After Rebirth, I Married my Archenemy - Chapter 44

Early in the morning, when Qun Qing went to deliver an outer garment to Li Xuan, she encountered Kuang Su on the way. Kuang Su made a gesture indicating a “bundle” and said to her, “The item is in the stone cave.”

Balancing the tray, Qun Qing nodded briefly and brushed past him.

It seemed the token for her second trip to Siye Tower had been prepared.

Without delay, Qun Qing grabbed the bundle and headed swiftly to the stone cave. Inside the bundle were the clothes and jewelry Lu Huating had prepared for her during her first visit to Siye Tower.

As soon as she entered, she was startled. A shadowy figure was already inside. 

“Why are you here?”

Leaning against the wall, Lu Huating was flipping through a book in his hand. 

“This place is cool and secluded. Is it reserved solely for you, my lady, and forbidden for others?”

His gaze fell on the bundle in her hand, and his tone turned slightly chilly. 

“If it’s something you no longer need, just discard it. There’s no need to return it.”

Qun Qing had already cleaned and arranged the clothes and jewelry. Knowing his penchant for cleanliness, she doubted he would accept anything she had used. Since he made it clear, her face warmed, and she stuffed the bundle into a hidden corner of the cave.

Noticing a green bundle at Lu Huating’s feet, Qun Qing was surprised. 

“Does something like this require the advisor to personally deliver it?”

She had assumed such tasks could be delegated to subordinates. It was unexpected that Lu Huating had risen so early himself.

Closing the book and placing it beside him, Lu Huating watched as Qun Qing picked up the bundle, inspected the token, and unfolded a skirt to compare it against herself. Yet, her demeanor lacked the joy of a young lady trying on new clothes; instead, there was a resolute sharpness in her clear brows, as if she were assessing a weapon’s effectiveness.

“My lady’s secret spot should not be carelessly intruded upon by my subordinates,” Lu Huating remarked. “Should any of them stumble upon you exchanging messages with someone else, wouldn’t that cause you trouble?”

Qun Qing paused. 

“What are you implying? There’s no one else here. If anyone is caught, it would be you.”

As she shook the skirt, a few iron fragments fell from its folds.

“According to your instructions, a pocket has been added to the sleeve for hiding a blade. This time, it was Cui Zhu who personally extended the invitation for a gathering in five days,” Lu Huating said, leaning against the stone wall.

A banquet with malicious intent—it was no wonder Lu Huating had come to notify her personally. Qun Qing nodded, draping the skirt over her left arm and rolling up the hem with her right hand. In just a few swift movements, she folded it with the efficiency of a palace maid, causing the cloth pouch hanging beside the brass fish emblem to sway slightly.

The pouch was embroidered with floral patterns. Judging by its shape and size, it contained her own dagger. Lu Huating, holding his breath, instinctively touched his sash. The place where his own dagger used to hang was now empty.

“Your embroidery is exquisite,” he remarked, withdrawing his gaze from the hem of her skirt.

Qun Qing accepted the compliment calmly. 

“I practiced for eight years. Has the advisor ever dedicated eight years to mastering a skill?”

Lu Huating fell silent for a moment before replying warmly, 

“Fishing?”

The response was entirely unrelated.

“Did you kneel on stones to fish, so much so that your clothes wore out without anyone noticing?” Qun Qing’s eyes fell on the hem of his garment.

Her observation was not unwarranted. Her mother’s rigorous training in embroidery and tailoring had instilled in her a habit of noticing clothing details at a glance.

Unlike other civil officials who wore silk robes, Lu Huating’s white linen garments were prone to damage after a few kneels. Raising the hem to inspect his knees, he noticed Qun Qing pulling out a sewing kit from her sleeve and threading a needle with practiced ease.

“You carry sewing supplies with you?” Lu Huating asked, startled.

