chapter 18

Wei Yingluo endured a few days of distress, heart trembling to no end. Whether during work or break time, her gaze would always trail to the door.

She was frightened that someone would push it open and shout, “Wei Yingluo, we’ve found you! Now hurry and follow us!”

Someone tapped her shoulder, causing her to almost jump from fear. “What is it? What is it?”

“What do you mean ‘what is it?’” Jixiang stared at her, a perplexed look in her eyes. “Older sister Yingluo, look over there.”

She looked in the direction Jixiang was pointing, only seeing a few imperial guards pass by. A total of six. They stood straight and tall, posture impeccable. Each of their appearances could draw the female gaze. Coupled with their uniform and matching blades, they cut a manly and mighty figure.

“Look at that one, the one at the back,” said Jixiang with a wistful air. “He looks like my elder brother.”

“Enough.” Jinxiu laughed through her teeth. “Don’t include your brother in your wishful thinking.”

Jixiang scowled at her. “What are you trying to say?!”

“I’m not wrong.” Jinxiu waved her hands, her nails secretly dyed with the pulp of crushed red flowers. “Do you actually think the imperial guards of the Forbidden City are regular people? The red walls of the palace divide commoners from them!”

Jixiang did understand the implications of her words. However, she was unwilling to ask Jinxiu to explain. Instead, she turned around to Wei Yingluo. “Sister Yingluo, can you tell me what she means about imperial guards and dividing?”

A sigh escaped Wei Yingluo’s lips. She tried her best to explain as simply as possible. “The guards outside of the red walls are part of the lower five banners. The imperial guards that patrol inside the red walls are part of the nobility of the upper three banners.”

Jixiang nodded in a way that seemed to suggest she both understood and did not understand Wei Yingluo’s words. Then she nodded again. “I don’t understand. Do the nobility also have to work as imperial guards?”

“Naturally!” Jinxiu interrupted, a person who liked to show off, who liked to make herself appear more knowledgeable than others. “Let’s not talk about the highest-ranking imperial guards in charge of His Majesty’s safety. Even if it were the imperial guards in charge of guarding the Gate of Heavenly Purity, they would either be high-ranking generals or high-ranking ministers in the future! They will all accomplish extraordinary achievements! Don’t forget, those who are always by His Majesty’s side will naturally have a steady promotion!”

The other palace maids started chatting among themselves, pointing at the six imperial guards.

“I heard that every year in order to become an imperial guard, the nobility of the upper three banners will participate in a show of martial arts and swordplay.”

“Merely being of noble birth does not guarantee the position. Their martial arts must also be first class.”

“I heard the most extraordinary among the imperial guards is the empress’ younger brother, Sir Fucha. Among the nobility, he’s definitely a great talent in both the brush and the sword!”

“Which one is he? Is he among those six?”

“He’s all the way at the front. The tallest one!”

Jinxiu’s heart fluttered. All of a sudden, she shoved the basin in her hand at Jixiang. Then, as she pressed her stomach down, she said, “I have to use the restroom. I’m going to find an outhouse. Jixiang, do me a favor and help me send these things to the embroidery workshop. Ah, ah, I’m going first!”

“What kind of person is she? Always so many excuses,” said Jixiang unhappily. However, she did not think too much about it.

Next to her was Wei Yingluo, watching Jinxiu’s shrinking figure. A moment later, she saw through the other’s scheme.

They had already been in the palace for a while. Other things omitted, they should have improved in recognizing the layout of the palace. Otherwise, if they entered an area they had no business being in, they would be punished severely.

The imperial guards were heading to the Imperial Garden. They were also on the road to Changchun Palace. If the six imperial guards separated at this time, there was an 80-90% chance that Fucha Fuheng was on his way to visit his elder sister.

Jinxiu hid behind an artificial mountain, cheeks flushed and heart pounding. She kept peeking for a certain someone. Perhaps because of her continuous action, luck smiled down on her and she actually saw the figure of someone approaching. All of a sudden, her heart thrashed out of rhythm. She grasped a stone and ruthlessly slammed it on her leg.

Pain!

Good thing she had muffled herself with a handkerchief beforehand. Her screams of pain were inaudible.

One hand supporting herself on the artificial mountain, Jinxiu swayed as she stood. She had calculated that the other person would pass by the mountain from the opposite direction. Using the other hand, she tucked her hair behind her ear. Fixed her expression to make herself seem even more pitiful. Like a thin willow swaying from a heavy gust.

With everything prepared, Jinxiu rushed out!

However, a hand suddenly reached out from her side, dragging her back behind the artificial mountain.

On the other side of the mountain, Fucha Fuheng passed by.

Behind the mountain, Jinxiu used all her strength to rip away the hand covering her mouth. Infuriated, she said in a low voice, “Wei Yingluo! What are you doing?!”

“I could ask you the same thing,” said Wei Yingluo with a stare. “Jinxiu, what are you trying to do?”

“All women want to find a good way out for themselves. What did I do wrong?” Jinxiu suddenly checked her out. With a suspicious gaze, she said, “It can’t be that you’ve also decided to target him?”

“I don’t dare.” Wei Yingluo laughed, then wiped the smile from her face. Her voice was as cold as ice. “You and I are servants of the three upper banners. When you were still in your household, did any sons from Dutong¹ or Canling² households propose to you? Let’s not mention Dutong or Canling households for a second. Even Zuoling³ households won’t spare you a glance! Those households are like this, much less the ones of true nobility.”

But her admonishment fell to death ears. “As long as I’m beautiful, how do you know I can’t force my way up the social ladder?”

Wei Yingluo was shocked. Then she arched a brow and studied the other. “So what you mean is… you want to be a concubine?”

