Little Palace Maid Desires a Higher Seat of Honor - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Yuzhou City

In the end, Yun Si really did take two baths. Qiu Yuan couldn’t bear to watch and shook her head.
“Mistress, His Majesty is clearly just teasing you.”

Yun Si wrinkled her nose and muttered softly,
“But I think there really is a smell.”

After vomiting for so long and drinking medicine all day, even if there wasn’t a smell, she still felt a little uncomfortable about it. Being able to bathe thoroughly was a good thing either way.

Seeing this, Qiu Yuan said no more.

From outside came the sound of a flowing stream. Yun Si, draped in a light gauze robe, stepped out from the bathing room. Her dark hair hung damp over her shoulders, and her cheeks were faintly flushed from the steam. Curious, she leaned her head toward the window. Outside the paneled lattice was a pond with an artificial rockery. Water flowed gently down around it, and several lotuses bloomed in the pond, pure and unstained despite growing from the mud.

At last, Yun Si remembered to ask, “What is this courtyard called?”

Qiu Yuan had anticipated her question and had taken note of the plaque when they entered. She met Yun Si’s eyes and replied in a low voice,
“Song Ya Pavilion. His Majesty brought you straight here.”

Song Ya Pavilion, the very courtyard that, back in the Kunning Palace, Lu Pin had deliberately brought up to her.

It was the closest residence to the Qinzheng Hall, where His Majesty usually spent his time. All the concubines dreamed of living here.

But after she said this, Yun Si didn’t look the least bit happy. Qiu Yuan was a little confused.
“Mistress, what’s wrong?”

She wondered if there was something improper about this Song Ya Pavilion?

Yun Si gathered a strand of her dripping hair. Qiuyuan took it and gently began drying it for her. Yun Si glanced toward the lotuses outside the window and said, “In past years, when the court came to the summer palace, wasn’t it always Rong Zhaoyi who stayed here?”

She was asking a question, but her tone was full of certainty, she didn’t need anyone to answer her.

Qiu Yuan fell silent.

She was not like her mistress. Qiu Yuan had served at the Emperor’s side in previous years and had indeed come to this summer palace before. In the past, it had always been Rong Zhaoyi who stayed in Song Ya Pavilion.

She said nothing, but her silence had already given the answer away.

Yun Si withdrew her gaze and continued drying her damp hair. In the bronze mirror, the reflection showed a woman with striking, beautiful eyes. She gently lowered her lashes, no one could tell what she was thinking.

Qiu Yuan glanced at her and hesitantly asked,
“If you don’t like those lotus flowers, Mistress, I’ll have someone pull them out tomorrow.”

She said it without the slightest hesitation, not caring in the least for whom those so-called lotuses had been planted.

Hearing that, Yun Si couldn’t help but chuckle.
“There’s no need. Just because she likes something, do I have to hate it?”

“Leave them. They’re quite pretty.”

Besides, every year it was Rong Zhaoyi who stayed in Song Ya Pavilion. Now she had to move out the moment Yun Si arrived, wasn’t that annoying enough for her?

Anything that could annoy Rong Zhaoyi, Yun Si was more than happy to do.

She glanced at the sandglass, outside, dusk had almost fallen. Half an hour ago, Tan Yuanchu had been called away by his ministers and still hadn’t returned. Yun Si had waited for a long time, so long that she was hungry.
She said lazily, “Forget it. Let’s serve the meal.”

She hadn’t been well for half a month and hadn’t been able to eat much along the way. Now that she felt better and the stifled heaviness in her chest had vanished, she finally noticed how empty her stomach was.

Song Ya Pavilion was preparing dinner, but other courtyards were far from peaceful.

Rong Zhaoyi followed the palace attendants into the summer palace. This palace was the closest one to the capital, and Tan Yuanchu couldn’t be bothered wasting time traveling far. In past years, they always came here.

When she noticed the path they were taking was completely different from before, her brows immediately furrowed.

“Where are we going?”

“Your Ladyship’s quarters are in Sui Yu Courtyard.”

The moment Rong Zhaoyi heard the name, she cut her off sharply,
“What about Song Ya Pavilion?”

The palace maid froze for a moment, vaguely realizing the implication behind her question, and replied evasively,
“In response to Your Ladyship, the residences for all the noble ladies were arranged long ago. This maid is simply following orders.”

Tong Yun subtly tugged at her ladyship’s sleeve.

