In both the Southern Park Palace and the Forbidden City, the place where gravely ill palace attendants were placed was called Anping Hall, signifying peace and smooth passage.
This was both a blessing for those moved there and a prayer for those who could not make it through.
But Fang He would not allow Wei Disheng to have that second possibility.
She found the old eunuch in charge of Anping Hall in Southern Park and stuffed all twenty taels of silver she had—earned from her monthly allowance, rewards, and business ventures—into his hands.
The old eunuch, surnamed Xu, was from the same ancestral home as the original owner of her body.
Living in the mostly desolate Southern Park , he was much more humane than the eunuchs in the Forbidden City and hastily tried to refuse.
“Vice Steward Qiao from the Office of Rites has already given me silver, miss, you don’t need to spend more. I will take good care of the boy Wei.”
Regardless, both Fang He and Qiao Cheng served directly before the emperor.
Even if they didn’t offer money, Eunuch Xu wouldn’t mistreat Wei Disheng.
He would at least show him some favoritism.
But Fang He was not after mere favoritism.
She spoke seriously, “That’s not how it works. Vice Steward Qiao gave you money for the trouble of looking after Disheng. That is what you rightfully deserve. But I see Disheng as my own younger brother, so I must plan more carefully for him.”
“In a few days, His Majesty will be hunting in Southern Park , and the entire area will be under strict guard. Coming and going will be difficult. I’ll have to trouble you to buy some medicine in advance to at least keep him alive. I can’t let you go through all this trouble for nothing.”
Fearing the old eunuch would find it too troublesome, she smiled and pointed inside at Wei Disheng.
“As it happens, Disheng has a fellow townsman named Xiao Chenzi who serves in the Imperial Household Department. He has no family and has always wanted to recognize a godfather to care for.”
“It would be best if his godfather had the chance to leave the palace one day and adopt a son. The surname doesn’t matter—what’s important is having someone to offer incense for him in his later years.”
“I see that you, Eunuch Xu, are kind-hearted and righteous. I wonder if Xiao Chenzi would have the fortune to call you godfather?”
Eunuch Xu’s murky old eyes lit up at those words.
How could he not have that fortune?
As a eunuch exiled to the palace in Southern Park , his fate was to end up in the eunuchs’ temple when he grew old.
When he died, he might not even get a proper straw mat to be wrapped in.
But if he could adopt a capable godson—especially one whose acquaintances served before the emperor—then even if he wouldn’t have a house full of descendants, he could still enjoy some warmth in his old age.
At the very least, he wouldn’t become a wandering ghost after death.
Anyone would be tempted by such an offer.
He immediately pounded his chest and agreed to Fang He’s request.
“Miss, rest assured! I’ll call a doctor over today to check on Wei and prescribe the best medicine for him. I won’t let your kindness go to waste!”
The Anping Hall in the palace was separately managed, making it much easier to invite a doctor in compared to the Forbidden City.
Fang He expressed deep gratitude and performed a squatting bow to Eunuch Xu.
“I trouble you greatly. I will bring Xiao Chenzi over later so you can meet him and thank you properly!”
“Spend the silver as needed. As long as Disheng recovers, with his and Xiao Chenzi’s intelligence, they’ll be able to make back any amount.”
Her implication: Don’t skimp on good medicine.
Eunuch Xu understood and smiled.
“I also think Wei is a promising lad. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be… From the look of his face, I believe he can still get back on his feet. Don’t worry too much.”
Fang He smiled and thanked him for his kind words before turning and leaving Anping Hall, her expression returning to calm.
If this had been her previous life, her subordinates would have felt their scalps tingle upon seeing her serene, gentle expression.
The name “Sweet-faced Little Abbot” wasn’t just because she had a sweet face.
If she lost her temper immediately, she wouldn’t hold grudges.
But if she didn’t get angry and acted as if nothing had happened, then whoever was responsible had better brace themselves—because they were about to be skinned alive.
As she walked, Fang He contemplated.
She wasn’t doing all this just for Wei Disheng.
Even if it were only for her own survival in the palace, she had to make sure Disheng got back on his feet.
But she knew she couldn’t rush it.
It wasn’t something that could be hurried.
The Anping Hall in Southern Park was still relatively peaceful, so letting Wei Disheng recover here a while longer to avoid any lingering health issues was for the best.
Earlier, she had been too naive, thinking that as long as she avoided drawing attention, she could safely leave the palace.
She had been wrong—but that was fine.
In life, everyone stumbles a few times.
It’s through constant adjustments and corrections that one grows and ultimately achieves the results they desire.
***
Fang He first returned to the small side room in Southern Park and rummaged through a box, pulling out some needlework that the original owner of her body had made.
The fabric had been given to her by Xu Momo before she passed away.
Though the colors weren’t particularly vibrant, the material itself was high-quality—something only stewards could access, meant to maintain their dignity.
Unfortunately, the original owner had finished making handkerchiefs and longhua (a decorative sash), but Xu Momo never got the chance to use them, leaving them all to Fang He.
She had brought them to Southern Park out of professional habit from her past life—always preparing for contingencies—never expecting that she would actually need them.
After selecting two light apricot-colored satin handkerchiefs and a fine white satin longhua embroidered with azaleas, Fang He left the side room and made her way to the narrow passage beside Chong’an Hall, where Emperor Kangxi was staying.
She strolled back and forth unhurriedly.
It didn’t take long before she spotted Ru Yue, who had been sent out to fetch the emperor’s meal.
Ru Yue’s face didn’t look too pleasant.
No matter how she had managed to secure a position serving in the emperor’s quarters, it was clear that the job wasn’t as easy as she had imagined.
Upon seeing Fang He, Ru Yue didn’t even acknowledge her, rolling her eyes and attempting to brush past.
