Drunk late at night, Ying Xiaoman was sent back home in a daze, not even stirred from her pleasant dreams by the coughing of the Old Servant next door.
She woke up as usual the next morning, lazily getting up to wash while stifling a yawn, her ears full of her Mother's nagging.
No matter how much she was nagged, Ying Xiaoman just smiled with crinkled eyes.
The courtyard on the right side of River Otter Lane had previously been used as a message relay point, with countless people coming and going, so they couldn't let their guard down. There was no room for discussion - they had to switch.
That very day, they packed up their belongings and exchanged places. The Ying family moved to the left courtyard, while Sui Miao led five of the Yan family's skilled men to move into the right one.
Her adoptive mother, concerned about the Old Servant living in the small northwestern courtyard, instructed Ying Xiaoman: "Take a bowl of the medicine simmering on the stove to the old man. It's better to treat illnesses early at his age. Delaying could wear him out."
When she delivered it to the small courtyard, the Old Servant still looked her up and down with cloudy eyes, shouting in a loud voice: "What's going on? Why are different people living in my house now?"
Ying Xiaoman gestured with her hands and shouted back: "My mother and I have moved next door~ Next door! The house on the left!"
The Old Servant, unsure how much he heard, took the medicine bowl and slowly walked back, grumbling loudly: "Who are they anyway!"
"Day after day, who can all live in my house!"
At the hour of Chen, the two aunts from the palace arrived punctually. Upon hearing that the Yan family had sent people to escort the Ying family's move to the left side, the two aunts exchanged a subtle glance.
Of course, they didn't say much, and began teaching palace etiquette as usual, leading to another chaotic day.
This continued for ten days straight.
Ying Xiaoman learned a secret weapon. Whenever the two aunts became glassy-eyed and collapsed exhausted into wooden chairs, she would massage their shoulders one by one, offer two cups of homemade plum drink, and smile at them apologetically.
"That's enough." Aunt Huang finally said, sipping the sweet plum drink. "Etiquette and conduct depend on the person. As long as the young lady doesn't speak carelessly in front of nobles, one trip to the palace will be enough to earn a reward."
The specific date for the palace audience was announced to the Ying family shortly after the Ghost Festival.
The twenty-eighth day of the seventh lunar month. An auspicious day according to the almanac, favorable for all matters.
Ying Xiaoman put on the best outfit in her home.
This was made from several feet of fine silk that her adoptive mother had taken out of her pillowcase savings, carefully selected for her child.
She chose fresh colors suitable for an unmarried young lady, and spent half a month meticulously making a light pink narrow-sleeved jacket and a red peony and butterfly embroidered pleated long skirt.
It was paired with a set of exquisite jade accessories sent by the Yan family: two jade hairpins, a jadeite hair ornament, white jade and pearl earrings, and a delicate jade pendant worn at the waist. All were accessories suitable for a young lady in her teens, intricate yet not cumbersome.
When Ying Xiaoman put her hair up in a bun and donned the entire outfit, her adoptive mother held her hands in the sunlit courtyard, looking her over again and again, reluctant to let go, her eyes unconsciously brimming with tears.
"Your father should see this," her adoptive mother said, laughing and crying at the same time. "He boasted all his life! Our child is truly wearing silk clothes now, surely even more beautiful than your father imagined..."
Ying Xiaoman tugged at her pleated skirt a few times, unused to it, and walked back and forth in the small courtyard, slowing her pace.
The skirt swayed, silent.
Seventh Young Master had been thoughtful; among the accessories he sent, there were no swaying hair ornaments, and only one jade pendant to weigh down the skirt, which wouldn't make any clinking sounds...
Ying Xiaoman walked slowly at first, then walked at her normal pace, making sure that no matter how she walked, her outfit wouldn't make any noise. Reassured, she left the house, lightly grasping her skirt and nimbly jumping onto the carriage.
The carriage traveled along Imperial Street northward, directly to the gate of the Imperial City.
Below the imposing Imperial City gate tower, two side gates opened, guarded by imperial soldiers in shining armor. From time to time, several carriages stopped, and officials wearing crimson and purple robes entered the Imperial City.
As soon as Ying Xiaoman alighted from the carriage, she saw a tall figure in a vermilion robe waiting under the gate tower in the distance. She smiled immediately.
Her pleated skirt swayed like a blooming peony as she ran all the way. Slowing down just before the imperial guards could come to stop her, she quickly walked the last few steps to the city gate, her eyes sparkling: "Seventh Young Master, have you been waiting long?"
