Chapter Text
Jinshi the Eunuch was never one to indulge rumors. They were usually spread from women with too much time to women without it, being morphed and muddled as it passed from ear to ear.
At most, it was mild conjecture— something with a hint of truth but disguised by falsities that clung to personal interpretation. At worst, it was just useless gossip. Neither served the Eunuch in any way, but he was fully aware of both.
Normally, Jinshi has far more important matters to focus on than servant chatter. But as of late, the subject of the most prominent rumors piqued his interest.
A new concubine had entered the rear palace. She wasn’t replacing any of the main consorts, nor did she come from a family of high grandeur. Yet for some inexplicable reason, speculation about her began from the moment she placed her foot inside the garden of women.
The main rumor was as follows:
“ Didn’t you hear? The new concubine was showered with affection by the Emperor the moment she entered her pavilion!” And other things of the sort.
Not an entirely unfounded idea. If she was chosen by the Emperor, there was a chance he would make an effort to greet her upon arrival— that is, if he liked her enough. But Lady Gyokuyou and Lady Lihua held a high bar for favoritism. And given what Jinshi had heard about the new concubine’s appearance, she was no match for them.
As far as Jinshi was aware, this new concubine didn’t fit the Emperor’s taste (not that he appreciated having the knowledge of what this taste included ). And that wasn’t to say she wasn’t pretty– no. According to those who witnessed her entry, this woman held a delicate face and sharp, defiant eyes.
It sounded like a stoic kind of beauty that reminded Jinshi a bit of the Pure Consort, although he couldn’t say for certain. He hadn’t laid his eyes on this infamous concubine just yet.
“Surely you don’t plan to barge into her pavilion the first day she’s arrived,” Gaoshun tried to argue against Jinshi’s latest idea, as he did with anything he considered to fall outside of Jinshi’s responsibilities. “I would not recommend that.”
“Well, your recommendation is certainly advice,” Jinshi replied, finishing his inked character with a flick of his hand. “But it isn’t an order.”
No, Gaoshun didn’t have the authority for that— nor would he dare to pretend he did. But the man had known Jinshi for far too long, and couldn’t help but fret over the young master’s ‘half-baked ideas ’, as he would so eloquently put it.
“I’m simply concerned, is all. What will you do if the Emperor truly is visiting this new concubine? Surely he would despise such a sudden intrusion.”
Jinshi sighed, placing his brush beside the bill he was working on. He braced his hands against the desk in front of him, pushing his body and chair away from it until there was enough distance to stand up.
“You fret over nothing, Gaoshun,” He offered his best smile to reassure his caretaker— the kind that would make any woman within a three mile radius melt into a puddle. “I’m sure the Emperor will be more than pleased with my arrival. In fact, if I don’t meet her today, he would likely insist I go to meet her tomorrow. How could I best tend to his flowers if there is a foreign plant among them, hm?”
Neither his smile nor words did anything to ease the nerves of Gaoshun— it was written all over his face.
This time it was his turn to sigh, offering a small bow to Jinshi.
“If you insist…”
To Gaoshun, it must’ve seemed like Jinshi’s child-like curiosity had driven his decision. And while that was a factor in it, what he said wasn’t a lie.
Conflict was something common between the women of the Rear Palace, especially when new ones were added to the mix. They essentially saw each other as competition for the Emperor's attention– even if they weren’t all playing on the same level in that endeavor.
A new concubine— especially one who was shown instant favor by the Emperor (if that even was the case)--- would be a target of harassment or worse. He wouldn’t be surprised if she lost her first poison taster during her first meal in the Rear Palace.
Jinshi shuddered to think of such a senseless death. It would only mean more work for him, not to mention a poor servant girl who would meet an unfortunate end. If it was at all possible, Jinshi wanted to avoid that outcome. Whether or not he took a liking to this new concubine, it was his job to keep her safe— just as the Emperor had commanded.
* * *
A garish pavilion draped in jewels and finery… lavish furnishings filling one room to the next… All things meant to provide the illusion of comfort when it only forced one to traipse to get from one end of the room to the other.
It wasn’t any better than that building filled with gaudy decorations and lascivious men. Yet, it somehow felt worse.
