Chapter 14: The Imperial Palace

Compared to the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the palace of the Song dynasty was relatively small. Zhang Chulan insisted on accompanying them, so Zhang Daocheng could only bring his daughter to the West Hua Gate on the west side of the palace, presenting his identification token to request an audience with Zhang Xiuyuan.

Officials entered the palace through the East Hua Gate, while imperial relatives and high-ranking women used the West Hua Gate. Unlike the rigid rituals and strict segregation of the Ming and Qing courts, the Song dynasty was different. The empress dowagers, empresses, and consorts of the Song often met with people outside the palace. For example, the former regent Empress Dowager Liu frequently discussed state affairs with senior ministers like Lü Yijian within her residence at Baoci Hall.

Besides meeting officials, the Song imperial harem often summoned their own relatives for visits or invited the families of court officials to enjoy the palace grounds. Zhang Daocheng was not only a merchant serving the court but also a relative of Zhang Xiuyuan, so he was granted a palace entry token.

After verifying their identities, Zhang Daocheng and his daughter entered the palace and arrived at the Zhengjian Terrace. Zhang Daocheng brought his daughter inside and said to Zhang Chulan, “Wait here.”

The Zhengjian Terrace was where entrants tidied their appearance and served as a waiting area for audiences. Zhang Chulan was still reluctant, but Zhang Daocheng shot her a stern look and said, “The palace is a sacred place, not somewhere for you to cause trouble. I will make things clear with Zhang Xiuyuan.”

Hearing this, Zhang Chulan had no choice but to restrain herself and followed the attendant inside the Zhengjian Terrace.

Inside, many noblewomen waited to be received, many dressed in official robes granted by imperial decree. Although the Zhang family were merchants of the court, they were certainly not entitled to such honors. Zhang Chulan wore plain homespun cloth, naturally attracting many curious glances.

Even with her easygoing nature, Zhang Chulan found these looks somewhat uncomfortable. Throughout history, merchants’ social status was low. By the Song dynasty, it had improved somewhat, but daughters of merchants still could not compare to the wives of high-ranking officials.

Zhang Chulan found a corner to sit, but a little girl with a bun hairstyle approached her.

“You look unfamiliar, miss,” the girl said.

Noticing Zhang Chulan’s surprise, the girl introduced herself: “My name is Gao Taotao. Are you here to see the Empress?”

“Empress? No, I’m here with my father to visit Lady Zhang,” Zhang Chulan replied.

In the Song dynasty, the emperor was called “Guanjia,” the empress “Shengren” (Holy One), and consorts “Niangzi” (Lady). Shengren naturally referred to the current imperial consort, Empress Cao, and most of the women from outside the palace were here to pay respects to her.

Hearing this, Gao Taotao’s eyes lit up. “Lady Zhang? Few come to see her. Are you her relative?”

Zhang Chulan nodded. Gao Taotao continued, “The Holy One once said Lady Zhang’s family ties were thin. Are you related to Zhang Dengwen?”

Zhang Chulan was momentarily stunned before realizing who Zhang Dengwen was.

Zhang Yaozuo, a scholar-official by examination, currently served as the magistrate overseeing palace drum affairs. Unlike their distant and uncertain relation, Zhang Yaozuo was Zhang Xiuyuan’s uncle and the highest-ranking official in the Zhang family.

Zhang Chulan had heard her father mention this relative and that the emperor admired Zhang Yaozuo’s talents and planned to promote him.

The official post of magistrate of palace drum affairs was low-ranking; many appointed never actually had to sound the palace drum. It was a transitional position requiring movement inside and outside the court, considered an honorable but modest role.

Her father had said this relative might be appointed as assistant magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, responsible for county affairs—a significant position. The assistant magistrate was the deputy to the prefect, usually two or three per prefecture, assisting the magistrate.

But overseeing county affairs was a different matter altogether.

This position managed all counties under Kaifeng Prefecture except the capital city itself, akin to a standing member of a municipal committee and the highest authority over the suburban counties.

Her father was delighted at the prospect, knowing that if Zhang Yaozuo obtained this post, the Zhang family’s business could expand into the counties surrounding Bianjing.

How could a girl barely over ten understand such matters?

Remembering her father’s advice, Zhang Chulan quickly said cautiously, “My family has no relation to Zhang Dengwen.”

Gao Taotao’s innocent curiosity pressed on, “Besides Zhang Dengwen, does Lady Zhang have other relatives in the capital?”

Zhang Chulan hastily changed the subject, asking, “Are you here to see the Holy One as well?”

Gao Taotao shook her head, sitting up straight. “I’m not here to see the Holy One. The Holy One is my aunt, and I serve at her side.”

Zhang Chulan was surprised, finally understanding why Gao Taotao was so well-informed.

She had heard that the current empress was childless and had raised her niece in the palace as her own—this must be Gao Taotao.

Curious, Zhang Chulan asked, “Then why are you here at the Zhengjian Terrace, Taotao?”

Gao Taotao answered innocently, “I’m waiting for someone!”

Soon, a boy about Gao Taotao’s height, around eleven or twelve years old, was led into the Zhengjian Terrace by an attendant.

Seeing him, Gao Taotao turned to Zhang Chulan. “This is the person I’m waiting for. I must take my leave now.”

She then approached the boy and called out, “Thirteenth Battalion Commander!”

The boy, a bit shy at being addressed publicly, nevertheless received respectful bows from the ladies present.

Zhang Chulan quickly stood and joined in the salute.

Gao Taotao grabbed the boy’s hand and said, “The Holy One is already waiting for you!”

But the boy replied, “We should pay respects to the Guanjia first.”

With that, the two, surrounded by attendants, left the Zhengjian Terrace.

Zhang Chulan recalled how, at eleven or twelve, she was a little shadow trailing Su Ze, always pestering him to tell stories about the study hall.

Surely these two were childhood companions as well?

If she could befriend the adopted daughter of Empress Cao, then what was the boy’s status?

Zhang Chulan felt confused and dared not cause any trouble; she quietly sat back in her corner.

After a long while, her father Zhang Daocheng finally appeared at the Zhengjian Terrace. Zhang Chulan hurried to meet him, then silently followed him out of the palace.

The palace’s strict rules made Zhang Chulan uncomfortable. Once away from the palace, she immediately asked, “Father, what did Zhang Xiuyuan say?”

Zhang Daocheng replied, “Zhang Xiuyuan is willing to do me this favor and will speak to the Guanjia to ask for clemency for Su Ze.”

Zhang Chulan’s eyes widened. “Clemency? Su Ze is innocent. Why ask for clemency? Asking for clemency is admitting guilt. What about his future?”

Clemency was one of the emperor’s prerogatives, but it applied only to those already convicted who were granted mercy.

Scholars valued their reputations above all; accepting clemency was a lifelong stain that barred one from officialdom or even the imperial examinations.

Zhang Daocheng sighed. “I’ve already thought it through—we’ll just take him in as a son-in-law.”

While father and daughter spoke, the Palace Overseer Li Yonghe, carrying Su Ze’s petition, had already met with the Guanjia Zhao Zhen.