Held in the Lonely Castle Chapter 04

 Empress

About a month later, the Painting Academy received an imperial order from the empress, demanding portraits from officials and students for her review. As dusk fell, the masters scrambled to select their best works for delivery.

That day, I happened to be on duty. Normally, such tasks wouldn't fall to me, but with others absent, I was tasked with delivering the portraits to the inner palace—my first time entering the imperial living quarters.

The Hanlin Painting Academy was near the palace's southwest gate. Led by a eunuch, I carried the portraits through multiple gates, past government offices, into the inner palace, finally reaching the empress's柔仪殿.

Night had fallen, and the empress was absent—visiting the emperor, her maids said, with no set return. I asked the eunuch to deliver the portraits, but since I had to report in person, I waited outside.

Two hours passed before the empress returned. Kneeling, I saw her pause at the unfamiliar face. A maid introduced me, and she nodded, summoning me inside.

Empress Cao sat regally in her crimson robes, her demeanor serene. Her face was fair, her brows delicate, her bearing noble, though her eyes held a hint of worry.

The portraits were hung for her review. After a long silence, she turned to me. "Are these the academy's best?"

I affirmed. She then asked, "Is there any by student Cui Bai?"

I said no, and she smiled. "I thought not. Rumor paints him as untalented, lazy, and arrogant, even disrespecting his superiors... Yet how did such a man enter the academy?"

Hesitating, I answered truthfully: "Since the dynasty's founding, the Huang style has dominated. Cui Bai excels at fine outlines, hence his admission. But he dislikes the Huang opulence, preferring Xu Xi's wild elegance. He often paints from life, blending meticulous and free styles, with subtle colors and lofty themes. But the academy rejects this, so his works are ignored."

The empress nodded. "He persists despite disapproval?"

"Yes. He stands by his convictions."

She smiled. "Stubborn. But admission wasn't easy. Does he not fear expulsion?"

Knowing someone had slandered Cui Bai, I hesitated before replying, "Entering the academy was his father's dying wish, so he complied. But confined to the Huang style stifles his ambition... His temperament clashes with the academy's. Expulsion wouldn't daunt him."

The empress pondered, then ordered, "In two days, bring me Cui Bai's works."

I agreed. Studying me, she asked, "How old are you? Have you studied painting?"

"Thirteen. Only dabbled under Cui Bai's guidance."

"Your name?"

"Liang Huaiji." No explanation this time.

"Ah, I remember. Originally Liang Yuanheng? Zhang Pingfu renamed you."

Pingfu was Zhang Maoze's courtesy name. Her familiarity surprised me, then warmed my heart. I revered Zhang as a mentor. Her mention reminded me of her past mercy, so I knelt, thanking her.

She bade me rise, gifting me fine brushes and ink—unusual for eunuchs, typically given silks. Touched, I withdrew, led out by the eunuch.

Overestimating my sense of direction, I soon found myself lost in the vast palace at midnight.

Panicking, I spotted a moonlit pond—likely the rear garden. Using stars to navigate, I headed south.

At the gate, a small figure darted past—a girl, barefoot, in white robes, her hair flowing. She ran to the pond, knelt, and prayed to the moon, her voice trembling: "Father is ill. I beg heaven to let me bear his pain, to suffer doubly in his stead. If only he recovers, I would gladly die..."

Her tears moved me, recalling my father's death and my own regrets. Lost in thought, I rustled leaves, startling her.

She turned—a delicate face, about eight years old.

"Who are you?" she asked.

Before I could answer, a maid with a lantern appeared. The girl fled, the maid chasing. Hidden, I watched them vanish, then retraced my steps, guided by stars.

(To be continued)

chapter 05