Concubine of the Eastern Palace (Qing Dynasty Time Travel)

Madam Wu had a fair, oval face and delicate, elongated eyes. She wore a snow-gray silk jacket embroidered with orchid patterns and trimmed with rolled sleeves. Over it, she draped a sleeveless blue silk vest adorned with butterfly embroidery. On her feet were a pair of brand-new embroidered shoes. Under the guidance of Mama Ling, she respectfully and joyfully bowed to greet Cheng Wanyun. Cheng Wanyun quickly ordered Bitao to help her up.

Upon closer inspection, Wu’s jet-black hair was immaculately styled, adorned with the latest fashionable floral hair accessories from the capital. Other than that, her appearance was simple, with no elaborate ornaments—even the pearl earrings she wore were of a modest rice-grain design, presenting a look both elegant and understated.

Cheng Wanyun nodded in approval. Her stepmother always knew how to behave appropriately.

Many, upon entering the palace for the first time, would adorn themselves with every bit of gold, silver, and jade they owned to avoid appearing timid. Yet such ostentation often attracted unwanted attention and diminished their esteem. Wu’s choice was just right. The hair accessory, a new design freshly purchased in the capital, served as a tasteful focal point, demonstrating her careful thought. Though her attire was modest, it was impeccably appropriate.

Their Cheng family was not exceptionally wealthy, so this presentation suited them perfectly.

Cheng Wanyun instructed Qingxing to serve tea and bring snacks, then settled Wu comfortably. With a quick glance at the servants in the room, Qingxing understood and led them all out, gently closing the door to give the mother and daughter privacy.

Madam Wu visibly relaxed, her eyes reddening slightly as she looked at Cheng Wanyun. “Ah Yun, have you been well in the palace? Your father used to talk about finding a kind and caring husband for you after you returned from the selection. Who would have thought our family would encounter such a fate…”

Worried about being overheard, Wu did not dare to speak openly. When the news first reached She County, Master Cheng had hidden himself and cried for two whole days!

Other families, upon learning their daughters were entering the Eastern Palace, would set off fireworks and even offer incense in gratitude to their ancestors. But Master Cheng felt only sorrow, believing his daughter was heading toward a life of hardship, destined to never see her family again.

“I’m doing well,” Cheng Wanyun said, sensing the unspoken worry in Wu’s words. Master Cheng must have worried for her greatly. Looking closely at Wu’s well-maintained appearance, Cheng Wanyun inferred that her family had been doing fairly well in recent years.

“I heard Wanyan and Wanhe have also come to the capital. Why didn’t you bring them along?”

It was inappropriate for her brother Huai Zhang, as an outsider, to enter the palace, but there was no such restriction for her two younger sisters.

“They’re still young, inexperienced, and not familiar with proper etiquette. The palace is different from other places, so I thought it best not to cause you any trouble,” Wu said with an apologetic smile. In truth, she had deeper concerns. Wanyan and Wanhe were nearing the age for the selection process, and their presence in the palace might cause misunderstandings with the Crown Prince. She certainly didn’t want to create any difficulties for her favored stepdaughter. “Huai Zhang has already met Lord E Chu, who serves by the Crown Prince’s side. That gentleman is very kind and introduced Huai Zhang to a highly respected retired scholar from Huizhou. He has now become Huai Zhang’s mentor, and Huai Zhang will continue his studies under him.”

Thinking of Huai Zhang’s passion for reading, Cheng Wanyun couldn’t help but smile. “Is Huai Zhang still the same? Sitting indoors reading from morning to night without moving an inch?”

“Oh, don’t get me started! I’ve been so worried,” Wu replied with a mix of pride and exasperation. “It’s not just that he doesn’t move. Even when his classmates invite him out for literary gatherings, he remains indifferent. If it weren’t for this trip to the capital, he wouldn’t have stepped outside for over half a month!”

“Huai Zhang will surely achieve great things in the future, but staying cooped up at home reading all the time isn’t good either. ‘Reading ten thousand books is not as valuable as traveling ten thousand miles.’ You should encourage him to get more exercise. Otherwise, he’ll become a frail scholar who won’t even endure three days in the examination hall!”

