Is eighty-seven friend or foe?

Yan’er had little feeling about being granted the title of beauty by Guan Canghai; she simply felt grateful that he had at least considered her family name, and so she bowed her head in thanks. Led by a eunuch, Yan’er entered the Palace of Heavenly Fragrance, accompanied all the way by the obsequious chatter of the young eunuch.

“Madam, please walk slowly—the cobblestones here are rather slippery,” the eunuch said, bowing as he supported Yan’er along the path to the palace. “Look, madam, this Palace of Heavenly Fragrance was specially bestowed upon you by His Majesty. It’s the closest residence to the emperor’s own chambers—none of the other ladies have been so fortunate.”

“Thank you for the reminder,” Yan’er replied, lifting the long hem of her gown as she gazed up at the not-so-large palace. The eunuch hurried to push open the palace doors.

The moment the doors swung open, Yan’er was taken aback. The entire courtyard within was filled with Michelia flowers, each bush lush and verdant, their buds just on the verge of blooming in the heart of June. Yan’er approached the nearest bush and gently caressed a bud. Its pale yellow hue was tinged delicately at the petal edges with fine pink.

“Does madam like the flowers?” the eunuch asked, seeing how Yan’er stood rooted, her gaze lingering on the riot of spring colors. He surmised that this lady must be fond of flowers.

“What’s your name?” Yan’er finally asked the young eunuch, realizing she could hardly keep referring to him simply as “eunuch.”

“This humble servant is called Xiao Liu,” he replied.

“Were these flowers always planted here?” Yan’er asked, her spirits lifting at the sight of so much lush greenery.

“Yes, madam. This palace once housed a favored concubine of the former dynasty,” Xiao Liu replied, bustling before and behind her.

“Thank you, Xiao Liu,” Yan’er said, letting the leaf fall from her fingers as she continued deeper into the palace.

Then Xiao Liu called out, “What are you all dawdling for? Come out and pay respects to your mistress!”

Yan’er paused as a group of a dozen palace maids emerged from the surrounding rooms, lining up in a neat row. “We pay our respects, madam,” they chorused.

“Lift your heads. Tell me your names,” Yan’er said as she made her way into the main hall.

The maids followed behind Yan’er and Xiao Liu like a school of fish. Once Yan’er was seated, she surveyed the group who would serve her from now on. “Thank you for your help today, Xiao Liu. I’m tired now; you may go,” she said, waving him off. It wasn’t that she ignored etiquette, but she possessed nothing with which to tip him—not a coin nor a trinket.

Xiao Liu bowed and retreated from the room, thinking to himself that this mistress must be someone of significance. Though she held only the title of beauty now, surely she would soon wield real power. Most mistresses tried to curry favor with gifts to the eunuchs in hopes they’d speak a good word for them before the emperor, but she seemed to care nothing for such things. He’d caught wind of what had happened in the grand hall earlier: of three names the emperor had called, only two had been granted titles. What an honor that was! Both ladies hailed from the Li family, making it clear that Lord Li had worked hard to secure his standing at court—not only bringing his own sister into the palace but also finding a woman to suit the emperor’s tastes. With that in mind, Xiao Liu didn’t regret missing out on a small reward today.

Once he’d left, Yan’er maintained her dignified composure. “Each of you, tell me your name.”

“I am Xiao Lan, madam,” said the first, a slightly plump girl whose round cheeks matched her round belly.

“I am Bi’er, madam,” volunteered the maid next to Xiao Lan. “Would you care for some tea? I’ll fetch a cup for you.” With that, Bi’er hurried off.

Yan’er made a mental note of Bi’er—quick-witted and lively, perhaps someone to rely on in the future. “The rest of you, state your names as well.”

The maids introduced themselves one by one, and soon Bi’er returned with the tea. Yan’er took the cup in hand. “I remember all your names now. From now on, Bi’er will be in charge of managing you all here in the Palace of Heavenly Fragrance. You may go, Bi’er, stay with me.”

Bi’er stood obediently at her side. “Madam?”

“I see you’re clever and deft. From now on, keep a close eye and ear on all matters inside and outside the palace. Choose two maids to serve me in the inner rooms; you may instruct the others as you see fit,” Yan’er said, lifting the teacup and sipping lightly.

“Yes, madam,” Bi’er replied, delighted, and stepped forward to help prepare Yan’er’s bed. “You must be tired, madam. Rest a while. I’ll wake you before the evening banquet begins.” She deftly arranged the bedding.

Yan’er realized she was indeed fatigued, so she said no more, and soon drifted to sleep upon the bed.

Under Bi’er’s direction, the maids prepared the attire Yan’er would need for the evening. While Yan’er slept, a eunuch arrived bearing gifts from the emperor—though not many, each was of fine quality. Bi’er was pleased with the rewards, thinking she’d set aside the best for her mistress to choose upon waking.