On the journey here, the Emperor had only requested Yun Jieyu to accompany him. Now, who was living in Song Ya Pavilion was obvious without needing to be said.

Why ask further?
It would only make others laugh at her.

Rong Zhaoyi clenched her sleeves tightly. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand this logic, but every year when they came to the summer palace, she had always stayed in Song Ya Pavilion. Now she had to give it up to Yun Si, how could she possibly be willing?

As soon as they arrived at Sui Yu Courtyard, the palace attendants quickly took their leave. Tong Yun noticed this and sighed quietly in her heart.

She still remembered the last time they came to the summer palace, whether it was the imperial concubines or the summer palace stewards, they had all treated her Ladyship with particular warmth, as if they couldn’t wait to serve her at every turn.

Tong Yun carefully observed Sui Yu Courtyard and gently offered comfort.

“Your Ladyship, this courtyard is peaceful and beautiful, and it’s not far from the Emperor’s Qinzheng Hall. This maid believes it’s still quite a fine place. You’ve stayed in Song Ya Pavilion for so long, why not take this as a change of mood?”

Rong Zhaoyi entered the hall without much expression.
Even if she was unwilling, what could she do?
Was she going to force Yun Si to switch back with her?

The only thing that brought her a little comfort was that the hall’s furnishings were exquisite, and behind the courtyard was a bamboo grove. When the wind blew, the bamboo leaves rustled gently. The bamboo curtains swayed softly, clearly a perfect spot for cooling off in the summer.
She pursed her lips and sat down. After Tong Yun finished organizing the luggage, she said coldly,

“Go find out where Consort De and the others are staying.”

Tong Yun pressed her lips together. She knew clearly in her heart, her ladyship wouldn’t give up without definite confirmation. This wasn’t really about Consort De; she simply wanted to confirm whether Yun Jieyu had truly taken up residence in Song Ya Pavilion.

Tong Yun bowed and accepted the order.

It took her nearly half an hour to return. She listed all the noble ladies’ assigned quarters, and when she finally got to Song Ya Pavilion, she paused slightly.

“…Yun Jieyu is living in Song Ya Pavilion.”

Rong Zhaoyi’s eyes suddenly closed. Even though she had already guessed it might be the case, hearing it confirmed still made her feel suffocated.

The Emperor clearly knew there was animosity between her and Yun Si, and yet he had arranged it like this. How were the other concubines supposed to view her now?!

Tong Yun saw her ladyship like this and quickly reported all the information she had gathered.
“This maid heard that His Majesty left Song Ya Pavilion after just one hour. Your Ladyship, it’s nearly time for dinner, shall I go invite His Majesty to dine with you?”

Rong Zhaoyi turned her head away. She didn’t want to see the Emperor at all right now. After a long while, she spoke hoarsely,
“So if I don’t go invite him now, does that mean he wouldn’t even think of coming to see me on his own?”

Tong Yun was momentarily at a loss for words.

In the end, Rong Zhaoyi didn’t let Tongyun go invite Tan Yuanchu. There was a simmering anger in her chest, and she had no idea how to vent it.

But she couldn’t see Tan Yuanchu, not now. She feared she wouldn’t be able to hide her emotions and would end up revealing her resentment in front of him.

“If I’d known this would happen, she might as well have just stayed a servant!”

Tong Yun swallowed hard.

Back when Yun Si was still serving in the Yangxin Hall, Her Ladyship had been worried that His Majesty and Yun Si would develop feelings over time. She had been fixated on either getting rid of Yun Si altogether or pushing for her to be given a formal position early, believing that once Yun Si entered the harem, she would blend in with the crowd.

Then, when Her Ladyship wanted to deal with Yun Si, it would be easy.

But in the end… they were one step too late.

Now Yun Si had finally received a title, and Her Ladyship could no longer touch her so easily.

Sui Yu Courtyard was very quiet. Though there were palace maids attending them, Tong Yun still felt the place was cold and desolate. As she glanced around the courtyard, she suddenly found herself missing the little princess.

She felt a pang of regret. If, on that day, she had tried just a bit harder to stop Her Ladyship from harming the child… would everything be different now?

There was no answer.

But if the little princess were still here, no matter whether Her Ladyship lived in Song Ya Pavilion or Sui Yu Courtyard, at least the hall would be filled with laughter and joy.

Thinking of this, Tong Yun lowered her head, filled with sorrow.

