Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 61

Chapter 61: A Position

The first person in the harem to hear about Tan Yuanchu bestowing a position upon Yun Si was the Empress.

Since someone was entering the harem, it was only proper to first make the arrangements known to the Empress. When the message was delivered to Kunning Palace by someone from the Emperor’s side, the Empress smiled and nodded her approval.

But once the messenger had left, Bai Zhi’s expression immediately changed.

“Guipin? Why would His Majesty give her such a high rank?!”

That Yun Si would eventually be given a position was something everyone in the harem had long anticipated—but Bai Zhi had never expected that her initial title would be Guipin!

Guipin, a fourth-rank consort, was only one rank below the third-rank primary consorts of the four palaces.

The Empress took out the layout chart of the imperial harem and studied the palace location Tan Yuanchu had designated. At Bai Zhi’s exclamation, she curled her lips in mockery, “High?”

Bai Zhi was caught off guard and stared wide-eyed, completely confused by the Empress’s response. Wasn’t that already high?

Su Jieyu came from the prestigious Su household, with her grandfather holding a first-rank official position. Yet when she entered the palace, she had only been given the title of Meiren. Even after two years, she had only been promoted to Guipin, and her current title of Jieyu was granted solely because she was carrying the imperial heir.

Yun Si had nothing—no power, no background. So why did she get to leap all the way to Guipin?

To put it plainly, she had just skipped seven ranks in one go!

The Empress summoned palace maids and instructed them to go to Zhongsheng Hall to deliver the edict: the new residence was to be cleaned and prepared immediately. Then, seeing Bai Zhi still full of disbelief, she shook her head and said, “Believe it or not, if Su Jieyu held the title of Zhaoyi right now, her rank would be far above just Guipin.”

Bai Zhi was rendered speechless. It wasn’t so much that she didn’t believe it—it was more that she refused to believe it.

The Empress spoke calmly, “Su Jieyu was only promoted to Jieyu because she carries the imperial heir. Yun Si has indeed served His Majesty for two years. Even if she hasn’t done anything meritorious, she’s certainly endured hardship.
But her promotion comes too soon after Su Jieyu’s. If her rank were to surpass Su Jieyu’s so suddenly, it would stir up a great deal of gossip.
Drawing attention in the harem has never been a good thing. This is already the highest rank His Majesty can grant Yun Si for now.”

The hall fell suddenly silent.

Bai Zhi furrowed her brows tightly and murmured under her breath.

“Why is His Majesty so partial to her?”

The Empress looked at her in surprise, then suddenly curved her lips into a faint smile.

“You think this is what favoritism looks like?”

Titles, wealth, even the clothes Bai Zhi so often mocked Yun Si for wearing—these were all things His Majesty could bestow at will. To take that as a sign of favoritism was to set the bar far too low.

And yet, far too many were blinded by such things.

Once it was Yang Jieyu, now it was Rong Zhaoyi—and who could say whether Yun Si would be any different?

Bai Zhi paused, then stammered, “But… this servant sees that His Majesty’s attitude toward Yun Si is truly unusual.”

The Empress didn’t answer. She looked out at the peach blossoms beyond the carved window lattice, thinking with quiet calm.
Is receiving even a shred of His Majesty’s genuine affection really such a good thing?

He is the Emperor. He must always weigh gains and losses.

And in such matters, the more he believes he’s offering sincere affection, the more it will only bring grief to the one receiving it.

After a long silence, the Empress said breezily.

“She hasn’t even reached third rank yet—what are you in such a hurry for?”

Bai Zhi was shocked.

Third rank?
How many women in the entire palace held a third-rank title?

She blurted out, “Your Highness thinks she’ll eventually be promoted to third rank?”

The Empress was quiet for a long moment. She lowered her gaze to the name of the palace Tan Yuanchu had designated. After a pause, she replied softly, “She will.”

Bai Zhi’s breath slowed for a moment.

—

Changchun Palace

Rong Zhaoyi suddenly looked up at Tong Yun.

“What did you say?!”

Tong Yun lowered her head.

“His Majesty has granted Yun Si a position.”

Getting Yun Si into the harem sooner had always been part of Rong Zhaoyi’s plan—it should never have been something that would make her lose composure.

Tong Yun swallowed hard, then stammered, “This servant heard that the Central Province Hall has already sent people to clean and prepare the Panju Hall.”

Panju Hall, located in the east wing of Chuan Palace.

