On September 22nd, a large contingent of people from the palace, including ministers in charge of ceremonies, eunuchs, and palace maids, came in a grand procession with ceremonial paraphernalia to welcome me and Sophia into the palace. Although it was only the entry of court ladies into the palace, the pomp was extremely extravagant. Moreover, two young mistresses were sent off from one family. Officials and civilians from dozens of streets flocked to watch the excitement.
With tears in my eyes, I bid farewell to my parents, brothers, and sisters and entered the palace by sedan chair. When I sat in the sedan chair, the sounds of firecrackers and music were deafening. I could still vaguely hear my mother and sisters' faint crying.
Lucy and Alice entered the palace with me. They were both my personal maids who had served me since I was young. Lucy is quick-witted and decisive, with the talent to adapt to changes; Alice is meticulous and gentle. The two of them are my right-hand men. In the days to come in the palace, I will need their support to take care of me. In the palace, if the people around you are not reliable, it is like living on the edge of a cliff, always in danger of being shattered.
As soon as the auspicious time arrived, under the guidance of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, I got off the sedan chair with the help of a palace maid's hand. The sedan chair stopped outside Zhenshun Gate. Since I am only a side concubine and not the main queen, I can only enter through the side gate.
As soon as I got off the sedan chair, I saw Claire and Sophia. My worried heart was immediately comforted a lot. At this moment, I saw a sedan chair land. A woman in luxurious attire got off with the help of a maid's hand. Immediately, an eunuch came forward and respectfully led her: "Lady Erica has arrived."
The woman nodded haughtily. When she turned her face, it was Erica who had had a dispute with Sophia that day. Sophia and I looked at each other and couldn't help changing our expressions. When Erica saw the three of us, her face also turned cold. Looking at Sophia, she said, "You can actually enter the palace? But you're just a lowly attendant, right?"
I was neither humble nor arrogant and stood in front of Sophia to protect her: "Congratulations, Miss Erica, on being selected as a court lady. Sophia is also a selected attendant."
Erica laughed mockingly: "So you can also be a selected attendant. If the king doesn't choose you, you won't even have a chance to serve in front of him. Look at your petty appearance. I'm afraid you don't deserve it."
Sophia was uneasy: "Miss Erica... I..."
Erica waved her hand neatly and straightened the sprinkled gold ruby bead flower on her hair bun: "Don't! I can't bear your address of 'Miss'. I was selected as a palace concubine praised by the king himself. I'm afraid I'll be tainted by your poverty."
Sophia had to bend her knees and give a curtsy: "Lady Erica, may you be well."
Erica was proud: "This is being proper." She glanced at me and Claire. "It turns out that you two are also lucky to be able to step into this Palace of Versailles."
Claire frowned slightly but still had a smile on her face. She took my hand affectionately and said: "Lady Snow, go back to your palace earlier. I'll come to see you later."
I understood and said, "First, I bid farewell to Lady Claire."
Claire smiled at Sophia and left before me without caring about Erica's ugly expression.
I said goodbye to Sophia. I felt even more dependent on each other and had a sense of stability. Looking out, the weather was very good that day, better than on the day of my selection. The sky was a clear blue without a cloud in sight. The sunlight in the autumn morning had a warm meaning and was as bright as gold.
Looking at the harem of the Palace of Versailles from outside Zhenshun Gate, there were all upturned eaves. The glazed tiles in golden and green colors shone like dazzling golden waves in the sunlight, so bright that people couldn't open their eyes. It was a scene of prosperity and luxury in a flourishing age.
I thought silently in my heart: This is the place where I will live from now on. I couldn't help looking up at the sky. A flock of wild geese flying south screeched as they flew across the blue sky like water.
There were already eunuchs in dark red robes waiting outside Zhenshun Gate. Under the escort of the imperial guards and the imperial forest guards, they led me and several young mistresses to their respective residences. After entering Zhenshun Gate, crossing the imperial street and turning west from the passageway, the tall vermilion palace walls on both sides were like red dragons stretching endlessly. Among them, there were palaces and halls of various sizes scattered Disordered, continuous without end. After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, we stopped in front of a palace. On the plaque of the palace were three large characters in vermilion gold: Lintang Palace.
