They had never expected that they would go to the Beauty Palace in this life. That’s not right either. We have never thought that we would even leave the imperial palace! Even if it was temporary, they could at least venture into the outside world to enrich their experience and ehck out the current situation outside the palace.
They immediately packed their own cloth bundles before they followed Su Xi-er and Old Maidservant Liu to the side gate of the imperial palace.
Still speechless, the two of them only regained their compose once they were seated in the horse carriage at the side gate.
Hong Li looked at Su Xi-er. Her expression was tranquil and calm, with not a sliver of discernable emotion. Ruo Yuan, on the other hand, had her lips pursed while her hands tugged on the hem of her clothes.
Su Xi-er detected Ruo Yuan’s anxiety and smiled. “We’re just going there to stay for a short period of time. You don’t need to be nervous. When time is up, we will have to go back to the palace.”
Ruo Yuan nodded. “I would very much like to leave the palace to take a look at the outside world, but just the thought of heading to the Beauty Palace handled by Prince Hao is a little frightening. That kind of place is not suitable for people like us.”
“Ruo Yuan, there’s nothing to be afraid of with Su Xi-er around. I thought that it would already be amazing if we can even leave the Palace Side Quarters, but I didn’t expect that we would be able to leave the imperial palace so quickly. With Prince Hao gone, we can even use this opportunity to slip out and enjoy the sight in the capital. I remember that the night market was very lively before I entered the palace!”
The night market that Hong Li mentioned attracted Ruo Yuan’s interest. She had been born to a humble family and entered the palace when she was very young. Not even mentioning the bustle of a night market, Ruo Yuan had only known starvation and freezing as a child.
Reminiscing about her childhood, a flicker of yearning appeared in Ruo Yuan’s eyes, and it didn’t escape Su Xi-er.
“Then let’s find a night for us to go out.” Su Xi-er slowly suggested as she looked at them.
Ruo Yuan and Hong Li’s faces were filled with delight. Their anxiety from a moment ago had completely vanished, replaced with the words ‘capital’s night market’.
The horse carriage travelled along slowly before finally stopping about 45 minutes later.
Su Xi-er lifted open the carriage curtains and the words ‘Beauty Palace’ entered her eyes. The gate was wide and the front of the entrance was swept until it was spick and span. Two imperial guards stood ramrod straight with a solemn expression.
If it weren’t for the words ‘Beauty Palace’, she would have thought that it was the official residence of an eminent and wealthy family. Yet, this is the place where Pei Qianhao keeps women.
“Miss Su, you may disembark. The Empress Dowager’s verbal edict has long been conveyed to the Beauty Palace. There will be someone receiving you all.”
Su Xi-er muttered a reply before she stepped off the carriage with Hong Li and Ruo Yuan following closely behind.
The imperial guards at the entrance were aware of who had come. With Prince Hao away from the capital, the Empress Dowager’s decree was law.
The two copper gates were opened and immediately closed as soon as Su Xi-er’s group of three entered the Beauty Palace. It felt as if the place was completely isolated from the rest of the world, reminding them that no matter how beautiful it may be, it was ultimately little more than an ornate cage.
There were many plants in the Beauty Palace. Following an extremely spacious path, they found it lined with tall and luxurious trees as far as they could see.
Upon reaching the end of the path, they were met with a large hall adorned with a massive signboard[*] reading, ‘Beauty Hall’. The furnishings in the hall, while not of the absolute highest quality, were still exquisite.
A eunuch with grizzled hair stood in the Beauty Hall. When he spotted Su Xi-er, he bowed and paid his greetings. “The Empress Dowager’s verbal edict has been conveyed. This lady should be Miss Su, right?”
“You are no longer a servant after you arrive here. This old servant’s surname is ‘Sun’. You can just call me ‘Eunuch Sun’ like the other women.” Eunuch Sun’s gaze then landed on Hong Li and Ruo Yuan. “These two are the servant girls you have brought here, Miss Su?”
Su Xi-er smiled. “Eunuch Sun, we are wearing the same clothes and all come from the Palace Side Quarters. Why would they be my servant girls?”
Eunuch Sun understood her intention. “Even if they aren’t your servant girls, they have still come to take care of you. There will be no further discussion on this matter. Follow this old servant now.”
Eunuch Sun then walked towards the Beauty Hall.
Following along, they passed another small path. This one was filled with clusters of vibrantly blooming flowers that had Ruo Yuan and Hong Li widening their eyes at the most beautiful scenery they have ever seen.
As for Su Xi-er, she gave a cursory glance at the flowers before turning her attention elsewhere, neither astonished nor probing.
Eunuch Sun noticed all of this. These palace maids shouldn’t have even been able to leave the Palace Side Quarters without a decree, much less leave the imperial palace itself. Yet, Su Xi-er still fails to show any sign of astonishment that has engulfed the other two. Even if she isn’t shocked speechless, she should at least be curious or impressed.
However, not only did she fail to do that, she simply glanced around as if she is long used to this kind of scenery. How could someone from the Palace Side Quarters be so indifferent to such a sight?
Eunuch Sun couldn’t help but be a little baffled.
After walking for roughly 15 minutes, Su Xi-er saw a small room. There was a small signboard inscribed with the words ‘Beauty Plaque’.
Hehe, this Beauty Palace really pays particular attention to aesthetics and details. The word ‘beauty’ is written everywhere.
First it is in the Beauty Hall. Then the Beauty Plaque. Pei Qianhao really has the mood to play with these repeatedly.
“Miss Su, come with this old servant. The other two, stand outside the door.” Eunuch Sun then walked into the room while Su Xi-er followed closely behind, the door closing behind them.
There was a tall and large cupboard resembling a medicine cupboard placed in the room. Each of the tiny drawers had a plaque hanging outside.
She cast a perfunctory glance at the tablets and happened to see the words ‘He Xiangyu.”
So it turns out that ‘Beauty Palace’ is actually for this purpose. Every time a beauty comes in, she would carve her name onto a plaque. Could the thing in the drawer is something every woman uses to prove that her body is pure and unsullied?
“Miss Su, this old servant will carve your name onto a plaque later on. There were originally 72 beauties, but a beauty suddenly died a few days ago. Her body has already been carried away, and her position will be superseded by you.”
Carried away? To where? In the eyes of Pei Qianhao, I’m afraid that these beauties are nothing at all.
Su Xi-er asked, “Doesn’t Prince Hao pursue the matter of the deceased beauty? Did he randomly bury her or…?”
“Miss Su, there are some things you can’t ask. This old servant will engrave your name onto the plaque now.” Eunuch Sun then began to start work.
“There’s no need for that Eunuch Sun. I won’t be staying here for long anyways. Even disregarding that, I was brought here by the Empress Dowager without considering Prince Hao’s wishes.. I’m afraid that it wouldn’t be good if we rashly carve the name without careful consideration.”
Eunuch Sun smiled. “Miss Su, you are worrying too much. Any beauty who comes here has to carve their names regardless of who they are taking orders from. Furthermore, even if Prince Hao pursues the matter, he should be reproaching the Empress Dowager.”
Su Xi-er shook her head. “Eunuch Sun, you said that wrong. If all the women who come to the Beauty Palace have to engrave their names, the two standing outside the room also have to come in to carve their names.”
“This… Eunuch Sun was feeling awkward. In the end, he could only reply, “They aren’t beauties, so their names can’t be carved onto the Beauty Plaques. Moreover, every woman in this Beauty Palace has a servant girl waiting upon them. In the end, it’s still better for you to carve your name onto a plaque first.”
(* It is a horizontal inscribed board with the name of the place.)
