Chapter 109: Chapter 56: Something I Don’t Know If I Should Say
If she married someone outside the palace, she could at least go out and stroll the streets. But what was there to do in here?
High walls of the Imperial City, a square patch of sky, and endless palace gates.
Seeing Song Yunzhao’s expression visibly wither, Han Jinyi said softly, "Are you missing your family? I miss mine too."
’How could I possibly miss Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan?’ Song Yunzhao only missed her father, and perhaps Song Jinxuan and her eldest uncle’s wife.
’Besides, I broke my promise to Xie Linlang. I was hoping that after I failed the selection, we could team up and make a fortune. But now...’
Seeing that Song Yunzhao was still downcast, Han Jinyi smiled and said, "Even though we’ve entered the palace, it’s not impossible to see our families. There will be opportunities."
’I know,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’But you need Your Majesty’s explicit permission, and you have to reach a certain rank to even qualify.’
’Right now, I’m just a rookie. If I want to see my family, I have a long, hard road ahead of me.’
A thought suddenly struck Song Yunzhao. ’Since I’ve been chosen, how should I position myself from now on?’
’Compete with the female protagonist for the spotlight?’
’I want to live a few more years.’
’But being a low-ranking concubine at the bottom of the food chain is even more impossible. The reality of survival in the harem is harsh. It’s not easy to stay alive without any power.’
’Besides, with a face like mine, I don’t even have the option to just lay low and survive. The look Consort Shu gave me was like she was staring at a slice of mutton, ready to pick me up with her chopsticks and cook me in a hotpot.’
Song Yunzhao’s expression grew serious. This was a major problem.
’This concerns my future comfort and well-being. I can’t afford to be careless.’
"What’s wrong? You don’t look so good," Han Jinyi asked with concern.
Song Yunzhao looked at Han Jinyi, her expression complex. "What do you think our initial ranks will be?"
Hearing Yun Zhao’s question, Han Jinyi thought for a moment before replying, "It will probably be a combination of family background and how we were perceived during the selection. Are you worried about your family? You shouldn’t worry too much. With your stunning looks, you’re sure to get a favorable start."
Song Yunzhao said wistfully, "That’s not a given."
’It’s so hard to imagine how a small fry like me is supposed to survive with any dignity in a harem packed with heavy hitters.’
Before, Song Yunzhao had never thought family background was that important. After all, her plan for the future had simply been to find a suitable match with a family of similar status and live a peaceful, happy life.
But things were different in the harem. Every woman who reached a high position here came from a powerful family.
Her weakness was thrown into sharp relief.
’So why did the Emperor insist on keeping me?’
’Isn’t the female protagonist enough for him? Does he really need me here to be a stepping stone for others?’
"Don’t worry." It was rare for Han Jinyi to see Song Yunzhao so troubled. She gave a slight cough, then said in a hushed voice, "His Majesty has been taking concubines for two years, but there isn’t a single child in the palace. Family background isn’t what’s most important. What’s most important is an heir. Understand?"
Song Yunzhao looked up at Han Jinyi, surprised that she would say such things. This crossed the line of a casual friendship.
Han Jinyi didn’t seem to think her words were particularly startling. She continued, "The situation at court is complicated right now. My family didn’t want to send me here either. But if I hadn’t come, my younger sisters would have been forced to in a few years, and we would have lost our advantage. Those of us who were chosen were kept purely because of our families. But you, Yun Zhao, you’re different. Perhaps you can truly forge your own path."
Song Yunzhao felt a complex mix of emotions and didn’t know what to say.
"Your Majesty has no heir, and countless families are speculating about it. This selection was anything but simple. Yun Zhao, you arrived at just the right moment. You have luck on your side," Han Jinyi said with a smile.
Song Yunzhao: ...
’Thanks, but I really don’t want this kind of luck.’
"Thank you for telling me all this," Song Yunzhao said to Han Jinyi. ’I knew some of it from the book, but the world in the novel revolves around the female protagonist. Some of the more subtle information isn’t spelled out, leaving it up to the reader to guess.’
In a way, the information Han Jinyi had provided truly shored up her weaknesses.
’The high officials at court are all staring at the concubines’ wombs, staring at the Emperor’s Dragon Bed. Who could have known the Emperor was such a sly dog? He strolls through the harem every day, yet remains completely untouched, like a man walking through a garden of flowers without a single petal clinging to him.’
’Just the thought of having to live this sham of a marriage in the future, helping the Emperor put on a show, being his stepping stone... And then, once he and the female protagonist get their happily ever after, I’d have to be sensible and offer my blessings.’
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. ’By what right?’
’Just because I’m cannon fodder?’
’I’m not some brainless supporting female character, a puppet manipulated by the author. I have a mind of my own.’
’I want to live a good life. I want to be able to hold my head high, stand up straight, and walk my own path with integrity.’
’Whoever makes my life miserable, I’ll make their life miserable right back.’
With that thought, the frustration pent up in her chest finally dissipated. ’A marriage is a marriage, and the Emperor is just a man. Even if I married a block of wood, I could make it sprout flowers.’
’Even if I had married outside the palace, my husband would have taken concubines, and there would have been illegitimate children in the household.’
’The only difference about entering the palace is that everyone is a concubine. To ascend to the Empress’s throne, it’s like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea—everyone has to rely on their own unique talents.’
’If I want to live with dignity and refuse to be a stepping stone for the protagonist, then I have no choice but to carve out a future for myself.’
"Don’t mention it. Just consider it my apology for bumping into your boat."
Hearing Han Jinyi’s words, Song Yunzhao chuckled. "In that case, I’ve made out like a bandit."
Han Jinyi smiled as well. She found that being around Song Yunzhao was a cheerful experience. Others might find Yunzhao’s personality difficult—too serious and unwilling to ever be at a disadvantage—but she didn’t see it that way.
In her eyes, Song Yunzhao was someone who was clear about her friends and foes. People like that were refreshing to be around because there weren’t so many petty games involved.
’Entering the harem is a lifelong commitment. It would be good to make a friend, to at least have someone to talk to for companionship.’
The carriage finally came to a stop. Song Yunzhao lifted the curtain and stepped out, with Han Jinyi following close behind. Once outside, they looked up to see the large characters for Changyin Pavilion hanging above them. Rendered in gold leaf on a black background, the sign was magnificent and opulent.
"This way, ladies, please follow me."
The Housekeeper leading the way smiled at the group, then turned and stepped through the entrance to Changyin Pavilion.
Though called a pavilion, Changyin Pavilion was a sprawling palace with three successive courtyards. The theater stage was especially spacious and exquisite. The group bypassed the stage, following the Housekeeper toward the rear hall.
After a few steps, Song Yunzhao suddenly recalled a detail from the book. ’Changyin Pavilion is a hotbed for "accidents." Several major harem schemes take place right here.’
’Tsk.’
’In that case, I’d better take a good look around and memorize the layout. It’ll help me find the best spot to watch the drama unfold later.’
"Yun Zhao, look."
Hearing Han Jinyi’s voice, Song Yunzhao looked up and froze. "What is that?"
In the center of the hall sat a large mahogany chest. It had a rather ominous air about it.
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