The sky blushed with the soft hues of dawn, casting a warm orange glow across the horizon. Sunlight filtered gently through the carved wooden windows, painting the room in a hazy golden light.
"Mistress Ningzhu!"
Hanyun burst through the curtain with barely restrained excitement, rushing to Lin Ningzhu's bedside. Still caught in the realm between dreams and wakefulness, Lin Ningzhu's long lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes. Sleep lingered on her delicate face, her expression carrying a trace of drowsy confusion.
"Hmm… what's the matter?" she murmured softly.
Hanyun's eyes sparkled with joy. "Mistress, the time has come! Eunuch Wang Gonggong from the Ye Court will arrive shortly to announce the imperial decree. Today, Mistress, you will officially become a titled concubine!"
Lin Ningzhu froze for a moment before she sat up slowly, her slender fingers smoothing the faint creases on her sleeping gown. Her voice was barely above a whisper, as though she spoke more to herself than anyone else. "So… today, I will become one of His Majesty's consorts…"
Hanyun wasted no time preparing her mistress. She brought out an exquisite moon-white embroidered gown, adorned with intricate patterns of begonia and magnolia flowers stitched with gold and silver threads. The embroidery shimmered under the morning light, each petal appearing almost alive. A sheer silk shawl was added, the sleeves and collar adorned with tiny pearls that glowed softly.
Hanyun styled Lin Ningzhu's hair into an elegant "Flying Cloud Bun", pinning it with an ornate jade and kingfisher feather hairpin. Silver tassels hung from it, swaying gently with her every movement. Her mother's jade earrings gleamed delicately against her pale cheeks, enhancing her gentle and refined beauty.
Hanyun stepped back to admire her work, her face glowing with pride. "Mistress, you look stunning. Truly… no one in the palace could rival such elegance."
Before Lin Ningzhu could respond, a sharp voice echoed from outside.
"The imperial edict is here!"
Lin Ningzhu took a deep breath, and with Hanyun's support, walked out of her room and knelt respectfully in the courtyard.
Eunuch Wang Gonggong stood at the top of the steps, holding an imperial decree written on bright yellow silk. His voice carried across the courtyard, clear and authoritative:
"By the grace of His Majesty, in the first year of Zhongyuan, on the fifteenth day of the third month, Lin Ningzhu, daughter of the commoner Lin Mengyuan, is hereby appointed as a Ninth-Rank Cairen (采女). She is bestowed residence in Xiangxin Courtyard (湘欣苑). So decreed."
Lin Ningzhu accepted the decree with trembling hands and bowed deeply. "Your humble consort expresses gratitude for His Majesty's grace."
With a satisfied nod, Wang Gonggong departed, leaving behind a courtyard filled with quiet excitement.
Hanyun grabbed Lin Ningzhu's hand eagerly. "Mistress, let's go see Xiangxin Courtyard right away!"
Lin Ningzhu nodded lightly, lifting the hem of her gown as she followed Hanyun through the palace gates towards her new residence.
Xiangxin Courtyard was nestled in the western wing of the palace. The courtyard was quaint yet refined, its red walls and green tiles exuding an air of quiet elegance. Stone pathways wound through carefully arranged bamboo groves, and magnolia and begonia flowers bloomed vibrantly, their fragrance lingering in the air.
As they walked through the palace corridors, eunuchs and maids bowed respectfully, greeting her as "Mistress Cairen."
The unfamiliar deference made Lin Ningzhu slightly uncomfortable, her steps hesitant and cautious. Sensing her unease, Hanyun squeezed her hand gently. "Mistress, you deserve this. Do not let it weigh on you."
Finally arriving at Xiangxin Courtyard, they paused before an ornate plaque engraved with the words "Xiangxin Courtyard" in elegant calligraphy. The characters gleamed in the sunlight, their strokes fluid and graceful.
Lin Ningzhu pushed open the courtyard doors and was met with a serene scene. A small rock garden stood proudly in the center, accompanied by a koi pond where fish swam lazily under the dappled sunlight. The courtyard felt intimate and peaceful, an oasis amidst the grandeur of the palace.
Hanyun clapped her hands with delight. "Mistress, this is our home now. Once we've settled in, we must pay our respects to the Empress."
Lin Ningzhu frowned slightly. "Is the schedule so tight?"
Hanyun smiled reassuringly. "Do not worry, Mistress. Everything is already arranged. We only need to settle your belongings."
As Lin Ningzhu turned towards her new quarters, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Ningzhu!"
Turning around, Lin Ningzhu saw Jiang Wanxiang approaching, her lavender gown flowing gracefully as she walked. A silver sash cinched her waist, and a white jade tassel hung elegantly by her side.
"You're here too, Wanxiang!" Lin Ningzhu exclaimed, her face lighting up with genuine joy.
Jiang Wanxiang smiled warmly. "It seems fate has kept us close. I was so worried about being alone here."
Lin Ningzhu gently took her hand. "Elder sister, we are indeed fortunate to have each other."
Jiang Wanxiang's gaze swept across the courtyard. "This place is small, but it has a warmth to it. I think you will grow to love it."
Lin Ningzhu nodded thoughtfully. "Compared to my home, even this small courtyard feels grand."
Jiang Wanxiang sighed softly. "Perhaps. But we must treasure this space—it is now our sanctuary."
The two shared a quiet smile before Hanyun entered, announcing, "Mistress, everything is ready. It's time to visit Chang Le Palace (長樂宮) and pay respects to the Empress."
The journey to Chang Le Palace was long and winding. The palace pathways were lined with fragrant osmanthus trees, and the golden glazed rooftops glimmered brightly under the midday sun.
As they arrived at the grand palace gates, Lin Ningzhu felt her heart tighten with nervousness. Jiang Wanxiang, sensing her unease, whispered, "Do not worry. We are in this together."
Inside, the palace hall was grand and awe-inspiring. Red pillars supported the gilded ceiling, and embroidered silk drapes cascaded from high above. The floor was covered in plush carpets that muffled their footsteps.
At the center of the hall sat Empress Zhuang Nongyu, resplendent in a golden phoenix robe, her nine-phoenix crown glinting with precious gems. Her dignified yet kind gaze swept across the assembled women.
"Rise, everyone. I hope today's gathering helps build harmony among you," the Empress said with a faint smile.
To her side sat Noble Consort Meng Fushi, dressed in an extravagant crimson gown. Her sharp eyes gleamed with an authoritative chill as she spoke, "Harmony… I hope all of you understand what that means."
The consorts murmured their assent in unison. "Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, Your Grace."
After the formalities ended, Lin Ningzhu and Jiang Wanxiang exchanged a relieved glance as they exited the palace hall.
As the sun dipped lower into the sky, the two women walked back side by side, their shadows stretching long across the stone pathways.
In the quiet of the evening, Lin Ningzhu sat by her window, gazing up at the crescent moon. Her thoughts drifted to her parents, their distant smiles etched into her memory.
"Father, Mother… your daughter is now here, in a place so grand yet so lonely. I promise you, I will persevere."
With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, allowing the silence of the palace night to envelop her.