To outsiders, this might not seem like anything special—but if put another way, it would be easier to understand:

Chuan Palace was once the residence of the current Empress Dowager.

And when the Empress Dowager first entered the palace, she lived in none other than Panju Hall.

Since Tan Yuanchu ascended the throne, Chuan Palace had always been meticulously maintained—but never once had any consort taken up residence there.

Until now.

Rong Zhaoyi exclaimed in disbelief, “Impossible!”

Letting Yun Si move into Chuan Palace—did His Majesty even understand what that symbolized?!

Tong Yun knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe too loudly. The entire hall was deathly silent.

Rong Zhaoyi didn’t even ask what rank Yun Si had been granted—her mind was consumed by one thought: Chuan Palace.

She still remembered how, when His Majesty had just taken the throne, she had subtly hinted—leaning on her pregnancy and current favor—that she wished to live in Chuan Palace.

But to this day, Rong Zhaoyi clearly remembered His Majesty only lifting his eyes to glance at her once. His gaze had been nearly emotionless, sending a chill down her spine. She’d vaguely sensed that if she kept pressing the matter, she would quickly fall from favor. So she’d smiled and changed the subject, never mentioning Chuan Palace again in his presence.

When no one was assigned to live in Chuan Palace, Rong Zhaoyi had slowly let the idea go.

But now she was being told… His Majesty had let Yun Si move in?!

Everyone said she was favored in the harem, but how many remembered that when she entered the palace, her rank was merely Jieyu?
It was only after giving birth to the little princess that she was promoted to Zhaoyi. Nearly four years had passed since then, and not to mention the rank of the Four Consorts (Fei), the Emperor hadn’t even brought up a standard Fei rank in her presence—not once.

Rong Zhaoyi forced herself to stay calm. “Where is His Majesty?”

Tong Yun’s heart gave a jolt, and she gave a bitter smile. Why would Her Ladyship ask that?

But she could only brace herself and answer, “His Majesty is likely still at Zhaiyue Tower.”

Rong Zhaoyi frowned. Tong Yun said in a low voice.

“Today is Yun Si’s birthday. His Majesty is celebrating it with her at Zhaiyue Tower.”

Though there wasn’t the usual grand crowd and festivities, the fact that the Emperor was celebrating her birthday personally—just the two of them—already surpassed what anyone else had ever received.

Tong Yun watched as Her Ladyship’s expression grew colder and colder.

No one knew how long the silence lasted before Rong Zhaoyi gritted out through clenched teeth.

“And no one else has raised a single objection to this?”

What were the Empress and Consort De doing?!

Was she really the only one who cared about what Chuan Palace symbolized?!

Tong Yun swallowed hard. “This servant heard that the order to have the Central Province Hall clean Panju Hall was delivered… by the Empress herself.”

If both the Emperor and Empress had no objections, then even if others did, they would have to swallow them.
Who would dare say anything?

Rong Zhaoyi suddenly took a deep breath and said bitterly, “She always goes along with whatever the Emperor wants—fine. But even with this, she dares go along? Is she not afraid that Yun Si will threaten her position?!”

Rong Zhaoyi had rarely seen the Emperor treat anyone this special. It wasn’t simply about favor or disfavor—the Emperor’s attention toward Yun Si was far too deep. This had always made Rong Zhaoyi wary of her.

What she couldn’t understand was—how could the Empress stay so calm?

No one in the hall could answer her. The entire place was wrapped in suffocating silence.

Until the sound of footsteps echoed outside the hall. A nanny entered, holding the little princess in her arms, then knelt.

“The little princess greets Her Ladyship.”

This one line broke the tense atmosphere in the hall. Rong Zhaoyi suddenly turned her gaze to the little princess. The little princess saw her looking over, her eyes lit up, and she reached out toward her, repeatedly saying,

“Hold me, Mother Consort, hold me!”

She was four years old this year, already able to walk, but often spoiled by the palace people, she didn’t like to tire herself and was used to being carried around.

Rong Zhaoyi gently stroked the little princess’s cheek. She lightly bit her lip and suddenly made a decision. She picked up the little princess and then said coldly, “Go summon the Emperor.”

Before Tong Yun could speak, Rong Zhaoyi’s gaze had already fallen on the little princess’s face, and she said calmly, “Just say the little princess suddenly feels unwell and ask him to come.”

All the palace servants in the hall suddenly knelt down, wishing they could become deaf or disappear on the spot.

