Who Would Understand, Her Ladyship Wrote A Hundred Palace Regulations - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Extraordinarily Cautious Guiren

Ning Wanyin left Mingzhao Hall and sent someone to inform the Old Madam, who had just returned from Buddhist prayers, of the good news. 

By the time she returned to Xihe Courtyard, dusk had already fallen. 

Peng Qin was the first to report, “Miss, Physician Ge has thoroughly examined everything. The folding fan and the jewelry are both clean, no poison.”

Peng Qi followed closely, “This servant made careful inquiries. Yesterday, Miss Tang behaved as usual, nothing unusual happened. However, this morning, she woke from a nightmare crying and laughing, startling her maids.”

“Ever since that nightmare, it’s as if her temperament has completely changed. After returning to her courtyard just now, she even sent a box of extremely precious tea to the Eldest Madam.”

Ning Wanyin listened quietly, her exquisite face betraying no emotion. “Was the tea sent to Mother checked?” 

“As you’ve long instructed, anything sent to the Madam’s courtyard must first be inspected by Physician Ge. The tea was also confirmed clean,” Peng Qi replied. 

Ning Wanyin fell into silent contemplation, saying nothing. 

Peng Qin ventured a guess, “Miss, this sudden change in Miss Tang’s behavior, could she be possessed?” 

“I’ve never heard of anyone becoming more reasonable after being possessed,” Ning Wanyin remarked, her lips curving slightly, a glimmer of caution flashing in her eyes.
“Keep a close watch on her. Be vigilant.” 

“Yes.”

Lian Rui was the last to return with her report. “Miss, among those selected this time are the daughters of the Duke of Su…”

— 

The First Day of the Third Month, Clear Skies. 

Ning Wanyin bid farewell to her grandmother and mother, entering the imperial palace alongside Tang Miaoling. 

Since His Majesty’s former residence had few consorts and this was the first large-scale selection, most of the Eastern and Western Palaces lacked primary occupants, Yonghe Palace being one of them. 

The guiding eunuch escorted the two to the gates of Yonghe Palace, where a group of eunuchs and palace maids awaited them. Coincidentally, they were assigned to the same palace, residing in the left and right side halls. 

“We welcome the Meiren!” Six palace servants bowed to Tang Miaoling. 

Another four servants saluted Ning Wanyin. “We welcome the Guiren.”

The imperial palace was rigidly hierarchical, with different ranks receiving different treatment. 

“Cousin, what a coincidence that we’re living together!” Tang Miaoling feigned delight, though inwardly, she was anything but pleased. 

With memories of her past life, she had known they would be assigned to the same palace. 

She truly wished to be as far from Ning Wanyin as possible! 

Trembling inside, she had to pretend to be overjoyed. 

Ugh, what kind of cruel fate is this?

Ning Wanyin saw through her pretense at a glance and curtsied politely. 

“Cousin Tang, I shall retire to my quarters first.”

When facing consorts of higher rank, proper etiquette demanded formal greetings and farewells. Having studied palace regulations privately for three years, Ning Wanyin would never neglect such formalities, no matter how the other party behaved. 

“You’re right, it’s been a long journey. You should rest!” Tang Miaoling nodded eagerly, practically fleeing with her attendants back to the left side hall where she was lodged. 

Spending even a moment longer with Ning Wanyin might make her legs give out from fear.

— 

Right Side Hall of Yonghe Palace — Lingxue Pavilion

As a Guiren, Ning Wanyin was only permitted to bring one personal maidservant into the palace. She chose Lian Rui, who had served her since childhood. The palace assigned two maids and two eunuchs to attend her, the same group who had greeted her earlier. 

“This servant Dan Li / Lu Ju pays respects to the Guiren! May the Guiren be at ease!”

“This servant Xiao Guizi / Xiao Yuanzi pays respects to the Guiren! May the Guiren be at ease!”

Ning Wanyin regarded the four coolly. “Since fate has placed you in my service, let us make the most of it. I reward merit and punish faults, serve diligently, and you’ll be treated well. But betray me, and there will be no leniency.”

“This servant / humble servant understands!” The four kowtowed in unison. 

Ning Wanyin knew such warnings were likely recited by every new consort and held little real deterrent power. She didn’t trust them either, but certain formalities had to be observed. 

“Lian Rui, distribute the rewards.”

Lian Rui handed out silver ingots prepared in advance. The Count’s household had allocated a thousand taels of silver specifically for networking and rewards. 

The four servants accepted the gifts with delight. The ingots were weighty, no small sum. 

Everyone wanted a generous mistress.

Ning Wanyin continued, “Having entered the palace, I must prepare to serve His Majesty. You, too, must ready yourselves to receive the imperial presence.”

The four were momentarily stunned, this was their first encounter with such an eager new mistress. Dan Li reacted fastest, chiming in,

“The Guiren speaks wisely!”

“There’s no time to waste. From this moment onward, Lingxue Pavilion must prepare thoroughly. His Majesty’s dignity demands that every corner be spotless.”

The servants voiced no objections. Cleaning the palace for an imperial visit was standard procedure. 

But soon… they realized this new mistress might be too meticulous. 

Not only was Ning Wanyin’s own quarters scrubbed immaculately, even their servants’ quarters were scoured from top to bottom. 

The courtyard flowerbeds suffered the most outrageous treatment. 

Under the guise of “weeding,” the soil was dug up three feet deep, the entire bed overturned, and the flowers replanted. 

