On the imperial route to the Circular Mound Altar for the grand rites of worship, the melodies of flutes, zithers, and drums filled the entire capital. Su Xinghe, stepping in rhythm with the steady drum beats, led Yinchen through the main gates of Xingqing Palace.
The ceremonial protocol for the inner and outer noblewoman’s audience was exceedingly strict far beyond the jurisdiction of the Palace Bureau alone. Five days prior, names were registered by the Imperial Clan Court, the Ministry of Rites, and the Internal Affairs Office, before being forwarded to the Censorate for review and then circulated among various departments. Only those who were “within the five degrees of kinship to the imperial family and three degrees of noble relations” could enter the inner court. Su Xinghe’s mother, through a web of distant ties, a niece of some prince’s son-in-law’s cousin’s aunt, perhaps qualified for a slightly higher status than ordinary noblewomen. Thus, she was allowed entry through the inner gates to join the imperial kin’s womenfolk waiting for an audience in the Jiuri Hall.
Su Xinghe and Yinchen, already part of the palace staff, were free from these constraints. As the appointed time had not yet arrived, there was no pressing need to enter Xingqing Palace directly. After some thought, they decided to detour along the edge of the Nanhai Garden and quietly slipped into Jiuri Hall.
Inside the hall, several female officials had already arrived. Mothers and daughters, reunited for the occasion, huddled together in lively conversation. Among the crowd, Yinchen spotted her mother. With a sharp cry, she called out, “Mother!”
The room had been filled with gentle murmurs and soft chatter, but Yinchen’s loud exclamation momentarily startled everyone into silence. After a brief pause, the noblewomen chuckled in unison. Mrs. Changguan, wearing an apologetic smile, turned to those nearby and said, “This child of mine is always so loud and excitable.”
For the female officials entering the Eastern Palace, their futures promised boundless possibilities, and everyone harbored a touch of self-interest in treating them with special regard. As a result, Yinchen’s behavior was interpreted as a sign of natural innocence rather than criticized.
Mrs. Changguan, aware that her daughter and Su Xinghe served in the same department and that Su Xinghe had started serving the Crown Prince even before Yinchen, took great care to show favor toward Mrs. Su. With the two girls likely to work under the same roof for years to come, Mrs. Changguan was particularly attentive. Seeing her daughter warmly holding onto Su Xinghe’s hand and unwilling to let go after Su Xinghe had led her inside, Mrs. Changguan turned to Mrs. Su and joked, “This child is so young and already seems to get along marvelously with the Jinyi Guard. This could be trouble later on. She’s been clingy like this ever since she was a baby.”
Mrs. Su responded with a polite smile and a few agreeable remarks. As she glanced at her daughter, resplendent in her official attire, she felt a quiet relief. Earlier, she had worried that the three slaps dealt by the Zhuo Zhaoyi might have sapped her daughter’s spirit. Now, seeing her composed and radiant, Mrs. Su felt an inexplicable weight lift from her heart.
Su Xinghe approached and offered her mother a formal bow. In the past, when the Empress was still alive, there had been a few occasions each year for noblewomen to meet. But after the Empress’s passing, the elderly Empress Dowager’s frailty led to the suspension of these gatherings for years. This year, however, the Emperor had signaled the Inner Cabinet to prepare for the establishment of a new Empress. The Empress Dowager was being brought forward to preside over preliminary ceremonies, essentially rehearsing for the upcoming grand ceremony of the new Empress’s formal investiture.
Mrs. Su glanced behind Su Xinghe and whispered cautiously, “The Crown Prince didn’t follow you here again, did he?”
Su Xinghe chuckled. “Mother, you’re overthinking. Today is the day of Heaven and Earth Sacrifice. His Highness is far too busy to have any free time.”
“Oh, too busy is a good thing…” Mrs. Su murmured, a hint of relief in her voice. She took Su Xinghe’s hand and led her to a secluded corner, glancing around to ensure privacy before continuing. She looked Su Xinghe over from head to toe and said, “My dear child, you’ve been wronged. Even with your younger brother, I can’t bear to lift a finger against him, yet here I’ve sent you to the palace to be disciplined by others.” As she spoke, her eyes reddened.
