42. Rules of the Academy

Morning, Chuxiu Palace in the Imperial Palace

It was the second day since entering the palace. Many of the young ladies had suffered from insomnia the previous night due to excitement, but Hu Yue’er was not among them. She ate when it was time to eat, slept when it was time to sleep, and felt none of the nervous anticipation the others did. She had just gotten out of bed when Qiqi, sporting dark circles under her eyes, went to fetch water for her to wash. Watching Qiqi return with the water, Yue’er asked, “Qiqi, did you have trouble sleeping last night?”

Their room was barely five square meters—only large enough for a single small bed. Because it was so cramped, Yue’er made a bed on the floor and let Qiqi have the bed. Back at the Hui family’s security bureau, Qiqi had always shared a bed with her anyway.

Qiqi looked at Yue’er with concern and said, “Sister Yue, last night I dreamed you failed to learn the palace etiquette and were punished with thirty strokes. In the dream, you were bloodied and battered—it was terrifying. Sister Yue, today you start learning palace rules and etiquette. You must do your best, so my nightmare doesn’t come true. Do you understand?” She looked and sounded like a little grown-up—truly adorable.

Yue’er nodded, smiling as she promised, “Alright, alright, I will study hard and make sure your nightmare never becomes reality. Qiqi, do you really have so little faith in your sister?” In truth, she herself wasn’t confident at all. She was a free spirit and had little hope she could sit through etiquette lessons without losing her temper. But for Qiqi’s sake, she would endure—she couldn’t let Qiqi suffer alongside her. Can I really do it? Yue’er wondered.

Qiqi replied honestly, “I wasn’t confident at first, but now that I’ve heard you say that, my confidence has doubled! Ooohaha~” Qiqi grinned foolishly, the very picture of childlike innocence—which she was.

Suddenly, the assembly gong sounded. Yue’er hurriedly instructed Qiqi, “Go eat breakfast quickly, then get some more sleep after.” She dashed toward the main hall. Fortunately, she was skilled in lightfoot techniques and became the first young lady to arrive.

An elderly matron stood in the hall holding a long vine switch, a palace maid beside her holding a book of palace rules. This was Matron Li, the woman responsible for instructing the young ladies in court regulations and etiquette. Matron Li eyed Yue’er, who immediately regretted using her lightness skills to arrive first. Instinctively, she disliked this matron. The two regarded each other in silence until all the other young ladies had arrived and filled the hall.

Matron Li raised her voice, “All of you are here to serve the Emperor. Your conduct and behavior must be in strict accord with palace rules. I will now explain these regulations to you!” She took the rulebook and read aloud, her voice booming: “First, you may not meet with men in private. Second, you may not leave the palace without permission. Third, you may not conceal weapons. Fourth, you may not hide forbidden items. Fifth, you must refrain from meddling in state affairs—do not interfere, inquire, or speak of them…” The rules covered everything, no matter how small—even eating, drinking, attending to nature, or sleeping. It was suffocating.

For the true daughters of noble houses, this was nothing new; they had lived under similar strictures at home. But for someone like Yue’er, accustomed to roaming the jianghu, it was unbearable. She soon found herself drowsy as Matron Li droned on, her mouth moving as if singing a lullaby. Yue’er’s eyelids drooped, and she was about to fall asleep when Matron Li noticed and advanced with her switch, intent on striking her.

Though half asleep, Yue’er’s reflexes, honed as a bodyguard, kept her alert. She instinctively dodged the blow. Matron Li roared in fury, “You! Are you content to remain a mere sparrow, never to become a phoenix? You are reckless and wild—how will you ever achieve greatness? If you do not correct your attitude today, who knows if you’ll ever respect the Empress!” She approached Yue’er, switch in hand, as all eyes turned to watch. Some looked on with ridicule, others with sympathy, but everyone was curious to see what would happen.

Yue’er replied calmly and without submission, “You’d best not come any closer, or you’ll bear the consequences yourself!” Matron Li paid her no heed, assuming Yue’er was simply afraid. She stepped forward and raised the switch, but just as she was about to strike, Yue’er caught her wrist and, with a gentle twist, sent the switch clattering to the ground. Yue’er smiled at the matron, whose face contorted with pain, and said, “I warned you not to come closer, but you refused to listen!” She showed no fear of making enemies.

Despite her pain, Matron Li stubbornly commanded, “Let go of me, or I’ll make sure you never see the Emperor for the rest of your life!” This threat might have worked on others, but for Yue’er—who longed to leave the palace—it was meaningless. Not seeing Xuanyuan Ren would be a blessing. From the moment he summoned her to the palace, Yue’er had ceased to consider him a friend and wanted nothing more than to avoid him.

Yue’er gave a cold laugh. “I hope I never see him again!” She released the matron suddenly, sending her tumbling to the floor. Yue’er never sought attention, but wherever she went, she couldn’t help attracting it.

The other young ladies rushed to help Matron Li up. Matron Li glared viciously at Yue’er, demanding, “What is your name? Whose family are you from? I will report you to the Empress at once and have you, this wild girl, expelled from the palace!” She had no idea that this was precisely Yue’er’s wish.

Yue’er smiled and replied, “My name is Hu Yue’er. At present, I am the adopted sister of Prince Jun. If you want to report me, go ahead. If I really do get expelled, I’ll have to thank you!” At this, Matron Li dared not say another word. Who in the palace did not know that the Emperor himself had decreed Yue’er’s title as Princess? It was clear what her relationship with him was—she was practically a future consort.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, and those in between, shower me with gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts—don’t hold back! Let the storm rage more fiercely!