Chapter 63
Gufeng had come from Funing Palace, where no one took advantage of the younger servants. Though he was Qi An’s apprentice, Qian He looked after him too. Whenever Gufeng didn’t know how to do something, whoever had a moment would teach him.
Things were much the same at Prince Wei’s residence. There was no senior eunuch in charge at the prince’s side, just Gufeng and Buyan.
When Gufeng took over the job of accompanying Prince Wei on his outings, he worried at first that Buyan would resent him. He needn’t have. Gufeng went out with the prince while Buyan stayed in the study to attend him. They got along perfectly well, and Buyan even offered advice on what to keep in mind when serving Prince Wei.
Naturally, Gufeng returned the favor. Whenever he came back, he told Buyan what had happened outside.
As they spent more time together, the two grew close. Gufeng learned that Buyan had once been uneasy about the situation, until Second Miss had pointed out that they had different duties and could each make the most of their strengths at the prince’s side. There was no need for them to compete.
Without either of them realizing it, Second Miss had already smoothed over a conflict before it could begin.
After that, like Buyan, Gufeng began to think of Second Miss as the second mistress of Prince Wei’s household.
He had thought they would go on serving together in harmony. But everything changed on the nineteenth, when Prince Wei entered the palace and brought Wen Song, who had served in Consort Yao’s household, over to take charge of his personal attendants.
It wasn’t that Wen Song was a bad man. He didn’t try to purge those he disliked or bully the junior eunuchs, as was so common among the palace’s senior attendants.
He was simply strict in everything he did. All matters had to be handled his way, and no one below him was allowed to question him. The slightest mistake brought severe punishment.
So everyone under him went about their duties on tenterhooks, afraid even to joke around.
Since Gufeng had come from Funing Palace and had been at Prince Wei’s side longer, Wen Song treated him somewhat more leniently. But when it came to serving the prince, he would no longer let Gufeng make decisions for himself. Everything had to be assigned by Wen Song.
Yesterday, Prince Wei became the emperor. Though His Majesty had said nothing outright, Wen Song was already acting as if he were the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household, intent on overseeing every matter concerning His Majesty’s attendants.
When Wen Song suggested that Second Miss leave the palace, Gufeng had been furious. But when Empress Dowager Chen and Second Miss herself made no objection, he assumed Wen Song had simply been gauging His Majesty’s wishes.
Now that His Majesty had asked how Second Miss was settling in at Funing Palace—and clearly had no idea she was leaving—Gufeng realized the suggestion had been Wen Song’s own.
How dare that old fool disregard Second Miss? Gufeng couldn’t stand for it. He’d had enough of swallowing his anger these past few days. If it came to it, he could always return to Funing Palace, or ask Buyan to go with him and serve Second Miss.
Gufeng was skilled at imitating people. Now he reproduced Wen Song’s expression and tone to perfection. “‘This young lady is the second daughter of the Cui family, is she not? The court ladies will be entering the palace to mourn. We mustn’t let anything disturb Second Miss. Perhaps you would consider…’”
He glanced from the corner of his eye and saw a chill enter His Majesty’s gaze. That told him he’d done the right thing. He continued, “‘Miss Li, who is staying at Fu’an Palace, is said to be leaving the palace tomorrow morning. This is precisely the moment to show consideration for His Majesty, and His Majesty doesn’t care to speak up…’ Second Miss is such a shy young woman. How could she bear to hear anyone say such things? Before Chief Eunuch Wen had even finished, she said she would leave first thing the next morning.”
At that, Gufeng dared to lift his head. Seeing frost gather in His Majesty’s eyes, he quickly lowered it again.
After a long while, the emperor gave a cold snort. “Since when did we have a Chief Eunuch Wen? Go fetch Qian He.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Gufeng lowered his head and withdrew. Once outside, he paid no mind to the people watching and sprinted straight for Funing Palace.