“As a palace maid in charge of clothing, it’s standard to be prepared for any needs of our masters,” Qun Qing replied, her tone indifferent. With a deft twist of her fingers, she knotted the thread, as if dismissing his surprise as unwarranted.

However, while such readiness was expected for palace nobles, Lu Huating found it oddly inappropriate when applied to himself.

Without further ado, Qun Qing took hold of the hem of his outer garment and began sewing.

Lu Huating watched the fine needle in her fingers intently, speculating on her intentions. He had a similar needle hidden in his drawer; should she decide to strike with it now, he would have no time to dodge.

Though his expression remained calm, his body was taut with tension. The delicate tugging of the thread heightened his awareness, making every sensation sharper.

When Qun Qing gave the garment a slight tug, Lu Huating straightened from his leaning position, his shadow falling over her, causing her fingers to momentarily tingle.

“I do have a request for the advisor,” Qun Qing finally said. “Cui Zhu’s invitation is clearly a trap. When I go to Siye Tower again, I hope to borrow some of your men—more than usual.”

Lu Huating’s expression hardened.

Risky missions relying entirely on Prince Yan’s people while the spies of Southern Chu watched from the shadows? Absurd.

“Don’t you have your own people?” Lu Huating asked pointedly, his dark eyes warm as they rested on her.

“I’m just a palace maid with no power or influence. Where would I find people?” Qun Qing met his gaze, her clear black eyes radiating innocence. She lowered her head and bit off the thread. “Done.”

“Until the account book is in hand, my men will ensure your safety. Rest assured,” he said as the hem of his garment fell back into place. Lu Huating glanced aside, resolved to implement his plan to draw out the spies—none would escape.

With the matter settled, Qun Qing bid him farewell. But before she could leave, Lu Huating called out, 

“Are you participating in the upcoming selection?”

What did he mean by that? Qun Qing turned sharply, her wary gaze locking onto his face.

This selection determined her departure from the palace. She couldn’t afford any interference.

“I noticed your name on the princess consort’s list,” Lu Huating said, his innocent demeanor dispelling her suspicion and replacing it with a tinge of guilt.

Right, she remembered reading in her notes that Lu Huating never sabotaged examinations.

Lu Huating raised his sleeves and solemnly performed a civil official’s salute, exuding an air of clarity under the moonlit sky. 

“I wish you success and a bright future.”

Qun Qing said nothing, watching the shadow in the secluded stone cave before turning and stepping away on the fallen leaves.

Lu Huating’s gaze followed her retreating figure.

Her shoulders were straight, and her waist slender—fit for flowing gracefully in a dress. Yet, her quick, soundless strides seemed resolute and unstoppable, marching toward her fate.

In her past life, she had walked this very path, ascending to the Shangyi Bureau, one of the six department of palace services, assassinating Wei Shangshu and Prince Yan, until finally crossing swords with him.

As Lu Huating watched her disappear, his smile faded. Amidst the falling poplar blossoms, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Xiao Yunru’s sedan chair caught up to Lu Huating from behind. The curtain was lifted, revealing Xiao Yunru’s pale face.

“The Princess Consort isn’t feeling well, so she should rest at the residence and avoid attending the assessment,” Lu Huating said, returning the book to her palace maid. “I just reviewed the responsibilities for the six department of palace services’ evaluation. There won’t be any mistakes.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust the advisor. It’s just that without seeing it myself, I can’t feel assured. Let’s go together and discuss as needed,” Xiao Yunru replied. She had just vomited, rinsed her mouth, and dabbed her lips with a handkerchief. Then, instructing the eunuchs carrying her sedan chair, she said, 

“Head to Chongjing Hall and see if there’s anyone suitable.”

Chongjing Hall was the location for the Shangfu Bureau’s examination.

After some thought, Lu Huating realized that the ceremony to welcome the Buddha’s bones was drawing near. While funds for military pay had not been replenished in time, major ceremonial expenses such as carpets, clothing, and utensils would be covered by the Shangfu Bureau.

