Peach Pear

  The last night before entering the palace, as usual, family members can meet to see me off. My parents brought my two brothers and sisters to see me. Fang Ruo took a group of people out early, leaving only us crying with tears streaming down our faces.

  From then on, I lived in the depths of the palace, and it was extremely difficult to see each other again.

  I held back tears as I looked at Yu Yao and Yu Wan. Yu Yao had just turned twelve, and had only recently grown up. Although she wasn't as beautiful as me, she was still very delicate, but her personality was too gentle and weak, indecisive, and probably wouldn't amount to much in the future. Yu Wan was still young, only seven years old, but there was a lot of spirit in her eyes, and her personality was bright and lively, extremely clever. Father and mother said that she looked like me when I was young, about 70-80% similar, and would definitely be a stunning beauty in the future. Therefore, I especially loved her, and she was also particularly close to me.

  Yu Yao struggled to hold back her tears, supporting her mother's hand as she wept. Yu Xiao didn't fully understand the situation yet, and only clung to my neck, crying "Big sister, don't leave Ahuo behind." They were both still young and couldn't take on any responsibilities for the family. Fortunately, my older brother Zhen Huan was talented and capable despite his youth. Although he was only four years older than me, he had already mastered both literature and martial arts, and would soon be leaving in three months to join the army and guard the border, making a name for himself and bringing honor to our country.

  I gazed at my mother, who was only in her early forties, but due to her usual comfortable life at home with fine clothes and food, she looked even younger. However, within three months, both her eldest son and daughter would be leaving her side, and her face had added a lot of sadness and melancholy, with some gray hairs appearing at her temples. She used a handkerchief to wipe away the intermittent tears on her face, but the tears fell like a winding stream, and no matter how hard she wiped, they couldn't be cleaned up.

  My heart ached, and I tearfully hugged my mother, trying to comfort her: "Mother, I'm going to the palace this time, and I won't suffer too much. My brother is also going to make a name for himself, and he'll be back soon. Otherwise, our two younger sisters can still bring joy to your knees." Mother held me tightly, still sobbing uncontrollably.

  The girl wiped away her tears and warned: "People often say 'once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering the deep sea'. Now it's our turn. Xi'er, from now on, take good care of yourself. When interacting with other concubines, be cautious everywhere, endure if you can, don't argue with others, especially Empress Huai, who is currently favored by the Emperor. In the future, if you have the good fortune to become the Emperor's favorite concubine, that would be great, but I only want a good daughter. So your own life and safety are crucial, no matter what, you must prioritize preserving yourself."

  I forced a smile and said, "Don't worry, Mother, I've got everything memorized. And I hope Father and Mother take good care of yourselves."

  Father's face was sorrowful, silent and solemnly said: "Xuan Er, from now on your honor and shame are all in yourself. Naturally, the honor and shame of the entire Zhen family depend on you."

  I nodded vigorously, looked up to see my brother seemingly deep in thought, and had been holding back his words. I knew my brother wasn't a hesitant person, so something important must have happened, and said: "Father and mother take the younger sisters to rest first, Xuan'er has a few words to say to brother."

  Father and mother repeatedly exhorted, but eventually left reluctantly.

  Big brother never thought I would take the initiative to ask him to stay, his expression slightly shocked. I gently said: "Brother, if you have anything to say, now is the time."

  My brother hesitated for a moment, then took out a floral letter from his sleeve. The paper had a faint scent of herbs, and I knew who wrote it as soon as I smelled it. My brother finally spoke up: "Wen Shi Chu asked me to bring this to you. I've been thinking about it for two days, but I don't know if I should let you know."

  I glanced at the flower paper and said, "Brother, he's confused, are you too? Private transactions, what a serious crime for Tian Fei."

  "Brother's words gradually fell, with a tinge of emotion: 'I know I've committed a palace taboo. But his feelings this time...' "

  "My voice suddenly turned cold and detached: 'Zhen Huan, you know you can't take it!' I saw my brother's face filled with guilt, and after a moment, his expression softened and his tone became gentle: 'Brother, don't you understand? Zhen Huan is not the person I have in mind, nor does she have anyone in her heart.'"