“Bi’er,” Xiao Lan called as she waddled in, belly round and cheeks bulging with a piece of cake.

“Shh, madam is still resting. And you’re sneaking food again,” Bi’er chided, dabbing the crumbs from Xiao Lan’s lips with a handkerchief.

“Our lady is truly beautiful,” Xiao Lan whispered, stealing a glance at Yan’er’s sleeping face.

“Take good care of her with me, and we’ll see better days ahead. It’s about time; go and wake madam,” Bi’er said, glancing at the sky. They’d need to start preparing soon—if Lady Yan was favored tonight, they’d all benefit. The thought made Bi’er all the more eager as she picked out an outfit for Yan’er.

“Madam? Madam?” Xiao Lan crouched by the bed, calling softly.

Yan’er woke with a few gentle calls and slowly sat up, spotting the plump maid by her side again.

“Bi’er says it’s nearly time, and you’ll need a bath before dressing,” Xiao Lan said, hurrying to slip shoes onto Yan’er’s feet.

“Very well,” Yan’er agreed, following Xiao Lan into the bath. The Palace of Heavenly Fragrance might not be grand, but its bath was a delight—a large pool sending up clouds of steam. “Xiao Lan, this water feels like a hot spring,” Yan’er said, her spirits rising.

“Madam’s eyes are sharp—this is indeed spring water,” Bi’er chimed in, carrying in the bathing supplies with a smile, her hands busy arranging everything.

“Oh? How did they bring hot spring water into the palace?” Yan’er asked in surprise, trailing her hand through the water.

“It’s said that a favored consort of the last dynasty loved bathing in hot springs, so the emperor had a channel dug from the springs outside the palace to bring the water here. Only the Palace of Heavenly Fragrance has a natural hot spring. For the emperor to grant you such a place, madam, you are truly blessed,” Xiao Lan added.

“Xiao Lan, stop gossiping and help madam bathe,” Bi’er said briskly, beginning to help Yan’er out of her gown. Xiao Lan stuck out her tongue but obediently set to work.

Together, they scattered dried flower petals into the pool. “It’s not yet the season for blooms, so we must make do with dried flowers,” Bi’er explained as she sprinkled petals, while Xiao Lan washed Yan’er’s hair with a smile.

“It’s fine,” Yan’er replied. Having experienced so much, she cared little for such luxuries; they were never her true aim.

Once bathed, Yan’er’s body carried a faint fragrance. Bi’er carefully dressed her in clean inner clothes.

“Madam, while you slept, the palace sent over some household items. I took the liberty of choosing a few for you to wear tonight,” Bi’er said as Xiao Lan brought over the selected garments.

Yan’er glanced at the dazzling red gauze on the tray. “No, that one doesn’t suit me. Are there others?”

Her refusal startled Bi’er. “Madam, are you displeased that I chose on my own?” she asked, dropping to her knees.

“No—stand up. It’s just that tonight’s banquet is for the ladies. To win the emperor’s favor, everyone will dress to outshine the rest. Why should we do the same? If we follow the crowd, how can we hope to stand out?” Yan’er said, picking up a bright green dress. “This one. And prepare me some simple ornaments—nothing too elaborate.”

“Yes, madam, I understand now. Madam is truly thoughtful,” Bi’er replied, happily bowing her head.

Once Yan’er was ready, she rode in a sedan chair to Lingxiao Palace with Bi’er in attendance.

“Beauty Yan, Li Banshuang requests an audience,” the eunuch announced in his shrill voice.

Yan’er entered the hall with a gentle smile, neither early nor late. He Meiru and Li Yihe had already arrived and were seated on either side of Guan Canghai, as befitted their status as consorts. Two other women sat apart. Yan’er bowed to the emperor.

“Enough, rise. Tonight is a family banquet,” said Guan Canghai, his gaze lingering in admiration on Yan’er. Every woman present was dressed to the nines, almost to the point of resembling courtesans, the heavy scent of powder nearly suffocating. Yan’er’s bright green attire, her hair adorned with only the simplest of ornaments, made her look as fresh as a hermit among the bamboo. Guan Canghai’s expression brightened with appreciation.

“Banshuang’s attire is truly a breath of fresh air,” he remarked.

Yan’er lowered her head, shyly taking a seat. Guan Canghai’s words ignited a surge of jealousy in the other women. They had tried every trick to catch his eye, while Li Banshuang, in her simple dress, had effortlessly stolen the spotlight.

“My sister is a fairy descended to the mortal world. Such attire could not suit her better,” Li Yihe suddenly declared, rising to approach Yan’er directly.