“You’re absolutely right. I’ll be sure to convey your advice to him. He always listens to you.” Wu stepped forward and took Cheng Wanyun’s hand, pulling a small cloth pouch from her sleeve. “By the way, Huai Jing misses you terribly too. His father wouldn’t let him come, saying he’s been neglecting his studies and needs to be disciplined. He’s personally supervising Huai Jing’s reading now. But Huai Jing made a little bird for you by hand, and I brought it today.”

The carving was a small sparrow made from peach wood. Though crude in craftsmanship, its chubby and round form was endearing. Holding it brought back vivid memories of their mischievous childhood days when they would go bird-hunting together. Cheng Wanyun couldn’t hold back her tears. “Huai Jing and I were always the closest. I miss him so much. And how is Grandmother?”

“She’s doing very well! Although she’s lost a few teeth, she still manages to eat two full bowls of meat porridge every meal. She really wanted to come see you, but She County is just too far from the capital. We couldn’t bear the thought of her traveling such a long distance at her age. Even though she seems healthy now, if something went wrong during the journey, finding treatment would be difficult.”

Cheng Wanyun nodded in agreement. It was indeed better for her grandmother to spend her later years peacefully at home.

Wu then lowered her voice and brought up Master Cheng’s career prospects. Despite trying to maintain composure, her excitement showed as her hands trembled slightly while holding the teacup. “A Yun, don’t be sad. Even if we couldn’t meet this time, there may be more opportunities in the future! From what Lord E Chu hinted, it seems the Crown Prince intends to find a modest but respectable position for your father in one of the six ministries. If that happens, we might all move to the capital! We owe all of this to you…”

“But your father, stubborn as always, isn’t happy about it. He quietly told me that he’s not the kind of man to ‘sell his daughter for fame and fortune.’ He said he’s spent his whole life stuck at the seventh rank and never thought of leveraging his daughter’s future to climb the ranks. What joy would there be in gaining a promotion that way? I had to talk to him at length to convince him not to show any displeasure outwardly—he might end up causing trouble for you if people overheard!” Wu sighed, clearly exasperated. “Sometimes your father acts even more childish than Huai Jing!”

Madam Wu had already spoken politely, but sometimes she truly wanted to grab Master Cheng by the ear and toss him into a water vat to clear his head. She couldn’t understand whether his brain was filled with muddled thoughts or sheer stubbornness—his pretentiousness was absurd at times!

What nonsense was “selling one’s daughter for personal gain”? The Crown Prince was simply extending favor to their family out of affection for Cheng Wanyun. If someone truly intended to “sell a daughter for glory,” the Crown Prince wouldn’t even care to entertain the idea.

Why couldn’t he understand? If he thrived, the Cheng family thrived, and Wanyun would have stronger backing in the palace, making it harder for others to oppress her. Though the royal family was supreme, having a respectable position would still earn the Crown Prince’s acknowledgment.

It was a mutually beneficial situation, yet he insisted on getting stuck on trivial concerns. Wu had scolded Master Cheng thoroughly before he finally saw reason and stopped mentioning such foolishness.

Cheng Wanyun understood her father’s nature. He was both a good official and a loving parent, though at times overly passive and somewhat weak-willed.

She smiled and said, “This family runs smoothly thanks to you, Eniang ( Mother). If it were just up to Father, I can’t imagine what things would look like! When you return, please tell him to set his worries aside. I never sought any favors from the Crown Prince for him, nor did the Crown Prince mention anything about it to me. If this is the Crown Prince’s arrangement, then he must have his reasons. Now that I’ve entered the Eastern Palace, our whole family serves the Crown Prince. His plan for Father to join one of the six ministries likely means he wants loyal people in key positions. Father should simply focus on serving faithfully without overthinking things.”

Wu took these words to heart and marveled at how much Cheng Wanyun had matured. Her perspective and demeanor were entirely different from before. “A Yun, you’ve really grown up and broadened your horizons. I would never have thought of these things—I just kept telling your father to read fewer dry books so he wouldn’t sour his entire outlook.”

Cheng Wanyun smiled faintly. In the palace, failing to grasp social cues would mean a hard life indeed.

