The New Year’s Eve vigil lasted until midnight before everyone finally dispersed.
Back in their rooms, they slept for less than an hour before hurrying to rise again.
Washing, dressing, changing into formal clothes – they rushed to the second gate, boarded carriages, and left the estate to join up with the people from the hou fu.
Wei lao furen opened the carriage door, glanced at the members of Gu fu, and asked, “Is everyone here?”
Zhang shi nodded. “To report to lao furen, everyone is present.”
“Have the children learned their manners properly?”
“Please rest assured, lao furen. These past few days, they have been practising palace etiquette diligently under the mama. Once inside, they will not make mistakes.”
Wei lao furen nodded. “Since everyone is here, let us depart.”
The carriage rolled steadily toward the palace gates.
Snow had fallen the previous day, leaving a thin layer on the ground. The wheels crunched over it, producing a steady creak.
In front of the palace’s Jinguan Gate, the carriages of various households were already lined up in order of rank.
Wei lao furen, a chaopin furen, naturally led the hou fu to the very front of the line.
[T/N: 超品夫人 (chaopin furen) – Literally “Madam Beyond Rank.” An unusual, honorary title indicating a noblewoman of status even higher than the standard ranked titles (e.g., 一品夫人 or yipin furen), yet still below an Empress. Denotes exceptional imperial favor or prestige.]
When the two families separated, Wei lao furen reminded Zhang shi and Xie shi, “Once inside, follow all rules carefully and watch the children closely.”
“We will heed lao furen’s words,” they both replied.
The hou fu went to the front, while the Gu family’s carriage stopped behind them.
In the capital, there was no shortage of officials – nobles and titled families were everywhere. For a third-rank titled lady, the standing was hardly notable; naturally, their carriage could only wait farther back.
Xie shi craned her neck to peer toward the palace gates.
Zhang shi tapped the carriage frame to remind her, “Er dimei, don’t keep looking. The gates won’t open for another hour. If you’re sleepy, take a nap now. Once inside, the day will leave everyone exhausted.”
Xie shi glanced through the window at her. In a low voice she asked, “Since the gates won’t open until later, why does everyone come so early?”
Zhang shi answered, “It’s the rule. Look – see how many carriages are lined up already? If we don’t arrive early to queue, it would turn into chaos. Over at the Mingde Gate, there are even more people: court officials, royal relatives, all waiting there.”
The cold pierced through; Xie shi shivered involuntarily.
Zhang shi offered further reassurance, “No need to be nervous. Ladies of our rank stand far in the back, merely joining the rest in offering New Year’s greetings to the Empress niangniang. Usually, there’s no chance to show our faces. Though that means fewer opportunities for notice, it also guarantees we pass the day safely.”
Hearing this, Xie shi asked, “Do accidents really happen during the New Year’s greeting?”
Zhang shi nodded. “Naturally. That’s why, as long as you follow the rules, there’s usually nothing to worry about.”
Xie shi’s heart pounded anxiously. She glanced toward the carriage behind them.
Following her gaze, Zhang shi saw – it was Gu Yue’s carriage.
Yes, among the three di daughters, Gu Yue was the most troublesome.
At first, Xie shi hadn’t wanted to bring her into the palace. But she worried that if Gu Yue stayed at home, she would make a scene during the New Year, throwing the household into chaos.
Since it was the girl’s first palace greeting, after much thought, Xie shi decided to bring her along to broaden her horizons.
In just a few months, Gu Yue would be marrying into Haixi bo fu’s household. If she had never even seen the palace gates, it would indeed seem rather ignorant.
Inside, Gu Yue gripped her handkerchief, both nervous and excited. She had already made up her mind: today she must perform perfectly, to let the world know she was a well-mannered young lady.
Gu Jiu, by contrast, sat in her carriage dozing.
According to palace rules, each young lady could only bring one maid inside. Gu Jiu had chosen Qing Mei.
Qing Mei glanced outside. Lanterns hung on every carriage, lined up in rows, looking magnificent. Beyond the lantern light, it was pitch black – you could not see your own hand in front of you.
She muttered, “I wonder when we’ll finally get to enter.”
Gu Jiu slept soundly, entirely unbothered by the prospect of entering the palace.