Tong Yun was also stunned. She tried to dissuade her.
“Your Ladyship, the little princess is perfectly fine. If the Emperor comes and finds out, he might be displeased with Your Ladyship.”

Tong Yun was quite frightened. Though Her Ladyship had used the little princess to compete for favor, she had always valued her and never used excuses like illness. She feared this would bring bad luck to the little princess.

But today, Her Ladyship clearly didn’t care about that.

Tong Yun saw Her Ladyship looking directly at her, her tone especially cold. “Who said the little princess is perfectly fine?”

Tong Yun froze. When she realized the meaning behind Her Ladyship’s words, her heart suddenly sank heavily.

After Tong Yun left, Rong Zhaoyi looked at another palace maid.

“Go to the Central Province Hall.”

If Yun Si moving into Chuan Palace was destined to be unavoidable, she would not let Yun Si move in peacefully.

—

At Zhaiyue Tower, performers were dancing on the stage. When Tongyun arrived, it was just in the midst of excitement. Yun Si, intrigued, took a sip of fruit wine and was immediately choked, her cheeks flushed red.

Tan Yuanchu patted her back, and just then heard Xu Shunfu announce the arrival. Yun Si looked up from Tan Yuanchu’s embrace, her almond eyes calmly and unhurriedly glanced at him.

Not long ago, Tan Yuanchu had said that even if Rong Zhaoyi came in person, he would not see her.

Now that Rong Zhaoyi had really sent someone, it was time to test whether his words were true.

The woman had just sipped some wine, the fragrance of alcohol lingering on her, her brows and eyes radiant and full of charm. When she looked over, Tan Yuanchu immediately said, “I won’t see her.”

Today was her birthday—naturally, he wouldn’t go to see anyone else.

The next moment, Yun Si and Tan Yuanchu both saw Xu Shunfu with a troubled expression on his face. He hadn’t turned to leave. Yun Si lightly furrowed her brows, and faintly realized that Tong Yun’s visit couldn’t be as simple as Rong Zhaoyi merely requesting an audience with Tan Yuanchu.

Sure enough, Xu Shunfu glanced at her discreetly, then said with difficulty.

“Your Majesty, Tong Yun reports that the little princess is unwell and asks that you come at once.”

The hall fell silent. Even the performers on the stage stopped.

Yun Si slowly pressed her lips together, and a bit of irritation surged within her.

The little princess.
The little princess!

It was an unchangeable fact that Rong Zhaoyi had a daughter. What irritated her was Tan Yuanchu’s attitude—so long as Rong Zhaoyi used the little princess as a reason, she would always be in an unassailable position.

Then what was Yun Si fighting for?

Yun Si was annoyed inside, but her mind was extremely clear. She pulled herself out of Tan Yuanchu’s arms and said softly, coldly, “There was no word from Changchun Palace before noon. The little princess falling ill now is just so coincidental.”

Her chest felt stifled, and some of that emotion inevitably leaked out.

Yun Si didn’t want to look at Tan Yuanchu. No matter what, hearing the little princess was unwell meant he had to go. If she stopped him now, and something really did happen to the little princess, it would surely leave a rift in Tan Yuanchu’s heart.

Yun Si lowered her eyes and said softly, “Your Majesty, go ahead. This servant will stay here for a while.”

Leave her here all alone?

Tan Yuanchu raised his eyes and saw that she had, for the moment, forgotten the fact that she couldn’t hold her liquor. She picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one go. A flush of red quickly spread across her cheeks, but she forcibly held it in, not letting out even the slightest cough. She lowered her head, making it impossible to see her expression.

The hall was silent for a moment. Tan Yuanchu looked at Xu Shunfu.
“Send Imperial Physician Chang to Changchun Palace to check the little princess’s pulse.”

As soon as the words fell, Xu Shunfu and Yun Si both suddenly looked at him, surprise in both their eyes. Xu Shunfu glanced at Yun Si girl, then at the emperor, understanding what was going on. He dared not linger and turned to leave the hall.

Yun Si, however, stared blankly at Tan Yuanchu. Her apricot eyes were slightly red from the wine choking her.

“…You’re not going to Changchun Palace?”

Tan Yuanchu beckoned to her. When she slowly moved into his arms, he said nonchalantly. “No.”

She was right about one thing—of all times, the little princess just happened to fall ill now. Rong Zhaoyi’s intentions were obvious.

