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墨書 Inktalez
Silently standing behind the screen, their hearts remained disconnected. Countless thoughts swirled within, as the lamp illuminated the red flowers.
Just three years ago, when they spoke of "fish mint," it referred to the grass by the palace pond that the carp fed on. It was nothing unusual for a eunuch caught up in a family crime. Occasionally, they would mention how he had collapsed in tears on the ground after losing his manhood, claiming he had once again offended the Old Eunuch, his mouth swollen and bruised from being struck with a stick. It took time to learn to walk on his knees; he was clever enough to bend low, able to touch his knees, always wearing a smile that made him endearing like a beggar.
Yet the Old Eunuch's resentment lingered. On that day, the Empress hosted a Buddhist ceremony, inviting relatives and officials from the previous dynasty to join her in the harem. Laughter filled the air as people walked along in their brocade shoes, stepping on the lotus-scented powder scattered by the maids. At the palace steps, the Empress stood tall and dignified in her black attire. The fish mint kneeling on the ground was pushed out and fell before the Empress and the officials, still clutching the Old Eunuch's porcelain chamber pot, which shattered upon impact. The maids and eunuchs who witnessed this felt sympathy for him; he truly was unfortunate!
Tao Hong listened intently, carefully placing wet clothes into another basin while responding, “That’s how he rose to prominence,” her heart racing as her fingertips trembled slightly. Taking a deep breath, she continued with her inquiry: “Who helped him?”
The eunuch’s index finger was wrinkled from being soaked in water; he pointed it at the crimson palace wall with a hushed voice, as if speaking too loudly would disturb those of high status: “It’s Lord Sun.”
Tao Hong repeated the name in her mind: “Lord Sun?” The eunuch nodded vigorously. “He’s the Empress’s nephew, a descendant of the Sun family from the previous dynasty. He was appointed to an official position at just fifteen—quite an impressive figure. Lord Sun personally spoke well of fish mint in front of the Empress, thus resolving his troubles. Fish mint has indeed benefited from disaster by climbing onto Lord Sun’s big tree!”
After hearing this, Tao Hong agreed, “What good fortune! How enviable!” She then asked him, “What kind of person is Lord Sun?” The eunuch chuckled: “You ask me? How would I know! I’ve never seen those high-ranking officials! But I’ve heard that Lord Sun is very talented and clever and knows how to please His Majesty. Have you heard about officials applying powder to their faces? Lord Sun was the first one to do it; His Majesty rewarded him with many things!”
The eunuch continued talking while Tao Hong listened quietly and continued washing clothes. She poured out a bucket of dirty water, splashing it onto her shoes; her yellow cloth shoes turned brown, with morning glories embroidered on them wilting against her toes.
The golden sun passed overhead as she stood beside the palace eaves under tree shadows. Tao Hong rested in her quarters when Xingzi and a wet nurse approached her together. Xingzi was fuming as she complained: “You heartless one! You were born to suffer this! Just wait for me—what’s wrong with that?” The wet nurse raised her chin slightly and reluctantly added her complaints: “The Noble Consort sent someone to tell me that you and Xingzi are both helping her and have no time for me. Tao Hong, if you had just told me about such important matters earlier, wouldn’t everything have been fine? Show me your arms so I can see those marks…”
Xingzi interjected sharply: “You hit her! You’re pretending to be kind.” The wet nurse pouted and gritted her teeth but forced a smile as she softly said: “Good Xingzi. The wet nurse cares for you both; I got a bit anxious and confused—please don’t hold it against me.”
Tao Hong remained silent. Xingzi sat beside her and tugged at Tao Hong's half-wet sleeve to apply ointment. Tao Hong shook her head and pushed her hand away: “No need; I can manage myself. Xingzi, I appreciate your kindness but really don’t need your help.”
After hearing this, Xingzi sat in silence for a long while.
“Xingzi?” Tao Hong turned her head to look closely at her and saw a pair of red eyes that seemed scorched by fire but were cold nonetheless. They glared at her as Xingzi’s once cherry-like lips were now pressed tightly together between her teeth as she said: “So you really look down on me.” Then she let out a soft laugh: “I thought of you as my sister; how could you belittle me?”
