Yao Bile smiled awkwardly, wiped her lips with a handkerchief, and said, "Sister, do you have any ideas?"
Yao Biluo said coldly, "I have a plan, but I can't guarantee it will be foolproof. Would you like to give it a try?"
Yao Bile nodded expectantly.
So Yao Biluo whispered in her ear the plans she had been thinking about these past few days.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The young women knelt down to greet the emperor, some of the bolder ones even stealing glances at him on the throne, their faces flushed with nervousness. The emperor was so young, and so elegant!
Yao Biluo was still thinking about her plan with her head down, wondering if it would succeed.
According to the rules, the young women would first state their family background and name, then present their talents, and then wait for the emperor to make their selection.
Eighteen beautiful young women displayed their talents, some singing, some dancing, some playing the flute, some playing the zither… all giving their all, hoping to catch the emperor's eye. Yao Biluo watched coldly, feeling it was all unreal. If she could choose, she would never want to enter the palace, never!
When it was Yao Bile's turn, the master of ceremonies announced her name and family background. Jun Yilin looked at Yao Bile's name in his hand expressionlessly. One of the "Four Beauties of Jiangnan"? She does have some fame! Looking at Yao Bile again, she was alright looking. Oh well, it didn't matter who she was.
Seeing Jun Yilin's expressionless face, Yao Bile felt a little nervous, but she still pretended to be calm and stepped forward to bow gracefully, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty. This humble woman presents a piece of music for your appreciation."
The young eunuch had already prepared a seven-stringed zither. Yao Bile sat down gracefully, made a few minor adjustments, and the ethereal music began to play...
As a few notes entered his ears, Jun Yilin was startled. It was "Changmen Fu"! He had played this piece for him before!
The young women whispered amongst themselves, wondering why this piece was being played on such an auspicious day—it was so unlucky! They thought the young woman must be out of her mind; how could she possibly be selected? A few, secretly gloating, were already laughing.
After the piece ended, Jun Yilin, who hadn't spoken all afternoon, suddenly asked, "This piece is a lament of the deep palace, why did you play it so cheerfully?"
Yao Bile blushed slightly and, following Yao Biluo's instructions, began to speak: "In my opinion, if one truly loves someone, even if he doesn't often spend time with you, even if he occasionally neglects you, just thinking of him will bring you joy. Besides—" Yao Bile glanced shyly at Jun Yilin, "Besides, as one of the Emperor's concubines, all I think about is that the Emperor is well, and I dare not have any other thoughts!"
Jun Yilin remained noncommittal, only saying lightly, "You're quite sensible!" before falling silent.
Yao Bile blushed and stepped aside.
When it was Yao Biluo's turn, she didn't dress up elaborately today, and her clothes were ordinary. Her talent was a silk dance. The soft whip at her waist was used as silk, and she danced gracefully with the sound of silver bells. She was thinking that she didn't want to be selected, but she remembered her promise to Prefect Yao. She gritted her teeth and danced gracefully.
Jun Yilin was still reminiscing about his past with Lin Zijin and didn't really pay attention to the prince's dancing figure. Only after the eunuch reported that the performance was over did he look up and ask, "Are you Yao Biluo?"
The young women were shocked. Who was this woman? How did even the Emperor know her name?
Yao Biluo was also full of suspicion. She knelt down and looked up, saying, "This humble woman is Yao Biluo!"
Seeing the dignified yet slightly haggard figure sitting on the throne, a sudden pang of pain shot through my heart. What's wrong? Why does my heart ache so much? A voice echoed in my mind: "Zijin, Zijin..." Deeply affectionate yet sorrowful!
Who is Zijing? Ah? Isn't that the person Young Master Jiang is looking for?
Yes, it was that dream that had been bothering her all along? The figure in the dream kept calling out to her, and that indistinct shadow looked so much like—the Emperor? Yao Biluo was startled by her own thought.
"How dare you! Why don't you answer?" The eunuch's angry shout snapped Yao Biluo out of her daze. She hadn't heard a word Jun Yilin said.
Seeing her dazed expression, Jun Yilin waved his hand dismissively, telling her to leave.
After their performances, the fates of the young women would be decided as soon as the Emperor spoke.
Looking at the expectant young ladies below the prince, Jun Yilin suddenly felt annoyed. He forced himself to endure it and casually said, "Wu Fengfei, Yao Bile, Gu Qinglu."
The young eunuch then announced: "The three selected ladies, Wu Fengfei, Yao Bile, and Gu Qinglu, will remain in service. The rest will be sent home and will receive additional rewards!"
The three who were selected were so excited they almost fainted, while those who weren't selected were also pale and about to faint.
Yao Biluo sneered. She still hadn't been chosen. She wondered if the master would agree to her request.
"Wait!" Jun Yilin's voice rang out again, as if he had remembered something. "Yao Biluo is betrothed to Jiang Sikong! She will study etiquette in the palace for three months, and the wedding will be held on a chosen date!" After saying that, he left without looking back.
