Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel)

In the spring of the 28th year of Kangxi’s reign, the triennial grand selection was drawing to a close. A few “da-ying” (low-ranked concubines) and ladies were newly conferred titles within the palace, and several marriages were arranged among the imperial clans. These consecutive joyous occasions brought an air of vibrancy to the palace’s springtime.

For a few years, no new members had entered the ‘Yuqing Palace’. Firstly, the Crown Prince had little interest in such matters; secondly, the Emperor was cautious about bringing in unruly individuals who might disrupt the Crown Prince’s health and well-being.

However, since the turn of the year, Li Side Concubine (secondary consort Li) had suffered a miscarriage, and Gege Lin (lower ranking concubine) had been moved out after developing a chronic cough. As a result, there was no one left in ‘Yuqing Palace’ to attend to the Crown Prince, which was quite an unseemly situation. Only then did the Emperor personally review candidates at the ‘Tiyuan Hall’ and enlisted the help of the four senior consorts—Noble Concubine Huang, Hui, Yi, Rong, and De—to carefully assess the selections. After two rounds of deliberation, they finally chose Lady Cheng and Lady Yang to enter the Eastern Palace.

“Reporting to Side Concubine Li, the two ‘gege’ have spent two months learning the rules at ‘Zhongcui Palace’. They have been carefully trained to ensure proper conduct. The Emperor himself summoned them to kneel before him, and only after confirming they were presentable did he approve their entry. His Majesty also considered Side Concubine Li’s fragile health and didn’t wish for these ladies to enter clumsily, causing you unnecessary trouble.”

Fu Tailong, the senior eunuch of the ‘Neiwufu’’s Ceremonial Affairs Bureau, spoke with eloquence, his repeated mentions of “His Majesty” causing the smile on Side Concubine Li’s face to freeze.

Jin Mama, who had attended Side Concubine Li since childhood, knew her temper better than anyone. She quickly smiled and handed Fu Tailong a bulging pouch in gratitude:

“Gracious heavens and merciful Buddha! His Majesty, burdened as he is with the affairs of the empire, still spares a thought for our Side Concubine. What an immense blessing this is! Eunuch Fu, rest assured—these two ‘gege’ will be settled in properly and without any trouble.”

Fu Tailong discreetly weighed the pouch and, only then, did his plump, round face display a genuine smile. “You’re too kind. At present, the two ‘gege’ are waiting outside the palace. Shall I summon them now to pay their respects?”

“Let them in,” Mistress Li said, summoning her strength to respond.

She appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old and had once clearly been a delicate beauty. However, her face was now sallow, and even the thick layer of powder she wore couldn’t conceal her sickly pallor. Her head was adorned with a heavy ‘diancui’ headdress, decorated with jade and jewels, and her hair was fully pinned with ornaments. She had deliberately dressed in the grand attire befitting a ‘Side Concubine’, exuding an air of exceptional opulence and grace—clearly to avoid being overshadowed by the two newcomers.

“Yes, madam,” Fu Tailong responded promptly, bowing deeply before retreating. With his task here complete, he still had to hurry to the ‘Qianqing Palace’ to report back.

As he passed through the hallway, he happened to encounter the two ‘gege’ following behind the Crown Prince’s wet nurse, Madam Ling. Fu Tailong quickly stepped aside, bowing respectfully to make way.

Madam Ling wore a deep purple palace gown, her sleek black hair meticulously combed and perfectly neat. Her sharp, upturned eyes exuded authority. She had always looked down on eunuchs, and as she passed, she merely offered a half-curtsy without exchanging pleasantries, leading the two young women forward without pause.

Fu Tailong glanced sideways, and once the others had walked away, he spat heavily onto the ground with a disdainful “ptui.”

The Crown Prince had not yet married, so Side Concubine Ling oversaw the matters of the front courtyard, while Side Concubine Li managed all affairs of the rear quarters. To avoid overstepping, since entering the palace, she had confined herself to living in the Eastern Side Hall of the rear palace. Her daily affairs, including receiving guests and managing tasks, were all conducted from the Eastern Side Hall’s warm chamber.

It was now nearing midday, and the spring sunlight slanted through the half-rolled bamboo blinds under the corridor. Cheng Wanyun followed closely behind Madam Ling and another ‘gege’ named Yang, their eyes lowered demurely, as they stepped through the lotus gate leading to the rear palace. In front of the stone steps of the Eastern Side Hall, Side Concubine Li’s senior palace maid, Chun Jian, was already waiting to guide the three of them inside.

Without any pause, Chun Jian led them through the ornately gilded and painted main hall and into the brighter warm chamber beyond.

The ‘Yuqing Palace’ was a narrow, elongated structure shaped like the Chinese character “工,” with rather small rooms. The rear palace was even more compact, but Side Concubine Li had decorated the warm chamber with intricate elegance. In the center sat a ‘zitan’ (red sandalwood) ‘luohan’ couch, paired with a folding screen depicting landscapes and figures. On either side of the screen were two lacquered ‘tianxiang’ tables, each holding blue-and-white porcelain vases with peony designs. Below were two pairs of ‘zitan’ armchairs with inlaid porcelain designs, while along the walls stood a ‘zitan’ gilded treasure shelf, filled with jade carvings and books. The walls themselves were adorned with carved ‘zitan’ hanging panels.