Su Xinghe quickly consoled her. “Mother, please calm yourself. Don’t cry here; people will laugh at us. Look at me, I’m perfectly fine. Doing a job like this, who can go ten years without ever being reprimanded? I’ve been fortunate. My own master indulges me, and as for Zuo Zhaoyi stirring up trouble at worst, it just lets everyone see that she and the Crown Prince don’t get along. I’m merely a scapegoat.”
Mrs. Su let out a long sigh. “True enough. If it were the Crown Prince who faced such accusations, it would spell disaster for our family.” She paused, reflecting on the covert dealings between the Crown Prince and her family, unsure how to broach the topic. Wanting to give Su Xinghe some advice but finding it hard to speak openly in such a public space, she ended up saying vaguely, “Just serve your master well. From what I see, the Crown Prince… he truly is exceptional…”
Su Xinghe understood her mother well. Mrs. Su was never an ambitious woman. Her greatest desire was to live simply, content with her husband and children. But circumstances had left no choice. Back when Master Su had allied himself with Prince Jianping, stepping away now would cost him dearly. If the family couldn’t endure this level of hardship, they would never achieve greater things in the future.
Though Mrs. Su disdained chasing empty titles, she had a temper and was quick to repay grievances, a trait Su Xinghe had inherited. Her eyes unconsciously darted toward Fengchun Palace as she muttered under her breath, “That mistress she’ll get her comeuppance this time. If I ever see her and have the chance to speak, I’ll give her a piece of my mind. What gives her the right to strike my daughter? Who does she think she is? Are we her oxen and horses to command? One master’s surname is Huo, and so is the other’s, yet only her son deserves to be the true master? Nonsense!”
Su Xinghe let her mother vent her grievances, knowing well that this was her way of finding relief.
At this moment, the ceremonial eunuch at the door called out, announcing that noblewomen with awarded fief titles were permitted to proceed to the gates of the Empress Dowager’s residence to register their names and present congratulations. The previously bustling crowd instantly quieted, falling into orderly ranks according to their ranks and titles. Step by slow step, they followed the guides, shuffling forward. Though it was barely a thousand paces from Jiuri Hall to Xingqing Palace, the procession took nearly the time of three incense sticks to complete.
Upon entering the inner court, female officials stood to the sides, while the noblewomen formed orderly lines. In the vast square before the main hall, they knelt and performed the ceremonial three kneels and nine prostrations. The sun rose steadily, its golden rays spilling like liquid over their jeweled hairpieces and embroidered robes. The wide, crimson sleeves of their formal attire unfurled and lay flat on the white marble bricks, resembling the fragmented wings of butterflies. Clusters of intricate floral patterns and the glint of jade pendants, even in the chill of winter, gave an air of desolation.
The Empress Dowager sat on her throne beneath the colonnaded veranda. Her sagging cheeks bore the marks of years’ unrelenting pull, and though richly adorned, she exuded the solemnity of a departed empress memorialized in the Ancestral Hall.
The ceremonial eunuch loudly announced the rites. The noblewomen straightened their bodies before prostrating themselves once more. Meanwhile, the female officials, after their initial bows, withdrew to the sidelines, left with nothing further to do.
Zuo Zhaoyi, as always, occupied the foremost position among the imperial noblewomen. As the overseer of the inner palace, her rank demanded difference, even from the Zuo Zhaoyi, who stood half a step behind her. She was but a step away from the throne reserved for the empress. Had it not been for the scandal involving the Princess of Xiaoling, it would have been her receiving the prostrations next.
Su Xinghe observed her with a trace of pity. Her face was taut with solemnity, though the stiffness betrayed her discomfort. In her youth, she had been stunningly beautiful, but age had turned her allure into something sharp and severe.
This was undoubtedly the hardest moment for her. Her virtue did not match her position, and every gaze piercing her back seemed to brim with scorn, pricking her spine like needles. Yet, she clenched her teeth, her lips curving into a defiant arc. She would not yield not until the very end.