Currently, the female official overseeing the Shangfu Bureau did not belong to the Prince Yan’s household. Xiao Yunru, eager to cultivate loyal personnel, was determined to train someone from her own circle to help reduce expenditures wherever possible.

The sun over Yunzhou illuminated the roofs of De Wen, De Xin, Chong An, and Chongjing Halls, making them sparkle brilliantly. It also lit up the entrance, where a dense crowd of women stood in orderly lines.

These women, aged between sixteen and forty, came from various palaces, each wearing different styles of palace attire and representing diverse ranks. They had registered to participate in the selection process for palace officials.

Qun Qing arrived late. She glanced at the sun, slightly puzzled. The examination time had already passed, yet the entrance remained tightly packed, and the supervising female officials at the gate showed no intention of letting anyone in.

“It seems the Shangshi Bureau must be preparing pots and ingredients, while the Shangfu Bureau needs to ready embroidery frames, which is likely causing the delay,” 

Qun Qing overheard whispers from the palace maids in front of her.

“Why is there a palace supervisor here?” someone noticed Qun Qing and murmured. 

“Young palace supervisor like her are rare. This is bad, really bad…”

“What’s so special about palace supervisor? Failing to be selected is what’s truly embarrassing.”

Although Qun Qing appeared calm, she couldn’t help but feel anxious inside.

In her past life, it was Princess Bao’an who persuaded Li Xuan to recommend her to the six department of palace services. She had never taken the female official exams, especially not for Shangfu Bureau.

Her only lingering impression of Shangfu Bureau from her past life was that its lead female official, the “Shangfu Supervisor,” was of poor character, having once ousted a subordinate named Zhu Fuzhen from the six department of palace services.

Qun Qing chose the Shangfu Bureau mainly because her embroidery and tailoring skills could allow her to adapt quickly even without prior preparation.

However, as she was unaware of the exam’s content, earning Xiao Yunru’s favor would depend entirely on luck.

Suddenly, the palace maids ahead became restless. 

“Look over there! It seems someone has gone in already!” one exclaimed.

The maids began clamoring. Following the direction of their gestures, Qun Qing spotted a line of ox carts approaching along the palace path. Eunuchs lifted the curtains and helped the women inside step down one by one.

The women’s shawls and the cart curtains were adorned with intricate embroidery and beadwork, glimmering brightly. These women, who had arrived from outside the palace, entered Chongjing Hall through a side door ahead of the others.

“Silence! Who gave you permission to cause such a commotion?” the supervising female official scolded.

“Senior sister, tell me, are those women here for the selection too?” a young palace maid named Song Chun asked sharply. “I’ve counted; there are 37 people in line at this entrance, and the list also shows 37 names. No extras should be added!”

Shangfu Bureau planned to select only two candidates from these 37, making the competition already fierce. Adding more entrants would render the chances even slimmer.

“If noblewomen wish to take official positions, they should pursue the women’s imperial examination. Why are they participating in the palace maid selection? This completely contradicts what Princess Consort Yan said!”

“Exactly!”

Still observing the situation, Qun Qing was suddenly pushed forward. The young maid seized her arm. 

“Senior sister, you’re the palace supervisor; speak up for us!”

For a moment, all the maids pinned their hopes on her, the highest-ranked among them. The supervising female official glanced nervously at Qun Qing. As a seventh-rank Shangfu supervisor, she had no authority to confront a sixth-rank palace supervisor if challenged.

Unexpectedly, the supervisor was a young woman with pale, translucent skin that carried a faint bluish-green hue, like a delicate duck egg. Despite being thrust into the spotlight, her calm gaze resembled solidified inkstone, steady and unshaken.

After a moment, Qun Qing brushed off the maid’s hand, swept her gaze across the crowd, and said, 

“Don’t forget why you’re here today. No matter what happens, take the exam first. How can you know the results before even trying?”

