Chapter Seven: A Chance Encounter with Prince Jing

“Nanny Li, what exactly is the position of Sixth Rank Music Supervisor? What will our young mistress be doing once she enters the palace?”

Perhaps unwilling to see her young mistress so downcast, Tong Hua was the first to ask, trying to ease the heavy atmosphere as they alighted from the carriage.

“The Music Supervisor is a female official under the Department of Ceremonial Affairs, usually holding the rank of Sixth Rank or Associate Sixth Rank, selected from respectable families. Their main duties involve organizing music and dance for palace festivals, managing musical instruments and court performers.”

Having just witnessed the rift between the Jiang family’s father and daughter, the nanny understood the situation well and soon opened up further.

“Miss Jiang, rest assured, as far as this old servant knows, the Department of Ceremonial Affairs currently has two Music Supervisors, two Seventh Rank Music Controllers, and two Ninth Rank Music Overseers. There are plenty of hands on deck. Your young mistress’s role will be largely honorary, a nominal position without much actual work.”

“If it’s such a nominal post, why does Her Majesty the Empress Dowager insist that our young mistress enter the palace?” Tong Hua asked somewhat boldly, then immediately answered herself, “Could it be that the Empress Dowager has heard that our young mistress plays the pipa exceptionally well and wishes to hear it often?”

Jiang Zhuo couldn’t help but smile gently.

There were many possible reasons why the Empress Dowager would have her enter the palace as a lady-in-waiting. Perhaps it was punishment for publicly refusing a marriage proposal at the Qionghua Banquet, offending the imperial family’s dignity—a small reprimand to serve as a warning. Or perhaps the current emperor sought to use this as a means to subtly influence her father’s conduct at court.

It certainly wasn’t as simple as her exceptional skill.

Nanny Li gave a nervous chuckle.

“As for the Empress Dowager’s true intentions, this old servant cannot say.”

Yet Tong Hua was still at the innocent, naïve age; perhaps it was unwise to bring her into the palace at all.

Jiang Zhuo’s smile quickly faded.

As they approached the side entrance of the palace gate, it was time to proceed on foot. Just as Jiang Zhuo prepared to dismount, cradling her pipa, a familiar, low male voice came from outside.

“Is that the new Music Supervisor Jiang in the carriage? Where are you headed?”

Jiang Zhuo’s hand on the curtain froze.

Nanny Li, well versed in court etiquette, immediately sensed Jiang Zhuo’s concern about propriety between men and women, and dismounted first to reply.

“Your Highness, the lady in the carriage is indeed Lady Official Jiang. By the Empress Dowager’s decree, she is to serve in the Palace of Celebration and Longevity.”

“Coincidentally, I am also entering the palace today to pay respects to the Imperial Grandmother. Why not accompany me?”

Jiang Zhuo’s face turned pale.

Now that she was a lady-in-waiting, any association with Zhao Mingjing could truly be a serious liability.

Hoping Nanny Li would quickly refuse the invitation on her behalf, Jiang Zhuo listened attentively inside the carriage but only heard the faint rustle of clothing.

“…Very well. Miss Jiang, please disembark with peace of mind. I and the accompanying guards will follow, which is in accordance with palace protocol.”

In this palace, money was indeed the key.

Jiang Zhuo bit her lip in frustration but had no choice but to step down and bend into a deep kowtow.

“I, your humble servant, pay respects to Prince Jing. Your Highness, may you be well.”

“It’s truly difficult to meet with Miss Jiang.”

Before Jiang Zhuo could rise, Zhao Mingjing’s black leather boots, trimmed with cloud patterns, appeared in her view. After he motioned her to rise, she looked up to see him dressed in a black and gold formal robe, with an embroidered dragon pattern vividly woven in golden thread along the black silk lapels. He was leading a sturdy four-foot tall brown-black horse, exuding a commanding presence.

His sharp, swordlike eyebrows remained unchanged, but as his gaze swept over Jiang Zhuo’s cheek, it lifted slightly, as if reluctant to see her so distressed.

“Why are you crying so bitterly?”

“I have been raised in seclusion, and today, parting with my father has saddened me. Please do not blame me, Your Highness.”