“Wanyan and Wanhe both did some sewing for you. They even made clothes and shoes for the child,” Wu said as she unpacked the bundle she had brought. The package appeared disheveled, likely searched multiple times before being allowed into the palace. Still, it was clear how much care the sisters had put into their work, as they crafted over twenty pieces of small clothes and shoes tailored for newborns and toddlers.

“In our hometown, there’s a tradition that children should wear hand-me-downs. I carefully sought out families with many healthy children and used their old swaddling clothes and garments to refashion these pieces. Don’t worry, I personally washed and pressed them,” Wu explained, glancing at Cheng Wanyun’s elegant attire and feeling a bit self-conscious. “The fabric is good quality cotton, with some silk pieces too, though they can’t compare to the fine materials in the palace.”

“That’s exactly what’s best,” Cheng Wanyun reassured. “Children’s close-fitting clothes should be made of cotton for comfort. There’s plenty of silk and satin in the palace, but finding this type of fabric is difficult. You’ve gone through great trouble.”

She had no disdain whatsoever, recalling how in modern times, baby clothes boasting ‘100% cotton’ labels were highly sought after and sold at premium prices.

Madam Wu was genuinely delighted to see that Cheng Wanyun held no reservations. She carefully inquired about her pregnancy: Did she experience any discomfort? Was her waist sore? Were her legs swollen? How was her appetite? Madam Wu also shared various tips from her own experience. The two conversed until it was time to serve the evening meal.

Guan Mama entered to ask how they would like the dinner served. Wu suddenly clapped her hands, exclaiming, “I brought you pickled bamboo shoots, fermented mandarin fish, and stinky tofu! I wonder if you still enjoy these flavors.”

“I absolutely do!” Cheng Wanyun’s eyes lit up at the mention of these dishes. “Where are they kept? I’ll have someone take them to the kitchen so we can enjoy them tonight.”

“I’m afraid the palace cooks might not capture the authentic Huizhou flavors,” Wu laughed, rolling up her sleeves. “I’ll cook them myself.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Thank you for your trouble, Eniang.” Cheng Wanyun affectionately linked arms with Wu and led her to the kitchen, accompanied by Qingxing and Bitao. Guan Mama and Hongying stayed behind.

Back home, Cheng Wanyun had always loved Wu’s cooking!

Despite Wu sometimes showing favoritism as a stepmother, her culinary skills were undeniably exceptional. The Cheng family wasn’t wealthy and had only one cook. During holidays or banquets, when the workload became overwhelming, Wu would step into the kitchen herself and prepare her signature dishes. Being a native of Shexian County, she excelled at authentic Huizhou cuisine.

Holidays often meant gaining weight, and Cheng Wanyun had never been able to resist eating until she was completely full. Her current cooking skills were largely learned from Wu. In her past life, she had only formally studied Western desserts, while her Chinese cuisine skills were self-taught through trial and error—not particularly refined.

Her mouth watered just thinking about it.

Wu’s conduct during this palace visit had also eased Cheng Wanyun’s concerns entirely.

Madam Wu was a perceptive woman. The Cheng family had now secured a connection to the Crown Prince, propelling them to prominence. Even though Cheng Wanyun was merely a minor concubine, in the eyes of outsiders, her position was prestigious.

Wu had mentioned earlier that the current prefect of Huizhou treated Master Cheng with great respect. Even during New Year celebrations, he refrained from accepting traditional gifts like ice or coal and even arranged for his son to study alongside Cheng Huai Zhang.

For local officials, gaining access to the imperial court was challenging. Aligning with a prince or other nobles was easier than gaining the favor of the distant and formidable Crown Prince.

Master Cheng’s recent superior evaluation during his duty reports likely involved complex court politics and subtle maneuvering. In the past, his frugality meant he never topped the list for gifts to superiors, so such favorable treatment had previously eluded him.

Moreover, now that Cheng Wanyun was pregnant, the Cheng family would likely see a growing number of visitors eager to warm themselves by their metaphorical “stove of influence.” This was precisely the time to stay humble and cautious.

Wu’s attire, decision not to bring her other children into the palace, and subtle probing about Master Cheng’s potential promotion all indicated her wisdom and prudence. She clearly wasn’t the type to be shallow or reckless.