In the Western Chamber, His Majesty instructed Buyan, “Have Wen Song come see me.”
Wen Song had dared to show disrespect to Second Miss. Buyan was furious; even more impatient than Gufeng, he swept out of the Western Chamber like a gust of wind.
Wen Song was keeping watch in the main hall of Benyuan Palace. When he heard the emperor had summoned him, he didn’t dare delay and followed Buyan out.
All the while, he kept muttering, “How can there be no one reliable at His Majesty’s side? I have to worry about every little thing. I wanted to stay and attend to His Majesty—how am I supposed to get away now…”
When Buyan made no reply, Wen Song’s expression darkened. But they were already near the Western Chamber, so he composed himself, straightened his robes, and entered with a respectful bow.
“Your Majesty, you…”
“Do you know why I put you to use?”
The emperor had summoned him in such a hurry just to ask that? Wen Song was baffled, but the answer was easy enough. “It is because this servant once attended the late Consort with all his heart.” At that, his eyes reddened. “Before she passed, Her Ladyship told me to serve Your Majesty. Who could have known Empress Dowager Chen wouldn’t let a single one of us stay with you? All these years, with no word from Your Majesty, I was worried sick back in the palace at Yancheng… I’m grateful Your Majesty remembered me and called me back. I only wish I had three heads and six arms, so I could make up for all the years I wasn’t there to serve you…”
“It is because, in the past, you knew your place,” the emperor cut in evenly.
In the past, he had known his place. So now he didn’t?
The emperor had never spoken at such length in one go. Even when ministers came to report, he rarely said more than five words. Fortunately, Buyan was skilled at discerning the emperor’s intent and could explain it on his behalf; things had always gone smoothly.
But now the emperor had said such a long sentence to him. Wen Song fell to his knees in alarm. “Have I done something wrong, Your Majesty? Please point it out, and this servant will never dare do it again.”
“What should happen to someone who has no respect for rank?”
Wen Song’s back was already slick with sweat. It was far too grave an accusation for him to accept. “This servant has only ever had eyes and a heart for Your Majesty. I wouldn’t dare show the slightest disrespect.” After a moment, he added, “The late Fourth Granduncle of the Yao family once said I was loyal.”
“What about Yin?”
With the emperor firing one question after another, he was nothing like the emperor Wen Song had known these past few days. In a panic, Wen Song couldn’t for the life of him remember who “Yin” was. None of the Yao family’s young ladies had been given a name with that character.
Buyan could no longer stand it. This man had come to serve His Majesty and still didn’t know who Second Miss was. He prompted him, “Our Second Miss.”
Wen Song froze for a moment before making the connection. “Second Miss Cui?”
He had heard people mention Second Miss Cui, but only a few words; he hadn’t bothered listening after that. It was just those senseless sycophants making much of some fake cousin young lady.
Yesterday, when things had reached that point, Empress Dowager Chen had actually brought Second Miss Cui over. Wen Song had been truly incensed. Benyuan Hall was such an important place—how could just any woman be allowed to set foot inside?
Once he realized it was all for the sake of Second Miss Cui, Wen Song straightened his back.
“Your Majesty, I have a few words I must say. You can hardly allow just anyone to call you ‘Uncle’ as if you were their maternal relative. Yesterday, Second Miss Cui was far too presumptuous. She treated Benyuan Hall as though it were her own home, and Gufeng and the others showed no discipline at all, simply letting her order them about.
“Now that Your Majesty has brought her back to serve at your side, this old servant can see that there seems to be a rift between Your Majesty and the Yao family. I know Your Majesty still remembers how the Yao family returned to Suzhou on its own all those years ago. But if they had not done so, the Yao family would have suffered a crippling blow. And if the Yao family had fallen, who would have supported Your Majesty when you were still young? By the time Her Ladyship passed away, she had already come to understand this.
“Your Majesty, think about it. If the Yao family had not stood behind you, Empress Dowager Chen might never have chosen you.