Yan Rongshi had been watching her run over the whole way.
The young lady, rarely dressed in bright colors, exuded vitality and liveliness from head to toe, her every move full of vibrant energy.
His eyes showed admiration as he discreetly blocked the amazed gazes from all directions with his body.
He led Ying Xiaoman over to pay respects to an elderly man with graying hair and beard, wearing a purple official robe, standing opposite them.
"This is Elder Han, the Imperial Tutor and Minister of Justice," he first introduced the elder to Ying Xiaoman.
"Elder Han is a senior official who has served three emperors, highly respected for his virtue. I once studied clerical script under Elder Han when I was young, so we have a half teacher-student relationship. Xiaoman, come and pay your respects."
Then he introduced Ying Xiaoman to the elder: "Elder Han, this is Ying Xiaoman from the Ying family whom I mentioned before."
Han Xingji stroked his beard with a smile and asked Ying Xiaoman, "So you're the young lady who followed her father's dying wish and came all the way to the capital to find the Seventh Young Master of the Yan family in Changle Alley?"
Ying Xiaoman curtsied and said, "Yes."
Yan Rongshi also calmly said, "Indeed."
"I see you're quite young. How is it that your father and the Seventh Young Master's grandfather knew each other?"
Ying Xiaoman pondered for a moment. Of course they knew each other, they were enemies...
Standing at the palace gate, it wasn't appropriate to mention "enmity," so she politely said, "My father was quite old. It seems he worked in the capital when he was young, but he didn't talk about it, so I'm not sure. It was only after I came to the capital that the Seventh Young Master told me about my father and his grandfather..."
She thought for a moment and replaced "becoming enemies" with: "knowing each other."
Yan Rongshi calmly added, "More than twenty years ago, the elders of our two families formed a connection in the capital."
"Young lady, you're quite brave for your age," Elder Han smiled and looked her over a few times, then nodded in agreement.
"Very well. I've met her, and indeed she's no different from what you described. This old man can rest easy now, knowing I won't be blamed by your grandfather in the afterlife. You young people go on ahead. This old man walks slowly, I'll follow behind at my own pace."
Ying Xiaoman didn't understand why not seeing her would have led to Seventh Young Master's grandfather blaming him, but she curtsied goodbye anyway. Yan Rongshi led her through the city wall gate and into the Imperial City.
In reality, they couldn't walk side by side for long.
This section of the Outer Imperial City was extremely crowded. There were imperial guards on duty, palace servants leaving on errands, officials working in the Outer Imperial City offices, and today there were also many officials from the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Punishments entering the palace for a banquet.
A chorus of greetings rose and fell around them.
Taking advantage of a moment of quiet, Ying Xiaoman tugged at her companion's sleeve: "You go ahead with your duties. The two aunts are coming to receive me up ahead."
Yan Rongshi seized the opportunity to remind her of several things.
"Do you remember all the rehearsed responses from the past few days?"
"I remember."
"Men and women will be seated separately at the banquet. Yan Erlang will keep things under control on my side, preventing any waves. If anyone stirs up trouble on the women's side, the Eleventh Young Master will pay his respects to the Empress Dowager midway through. Signal to the Eleventh Young Master for help."
"Mm." "Be careful with your words. If you encounter a truly difficult situation..."
Ying Xiaoman smiled at him, feeling warm inside.
"Don't worry about me. Nothing will go wrong."
"Pure and natural quality, innate and unadorned." These two phrases had recently become well-known throughout the palace.
Ying Xiaoman was led into a solemn palace hall surrounded by pines and cypresses. After crossing four or five palace gates, she finally met the "naturally unaffected" Empress Dowager.
She was indeed a kind-looking elderly lady. With a head full of gray hair, she appeared to be approaching seventy. When she spoke, she wasn't aloof at all, but rather quite amiable. After chatting casually for a while, Ying Xiaoman unknowingly felt her nervousness dissipate.
People in the palace didn't directly address her as "Empress Dowager" in person, but called her "Old Empress."
The Old Empress invited Ying Xiaoman to sit nearby, examining her carefully in the lamplight before smiling and saying, "The Xingning Marquis Mansion has so many children, yet none of them are as good-looking as this. If this little girl had been born into the Yan family, I would have surely brought her into the palace to raise."
She asked in detail about Ying Xiaoman's family situation, and Ying Xiaoman answered everything.
