Chapter 7: Promoted to First Attendant—and an Immediate Reversal

A eunuch in a dark blue robe hurried into the hall, stopped at the entrance, and announced in a shrill voice, “An oral decree from His Majesty!”

Everyone rose and knelt. Shen Zhiyi followed, wondering why a decree had arrived at this particular moment.

The eunuch cleared his throat. His piercing voice rang through the hall. “His Majesty decrees: Attendant Shen, Shen Zhiyi, has served me well and greatly pleased me. She is hereby promoted to First Attendant. Thus decreed.”

For three full seconds, the hall was silent. Zhiyi stared, then recovered and bowed her head to the floor. “I thank Your Majesty for your great favor.”

That felt wonderful. Wasn’t this exactly the kind of instant reversal she had seen in television dramas?

As she rose, she glanced around. Attendant Liu was white as paper, lips pressed tight and eyes wide with disbelief. The Noble Consort’s smile froze; the hand holding her teacup paused for an instant. She set the cup back down as if nothing had happened, though the porcelain struck the table a little harder than usual.

Honored Consort Rou was the quickest to react. Smiling, she said, “Congratulations, First Attendant Shen. This is wonderful news.”

The empress nodded. “First Attendant Shen, His Majesty has shown you great favor. Serve him well, and do not disappoint him.”

Zhiyi lowered her head. “Yes, Your Majesty. I will remember your instruction.”

The Noble Consort, recalling the conversation just moments before, shot Liu a furious look. Their words had come back to slap them in the face. Pale and frightened, Liu swallowed; her attempt at flattery had backfired, and she dared not speak.

The Noble Consort finally found her voice. All its earlier contempt had hardened into coldness. “And what if she has become a First Attendant? Above that is Noble Lady, then Ronghua, Jieyu and Concubine. Above Concubine is Honored Consort, and above that, Consort. She still has a long way to go.”

Zhiyi looked up at her, then lowered her eyes again. Her tone was impeccably respectful. “Your Ladyship is right. I shall be sure to make my way carefully.”

The words sounded respectful, yet somehow, coming from her, they grated. The Noble Consort’s face darkened. Before she could flare up, the empress rose and said gently but firmly, “That will be all for this morning. You may go.”

The women stood, bowed, and filed out. The Noble Consort went first, glaring fiercely at Zhiyi before climbing into her sedan chair. The others looked at Zhiyi with anger, jealousy, and envy, but she paid them no mind.

As she passed through Kunning Palace’s gate, the morning sun shone from the east and warmed her face. Bitao followed, her little face flushed with excitement.

One night’s work had earned Zhiyi the rank of First Attendant. The emperor was quite generous. Very nice! She was still far from safe, but at least she had taken one step closer to that goal. She looked up at a cloudless sky. It was a beautiful day.

Behind her, Kunning Palace’s doors slowly closed on the undercurrents inside.

Back at Changchun Palace, Zhiyi turned toward the main hall instead of returning straight to the west wing. Honored Consort Rou had spoken up for her that morning. Whether the gesture had been sincere or not, Zhiyi needed to thank her in person.

The maid guarding the entrance went inside to announce her, then promptly lifted the curtain and invited her in. Rou had changed into everyday clothes and was reclining on a couch, idly waving a round fan. When Zhiyi entered, she sat up a little and greeted her with a gentle smile.

“Sister Shen, you’re here. Sit.”

Zhiyi curtsied properly and sat on an embroidered stool. “Thank you, Honored Consort Rou, for helping me out of that situation today.”

Rou waved her fan as if it were a trifling matter. “We both live in Changchun Palace. Naturally I must look after you. We’re family here; there’s no need for such formality.”

Zhiyi lowered her eyes and smiled without answering.

Rou studied her, then changed the subject, her tone growing earnest. “You’ve seen how things stand now. You were the first to attend His Majesty, and you’ve been promoted. You’ll need to be careful from now on. An open attack is easy to dodge; an arrow from the shadows is harder to guard against.”

The warning was admirably phrased. Zhiyi nodded along. “I will remember your instruction, Your Ladyship.”

Rou sighed, set down her fan, and smoothed her cuff. Looking out toward the window, she lowered her voice. “I’ve been in the palace five years without a son or daughter. The bitterness of it is not something I can speak of to outsiders.”

Zhiyi listened quietly, unwilling to answer rashly.

Rou looked back at her, a warmer smile returning. “I hope to hear good news from you soon, Sister Shen. It would reflect well on me too. A happy event in Changchun Palace brings honor to everyone here.”

Zhiyi rose and curtsied. Her voice was soft but sincere. “Thank you for your concern, Your Ladyship. I will do my best.”

Even she found that a little funny. Do her best at what? Having a baby? However she put it, it sounded odd. Yet in a harem that had produced no children in ten years, it was a matter of enormous importance.

Rou laughed at her serious manner and told the maid beside her, “Bring the two bolts of satin the Imperial Household Department sent yesterday.”

The maid returned quickly with the fabric: one bolt rose red, the other lilac purple. Both were fine Shu brocade, softly lustrous and patterned with delicate designs that shimmered in the sunlight.

Rou stroked the red fabric. “These colors would suit your complexion, Sister Shen. You’re young; red and purple will look lovely on you. Take them to the sewing room and have two outfits made.”

Zhiyi considered the offer. She had almost nothing in the palace, and her wardrobe was pitifully bare. The two bolts would solve a pressing problem. She neither refused nor made a show of politeness, accepting them openly.

“Thank you for your gift, Your Ladyship. I really do need clothes right now, and I like both fabrics very much.”

Rou was taken aback. She hadn’t expected such directness. Palace women, even when they were desperately poor, would maintain appearances with formal phrases about being unworthy of such generosity. This was the first time she had seen anyone admit so readily that she lacked clothes.

After a moment, Rou smiled again, more sincerely than before. “When you return, you won’t be short of anything.”

Zhiyi didn’t examine the remark or ask what it meant. She took her leave, walked along the covered corridor to the west wing, and understood as soon as she stepped through the door.