Chapter 93 - 76: Daily Little Essay
All Liang Yuyin knew about the self-sounding clock was that it told time.
He knew nothing more.
After a moment’s thought, he didn’t rush to haul the object inside to claim credit. Instead, he went in to report to the Emperor. "The item brought from Yizhu Pavilion is a self-sounding clock. It’s said that Noble Lady Gu personally modified it and installed a mechanism inside." He presented the loose-leaf notebook with both hands and relayed Noble Lady Gu’s instructions, his expression one of simple honesty. "Does the Emperor wish to place it in the storeroom for the collection..."
"That won’t be necessary. The study happens to be missing a clock."
The Emperor cut him off before he could finish.
’Clearly, the Emperor’s heart still favored Noble Lady Gu.’ Hearing this, Liang Yuyin understood everything perfectly. He replied shrewdly, "Then this servant will ask the Palace Attendants from Yizhu Pavilion how to operate this mechanism."
The Emperor opened the loose-leaf notebook to the first page.
Each page had twelve lines of text, separated by perforated lines so they could be easily torn into strips.
[This is the first morning I am not by Your Majesty’s side.]
[Your Majesty should have a snack to tide you over after court. How about a plate of milk cakes?]
[Since I’m not there with you, Your Majesty, you can’t take your anger out on me, even if I’ve annoyed you.]
[But a part of me wishes you could, Your Majesty, so I could at least see your face.]
One note for every hour, filling the entire notebook.
It was exactly a month’s supply.
...
After just two glances, the Emperor closed it and called back to Liang Yuyin, who was just about to leave. "Bring it over. Do as Noble Lady Gu instructed."
Liang Yuyin acknowledged the order.
He could hear a poorly concealed smile in the Emperor’s voice. ’The loose-leaf notebook must contain something that greatly pleased His Majesty.’ The thought made him burn with a curiosity that felt like a cat scratching at his heart.
"I must see this self-sounding clock properly installed by tomorrow morning."
Just as he reached the door, he heard another command from the Emperor.
A jolt went through Liang Yuyin. "This servant understands!"
The Emperor was left alone in the study. The morning’s anger and displeasure miraculously vanished in an instant, replaced by the joy of feeling cherished. There were literate women among the harem’s Concubines. The Empress was well-versed in the *Women’s Rules*, and while Noble Princess Consort Rong’s words and actions were pampered, she still knew her poetry and classics. Ma Wan Yi was even more fond of showing off her literary talents. Compared to them, Jiang Xian had the best handwriting, but the content of her writing wasn’t particularly refined.
At least, not in the Emperor’s eyes.
After all, every single Prince began his studies at the age of five, with no exceptions.
As for Jiang Xian, her academic knowledge had peaked the year she took her college entrance exams, then gradually declined. In the harem, her level could only be considered upper-mid-tier.
What was truly rare was this unique thoughtfulness.
Compared to long-winded love poems, these twelve notes a day—one for each hour—were like a beautiful woman transformed into a delicate sparrow, delivering tender affection with each message. The same words, when spoken face-to-face versus exchanged in writing, felt completely different.
This month of "short messages" was the link between her and the Emperor.
It was like a kite with a string held firmly in his hand; it could fly, but never too far away.
※
The little eunuch from Yizhu Pavilion waited anxiously outside Qiankun Palace, whispering to Zhenqiu, "Sister Zhenqiu, that self-sounding clock is so heavy and troublesome. You don’t think we’ve annoyed Mr. Liang, do you?" To little eunuchs like him, Chief Liang was the boss of all bosses; the thought of angering him was more terrifying than angering his own master.
Zhenqiu shot him a glare, warning him to keep his mouth shut in Qiankun Palace.
The little eunuch fell silent, though his expression remained glum.
Just then, Liang Yuyin came out, his smile even more enthusiastic than before. "Miss Zhenqiu, would you please teach us how to install this self-sounding clock?" He paused, then added, "It’s best to be quick. The Emperor is in a hurry for it!"