Qing Mei giggled quietly. “Guniang truly has a big heart.”
Gu Jiu’s head tipped sideways, about to slump over.
Qing Mei quickly supported her. “Guniang, if you want to sleep, sleep properly. Don’t slump onto the floor – what if your hair gets messy, or your clothes wrinkled?”
Gu Jiu mumbled something, smacked her lips, and fell back into slumber.
Waiting always felt endless. After what seemed like an eternity, the palace gates finally began to open. Everyone descended from their carriages, preparing to line up and enter the imperial city.
Qing Mei saw the line ahead begin to move and hurriedly shook her mistress awake.
“Guniang, wake up – it’s time to go in.”
Gu Jiu jolted awake, blinking. “The gates are open?”
Qing Mei nodded, using a damp towel to wipe the corners of her eyes, then smoothing her clothes and head ornaments.
“Guniang looks so beautiful.”
Gu Jiu dismissed it lightly. “In this setting, beauty doesn’t matter at all.”
She hopped lightly out of the carriage, startling Qing Mei half to death.
At her ear, Qing Mei whispered frantically, “Guniang, please be careful! This is the palace gate – so many madams and young ladies are watching. If you twist your ankle, what then? What if one of them turns out to be your future mother-in-law – how could you let her see you acting without proper decorum?”
“Don’t worry. No one will notice me.”
Zhang shi called softly, “Everyone, come here. Stay right behind me. Don’t look around, don’t speak carelessly, keep your heads lowered. Eat and drink as little as possible – best not at all, to avoid needing the privy. Do you all understand?”
“Yes.”
Then she turned to Xie shi. “Er dimei, how are you feeling? Are you all right?”
Xie shi’s palms were slick with sweat from nerves, but she forced herself to remain composed. “I’m fine. Thank you, dasao, for your concern.”
“It’s fine as long as nothing happened.”
The procession began to move, everyone filing forward one after another.
At the palace gates, they handed over their waist tokens. The eunuchs checked them carefully, confirming both identity and numbers before allowing the group inside.
Once past the gates, it was as though they had stepped into another world.
No one spoke. Everyone followed the eunuchs in strict order, passing through one palace gate after another, until at last they arrived at the side hall of Weiyang Palace to wait.
Inside this hall were all ladies of rank, titled wives of third and fourth-grade officials. Ladies of first and second grade waited in the adjoining side hall. Wives of the highest-ranking nobles, along with members of the imperial clan, waited in another wing.
The side hall was packed. At a glance, Gu Jiu judged there must be at least two to three hundred people. Though the hall was vast and filled to the brim, not a single sound could be heard.
Not only did no one speak – it seemed as though even breathing had stopped.
In such a setting, it was impossible not to feel nervous.
Fortunately, Gu Jiu was skilled at calming herself, so she sat at ease.
Gu Yue and Gu Shan, however, were so nervous their hands trembled, feeling the urgent need to relieve themselves – though, of course, they could not say it aloud.
Zhang shi, seeing how tense the two were, leaned over to whisper a reminder, “If you’re truly too nervous, just count numbers silently in your head. Keep counting, and the nerves will ease.”
Gu Shan bit her lip. “Your niece will follow da bomu’s advice.”
Gu Yue clutched the armrest of her chair. “Mother, nü’er–”
Xie shi’s gaze turned cold. “Do as your da bomu says. No fussing.”
By now, Xie shi already regretted bringing Gu Yue into the palace.
Gu Yue was miserable. It was always like this – her mother never let her finish a sentence before cutting her off. Her little temper flared, but she also knew this was the imperial palace, not a place where she could be willful. She could only swallow her grievances and hold it in.
Zhang shi turned to Gu Jiu. “Xiao Jiu, are you nervous?”
Gu Jiu pressed her lips into a small smile. “Thank you for your concern, da bomu. I’m all right.”
Relieved, Zhang shi said, “If anything troubles you, speak up.”
“Mm, I’ll follow da bomu’s advice.”
Gu Jiu had her own way of passing the time. To avoid attracting attention, she used the corner of her eyes to discreetly observe the women across from her.
By their clothes, bearing, and looks, she tried to guess at their temperaments.