Lintang Palace is a small palace in the harem. It is located in the southwest corner of the Shanglin Garden. It is quite secluded. It is a two-entry courtyard. Entering through the gate and passing a spacious courtyard is the main hall, Yingxin Hall. Behind Yingxin Hall is a small garden. On both sides are the east and west side halls. To the south is Yinlü Pavilion, where concubines stay to escape the summer heat. The front corridors of the main hall and the two side halls are connected to the back corridor of Yinlü Pavilion, forming a quadrangle. In front of Yingxin Hall are two huge crabapple trees. Although it is not the flowering season in spring, the green leaves after being exposed to the wind and dew are also pleasing. A row of osmanthus trees were newly transplanted in front of the corridor in the courtyard. They are all newly offered Yuzhou osmanthus flowers planted in huge vats. The flowers are in full bloom, clustered among the leaves, fragrant and pleasant. Just smelling it from a distance makes people intoxicated and relaxed. The back garden of the main hall is planted with pear trees all over. Now it is autumn. In spring, the flowers are like snow and the fragrance is pleasant. It is a rare beautiful sight. No wonder it is called "Lintang Palace". It is truly a wonderful place.
I stood silently in the courtyard for a moment, glanced at the eunuchs and palace maids kneeling neatly on both sides, nodded slightly, and casually asked: "These crabapple trees are so big. Why don't they bear fruit?"
The leading eunuch came up with a smile and said: "Young mistress doesn't know. These crabapple trees originally bloomed, but there was no movement in previous years. Perhaps they are waiting for the young mistress to come before blooming to celebrate."
This person is really good at speaking. I then asked: "Newly transplanted osmanthus?"
The palace maid supporting me replied respectfully: "The queen ordered that when new noble people enter the palace, more osmanthus trees should be planted in the palace where they live to show that new nobles have entered and bring good fortune to the inner palace."
I thought to myself that good fortune is good, but the queen's doing this is a bit too grand. It seems like she is deliberately showing off something. But on the surface, I remained expressionless and let them carefully support me into the main hall and sit down.
In the main room of Yingxin Hall, facing it was a platform. In front of the rosewood carved flower crabapple embroidery screen, there were a dragon throne, incense stands, palace fans, and incense pavilions. Hanging above was the plaque "Glory and Well-being" inscribed by Emperor Henry IV. This is the place where formal receptions are held when the king comes.
I sat down in the main room. Lucy and Alice stood on both sides. Two little palace maids presented tea. Andre, the chief eunuch of Lintang Palace, and Vivian, the chief palace maid, entered the west main room and kowtowed to me to pay respects, saying: "Your servant Andre, the chief eunuch of Lintang Palace and a seventh-rank executive attendant, pays respects to Lady Snow. May Lady Snow be auspicious and happy." "Your servant Vivian, the chief palace maid of Lintang Palace and a seventh-rank compliant person, pays respects to Lady Snow. May Lady Snow be auspicious and happy."
I took a look at the two of them. Andre was in his early thirties. At first glance, he was a shrewd person. His eyes were constantly rolling. Vivian was around thirty. She had an oval face, fair skin, and bright black eyes full of spirit. She was very stable and sincere. I liked her at first sight.
After they had paid their respects, they led the other four eunuchs and six palace maids who served under me to kowtow to me officially and introduced themselves one by one. I slowly sipped Ceylon black tea and looked at the carved flower and flying cover of rosewood on top, remaining silent.
I know that in front of servants, silence is often a very effective deterrent. Sure enough, they lowered their eyebrows and hung their heads, not daring to make a sound. The entire Yingxin Hall was so quiet that even the sound of a needle dropping on the ground could be heard.
After taking two sips of tea, I said with a smile and ordered them to stand up.
I closed the celadon covered bowl and, without looking at them, slowly said to them: "From now on, you are my people. Being clever is naturally very good when serving under me. However..." I looked up and coldly glanced around and said, "For servants, the most important thing is loyalty. If one's heart is not on one's master but is thinking about other crooked ways, this head will not be stable for long! Of course, if you are loyal and unwavering, I will naturally treat you well."
The expressions of the people on the ground suddenly became solemn. They said, "We servants will never do anything to sorry young mistress. We will surely serve young mistress loyally."
I smiled satisfactorily and said "reward". Lucy and Alice took out the prepared silver and distributed it. The eunuchs and palace maids in the room thanked me in unison.
It is still unknown whether this combination of kindness and authority will be effective, but for now, it has subdued them. I know that in the future, if I want to manage them to serve me obediently and handle affairs honestly, I have to control them. I cannot be a weak and incompetent master who is deceived and cheated by servants.
Vivian came forward and said: "Young mistress must be tired today. Please follow me to rest first."
