Chapter 9: Baolin

In the early morning, a few faint stars still lingered in the sky as the horizon began to brighten with the first light of dawn. The golden tiles of the palace roofs reflected the sunlight, shining brilliantly even in the dim light.

Lu Shuyao’s whole body ached, and the memories of last night made her bite her lip involuntarily. When Ye Yancheng woke to change his clothes, she also stirred from sleep. With a hoarse voice, she called softly, “Your Majesty.”

Ye Yancheng stood by the rack near the dragon bed. After dressing, he glanced at her. She had cried the day before; her eyes were slightly swollen, appearing pitiful. A palace maid stepped forward to help her up, but Ye Yancheng waved her away. “You should rest,” he said, tidying his garments before leaving.

Watching his figure disappear behind the screen, Lu Shuyao dared not continue to sleep alone on the dragon bed. She hurriedly asked the maid to assist her in rising. After freshening up and dressing, she was escorted back to the Chuxiu Palace.

The palace was quiet at this hour. She stepped quickly into her room. Pei Lan had not slept well all night; upon hearing the movement, she immediately rose from her small couch. “Young Mistress!” she hurried to greet her. “You’ve returned!”

Lu Shuyao raised her elegant brows and looked at Pei Lan with her charming eyes. “Good Pei Lan, would you be so kind as to prepare an early meal? Your young mistress is nearly starving.”

Pei Lan smiled lightly and quickly fetched an outer robe. “Please wait, Young Mistress. I’ll go right away.”

After Pei Lan left, Lu Shuyao collapsed onto the bed, unable to compose herself. The events of last night had left her utterly weak, her thighs painfully sore.

Youth—how wonderful it was.

She sighed softly.

Pei Lan soon returned, her face radiant with a smile as she arranged the dishes. “When I went to fetch the meal, the staff in the imperial kitchen were so warm and welcoming. It was nothing like yesterday when they favored those few beauties with noble backgrounds first.”

“Did you endure that mistreatment yesterday? Why didn’t you tell me?” Lu Shuyao asked.

“What good would it do to tell you? It would only add to your worries,” Pei Lan answered with a smile. “But now the hardship is over, and I get to share in your good fortune.”

Back in the Lu household, the two often ate together at the same table. Even here in the palace, Lu Shuyao never treated her as an outsider. Whenever there was no one else around, she was accustomed to having Pei Lan eat with her.

Besides, in her past life, Pei Lan had suffered no beatings from Xie Liwen to help her. She truly regarded Pei Lan as family, as a friend.

“Sit down quickly.”

Pei Lan hesitated.

“Why?” Lu Shuyao put down her chopsticks and looked at her.

“Well, in the future, Young Mistress will be the Empress…”

Lu Shuyao stood and gently pressed Pei Lan’s shoulder, urging her to sit. “There’s no one else here. Besides, if I eat alone, I’d feel lonely.”

“And becoming an Empress isn’t so simple; only those ranked second grade or above are worthy of the title,” Pei Lan said.

Unable to resist, Pei Lan smiled and said, “Alright then.”

Lu Shuyao sat opposite her and glared playfully. “I think you’re just trying to get me to beg you!”

Pei Lan hurriedly picked up some lotus root that Lu Shuyao liked and placed it in her bowl. “Nonsense, aren’t you hungry? Eat more.”

As they ate the early meal, the sounds outside gradually grew livelier. People moved about near the door, seemingly gathering information.

“After you returned yesterday, many came to listen for news,” Pei Lan whispered. “Last night, just before I went to bed, there were still people outside the door.”

“Let them be,” Lu Shuyao said. “Right now, I only want to fill my stomach.”

She ate a bowl of minced meat porridge, then two pancakes wrapped around side dishes.

“Don’t eat too much even if you’re hungry; be careful not to upset your stomach,” Pei Lan warned.

Lu Shuyao paused her chopsticks. Pei Lan cleaned up the dishes and was about to leave for the imperial kitchen when a palace maid stopped her at the door.

“Sister Pei Lan, has Young Mistress finished her meal? Please give me the food box. We’ll have someone take it away shortly.” The maid had a round face and a friendly smile.

Pei Lan was momentarily stunned. Despite running back and forth three times yesterday, no one had reminded her of this. Now that her mistress had received favor, all sorts of sycophants had come forward.

Pei Lan handed over the food box. “What’s your name?”

“Jiaoyun.”

“Thank you.”

Jiaoyun whispered, “I just heard the decree for Young Mistress’s promotion is on its way. Sister, you might want to help Young Mistress prepare her hair and makeup so she looks proper.”

Pei Lan looked at her squarely. “You have quite the sources.”

Jiaoyun smiled, revealing two charming dimples. “I’m good with words and have been in the palace since childhood. I know quite a few people.”

“Very well. I’ll return first. If what you say is true, Young Mistress will certainly share her good fortune with you.”

“Yes, yes,” Jiaoyun replied.

Pei Lan went back and told Lu Shuyao what had happened.

Lu Shuyao said, “This maid is quite clever. If the decree really arrives, give her a reward.”

“If Young Mistress truly gains her rank, why not take her in to serve you as well?” Pei Lan suggested.

Lu Shuyao gently shook her head. This maid was sharp-tongued and well-connected; she would surely rise on her own. It felt odd to have one delivered to her door like this—it made her wary.

In her previous life, she had taken in two maids with hidden agendas: one became Xie Liwen’s concubine, the other a spy planted by his mistress. This time, it was better to let the Emperor arrange those around her. Even if there were traitors, the Emperor’s intervention would save her from trouble.

Just as she thought this, the decree arrived.

Lu Shuyao was promoted directly from a palace maiden to Baolin, a sixth-rank official. Alongside her was Shen Rushuang, ranked one grade lower at seventh rank, a palace maid. Though lower in rank, Shen was the only favored one among the ungraced palace maids.

Both could move out of Chuxiu Palace to their granted residences.

Lu Shuyao had little to pack. After a moment’s tidying, Pei Lan finished preparing.

The Emperor had granted her a beautiful residence, named Yuyáo Palace, beginning with “Yu” just like the Jade Tranquil Courtyard where she had lived in the Lu household, and connected to her own name.

“Lu Xiao—ah, pardon my slip!” The little eunuch leading the way playfully slapped his own cheeks. “Lu Baolin, ahead is Yuyáo Palace.”

“Where does Shen Palace Maid live?”

“Shen Palace Maid’s residence is only half a lake away. It’s a short walk if you go around.”

Lu Shuyao nodded. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Xile. You may call me Little Xi.”

The little eunuch looked up at his new mistress with cautious anticipation. “Yuyáo Palace is here, Mistress.”

A few maids and eunuchs waited at the palace gate. Lu Shuyao walked in gracefully.

“Welcome, Mistress,” they said.

“Everyone, rise,” Lu Shuyao called to Pei Lan.

Pei Lan distributed the reward money she held.

“You’re all now part of Yuyáo Palace. Serve well, and you won’t be forgotten in rewards,” Pei Lan said.

The maids and eunuchs knelt gratefully in thanks.