"What?!" Yao Biluo exclaimed in surprise. "A marriage arranged for Jiang Sikong! And who is that?"
The other young ladies around her stared at her with surprise. Wu Fengfei whispered to her, "I heard that Minister Jiang was the Minister of Works of the previous dynasty. He once held immense power in the court, but his appearance—his appearance is somewhat—" Wu Fengfei couldn't finish her sentence.
Yao Bilu smiled gratefully at her, but in her mind she was thinking, "The former Minister of Works, isn't he just a remnant of the former dynasty? Why would he betroth himself to such a criminal official whose appearance might be unsightly?"
"Hmph, what do you know? I've heard that this Lord Jiang has a very good relationship with the Emperor. He's a meritorious official who helped the emperor rise to power! Otherwise, how could a former official like him still hold such a high position? Although the position of Minister of Works is a sinecure, it's still equivalent to a prince's rank!" a young lady whispered.
After she finished speaking, everyone looked on with envy and jealousy. Yes, if you can't marry the emperor, marrying a high-ranking official or prince is not bad either! Even if you're not good-looking, so what?
In Yuxiu Palace, four women each resided in a separate hall, learning court etiquette together. Three months later, their official ranks would be confirmed, after which they would enter the harem to serve the emperor. Oh, of course, Yao Biluo wouldn't need to, because she would be leaving the palace after three months.
"Little sister, your idea is really good! I was selected!" Yao Bile said excitedly, tugging at Yao Biluo.
Yao Biluo brushed her hand away without saying a word and said, "Have you forgotten what I told you? You must be patient in all things. You should know that walls have ears. Some things are better left unsaid than spoken!"
Yao Bile didn't take it to heart and still laughed, "Haven't we officially entered the palace yet?"
"Given the current situation, this is all I can do to help you. From now on, you'll have to face the future alone. If you continue with this attitude, then forget about ever being favored again!" Yao Biluo said calmly.
Yao Bile was still immersed in joy, nodding with a smile.
After finally waiting for Yao Bile to leave, Yao Biluo sat by the window, her mind in turmoil. What should she do next?
A pebble tapped on the window frame. Yao Biluo opened the window to look out, and as soon as she opened it, a head popped out. She was startled, but after looking closely, she laughed: "It's you! How did you find us? This is the imperial harem! Are you out of your mind?!"
Jiang Yumin jumped into the house with a grin: "What are you afraid of? I come here often, no one dares to do anything to me!"
Yao Biluo laughed: "You!" She thought to herself that Young Master Jiang was truly skilled and daring. He had entered so easily, something that ordinary people wouldn't even dare to think about.
"As soon as I heard you were living here, I came to see you. Did you miss me?" Jiang Yumin asked with a playful smile.
Yao Biluo smiled and shook her head.
"Why don't you miss me? I miss you so much!" Jiang Yumin started to whine again.
Yao Biluo blushed and lowered her head uncomfortably.
"Have you seen the Emperor?" Jiang Yumin asked cautiously.
Yao Biluo nodded: "I saw him."
"What do you think of him?" Jiang Yumin continued to ask.
"I didn't think much of it! He was just the Emperor, very dignified!" Yao Biluo laughed, but what was with the pain in her heart back then?
Jiang Yumin felt relieved, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She grabbed Yao Biluo's hand and said, "I don't care, you have to think of me often from now on!"
Yao Biluo was wondering whether she should tell him that she was already betrothed when Jiang Yumin said, "You must be tired tonight, get some rest. I'll come see you again tomorrow night." After saying that, he kissed her hand affectionately and went out the window.
Yao Biluo felt a burning sensation in her hand and thought to herself, "It seems I'll have to tell him tomorrow."
I can only accept my fate. I wonder if he will be sad!
"Hey, have you guys heard? In this imperial concubine selection, one person was sent directly to the palace without having to participate in the selection!"
"No way, who is so special that they can enter the palace without participating in the general election? Are they a member of the royal family?"
"I heard she's a talented woman from Jiangnan. The Emperor has already decided on her status and is just waiting for her to come to the palace when she reaches the right age."
Hearing the whispers of the palace maids, Yao Bile's face darkened. She said to Yao Biluo, "Did you hear that? Could it be Liang Shiyun?" This Liang Shiyun had always been superior to her back in Jiangnan, and now she was even more so—
"So what? Although the current emperor is not obsessed with women, the number of women in the harem will only increase. You'd better get used to it soon! Don't forget what you said in front of the palace!" Yao Biluo said.
Yao Bile forced herself to suppress her displeasure. Yes, the Emperor valued her for being sensible, so she would do everything in her power to earn that title! What about Liang Shiyun? She was just a little more famous and a little more learned than her, wasn't she? Serving the Emperor wasn't about those things! With that thought made up, she stopped clinging to the idea.
☆、VII、Nightmare
In Yuxiu Palace, the girls generally got along well. Perhaps it was because they were all around the same age, or perhaps it was because they would all enter the palace to serve the emperor in the future, and none of them wanted to tarnish their reputation for virtue. Therefore, they accommodated each other and were quite happy together. However, the undercurrents within were something that could not be told to outsiders.