She didn't hide the fact that she was adopted.
This surprised the Old Empress: "So you're adopted. How could anyone abandon such a beautiful girl?"
Ying Xiaoman felt close to the Old Empress and looked up at her with a smile: "It's hard to raise children in the countryside. Every year, many baby girls are abandoned in the mountains or rivers. I was lucky to be taken in by my parents."
The palace attendants all exclaimed in sympathy.
Amidst the atmosphere of sighs and laments throughout the hall, someone brought up the topic of Ying Xiaoman's age and whether she was betrothed.
Ying Xiaoman, who had been kneeling before the Old Empress to answer questions, suddenly perked up her ears. The crucial topic had arrived!
She turned her head instantly.
The one who brought up the "betrothal matter" with a smile was a female official she didn't recognize, with a fair complexion and a blessed appearance.
Ying Xiaoman couldn't control what these palace people thought, but she immediately gave the standard answer she and Seventh Young Master had prepared.
"I'm sixteen, turning seventeen after the New Year," Ying Xiaoman said without hesitation. "I'm not yet married back home, but my adoptive father instructed me to come to the capital to find someone before he passed away."
Seventh Young Master's prepared response was like digging a pit. As soon as she mentioned finding someone, the fair-skinned female official jumped right in, asking: "Find someone? Who are you looking for?"
The Old Empress also showed great interest: "Coming all the way to the capital to find someone? That's not easy. Did you find them?"
"Yes, I did," Ying Xiaoman answered truthfully. "Yan Rongshi of Changle Alley."
A chorus of understanding exclamations echoed through the hall. Many exchanged knowing glances, as if they had figured something out. Who knows what they thought they understood.
The Old Empress laughed. "So it was arranged by your family long ago? No wonder a young girl new to the capital would be close to Yan Rongshi."
The Old Empress asked with a smile: "Since your adoptive father knew the Yan family, he must have been someone of note. What kind of person was he before retiring to the countryside?"
This was a question they hadn't prepared for, and it wasn't easy to answer.
Ying Xiaoman thought for a moment, then responded according to the strategy she and Seventh Young Master had agreed upon, trying to be as truthful as possible: "Father didn't talk much about his past in the capital. In any case, he was strong and worked as a hunter in the countryside. He would go hunting in the mountains every few days."
Many in the hall exchanged knowing glances again, and some of the Old Empress's close attendants commented, "He must have been a retired military officer."
The Old Empress clearly agreed: "A military background. Come to think of it, our Yan family also has a military heritage. It's a pity that with each passing generation, we've declined. There are few young men left who can ride horses and wield long spears..."
The topic drifted into sighs of nostalgia.
Ying Xiaoman, inexplicably labeled as having a "military officer background," opened her mouth and then closed it again.
What could she say? At least a military officer was better than a bandit.
In any case, after a lively conversation, it was noon, and the palace announced the start of the banquet.
The Old Empress loved lively gatherings, so the women's banquet was held in Yongning Palace.
The palace dishes were brought out one after another. The first few dishes placed on the table were for "viewing only" – they could be looked at but not eaten, and anyone who ate them would lose face. Both of her aunts had taught her about this.
Finally, after the display dishes were removed and the real food was served, Ying Xiaoman found herself unable to focus on eating.
Because just as she picked up her chopsticks, the second key question was thrown onto the table.
"Indeed, she is 'of pure and natural quality, without artificial adornment,' described perfectly. If the Old Empress enjoys the company of the Ying family's little girl, why not keep her for a few days to chat?"
Ying Xiaoman's ears perked up, and she instinctively gave the prepared answer.
"My mother suffers from an old ailment of coughing and dizziness that acts up from time to time, and I have a four-year-old younger sister at home who can't be left alone. If I stay in the palace, this commoner would be uneasy."
"She's so filial!" the Old Empress praised approvingly, immediately awarding her a jade ruyi scepter.
Ying Xiaoman quickly put down her chopsticks to express her gratitude.
As the jade ruyi was bestowed amidst laughter and chatter, just as Ying Xiaoman was about to take her seat with the jade ruyi in her hands, the fair-skinned female official spoke again:
"Since the Old Empress rarely takes such a liking to a young lady, why not send some palace maids to look after her family, and keep her here for three to five days? It wouldn't be a problem."
What did these persistent suggestions mean? Ying Xiaoman glanced at her, memorizing the official's appearance.