It didn’t matter whether her guesses were right or wrong. What mattered was that, in this way, time seemed to pass more quickly.
She had hardly analysed a few when noise came from outside.
Someone whispered, “The Empress niangniang has risen.”
At once, everyone in the hall exhaled in unison. Since the Empress was awake, in about an hour they would likely be summoned to the main hall for the New Year’s greeting.
Suddenly, a young girl – perhaps from sheer nerves – collapsed in a faint.
Gu Jiu instinctively rose to go over, but as soon as she lifted her foot, she caught herself. This was the palace – she could not act rashly. She quietly drew her foot back, and no one noticed.
A palace maid entered to check, and upon seeing the girl had fainted, immediately had her carried out.
The girl’s mother, torn between anger and shame, dared not make a scene. She had no choice but to follow the maid out.
Witnessing this, Xie shi’s heart pounded faster than normal. She whispered to Zhang shi, “Will that lady be allowed to return?”
Zhang shi replied, “If they can compose themselves before the greeting, she might return.” But the poor girl – later, when marriage is discussed, this incident will surely be brought up. It’s unlikely she’ll ever marry into a great family.
She left the last sentence unspoken, lest she frighten Xie shi, Gu Shan, and Gu Jiu.
As for Gu Yue, she was already betrothed, so it was of less consequence.
Time dragged unbearably. That was what everyone thought.
Yet, no matter how difficult, all had to endure in silence.
Gradually, the sky brightened. The first dawn of the New Year had arrived.
The hall was warmed by heated floor braziers, so it was not cold. Still, the long wait was hard to bear. Many people quietly shifted in their seats, adjusting into more comfortable positions.
Soon there was more movement outside.
A eunuch entered the hall, announcing, “Niangniang has just returned from Taiji Palace, where she received the officials’ greetings. Furen, please make ready. Soon, you will proceed with me to the main hall to pay respects to the Empress.”
Someone clearly recognised him, and called out, “Many thanks, Steward Wang.”
“Furen is too polite,” the eunuch replied, before hurrying out again.
Zhang shi reminded the group, “Stay sharp. Once the greetings in the neighbouring hall are done, it will be our turn.”
Gu Yue said pitifully, “Da bomu, your niece is so nervous.”
Zhang shi smiled kindly. “Don’t be afraid. It will be over soon.”
Gu Yue nodded, still wearing a look of grievance.
When Xie shi saw this, she frowned and scolded in a low voice, “What sort of face are you putting on, and for whom? Do you feel wronged just because you’ve come into the palace for New Year’s greetings?
“If the palace attendants see you like this, what will they think? What if they take it as disrespect toward the Empress? Have you considered the consequences? Even here in the palace you can’t behave yourself – are you determined to drag the entire Gu family down with you?”
Gu Yue opened her mouth, but in the end said nothing.
Zhang shi also reminded her, “Quickly put away that expression. What did the mama teach you? You must be respectful! Don’t think that it doesn’t matter what you do. There are so many people here watching. If word spreads, you’ll pay dearly for it.”
Gu Yue muttered softly, “I understand.”
She no longer dared to look aggrieved, nor to show a pitiful face. She tried to imitate Gu Shan, forcing herself to look as respectful as possible.
Time passed bit by bit, until at last their turn arrived.
Gu Jiu followed behind Zhang shi, head lowered and eyes modest, walking out of the side hall toward the main hall to present New Year’s greetings.
When they first arrived earlier, the sky had been so dark that one could not see a hand before one’s face. Nothing was visible.
Now the day was bright, and Lu Zhan glanced around with the corner of his eye. The Weiyang Palace was indeed vast, yet it gave off a sense of plainness, even desolation.
The snow on the ground had long been swept clean, not a trace left.
Following the eunuch’s instructions, everyone entered the main hall and took their assigned places. Then, at his signal, they offered New Year’s greetings to the Empress.
“Cough, cough…”
From the front of the hall came a series of racking coughs, tearing at the chest.
Yet no one raised their heads to look. Not because they didn’t want to, but because they dared not – nor were they allowed.
Gu Jiu kept her head bowed. As expected, the coughing must belong to the Empress.