Jinxiu enthusiastically nodded. “Becoming a concubine for the nobility is better than being the principal wife of a poor man!”

Every person had their own mentality. It could not be forced.

Wei Yingluo shook her head. She felt the girl before her was born beautiful on the outside, but bursting with vanity within. A desire for things unattainable coupled with extreme narcissism and selfishness.

“How you want to think is your business. However, remember this: this is the Forbidden City. If it came out that an imperial guard had an illicit affair with a palace maid, he is part of the upper nobility and will not receive much punishment. But you? Only death awaits.” Wei Yingluo’s expression became frigid in an instant. In a low voice, she said, “You and I are part of the same group coming in, and we live together. If you perform such a shameful act, we will also be talked behind our backs.”

Jinxiu sneered. “So you’re only concerned for yourself.”

“Correct. You also only care about yourself.” Wei Yingluo gave her a smile. “If you don’t want me to relay today’s events to Aunt Fang, then follow me back.”

Seeing her use Aunt Fang to back her up, Jinxiu became so angry that a smile appeared on her lips. As soon as she wanted to retort, a pleasant male voice suddenly rang from the other side of the artificial mountain. “I think that that young lady said it correctly.”

The moment they heard those words, an imperial guard with his arms folded on his chest walked to where they were. A smile on his lips, he said, “You should both return.”

“Sir Fucha…” said the two girls as they turned around.

Some people could wear the emperor’s robes and still not seem like an emperor. Some people could wear the uniform of an imperial guard and still not seem like an imperial guard.

Fucha Fuheng was such a person.

His manner was too noble. No matter where he stood, he would seem like a phoenix landing on a Wutong tree, wings slowly spreading wide. Merely the uniform of an imperial guard, on others would grant them a boost in their profession’s image. Yet on him, it seemed condescending.

Long and narrow phoenix eyes⁴ glanced at Wei Yingluo. At the corner of his right eye was a beauty mark, adding an ambiguous and sexy aura.

“Wei Yingluo,” he called out to her, his voice like the aroma of a just-opened jar of wine, enough to get drunk off.

Wei Yingluo did what she had done before, hiding her appearance from the other. She purposely lowered her head. “…What are Sir Fucha’s orders?”

“Lift your head.”

She was left with no choice but to slowly do so.

No wonder Jinxiu wanted to be his concubine.

Those long and narrow phoenix eyes seemed to both hold affection and indifference toward their target. He did not need to speak. He only needed to gaze upon the other party and tender feelings would burst from one’s heart.

“You’re quite aware of your situation. That’s good. However, you overlooked something.” Fucha Fuheng patted the blade by his waist. “The imperial guards all have the title of Baturu⁵ and are the best of the bunch. This also applies to me. Every one of them… is able to notice when people are hiding behind the artificial mountain.”

Which meant Jinxiu’s plan had failed from the start.

If it had succeeded, it would have been because the imperial guard purposely fell for the trap. To play with a willing beauty.

Shame welled in Jinxiu’s heart and she lowered her gaze. Wei Yingluo, who stood by her side, also lowered her head. “Yes, Yingluo takes this teaching to heart.”

“Good. You may leave.” Fucha Fuheng glanced at Jinxiu. “Help support her back. Lecture her well, so that she won’t cause a large disaster in the future.”

Wei Yingluo rushed to bring Jinxiu back to the embroidery workshop. Along the way, Jinxiu’s expression remained ugly. Whether it was because of the pain in her leg or Fucha Fuheng’s words was anyone’s guess.

“So you’ve heard what he said, right? There are no foolish people in the imperial palace. Don’t do such idiotic things anymore,” warned Wei Yingluo for the last time.

As expected, the response was a cold smile filled to the brim with jealousy. Jinxiu shoved Wei Yingluo away. Stumbled off by herself toward the direction of the dormitory. Her voice carried a trace of irritation. “Once again, you’ve treated me as a stepping stone. Sir Fucha remembered your name yet did not remember mine!”

Wei Yingluo shook her head.

This was the last time. From now on, she would not advise her. Not even a word. Whatever problem Jinxiu caused in the future would have nothing to do with Wei Yingluo.

A small pebble rolled to Wei Yingluo’s feet. She looked at the direction in which the pebble had come. Arched her brow. “Are you sure you want to go back on your own? You don’t need me to support you?”

“Bullshit!” As soon as Jinxiu had heard the other palace maid’s words, she quickened her pace. “Who needs your fake attentiveness! I’ll return by myself!”

Enduring the pain in her leg, Jinxiu continued on to the palace maids’ dormitory. The moment she saw her bed, she collapsed onto it. Her sweat left a mark on her covers.

“Oh my, what happened to you? Why do you look so wretched?” said Jixiang, a dessert still in her mouth.

“Eat, eat, eat. All you know is how to eat. After eating your share, you eat Yingluo’s. Do you really think she’s treating you well? She just wants to fatten you up and look skinny while standing next to you!” said Jinxiu, suddenly wanting to drive a wedge between Jixiang and Wei Yingluo. She swept her gaze through the room. “Where is Wei Yingluo?”

“Didn’t she run after you?” Jixiang stuffed another dessert into her mouth. “What, she didn’t catch up?”

Shocked, Jinxiu dropped her head. She carefully recalled the prior events.

What was at the direction from which the pebble rolled?

A verdant jardiniere of wisteria flowers. Songbirds hidden in dense leaves. Scented wind remained for the beauty⁶.

It indeed was a beauty.

Just by the profile, it was apparent that the other party had a tall stature. A handsome imperial guard.

Jinxiu immediately sat up from her bed. Gaze ablaze, like two raging fires.