“When the late emperor moved the court to Yingcheng, those of us without a master were all left behind in the palace at Yancheng. All these years, aside from Your Majesty, the Yao family has also sent money to the old servants who once served you and Her Ladyship.
“Your Majesty, if the Yao family could show such consideration to servants like us, how much more care and kindness must they hold for you?
“So many years have passed. It is time to let bygones be bygones. Your Majesty needs the Yao family now. You must not allow the Li family—or anyone else—to seize an opportunity, and you certainly should not raise up an outsider while neglecting your true kin.
“If Her Ladyship knew of this from beneath the earth, she surely would not wish to see matters reach such a pass.”
By the time he finished, Wen Song was weeping openly, his voice hoarse.
The sound of hurried footsteps forced him to stop. The door opened, and Gufeng ushered Qian He inside.
After Qian He paid his respects, the Emperor bade him rise.
“Yin should not have to call you ‘Uncle Qian’ for nothing. Go and fetch Yin first. Once you return and report to the Empress Dowager, come back here and take up the post of Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace.”
Qian He was so stunned that he thought he must be dreaming. He reached down and pinched his own thigh hard. Only after the pain made him grimace did he finally realize that this was real.
From the Emperor’s words, it seemed this appointment was because Second Miss Cui called him “Uncle Qian”—to spare her any embarrassment.
Qian He glanced at Wen Song, who was kneeling to one side with an expression of utter disbelief, and felt immensely vindicated. It was not that His Majesty had changed; that old bastard had simply been plotting against him.
His Majesty still cared deeply for Second Miss Cui and would not allow anyone to wrong her—not even an old servant from Consort Yao’s palace.
Thus, the post of Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, which had seemed certain to go to Wen Song, had fallen into Qian He’s hands instead. Even a man as easygoing as Qian He could not suppress his excitement.
This was the position of Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, the highest-ranking eunuch of them all. Every eunuch in the palace would have to obey him. It was a position he had never dared dream of, yet because he had benefited from Second Miss Cui’s favor, he had been given the chance to occupy it.
Now that he would be serving at the Emperor’s side, he could finally accomplish something. The spirit and vitality that had been suppressed for years returned to him all at once, and the resentment and frustration he had buried deep in his heart ever since becoming a eunuch could finally be laid to rest.
Qian He straightened up and performed another grand bow.
“Your Majesty, shall I go fetch Second Miss Cui now?”
The Emperor waved a hand.
Qian He bowed and withdrew. His many years in Funing Palace had not been wasted. He summoned an imposing air and began ordering the eunuchs to prepare a carriage. Not one of them dared disobey him. He already looked every bit the Chief Eunuch he was about to become.
Just as she was about to leave, she heard that old fool Wen Song wailing, “Keep petty men at a distance and draw near to the worthy, Your Majesty! You must not—if you wish to be a wise ruler…”
The Emperor gave a derisive laugh. “A wise ruler?”
When Cui Lanyin returned, the entire Cui household looked as though they had finally found something to hold on to.
The previous night, the Cui family’s first and second branches had come under successive attacks from two separate forces. The assault on the first branch had been particularly fierce. Without the guards from Prince Wei’s residence, the first branch of the Cui family might well have been wiped out.
There was no need to guess who was behind it: Prince Kang and the Xin family.
For these next two days, the princes, imperial consorts, members of the imperial clan, and senior ministers would keep vigil. Only after Emperor Xuanning’s coffin was sealed three days later would all officials in the capital and titled ladies of the fifth rank and above be required to enter the palace to pay their respects and mourn.
Cui Mian held an idle post and had no opportunity to enter the palace at present, so he knew nothing of what was happening there.
When Cui Lanyin told them that Prince Wei had taken that seat, both branches immediately began chanting prayers of thanks. Cui Mian and Lady Chang’s eyes shone with delight, as though the Cui family’s future had suddenly become boundless.