I asked in confusion: "Don't you lead me to pay respects to the main person in this palace?"
Vivian replied: "Young mistress doesn't know. Lintang Palace was formerly occupied by Lady Isabella. Later, Lady Isabella left. There is currently no main person in the palace. Now the noble person has the highest status."
I was just about to ask who else lived in the palace. Vivian was very clever and knew what I was thinking. She replied: "In addition, Lady Alice lives in the east side hall. She entered the palace four days ago. Lady Betty lives in the west side hall. She has been in the palace for three years. She will come to pay respects to the noble young mistress later."
I said with a smile, "I know."
Behind the rosewood carved green bamboo and bat glass gauze cabinet and the rosewood carved twin lotus glass gauze cabinet on both sides of Yingxin Hall are the east and west warm chambers respectively. The east warm chamber is where the king rests when he comes. The west warm chamber is where I usually rest. The sleeping chamber is in the back hall of Yingxin Hall.
Vivian supported me and entered the back hall. The back hall is divided into the main and secondary rooms by a large glass partition framed with withWanfu carvings of rosewood. It is arranged very elegantly.
I asked Vivian amiably: "Where is Vivian, the compliant person, from? How long have you been serving in the palace?"
She looked panicked and immediately knelt down and said: "Your servant dare not. Young mistress can just call your servant by my humble name."
I reached out to help her up and said with a smile, "Why be so panicked. I have always been used to being unrestrained. Although we are master and servant in name, you are older than me and have experienced more things. I respect you very much in my heart. Stand up and speak."
Only then did she stand up, full of gratitude. She respectfully replied: "What young mistress said really flatters your servant. Your servant is from Paris. I entered the palace to serve since I was young. Previously, I served Empress Dowager Anne. Because I am not too clumsy in doing things, I was assigned here."
My smile became even stronger, and my tone was gentle: "You have served the empress dowager. You must be a reliable and sensible person. I am completely at ease with you serving me. In the future, the palace chores will be taken care of by you and Father Andre."
Her face turned slightly red, and she said earnestly: "It is my blessing to serve young mistress. I will surely do my best."
I turned and called Alice and said, "Bring a pair of gold bracelets to reward Vivian, the compliant person." I also instructed Alice to take a gold ingot and give it to Andre as an extra reward.
Andre came in, overwhelmed with gratitude. He and Vivian respectfully thanked me, served me to rest, and then went to take care of palace chores.
After just taking a nap, I still felt a bit lazy. Vivian led the palace maids Lily, Lucy, Emma, and Anne to help me get dressed and get up. The four of them are all quite young. Lily and Lucy are about fourteen or fifteen. Emma and Anne are older, eighteen. They are learning rules and serving their master under Vivian. They also look very clever.
As soon as I was dressed, the eunuch Xiaoyinzi reported outside that Lady Betty and Lady Alice had come to see me.
Lady Betty is tall and slender and very beautiful. Especially her nose is very beautiful. But there is some loneliness in her expression between her eyebrows. Presumably, her days in the palace have not been easy. However, she is very polite to me. In fact, there is even a hint of ingratiation. Lady Alice is still young, only thirteen years old. She is petite and innocent, with childishness still on her face. We greeted each other very politely, sat down and had tea.
Although Lady Betty is of lower status than me, she is older than me after all and entered the palace earlier. I was very courteous to her and kept calling her "Sister Betty". I also asked someone to bring some pastries and eat them together. Lady Alice is young and has just entered the palace. She is still timid. So I asked someone to change her milk tea to fresh milk tea and gave her more sweets with good looks like sugar packets, sugar cakes, fried fritters, su'er prints, and hibiscus cakes. Sure enough, she was very happy. After a while, she had already affectionately called me "Sister Snow".
I really liked her. Thinking of Sophia and Eve at home, I felt very close. When they got up to leave, I specially asked Lily to take a packet of pastries for her.
Watching them return to their respective sleeping chambers, I said faintly to Vivian, "Lady Betty is indeed very beautiful." She was slightly stunned and immediately reacted. She quickly glanced around. Seeing that there was no one around, she came close to me and said, "Lady Amanda is extremely beautiful and talented. She is favored by the king and is the most prominent in the harem." I secretly praised her for being cautious. Although this sentence seemed to be irrelevant, I already understood that Lady Betty was indeed no longer favored.
