Chapter 20: I Must Not Lose.

Unlike her usual simple and elegant makeup, the Empress of the Niohuru clan was exceptionally glamorous today. Her head was adorned with over three hundred luxurious pearls and a golden headdress. Around her neck hung a bright yellow Eastern pearl necklace with a fir motif. She wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with eight groups of multicolored cloud-patterned golden dragons—a majestic and solemn representation of royal dignity.

As soon as she entered the hall, she became the center of everyone’s attention.

The Empress walked straight to the highest seat and took her place. “Sisters, you may rise.”

The concubines responded with smiles.

The Empress looked around the hall and then ordered the palace maids to bring soft stools, tea, and pastries for the Noble Ladies, First Class Attendants, and Second Class Attendants as well. “Today is New Year’s Eve. Everyone should relax and enjoy themselves. Let’s have a joyful New Year.”

She said that, but—

After Wan Anran took a sip of tea and quickly grabbed two pastries to try, it was already time to head to Cining Palace.

This was also Wan Anran’s first time meeting both Dowager Empresses.

Compared to the smiling Empress Dowager, the Grand Empress Dowager exuded awe and solemnity. With just a glance, the surrounding concubines instinctively lowered their heads and placed their hands properly in front of them—each one respectful and obedient.

Only Wan Anran’s reaction was half a beat slower.

She froze for a moment, then quickly lowered her head as well, her eyes fixed on her feet, unaware that her figure had already caught the attention of the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Empress led the concubines in paying their respects.

She curtsied and said, “This consort greets Grandmother Empress and Mother Empress.”

Following her were the Noble Consort and the other concubines, offering their respects:
“This consort / concubine / servant greets the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.”

Just from the forms of address, one could tell who was close and who was distant.

As expected, the rest of the time in Cining Palace was taken up by conversation between the Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress. As for everyone else—including the Noble Consort—they treated themselves like wallflowers, lips tightly sealed.

Only after the Empress’s conversation drew to a close did the Grand Empress Dowager casually ask a question to Noble Consort Tong, then said a few words to Consort Xuan… Judging by the order and timing, the next stop should be the Palace of Heavenly Purity… right?

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, the Grand Empress Dowager suddenly spoke again, “Which one is the First Class Attendant Wan?”

Wan Anran’s heart gave a sudden jolt.

She forced herself to step forward, silently crying inside—Wan Anran didn’t want to be the one sticking out.

But now it wasn’t up to her.

Under the intense gaze that made her spine ache, Wan Anran performed a curtsey and said, “This servant is present.”

The Grand Empress Dowager said again, “Lift your head and let me have a look.”

Wan Anran raised her face slightly. Thanks to eating and resting well lately, and with just the right amount of makeup, there wasn’t a trace of illness on her face—on the contrary, she looked vibrant and full of spirit. The Grand Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction. “You are a blessed one. A reward.”

With that, her gaze shifted to Consort Xuan, her expression softening slightly. “Consort Xuan has looked after First Class Attendant Wan very well. You shall be rewarded too.”

Noble Consort Tong lowered her head and maintained a composed expression, saying nothing.

The more the Grand Empress Dowager praised Consort Xuan, the more she distanced herself from others, highlighting her dissatisfaction with Noble Consort Tong. She let out a quiet sigh and felt no festive joy—only mounting frustration.

As she suspected…

Noble Consort Tong’s gaze fell pensively on First Class Attendant Wan. Wan Anran trembled slightly and tiptoed back to her original spot, her heart that had been hanging in the air finally settling down again.

This New Year’s Eve was truly difficult.

Looking around at the vacant stares and forced smiles of the concubines, Wan Anran felt troubled—and the upcoming family banquet in the Palace of Heavenly Purity confirmed her concerns.

Her former anticipation now lay shattered on the ground like broken glass.

Good food and drinks? A show to enjoy? That was all a fantasy.

Sure, the food was abundant.

The banquet dishes were dazzling in variety, and countless items exceeding daily quotas were brought in endlessly—but the problem was that most of them had been prepared in the morning and kept warm in steamers all day. The meats had become so mushy they resembled paste. The vegetables, though freshly stir-fried, were cold by the time they reached Wan Anran’s table.

And that wasn’t the worst of it.

