In a jasmine-scented room of understated luxury, a woman sat by a well-worn table, habitually handling a pair of snuffer-scissors inlaid with enamel.
The lit candle before her was honey coloured and smokeless, burning diligently to illuminate more than a mere corner of the room, and to shed light on her concentrated face. Wax teared down its sides, dripping onto the wooden table in soft pitter-patters, replacing old spots scraped from the wooden tabletop.
Step. Step.
A servant entered and reported, "Milady, His Majesty has chosen Noble Lady Bai tonight."
The flame flickered.
"Understood."
Snip. Snip. Snip.
The woman's figure remained unmoving, but the consistent sound of scissor blades opening and closing created a strange sense of calm. "You may leave."
The servant's gaze slid from her thin back to the only source of light in the room. Every now and then, the lady would sit in the candlelight like this, mindlessly guarding a lone flame. Why not light more lamps? Or open the windows and bask in the moonlight?
It didn't cease to be bizarre even after years of service... She should bury her curiosity. As always.
"Yes, milady."
Her footsteps receded, and only the sound of light breathing remained.
Snip—
The woman stopped toying with the scissors. She stared at the steady ember flame of the candle, gold flecks reflecting in her dark irises—two pools so deep and still it was impossible to guess what thoughts lurked underneath.
For the past three years, the imperial palace had been like a small lake: calm on the surface, with the occasional eddy beneath. Though eventful, it was still familiar. Predictable.
But now, new fish were tossed into the habitat, the emperor's move signaling the first ripple of change.
"And so it begins..." she whispered, cutting off the wick.
Snip!
The room plunged into darkness.
***
The next day.
"...tress.. Mistress, wake up. Wake up... Mistress!"
"Mm... Wha... What time is it...?" Zi Hua yawned.
"It's the Mao hour, mistress," Qiu'er answered. "You must get ready for the morning assembly now."
"Alright..."
While combing Zi Hua's hair, Qiu'er noticed that her reflection was nodding off instead of being rejuvenated at the thought of meeting the other consorts. She frowned. What was one to do if their mistress was too unmotivated?
"His Majesty favoured Noble Lady Bai last night," she revealed. "I heard they called for water twice."
"Mmhmm," Zi Hua hummed drowsily.
In her dreams, she was enjoying a grand feast. Mini cakes shaped like animals stacked up to the ceiling, chickens roasted to golden brown perfection, enough fruit platters for her to swim in... Oh, and the wine. The sweet, peachy wine with a sour tinge... Yum...
Qiu'er inhaled deeply for patience, wiping away the drool at the corner of her mouth.
"Mistress, first impressions are crucial, especially since this will be your debut to the older consorts," she asserted. "Is there any particular style or colour scheme you would prefer?"
"You decide..."
"What about accessories? Are you partial to gold, silver, or jade? What about gemstones?"
"Mm, anything is fine."
"Lastly... would you like a simpler makeup, or a striking one?"
"What's the difference?"
Qiu'er closed her eyes in defeat. Lady Beauty Yang had to be the only consort who couldn't care less about fashion in the entire rear palace—prove her wrong. Even so, she was her mistress and responsibility now. If she went down, so did all her servants.
Qiu'er's eyes flew open, newfound determination replaced temporary dejection.
"Noble Consort Meng adores pink palettes, Virtuous Consort Liu purples, and Wise Consort Tang only ever wears light, neutral colours," she recited. "Noble Concubine Gong and Concubine Lin have similar whimsical styles, whereas Consort Xu's is very bold. In this servant's opinion, as long as we avoid overlapping with these important figures, you should be safe."
"I'll wear a yellow dress. Something bright to start my first day as a consort," Zi Hua decided. "Please match the accessories as you see fit, but keep things simple."
Then, remembering the empress dowager's disapproval at the final selection, she hastily added, "But not too simple, according to Kunning's standards."
Qiu'er smiled. A response at last! "Yes, mistress," she said. "Also, who would you have accompany you to Phoenix Palace later?"
Zi Hua fell into thought. Although the first morning assembly was of utmost importance, leaving her chambers unguarded was equally worrisome. A pity she only trusted Yue'er here, and the girl couldn't be in two places at once.
Her contemplative gaze met Qiu'er's ardent one.
'That's right... Here is an experienced servant who knows all about who's who.'
"You and Chun'er shall come with me while Yue'er be in charge of the eastern chamber while we're gone," Zi Hua said. "By the way—where is Yue'er? I haven't seen her all morning."
"Yue'er went to the imperial kitchens to collect breakfast, mistress," Qiu'er replied. "She should be back any minute now."
As if on cue, cheerful footsteps bounded into the room. "Miss, miss! Look what I've brought!" Yue'er chirped. "It's your favourite—"
Her excitement fell upon seeing Qiu'er in the room. "I-I mean, greetings, mis...tress. And Sister Qiu'er."
She started unpacking a layered lunchbox on the round dining table, plating dainty rabbit-shaped cakes which were freshly steamed and emitting a mouth-watering aroma. But the older attendant was not so easily distracted.
"Yue'er, as Lady Beauty Yang's personal attendant, you really should be more mindful of your conduct," she reprimanded. "As I said yesterday, honorifics are a sensitive spot in the rear palace. What you just called mistress could get you caned. Also, don't run about so rashly. What if you hurt mistress?"
Yue'er lowered her head, shame tinging her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Sister Qiu'er, I was too excited and forgot..."
"Now, now," Zi Hua interjected lightly, "Yue'er's been like this since young. Give her some time to adapt to life in the palace. It's very... strict. But don't worry! We'll do our best, won't we, Yue'er?"
"Yes, Sister Qiu'er!" Yue'er nodded fervently like a chick. "I'll check myself from now on!"
Qiu'er sighed. She really should stop interfering. Lady Beauty Yang was closer to her childhood attendant, after all.
But... how many consorts had she seen punished because of an undisciplined servant? An accidental collision with a high ranking person, a careless slip of the tongue, a clumsy yet life-threatening mistake...
In the rear palace, it didn't matter if a master knew of their servant's crime or not—association was sin.
While she was conflicting over whether or not to provide unsolicited advice again, she saw Lady Beauty Yang and Yue'er chatting happily while eating the cakes the latter had brought. Although Yue'er didn't sit at the table, Qiu'er could already conjure up a mental list of palace rules this simple interaction breached.
But still. They looked so close, like friends or... sisters, rather than servants. If the mistresses of the rear palace were as lenient as this, her sister wouldn't have...
"Qiu'er," Zi Hua called, "come join us. This glutinous rice cake is delicious!"
Her heart warmed slightly.
"No thank you, mistress," she declined. "I have already eaten."
Zi Hua shrugged, stuffing another piece of cake into her mouth. "Some other time, then."
She looked like a rabbit herself, with cheeks bulging cutely. Another strike from the consorts' handbook. Qiu'er stifled a soft laugh.
Well, she'll let it go. Just for today.