Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Jieyu

Xu Shunfu brought Imperial Physician Chang back to the Yangxin Hall. Inside, Tan Yuanchu was sweating from the heat—nights in July still carried a stifling warmth. The woman kept burrowing into his arms; pushing her away didn’t feel right, but neither did letting her stay there.

The moment Xu Shunfu’s voice sounded from outside the hall, Tan Yuanchu snapped irritably.

“What are you dawdling for? Get in here!”

He adjusted the woman’s robe to ensure not even a hint of her body was exposed. When the bed curtains were lifted, Imperial Physician Chang didn’t dare lift his head at all.

A fair, white wrist was extended toward him. Diagnosing an illness traditionally required observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking, but in the harem, everything was bound by strict rules and limitations. Without real skill, it was impossible to even enter the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Imperial Physician Chang quickly withdrew his hand and asked, “Has the young lady been drinking?”

Tan Yuanchu nodded.

Imperial Physician Chang understood immediately.
“She likely can’t tolerate alcohol. Drinking suddenly and then being exposed to a chill has caused a mild fever. I will prescribe a remedy. She should avoid drafts for the next few days.”

When he mentioned the chill, the atmosphere in the hall turned awkward.

Xu Shunfu stole a glance at the Emperor. Tan Yuanchu paused without realizing it and gave a soft cough.

“Go prepare the medicine.”

That night, the Yangxin Hall remained lit with candlelight for a long time. Palace servants decocted the medicine and brought it in. Tan Yuanchu personally fed her the potion. The calming herbs in it took effect, and she gradually quieted down, rolling to the inner side of the bed and curling into a ball.

Only after waiting for a long while and confirming she had truly fallen asleep did Tan Yuanchu step outside. Looking at Xu Shunfu waiting nearby, he pressed his brow in fatigue and asked in a flat tone.

“What is it?”

Xu Shunfu had served him for many years—Tan Yuanchu naturally understood him well. From Xu Shunfu’s expression upon returning, it was obvious that something had happened.

It only took a moment of thought for Tan Yuanchu to realize something had gone wrong in Changchun Palace.

Xu Shunfu hesitated briefly before lowering his voice and reporting what Imperial Physician Chang had said.

The night was dim, the clouds veiled the moonlight, and tree shadows swayed gently. Xu Shunfu saw it clearly: the moment he finished speaking, the Emperor’s expression suddenly became cold and indifferent.

Xu Shunfu lowered his head and dared not make a sound.

He understood better than anyone that the Emperor had been willing to elevate Rong Zhaoyi time and again—largely because of the little princess.

Back when the former emperor was still alive, the Empress Dowager had not yet risen to third rank when she gave birth to Tan Yuanchu. There was a period when he was not raised under her care. As a result, Tan Yuanchu was acutely aware of the difference between a birth mother and a foster mother—especially when the birth mother was still alive.

That was why he always valued the birth mothers of his heirs.

But once the Emperor believed that a child’s mother had failed in her duty, he would gradually strip away the privileges he had once granted her.

Tan Yuanchu’s tone was so cold it was nearly devoid of emotion.

“I understand.”

The crescent moon finally peeked out from behind the clouds. Its pale light fell across Tan Yuanchu’s face, illuminating the cool sharpness in his eyes. He spoke mildly, as if it were of no consequence:

“Go to Kunning Palace and deliver my decree: change Yun Si’s rank to Fourth-Rank Jieyu.”

Since she couldn’t distinguish between what was important and what was not, and wanted to fight Yun Si for a moment’s favor—then he would simply grant her wish.

In the past, he had thought she was more clever than Yang Jieyu—yet in the end, she was just as foolish.

The Empress received the oral decree from the Yangxin Hall in the middle of the night. Kunning Palace remained quiet for a long time. Baizhi couldn’t speak for a while. Then the Empress said lightly, “See? Just a little more and she would’ve made it.”

The offhanded remark made it impossible to tell what she was feeling.

Bai Zhi fell silent.

—

The next morning, faint dawn light filtered through the lattice windows and spilled onto Yun Si.

Curled up at the head of the bed, Yun Si—having lived this long—was experiencing a hangover for the very first time. Her head ached a little, but what she cared about most wasn’t that—it was the fragments of memory slowly returning.

It was almost the hour of chen.

Truth was, she had already woken up, but she didn’t dare open her eyes.

Bits and pieces of last night flashed through her mind, and all she wanted was to drop dead from shame. Did she actually throw up all over Tan Yuanchu?