When the music first started playing, Wan Anran didn’t even realize it was the opening cue. Later, she found out there was music for everything—the Emperor’s entrance, the Empress leading the consorts in greeting, even the serving of dishes…

Forget savoring the food, chatting, or enjoying performances—in the end, Wan Anran could only think of three words: This is torture!

And it still wasn’t the most exasperating part.

What bothered her most was that it was called a “family banquet,” yet the rules were endless. When the Emperor entered, all the concubines had to stand and curtsey. When he sat, another curtsey. When he stood again, curtsey again. When he raised a glass—yes, curtsey again…

Good heavens! By the end of the banquet, Wan Anran felt like she had completed a full workout of squats. Her thighs were sore, and the constant tension left her utterly exhausted. She was nodding off like a pecking chick, struggling to stay awake.

Back at Xianfu Palace, she collapsed onto the bed like a salted fish and didn’t move.

And it was only New Year’s Eve!

Wan Anran murmured weakly, “How many more days… do I have to endure this kind of life?”

The three palace maids froze simultaneously.

Then Haitao covered her mouth and laughed lightly. “My Lady, we’re only just getting started! Today is just the beginning. The real show starts tomorrow!”

Wan Anran: …………

Seeing their mistress’s pained expression, Zisu quickly comforted her. “My Lady, why don’t we take a hot bath? Juhua and I have already prepared the water. After the bath, I’ll give you a massage—it’ll make you feel so relaxed you won’t even feel tired.”

“Zisu, you know how to give massages?”

“Yes, My Lady. The consort I served before was older and often had headaches and body aches, so I learned massage techniques to help her.” Zisu explained gently.

A look of anticipation appeared on Wan Anran’s face.

The mistress and her three maids entered the bathing chamber. Haitao gently took down her hair, first lathering fragrant soap into a fine foam, then carefully working it through Wan Anran’s hair. Once every strand was covered in foam, Zisu scooped warm water and slowly poured it over, rinsing away the bubbles bit by bit.

Just washing her hair took more than a whole cup of tea’s time.

Meanwhile, Juhua took the chance to fill the bath with hot water. Zisu wanted to wrap Wan Anran’s hair in cloth and guide her into the tub, but it was uncomfortable and inconvenient that way.

Wan Anran shook her head, grabbed a long towel, and quickly twisted her hair up tightly, wrapping it and securing it atop her head.

Zisu looked heartbroken. “My Lady, be careful with your hair!”

Wan Anran had long, black, glossy hair, and even through months of illness, it hadn’t lost its shine. Haitao, Zisu, and Juhua often praised and took great care of it, treating it gently for fear of pulling out even a strand.

How could Wan Anran be so rough?

While the three maids’ eyes were filled with concern, Wan Anran didn’t mind at all. She stepped straight toward the steaming bath.

She shed her outer robe and lifted a leg into the water. At first, it felt a little hot, but then came the warmth. Soon, the fatigue in her expression began to melt away in the heat, and a faint flush appeared on her cheeks.

Wan Anran rested her arms on the edge of the tub, chin propped up as she stared blankly into space. Zisu and Jubai quickly unwrapped the towel from her hair and began carefully combing through her long locks with a brush coated in fragrant hair oil. Just maintaining her hair alone would take almost half an hour.

There were no hair dryers in this era.

By the time they were done combing, Jubai was already waiting with a thick towel. Drying hair wasn’t as simple as it sounded—it took a coordinated effort among the three of them. First, they gently draped a dry towel over her hair to absorb the excess water, then painstakingly dried it bit by bit. The three maids moved in and out, bustling around her, and no one knew how much time had passed before everything was finally in order.

As for Wan Anran, she was already half-asleep.

The water gradually cooled, and at Haitao’s gentle reminder, she rose from the bath. Zisu and Jubai stepped forward with thick towels. Just like drying her hair, drying her body required swift movements to keep her from getting chilled, but also had to be gentle enough not to bruise or jostle her.

Thinking back to how awkward she’d felt during her first bath after waking up, and now how calmly she could stand there as palace maids wiped away droplets and helped her into her nightwear…

She used to find palace banquets excessively complicated, but now, watching herself enjoy every moment of being pampered, and glancing at the three maids who hadn’t stopped moving for a single breath, she couldn’t help but feel a swirl of emotions.