She didn’t ask for either of these things. Not to be a courtesan, and not to be a concubine.
Perhaps if she was just a little bit uglier, the old woman would’ve let her off the hook. Perhaps if she were a little bit uglier, those military men would’ve paid no mind to her. Then, she wouldn’t be in this mess.
Now, the state of her appearance didn’t matter. Coated in makeup and draped in silk, or covered in dirt with a rag for clothes. Neither could save her from her fate. It wasn’t her looks he desired, after all.
It wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling to have the gaze of a man burning into her skin. To be seated in luxury and positioned to be gawked at. That was the life of a courtesan— and this pavilion was no different from her usual stage.
But no matter how many times she felt it, it always made her skin crawl. Even if this man’s intentions were different from the others, he still hungered for something. And unlike anyone she had faced before, he had the power to take it .
“...You know, I am still disappointed you would not accept the position of consort. And after I spent so much trouble bringing you here…”
How was it possible for a man to be so forward, yet so coy at the same time?
Maybe that’s why women were constantly tossing themselves at the Emperor’s feet. At the very least, he wasn’t the decrepit old creep she had expected him to be.
“The position of consort is better suited for plausible prospects in marriage. I simply do not fit that category.”
The girl folded her hands delicately on her lap, doing her best to present herself how she had learned to. Any wrong move might result in the loss of her head.
The Emperor let out a hum, leaning forward in his seat just adjacent to where his concubine was perched.
“I believe you would be more suited than Lady Lishu, wouldn’t you agree?”
…This had to be a challenge. It was bait— a way to test just how well the girl could hold her facade.
“Perhaps in terms of age, but nothing more.”
Lady Lishu was in her current position because of a political agenda including the previous emperor, not the current one’s preference. And while the young lady wasn’t to the Emperor’s taste, he couldn’t oust her without a good reason.
The 17 year old courtesan, now suddenly a concubine by his demand, wasn’t a good enough reason.
“With all due respect, we are both aware that you find allure in a more… feminine figure,” More like a specific part of the feminine figure… and something she was certainly lacking. “My presence as a consort would only lead to further questioning than there already is.”
The Emperor chuckled.
“I suppose you’re right. I have heard talk of you recently– any kind of guess one might have of your origin and purpose as a concubine…”
He didn’t sound all that worried about it. Much like his chuckle purveyed, it seemed like the man found the ordeal far more amusing than troubling.
Despite how irritating it was, that made sense. The Emperor was taking a gamble with this plan of his. If he walked in with nothing less than sheer confidence, things would go south rather quickly.
“You don’t need to worry about the rumors. I can handle them.” The girl replied. “You wouldn’t have chosen me for this task if I couldn’t.”
It wasn’t as audacious as it was simple fact. But her tendency to revert to monotone might not have relayed that in the way she had hoped.
She stiffened, prepared for impending doom at the Emperor's next response. The man fell eerily quiet for a moment— as if he could tell that she was hanging on a thread and only wished to extend the moment for his own amusement.
Then again, it was hard to tell what that man’s motives really were.
“You are true, of course,” The Emperor said at last, sitting back and relaxing his shoulders into the cushion behind him. “But you really must be careful of presuming anything about your superiors. Your tongue can be a little… sharp for your own good…”
So the military officers could attest, she was sure.
“...Be glad I find no interest in stifling it.” The Emperor smiled.
She didn’t think an official such as himself could have a smile so gentle– less that he would aim it towards someone like herself. Even dolled up with expensive clothes and makeup, she was just a commoner.
Against the practice of what she learned at the Verdigris house, the girl stood from her seat and dipped into a proper bow.
“So long as the Emperor favors it, I will speak as bluntly as he wishes. All I ask is that my head remains intact.”
The man let out a hearty laugh.
“Oh, you needn’t worry about that. So long as you prove useful, I don’t quite care what comes out of your mouth… but I do trust that you are aware of how rare your situation is. And I suspect you recognise the limit to your sarcasm in the face of your Emperor, yes?”
She didn’t dare lift her head from her bow. “I will be careful.”
“Good girl.”
She could practically hear the smile in his tone. An involuntary shiver wracked down her spine.