  "Brother nodded slightly: 'He also knows that things can't be turned back, but wants you to understand his intentions. I and Shi Chu have always been on good terms, and it's really unbearable to see him suffer from lovesickness.' He paused for a moment, handed the letter to me, 'You deal with this letter yourself.'"

  I let out a soft "en" sound, slapped the letter on the table, and said indifferently: "Help me tell Wen Shi Chu to take good care of his imperial physician, no need to worry about me anymore."

  "Brother stared at me: 'I will spread the word myself. But given his temperament, it's unlikely to go as you wish.'"

  I neither assent nor dissent, I take out a silver hairpin to trim the wick of the candle, gently blowing away the sparks on the pin. "Brother, just mention it and that's enough. This is just a reminder for him. If he can do it, it will be good for both me and him. If not, it won't necessarily harm or benefit me. It's just to let him know that now I am different from him, no longer the same as before." After speaking, she turned around and handed over a sky-blue long gown to her brother, softly saying: "Xuan'er has made a new robe, hoping brother will see it as seeing Xuan'er herself. The border is bitter and cold, the palace is hard to bear. Brother and Xuan'er must both take care of themselves."

  My brother carefully put away his gown, his eyes filled with reluctance as he gazed at me quietly. I remained silent for a long time, still thinking of myself as a little girl of six or seven years old, with pigtails hanging down, my brother carrying me on his shoulders to pick the most beautiful pomegranate flowers that bloomed in May.

  I calmed myself down and had Biyu send my brother off. As I watched his back, a pang of sadness hit me, and big tears rolled down.

  I was about to burn Wen Shi Chu's letter when I saw a huge tear stain on the back of the letter, which seemed to be bleeding onto the pink paper. My heart couldn't bear it. When I opened it, I only saw two short lines of cursive script: "Once you enter the noble gate, it's like entering the deep sea; from now on, Xiao Lang is just a passerby." The ink marks were weak and dragging, as if the writer was overcome with emotion and had no strength in their brush.

  I'm annoyed to have such a self-pitying person, I don't even like him, and what has he ever been my Xiao Lang?! With a flick of his hand, the letter was crumpled into a ball and thrown into the fire pit, and the flower letter was instantly engulfed by the flames.

  Yu Zhu immediately took out the brazier, and Huan Bi came up to pour incense, softly advising: "Has Mr. Wen angered Miss again? His intentions are good, but they're not being used in the right place. Miss shouldn't bother with him anymore."

  I took a sip of tea, feeling uneasy in my heart. In my mind, I clearly recalled the incident half a month ago when he came to ask for "Ping'an Mai" for me. According to the palace rules, imperial physicians were not allowed to take pulses and diagnose illnesses for people outside the royal family without an imperial order. However, since he had always been on good terms with my family, he would often come privately during his leisure time. On that day, he sat in the small hall of my pavilion, finished taking my pulse, and sank into deep thought for a while before suddenly saying to me: "Huan sister, if I were to propose marriage, would you be willing to marry me?"

  I was taken aback for a moment, and my face flushed with shame as I stiffened my expression and said, "The words spoken by Lord Wen today, Zhen Huan will pretend she never heard."

  He was both ashamed and flustered, repeatedly saying: "It's my fault, I've wronged Sister Yun. Please forgive me, sister. In fact, I just hoped that sister wouldn't go to the palace for the selection."

  I barely suppressed my anger and called out to Bi'er: "I'm tired. See the guest off!" Half-forcing him, I had him leave.

  Before he left, he looked at me with his eyes and said sincerely: "I don't dare to guarantee anything else, but I can guarantee that I will treat your sister well for the rest of my life. Please consider it, if you are willing, let Brother Huan tell him, and I will come to propose immediately."

  I turned around and silently stared at the ebony carved flower embroidered screen behind me.

  I won't bother with this matter anymore and I won't mention it to Father, Mother or elder brother.

  Wen Shi Chu is really not the person I think of in my heart. I can't just marry him because I don't want to be selected. If life only has two paths, entering the palace and marrying Wen Shi Chu, I would rather enter the palace. At least I won't have to spend my whole life with Wen Shi Chu, a man I've known since childhood but don't like, as an unhappy couple who are neither happy nor estranged. My life shouldn't be so predictable, at least entering the palace is another world.

