Chapter 262 — Entering the Palace
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 3 of 4
Official families mostly looked down on eunuchs, thinking them incomplete in body and fond of meddling in state affairs, never reflecting that to the Emperor and Empress living within the forbidden palace, these eunuchs, who clung to them like vines, were closer to them than any Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat.
Song Yan thought Dou Yan's words very reasonable, and went with her to the main hall of Yizhi Hall.
Wang Ge was twenty-five or twenty-six, of neat appearance, with a pair of very lively eyes—one look and you knew he was a clever, quick-witted man.
After the two had exchanged greetings, Wang Ge repeated what Chen He had said, and added with a smile, "The Young Master need not worry. With the Empress Yi speaking up for you, the Emperor will certainly not make things difficult for you or the Young Madam."
The household might address Dou Yan as "Madam," but Dou Fan did not want to give Wang Ge any handle against her, so she said quickly, "This concubine is full of trepidation and dare not presume to the title of 'Madam.'" Then she pressed a red packet into Wang Ge's hand. "This concubine is a rustic sort, shallow in learning and experience. Tomorrow, when I have my audience at the palace, I must ask Your Eunuch for much guidance."
Wang Ge said quickly, "What are you saying, Madam? The Young Master and I are no ordinary acquaintances." Then he tried to return the red packet to Dou Yan. "If you do this, you will be the death of me."
Dou Yan said, "It is precisely because you and the Young Master are no ordinary acquaintances that, having taken such pains to bring us this message, you ought to be asked to stay for a cup of tea before you go. But I fear the imperial command is upon you and I would delay your duties. This is no more than a little tea money!" And she pushed the red packet back.
Song Yan also smiled and said, "It is only to ask Your Eunuch to have a cup of tea. Pray do not refuse."
Only then did Wang Ge put the red packet away. After a few polite words, he left Yizhi Hall.
Dou Yan relaxed slightly.
Song Ji comforted her. "No need to be nervous. He is nothing but a petty eunuch of the seventh rank. If he shows you any disrespect, I have ways of dealing with him."
Dou Yan shot him a glance, thinking: You only dare talk so glibly because you don't know what kind of man he will become.
Her rare girlish manner was such a novelty to Song Yan that he actually laughed and teased her: "What? You don't believe me?"
"Of course I trust you!" Dou Yan saw that Song Yan was like a little child squabbling over a piece of candy, and she shook with laughter, urging him, "Go and have your evening meal! We enter the palace first thing tomorrow morning, and after supper I still have to sort out my traveling things." At this she remembered that she did not know what would be best to wear into the palace tomorrow. She said to Song Yan, "Send someone to take Suxin to the Princess of Ninghuai's residence, will you? I want to ask the Princess what I ought to wear to the palace tomorrow."
By the rules of propriety she was still a bride, and could enter the palace wearing the full-sleeved jacket of an official's wife. But palace regulations were strict, and she feared that doing so might breach some taboo and give people a handle against her.
Song Yan said in surprise, "You need to ask the Princess about this?" But he still instructed Chen He to accompany Suxin to the Princess of Ninghuai's residence.
Dou Yan and Song Yan returned to their rooms and ate their evening meal, then moved into the inner chamber, where they drank tea and waited for Suxin.