With Wu at the helm, the Cheng household was unlikely to fall into disarray.

There were no “weak links” in the family. With Cheng Huai Zhang excelling in his studies under the guidance of a renowned teacher, passing the imperial exams seemed just around the corner. The Cheng family’s future looked brighter than ever.

She hadn’t considered distancing her family from the Crown Prince despite knowing that he would one day be deposed. First, other factions would hesitate to accept someone with ties to the former crown. Second, openly turning away would be a blatant affront to the Prince, something neither she nor the Cheng family dared risk.

Though the Crown Prince was surrounded by many capable officials, her father’s modest skills were unlikely to stand out. He was neither versed in political intrigue nor strategy. His only strength lay in his years of service as a county magistrate, giving him a deep understanding of local governance and the common people. Whether he would be of use to the Prince remained uncertain. Moreover, it was still over twenty years before the eventual deposition—by then, their small, unremarkable family might not even be implicated.

The Cheng family remained humble and cautious, and she had faith they would remain that way.

They would adapt to circumstances as needed!

—

After dinner, Madam Wu, accompanied by Bitao, retired to rest in the side room of the West Pavilion. The Crown Prince had arranged for her to stay in the palace until Wanyun’s departure for Rehe, giving them about ten days together.

Yinreng was busy coordinating the arrangements for the journey to Rehe. He only returned during the hour of You (around 5-7 p.m.) and, after sipping a cup of tea, instructed, “Did the Cheng family lady visit today? Have E Chu prepare return gifts in advance so she can take them home to distribute. There’s no need for the Lady to worry about such matters.”

He Baozhong acknowledged the order with a respectful “Yes.”

After a moment’s thought, Yinreng stood up. “Let’s go see what she’s doing.”

—

Cheng Wanyun was finishing a cloth rattle project with Qingxing. Since the workshop hadn’t delivered the baby cradle yet, they tested the rattle by hanging it from the window. As the wind blew, it gently spun, producing a crisp tinkling sound.

“You have such clever ideas, My Lady,” Qingxing laughed. “Babies will love this more than a rattle drum. It’s soft and safe, even if they grab it.”

As Cheng Wanyun gazed at the softly spinning rattle, a warm feeling filled her heart. She had gradually embraced her new role as a mother and was now eagerly anticipating meeting her child.

“I’ll need to sew a crib bumper once the baby bed arrives,” she mused silently.

—

Yinreng stood outside the door as night fell, the thick darkness settling in. A cat-themed curtain Cheng Wanyun had embroidered during her leisure time hung over the doorway, spilling warm yellow light across the ground. Her silhouette appeared on the window paper—hair loosely tied, slender fingers cradling the cloth doll she had worked on for days. Yinreng could almost picture her smiling, eyes curved in joy.

He lifted the curtain and stepped inside. Cheng Wanyun was reclining on the kang, her formal headdress removed. She wore a delicate pink jacket embroidered with bamboo branches, layered with a snow-white rabbit fur vest. Seeing him, her face, warmed by the brazier, lit up with a radiant smile. “Your Highness!”

Delighted, she stepped down from the kang to greet him, but Yinreng quickly moved forward and held her arm. “Be careful, slow down.”

Qingxing and Bitao hurriedly tidied up the items on the kang. Catching He Baozhong’s signal, they bowed and quietly left, leaving only two attendants stationed outside the door.

Given Madam Wu’s visit to the palace today, they hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to come over.

Yinreng glanced around and noticed several yellow-skinned pears on the kang table and a basket filled with small clothes and shoes in the corner, clearly not palace-made. It was evident they were brought by Madam Wu. He mused that although she was a stepmother, she knew proper etiquette.

Cheng Wanyun also caught his gaze and leaned into his embrace with a sweet smile. “Thank you, Your Highness, for granting me the chance to see my family. My stepmother brought many specialties from Huizhou this time. Once I’ve sorted everything, I’ll send some to you, as well as to Sister Li and Sister Tang.”

Yinreng cast her a teasing glance. “All food, I presume?”

Her cheeks turned even redder as she softly defended herself, “Huizhou’s cuisine is renowned nationwide, and the food is easy to carry. It makes sense to bring more of it, right?”