The Empress Dowager, whose health had always been frail, was accustomed to peace and quiet. The palace, now bustling with crowds, tested her patience. After the formalities concluded, she let out a long sigh and turned to instruct her chief attendant to dismiss the gathering. However, as with relatives visiting one another, it wouldn’t do for everyone to simply leave immediately. While the Emperor was hosting ministers for an evening banquet, the Empress Dowager would entertain the noblewomen at midday.
The feast was arranged in the Mountain Pond Garden, a charming courtyard adorned with streams and rockeries, nestled quietly in a corner of Taiji Palace. Its proximity to the inner gates made it convenient for the guests to come and go.
Su Xinghe escorted her mother toward the garden, turning her head just in time to see Yinchen holding her mother’s arm and sighing as she lamented how dreadful palace life was and how much she missed home. She added that if not for Sister Su Xinghe’s support, she would have abandoned all decorum and begged to return home.
Her mother, who referred to her as “Blood Ancestor” (a title seemingly more exasperated than “Living Ancestor”), replied in a hushed tone, “Don’t even think about it. Come back, and your father will break your legs.”
Yinchen, wearing a woeful expression, muttered her grievances. Mrs. Su, overhearing, gave a faint smile. Judging by Yinchen’s demeanor, she posed no threat to Su Xinghe.
The group made their way toward the Mountain Pond Garden. The imperial noblewomen clustered into their usual factions, though Zuo Zhaoyi’s days of being surrounded by admirers were evidently over. Only a couple of insignificant hangers-on remained by her side. As they drew nearer, Mrs. Su approached with a wide smile and said warmly, “I’ve been meaning to pay my respects to Your Ladyship, but the opportunity never arose. The dendrobium orchids Your Ladyship kindly sent last time. I received them and am deeply grateful for your thoughtfulness. Su Xinghe is fortunate to have Your Ladyship’s care in the palace. She’s young and inexperienced, running between the palace and the household, and it’s inevitable she might overlook things. If Your Ladyship finds her lacking in any way, please feel free to discipline her harshly. After all, children only grow through correction.”
When it came to subtle jabs and veiled provocations, noblewomen of the household were seasoned experts. Su Xinghe tugged at her mother’s sleeve, signaling her to tone it down. The Empress had yet to be officially named, and no one could predict how things would unfold. If the Emperor were to lose his better judgment, the road ahead could become treacherous.
“I must return to serve the Crown Prince at Fengtian Hall for the memorial rites to the late Empress,” Su Xinghe said, bowing respectfully to Zuo Zhaoyi and offering a polite gesture to her mother. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she used the excuse to withdraw from the Mountain Pond Garden.
On the stone steps outside the courtyard, she encountered Zuo Zhaoyi, who was arriving fashionably late. A palace maid supported her as she walked leisurely. Su Xinghe paused, bowing respectfully. Zuo Zhaoyi looked up, recognized her, and smiled. “Yesterday by the Golden Water River, I thought I saw someone who looked like Lord Su. And indeed, it was you, wasn’t it?”
Su Xinghe affirmed with a smile, “Yes, Your Ladyship. I was coming from Taiji Hall and decided to visit the Northern Palace for some sightseeing. By chance, I encountered Your Ladyship there.” As she spoke, she bent slightly, hands lowered, and stepped forward to offer support.
Zuo Zhaoyi wore an expression of humble gratitude. “You are a female official of the Eastern Palace, and your duties don’t extend to the Northern Palace. I am but a figure of little significance; how could I deserve such courtesy from you?”
Su Xinghe smiled gently. “Your Ladyship’s words are far too modest. You are one of the highest-ranking noblewomen of the inner court; who would dare show you anything but respect? Just yesterday, the Crown Prince mentioned Your Ladyship to me. He recalled visiting your palace as a child to see Princess Xialing. You gave him steamed cakes, and he still remembers their taste fondly. After the late Empress’s passing and his move to the Eastern Palace, he rarely visited Shangguan Residence anymore. He feels quite saddened by the growing distance.”