—

After dinner, Yun Si waited a while, but Tan Yuanchu never came.
So she lay down to rest.

After eating, she had taken another dose of medicine. As the effects kicked in, drowsiness overtook her, and her entire body grew heavy with sleep.

A dreamless night passed.
The next morning, upon waking and realizing there would be no exhausting travel today, nor any bouts of dizzying nausea, Yun Si felt completely alive again.

This summer palace was different from the one in the capital. The halls were bright and open, upon entering the main doors, one could see the entire palace interior at a glance. Unlike the strict division of inner and outer chambers in the Forbidden Palace, here there was just a single screen and beaded curtain separating the inner hall.

The flooring beneath her feet seemed to be made of bamboo or wood, cool to the touch. The lattice windows were open, and a gentle breeze drifted in, rustling the bead curtain with soft clinks, like pearls falling into a jade dish, a most pleasant sound.

Yun Si, for once, changed into a palace dress of deep teal, made from cloud-woven brocade, a very light and airy garment. With wide sleeves and a cinched waist, it accentuated her delicate figure, a waist so slender it could be held in one hand. Light makeup dusted her face, a subtle blush tinting her cheeks, and her graceful features radiated charm and liveliness.

Once everything was in order, Yun Si glanced at the time and instinctively began walking outside.
But before she could step past the palace doors, she suddenly remembered, this wasn’t the imperial palace.
There was no need to go pay morning greetings.

Yun Si gave a soft sigh and turned to Qiu Yuan with a small pout.
“Why do I feel like I’ve become a bit more stupid ever since leaving the palace?”

Qiu Yuan chuckled.
“That’s just Mistress’s imagination.”

Yun Si returned to her seat before the bronze mirror. As she sat down, she asked, “Where’s His Majesty?”

“Yesterday, His Majesty went to Qinzheng Hall and hasn’t come out since.”

A gentle breeze stirred the air,  so soothing that Yun Si couldn’t help but feel a little lazy. She reached out to catch a drifting bamboo leaf from outside. Without turning her head, she asked, puzzled,
“Yesterday, he didn’t summon anyone for the night?”

The hall was silent for a moment. Then Qiu Yuan quietly replied,
“Forgive me for speaking frankly, Mistress. You were exhausted from travel all the way here, but His Majesty had to handle affairs of state with the ministers during that time as well, surely, he would feel tired too.”

Her words made it sound as if Yun Si were being unreasonably demanding.

Yun Si gave a soft, slightly awkward cough. She turned back and cast Qiu Yuan a resentful glance.

Qiu Yuan didn’t mind in the slightest. She simply crouched down and helped tidy Yun Si’s long skirts, gently reminding her.
“Mistress, the hem of this dress is quite long. Best not to go near the water today, it’ll be troublesome if it gets wet.”

Yun Si nodded. After all, she hadn’t come to this summer palace just to stay cooped up inside all day.
She asked Qiu Yuan what fun there was to be had here.

Qiu Yuan thought for a moment and replied,
“This maid remembers… there’s a hot spring within the grounds of the summer palace.”

Yun Si let out a small “eh” sound, feeling a bit dejected. Qiu Yuan had just reminded her not to go near the water today, it looked like a hot spring soak was out of the question.

But before Yun Si could dwell too long in her disappointment, a message came from outside: Consort De was inviting all the concubines to go boating on the lake.

Qiu Yuan glanced at her mistress and shook her head calmly.
“It seems Mistress is fated to come into contact with water today after all.”

Yun Si wasn’t particularly enthusiastic. Qiu Yuan helped her to her feet, but she still seemed listless.
“What’s she trying to do this time?”

With the Empress absent, Consort De held the highest rank among the women in the summer palace.
Whether Yun Si liked it or not, she had no choice but to go.

Yun Si recalled that when she arrived yesterday, they had passed by a large lake, with a painted pleasure barge moored at its center.
She took Qiu Yuan and made her way toward the barge, and on the way, she unexpectedly ran into someone.

Yun Si bent down and greeted her,
“This concubine pays respects to Consort Jing.”

Consort Jing turned at the sound of her voice. When she saw Yun Si, a gentle smile lit her face.
“So it’s Yun Jieyu who’s staying in Song Ya Pavilion this year.”

She had Yun Si helped up. Yun Si’s feelings toward Consort Jing were complicated, and she slightly lowered her gaze in a show of bashfulness,
“I am favored by His Majesty’s kindness.”