Xingzi's words pierced like sharp scissors into Tao Hong's heart, leaving it bleeding profusely. Tao Hong felt tears welling up as she reached for Xingzi's hand: “I didn’t! Xingzi—it’s not like that!” But Xingzi gently stood up and stepped away. Her body was well-proportioned; standing tall with her hair bun casting shadows over the golden sun outside the palace walls. Her hair was scented with osmanthus oil, reflecting a reddish sheen like embers that had yet to extinguish after being burned. Swinging her arms, Xingzi looked out through a small wooden window and said: “Stop talking; your voice is too soft—like a timid little mouse—there’s no point in explaining.”
No! That’s not it! She wanted to help Xingzi! She wanted to get Xingzi away from that eunuch…
These heartfelt words choked in her throat turned into tears. Tao Hong felt heavy all over; doubt filled her heart as she thought—could she confront that eunuch? As an inconspicuous maid, could she really do anything? The Lord Sun behind that eunuch… what about Noble Consort… what would happen if she got involved because of Xingzi?
The maid found lying beneath the flowers seemed to be lying at Tao Hong's feet now; pale fingers clutched at her damp skirt corner, rendering her unable to move as if weighed down by gravity. She felt afraid.
Xingzi returned to her own bed while the wet nurse shifted closer to sit beside Tao Hong unintentionally separating Xingzi from Tao Hong. The wet nurse squinted with a smile and softly said: “Good Tao Hong, so lovable. The wet nurse cares for you. Here’s some excellent ointment—good stuff that won’t leave scars—come here.”
The wet nurse was broad-shouldered; Xingzi's tear-bright eyes were now hidden from Tao Hong's view. The cool ointment spread over the bruises; whether it worked or not was uncertain—Tao Hong only felt pain. Her fingers soaked all day were swollen with bruises on her arms; too much pain filled her body until it burst open like a small hole in her head causing it to ache as well. Two or three maids left while four or five returned; they came and went at the door while outside the quarters, daylight faded further into darkness. After disappearing, a moon hung high in the sky—a serene quietness enveloped everything; who knew if Chang'e above was lonely enough to light lamps? The moonlight appeared cold and desolate like that too. Finally, a silver disc fell down into dark shadows of trees below—a night of confusion passed.
Tao Hong was awakened by raucous voices; maids were talking excitedly among themselves about how the Empress had been disturbed and ordered an investigation into rumors surrounding Consort Cao. The maid who reported Consort Cao had been punished but still insisted it wasn’t falsehood—that night Consort Cao had indeed committed acts deserving of being torn apart by five horses! They were frightened yet thrilled; some raised their voices imitating consorts calling out "Your Majesty" or "Emperor," their expressions filled with longing.
Leaning against the small window with hands over ears, Tao Hong couldn’t help but wonder what Consort Cao would think upon hearing such words?
Outside the window, the sky was overcast, as if it were about to rain. Xing'zi's spot was empty; she had gone out. Tao Hong felt a void in her heart, regretting that she hadn't clarified things with Xing'zi, yet also fearing that whatever she did would be wrong. It was like being trapped in a sealed barrel, brewing with emotions that kept fermenting. By some strange impulse, she rummaged through the bottom of her trunk and found a new outfit—copper coins she had saved for a long time to buy for the Qingming Festival, which she had never worn. She changed into it, tied up her hair neatly, and joined the procession to Qi Yun Palace, hoping to see Consort Cao.
Inside the hall, Consort Cao was trimming flower branches with scissors. A vibrant pot of Persian Flowers looked like a fire burning brightly. As soon as Tao Hong approached, Consort Cao's gaze fell upon her. Today, Consort Cao was rarely seen in splendid attire; her gauzy dress floated like mist, as if Chang'e herself had descended from the distant moon, stepping down from the painted clouds within the hall. Her beautiful eyes curved into a gentle smile. Consort Cao called for Xiao Liu to bring a mirror and asked Qing Er to fetch a jewelry box, then said, "Tao Hong, come closer."
"Closer? Are you going to eat me?" Consort Cao laughed as she circled around behind Tao Hong. She picked out a pair of earrings from the jewelry box, inlaid with mother-of-pearl shells, very Western in style. Extending her fair hand, she placed the earrings against Tao Hong's earlobes and urged her to look for herself: "Your outfit is too plain; you need some accessories. Just look how lovely this combination is!"
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