At fourteen, she would be sixteen two years later, just in time for the first imperial concubine selection after Emperor Qianlong's mourning period ended.

It should be noted that the mourning period for the late emperor was not accurately described as three years; it was actually twenty-seven months.

The mourning period began in the spring of the third year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, starting from the death of the late emperor.

When the time comes, let the Emperor issue an edict to select candidates in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. There is enough time, and a new batch of candidates can enter the palace in September.

If there wasn't a rush, the selection of officials could have been held in the fourth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, which would have been more convincing and convenient.

However, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, mother and son, did not have much affection for the late Emperor.

And once the mourning period is over, you can do whatever you want, so why drag it out for another year?

The Empress Dowager and the wife of the head of the Niohuru clan subtly expressed their attitudes toward the selection of concubines.

The wife of the Niohuru clan chief was overjoyed, for she had gained the Empress Dowager's approval, which meant that Huixin in her household would not be left out of the imperial concubine selection.

Ouch!

That's great. Who knows, this time, the Niohuru clan might be able to turn things around successfully.

You must know how glorious the Niohuru clan was during the reign of the Holy Ancestor.

Compared to it now, it's not a world of difference, but the territory is different.

Alas, all of this is the consequence of not making any contingency plans back then.

This time it can't be like that; Niohuru insists on sending a few more in.

The Empress Dowager did not chat much with the wife of the Niohuru clan chief, as she was quite busy.

With so many court officials and their relatives attending the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, and the Empress Dowager having to personally greet them in the absence of the Empress, the Empress Dowager was forced to take charge.

Oh, as for tidying up, Chen Yuwei, who can be considered half a mistress, is of no use to the Empress Dowager.

Chen Yuwei: ...Ugh, so boring.

Chen Yuwei casually yawned and rubbed her slightly sore forehead.

Seeing this, Xia He quickly came over to inquire whether her master was feeling unwell.

Chen Yuwei muttered, "No, I was just wondering when this banquet will finally end."

Alas, there is only hypocritical flattery everywhere. The Empress Dowager is enjoying herself, standing in the very center, waiting for others to come to her.

This was a real hardship for Chen Yuwei, who was sitting in the corner. Despite being a noble concubine with a name and status, she could only sit there helplessly, like a ghost.

Chen Yuwei was relieved that she had a good mindset and was not overwhelmed by the grand scene before her, thus avoiding a feud with the Empress Dowager who had orchestrated the event.

Otherwise, with the Empress Dowager's hate-inducing behavior, she would have been blacklisted by the high-ranking concubines in the harem long ago.

Upon hearing this, Xia He glanced around and whispered, "Your Highness, perhaps this servant should help you back?"

Anyway, there's no point in keeping their own master here; it only serves to highlight the Empress Dowager's even greater power in the harem.

Chen Yuwei shook her head, "No need, doing that would be disrespectful to the Empress Dowager." The Empress Dowager might not need to consider her, but she couldn't ignore the Empress Dowager. That's just how messed up the world is these days; there's nowhere to reason with anyone.

With a light laugh, Chen Yuwei's expression became even more lively, completely concealing the fact that just moments before she had been complaining, "Let the Empress Dowager enjoy all of this, otherwise how will this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law deal with each other when the Empress returns?"

Only those who have tasted the sweetness of power will be reluctant to let go.

The Empress Dowager's seizure of power this time can be seen as a fierce counterattack after the withdrawal symptoms.

The reason for giving it up earlier was due to ancestral rules, which required it to be returned to the Empress.

But taking over now is also in accordance with ancestral rules; the empress cannot openly seize power.

Pfft

Chen Yuwei laughed even more heartily. Upon closer examination, it was quite amusing. For the sake of a palace power that couldn't be taken away, this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were likely to tear each other apart and be unable to maintain their harmonious relationship any longer.

Chen Yuwei waved for Xia He to leave and then started finding her own amusement.

Anyway, not many people came up to her to talk at the festival.

No matter how nicely a concubine is called, she is still a concubine. And the royal relatives and court officials who came today all consider themselves legitimate and would definitely look down on Chen Yuwei, who comes from Jiangnan and is a concubine who rose to power through her offspring.

Yes, Chen Yuwei could understand, but she didn't care about any of that.

Anyway, they don't have many opportunities to cross paths, and because Chen Yuwei's family is from Jiangnan, it's even difficult for them to establish a connection.

They look down on her? She looks down on these self-proclaimed superior people.

With a clean roll of her eyes, Chen Yuwei continued to toy with the teacup in her hand.

She poured herself a drink every now and then, and throughout the entire Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, Chen Yuwei was one of the most comfortable people.

Another one is Empress Dowager Niohuru, who was praised throughout the entire process and never had a chance to settle down.

As for the servants of Changchun Palace, they were not qualified to come over. They could only grit their teeth and hide in Changchun Palace, cursing Cining Palace for being unreasonable, and then bitterly hoping that the Empress outside the palace would return soon to take charge of the situation.

About five days after the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the Emperor, Empress, and others finally returned to the capital safely.

It happened a few days earlier than expected, and Chen Yuwei even asked Xia He why.

Xia He didn't know much about it, but she knew it was the Empress who had suggested it.

Because Wu Shulai met with Xia He privately after returning.

Both of them were intelligent, and with just a simple conversation, Xia He was able to glean a great deal of information about the Emperor's life in the borderlands.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Wu spoke with great caution. This servant feels that there may be more to the story."

Xia He clicked her tongue, thinking that she would try to find out more about Wu Shulai if she had the chance.

Today, Wu Shulai's relationship with Yikun Palace can be described as inseparable.

After all, Wu Shulai had earned a considerable amount of money for his retirement from Yikun Palace. Even if he was ruthless and heartless, he couldn't go too far for the sake of money.

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