“This servant, Song Huiming, greets the Grand Consort.”
Inside the main hall of Changxing Palace, where Grand Consort Kang resided, Huiming pressed her hands together and raised them above her head, then bowed deeply, her forehead touching the ground. She performed this first greeting meticulously.
Grand Consort Kang was an old woman nearing seventy. Her silver hair was neatly tied back in a bun, and wrinkles layered her face like the roots of an old tree.
Zheng Geguang, the Head Eunuch of the surrounding palaces, bowed slightly and explained, “Miss Huiming was originally a palace maid serving in Qiande Palace. Due to a mistake during the Winter Solstice banquet, she was sent here.”
His words didn't quite make sense. Palace maids who made mistakes while serving the Emperor were usually sent back to the Yeting Court for hard labor. More serious offenses resulted in imprisonment by the Shenxing Department. Direct transfers to other palaces were unheard of, let alone with Eunuch Zheng personally escorting her so politely.
Having lived to this age in the palace, childless, there were few things that could stir the Grand Consort's heart. Even facing Huiming, a palace maid with an obviously unusual background, she only raised her eyes slightly at the greeting. Indifference marked her face as she spoke, “Rise.”
Huiming stood up obediently and waited. After a while, Grand Consort Kang spoke again, her voice slow and measured, “Since you served the Emperor, then follow Banping and attend to me.”
Banping, a long-faced palace maid standing behind the Grand Consort, was her most trusted servant. Asking Huiming to follow Banping was practically granting her the status of a personal maid. Except for ranked female officials, there was no higher position within Changxing Palace.
Knowing this was due to Eunuch Su's influence, Huiming wasn't surprised. Just as she was about to express her gratitude according to the rules, Grand Consort Kang continued, “I enjoy peace and quiet. You needn't always be by my side.”
Clearly given the position of a personal maid, yet told not to always be present? What kind of personal attendant was that? Wasn't it just receiving monthly allowances for nothing?
Huiming hesitated for a moment before understanding. The subtle displeasure and vigilance on the faces of Grand Consort Kang and Banping revealed everything. She lowered her head and obediently agreed.
Seeing this, Grand Consort Kang nodded and dismissed them. Standing at the bottom of the palace steps, Huiming politely thanked Eunuch Zheng for personally escorting her. Eunuch Zheng, known for being well-informed, already knew about Huiming's connection with Head Eunuch Su. He smiled and politely bid her farewell.
Turning around, Banping emerged and offered a superficial smile, “Where is your luggage? Such a rushed arrival. I'm usually the only one attending the Grand Consort, and we're short-staffed in Changxing Palace. We haven't had time to prepare a room for you.”
Huiming, a veteran of the palace, easily detected the subtle reminder and suppression in her words. No master would be pleased with a palace maid of unclear origin, transferred after making a mistake while serving the Emperor. Offering her the title of a personal maid was already Grand Consort Kang being generous and avoiding unnecessary trouble. Expecting genuine warmth and welcome from everyone in Changxing Palace was unrealistic.
However, since her presence in Changxing Palace was for the Seventh Prince, Huiming had no intention of competing with Banping for the position of the Grand Consort's personal maid. She pretended not to notice the underlying meaning and replied calmly, “No need to trouble yourself. I happen to be distantly related to Nanny Wang from Jingfang Hall. I can stay with her during the day. No need to prepare a room. In a few days, once I receive my token, I'll move to Jing Alley for the night.”
Although Jing Alley was outside the Longwu Gate, it was still within the Imperial City. Ordinary citizens couldn't enter or leave freely. Palace staff with duties could go to Jing Alley for errands, but they had to report to the Palace Affairs Office, state their reasons, obtain an exit permit, and have their identities verified by the Imperial Guards at Longwu Gate. Only after confirming they weren't carrying any unauthorized items could they pass through.
However, that was usually the extent of it. The current dynasty wasn't like the previous one, where eunuchs held half the court's power. Gone were the days when any eunuch with a position in the Sixteen Bureaus and Twenty-Four Offices could own mansions outside the palace, have servants, or even take wives and concubines.
Since the founding of the current dynasty, only a handful of highly respected or meritorious Head Eunuchs and Grand Nannies who served the Emperor or Empress Dowager had the honor of residing in Jing Alley. They were granted houses and, in their old age, if they had no family to care for them, they could live out their days in their official residences and even be buried there.
Given Huiming's age and seniority, she didn't qualify for such an honor. Banping's eyes widened, staring at her in a way that conveyed more suspicion than shock or admiration, as if she suspected Huiming was boasting but was too embarrassed to call her out.
Coincidentally, before Huiming could finish her sentence, Yuanbao arrived at the door with two young eunuchs.
“Greetings, Aunt,” Yuanbao greeted, his face even more obsequious than before, now that Huiming's relationship with Eunuch Su was practically public. “This servant has brought your luggage. Master was worried you'd be uncomfortable, so he added extra quilts, furs, and two baskets of silver silk charcoal. Please use them freely. I'll bring more in two days when they run out!”
He meant every word. Yuanbao and the two young eunuchs behind him were laden with packages.
Although Huiming didn't intend to show off, she wouldn't refuse Eunuch Su's kindness. She thanked them and turned to Banping, asking politely, “Sister, do you have any further instructions?”