  My heart is troubled, ignoring Cui Ning's advice to go to sleep, I put on a cloud-patterned cloak and walk alone to the corridor.

  The corridor led to the Chunxuan House where Ling Rong lived. Thinking that she would have to enter the palace the next day, she knew she had to talk to Aunt Shao about some personal matters and it wouldn't be convenient to go there, so she turned around and walked into the garden. Suddenly, she felt a strong nostalgia for the Zhen Mansion where she had lived for 15 years, every blade of grass and every tree reminded her of the past, and she couldn't help but feel sad.

  The sky had already darkened after walking around for a while, and I was afraid that Fang Ruo's aunt and the maidservants were getting anxious, so I quickened my pace. After passing by my brother's study, Xulang Zhai, I arrived at my own residence, Kuai Xue Xuan. As I walked, I suddenly heard a faint rustling sound coming from the corner of the door of Xulang Zhai. There was a small figure standing there. I thought it was one of my brother's maidservants and was about to call out to ask who it was when my heart suddenly lit up - who else could it be but Ling Rong?

  I hastily hid behind a Chinese parasol tree. All I saw was Ling Rong staring blankly at the long figure of her brother in front of the window of his bedroom, the moonlight shining like mercury through the leaves of the parasol tree, casting sparse and scattered shadows on her body, making her look even more delicate and slender. The hem of her clothes was blown up by the night wind, but she didn't feel the slightest chill. It was already mid-September, and the few Chinese parasol trees in front of Rong's bedroom had begun to shed their leaves. In the quiet of the night, I faintly heard Ling Rong's suppressed sobs, and suddenly felt a sense of desolation. Even if Ling Rong had feelings for her brother, it was probably already destined that they would never be together in this life. The night wind blew, and for some reason, I thought of Wen Shi Chu's words, "Once you enter the noble gate, it's like entering the sea, from then on, even a familiar person becomes a stranger." For Ling Rong, these words were indeed apt.

  Unknowingly watching for a long time, Ling Rong finally walked away quietly.

  I glanced up at the light in my brother's room, and was secretly shocked. I had always thought myself cleverer than others, yet I hadn't discovered that Ling Rong had developed feelings for my brother over the past few days. These feelings were not shallow, to the point where she even shed tears in front of his shadow on the eve of entering the palace. I didn't know if it was because Ling Rong was too good at hiding her emotions or if I had been too preoccupied with my own bad mood lately to notice, but I truly had overlooked this. If brother and Ling Rong really did have something going on, that wouldn't just ruin them themselves, but would also bring calamity upon the An and Zhen families.

  I couldn't help but worry, thinking that based on tonight's situation, my brother should be unaware of Ling Rong's feelings for him. At most, it was just Ling Rong's deliberate intention to drop the flower. I should remind her appropriately, as it is not easy for her to enter the palace, and she must not miss her chance in the palace because of this.

  Back in the room, a night without words. I was already a light sleeper, and with so many worries on my mind, it was even harder to fall asleep. Tossing and turning, the sky had already brightened up.

  The last night at my mother's home has passed like this!

  On the fifteenth of September, a large group of people from the palace, led by high-ranking officials and eunuchs, came to welcome me and Rong into the palace with grand ceremony. Although it was just a concubine entering the palace, the scene was still extremely extravagant, not to mention that our family had produced two young masters, and tens of thousands of people from all over the city rushed to see the excitement.

  I bid farewell to my parents and siblings with tears, and entered the palace in a sedan chair. As I sat in the sedan chair, the sound of firecrackers and drums filled my ears, and I could still faintly hear the sobbing of my mother and sisters.

  Liuzhu and Huanbi followed me into the palace. They were both my personal maidservants since childhood. Liuzhu was clever and decisive, with a talent for adapting to situations; Huanbi was thoughtful and considerate, gentle and caring. Both of them were my right-hand women, and I couldn't have survived the days in the palace without their support. Living in the palace is like living on the edge of a cliff, where one misstep could lead to disaster at any moment if those around you are not reliable.

  When the auspicious moment arrived, I was led by the Minister of Rites and supported by palace maids as I got down from the sedan chair. The sedan chair stopped outside the Zhen Shun Gate because, being a concubine, not an empress or queen, I could only enter through a side gate.