Zuo Zhaoyi seemed lost in thought. “The Crown Prince still remembers those days? Back when the late Empress was alive, she and I were quite close. The Crown Prince and Princess Xiaoling often played together until they were around ten years old…”
Su Xinghe quickly interjected, “The Crown Prince mentioned that although the late Empress is no longer with us, he holds Your Ladyship in great respect and affection. Whenever he sees you, it feels as though he’s seeing the Empress herself.”
Zuo Zhaoyi was visibly taken aback. However, such words, deliberately left vague and open to interpretation, carried a subtle weight, enough to leave her pondering deeply.
Su Xinghe glanced back toward the Mountain Pond Garden. “Your Ladyship should head inside; the wind is strong out here, and it might turn chilly tonight.” She added with a light smile, “My mother is also in the garden. She’s not very good at socializing, so I hope Your Ladyship might look after her.”
This mix of warmth and respect, though understated, hinted at a gesture of alignment. Zuo Zhaoyi paused briefly but graciously agreed. Su Xinghe returned a polite smile, lifted her robes slightly, and made her way toward the Thousand-Step Corridor.
From the Northern Palace to Gongli Gate, one had to cross the entire imperial city, a journey that wasn’t the least bit trivial. The palace grounds were vast, and walking the route on foot took about half an hour. Thankfully, it was midday. Wrapped in a cloak and heading south, the wind at her back was blocked by the fur lining, while the sun on her face provided comforting warmth.
The Jade Belt Bridge she had mentioned to the Crown Prince was located just outside Gongli Gate, near the Left Treasury. Passing through Tongxun Gate and heading slightly south, it would come into view. However, the Left Treasury was one of the state treasuries, guarded with strict security at all times. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare wander near, lest they invite unnecessary trouble.
Su Xinghe strolled leisurely onto the bridge, pausing to listen carefully. Earlier, there had been a burst of ceremonial music announcing the emperor’s return, but now all was silent. The imperial entourage had likely reached Heng Street by now. If her calculations were correct, the Crown Prince should return in about the time it took to burn two sticks of incense.
She rarely had the chance to slow down and take in the scenery, her days often filled with hurried tasks. Seizing this rare moment of peace, she leaned against the bridge’s parapet and peered down at the scene below.
This bridge had been crafted by a renowned master artisan. The stone railings beneath the bridge were adorned with intricate floral dragon carvings, and three exquisitely carved dragon heads lined the parapet, water gently trickling from their mouths. On a calm day like today, the water flow seemed understated, the dragon heads’ grandeur almost underutilized. However, during summer rains, when the river surged, the resulting torrents could spray several meters, audible even within the Fengxian Hall of the Eastern Palace.
Curious about the bridge’s other side, she mused it was likely adorned with dragon tails instead of heads.
While she wandered across the bridge, observing its craftsmanship, a group of young men who had just concluded the Heavenly Worship Ceremony began entering through the Xuande Gate. Among them were members of the imperial clan as well as companions of the Crown Prince and other Princes. Having studied together, they were well-acquainted and spoke freely without concern for formalities.
One of them stopped to look. “Who’s that?”
Another replied, “Looks like someone from the Commandery Guard.”
The figure’s attire, a Commandery Guard uniform paired with a coiffed hairstyle and floral coronet clearly marked her as one of the Crown Prince’s attendants; there could be no mistaking it.
Prince Xin turned to the Crown Prince and quipped, “Isn’t that my second sister-in-law?”
The Crown Prince neither confirmed nor denied it, merely remarking, “If she’s here this early, maybe her brain isn’t working too well.” His words were dismissive, but a budding joy in his heart was impossible to suppress.
Prince Xin covered his nose, joining the others in jest. “Who tipped over a jar of pickled vegetables? The sour stink is unbearable!” As he spoke, he waved his hand theatrically and shouted, “Second Sister-in-Law!”
The person on the bridge finally noticed them. Perhaps the distance muffled Prince Xin’s words, but she saw their waving and, in kind, raised her sleeve to wave back.