Yun Si’s head throbbed with pain.

It had to be fake. — Yun Si desperately hoped.

Suddenly, the doors to the hall creaked open from the outside. With a sharp creak, Yun Si snapped back to awareness. Her whole body went stiff, and she swallowed nervously without meaning to.

She kept her eyes shut, pretending to be asleep—only to be seen through at a glance. The man gave a cool, rather indifferent snort.

Yun Si pretended not to hear.

The next moment, someone pinched the back of her neck gently and said, “Still not awake?”

Yun Si froze. She slowly opened one eye and stole a glance at Tan Yuanchu. Seeing that his expression wasn’t particularly cold, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. She turned over and spoke in a soft, delicate voice.

“Your Majesty.”

The deliberately sweetened tone was clearly an attempt to act cute.

Tan Yuanchu let out a faint scoff inwardly, thinking her performance wasn’t as good as yesterday’s.

But he didn’t say anything. He just looked at her calmly. She blinked her almond-shaped eyes and said timidly, “This servant’s head hurts…”

She pouted, looking especially innocent, as if she didn’t remember a single thing that happened yesterday.

Tan Yuanchu didn’t believe it at all.

If she really didn’t remember, why would she have pretended to sleep this long?

Tan Yuanchu pinched her cheek—it was smooth and delicate. She tilted her head obediently, even leaning into his hand, clearly hoping to please him. Whatever annoyance he still felt quickly melted away.

With an exasperated huff, Tan Yuanchu tapped her forehead instead and asked, “Anywhere else that feels unwell?”

Thanks to the medicine she took last night and a full night’s rest, her slight fever had fortunately gone down.

Yun Si noticed he had cooled off and immediately sat up. Obediently, she said,

“Now that I’ve seen Your Majesty, this servant doesn’t feel unwell at all.”

Tan Yuanchu gave her a long, meaningful look.

The temper she showed yesterday when she stormed out of the Yangxin Hall was nowhere to be seen now—only a faint trace of guilt she was clearly trying hard to conceal.

Only at times like this would she be so practiced at saying sweet, coaxing things.

Tan Yuanchu knocked lightly on her shoulder and said nonchalantly,

“I’m going to the imperial study.”

He had morning court today. After it ended, instead of going straight to the imperial study, he returned to the Yangxin Hall, just to personally tell her this matter.

Yun Si hurriedly got up, threw on an outer robe, and spoke quickly but without panic.

“Then please wait a moment, Your Majesty. This servant will go wash up and dress right away.”

Someone tapped her lightly on the shoulder. The fingers were long and well-defined. Yun Ni looked up at him in confusion.

He said, “You don’t need to go.”

Yun Si froze, her lifted face full of bewilderment.

Tan Yuanchu had always had her follow and attend him wherever he went. Could it be because she threw up on him yesterday and he’d taken a dislike to her?

Yun Si bit her lip, a little flustered.

“This servant… this servant didn’t mean to yesterday… Please don’t be angry with me…”

“I’m not angry with you.”

Tan Yuanchu’s expression darkened for a brief moment, clearly thinking of yesterday’s events. He truly wasn’t angry at her—but the memory of that warmth on his neck made his head ache.

He didn’t want to recall what happened yesterday at all.

Yun Si frowned slightly, her face still full of confusion as she looked at Tan Yuanchu. In truth, she was deeply puzzled. If he wasn’t angry at her, then why?

If he had something to say, couldn’t he just say it all at once?

Why did he have to speak half and hide half—tormenting her like this!

Tan Yuanchu glanced at her.
Their eyes met. Then he suddenly lowered his head and kissed her lightly.

“Go pay respects to the Empress.”

With that, Tan Yuanchu turned and left the Yanhxin Hall.

After all, keeping her here wouldn’t make her change her mind. He might as well go along with her wishes.

They had known each other for two years, and he had never given her a birthday gift. This time, he considered it making up for it.

Tan Yuanchu was gone, but Yun Si remained rooted in place. A beat later, she finally processed the meaning behind his words—and suddenly bit her lip hard.

Actually, she had already prepared herself for the possibility that Tan Yuanchu would keep her by his side a while longer.

She hadn’t expected it—she was genuinely surprised—that Tan Yuanchu was actually willing to grant her a title?

Qiu Yuan entered from outside and called out to her. Yun Si blinked her almond-shaped eyes and finally came back to her senses. She pressed down her emotions, but in the next moment, she couldn’t help but press her lips tightly together.

She was a little nervous.