Seeing such a display, Banping dared not reveal her hidden intention of asserting her seniority over Huiming. She shook her head repeatedly, allowing Huiming to settle in.
Huiming didn't put on airs. She politely assured Banping that if the Grand Consort needed anything, she would be at her service without delay. Only then did she call Yuanbao and head towards Jingfang Hall together.
Jingfang Hall was sparsely staffed and quiet, but the upside was its spaciousness. Noble Consort Tian, residing in the main room, rarely left and wanted nothing to do with her own son, forbidding him from appearing before her. For convenience, Nanny Wang had been staying in the side room with the Seventh Prince since he was little, making it easier to care for him.
Although the Seventh Prince was growing older, Jingfang Hall remained unattended, free from strict rules. Moreover, the young prince's situation differed from other princes. Therefore, Nanny Wang continued to reside behind the gauze curtain, separated from the Seventh Prince's living quarters by only a carved door.
Worried about disturbing the Seventh Prince with their arrival, Huiming apologized and asked Yuanbao to leave the luggage outside.
Yuanbao didn't mind. After delivering the luggage, he relayed a message from Eunuch Su, saying that his master would visit Aunt Huiming around dinner time. Then, without even staying for tea, he hurried off.
After seeing Yuanbao off, Huiming brought in the bedding, charcoal, and other items, arranging them neatly. She wouldn't be staying here long. These items were more for Nanny Wang's comfort, hoping she'd recover quickly.
When the noises outside subsided, Nanny Wang emerged from the inner room with the Seventh Prince. Seeing the pile of items, she understood and was about to speak when Huiming interrupted with a smile, “Nanny, you said you wouldn't know how to repay me. Look, I've come to rely on you so soon.”
Huiming had visited a few days prior to explain her situation to Nanny Wang. Hence, the latter smiled warmly, “It's good you're here. I told you yesterday that you'd be staying in Jingfang Hall from now on. The young prince was delighted all night!”
Hearing this, Huiming smiled down at the young prince, “I'll need your guidance in the days to come, Your Highness.”
The Seventh Prince blinked and lowered his head silently.
Both Huiming and Nanny Wang knew this was his usual behavior and thought nothing of it. A while later, as they were unpacking, the young prince quietly approached and placed something on the small table beside Huiming with a soft 'clink'. Before Huiming could react, he turned and returned to his room.
Huiming swiftly caught the small object before it rolled off the table. It was a round, smooth sandalwood bead.
The bead looked familiar. Huiming paused and then remembered. It was one of the beads from the string of Buddhist prayer beads the young prince always counted!
Nanny Wang also recognized it. “He even gave you one of his treasures. It seems the prince truly has a connection with you.”
Huiming was touched. The sandalwood bead wasn't particularly valuable, but it was the young prince's most prized possession. More importantly, Huiming knew that the Seventh Prince found comfort in familiarity. He was used to counting the eighty-one beads on his string every day. Giving one to her, leaving him with eighty, would likely upset him, and he'd need time to adjust.
Despite this, the young prince was willing to part with one for her. To Huiming, it was more precious than any gold or jewel.
Huiming smiled, knowing that given the Seventh Prince's personality, it was best not to approach him now that he was hiding. She carefully placed the sandalwood bead in her pouch, close to her heart, and began chatting with Nanny Wang.
There were many things to familiarize herself with in a new environment. After settling in, Huiming visited Banping to inquire about Grand Consort Kang's daily habits. Time flew by.
As dusk approached, Huiming couldn't help but glance outside anxiously.
Yuanbao had mentioned that his master would come around dinner time. She couldn't forget.
Huiming knew why Eunuch Su was coming.
The Emperor had graciously granted Eunuch Su a residence in Jing Alley, but the exact location was undecided. Although Huiming insisted he didn't need to consider her, Eunuch Su insisted on getting a map and discussing it with her before making a decision.
Huiming didn't care which residence Eunuch Su chose. She didn't even mind if their living arrangement, under the guise of "same-sex companionship," would ruin her reputation.
However, Eunuch Su's attentiveness to her opinion made Huiming feel both grateful and inexplicably happy.
Seeing that it was completely dark outside, Huiming decided to go out and wait. She reached the gate of Changxing Palace but still didn't see Eunuch Su.
Not in a hurry, she found a clean spot to stand. As she waited, she watched her own breath condense into white mist, amused by the simple pleasure.
When someone passed by, Huiming quickly stopped and regained her composure, nodding politely at the vaguely familiar palace maid.
Once the maid was gone, Huiming let out a breath of relief. She found her own childish behavior amusing. At her age, she was acting like a child.
Slightly embarrassed, she rationalized her actions internally: It's understandable. She was simply overjoyed at the prospect of living with Eunuch Su. After all, her goal all along had been to get closer to him, gain his trust, and persuade him to stay out of Prince Rui's rebellion, ensuring his safety during the Mid-Yuan Uprising a year later.
If she could achieve this by living with Eunuch Su under the pretense of "same-sex companionship," she wouldn't have to worry anymore. If this couldn't earn his trust and save his life, then her rebirth was truly meaningless!
Thinking this, Huiming attributed her current anticipation and joy solely to being one step closer to saving Eunuch Su's life. She refused to acknowledge another, fainter thought surfacing in her heart—
It didn't seem to be just that.
It seemed… the mere fact of being able to live with Eunuch Su was enough to make her happy.