This question was difficult to answer. She had been told it wasn't good to directly refuse the nobles in the palace, but she couldn't think of a tactful way to decline. Ying Xiaoman hesitated for a moment, holding the jade ruyi.
Under the intense gazes from around the hall, she blurted out: "Who says it wouldn't be a problem? I can't bear to be apart from my mother."
The room fell silent.
Regardless of whether her response was too direct, the words were already out, so she could only continue, still telling the truth.
"We have a small family. We've lived together in the countryside since I was little, and when we came to the capital, we rented a house together. I've never been apart from my mother. Today I came to the palace just to attend the banquet, planning to return in the evening. If I suddenly leave for three to five days without notice, even if I don't cry here, my mother will cry missing me."
The Old Empress sighed and said to the attendants around her: "Listen to that, that's what I call honesty."
"Those youngsters from the Yan family, every one of them comes to the palace with endless flattery, hardly any of them are sincere. Why do I like Erlang? That boy doesn't like his father, gets beaten all the time but never gives his father a pleasant look. He likes this old woman, that's from the bottom of his heart, racking his brains to be filial. Hearts are made of flesh, who can't tell true feelings from false ones?"
The Old Empress gestured to Ying Xiaoman with emotion: "Come here, little girl, sit in front of me. I want to ask you a question quietly, and you answer quietly. Don't let others hear."
The surrounding attendants tactfully moved away.
Ying Xiaoman put down her chopsticks and knelt alone on the cushion in front of the Old Empress.
"You came to the capital to find Yan Rongshi of Changle Alley, but how come I heard that you first met Yan Erlang of Mogan Lane? Tell me quietly and honestly, is it because you saw that Yan Rongshi was more handsome, so you don't like Erlang anymore?"
Ying Xiaoman couldn't help but purse her lips.
"Of course I met Seventh Young Master first," she said truthfully:
"My father entrusted me to find someone, and I'm not familiar with the capital. When I was looking for the Yan family in Changle Alley, I accidentally entered Mogan Lane and the Yan family there. I never liked Yan Erlang. We've even moved from the south of the city to the north, but he still keeps following me, neither beatings nor scoldings can drive him away."
The Old Empress listened with frustration, while the female officials nearby, who hadn't moved far, couldn't help but twitch their lips.
"Erlang didn't behave properly in this matter," the Old Empress sighed. "The young lady clearly doesn't like him, but he didn't mention a word of it to me, only saying he likes her 'pure and natural quality.' Did he think I couldn't see through his little scheme? He can't rely on his father or stepmother at home, so he's hoping I'll back him up. I do get along well with the Ying family's little girl, but did you hear? Her late father has betrothed her to Yan Rongshi of Changle Alley."
At this point, she raised her hand to point at the fair-skinned female official who had spoken several times earlier, "You should stop instigating things."
The fair-skinned official was startled and hurriedly prostrated herself to beg forgiveness, not daring to say another word as she backed out of the hall in small steps.
Ying Xiaoman, inexplicably "betrothed to Seventh Young Master by her late father," opened her mouth and then closed it again.
What could she say? Better not say anything. The Old Empress was scolding the bad guys.
Midway through the banquet, the Eleventh Young Master indeed came to pay his respects to the Old Empress.
Today, the Eleventh Young Master wore formal princely robes, quite solemnly paying his respects. As he stood up, he took the opportunity to glance quickly at Ying Xiaoman, his narrow eyes showing a hint of inquiry.
Ying Xiaoman had a jade ruyi on her table, and at the moment she was holding a small knife, picking at a juicy roasted lamb leg. With the corners of her mouth turned up, she shook her head at the Eleventh Young Master.
Everything was calm at the women's banquet. She was doing great!
The Eleventh Young Master was puzzled. He deliberately stayed a while longer, chatting casually with the Old Empress, observing that the palace banquet here was indeed calm and harmonious. Reassured, he soon took his leave.
While it was calm at the women's banquet, the court officials' banquet was in turmoil...
At today's palace banquet, the Emperor left after three drinks. After three rounds of toasts, the Eleventh Young Master also left mid-banquet.
As voices filled the hall and the intoxicated officials engaged in drunken conversation, Yan Erlang seized the opportunity. He drained the cup on his table in one gulp and headed towards the hall's exit.
He had only taken a few steps when someone leisurely strolled out from behind a pillar beside him.
"Where are you going, Erlang?" Yan Rongshi greeted him.