Jiang Zhuo lowered her eyes, suppressing the turmoil within.

As Jiang Zhuo’s first lord and the man she had cherished silently, it was impossible to say she held no feelings for Prince Jing.

She remembered the helping hand he extended in times of peril and the promises he made when she felt most helpless. Yet she also recalled the tender affection he bestowed upon Shen Guanzhi and how casually, at a banquet, he publicly gave her away to Ling Heng without a second thought.

Men's infatuations may be spoken of, but a woman's—unspeakable!

In her previous life, Jiang Zhuo took pride in her beauty, easily winning men’s favor, yet never once received a promise of lifelong devotion.

Unaware of Jiang Zhuo’s complex emotions, Zhao Mingjing spoke gently.

“Miss Jiang, please take heart. I expect the Imperial Grandmother’s decree is but a whim. Perhaps you will soon be allowed to leave the palace and reunite with Deputy Minister Jiang.”

Jiang Zhuo nodded meekly, offering no further words.

Prince Jing had always been kind to women; any tears shed before him softened his heart.

Her reaction to Zhao Mingjing’s attitude was unsurprising.

Yet Zhao Mingjing was in high spirits and began to point out the names and features of the palaces they passed.

Though princes could ride swiftly into the palace on horseback, Zhao Mingjing deliberately chose to walk beside Jiang Zhuo, holding the reins, drawing many curious glances from the palace attendants.

Sensing the awkwardness, Jiang Zhuo lowered her head and stepped back half a pace, occasionally responding with faint replies.

“That building on the right with the four-cornered flying eaves is the Gathering of Excellence Hall. This year, Father will host a banquet there for the newly crowned top scholars; it can seat over a hundred guests.”

“I see. Your instruction is much appreciated.”

“Just now we passed the Water Heart Hall. It may look unremarkable, but beneath the hall lies a sluice gate. In summer, the wooden lattice windows can be removed to allow ventilation and cooling.”

“Your Highness, your knowledge is truly admirable.”

“That two-story pavilion with a cross-gabled roof is the Baoqiong Pavilion. Father has collected many exotic tributes there—it’s quite fascinating!”

“Is that so?”

Jiang Zhuo continued to respond perfunctorily.

Zhao Mingjing, on a whim, chatted freely, and their path gradually veered off course.

Unable to bear it any longer, Nanny Li interrupted.

“Prince Jing, the Empress Dowager is still awaiting you both at the Palace of Celebration and Longevity.”

Only then did Zhao Mingjing relent.

Before long, they arrived at the Empress Dowager’s residence.

“Please wait here. Allow this old servant to first report to Her Majesty.”

Nanny Li nodded to both Zhao Mingjing and Jiang Zhuo.

With no more palace spies to warn her, Zhao Mingjing stepped closer and smiled, inviting.

“Behind the Imperial Grandmother’s residence lies the Garden of Eternal Spring, where Father has ordered many rare and precious flowers to be planted. It is now the season of blooming hydrangeas—pink, pale blue, pure white, large and lush. If you like Qionghua flowers, you will surely like hydrangeas. Perhaps we could visit after?”

“Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty once spent great effort carving the Grand Canal just to admire willow blossoms, traveling southward by dragon boat to Yangzhou,” Jiang Zhuo stepped back half a pace, still bowing respectfully, “I do not favor Qionghua, nor do I wish to become a flower that brings ruin upon the nation.”

“Those are merely legends; no need to take them seriously,” Zhao Mingjing frowned. “If a ruler has clear eyes, how could a mere flower cause the loss of a kingdom? In fact, the Qionghua’s reputation is what makes it famous.”

“Consort Yang was fertile, graceful, fond of dancing and lychees, yet she ended her life beneath Mawei Slope. Is that not also a widely told tale? I would rather forgo such a notorious fame.”

Jiang Zhuo’s tone remained calm, but a chill deepened between her brows.

Seeing the misunderstanding deepen, Zhao Mingjing hurried to clarify.

At that moment, Nanny Li stepped forward, cutting in.

“Prince Jing, Miss Jiang, the Empress Dowager requests you both to enter together.”