‘It seems Side Concubine Li has quite the obsession with zitan wood,’ Cheng Wanyun thought as she sneaked a quick glance from the back of the group.

At the entrance, the palace attendants lifted the heavy brocade curtain without announcing their arrival, a clear sign that Side Concubine Li had already given prior instructions.

Nevertheless, Madam Ling paused outside with the two young women and gave a slight bow, saying, “Greetings to Side Concubine Li. The two ‘gege’ have arrived.”

Mistress Li sat upright at the head seat and responded in a reasonably gentle tone, “Please come in and speak.”

Madam Ling entered first, stopping a respectful step below Side Concubine Li’s seat. Only then did she signal to the two young women to enter with a glance.

Cheng Wanyun deliberately slowed her steps, ensuring she stayed behind Yang Gege.

Mistress Li watched the two young women approach gracefully, one slightly ahead of the other, and unconsciously straightened her back, clutching her handkerchief tightly.

“Master Li, this is Yang Gege,” Madam Ling said with a bow, introducing her. “She comes from the Han Army’s Plain White Banner and is the daughter of Yang Bocong, the third-rank Salt Transport Commissioner of the Two Huai region.”

Although Yang Gege came from the ‘Han Army Banner’, her distinguished family background still compelled Mistress Li to take a closer look at her.

Yang Gege had strikingly beautiful features and a tall, curvaceous figure. Clearly, she had dressed carefully for the occasion: she wore a peach-red silk brocade jacket embroidered with butterflies, topped with a grape-colored silver fox shoulder cape. Her head was adorned with an intricate gold headdress, and at her temple rested a peony hairpin carved entirely from a single piece of fine jade. The moment she entered, she drew everyone’s attention.

Yang Gege walked with her gaze fixed straight ahead, her chin slightly lifted with a touch of pride. Her steps were perfectly measured and steady, as if dictated by palace etiquette and a ruler.

“This is Cheng Gege, from the ‘Han Army’s Bordered Blue Banner’, daughter of Cheng Shifu, the county magistrate of She County,” Madam Ling continued.

Side concubine Li had already heard that Cheng Wanyun was the youngest among this group of selected women, yet reputed to be the most beautiful. Despite her youth, her face bloomed like peach blossoms, and her figure was as graceful as a willow. In particular, her clear, almond-shaped eyes, soft and misty as water, carried an elegance reminiscent of Jiangnan’s delicate charm.

Seeing her in person, the rumors were indeed true. Cheng Wanyun wore a simple, slightly worn-out outfit: a narrow-sleeved jacket in pale lotus pink with peach-blossom embroidery at the edges, paired with a yellow-green silk skirt. Her hair was styled plainly into two small buns, decorated only with a pair of delicate silk begonia flowers. Despite the modest and even shabby appearance, she radiated an unmatched ethereal elegance.

When the two young women reached Side Concubine Li, they offered a deep curtsy and greeted her, “Greetings to Side Concubine Li. Wishing you health and happiness.”

As Side Concubine Li was not the Crown Princess, she had no authority to accept a kneeling salute, nor did the two ‘gege’ need to serve her tea. Smiling warmly, she bade them to rise. At her signal, Jin Mama immediately helped the two up and invited them to sit, while commanding the palace maids to serve tea.

Cheng Wanyun quietly sat below Yang Gege, her gaze lowered in a perfectly composed manner, as though the phrase “reserved and silent” were written across her forehead.

Yang Gege, however, sat slightly forward, her head tilted attentively, and her expression filled with respectful eagerness as she looked toward Side Concubine Li.

Side concubine Li glanced briefly at the two young women, lifted her cloisonne lotus-patterned tea cup, and took a sip before smiling. “Ever since Sister Lin left the palace to recover from her illness, it’s been far too quiet here with only the Crown Prince and me. I was overjoyed when I heard that the two of you were coming. I am just a few years older than you both, so feel free to call me ‘sister’. From now on, do come often to keep me company and chat. There’s no need for formality.”

“It’s our fortune to be noticed by Sister Li,” Yang Gege immediately adjusted her tone, bowing slightly as she responded. “The ‘mama’ from the ‘Neiwufu’ could not praise Sister Li enough, saying you are someone who manages everything impeccably and treats others with great kindness. My sister from the Cheng family and I have only just entered the palace, inexperienced and flustered like little crabs scuttling about. In the days to come, we will surely need to rely on Sister Li for guidance.”

Yang Gege’s demeanor was modest, and she carefully put Li as the priority in all matters. However, Li did not miss the flicker of ambition and pride in Yang Gege’s eyes. She scoffed silently in her heart but maintained her gentle smile, her gaze subtly shifting beyond Yang Gege.

The pressure suddenly fell on Cheng Wanyun, who was still holding a pastry that had just been served by a little palace maid. She had already taken a bite and had no choice but to hurriedly swallow before responding, “What the two sisters said is correct.”

Li and Yang: “……”

Suddenly, a low chuckle sounded at the doorway, drawing the attention of all three women. Instinctively, they turned their heads to look.

Outside the beaded curtain stood a tall, slender figure, his yellow imperial coat peeking out from beneath the sable fur cloak. The hems of his robe were embroidered with five-clawed dragons and multicolored clouds, clearly signifying imperial status.

Startled, Li immediately stood up.

Outside, the palace maids and eunuchs had already silently fallen to their knees.