No wonder the look in her eyes when she looked at me just now was rather strange, with jealousy mixed with expectation, and her tone was very humble. Most likely, she hopes that after I am favored, with the convenience of living in the same palace with me, she can share some of the king's favor. I shook my head slightly. I only felt sorry for her and didn't want to think about her anymore.
I was actually thinking about the former owner of Lintang Palace, so I asked, "The former Lady Isabella..."
Vivian looked down at the ground and said in an extremely soft voice: "Lady Isabella was unfortunate. She had a miscarriage for no reason and offended Lady Amanda. So she went to the cold palace."
I was shocked and didn't dare to ask any more.
I had dinner alone. Seeing Vivian leading Lucy and Alice standing by with their hands down. Although there were a group of palace maids and eunuchs standing outside, there was not a sound. Not even a heavier breathing sound could be heard. I secretly thought that the palace rules were strict and not comparable to ordinary places.
After finishing the meal, a little palace maid brought tea on a black lacquer tea tray. According to palace rules, the first cup of tea served after a meal is for rinsing the mouth to relieve the greasiness in the mouth after eating. Sure enough, a mouthwash bowl was brought over for me to rinse my mouth. Only then was the tea for drinking served. I took a sip and said with a smile, "Don't remove the dishes first. Don't just stand there either. Eat with these dishes. Don't starve yourself just to serve me."
Several people hurriedly thanked me and took it to eat.
I walked into the warm chamber by myself and lay down to rest. Looking at the stone-blue scattered flower chair cover on the opposite chair, my thoughts were as confused as the tide. In a mess, it was like the scattered and endless patterns embroidered on the chair cover.
There was nothing to say all night.
The next day, after getting up and washing, and having breakfast, Andre outside the door reported in a shrill voice that there was a yellow gate eunuch named John coming to deliver an edict. I hurriedly got up and went to the main room of Yingxin Hall to receive the edict. I knew that yellow gate eunuchs were eunuchs who served the queen exclusively. There must be an imperial decree from the queen.
I knelt down respectfully and listened to the imperial decree: "By the queen's imperial decree, newly entered palace concubines are summoned to the queen's sleeping chamber at the hour of mao three days later to pay respects to the queen and the concubines in the harem."
I quickly received the edict and ordered Vivian to send the person out properly.
Aunt Fang Ruo had said that only after paying respects to the empress and concubines can one be arranged to serve the king. These three days are for the newly entered palace concubines to adapt to life in the palace.
As soon as the yellow gate eunuch left, it was reported that Lady Amanda had sent rewards.
James, the chief eunuch in Lady Amanda's palace, came forward, saluted and asked for peace. He waved his hand and ordered the little eunuchs behind him to carry up three large boxes of gifts. Smiling broadly, he said to me, "Lady Amanda specially ordered her servants to present these gifts to the young mistress."
I beamed and said, "Thank you for Lady Amanda's kindness. Please convey my thanks to Lady Amanda."
James bowed and said, "I will definitely convey it. I still have to rush to other young mistresses. I really don't have the time. I'm sorry to have wasted Lady Snow's kindness."
I glanced at Alice. Immediately, she took out two ingots and presented them. I smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble. Then don't delay your business." James lowered his eyes slightly and quickly put them in his sleeve and left with a smile.
Lily and Lucy opened the boxes. The boxes were full of gold, silver jewelry, silk and satin. Lily said happily, "Congratulations, young mistress. Lady Amanda is very fond of you." I glanced at the others. There was also much joy on their faces. So I ordered the eunuchs to carry them and put them in the treasury for registration.
Seeing that everyone had dispersed, Lucy came up and said, "I just inquired. The rewards for Lady Claire and miss are almost the same. But there is a Lady Erica who received the most rewards from the queen and Lady Amanda."
The smile on the corner of my mouth gradually faded. Lucy looked at my expression and said in a low voice, "Lady Amanda's generous rewards are probably because she wants to win over Lady Claire and miss you."
I looked at the thick cotton paper pasted on the vermilion window lattice and said in a deep voice, "It's too early to say whether it means that."
As soon as Lady Amanda's rewards arrived, the rewards from Noble Lady Li and Lady Cao arrived soon after. I had already learned from Vivian that Noble Lady Li and Lady Cao were Lady Amanda's confidants. They were carefully cultivated and promoted by Lady Amanda all the way and also had some favor from the king. Although they cannot be compared with Lady Amanda, they are already much better than other concubines.
Rewards from other concubines also kept coming. In the morning, it was bustling with activity and the place was like a busy market.