It was good that he gave her a title, but what title did he give her exactly?

Two years ago, Tan Yuanchu had wanted to give her the title of Yunu, but she refused. She had waited two years—it couldn’t be just another Yunu title, could it?

Qiu Yuan curtsied, a rare smile on her face.

“This servant congratulates you, my mistress.”

Yun Si clenched her handkerchief, staring at her intently. Qiu Yuan understood and let out a soft laugh.
“From today on, we should call you ‘Mistress.’ His Majesty has conferred upon you the fourth-rank title of Jieyu.”

Yun Si’s eyes suddenly widened.

What?!

She was stunned. She couldn’t believe it.
“How is that possible?!”

Someone as stingy as Tan Yuanchu was actually willing to grant her such a high-ranking title?

Tan Yuanchu had deliberately kept it from Yun Si, but Qiu Yuan knew a bit of the inside story. She lowered her voice and said,

“For this title, my lady really has to thank Rong Zhaoyi for giving you a hand.”

Yun Si was confused. Qiu Yuan explained,
“Originally, His Majesty was going to grant you the title of Guipin, but yesterday, Rong Zhaoyi made a foolish move, which instead ended up benefiting you.”

Yun Si was dumbfounded as she listened to the story about the little princess.

Was she crazy?

Whether it was the Eldest Prince or the little princess, they were both raised with the utmost care—even the slightest exposure to wind or sun would make them uncomfortable. And the little princess was still so young; a simple cold could be fatal!

What kind of shock had Rong Zhaoyi suffered, that she was actually willing to harm the little princess?

Yun Si didn’t understand, but Qiu Yuan seemed to have vaguely guessed something.
“The residence assigned to you by His Majesty is the Panju Hall inside Chuan Palace.”

Yun Si was stunned. After a long while, she asked in a hoarse voice.

“What did you say?”

She had been in the palace for four years—she was well aware that Chuan Palace had once been the Empress Dowager’s residence.

She swallowed hard. Now she finally understood what kind of blow Rong Zhaoyi had suffered.

She and Qiu Yuan exchanged a glance, and Yun Si couldn’t help but curve her lips into a faint smile.

A blow like that was just what she needed.

With the little princess by her side, Rong Zhaoyi had once stood in an unshakable position. But now that she had lost control, it gave Yun Si an opening.

The Wardrobe Bureau soon delivered the palace attire. This time, the clothing was distinctly different—it symbolized the rank of fourth-rank Jieyu. The robes were in a bright rouge color, vibrant and festive, meant to convey congratulations.

Qiu Yuan tied her belt for her, and finally said in a soft voice.

“This servant congratulates you, my mistress, for finally getting what you wished for.”

From today on, she had truly taken that step forward. With this change in status, no one could look down on her because of her rank ever again.

In the bronze mirror, the woman’s jet-black hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin. She stood gracefully tall, dressed in exquisite formal attire, so dignified it made others hesitate to look directly at her. Her almond-shaped eyes shone brilliantly.

Though she had once been down and out, no one could deny that she suited this noble color perfectly—it added a kind of indescribable elegance and charm to her.

Such a beauty seemed born to be nurtured under a roof of luxury, where even gold and jade ornaments were nothing more than toys in her hands.

“Panju Hall has been fully prepared. You should go pay your respects at Kunning Palace now. After you finish, make sure not to take the wrong path,” Qiu Yuan reminded her subtly.

Yun Si glanced at her. Qiu Yuan met her gaze and immediately understood.
“Yesterday, Eunuch Xu asked me if I’d be leaving the palace with you.”

Moving from the Yangxin Hall to the inner palace, even though she was still a palace maid, her status had technically decreased. But deep down, Qiu Yuan was willing.

Still, she thought perhaps her mistress might need her to stay at Yangxin Hall, so she hadn’t dared give an answer without permission.

Yun Si reached out her hand to her.
“So, will you come with me?”

Qiu Yuan was stunned.
“You don’t want me to stay at Yangxin Hall?”

Yun Si looked outside and saw the familiar sights of the Yangxin Hall. Her gaze was unreadable, but her voice was soft.
“Since Eunuch Xu asked you that, he must have sensed something.”

Yun Si spoke quietly, “He likes me to be clear-headed, and doesn’t mind that I keep thoughts to myself—but I cannot afford to appear too ambitious.”

The Yangxin Hall was Tan Yuanchu’s domain—no one else could lay claim to it.

A flash of realization passed through Qiu Yuan’s eyes. She gently held Yun Ni’s hand and whispered,

“From now on, this servant will rely on you, my mistress.”