Disappointment spread across the maids’ faces. Those looking to stir trouble or seek a spectacle dispersed. The young maid released Qun Qing’s hand with a huff. 

A supervisor? More like a coward hiding in her shell!

Meanwhile, on the other side, the noblewomen overheard the commotion and whispered among themselves. 

“It seems they’re talking about us.”

Standing at the side entrance of the hall was Gu Shangyi, the Shangfu Supervisor of the Shangfu Bureau. Short and stout, she wore a friendly smile. 

“Don’t mind them,” she said, gesturing courteously. “Come inside, have some tea, and wait patiently.”

Before she could finish, one of the women, Mistress Cui Yi, stumbled while descending from the ox cart, nearly twisting her ankle. A sharp slap resounded as she struck the young eunuch who had been helping her. 

“How dare you handle me so carelessly?”

Gu Shangyi immediately glanced up in alarm, and the woman beside her, Bao Shu, froze in shock. The young eunuch clutched his face, red from the slap, his eyes burning with humiliation.

Cui Ying, meanwhile, inspected her gown for damage. Draped in an abundance of glittering jewels, her attire dazzled in the light. Bao Shu stepped forward, slipped a gold bead into the eunuch’s hand, and linked arms with Cui Ying. 

“Your temper is far too harsh. This is the palace, not your home. How could you strike a eunuch here?”

“If it weren’t for your family insisting I take this selection, would I be enduring such humiliation?” Cui Ying retorted, her slightly plump figure panting from the brief movement. “Managing my dowry is already exhausting enough, and now I have to come to the palace. Nothing ever goes smoothly!”

Over the years, the Cui family had risen to prominence thanks to the soaring reputation of Siye Tower. Cui Ying’s attire grew increasingly extravagant, and her temper swelled along with the family’s status, becoming more volatile by the day. Even the smallest slight was like water splashed into hot oil.

Though Bao Shu found Cui Ying’s behavior disgraceful, she endured it in silence. After all, the two were soon to become sisters-in-law. She clung to Cui Ying’s arm, hoping to prevent any further incidents.

This Cui Ying was the same Mistress Cui Ying set to marry Meng Guanlou.

The Cui family was immensely wealthy, but as merchants, their status could not compare to that of an official household. Meng Guanlou, the prime minister’s son, had negotiated with the Cui family to have Cui Ying enter the palace and obtain an official title, elevating her status to match his.

Gu Shangyi dragged her long hem as she walked across the hall, appearing at the open palace doors, silencing the noisy commotion among the palace attendants.

Qun Qing finally saw Gu Shangyi’s face clearly. Her fine eyebrows and round face exuded an air of kindness and approachability. 

“What was all that noise about just now?” she asked warmly.

The palace maids hesitated at her polite inquiry, unsure of what to say. But Song Chun boldly spoke up, her voice clear: 

“Why were those ladies allowed to enter before us?”

“Song Chun of Changqing Palace?” Gu Shangyi took the wooden tag from Liu Si Yi, examining it briefly. 

“Your concern has been noted,” she said, then handed the tag back to Liu Si Yi, who threw it into the brazier inside the hall. 

“Song Chun’s qualification for today’s selection is revoked.”

A stunned silence fell across the room.

Song Chun stood frozen, her eyes wide, as if unable to process the meaning of Gu Shangyi’s words.

“Changqing Palace is an empty hall since His Fourth Highness went missing, and Consort Chen no longer resides there,” Gu Shangyi explained with a pleasant smile. “Without a noble master to serve, it’s no surprise you don’t understand palace rules.”

Then she addressed the group: “Does anyone else have any questions? If not, follow me inside for the selection.”

The only sound remaining was the wind as the group clutched their wooden tags in silence, fully aware of Gu Shangyi’s strictness.

The initial excitement of the candidates dissipated into a heavy gloom as they proceeded, subdued. Someone whispered, 

“And to think she claimed to stand up for us! She only ended up ruining herself.”