Listening to it, she thought: the Empress’s health is indeed poor. The rumours must be true – her end is near. To endure until the New Year, she must have fought with all her strength.
At last the coughing ceased, and faint sounds of movement followed.
After a while, the Empress’s voice came, “Rise!”
Though weak, it carried commanding force. Truly worthy of an empress who had presided over the inner palace for decades.
Even at the brink of exhaustion, she could still strike fear into the hearts of all, keeping ambitious schemers too wary to act rashly.
With the formal greetings concluded, everyone followed the eunuchs to a side hall.
No matter how large the main hall, it could not hold everyone.
From the side hall, one could still hear the sounds from the main chamber – the Empress chatting casually with members of the imperial clan and high-ranking noblewomen.
Hearing laughter, the atmosphere seemed cheerful.
Gu Jiu thought it was over – once the Empress finished speaking, the next step would simply be proceeding to the palace banquet.
But unexpectedly, a palace maid hurried into the side hall and announced in a loud voice, “Where is Gu furen of Zhenjun General’s fu?”
Xie shi was stunned. When she heard Zhenjun General’s fu, she honestly did not realise it referred to her.
It was Zhang shi who reacted first, standing quickly. “Here.”
The palace maid glanced over the Gu family. “Niangniang summons you. Please follow me.”
Zhang shi pinched Xie shi and said urgently, “Dimei, what are you dazing for? Quickly, come. Xiao Jiu, you three sisters follow behind me. Be careful in everything.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Rest assured, da bomu.”
Xie shi scrambled to her feet, flustered beyond measure. “Dasao, why would niangniang summon us?”
“Perhaps it’s because of the hou fu,” Zhang shi guessed.
Gu Jiu kept a close eye on Gu Yue and Gu Shan as well, fearing they might get too nervous and make a mistake before the Empress.
The five of them followed the maid to the centre of the main hall.
“Greetings to Empress niangniang!”
They all bowed deeply with utmost respect.
Wei lao furen beamed as she said, “*Niangniang, these are the two daughters-in-law from a collateral branch of the family, and their three daughters.”
Empress Cui narrowed her eyes, scrutinising them. “Such pretty guniang. Come closer, let bengong look at you carefully.”
The palace maid motioned for the three girls to step forward.
Gu Jiu led the way, walking past Zhang shi and Xie shi, bringing Gu Yue and Gu Shan forward to bow. “Chennü greets Empress niangniang. May niangniang enjoy auspicious fortune.”
“Mm.” The Empress’s presence filled the hall. Gu Yue and Gu Shan trembled, their hands hidden within their sleeves shaking uncontrollably.
“Raise your heads. Let me see.”
Gu Jiu slowly lifted her gaze. For the first time, she was this close to the Empress – her first clear view of the woman’s face.
Sallow skin, hair dry and yellowed, cheeks sunken into hollows. A frail figure swimming in ceremonial robes too large for her body.
That was Gu Jiu’s first impression.
But what truly shocked her were the Empress’s eyes. They shone with brilliance, as though holding within them the sun, moon, stars – centuries of history.
Such wisdom, such ruthlessness in that gaze.
In those eyes, Gu Jiu saw not only ambition and lofty purpose, but also cruelty, cunning, and bloodshed.
If the Empress had command of troops, Gu Jiu had no doubt she would – before dying – slaughter every schemer who sought to topple the Crown Prince.
She might even dare kill the Emperor himself.
This was no exaggeration. Gu Jiu truly saw all of that in the Empress’s eyes.
Though it felt as if she observed her for a long time, it was only a matter of two or three seconds. Just a single glance, before Gu Jiu quickly lowered her eyes again, adopting a deferential posture.
The Empress nodded. “What is your name? And your age?”
Gu Jiu bowed. “Niangniang, chennü bears the single name Jiu, fifteen years old.”
“Have you been betrothed?”
“Not yet.”
The Empress smiled. “You are quite promising. Step back.”
“As you command.” Gu Jiu bowed again and withdrew. Gu Yue and Gu Shan also retreated with her.
It seemed the Empress had summoned the three sisters forward only to examine Gu Jiu.
Xiao Jiu’s historic meeting with her predecessor.
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