That wave triggered chaos. The ten or so people around Prince Xin all raised their voluminous sleeves in unison. Their ceremonial robes, with their wide sleeves, whipped audibly in the wind, creating a commotion so chaotic that the Crown Prince’s hairpiece was nearly knocked off.
The Crown Prince, finding the spectacle unbecoming, coughed loudly and scolded Prince Xin. “Go change into proper attire and report to the Ancestral Hall at noon.”
Prince Xin immediately straightened up, nodded obediently, and, with his group of troublemakers in tow, shuffled off towards the Gongli Gate.
This left the Crown Prince alone, his heart brimming with excitement. Yet, maintaining a façade of composure, he outwardly appeared calm. Still, his feet betrayed him, moving quicker than at any other time.
Closer, closer… That kind of impatient joy was something only someone newly awakened to love could understand.
The Crown Prince’s realization of his feelings came relatively late. It wasn’t until the summer of his 19th year that he fully grasped that Su Xinghe was a woman. Before that, he had merely thought of her as someone with a pleasant appearance, bright eyes, and a comforting presence. But that summer changed everything.
It was unbearably hot. She had been wearing a lotus-pink cross-collared robe and had just woken from an afternoon nap. He had summoned her urgently, and she rushed in to hear his orders. In her haste, she hadn’t fastened one of her buttons, revealing a glimpse of her chest, a patch of pale white…
Two snowy peaks pressed tightly together, solid and firm, flanking a deep ravine. One glance, and he was sure falling in would be fatal. His heart pounded uncontrollably, and he forgot entirely why he had called her in, left to lie on his couch, trying to calm his breathing.
That unintentional glimpse haunted him. That night, he dreamt endlessly of Su Xinghe being gentle, of Su Xinghe smiling enchantingly, of Su Xinghe’s coquettish laughter, and of Su Xinghe gasping sweetly beneath him…
For someone who had never experienced a dream of such intensity, the first time was uniquely precious. From heaven to earth, his feelings remain unwavering. Yet, with the Su family aligning so closely with Prince Jianping, he knew that when he was weak and without allies, unrequited affection would have led only to ruin. Thankfully, over the years, his position had grown stronger, giving him the confidence to indulge her whims within limits. And what were those limits? Essentially, anything short of open rebellion was fair game.
She hurried forward to meet him, calling out, “My lord, was today’s grand ceremony successful?”
The Crown Prince replied that it had gone smoothly. “And you? Were things smooth for you too? Or did you have time to wave at men from a bridge?”
Su Xinghe’s smile turned to mock reproach. “I thought that man was you.”
The Crown Prince was unconvinced. “Xin Wang is a head shorter than me. Is there something wrong with your eyes? Besides, do you think I’d be waving at you in public? Have you lost your senses?”
His bluntness annoyed her. She didn’t want to argue anymore, so she turned and headed toward the other side of the bridge, muttering, “Serves me right for saying I’d come meet him.”
The Crown Prince trailed after her. “Why are you walking so fast?”
Su Xinghe had taken a gulp of cold air, which brought tears to her eyes. Without slowing down, she replied, “It’s almost noon. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the timing.”
After that, no matter what he said, she gave no response. Once they entered the Eastern Palace, others attended to helping him change into formal attire. She, meanwhile, hurried to inspect the incense sticks drying in Tian Street. After ensuring they were properly packed into ebony incense boxes, she arranged for them to be sent to the Ancestral Hall ahead of schedule.
The Crown Prince emerged in his dark robe, his ceremonial gown replaced by a simple black scholar’s attire, which lost the solemnity of his formal robes but added a touch of scholarly elegance. Su Xinghe bowed and led the way. The Ancestral Hall was separated from the rear palace by a wall, located at the farthest west of the imperial city near the Hui Zheng Gate. It was quite a long walk from the Eastern Palace.
There were not many people accompanying him, just the two eunuchs who were closest to him and Su Xinghe. Along the way, each gate was guarded by the imperial guards. In public, the Crown Prince’s authority was absolute, and he walked with a dignified bearing. Upon reaching the Ancestral Hall, he knelt three times, each time bowing deeply until he reached the portrait of Empress Gong, his mother.