  As soon as I got off the sedan chair, I saw Mei Zhuang and Ling Rong, and my heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was somewhat comforted. Because of the rules, they couldn't speak, so they could only smile at each other to show their intentions.

  The weather was better than the day I auditioned, with a bright blue sky and not a cloud in sight. The autumn sun shone brightly like gold, carrying a warm meaning.

  Looking from the outside of Zhen Shun Gate, the rear palace of Zi Ao City is full of flying eaves and upturned corners. The golden yellow and green glazed tiles are shining brightly in the sunlight like dazzling golden waves, making it hard for people to open their eyes. It exudes an atmosphere of prosperity, auspiciousness and grandeur.

  I thought to myself: this is where I will survive from now on. I involuntarily raised my head, gazing up at the sky, a flock of geese flying south honked as they flew across the azure blue sky.

  Outside the Zhen Shun Gate, there were already eunuchs wearing dark red robes waiting respectfully. Under the escort of the Imperial Guard and the Feathered Forest Guards, they led me and several young masters to our respective palaces. After entering the Zhen Shun Gate, we passed through the imperial street and turned west from the side road. The high scarlet walls of the palace on both sides were like giant red dragons, winding and endless. Among them, large and small halls were scattered and connected. After walking for about a quarter of an hour, I stood in front of a hall. On the plaque above the palace gate, there were three golden characters: Tong Li Palace.

  Tangli Palace is a small palace in the imperial palace, located in the southwest corner of Shanglin Garden, an extremely quiet place, which is a two-story courtyard. After entering the gate and passing through a spacious courtyard, it is the main hall, Yingxin Hall. Behind Yingxin Hall, there is a small garden. On both sides are the east and west wing halls, and on the south side is the Qinglv Pavilion, where concubines live in summer to avoid the heat. The front corridor of the main hall and the two wing halls are connected with the back corridor of the Qinglv Pavilion, forming a quadrangle courtyard. In front of Yingxin Hall, there are two large Western-style hawthorn trees, which have already produced clusters of coral-red fruit, accompanied by leaves that have been blown by the wind and dew, making people happy. A row of osmanthus trees has been newly planted in front of the corridor in the courtyard, all of which are new tribute from Yuezhou, planted in large pots. The flowers are blooming profusely, with clusters of golden yellow flowers among the leaves, fragrant and refreshing. From a distance, you can smell the fragrance, as if drunk and dizzy, feeling carefree and joyful. The garden behind the hall is full of pear trees, which have already entered autumn. In spring, when the flowers bloom like snow, the fragrance is refreshing and it's a rare beautiful scenery. No wonder it's called "Tangli Palace", it's indeed an excellent place.

  I stood silently in the courtyard for a moment, glancing at the kneeling palace maids on both sides, and nodded slightly. "Is it the newly moved osmanthus?" I asked casually.

  The palace maid beside me replied reverently: "As the Empress has decreed, the newly arrived noblewoman will reside in a palace with many osmanthus flowers, to signify the new noble's entry and good fortune within the inner palace."

  I thought that the congratulations were good, but the empress was being too grandiose, as if intentionally showing off something. On the surface, however, I remained calm and composed, allowing them to carefully escort me into the main hall and take a seat.

  The main hall of the Yingxintang, facing a raised platform, has a carved purple sandalwood screen with embroidered peony and crabapple designs. In front of it are arranged a coiled dragon throne, an incense table, a palace fan, and an incense pavilion. Above hangs the imperial calligraphy "Maoxiu Fu Hui" (Abundant Good Fortune) by Emperor Longqing. This is where the emperor formally receives guests when he visits.

  I sat down in the main room, with two maidservants standing on either side of me. Two young palace girls brought tea and presented it to me. Kang Luohai, the head eunuch of Tongli Palace, and Cui Yinxiao, the chief palace maid, entered the western main room, bowed their heads in greeting, and said: "Your humble servant Kang Luohai, a seventh-rank eunuch of Tongli Palace, pays his respects to Lady Gu and wishes her good fortune and happiness." "Your humble maid Cui Yinxiao, a seventh-rank palace maid of Tongli Palace, pays her respects to Lady Gu and wishes her good fortune and happiness."