“Oh? But if I recall correctly, Huizhou is also famous for teas like Huangshan Maofeng, Qimen black tea, and Liu’an Guapian, as well as crafts like Hui ink and She inkstones. Didn’t Madam Wu bring any of those?”

“You’re amazing, Your Highness! She did bring tea! My mother even bought some premium Taiping Houkui,” Cheng Wanyun said playfully, pulling his hand. “Though she didn’t know you prefer Huangshan Maofeng tea, she brought the best Huizhou teas she could find. I’ll ask He Baozhong to deliver them to you later!”

Madam Wu, experienced in managing household affairs, naturally wouldn’t neglect preparing gifts for the Crown Prince. While officially the local specialties were for Wanyun, the list clearly included fine teas intended for him.

Of course, Cheng Wanyun made sure to mention it, hoping to leave a good impression for her family.

Even a small token from afar carried deep sentiment—demonstrating loyalty was crucial!

“Thank your mother for me,” Yinreng said graciously, affectionately tapping her cheek. “But I also heard she brought an entire cart of packages, including two large crates of pears and over ten jars of wine.”

“You wouldn’t understand! Huizhou’s Dangshan pears are thin-skinned, juicy, sweet, and crisp—a local delicacy rarely seen in the capital!” Cheng Wanyun explained confidently. “As for the wine, that’s sweet rice wine my mother brewed especially for me to recover after childbirth.”

Back home, she had always loved eating Dangshan pears. Her family remembered her preferences, so on this rare visit, they prioritized bringing her favorite foods. Yet, her broad appetite back then meant Wu had focused almost exclusively on food when preparing gifts for this trip.

Now it seemed as if she was being portrayed as a glutton—what an injustice!

Yinreng chuckled, shaking his head. “They certainly went to great lengths to deliver all this for you.”

“Have a pear,” Wanyun suggested, pushing the fruit plate toward him, slightly embarrassed. “They’re really delicious.”

He tasted one and found it sweet and tender. Nodding internally, he acknowledged the effort—bringing delicate, perishable pears such a long distance must have required significant expense and careful planning, possibly even arranging a special water route.

Initially, he had worried Wanyun’s stepmother might be inconsiderate and problematic, making it necessary to send her away immediately. But it seemed Wanyun had been truthful—this stepmother was genuinely thoughtful and decent.

Earlier, the Emperor had mentioned that Master Cheng was a talented individual and had deliberately held back his promotion to reward him later. By the year-end evaluations, the Emperor planned to find a way to assign him a position. If Master Cheng couldn’t enter one of the Six Ministries, arrangements would be made to place him in Yingtian Prefecture.

In two years, once the three-year mourning period for Empress Xiaoyi ends, it will be a significant year for selecting consorts. It was highly likely that he, along with the Third and Fourth Princes, would receive imperial marriage decrees during this period. Recently, even the typically low-profile Concubine Rong had frequently invited her sister-in-law to the palace. This sister-in-law, from the distinguished Red Banner Dong’e family, was the sister of Commander and Duke of Courage and Diligence, Peng Chun. Clearly, Concubine Rong was preparing to arrange a marriage for the Third Prince, hoping to strengthen family ties.

As for the Fourth Prince, his match had already been decided. He was betrothed to the daughter of Feiyanggu. Yinreng only learned about this incidentally when Emperor Kangxi reminisced about the late Empress Xiaoyi, revealing that as early as the 25th year of Kangxi’s reign, the Empress, aware of her worsening illness, had begun planning the Fourth Prince’s marriage.

Yinreng couldn’t help feeling a little envious of his younger brother.

Feiyanggu hailed from a prominent family, with a wife who was a direct descendant of the Aisin Gioro clan and titled as a Dorogge. His lineage traced back to Chu Ying, a descendant of the Empress Xiaoyi’s Tong family, making them distant relatives. Feiyanggu, holding significant military power and a high-ranking position, was highly regarded by the Emperor. Moreover, after having five sons, he finally had a cherished daughter whom he adored deeply. By marrying into the Ulanara family, the Fourth Prince would gain a powerful maternal family backing him—precisely what the Empress Xiaoyi had intended to secure before her passing, fearing the Uya clan would be unable to support the prince.