Although he was kinder than most men she entertained at the Verdigris house, she knew would hate working with him all the same.
But it wasn’t like she could do much about it, now.
* * *
Despite his best efforts to follow through with his plan in a timely manor, Gaoshun had managed to keep Jinshi trapped in his home until he finished the pile of paperwork that had looked over him for days.
“Work comes before play.” So he said.
But it wasn’t as if Jinshi was going to have fun with this concubine. At the very least, she might be appealing to look at. And he wouldn’t consider the experience of a normal sight in the Rear Palace to be particularly enthralling.
Still, he pushed through his paperwork so he could get a chance to satiate his curiosity. And by the time he was finished, it was well past the evening.
“The sun will be setting soon. Perhaps you should postpone your visit until tomorrow .” Another attempt from Gaoshun.
But Jinshi simply waved him off. There were no more excuses that could stand in his way. He wouldn’t bother her long— the woman had surely endured more than enough commotion for the day. But it would be nice to be greeted by a friendly, beautiful face, wouldn't it?
It would be a good note to end the day on, he was certain. And if nothing else, that was something Jinshi could provide.
By the time he and Gaoshun (who followed reluctantly out of duty and was none too happy about it) reached the new concubine’s pavilion, the sun had always set below the horizon. Most of the concubines who often crowded the outdoor areas of Rear Palace were tucked away in their designated areas for the night, allowing both peace and silence to befall the area.
Had he been in less of a rush, Jinshi might’ve stopped to enjoy the atmosphere. It was rare he got to walk about without a woman crowding his every step. But if he wanted a chance at meeting this mysterious concubine, he had no time to waste.
Unfortunately for him, even with what little frugality he could salvage with the issue of time, Jinshi arrived too late. Just as he reached the pavilion entrance, he was met with a familiar face headed the opposite direction.
“Ah, your majesty,” Jinshi greeted the Emperor with a bow. “I was wondering if you truly had visited our new guest. I heard much chatter about it, but I wasn’t sure what to think of it all.”
The Emperor barked out a laugh.
“It’s only fair, I’d say. I was the one who sent for her in the first place.”
Jinshi straightened back up, blinking a time or two in confusion.
“Sent for her?”
Most concubines were received from families of political nobility or another form of high influence. It was rare that a woman was chosen rather than offered. If that was the case, perhaps he found something about her particularly beautiful.
“Where was she received from?” Jinshi asked.
“Ah, that is something to discuss another time. Perhaps you might even ask her over tea.” The Emperor offered. “But in the meantime, it’s late. I doubt she would wish to receive guests at this time.”
It was less of a question of whether she would, and more if the Emperor would want her to . And it seemed he had already made up his mind on the issue for one reason or another.
“...I understand. It was silly of me to presume she would.” Jinshi replied with a small chuckle of his own. “I'll have to greet her another time.”
For tea, apparently. Not that he would mind, but that privilege was only extended to the concubines who didn’t have the tendency to pounce on him. And that really only included the four consorts, who had the most loyalty to the emperor due to their positions.
If the Emperor really did suggest such a meeting, then he had full confidence that this concubine would be no issue for Jinshi. Or, perhaps, it was more like he would be no issue for her . Jinshi became more and more curious about this woman by the passing second.
What was this concubine like? She appeared stoic, but was that her true personality or a mask? Was she friendly only to men, or perhaps only to the Emperor? And what was it about her that caught the attention of the Emperor in the first place?
Jinshi’s gaze strayed away from the Emperor only for a moment. He caught something out of the corner of his eye— deep, blue eyes peering at him from the top window of the pavilion. He barely saw a glimpse of the figure standing by the opening before the shutters were pulled closed.
Forest green hair, a small stature, and piercing eyes. There was no doubt about her identity, but…
“...By the way, if I may ask, what is this concubine’s name?” Jinshi’s eyes returned to the Emperor. “I’ve heard everything of her except for that.”
It really was odd that nobody knew her name. Then again, she was technically just a low-status concubine. Were the others truly cruel enough not to care? Or had no one been told?
The older man let out a pleased hum— for what reason, Jinshi would never truly understand.
“You may refer to her as Lady Maomao.”
Maomao, huh…. what an odd name.