Prince Xin had not arrived yet, likely delayed by some business of his own. The Crown Prince couldn’t wait any longer and began by offering incense before the portrait.
A single piece of paper separated life from death. He lifted his head and gazed at the portrait, but his mother’s face had become almost unrecognizable over time. No matter how skilled the artist, the painting could not capture the liveliness and spirit she once had. The initial pain had gradually dulled over the eight years, but he knew she had been his only true family, untouched by political interests, a family bound by blood.
He pressed his forehead deeply against the cold stone, whispering, “Mother, I’ve come to visit you. There’s been much work in the court this year; I’ve rarely had any free time…”
Everyone else waited outside, and the empty hall was only filled with Su Xinghe’s presence. She listened quietly as he recounted the affairs at court, some troublesome, others amusing. This was almost a ritual for the Crown Prince each year, speaking to the portrait of his late mother about his experiences, the good and the bad, as if she were still alive.
“The Emperor… has finally decided to choose a new Empress. I can understand his difficulties, and I’m sure you would too. But I’m not entirely pleased with the candidate. If you have any dissatisfaction, please speak to the Emperor in your dreams. Now that I’m getting older, the state affairs weigh heavily on me, and I often feel overwhelmed. I had hoped that returning to the Eastern Palace would offer some relief, but…Su Xinghe often opposes me, causing me worry. If you have time, please talk to her.”
Su Xinghe, standing to the side, was surprised to hear her name mentioned in the Crown Prince’s prayer. She was curious at first, but as she listened further, she nearly broke into a cold sweat.
What was he saying? Complaining about her to the late Empress, and asking her to speak with Su Xinghe?
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she suddenly dropped to her knees in front of the portrait, cupping her hands and saying, “Empress, I am wrongly accused. I have always served my master diligently, anticipating his needs and thinking as he thinks. The Prince refuses to take a consort and claims to favor the old palace maids. Among all the palace women, I carefully selected an appropriate candidate and brought her to him, but the Prince did not accept my suggestion and now says you should speak with me… I believe this is completely unnecessary, for what the Prince says is not true. Please, Empress, I ask you to see the truth.”
The Crown Prince turned around and glared at her, “Just from your words ‘none of this is true,’ it’s clear you’ve overstepped.”
Su Xinghe continued to bow and pray, muttering, “Empress, you must be very busy. I am unworthy, without virtue or ability, and not fit to be summoned by you. I will serve my master with even more dedication in the future. If he doesn’t like this, I will find someone else. I will make sure to find someone to his satisfaction. Please rest assured, Empress…”
No matter what, she skillfully avoided taking responsibility. The Crown Prince sat back on his heels, turned to look at the portrait of his mother, and silently prayed, “Mother, please open her thick head. Bless me, one day, she will love me more than I love her, and I will be able to hold my head high and be the man I’m meant to be.”
They each spoke their own thoughts, and it was unclear whether the late Empress had understood them. Prince Xin arrived far too late; by the time he entered the main hall, the Crown Prince had already finished his prayers. He knelt on the mat, with nothing more to say, his only request being to find a good wife. He asked his mother to bless him with a beautiful, virtuous, intelligent, and capable princess. Su Xinghe felt a tinge of sadness, thinking that the late Empress must have been rather pitiable, finally able to see her sons, only to listen to their complaints and even assist them with their marriage troubles. She truly couldn’t have peace, even in death.
At last, the Prince Xin finished his prayers, and everyone began preparing to leave. With a smile, he slapped his brother on the shoulder. “Tonight, we’ll drink three big vats of wine, just the brothers.”
The Crown Prince’s gaze flickered briefly toward Su Xinghe, then he quietly pulled the Prince of Xin’s hand down and said solemnly, “Don’t lose your manners in front of the Emperor and the ministers. No matter how good your tolerance is, take it easy. I’m not keen to drink there, just a token gesture will suffice… If anyone starts crying and pleading to pour me a drink, I have another appointment afterward.”