After noon, I already felt tired. I only instructed Vivian, Lucy, and Alice to receive gifts in the main room. Wearing ordinary clothes, I read a book by the window in the secondary room of the warm chamber. After reading for a while, seeing the sunlight gradually darken and casting golden and mottled light and shadows on the small plum blossom lacquered table, I also felt a bit lazy. Suddenly, I heard a report outside that Lady Claire had come to see me. Immediately, I was filled with joy. I put down the book and got up to welcome her. Just as I walked to the west main room, Claire had already walked in with a smile, saying, "Sister is so leisurely."
I smiled and said, "For those who have just entered the palace, what is there to be busy with?" Pretending to be reproachful, I said, "Sister Claire didn't come to see me earlier. You made me so bored!"
Claire said with a smile, "Are you still bored? I'm afraid your hands are getting sore from receiving rewards."
My smile faded. Seeing that only Mia, Claire's personal maid, was left by my side, I said, "Doesn't sister know that I don't want these things?"
Claire took my hand and sat down. Only then did she lower her voice and say, "I also received many rewards. This is a good thing. But I'm afraid it's too ostentatious and will attract the envy of other newly entered palace concubines."
I sighed slightly and said, "I know. We can only be careful."
After chatting for a while, Andre came in and asked, "Young mistress, should we prepare dinner now?" I nodded slightly: "Then prepare it."
Soon, dinner was served. Looking at the exquisite dishes on the table, I had no appetite. In the palace, although life seems luxurious, it is full of rules and restraints everywhere, making it difficult to relax.
After having dinner, I paced in the warm chamber, thinking about my future life in the palace. At this time, Vivian came in and said softly, "Young mistress, today several court doctors have come to conduct routine physical examinations for the young mistresses."
I was slightly stunned. In the Western court, the medical system is very different from that in the East. The court doctors here wear black robes and tall hats and hold various strange medical instruments in their hands. Although their medical skills are also superb, they rely more on Western medical theories and methods.
Soon, a court doctor named Alexander came to Lintang Palace. He respectfully saluted me and then began to examine me. He listened to my heartbeat with a stethoscope, examined my eyes, tongue and other parts. Finally, he said, "Young mistress is in good health. Just pay attention to rest and diet."
I nodded, and gained a deeper understanding of the Western medical system. In this strange court, everything needs me to adapt and understand.
In the next two days, I gradually became familiar with life in the palace in Lintang Palace. Lucy and Alice took good care of me wholeheartedly. Vivian also handled palace affairs in an orderly manner. And I was waiting for the day three days later when I would pay respects to the queen and the concubines in the harem. That would be my official debut in the court.
Finally, the day to pay respects to the queen arrived. I got up early and dressed up carefully. Vivian chose a gorgeous dress for me with exquisite patterns embroidered on it. Paired with brilliant jewels, it made me look extremely dignified and beautiful.
Under the guidance of the attendants, I came to the queen's sleeping chamber. There were already many concubines in the palace gathered in the palace. They were wearing gorgeous clothes and various jewels and accessories on their heads, shining brightly. I couldn't help feeling a little nervous in my heart, but I still tried to stay calm.
The queen sat on the throne, majestic and noble. She was wearing a golden robe and a crown on her head. There was wisdom and kindness in her eyes. I and the other newly entered palace concubines kowtowed to the queen together and shouted, "Your Majesty, the queen, may you be well."
The queen nodded slightly and motioned for us to stand up. Then, she began to ask about our situations one by one. When it was my turn, I respectfully replied, "Your servant Isabella. Thanks to Your Majesty's favor, I was able to enter the palace as a court lady. Your servant will surely do my best to serve Your Majesty and Your Majesty, the queen."
The queen smiled with satisfaction and said, "Lady Isabella, you are outstanding in appearance and talented. I hope that you can abide by the rules in the palace and add luster to the harem."
I kowtowed again to express my thanks. Then, the queen gave a lecture to the other concubines, emphasizing the palace rules and etiquette as well as the harmony and stability of the harem.
After paying respects to the queen, I breathed a sigh of relief. In this court full of power and struggles, I must always be vigilant and act cautiously. And the friendship with Claire and Sophia will be an important support for me in the palace.
Back in Lintang Palace, I sat by the window, looking at the garden outside. My heart was filled with emotions. The days ahead are still long. I don't know what challenges and opportunities I will face, but I am determined to strive to survive in this court for myself and for the glory of my family.