Once outside the palace hall, he gave a look, and Little Chunzi, who was on guard duty, brought him a discreetly colored hand warmer. Liang Yuyin then passed it to Zhenqiu with a broad smile. "It’s cold out, and it’s a long walk. Miss Zhenqiu, be careful not to catch a chill."
The little eunuch was stunned, seeing such a cordial expression on Chief Liang’s face for the first time. When he noticed Chief Liang’s gaze fall upon the crate, he hurried forward. "This thing is heavy. This servant will move it now."
"Heavy?"
Liang Yuyin shook his head. "It’s a bit heavy, yes, but I wouldn’t call it cumbersome. The Emperor’s intention is to see it daily. It would be too slow for you to move it alone. I’ll call for more men."
’If he wants to see it daily, that means it will have to be moved between Qiankun Palace and Weiyang Palace.’
One word from the Emperor, and the servants would run their legs off.
※
Meanwhile, Jiang Xian had played her card: the "essay-length messages."
On the other side, Noble Princess Consort Rong also wanted to make her presence felt before the Emperor before she was "locked away" in the small Buddha hall. She personally instructed the small kitchen in Zhaoyang Palace to prepare snacks for the imperial court. However, the Emperor absentmindedly told her to just leave them. Seeing she had no intention of taking her leave, he didn’t shoo her away.
Noble Princess Consort Rong was more patient than Ma Wan Yi. She kept a respectful distance and gracefully stated her purpose. "Tomorrow, I must go to Changle Palace to pray with the Empress Dowager. I worry that others might not serve you as attentively, so I would like to have Qiu Tang deliver some nourishing soups to the imperial court every few days for Your Majesty."
"You are too thoughtful, my dear concubine."
The Emperor nodded.
The moment the Emperor accepted a concubine’s food or soup, it had already served its purpose.
Whether the Emperor actually took a bite or two was of no concern to either party.
Seeing that the Emperor hadn’t refused, Noble Princess Consort Rong was visibly delighted. She resolved to stay put for the rest of the day. ’Tomorrow, Jiang Xian will have to join me in fasting and chanting. If I take this last chance to see the Emperor, then she won’t get to see him at all.’
Noble Princess Consort Rong had been favored for many years and was an expert at being a graceful, scholarly companion. She knew the Emperor disliked women being too clingy when he was occupied with state affairs, so she maintained a proper distance, serving as a beautiful ornament in the room. Gradually, the Emperor’s brow unfurrowed, and his expression softened considerably.
Noble Princess Consort Rong was almost certain that the Emperor would have her stay the night.
But unexpectedly, after Liang Yuyin moved a strange "sculpture" into the room, the Emperor glanced at it and gave an order. "I’ll be too busy to attend to you today. Liang Yuyin, escort the Noble Consort back to Zhaoyang Palace."
Noble Princess Consort Rong was slightly taken aback.
After she was escorted back to Zhaoyang Palace, she heard that the Emperor hadn’t chosen a concubine for the night and had instead retired alone. She felt a small measure of relief. ’It seems the Emperor really was just busy, and it’s not that he dislikes me.’
She also heard that on the eve of her departure to the small Buddha hall, Jiang Xian hadn’t made any attempt to secure the Emperor’s favor at the imperial court. Instead, she had gone to Jianzhang Palace to accompany the Empress. A cold sneer touched her lips. ’Trying to curry favor with the Empress? She would be better off trying to curry favor with me!’
Only Liang Yuyin guessed the truth. The Emperor likely didn’t want to be reading Noble Lady Gu’s notes in the morning with another concubine by his side.
※
The next day, before dawn, the eunuch on night watch outside the door heard a low voice from within ask, "What hour is it?"
’The Emperor is awake so early!’
He hurriedly knelt and replied, "Your Majesty, it is now 5:30 AM."
The Emperor was awake three-quarters of an hour earlier than usual.
This was a major event for the Palace Attendants serving in the imperial court. They feared something was wrong with the bed, causing the Emperor to sleep poorly.
But then he heard the Emperor ask in a hoarse voice, "Has the self-sounding clock chimed yet?"