“Exactly. If you want to join the six department of palace services, you must follow the rules. Lesson learned today…”

Others, sensing an opportunity, approached Qun Qing apologetically. 

“Palace supervisor, you did warn us earlier. We failed to listen. Please guide us better in the future.”

Humans are always adept at justifying their guilt.

Qun Qing ignored them, turning her gaze to the lone figure crying silently in the courtyard. She etched that shadow into her memory before stepping into the hall.

Gu Shangyi was truly as formidable as the rumors suggested.

Inside the vast and empty hall, several noblewomen sat down first. After a while, the palace maids entered through the front doors in single file.

Behind a massive screen stood desks with ink and brushes. Xiao Yunru coughed lightly, taking in the scene, while Lu Huating remained unsurprised.

The entrenched factions of the previous dynasty had all sought to infiltrate the inner palace to claim a share of power. This was the inevitable result.

But then, Lu Huating froze as a familiar figure walked in.

Qun Qing carefully adjusted her hem before sitting at a desk. When the gong sounded, she dipped her brush into the ink, fully focused on answering the exam questions.

Lu Huating glanced at Gu Shangyi before turning back. 

“Is this Chongjing Hall?”

Xiao Yunru looked at him, puzzled. 

“Yes, it is Chongjing Hall.”

Why didn’t she choose the Shangyi Bureau but opted for the Shangfu Bureau instead?

Lu Huating’s heartbeat quickened.

In her previous life, Qun Qing had been a sixth-ranked official in the Shangyi Bureau. He remembered it vividly. That idle position afforded her plenty of free time to carry out assassinations and often allowed her to visit Princess Bao’an under the pretext of teaching.

But on second thought, with Princess Bao’an’s current fall from grace, and given Qun Qing’s embroidery skills, why wouldn’t she choose the Shangfu Bureau? After all, every garment Prince Yan would wear in the future could pass through her hands—a much easier way to achieve her goals than assassination. Lu Huating’s eyes darkened.

The palace maids were already answering the first test.

At that moment, Zhu Su and Jian Su arrived, carrying two stacks of letters which they placed on Lu Huating’s desk.

Lu Huating wasn’t apprehensive about confronting Qun Qing. His emotions were complicated, but he could feel the blood coursing through his veins with renewed vigor. Casually, he opened one of the letters. 

“What’s this?”

“Advisor, letters sent by Pei Jianzuo.”

“The Eunuch you dismissed from the Shanggong Bureau, the one who ended up scrubbing chamber pots for days,” Jian Su reminded him.

It took Lu Huating a while to recall who Pei Jianzuo was. He flipped through the letters and came across a correspondence between the Meng family and Pei Jianzuo. His expression turned grim as he looked at Jian Su. 

“Did he say why he sent this to me?”

Pei Jianzuo, a seasoned manipulator of the court, wouldn’t have been intimidated into surrendering such incriminating evidence without a compelling reason.

Jian Su replied, “He said that if the Advisor desires, he has more of Meng family’s correspondence. He also begged you not to present the letter you gave Miss Qing to His Majesty…”

Lu Huating froze. “The letter I asked Miss Qing to retrieve? What letter?!”

T/L Notes:

Hi readers! To enhance your understanding of the Six Department of Palace Services, here’s a quick guide. These six departments were essential to the functioning of the imperial palace in Ancient China, each handling specific areas of palace management. They are as follows:

1. general palace service (Shanggong 尚宮) Bureau
2. ceremonial service (Shangyi 尚儀) Bureau
3. wardrobe service (Shangfu 尚服) Bureau
4. food service (Shangshi 尚食) Bureau
5. housekeeping service (Shangqin 尚寢) Bureau
6. workshops service (Shanggong 尚功) Bureau

I hope this serves as a helpful reference for a more immersive reading experience. I’ll continue to include notes and explanations for any terms that arise in future chapters. Enjoy the story!