Then she stepped forward and walked alongside Consort Jing.
“Yesterday I was unwell and didn’t have a chance to ask, where is Your Ladyship staying?”

Consort Jing’s gaze on her was especially gentle.
“Bailu Hall. It’s not far from your Song Ya Pavilion. If you ever feel bored during your time at the summer palace, Yun Jieyu, you can come talk to me.”

Yun Si had already noticed that Consort Jing didn’t seem to like using the imperial self-reference “This Palace.”

And this wasn’t the first time she had said something like that to Yun Si. Even back when Yun Si was still just a palace maid, Consort Jing had invited her in the same gentle tone.
Yun Si had never gone, and Consort Jing had never pushed her.

But every time they met, Consort Jing seemed to repeat this invitation, as if waiting for her to accept one day.

Yun Si couldn’t help but feel puzzled, Consort Jing’s attitude toward her was undeniably strange, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

Noticing that Consort Jing was heading in the same direction as her, Yun Si tentatively asked,
“Is Your Ladyship also going to attend Consort De’s gathering?”

Consort Jing nodded gently.
“It’s rare for me to come out. She always urges me to get some fresh air.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Liu Gui, the maid beside her. Liu Gui quickly chimed in,
“That’s what the imperial physician advised. It’s better for Her Ladyship’s health if she gets some air every now and then.”

Only after Liu Gui finished did Consort Jing look helplessly at Yun Si.
“See? I really have no way to refuse her.”

Yun Si could only lower her gaze with a soft smile, but after a moment, she casually reminded,
“But isn’t the wind over the lake a little chilly?”

Liu Gui immediately replied,
“Don’t worry, Yun Jieyu. This servant has brought a cloak for Her Ladyship. She won’t catch a chill.”

Hearing this, Yun Si said no more, but she still felt something odd. Consort Jing rarely even attended palace banquets, not even when it was the Empress hosting, yet today, she was willing to accept Consort De’s invitation?

And more strangely, when Yun Si had deliberately mentioned Consort De, Consort Jing hadn’t said a single word about her, as if the gathering wasn’t her real destination at all.

Suspicion stirred in Yun Si’s heart. Just as they were nearing the pleasure barge, she suddenly heard Consort Jing softly ask,

“Yun Jieyu, do you know where this summer palace is located?”

Yun Si turned to her, confused. She had never paid attention to that kind of detail, and she didn’t understand why Consort Jing would suddenly ask such a thing.

But before Consort Jing could say anything further, they arrived at the lakeside.
The greetings of the assembled concubines interrupted their conversation.

Rong Zhaoyi saw Yun Si and Consort Jing arriving together and subtly furrowed her brows. Stepping forward, she said warmly, “Your Ladyship, what brings you out today? It’s been quite a while since this concubine last saw you.”

Though her tone was familiar, Consort Jing remained serene as always.
“It’s rare to come to the summer palace. Staying cooped up in the hall all day wouldn’t be enjoyable.”

Seeing this, Yun Si glanced at Qiu Yuan. Qiu Yuan leaned closer and whispered,

“Didn’t you know, Mistress? This place is Yuzhou City.”

Yuzhou City?

Yun Si was suddenly stunned.

She didn’t hear what Rong Zhaoyi and Consort Jing said after that, her mind went completely blank, and she stood frozen in place, until Qiu Yuan tugged her gently.

Yun Si snapped out of it, only to see everyone looking at her. Rong Zhaoyi’s tone was cold.

“What is Yun Jieyu thinking about? Consort Jing called for you to join her on the boat, and you didn’t even hear.”

By the lakeside were several small boats prepared to ferry the consorts to the pleasure barge. Consort Jing had already boarded and was waiting for her.

Yun Si was momentarily bewildered.

According to rank, after Consort Jing boarded, it should have been Rong Zhaoyi’s turn. So why was it her instead?

Qiu Yuan quietly explained in her ear. Only then did Yun Si realize what had happened: after Consort Jing got on the boat, before Rong Zhaoyi could step forward, she said Yun Si and she got along well and insisted on riding together.

Yun Si glanced at Rong Zhaoyi’s expression, then quickly composed herself and lowered her eyes.

“This concubine thanks Your Ladyship for allowing me to ride with you.”