After today, Yun Si would officially enter the inner palace and be granted a rank, but it would still be lower than Rong Zhaoyi’s. She would also lose the protection of Yangxin Hall. If today he left her behind, Tan Yuanchu could already imagine how difficult her days in the harem would be.

Yun Si was half a beat slow. At this moment, she realized something was off. She had never drunk alcohol before and didn’t know that drinking could make her head feel a bit dizzy.

She had still wanted to act a little delicate, but all of that was interrupted by this sudden change. She shook her head, trying to shake off the dizzy feeling in her mind.

But instead of clearing up, she accidentally bumped her head straight into Tan Yuanchu’s chest. Tan Yuanchu was momentarily stunned from the impact. He looked down at the woman and finally noticed something wrong.

No longer thinking about Changchun Palace, he lifted her chin and indeed saw her apricot eyes looking dazed and unfocused. Tan Yuanchu glanced at the wine cup she had just picked up.

A wine cup no larger than a thumb.

She actually got drunk?

Tan Yuanchu, for a moment, let all emotion dissipate. The woman in his arms mumbled in a muffled voice, “Don’t sway… you’re making this servant’s head hurt…”

Yun Si truly felt her head aching. She couldn’t tell if it was her own problem or Tan Yuanchu’s—Tan Yuanchu in front of her kept swaying, making her feel a bit nauseous.

But in her consciousness, she still remembered one thing—he was the Emperor, and she must not lose decorum in front of him.

She kept holding it in, not daring to throw up.

In this state, there was no way she could continue watching the performance. Tan Yuanchu was a bit helpless. As for the performers on stage, Tan Yuanchu glanced at Xu Shunfu, and the performers quickly withdrew.

Tan Yuanchu instructed Xu Shunfu, “Have the imperial kitchen send sobering soup to Yangxin Hall.”

Hearing his words, the woman in his arms tilted her head up with difficulty, her apricot eyes glistening with moisture, and asked him in a muffled voice.

“This servant… is drunk?”

Tan Yuanchu was amused.

At this moment, she still remembered proper etiquette, still addressed herself as “servant” in every sentence.

Tan Yuanchu originally wasn’t in that mood, but her direct, dazed gaze stirred a trace of desire in him. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, asking her, “Does your head hurt?”

Yun Si was a bit stunned by the kiss.

She didn’t catch his words clearly, sniffed as she lay against his chest. Her mind was a mess, and she vaguely felt herself being helped up, and someone asked her, “Can you walk?”

This question Yun Si heard clearly, so she nodded—then, feeling uncomfortable, she shook her head again.

Shaking her head as she struggled to stand up, Yun Si barely managed to get on her feet, but she didn’t realize how unsteady and twisted her posture was. Tan Yuanchu reached out and gently touched her small face—confirming that communicating with her was currently impossible—then lifted her into his arms horizontally, preparing to take her away.

But the moment he touched her, she began to struggle, her arms and elbows pushing hard.

“Don’t touch me…”

Yun Si’s voice even carried a hint of a sob.

Tan Yuanchu nearly lost his grip on her. The two were standing on the steps—if he had let go just now, and she had fallen, even in the best-case scenario, she would’ve been seriously hurt.

Tan Yuanchu’s eyelids drooped subtly, a shadow passing through his gaze.

He had always known that the sweet words she spoke to him on ordinary days, if even thirty percent were sincere, that was already fortunate. But Tan Yuanchu had never expected that after she got drunk, her resistance and rejection toward him would be so strong.

Everyone said that people speak the truth after drinking.

Her drunken, unguarded reactions only revealed the real thoughts buried deep in her heart.

Tan Yuanchu lowered his eyes and looked at her quietly for a long time. That earlier trace of intimacy had already vanished. The surroundings had gone somewhat quiet.

He carried her down the steps. She started struggling again, her crying tone growing more obvious. Just as they were about to leave the Zhaiyue Tower, she even bit him on the shoulder.

Tan Yuanchu felt a heavy tightness in his chest and frowned.

“Do you believe I won’t really throw you down?”

Yun Si couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She tried with all her strength to push him away, but he refused to let go.

—She had truly reached her limit.

After Tan Yuanchu’s words fell, she no longer pushed him away but instead clutched tightly at his robes—and suddenly let out a retching sound.

Drip, drip—

Xu Shunfu stared in shock as the surroundings fell into a dead silence.

Tan Yuanchu froze in place, his whole body tense.

“Yun… Si!”