This carefully arranged marriage reportedly made Concubine Rong and Concubine Yi green with envy. While Concubine Rong likely understood that her own family could not compete for such a connection, Concubine Yi and Concubine De had both approached Kangxi, seeking favor for their sons but were sternly rebuffed.

Concubine Yi had hoped to secure the match for the Fifth Prince, while Concubine De was displeased that the late Empress Xiaoyi had bypassed her as the birth mother to arrange the Fourth Prince’s marriage. She had hoped to use this union to elevate the Uya family.

Although other concubines were unaware of the specifics, Yinreng knew that the late Empress Xiaoyi had, even on her deathbed, insisted on Kangxi agreeing to the Fourth Prince’s marriage before she would consent to further treatment.

It was evident that Concubine Rong favored the Dong’e family, though it remained unclear which branch. As for the Fourth Prince’s marriage, it was firmly established, awaiting only the end of the mourning period for the official announcement.

And as for his own Crown Princess…

Yinreng was certain the Emperor had his considerations, but whoever it might be, she was unlikely to come from a lowly background. He needed to carefully plan for Wanyun before his grand wedding, ensuring she could at least become a secondary concubine, allowing her a more secure future.

Yinreng didn’t yet know who his future Crown Princess would be, but following his heart, he focused on ensuring Wanyun’s well-being.

He had been contemplating this matter for a long time.

The Cheng family currently holds little prominence. Even if Wanyun gains favor through childbirth in the future, it is unlikely the Emperor would agree to elevate her status. Therefore, Yinreng needed to start by supporting her family. The first step was leveraging Master Cheng, whom the Emperor had praised, and secondly, Wanyun’s precocious younger brother.

Yinreng planned to place Master Cheng in the Ministry of Revenue, starting as a division chief to assess his capabilities. If he proved inadequate, he would be reassigned to Yingtian Prefecture under the care of the Cao family.

Cao Yin, originally working under Ling Pu in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, had recently been reassigned from the capital and promoted by the Emperor to a supervisory position in the Jiangning Weaving Bureau while also managing the Salt Administration of the Two Huai regions alongside Suzhou Weaving Bureau Director Li Xu.

The Emperor clearly favored the Cao family, grooming Cao Yin to inherit his father Cao Xi’s legacy. Despite his title of “supervisor,” Cao Yin’s prestigious roles and imperial responsibilities highlighted his elevated status.

This was a lucrative and prominent position, offering opportunities for recognition. Yinreng hoped Master Cheng would not disappoint his expectations. Ideally, Master Cheng could gain seniority in the Ministry of Revenue, which would be preferable. However, if remaining in the Six Ministries was impossible, Yinreng would have Ling Pu and Cao Yin subtly guide him beforehand.

Next, Yinreng planned to seek support from the Empress Dowager.

He sighed quietly.

During recent visits to Ning Shou Palace, he noticed the Empress Dowager had more white hair and often requested palace musicians to play the morin khuur. It was clear she missed the Khalkha steppe and longed for her homeland. The elderly woman now seemed to ponder life’s end, desiring to return to her roots—a sentiment that left Yinreng uncertain about its implications. Regardless of his motives for Wanyun, he resolved to fulfill his duty of filial piety toward the Empress Dowager. Since the passing of the Grand Empress Dowager years ago, there was no one left to reminisce with her about the Khalkha plains.

Distant drumbeats sounded outside as Yinreng sat awake, even while Wanyun slept peacefully in his arms. He instinctively rested a hand on her abdomen, finally calming his thoughts and drifting into sleep.

Soon, the autumn hunting season at Mulan would arrive.

Two days prior, Madam Wu had bid farewell to Wanyun before leaving the palace. Wanyun, reluctant to part, held her stepmother’s hand tightly until Wu gently reassured her that they would meet again and urged her to take care.

By now, Wu had likely boarded her boat, journeying along the vast waves of the Yangtze River toward Huizhou.

With her belongings neatly packed, Wanyun stood by the window, gazing at the expansive sky beyond the Forbidden City, her heart filled with anticipation.