She had changed the way she addressed her.

From a front-hall maid of Yangxin Hall to the personal attendant of Yun Jieyu, she and Yun Si were now bound together.
Their fates would rise and fall as one.

The distance from Yangxin Hall to Kunning Palace wasn’t particularly near or far—but as a Jieyu, Yun Si now had a ceremonial entourage.

Outside Yangxin Hall, several unfamiliar palace attendants had appeared. As soon as Yun Si came out, they hurriedly knelt down.

“Greetings to the mistress.”

Beside them stood a ceremonial escort—clearly indicating status.

Yun Si looked at the lead eunuch, who immediately said,

“This servant is from Panju Hall, here to escort the mistress to offer morning greetings.”

Yun Si understood immediately. She asked, “What is your name?”

He smiled and replied,

“This servant was named by Eunuch Liu from Central Province Hall. It’s Song Fu, but the mistress may call me Xiao Songzi.”

Yun Si exchanged a glance with him. Song Fu gave her a respectful smile. It was getting late, so Yun Si didn’t say anything more and stepped into the ceremonial sedan.

The palace servants of Yangxin Hall watched her departure. Once the entire procession was out of sight, they looked at each other, and someone suddenly murmured,

“The young lady is gone.”

—

Kunning Palace.

For today’s morning greeting, the imperial consorts had all arrived early, each with something to say but hesitating to speak.

Only the seat belonging to Rong Zhaoyi was empty.

Someone looked over in confusion, and a nearby person quietly explained,

“The young princess was unwell yesterday and still hasn’t recovered. Rong Zhaoyi sent someone early this morning to request leave and stay behind to care for the child.”

That person hesitantly nodded, but after a moment, she murmured suspiciously.

“Is she really looking after the young princess?”

Or was it because she sought out the emperor yesterday and didn’t get to see him—so now she’s too ashamed to show her face?

Someone nearby gave a light cough and shot her a reproachful glare. Rong Zhaoyi might not be present, but that didn’t mean her people weren’t in the hall. If those words reached her ears, who knew whether she might take it out on anyone associated with the speaker?

It wasn’t just Rong Zhaoyi’s seat that was empty—the crowd also noticed that an extra chair had been added to the hall.

They glanced at it. The seat was placed directly across from Su Jieyu. As they did the mental calculations, everyone couldn’t help but be stunned. That seat… it must be meant for at least a Guipin.

Before any murmuring could start, a voice called from outside the hall:

“Yun Jieyu has arrived—”

The entire hall instantly fell silent—utterly still, like one could hear a pin drop.

The beaded curtain was lifted, and Yun Si, supported by Qiu Yuan, walked in. Every gaze turned toward her. A breeze stirred, brushing a lock of black hair against her cheek. Her elegant brows lifted slightly.

Her fair cheeks held a soft flush, with her brows finely shaped and her lips touched with rouge. The warm sunlight fell across her face, adding a soft glow to her presence—so much so that people found it hard to look away.

She was led to her seat. She must have applied some fragrance—an airy, delicate scent drifted over, subtle and quiet.

Once she sat down, some consorts still hadn’t come back to their senses. Their eyes kept drifting toward her, and more than one hand clenched around a silk handkerchief.

In the past, they had all known Yun Si was beautiful. But she had rarely been seen, and never dressed so splendidly. Now that they saw her like this, they finally understood why a mere former servant could win such favor from the emperor.

Such a beauty—what man in the world wouldn’t want to keep her all to himself?

After a long moment, everyone finally came to their senses and recalled the herald’s announcement just now—

“Yun Jieyu?!”

Su Jieyu suddenly turned her head toward her, the calm on her cool face instantly breaking. Just yesterday, she had been stopped outside the Yangxin  Hall because of Yun Si, and now she was hearing that from today onward, Yun Si would be her equal in rank—how could she possibly remain calm?!

She had taken secret medicines, nearly destroyed her health, just to earn her current position—what right did Yun Si have to stand as her equal?

Everyone had seen Su Jieyu’s loss of composure, and Yun Ni had noticed too. She tilted her head and asked, as if puzzled,

“Why is Su Jieyu looking at this concubine?”

She had so effortlessly changed the way she referred to herself—as if it hadn’t been just days ago that she was calling herself a servant in front of Su Jieyu.

Yun Si lifted her gaze slowly, unhurriedly.

At last—

Those who had once looked down on her from high above—even if unwilling, even if begrudging—could now only meet her as equals.