Taking the opportunity, Cui Lanyin spoke plainly. “Imperial favor is impossible to predict. From now on, everyone in this household must be careful with their words and actions. Trouble often comes from a careless tongue.”
Hearing the gravity in her voice, Cui Mian and Lady Chang’s smiles faded. They cautiously asked, “Did His Majesty say something?”
“His Majesty barely has enough time to handle affairs of state. How could he have time to speak with me?” Cui Lanyin replied. “But since our family has received His Majesty’s regard, we must all the more faithfully observe the proper conduct of subjects.”
Seeing that she would not elaborate, they guessed that now Prince Wei had become Emperor, he could no longer be as close to them as before. In time, since they were not related by blood to begin with, their connection would naturally grow distant.
The others took it well enough, but Cui Mian and Lady Chang were visibly dejected.
This was not even as good as when he had merely been Prince Wei. At least then, the benefits had been tangible.
Cui Lanyin sent the guards from Prince Wei’s residence back. Then she said to Buyu, “I’ll be returning to live with my family. As a palace eunuch, you cannot remain here. Once I have spoken to the Empress Dowager, you can go to Foning Palace.”
Buyu looked as if he were about to cry. “Second Miss, I won’t leave you. Speak to the Empress Dowager and ask her to obtain a special dispensation from His Majesty, so that I may remain and continue serving you.”
After being together for so long, how could Cui Lanyin bear to part with him? Yet eunuchs were not permitted to serve outside the imperial clan, and she did not wish to put Empress Dowager Chen in the awkward position of asking the Emperor for such a favor.
She could only take Buyu’s hand and try to persuade him gently. But ordinarily so easygoing, he had set his mind against it now and refused to leave no matter what she said.
Just as Cui Lanyin was at a loss, she heard a familiar voice speaking outside. To her surprise, Qian He had come.
Qian He was so familiar with the first branch of the Cui household that he no longer needed to be announced; he simply made his way to the rear courtyard himself.
Cui Lanyin went out to greet him. “Uncle Qian, what brings you here?” She studied him closely. “Has something good happened? You seem quite different today—especially refreshed and full of spirit.”
“Yin truly has sharp eyes.” Qian He laughed heartily. Then he bowed smoothly and said, “Yin, you are now my great benefactor. Because you call me ‘Uncle Qian,’ His Majesty has appointed me Chief Steward of the Imperial Household. I have come at His Majesty’s command to take you back.”
At first, Cui Lanyin could scarcely believe it. But after Qian He explained everything in detail, her thoughts fell into turmoil, a thousand tangled threads twisting together, and she did not know where to begin sorting them out.
Even in the midst of his countless affairs, the Emperor still remembered to inquire after her. When he learned that she had left the palace, he hurriedly sent Qian He to fetch her—and even promoted Qian He over Wen Song, making him chief steward.
So did the Emperor intend to continue acknowledging her as his cousin’s daughter, or was he thinking of that promise they had made a year ago?
She herself was in turmoil, and the two branches of the Cui family were not much better off. No one could make sense of what was happening before their eyes.
When Cui Lanyin had returned, she had spoken as she had; yet before long, His Majesty had sent someone to bring her back. It looked rather as though uncle and niece had had some sort of misunderstanding.
Qian He offered no further explanation. He merely smiled at Cui Sheng and Lady Jiang and said, “Third Master, Third Madam, please put your minds at ease and live your lives in peace. Both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are fond of Yin and cannot bear to be apart from her. From now on, she will likely be staying in the palace often. There is no need for the family to worry too much about her affairs; His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will decide everything for her.
“As for Brother Su, I see that he has already received an appointment and been given command of a troop. When he returns, the family should invite all the relatives to a celebratory feast.”
So close—there wasn’t enough time. Qiqi will have to see Yinyin tomorrow. I’ll fix the typos in a bit. [mischievous grin]