By nightfall, the four were exhausted. If not for the generous rewards, they might have requested transfers. 

“Mistress, Lingxue Pavilion has been thoroughly cleansed inside and out. The flowerbeds contain no poisonous plants or insects, nor any buried contraband.”

“The servants’ quarters hold no suspicious items, and no excess silver was found.”

Lian Rui reported each detail. 

While the newcomers grumbled about their mistress’s fastidiousness, Lian Rui understood perfectly.

Ning Wanyin had once said, “In a place where you dwell, every room, every object, every flower, every blade of grass, every brick, every tile, must be known intimately.”

Only then can you rest secure.

“Your efforts are appreciated.” Ning Wanyin nodded, carefully reviewing every detail of Lingxue Pavilion in her mind three times before pausing.

Her delicate brows lifted slightly.

“Lingxue Pavilion lacks a water feature. Go to the Imperial Household Department and spend some silver to request eight water vats. Say I adore lotuses and wish to cultivate them. But in the palace, every move is scrutinized, someone will inevitably doubt my claimed fondness for lotus flowers.”

“Then, deliberately let slip that lotus seeds symbolize fertility, and I find them auspicious, hoping for an early blessing of heirs.”

Any action taken by a consort for the sake of winning favor or bearing children would never raise eyebrows. 

Lian Rui suddenly understood and bowed in apology, “This servant was careless to overlook this. If a fire were to break out in Lingxue Pavilion and water were far to fetch, it would be disastrous.”

“You’ve already done very well,” Ning Wanyin smiled. No one in this world could account for every possibility at all times, even she couldn’t guarantee absolute perfection. 

It was simply a matter of being as cautious as possible. 

Lian Rui hurried off with the eunuchs to the Imperial Household Department to arrange for the water vats.
With silver smoothing the way, everything was settled without issue. 

Once the task was complete, Lian Rui returned to report. 

Having covered the “objects” in Lingxue Pavilion, the most critical matter remained, the “people.” “This servant made some inquiries. Xiao Guizi and Xiao Yuanzi previously served the late Emperor’s Liu Guiren. After Liu Guiren’s passing, they returned to the Imperial Household Department and were now assigned to Lingxue Pavilion. Dan Li and Lu Ju are newly entered palace maids from last year, still quite young, having only learned palace rules for a year.”

Servants whose former mistress had died carried an air of misfortune, no one had wanted Xiao Guizi or Xiao Yuanzi during their years in the Imperial Household Department. 

New maids were prone to mistakes, and high-ranking consorts avoided them. 

Thus, the servants assigned to low-ranking consorts were either newcomers or those with some stigma.
On the surface, their backgrounds seemed unproblematic. 

Lian Rui continued, “Xiao Guizi is greedy for money, he even tried fishing for information about your family’s wealth, truly money-obsessed. Xiao Yuanzi, however, is honest and diligent, working without complaint. This servant assigned them both to guard the outer courtyard.”

“Dan Li excels at hairstyling and will attend to your grooming. Lu Ju will serve tea… These two will work in the inner chambers. For now, we have no choice but to use them. This servant will keep a close watch and later investigate their pasts to ensure no hidden dangers remain!” 

Ning Wanyin nodded approvingly. “You’ve done well.” Lian Rui puffed out her chest proudly, after so many years by her mistress’s side, she had learned a thing or two. 

— 

The next day, Ning Wanyin wore an emerald-green, lotus-patterned high-waisted dress, her raven-black hair adorned with two or three simple jade hairpins. 

“Guiren, you are so beautiful, but your attire is so plain, it may not catch attention,” Dan Li fretted, unable to fully showcase her skills. 

Ning Wanyin smiled faintly. “We’re not going to greet His Majesty. There’s no need to stand out.”

No sooner had Ning Wanyin stepped out of the right side hall than she spotted Tang Miaoling waiting at the main palace gates, clearly intending to accompany her for morning greetings. 

“Cousin, since Empress Yuanxiao’s passing, Consort Shu now manages the palace affairs. We’ll first pay our respects at her Jingxi Palace before proceeding together to Cining Palace to greet the Empress Dowager.” Tang Miaoling forced a bright smile, straining to project friendliness. 

After their selection, palace matrons had briefly instructed them on protocols. 

In the Great Yan dynasty’s imperial harem, consorts were required to pay daily respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress. 

By protocol, the Empress should lead the consorts in greeting the Empress Dowager, no one was permitted to visit privately. With no Empress presently in the palace, this duty fell to Consort Shu. 

Thus, the consorts gathered at Jingxi Palace before proceeding collectively to the Empress Dowager’s quarters. There was no rule requiring daily greetings to Consort Shu specifically. 

“Understood.” Ning Wanyin nodded slightly. 

His Majesty’s first wife, Empress Yuanxiao, had succumbed to illness months before his ascension. Before he could remarry, the late Emperor passed away. 

Consequently, the palace currently lacked a proper mistress. The Emperor had appointed Consort Shu to act with an Empress’s authority over the six palaces. 

Consort Shu had been His Majesty’s secondary consort before his reign and had borne him the Eldest Prince, the only imperial son thus far, securing her unshakable position. 
—

Rank Setup: Empress, Imperial Noble Consort, Four Consorts (Gui, Shu, De, Xian), Consort, Pin, Zhaoyi, Jieyu, Meiren, Guiren, Baolin, Xuanshi.