sudden selection, and I didn't have the heart to pay attention to anything else. After all the candidates finished their audience, they followed the eunuchs' instructions, whether or not they were selected, knocked their heads on the ground to thank the emperor, then left in a line.

  Just out of the Cloud Intent Pavilion, I heard a "bang" behind me and turned around to look. It was Xiangfang Chun, the daughter of Jiangsu Salt Road, who had been with me earlier. Her face was pale, her forehead covered in cold sweat, and she had already fainted. She must not have been able to bear the news that she wouldn't be "kept" and was so heartbroken that her phlegm rose up.

  I sighed and said, "Those who wanted to stay couldn't, while those who didn't want to stay ended up staying." As I spoke, Yan Fangchun was already led away by the palace maid serving at the gate.

  Meizhuang supported me and gently said, "Sister, why sigh? Being able to enter the palace is a blessing, many people are eager for this. Moreover, you and I can take care of each other since we're entering the palace together. The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict has already left, Zhen's father will definitely be delighted."

  I twirled the tassel of the plum blossom knot hanging on my skirt, silently. After a while, I said in a low voice: "Mei sister, I really didn't do it on purpose."

  She grasped my sleeve, speaking softly: "I understand. I've said it before, with your talent and looks, you can't avoid relying on yourself." She paused, collecting her smile and saying in a hushed tone: "Besides, with our abilities, must we really submit to those mediocre people?"

  Meizhuang consoled me, and an elderly palace maid carrying a lantern came to lead us out of the palace. The palace maid's face was full of smiles as she bowed to us and said: "Congratulations to both young masters on being selected as imperial consorts." Meizhuang and I smiled demurely, handed her some silver coins as a reward, and slowly walked hand in hand towards the Yongxi Gate.

  Only a few carriages were left outside the Yongxiang Gate, and the crystal wind chimes in front of them swayed in the wind as if they were out of control. Waiting by the carriage were my personal maids, Liu Zhu and Huan Bi. Seeing us from afar, they quickly got down from the carriage with their cloaks and came to greet us. Huan Bi supported my arm and said softly, "Miss is tired." Liu Zhu draped a silk cloak over me and tied it securely.

  Meizhuang was helped into the carriage by her maid, Caiyue, and drove to my side. She lifted the curtain and said anxiously: "The imperial tutor will arrive at our residence in a few days to teach you palace etiquette. Before the imperial decree arrives and you formally enter the palace, we sisters cannot meet temporarily. Take good care of yourself, little sister."

  I nodded, and Hong Zhu and Huan Bi helped me into the carriage. The palace maid standing beside the carriage bowed respectfully with her hands hanging down, saying: "See off two young masters."

  I lifted the curtain and turned back to take a deep look, the twilight sky was half like ink dripping out of blackness, and half like a purple-golden sunset, as if a long, seven-colored brocade tapestry had been unfolded. Under such a dazzling and hazy atmosphere, the majestic and resplendent Ziyao City had an aura that was awe-inspiring and left a deep impression on me.