Entering the palace at eighty-six-Years of Reminiscence(The Gentle Years)

“Madam!” Little Kite gazed excitedly at the lone woman in the room. Yan’er hurriedly stood up, and as she turned, was startled herself, “Little Kite?” It was nearly impossible to recognize her, but those large tear-filled eyes told Yan’er without a doubt that this was Little Kite.

“What happened to you? Who did this?” Yan’er, agitated, knelt beside Little Kite, embracing her frail body.

“Madam,” Little Kite lowered her head, terrified, trying to hide her disfigured face.

“Tell me, was it Ou Ruolan?” Yan’er was certain this was Ou Ruolan’s handiwork—only she hated her so deeply.

“Madam, it is so wonderful to see you again. Little Kite thought that after the turmoil in the world, she would never see you again.” Despite everything, Little Kite was still just a child, forced to bear a lifetime of ugliness at such a tender age.

“Don’t say any more. From now on, I am Li Banshuang.” Yan’er helped Little Kite to her feet. “You must remember never to call me Madam again.”

Little Kite thought for a moment. “Are you Lord Li’s adopted sister?” Such an important matter as entering the palace was widely known. Even if Little Kite generally kept to herself, she would have heard. She scrutinized Yan’er, as though she had something more to say, but suppressed it.

“There’s no need to say anything. Some matters are best kept in the heart—speaking them may bring disaster.” Yan’er instructed Little Kite, caressing her rough hands with pity.

“As long as Madam is well, Little Kite can rest easy.” Little Kite nodded earnestly. In her heart, she had always regarded Yan’er as a sister.

“When the opportunity arises, I will bring you back to my side.” Yan’er patted her shoulder. “Liu’er.”

Little Kite quickly wiped away her tears, hiding her emotions from everyone. Yan’er was pleased with her transformation.

“Liu’er, take her back. She’s not the relative my family entrusted to me.” Yan’er sat at her dressing table, inspecting the array of jewelry.

“Yes.” Liu’er pulled Little Kite away, shaking her head as they left.

Yan’er steadied her emotions, calmly awaiting the time. Entering the palace was a matter of auspicious timing; every event in the palace required it.

“Miss, you may rise now.” Liu’er helped Yan’er up and slowly led her out. Outside, a sedan chair waited at the door. Since she would now be the emperor’s woman, her appearance was not for others to see. Yan’er composed herself and entered the sedan, which was carried steadily behind Li Yihe’s.

It was unclear how far they traveled before the sedan stopped. Yan’er, curious, lifted a corner of the curtain—she was at the palace gates. Nearby, several other sedans had stopped, evidently carrying women from various families entering the palace.

On the way, Yan’er had worried that something might go wrong. Every time she had married in a bridal sedan, there were always mishaps. Sometimes she wondered whether she was ill-fated with them. And then there was the gamble on Guan Canghai—this was a challenge; she didn’t know if her fate was good or ill. But all was well; she had arrived at the palace gate, and Guan Canghai had treated her decently.

“Change sedans—” A eunuch’s voice rang out. As the curtain was lifted, Yan’er stepped out. She glanced at the women beside her, all dressed in finery, each with their own beauty and grace. Every eunuch and palace guard lowered their heads as the women emerged. Guided by a eunuch, Yan’er and the others entered yellow-topped sedans that were then lifted again. She seemed to hear the palace gates creaking shut.

Inside her sedan, Yan’er peeked curiously at the others. A dozen or so sedans stopped outside Luoyi Palace; ceremonial music began. Yan’er, along with the other women, walked into the hall where they would greet the emperor. Guan Canghai sat upright on the dais.

His bright yellow robes accentuated his noble bearing, though Yan’er felt purple suited him better. She stole another glance at Guan Canghai; he was staring intently outside, not bothering to look at the women individually.

The eunuch lifted the register, softly calling Guan Canghai back from his reverie. “Your Majesty.”

“Mm.” Guan Canghai looked at the sixteen women, each with their head bowed, their figures varying in height and form, each with her own charm. A wicked smile played on his lips—he recognized that silhouette well: the very woman who had captivated him at first sight, Yan’er.

The eunuch opened the register. “The niece of the Right Chancellor, He Qingtuo, He Meiru, age seventeen.”

