CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 89

The task of delivering the imperial decree to Concubine Xi’s family was eagerly taken by many eunuchs, but ultimately it fell to Eunuch Qin. He wanted to curry favor with Concubine Xi, but when he followed the address to Yun Mansion, he could hardly believe his eyes.

It was a long alley, filled with shabby one-entry courtyards.

Since acknowledging Chief Su as his patron, Eunuch Qin had started enjoying a prosperous life, with wealth coming from all directions. He even established his own residence outside the palace, which was far more grand than this place. Luckily, after seeing his attire, a kind neighbor approached him, asking, "Are you looking for the Yun family? It’s just ahead."

Eunuch Qin went to knock on the door, and a maid opened it.

After politely stating his identity, he asked, "Is the lady of the house at home?"

"Please wait a moment, I’ll go get the lady for you."

The maid looked at him curiously.

Eunuch Qin was rendered speechless by her brusque behavior, shaking his head inwardly.

The maid lacked manners, probably bought at a low price.

Upon hearing that a eunuch had come to visit, Lady Yun nervously came out, wanting to ask if something had happened to Concubine Xi in the palace. But the fair-skinned man first bowed and greeted her, addressing her as Honorable Lady.

Lady Yun returned the greeting in a panic, not understanding who the Honorable Lady was.

Her husband was the Imperial College Chief Clerk, a mere Secondary Seventh Grade minor official. Even if he worked his whole life in this position, he would never be able to elevate his wife to a noble status. An Honorable Lady is a Sixth Grade title, which was a rank higher than her husband.

"Since entering the palace, Concubine Xi has served the Emperor diligently and has earned great favor. She even rescued the Eldest Prince from drowning recently. To have taught such an outstanding daughter is all thanks to you, Honorable Lady!"

Eunuch Qin patiently explained what an Honorable Lady was.

She knew about noble titles; they were mentioned in plays. Her husband used to boast, "Someday, I’ll earn a noble title for you, my lady," when he first entered officialdom. She dismissed it as sweet talk with a smile. Later, her husband realized the challenges of the political arena and stopped mentioning it.

"With the noble title, you’ll receive a monthly stipend from the government, which is something many would envy! During the holidays, you can also enter the palace to greet the Empress, increasing your chances to see Concubine Xi."

The Yun family was poor, with no land or property to lease out. Their only income was her husband’s monthly stipend.

Previously, their daughter would send money from the palace to support her family.

Lady Yun felt that palace expenses were high, and although the household had no income, it also didn’t have large expenses. She discussed with her husband to save the money their daughter sent back, so in case she had an emergency, they could help. They only used a portion to improve their living conditions and bought a maid, so Lady Yun no longer had to do the menial tasks herself.

But she never imagined that one day she would become a Sixth Grade Honorable Lady!

And it was all thanks to her daughter.

What a remarkable achievement that must be!

However, she immediately became worried: "May I ask, Eunuch, is Concubine Xi well?"

Lady Yun distinctly remembered that her daughter couldn’t swim.

But there are many ways to rescue someone; even if Concubine Xi discovered the drowning prince and ordered someone to save him, the credit would go to her. So Lady Yun had many doubts.

"After the treatment by the Imperial Physician, Concubine Xi is fine. The Emperor has excused her from morning greetings, and she is recuperating with a continuous supply of supplements!"

"That’s good, that’s good."

Hearing that her daughter was unharmed, Lady Yun felt relieved and happy. When she heard the fair-skinned eunuch say he was going to read the imperial decree, she and the maid quickly knelt to receive the decree and expressed their gratitude. After Eunuch Qin finished reading the decree, he handed over the Sixth Grade noble attire to her, and the four eunuchs behind him moved the gold, silver, silk, and fabric inside. Eunuch Qin inquired, "Where would the Honorable Lady like the rewards placed? We’ll arrange it all for you."

"Right, right, just put them in the hall; there’s not much space in the house anyway."

Halfway through her joy, Lady Yun suddenly remembered to give a tip for their hard work. She asked Eunuch Qin to wait a moment, went inside to retrieve silver taels, and handed them over in a pouch: "Thank you, Eunuch, for making the trip."

To be honest, those silver taels didn’t impress Eunuch Qin.

Whenever he left the palace, the gifts he brought for the women in his household were worth much more.

But she was a Sixth Grade Honorable Lady, Concubine Xi’s mother! He immediately smiled so broadly that his eyes couldn’t be seen, lowering his voice, he said: "This is my duty. Does the Honorable Lady have any message for her daughter? It’s hard to bring things from outside the palace inside, but I can carry a couple of messages."

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Eunuch Qin came today just to bring back those messages.

Concubines rarely had the chance to meet their family; being able to send a message back was already a comfort and surely made a positive impression on Concubine Xi.

"Yes, yes, yes, thank you, Eunuch!"

Lady Yun, not understanding the potential implications, simply thought the eunuch wasn’t as cunning and difficult to deal with as rumored. She said:

"Everything at home is fine, I didn’t refrain from spending the silver and bought a maid named Yan’er, and I have eaten all the supplements that the Lady sent me. She shouldn’t worry about me being frugal. Your father is still the same. In the palace, the Lady must be cautious, don’t try to be competitive in everything, protecting oneself is most important, and conceiving a royal heir early will ensure a stable life in the palace."

...

Eunuch Qin returned to the palace and first went to Xianfu Palace to relay Lady Yun’s words to Yun Jiao: "After receiving the decree, I reminded Lady Yun she could send any message through me, and she did have one!"

He ostensibly sought to earn favor and credit before Concubine Xi.

Gong Mei gave him a much more substantial tip.

Yun Jiao pressed her lips, remaining silent, her eyes gradually reddening, and only after a long while did she say, "Thank you, Eunuch Qin, for making this trip."

"Not at all! Being able to serve the Lady and share her joy is my fortune."

Seeing Concubine Xi’s sorrow, Eunuch Qin tactfully withdrew.

She sat with her legs tucked on the couch, feeling for the first time that entering the palace wasn’t a bad choice. Her mother’s health was never great, and most of her father’s salary was spent on his wife and daughter. The frequent rewards she received in the palace greatly improved her family’s life. If she’d married and started a family outside the palace, most likely her spouse would not have allowed her to support her natal family.

"Xue Ya, help me change; I need to go express my gratitude."

"The Lady is still in pain!"

"It’s not as painful as it was this morning, don’t worry."

Yun Jiao took the sedan chair to Qiankun Palace; the Emperor was meeting ministers and told her to either return or wait in a side hall for a while. Seeing the Emperor was busy, and not intending to seek favor, Yun Jiao kowtowed outside to express her gratitude and then returned.

That night, Yun Jiao flipped through an early record and humbly laid on her mother’s knee, feigning childishness: "Mother, your daughter will soon enter the palace and let you live a life of wealth and nobility."

"Mother only wishes for your safety and not to compete with those ladies; our Jiaojiao can’t compete with them."

Her mother’s hand gently rested on her head.

Yun Jiao: "Don’t doubt, your daughter will enter the palace and punch Concubine Jiang and kick the Empress."

Lady Yun swiftly covered her mouth with a hint of reproach: "Once in the palace, you mustn’t speak nonsense."

Meanwhile, in Weiyang Palace, the Emperor looked at Concubine Jiang, who had suddenly appeared by his side, filled with deep self-doubt.

How long had it been since he called on Concubine Jiang?