Chapter 6 – Before Attending the Emperor’s Bed

After Yu Ying climbed out the window, she regretted it immediately.

But it was already too late.

What was done was done, and no matter how she tried to make up for it, it couldn’t be undone. With anxiety churning in her chest, Yu Ying could only return to her own western side hall.

Yu Ying was a timid person.

Having transmigrated here for three years, she had already given up hope of ever going back to the modern world. All she wanted was to hole up in this little western hall, to be a turtle hiding in its shell, and keep far away from everything in the harem.

She didn’t want to fight for anything, nor did she have the ability to change anything.

She was truly cowardly.

But she forgot that in this era, where imperial power reigned supreme, there was nowhere she could hide, no retreat she could make.

Today, she might have managed to avoid being seen, but she couldn’t hide forever.

After thinking it through, Yu Ying wiped her tears, hurried out the door.

She only hoped she was still in time. That the Kangxi Emperor hadn’t seen her disrespectful act of climbing out the window, that he hadn’t taken it out on others.

In her heart, Yu Ying prayed.

Besides—this was the Kangxi Emperor! Who wouldn’t want to see him alive in person? How had she lost her mind and run away? If she ever got the chance to go back to the modern world, she’d be able to brag for the rest of her life that she’d met the real Kangxi Emperor.

At this thought, Yu Ying felt her fear lessen somewhat.

At worst, she’d just die. She’d already died once before, so what was there to be afraid of? She silently tried to bolster her courage.

“My lady—my lady…”

Yu Ying bumped right into Qingtiao, who was searching for her.

“Qingtiao? Why have you come back? Has the Emperor left? Nothing serious happened, has it?” Yu Ying asked in surprise.

“Oh, my lady, you don’t know. After His Majesty went in, he didn’t say a word—he just turned around and left again. Lady Concubine An and Consort Zhangjia were both terrified. By now, His Majesty is probably already back in Qianqing Palace. Lady Concubine An is still angry and has sent me to bring you to the main hall,” Qingtiao said as she came forward to steady Yu Ying. “My lady, you really shouldn’t have done this today.”

The more Yu Ying listened, the more panic she felt. The little shred of courage that had just sprouted in her heart collapsed in an instant.

Perhaps seeing her mistress’s fear, Qingtiao quickly added, “My lady, don’t be scared. Since His Majesty didn’t issue a punishment right away, maybe it’s because Consort Zhangjia is pregnant with the imperial heir, and he let us off this time. Let’s hurry to see Lady Concubine An first. We still have her—she’ll know what to do!”

So it was that, listening to Qingtiao’s chatter all the way, Yu Ying’s pounding heart finally settled—if only barely.

When they reached the main hall doors, Yu Ying took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Following proper etiquette, she respectfully bowed to Lady Concubine An, who was seated in the place of honor.

But Lady Concubine An didn’t tell her to rise.

For a moment, the hall was utterly silent.

Yu Ying knew very well she had been in the wrong today. No matter what punishment she received, it would be deserved, so she didn’t dare move, remaining properly bowed.

Lady Concubine An looked down at the figure kneeling below, her expression unreadable. She picked up her teacup, sipped, and finally spoke unhurriedly:

“Wei, do you realize that today, His Majesty and I heard everything you said from outside the door?”

Yu Ying’s heart gave a jolt. The little strength she had forced herself to muster drained away, and she sank down to her knees.

Lady Concubine An did not reprimand her for this lapse in courtesy, and simply went on:

“That is the crime of deceiving the Emperor. It is punishable by beheading. If that time comes, not even I will be able to save you.”

Seeing the terror on Yu Ying’s face, she finally set down her teacup, stepped forward, and personally helped her up.

“Enough. Since His Majesty didn’t punish you immediately, it means this matter hasn’t reached the worst possible outcome. Tonight, I will have the imperial physician summoned to examine you. You must ensure this illness of yours is beyond doubt. Do you understand?”

Yu Ying felt as if a mountain was pressing down on her chest. She nodded.

“I… I understand.”

“As long as you understand. You may go.”

With Qingtiao’s support, Yu Ying forced herself back to the western side hall. Then she sat numbly on her bed, staring into space.

Qingtiao stood nearby, looking at her anxiously. Who knew how much time passed before she finally spoke, hesitant:

“My lady… tonight, we…”

“Fetch a bucket of cold water and leave it in the courtyard,” Yu Ying ordered quietly.

Realizing her mistress’s intention, Qingtiao became frantic.

“My lady, you mustn’t! Your health is already so weak—and this late autumn chill cuts to the bone. If you pour cold water over yourself, how could you possibly survive it?”

Yu Ying looked at Qingtiao’s worried face.

“You’ve suffered, staying with me.”

Over the past three years, everyone else had found ways to leave this little western hall. Among the maids who had once served her closely, Qingli had been the first to go.

How laughable—she was still technically an Attendant, but she only had this one Qingtiao left who was truly of any use.

“Qingtiao… today, it was my foolishness. I must bear the consequences myself. Just hurry and be quick about it.”

In the end, Qingtiao still went out.

Yu Ying sat on the carved canopy bed, gazing through the window at the darkening sky.

Trapped in this palace, she thought, even watching a sunset in peace was a luxury.

She shook her head. Lately, her thoughts were always drifting to useless things. Perhaps her state of mind had gone wrong.

She didn’t know when Qingtiao would return.

It was already past supper. Tonight, she’d go hungry again.

As an unfavored Attendant, the Imperial Kitchens naturally did not treat her generously. If she missed the mealtime, no one would bother to set aside any food.

While Yu Ying was lost in her thoughts, in the main hall of Changchun Palace—

“My lady—someone has arrived from the Office of Ceremonial Duties,” Nianxue reported to Lady Concubine An. “They’re waiting at the door.”

“Let them in.”

“Yes.”

Several young eunuchs entered, bowed deeply.

“Greetings and blessings to Lady Concubine An! Today, Changchun Palace has been graced with great fortune—His Majesty has summoned Attendant Wei to attend him tonight. May we ask where Attendant Wei resides? Please, my lady, show us the way.”

“Oh?” Lady Concubine An raised her brows, startled, then casually gestured to a maid to guide them.

“What is His Majesty’s meaning in this?” she murmured to herself.

“My lady… does this mean His Majesty bears no resentment?” Nianxue stepped forward, asking cautiously.

Lady Concubine An shook her head.

“No matter what it means, Wei has certainly turned misfortune into fortune today. I don’t hope she will enjoy endless favor—only that she will grow some sense and not anger His Majesty again.”

But then she thought of Wei’s face and felt perhaps there wasn’t much to worry about after all.

The news that the Emperor had summoned Attendant Wei from Changchun Palace to his bed—

Before the eunuchs from the Office of Ceremonial Duties had even left Changchun Palace, the word had already spread through the harem.

Changchun Palace—what kind of place was it? Practically no different from a Cold Palace.

If not for Consort Zhangjia carrying the imperial heir, none of the other concubines would have spared it a second thought.

What strange wind was blowing today? The Emperor had personally visited Changchun Palace, then, as if that weren’t enough, had summoned someone from there to share his bed that very night?

Everyone was speculating what secret schemes Lady Concubine An was plotting.

And for the moment, no one was paying any attention to the Attendant Wei who was about to serve the Emperor.