The concubines who had served the emperor longer often ganged up on the newcomers, bullying them to prevent them from getting too close to His Majesty.
As a result, they assigned them various menial tasks.
Ru Yue was already annoyed—she needed to retrieve the meal quickly so she could get back inside and serve.
But Fang He proactively stepped forward, just as the original owner of her body would have, looking shy yet hurried as she shoved the wrapped handkerchiefs into Ru Yue’s hands.
Before Ru Yue could even show her impatience, Fang He quickly spoke with an expression of sincere gratitude.
“Ru Yue, you’re in such an honorable position now, serving right before His Majesty. I really didn’t know how to thank you properly, so I specially used some of the fine fabric that my aunt left me to make two xiaguang satin handkerchiefs and a snow satin longhua for you.
I hope you won’t dislike them.”
Hmm?
A gift?
Ru Yue certainly wasn’t going to refuse something valuable.
Her expression immediately softened into something vaguely polite, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
“Thank me? For what?”
She had never particularly bullied Fang He before, but she had certainly never shown her any kindness either.
Fang He rubbed her hands together, smiling with satisfaction.
“I heard from Bai Min that she was able to get into the tea room thanks to you. She’s so capable and quick with her hands—really such a pleasant girl.”
“Now, I don’t even have to clean the side rooms anymore. I can stay in the tea room and just boil water, while Bai Min takes care of everything at the front. You know how I am—I’m terrified of going out there. Having Bai Min cover for me is all thanks to you…”
Ru Yue had initially been listening with a smile, but as Fang He spoke, that smile slowly disappeared, and her expression darkened.
Bai Min?
That capable?
Not only was she good at her job, but she was also attractive and well-liked…
If Bai Min got more chances to enter the emperor’s quarters, wouldn’t she eventually catch His Majesty’s eye?
Ru Yue clenched her back teeth in frustration, feeling as though she could grind them into dust.
Comparing people really was infuriating.
She had given three years’ worth of her salary to her family just to secure a connection to Prince Kang’s residence, which allowed her to catch the attention of Liang Jiugong.
It was only because of this that she was barely able to get assigned to serve before the emperor.
But beyond that, Liang Jiugong was a ruthless man.
If he didn’t see real silver taels in hand, he wouldn’t lift a single extra finger for her.
Because of that, Ru Yue had suffered countless grievances from those other palace maids who had already served as the emperor’s bed companions.
And now, just great—Bai Min, with her steward aunt and her family’s wealth, was about to climb right over her?
If she just stood by and watched, she’d be betraying all the silver she had poured out, the price of her painstakingly bought position!
Ru Yue couldn’t be bothered to say anything else to Fang He.
She simply let out a cold laugh, stuffed the handkerchiefs and longhua into her sleeves, and walked away with a frosty expression—missing the slight upward curve of Fang He’s lips behind her.
***
In the evening, as soon as Fang He entered the Imperial Tea Room next to the side hall of Chong’an Hall, she pulled Bai Min into a corner, her face full of concern.
“I ran into Ru Yue today,” she said anxiously.
“She was asking about how you’ve been doing in the tea room. I praised you, of course, but…”
She hesitated, as if gathering the courage to speak, then lowered her voice.
“I don’t dare say too much, but… she didn’t look very pleased. You… you must be extra careful when serving before His Majesty.”
If she wanted to enter the emperor’s quarters, she couldn’t fight her way in without strong backing—she needed Bai Min to step aside voluntarily.
In the hotel industry, climbing the ladder wasn’t much different from this Qing palace.
Opportunities had to be seized, and the best way to rise was by leveraging others to push you forward.
People always favored those closest to them.
She couldn’t afford to be a good person—a good person wouldn’t have been able to snatch tuition fees from a stepfather and stepmother, nor would they have been able to secure a promotion.
She would offer a warning.
But if Bai Min didn’t take the hint, she wouldn’t hesitate to act.
Bai Min was smart.
Her aunt, Nala Momo, had warned her multiple times—yes, they had bribed Ru Yue, but that woman had a heart as black as coal and wished misfortune upon everyone.
And now Ru Yue was inquiring about her?
Could it be that she had caught someone’s attention in the emperor’s quarters?
Bai Min’s eyelids twitched.
Thinking back, whenever she worked the night shift, it was always the bedchamber maids who personally served the emperor his tea.
She hadn’t even gotten a chance to get near him yet.
At once, she felt retreating might be the safer option.
She quickly put on an expression of gratitude and, without hesitation, stuffed a silken pouch into Fang He’s hands.
“Thank you, Sister Fang He, for the warning. My chest has been feeling tight these past few days, and I can’t stand for too long. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to take over serving in the hall.”
Fang He hurriedly pushed the pouch back.
“No, no, I just felt uneasy if I didn’t warn you. You’ve already spent so much silver for your future—it’s fine to be frugal in day-to-day matters.”
“Serving tea is our duty. You don’t have to give me money…”
The more she refused, the more determined Bai Min was not to take it back.
She shoved the light pouch directly into Fang He’s sleeve.
“I know you mean well, Sister Fang He, but if I’m working less, I can’t let you take on the burden for nothing.”
More importantly, she needed to keep this foolish woman on her side.
Once she discussed with her aunt how to deal with that wretched Ru Yue, she still planned to return to the emperor’s quarters.
Five taels was nothing—she had brought dozens of silver notes into the palace.
This was just an early investment in her future.
Fang He sighed and reluctantly accepted the money, feigning embarrassment as she stepped aside to let Bai Min take over the tea cabinet, then headed outside to stand at her post.
As she left the tea room, she mused to herself—this girl was smart.
She definitely had a future.
And this silver?Â