Sun Lingshu found Fu Rou’s request strange but the Crown Prince permitted Fu Rou’s request.
Fu Rou chose a few fabric designs and instructed internal attendants to shift an amphora in the room. She took a few steps back to examine the amphora.
All of a sudden, the internal attendant stared into the amphora and exclaimed, “Hm? There seems to be something inside this amphora.” He shook the amphora and clanging sounds echoed through the room.
Official Situ hurriedly stood up and snatched the amphora from the internal attendant. Turning the amphora over, three Naga Pearls rolled out.
“Naga Pearls!” Official Situ exclaimed in surprise, “We found it! Your Highness, I did not lose them. Someone is purposely framing me!”
Sun Lingshu’s eyes shone brightly. “Yes, who could be framing Official Situ? Is there anyone in the Eastern Palace that has not been scolded by Official Situ before?”
“That is enough.” The Crown Prince sighed deeply, his gaze shifted to Sun Lingshu but he did not want to pursue the matter further. “It is good that we found it. I am tired, I don’t want to waste time on pursuing this matter.”
The Crown Prince left. Official Situ carried the jade plate and left hurriedly, even forgetting to bow towards Sun Lingshu.
Sun Lingshu glared at Fu Rou who was casually tidying up the fabric and furnishings. She questioned in a cold tone, “She made things difficult for me and you. Why did you help her?”
Sun Lingshu had heard that Official Situ had single handedly made the decision to reject Fu Rou during her Internal Entry Examination with the excuse of improper ceremonial behaviors.
Fu Rou turned towards Sun Lingshu and replied, “Although it is hard to get along with Official Situ, we should not scheme against her.”
Coincidentally, in the short time that it took Official Situ to scold the two palace maids, she had witnessed Sun Lingshu instructing Shuangxi to take three of the Naga Pearls and drop them into the amphora. Hence, Fu Rou rushed back to the Seamstress Department to get some embroidery to help Official Situ out.
“Even if it is for me?” Sun Lingshu selfishly thought that Fu Rou could be her trusted aide.
“I won’t help with this kind of thing.”
Fu Rou curtseyed before turning to leave. At this very moment, she knew that she and Sun Lingshu were on completely different paths.
Just before she reached the Seamstress Department, Fu Rou caught sight of Official Situ. She walked up to Official Situ and greeted her politely.
“I thought that you didn’t like me. Why would you help me?” Official Situ immediately rushed over after delivering the pearls.
Fu Rou spoke calmly, “Once I have seen it, I cannot pretend that I didn’t. That’s all.”
Official Situ fell silent. “Head Seamstress Fu, don’t you begrudge me for not passing you in the Internal Entry Examination?”
“I wouldn’t dare. However, if I may be so bold to ask, my etiquette may not be perfect but I don’t believe that it was bad enough to fail. Official Situ, I do wonder if you are making things difficult for me.”
Official Situ nodded. “That’s right. I did make things difficult for you during the Internal Entry Examination.”
Fu Rou was curious. “Why?”
Official Situ remained calm. “Someone instructed me to do so.”
“Who?”
“Consort Han.”
Fu Rou was initially startled but later smiled softly. “I believe Consort Han has her reasons.”
Official Situ found Fu Rou’s reaction rather pleasing as she nodded and explained, “Many years ago, I received a favor from the Duke Lu Residence. Now that Consort Han has requested something from me, I definitely have to repay her. Head Seamstress Fu, do you know what the Internal Entry Examination is for?”
Fu Rou replied, “Anyone who just entered the palace must learn palace etiquette. One is only considered to have learnt palace etiquette when they pass the Internal Entry Examination. If they do not pass, it means they have not fully learned the etiquette. Not only would they get punished, they also won’t be promoted even if they are excellent at their job.”
“You have only got half right.” Official Situ replied warmly, “The Internal Entry Examination tests people in the internal palace. Within these four walls, all ladies and palace maids from the three palaces and six courtyards as well as female officials from the six offices and twenty-four departments exist solely for the Emperor. As long as you pass the Internal Entry Examination, it means you are ready to belong to the Emperor.”
All of a sudden, Fu Rou understood.
“With the status of an official palace lady, regardless of whether the Emperor favors you, you cannot marry unless the Emperor personally grants you marriage. Even if one of the nobles is gracious and allows you to leave the palace, you will only be able to become a nun or remain single for the rest of your life.” Official Situ gazed at Fu Rou. “Do you understand why Consort Han requested what she did now?”
Fu Rou bowed deeply. “I understand. I’ll have to thank Consort Han and you, Official Situ, for taking care of me.”
Although the palace was a dangerous place, there were still people that were sincere that she could make friends with to get through it. She only hoped that Sheng Chumu was as lucky as her and could find someone to help him out.
Chapter 17.1: Swing
Sheng Chumu had taken two thousand of Lu Yunji’s troops and taken down Nine Pillar City, a city that was rumoured to never be able to fall. Moreover he did not lose any soldiers. However, the Lu father and son pair merely came over to take advantage of the fallen city and did not even thank him.
“I think that bastard just wants to kill you! The number of troops he gives you decreases with each order. Does he think you just need to use your mouth to win? If it is that easy, he should ask his timid son to attack the Nine Pillar City!” Fu Tao cursed on his behalf.
Sheng Chumu only thought about how he could finally catch up on sleep. He tilted his head and lay flat on the wooden bed.
“Sheng Chumu, are you still my teacher? You don’t have any spirit as a man!” Sheng Chumu was so mighty when they were walking the streets of Guangzhou. Now, he was listless.
“I don’t want to be a man.” He just wanted to live to return to Chang’an and to be by Fu Rou’s side. “Moreover, attacking the Nine Pillar City was pretty easy. The time was right and the conditions were favourable.”
First, he took down a portion of the city wall to analyse what material it was made of. Then he studied the constellations to determine which day the sun would be blazing the most. Before that day arrived, he ordered his two thousand troops to dig a channel to redirect water from a nearby river to flood the bottom of the city wall. When the sun eventually shone, cracks would form on the rammed earth that made up the city walls as they had been soaked. Lastly, he just had to attack. He did not even need to send his troops but merely made use of a catapult to aim at the section of the city wall with cracks. With this pressure, the solid city wall was easily brought down.
Fu Tao was about to speak when the cry of a warhorse could be heard. Its cry shook the heavens.
Sheng Chumu thought the rebel army had attacked and immediately jumped out of bed. He snatched up his sword and headed out. However, as he walked out, he only saw men in the Great Tang uniform, shouting and robbing houses. They were bullying the citizens. Fury burned in Sheng Chumu's eyes. He turned around to look for Lu Yunji. Who else would dare to do this without the approval of the General?