At least she had transmigrated into someone with status.

What if she had become a palace maid instead? Wan Anran’s thoughts wandered as she put on her cotton nightclothes—though palace regulations called for silk sleepwear for its smooth and soft feel, Haitao had tailored this cotton set especially for her, knowing her preference.

If she weren’t a mistress of status, she wouldn’t even be able to choose her own clothes. Wan Anran felt like she’d been thoroughly corrupted by the sweet poison of this era’s luxuries.

Back in her bedchamber, she lay down on the bed.

Zisu began massaging her shoulders. Her hands were firm yet gentle, and Wan Anran, lying face down, soon began to doze off. As sleep crept in, she fought to stay awake and asked tentatively, “You three… do you think serving me is… alright?”

Zisu’s fingers paused slightly.

Jubai was stunned, but Haitao instantly knelt on the floor. “Why would you say such a thing, my lady? If we’ve done anything wrong, please tell us…”

“You’ve done nothing wrong. It’s just that I…”

Wan Anran let out a sigh. “It’s just that I, your mistress, have no great ambitions, nor am I particularly kind-tempered…”

“My lady, you are the best mistress in the world!”

“My lady, are you thinking of sending us away?” Jubai looked like she was about to cry.

The three maids looked up at her like puppies.

Wan Anran felt a mountain of pressure and shook her head vigorously. “How could I ever part with you?”

After she patiently explained her inner thoughts, the three maids were stunned.

They exchanged glances.

Zisu, the eldest and longest-serving among them, was the first to speak. “My lady, to us, there is no better place to serve than here.”

Before Wan Anran could ask why, Zisu lowered her gaze and added, “I used to serve one of the Dowager Consorts.”

Unlike favored consorts who still received gifts and attention, Dowager Consorts without children were the most easily neglected.

A hot dish was food; a cold dish was also food. Fresh charcoal was heat; damp, old charcoal was still heat. Vibrant silk was clothing; faded or unevenly dyed fabric was also clothing…

With so many people in the palace and so many supplies, the leftovers and rejects often ended up with these childless Dowagers.

What could these neglected Dowagers do?

In the rigidly hierarchical Forbidden City, they often took their frustration out on the servants. The servants’ food and supplies were all accounted under their mistress’s quota. If the mistress wanted to make life hard, she certainly could—let alone what it was like during night shifts.

Even if one lasted until the Dowager passed away, maids who had served such women were considered unlucky, making it hard to find a better posting. Most were eventually relegated to the laundry bureau or made to clean unused wings of the palace.

As soon as Zisu finished speaking, Jubai added softly, “I have no parents left. My elder brother and his wife already struggle to raise my younger siblings—they can barely support themselves, let alone send anything to help me in the palace.”

Zisu and Jubai exchanged a glance.

Both knelt and kowtowed to Wan Anran. “My lady, meeting you has been a blessing beyond measure for us.”

That was a bit too dramatic.

Wan Anran quickly sat up to help them up. “I just… feel like I’m too high-maintenance.”

“My lady, don’t say such things.”

“How could you say that about yourself?”

“You’re kind and gentle—the best, best, best mistress!”

All three protested in unison.

Their faces were flushed red with emotion, looking even more worked up than Wan Anran. Jubai chimed in quickly, “The work we do is nothing compared to others in the palace who have it even harder—like Noble Lady Wuyiya!”

Hmm?

Wan Anran and Haitao both turned to look at Jubai.

Jubai hadn’t gone to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility and didn’t know about Wan Anran’s clash with Noble Lady Wuyiya, but seeing her lady interested, she eagerly shared everything she knew. “I overheard the older maids talking—apparently Noble Lady Wuyiya uses four or five different palace-made skincare formulas daily for her face, and the massages alone take an hour!”

Wan Anran was dumbfounded.

She could barely be bothered to use one kind of skincare cream, and Noble Lady Wuyiya used four or five? As much as she disliked that woman, she couldn’t help but admire her dedication—something she definitely couldn’t match.

Just then, Haitao’s voice chimed in cheerfully by her ear, “Mistress, we can’t let Noble Lady Wuyiya outdo us! I’ll go fetch the Jade Beauty Powder for your facial massage right away!”