Yan Erlang's lips twitched: "How come I bump into you every time I go to relieve myself? I've had too much to drink and need to use the restroom. Does Seventh Young Master want to follow me there too?"
"What a coincidence, I'm headed the same way."
"...Hehe."
"Hehe."
The two laughed dryly as they walked side by side to the restroom for the third time.
Yan Erlang, having frequented the inner palace since childhood, was extremely familiar with the layout of the halls. Reaching a fork in the palace walkway, he paused and pretended to search his person, saying, "I've lost a jade pendant. I'll retrace my steps to look for it. Seventh Young Master, please go on without me."
Yan Rongshi stopped and called over a guard captain on duty in the corridor: "Are you from the Palace Front Command, under Wu Xun?"
"Yes," the captain bowed respectfully. "All those on duty around today's banquet are under Military Police Commander Wu."
"Very good," Yan Rongshi pointed at Yan Erlang. "Erlang has lost his jade pendant. Take a few sharp-eyed, capable men and accompany him back to search. You must find the pendant."
Yan Erlang crossed his arms and sneered, "Isn't Seventh Young Master going to change clothes?"
"No need to worry about me," Yan Rongshi strolled away leisurely.
Yan Erlang walked back along the corridor for several dozen paces. Seeing the distance between them widen, he immediately put his arm around the captain's shoulder in a familiar manner and started addressing him as a brother:
"I don't recognize you, brother, but I'm well acquainted with your Military Police Commander Wu. I have urgent business with the Empress Dowager. Could you be accommodating?"
The guard captain remained stern-faced. Though his commander was indeed familiar with Yan Erlang, the Eleventh Young Master was even closer to Young Master Yan. With the young master's personal instructions to keep an eye on Yan Erlang, who would dare to privately let him off?
The guard captain politely cupped his fists: "May I ask about the size and shape of the jade pendant Young Master Yan has lost? This humble officer has been ordered to escort you to search, and naturally must find it."
Yan Erlang pondered for a moment, then pulled the captain to a quiet spot and took out a stack of banknotes: "Let's be frank. How much did the Yan family pay to clear this path? I'll offer double, take it and distribute it among your men. Just asking for some flexibility."
The guard captain hastily pushed away: "Please, Young Master Yan, don't put us in this position!"
Yan Erlang: ?
Yan Erlang laughed bitterly. He himself came from the palace guards, but today he must have been pecked blind by a hunting hawk to be blocked by his own people!
He fanned himself with the banknotes and sneered, "I've already informed the Empress Dowager that I would pay her respects today. If you insist on blocking me and the Old Empress asks why I didn't show up, I'll tell her the truth." He started walking towards the Yongning Palace where the Empress Dowager resided.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable but not daring to forcibly stop him, the captain could only follow closely. They walked about ten paces along the palace path when Yan Erlang's expression suddenly changed. He stopped, his body slightly hunched, showing an unusual demeanor.
The captain asked in alarm, "What's wrong, Young Master Yan? Did you overeat at the banquet? Do you need to use the facilities urgently? This officer will escort you immediately."
Yan Erlang cursed, "I was so busy competing with Yan the Seventh at the palace banquet that I barely ate or drank anything. How could I have overeaten? Ugh, something's not right..."
Outwardly, Yan Erlang didn't show obvious signs of distress. His cheeks were flushed and his steps unsteady, looking much like someone who had drunk too much.
But being the experienced playboy that he was, he instantly realized something was amiss. Fighting against the dizziness and the kaleidoscope of colors before his eyes, he gritted out three words: "Aphrodisiac... drug..."
The captain was shocked. This was inside the palace! Who would dare to drug a noble young master attending a banquet in the palace!
He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Yan Erlang crouched by the roadside, clutching his abdomen, and said through clenched teeth: "None of you are allowed to leave! All of you stand right where you are! You... you are all witnesses! I'm clean and innocent in the palace, I didn't do anything!"
The captain didn't dare disobey. The seven or eight men indeed stood in place, staring at each other in bewilderment.
But in his urgency, Yan Erlang had made a mistake. He had only strictly ordered them not to leave, forgetting to order them not to shout.
The palace guards looked at each other for a moment, reading each other's intentions in their eyes.
One, two, three.
Suddenly, several guards turned simultaneously towards the nearest high-ranking court official about a hundred paces away, and shouted in unison at the top of their lungs:
"Young Master Yan! Young Master Yan, come quickly!"