He Meiru, hearing her name first, quickly stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and bowed. “Your humble concubine He Meiru greets Your Majesty.”

“Rise.” Guan Canghai gestured, prompting He Meiru to stand.

Even the order of names was significant, determined by the rank of their families in court. Everyone took note of He Meiru—the niece of the Right Chancellor, whose future glory was boundless.

“The sister of the Left Chancellor and Grand Marshal, Li Zuo, Li Yihe, age eighteen.”

Next was Li Yihe, whose brother, Li Zuo, was the emperor’s confidant and closest companion. Sending his sister into the palace must have been at the emperor’s promise. Li Zuo’s meteoric rise was well known, and his sister’s entry would only strengthen the Li family’s position. Li Yihe was sweetly beautiful, her round eyes shining with youthful innocence.

“Your humble concubine Li Yihe greets Brother Canghai.” Li Yihe deliberately used “Brother Canghai” instead of “Your Majesty,” making it clear to all that the emperor in their eyes was merely her elder brother. The crowd held its breath—if the emperor was not angered, Li Yihe had given the others a warning; if he was, the consequences would be severe.

“Hahahaha, still so mischievous. Rise.” Guan Canghai looked at Li Yihe fondly, as if she were his own sister.

Li Yihe rose slowly, tilting her head at Guan Canghai before stepping aside.

The eunuch, startled by Li Yihe’s boldness, swallowed nervously and made a mental note of her. Such an assertive temperament, if favored, could make her the next empress.

“The adopted sister of the Left Chancellor and Grand Marshal, Li Zuo, Li Banshuang, age twenty.”

The eunuch called the name again, but no one stepped forward; he repeated it, daring not to look up at Guan Canghai, only raising his eyes to scan the women below. Still, no one moved. The nervous eunuch raised his voice.

“The adopted sister of the Left Chancellor and Grand Marshal, Li Zuo, Li Banshuang—why have you not come forth to greet the emperor?”

Yan’er was lost in thought when the eunuch’s loud cry jolted her. She listened carefully, pondering for a moment before suddenly stepping out of the line—she had forgotten her identity was now Li Banshuang.

Yan’er hurried to the steps. “Your humble concubine Li Banshuang greets Your Majesty.” She chastised herself for the oversight; such mistakes could not be repeated.

“Lift your head.” Guan Canghai watched her with interest.

Yan’er raised her head, locking eyes with Guan Canghai, offering him a fleeting smile before returning to a solemn expression.

“You’re not bad-looking. What is your name?” Guan Canghai teased her, irritating Yan’er.

“Your humble concubine Li Banshuang.” Yan’er blinked her watery peach blossom eyes, her delicate appearance reminding Guan Canghai of that night beneath the cliffs.

“Come here.” Guan Canghai suddenly stretched out his hand, pulling Yan’er up to his side at the dragon throne. Yan’er stumbled, practically crawling up.

“Oh dear.” Yan’er nearly tripped on her skirt, kneeling beside Guan Canghai’s leg, glaring at him. Clearly, he was deliberately toying with her.

“Hahaha!” Guan Canghai laughed aloud at her predicament.

The eunuch, baffled by the emperor’s actions, was unaware of the history between him and Li Banshuang. “Your Majesty, there are many names yet to be called.” he reminded gently.

Guan Canghai waved him off, and the eunuch quickly closed the register.

“I will get to know them in time. Today, I am weary.” Guan Canghai ignored Yan’er’s glare, keeping hold of her delicate hand, toying with it in his own.

This gesture made it clear to all present that Li Banshuang was the woman to whom they should attach themselves. She was the oldest—most palace entrants were not above nineteen, yet she was twenty, past the usual age, allowed entry only by virtue of being Li Zuo’s adopted sister. No one had ever heard of Li Zuo adopting a sister; it was curious. And the obvious affection between her and the emperor—none of the servants missed it. It seemed they were already well acquainted.

“Conferring the title of Consort Ru to He, the niece of the Right Chancellor; conferring the title of Consort Hui to Li, the sister of the Left Chancellor.” Guan Canghai glanced at Yan’er. “This woman’s appearance pleases me—let her be Lady Yan.”