  I took a glance at the two of them. Kang Lu Hai was in his thirties, with a sharp and clever look about him, his eyes gleaming with intelligence. Cui Yan Suo was around thirty, with a long face, fair skin, bright black eyes that shone with spirit, and a very steady and dignified demeanor. I took an instant liking to him.

  The two of them finished their worship and then led the other four inner attendants and six palace maids under my name to pay their respects, each reporting their names. I slowly sipped on Liu'an tea, gazing at the carved flower screen made of huanghuali wood above me, silently not speaking a word.

  I knew that, in front of these people, silence was often a very effective intimidation. Indeed, they lowered their heads and didn't even dare to breathe loudly, the entire Cui Xing Hall was so quiet that you could hear a needle drop on the ground.

  After taking two sips of tea, I smiled and ordered them to get up.

  I covered the green porcelain bowl, not looking at them, and slowly said to them: "From now on, you are my people. Working under me is naturally very good. However..." I raised my head and coldly swept a glance over them, saying: "The most important thing for a servant is loyalty. If one's heart is not on their own master, but only thinks of other crooked ways, this brain will be uneasy! Of course, if you are loyal to me, I will naturally treat you well."

  The people standing on the ground suddenly changed their expressions, and said: "We slaves would never dare to do anything that is not good for our young master, we will serve our young master with loyalty."

  I smiled contentedly and said a word of "reward". Hong Zhu and Huan Bi took out the silver that had been prepared in advance and distributed it, and the eunuchs and palace maids in the house all thanked me for my kindness.

  It is not yet known whether this move of combining leniency and severity will be effective, but for now it has calmed them down. I know that from now on, if we want to keep them obedient and diligent in serving us, we must control them. We cannot become weak and incompetent masters who are deceived and cheated by our subordinates.

  "Master is also tired today, please follow me to rest first."

  "I asked in doubt: 'Don't you want me to pay respects to the master of this palace?'"

  "Master, you are unaware that the T'ang-li Palace has no master position at present. The noble rank is currently the highest."

  I was just about to ask who else lived in the palace, when Gan Shui, being quite clever, understood my intention and replied: "Besides this, in the East Wing lives Chun Changzai, who entered the palace four days ago; in the West Wing lives Shi Meiren, who has been in the palace for three years. They will come to meet you soon, Your Highness."

  I smiled and said "I know".

  The two sides of the Yingxintang are decorated with carved wooden screens featuring green bamboo and bats, as well as carved wooden screens featuring twin lotus flowers. Behind these screens are the East Warm Pavilion and the West Warm Pavilion. The East Warm Pavilion is where the emperor would rest when he came to visit, while the West Warm Pavilion was my usual resting place. The bedroom was located in the back hall of the Yingxintang.

  She led me into the back hall. The back hall was decorated with a frame of carved nanmu wood, inlaid with large glass screens, and divided into two rooms, which were arranged very elegantly.

  I asked Yuexi with a smile: "Where is Cui Shunren from? How long has he been serving in the palace?"

  Her face turned pale with fear, and she immediately knelt down saying: "I dare not. Young master directly calling me by my humble name is enough."

  I reached out to help her up, smiling and saying: "Why be so flustered? I've always been unreserved. Although we are master and servant in name, you're older than me and have experienced more things, I really respect you in my heart. Please get up and let's talk."

  She then got up, her face filled with gratitude, and replied respectfully: "Young Master's words are really killing me. I am from Yongzhou, and since childhood, I have been serving in the palace. Previously, I was serving Concubine Qinren. Because I'm not too clumsy, I was assigned to serve here."

  My smile grew thicker, and my tone was gentle: "You have served the imperial concubine, you must be a steady and understanding person. With you serving me, I can rest assured. From now on, the miscellaneous affairs in the palace will be left to you and Gong Gong to handle."

  Her face slightly flushed, she said earnestly: "It is the slave's good fortune to serve the young master. The slave will definitely do her best."

  I turned to call Biyu and said, "Bring a pair of golden armlets to reward Cui Shunren." I also instructed Biyu to take out some gold ingots as an extra reward for Kang Luhai.

  Kang Lu Hai came in with a flattered expression and Gong Xi bowed respectfully to thank him, then served me as I rested, before going to attend to the trivial matters of the palace.