The curriculum consisted mainly of court etiquette, women's virtues, and needlework. Everyone took it very seriously, for the sake of their future prospects. Except, of course, for Yao Biluo.
Yao Biluo's nonchalance did not affect her learning results. Many things seemed to be engraved in her mind. As soon as the nanny mentioned something, she could immediately retrieve the corresponding information from her mind. Therefore, although she was the least serious one, she became the best learner!
The nanny often used her as a role model for everyone to learn from. Fortunately, she had been removed from the harem, so there was not much hostility from others. Otherwise, such outstanding performance would not have been what Yao Biluo wanted. After all, the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind, and she understood this principle.
Because studying was too easy for her, Yao Biluo would often sneak out of Yuxiu Palace to play every night while everyone else practiced in their own chambers. With her innate knowledge of the palace's paths and the light-footed skills she learned from strange images in her mind, Yao Biluo easily avoided all the guards and basically explored the entire harem.
Of course, sometimes Jiang Yumin would come to talk to her, and she would usually time it perfectly and come back on time to wait, so as not to let anyone discover her secret.
For example, today, things happened in a way that Yao Biluo didn't expect, so she came back late. Fortunately, Jiang Yumin didn't come today. Yao Biluo couldn't help but recall what had just happened.
After dinner, the light rain cleared, and the air was fresh and sweet.
Yao Biluo was considering where to go for a stroll today. She had almost finished exploring the six palaces of the East and West, but they were not as secluded and beautiful as the rumors suggested. People always liked to imagine the mysterious palace as a fairyland, with pavilions and towers, carved railings and painted beams, fine wines and delicacies, and the constant clinking of cups.
Actually, it's just a lonely place! Yao Biluo sighed inwardly.
Why don't we go take a look at the Cold Palace?
Yao Biluo didn't know where the Cold Palace was, so she deliberately chose to walk along a secluded path. The path was winding and secluded.
A palace came into view.
What came into view was a dilapidated palace, surrounded by overgrown weeds, with crooked weeds growing haphazardly on the path in front of the main hall.
The main hall's doors were closed, though unlocked. Through a half-open window, one could see that the interior was filled with dust, which, in the setting sun, could be vaguely seen swirling like willow catkins.
It turned out to be an abandoned palace, devoid of any human presence. It seemed no one lived there. Yao Biluo thought to herself. Since the place lacked any aesthetic appeal and made her unwilling to stay, Yao Biluo prepared to turn back.
"Who's there?" a cool male voice rang out.
Yao Biluo was startled. How could there be people in such a desolate place? Being discovered was no laughing matter. Just as she was about to sneak away, she turned around and bumped into a warm embrace, with a faint scent of ambergris wafting towards her.
Yao Biluo quickly looked up and saw a man in purple robes. The purple, lustrous, luxurious tribute satin reflected a faint glow in the setting sun, giving him a comfortable and elegant appearance. He casually tied up his waist-length hair, which flowed smoothly down his back like water. His eyebrows and eyes were as beautiful as jade, but his face was haggard, giving him a sense of vicissitude.
Was it him? Yao Biluo's heart skipped a beat, her heart pounding like a deer's. What should she do?
"Which palace maid are you from?" Jun Yilin asked impatiently, pushing her away.
It seemed he didn't recognize her. Remembering that she was wearing the uniform of a palace maid, she replied, "Your Majesty, I am a palace maid from Yuxiu Palace."
Jun Yilin looked at her with a puzzled expression. He didn't seem to recognize this palace maid. That's right, very few people from Yuxiu Palace had the opportunity to meet the Emperor.
The woman wasn't strikingly beautiful, but she was still elegant and dignified, exuding a reassuring aura. If we're talking about looks, who in the world could compare to him? Jun Yilin's lips curled into a smile, and he blurted out, "Come and serve me wine!" He immediately paused, realizing he'd made such a request of a woman he'd never met, and why he'd compared her to Zijing. Perhaps it was the woman's aura that reminded him of himself!
Yao Biluo secretly groaned, but dared not disobey. She could only follow behind Jun Yilin.
The two walked to the stone table in front of the main hall. Jun Yilin sat down and pointed to the wine cup.
Yao Biluo naturally dared not neglect him, and hurriedly filled his glass, standing aside to serve him. As the sky grew darker, she felt secretly anxious.
Jun Yilin silently drank a few cups, gazing into the distance, squinting his eyes, and softly recited: "Who feels the chill of the west wind alone, as rustling yellow leaves close the sparse window, lost in thought of the past standing in the setting sun? Do not be startled by the deep sleep after drinking wine, for the fragrance of spilled tea can dispel the drowsiness of betting on books, for at the time it was just an ordinary thing."
Zijing, Zijing, every day I spent with you seemed like an ordinary day. I always thought there would be many more days like this, but I never imagined that such beauty would eventually come to an end! I didn't cherish you enough, and I didn't protect you well. Now, what's the point of reminiscing about the past at the place where you passed away?