With that, Yun Si stepped past Rong Zhaoyi and boarded the small boat. But as the boat pushed off from the shore, she couldn’t help but lift her gaze toward Consort Jing.

Why had Consort Jing suddenly mentioned Yuzhou City?

Was she hinting at something?
Or testing something?

Hidden in her sleeve, Yun Si’s hand slowly clenched the handkerchief. Just those three words, Yuzhou City, sent waves of emotion surging in her heart.

After what happened to the Lu family, she never dared hope she would return to Yuzhou again.

But no matter what she had been through, she couldn’t deny that those three words, or rather, that city, still meant the world to her.

She once lived here with her parents.

Her parents were also buried here.

When she first entered the palace, there were countless nights she dreamt of returning to this place. But with the passage of time, her desires had long changed. The timid young girl who used to live in fear had already become someone else.

Yun Si’s apricot eyes trembled slightly. She kept wondering, what was it about her that made Consort Jing deliberately bring up Yuzhou City?

She was from Yuzhou City. That much, she had never tried to deliberately hide from anyone.

Yun Si kept forcing herself to calm down. After a long while, she finally lifted her gaze and asked Consort Jing as if nothing had happened,

“Your Ladyship, why did you suddenly ask me that question earlier?”

Consort Jing shook her head.
“It’s nothing, I just suddenly remembered, you’re from Yuzhou City.”

She only said that one short sentence.

Yun Si gently lowered her eyelids. Until the small boat reached the pleasure barge, she said nothing more.
Palace attendants helped them aboard.

As soon as they stepped onto the pleasure barge, Yun Si saw Tan Yuanchu.

She didn’t know when he had arrived, but he was now sitting beside Consort De, chatting casually.

When he saw the two of them arriving together, both Tan Yuanchu and Consort De looked a little surprised. Tan Yuanchu stood up at once, while Consort De quietly turned her head to glance at him.

Tan Yuanchu bent down to help Yun Si up and raised his brows at Consort Jing.

“What brings you out today?”

At this, Consort De narrowed her eyes ever so subtly, without revealing any emotion.

Consort Jing lowered her gaze and smiled.

“Along the way, I’ve answered this question countless times. His Majesty told me to take a break.”

Tan Yuanchu could easily imagine the scene she described and couldn’t help but chuckle. He didn’t press her for more and nodded casually.

“Sit.”

Then, he finally looked at Yun Si and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong with you?”

Yun Si weakly shook her head.

Tan Yuanchu raised his hand to test her forehead.

“Still not feeling well?”

Yun Si had no way to explain it, so she simply went along with it and replied, “A little.”

Tan Yuanchu gave her another subtle glance. It was hard to tell whether he believed her or not, but in the end, he simply nodded and casually instructed Xu Shunfu.

“Prepare a bowl of sour plum soup for your Mistress Yun.”

At the same time, Rong Zhaoyi and the other concubines had also arrived. Yun Si forced herself to snap out of her thoughts, just in time to see Rong Zhaoyi take a seat, directly across from her.

The two of them locked eyes.

Just then, Xu Shunfu brought over the sour plum soup. Rong Zhaoyi covered her lips with her hand and said with deliberate dissatisfaction,

“His Majesty is playing favorites again. How come only Yun Jieyu gets a special treat while the rest of us can only watch?”

Though she sounded like she was complaining, everyone could hear the playful tone behind her words.

In an instant, coquettish voices of mock protest echoed throughout the pleasure barge.

“That’s right, Your Majesty can’t be so biased. I want some too.”

Openly expressing grievances and teasing like this only came off as charming, especially when all the women joined in together.

Tan Yuanchu shook his head casually and said slowly, “Why are you all just standing there? Go serve your mistresses properly.”

Xu Shunfu stepped behind Tan Yuanchu. With so many mistresses present, of course he couldn’t serve each one personally.

As soon as Tan Yuanchu finished speaking, palace attendants brought drinks over and respectfully placed them on the ladies’ tables, eliciting a chorus of cheerful laughter.

Rong Zhaoyi glanced at her table, it was fruit wine that had been served.

She saw clearly that what Xu Shunfu had given Yun Si was definitely not fruit wine.

Without a trace, she lowered her eyes.

Yun Si picked up her bowl and took a small sip of the sour plum soup. A drop clung to her lip, and she lightly licked it away with the tip of her tongue. It was a little sour, a little sweet, the flavor spreading richly through her mouth.