Tsk, how many good people will that lecherous Emperor Hongli ruin?

Feeling a little sorry for Consort Ning, Chen Yuwei and Xia He chatted briefly about each other.

Because she had just entered the palace and had not yet officially served the emperor, but judging from the behavior of everyone in the palace, it was clear that Consort Ning was definitely not just a pretty vase.

I wonder whose favor she'll gain, or if she'll become the new favorite and replace the old one.

After getting off the sedan chair at the entrance of Changchun Palace, Chen Yuwei took Xia He's arm and entered the main hall.

There were quite a few people in the main hall, chatting casually and exchanging witty remarks.

Upon seeing Chen Yuwei enter, they all curtsied and stood up to welcome her.

"You are all too kind. I am not the main character today."

Chen Yuwei got up and sat down, then picked up her teacup to moisten her throat.

Next to her was Consort Jia, who had recently been promoted to the rank of Consort. With the Empress's help, Consort Jia's promotion was smooth. Consort Chun, whose child was entrusted to Consort Xian for upbringing, was still only a Consort.

"Your Majesty, you said it's almost time, why haven't Consort Ning and the others arrived yet? Could something have happened on the way that delayed them?"

Consort Jia twirled the handkerchief from side to side, glancing at Chen Yuwei every now and then, as if trying to discern something from Chen Yuwei's face.

Chen Yuwei put down her teacup. "I ran into Consort Ning on the way, but I didn't find anything to delay me. She should be here soon after Her Majesty the Empress enters."

When the new concubines made their first appearance, they would first stand outside the gate in a side hall to wait.

Otherwise, walking straight in would be extremely rude.

Upon hearing this, Consort Jia directly asked Chen Yuwei for her opinion on Consort Ning.

Chen Yuwei smiled helplessly, "What opinion could I possibly have?" She and Consort Ning did not share a palace; this question should be directed to the two elderly people residing in Jingyang Palace.

The two elderly people living in Jingyang Palace? Consort Jia turned her eyes and saw He Tiantian and Yu Yueran hiding at the very back.

He Tiantian and Yu Yueran: ...

"Noble Lady He, Consort Yu, and Consort Ning are the principal consorts of your Jingyang Palace."

You've spent a few days together now. I wonder what Consort Ning's temperament is like?

Sharing this with you all might help us get along better in the future.

Consort Jia's label was so firmly attached that neither He Tiantian nor Yu Yueran knew how to respond.

The two looked at each other, and finally He Tiantian spoke up, saying dryly that Consort Ning was doing well. "I don't know the specifics. Consort Ning stays in the main hall and doesn't go out easily, so I don't have much contact with her. Please forgive me, Consort Jia."

These are all ancestors you can't afford to offend, so He Tiantian could only swallow her pride and pretend to be submissive.

Besides, everything I said was the truth; once Consort Ning entered the palace, she stayed at home.

Aside from their first visit, she and Yu Yueran never saw Consort Ning.

Both of them were long-time members of the imperial harem, and out of consideration for their reputation, they were too embarrassed to bother the emperor too often.

After speaking, He Tiantian lowered her head and acted as if she were invisible, hoping that Consort Jia would not focus her attention on her.

He dared not confront Consort Jia. They were of the same background when they were in the mansion, but now that they had entered the palace, their lives were completely different.

He Tiantian has become quite open-minded over the years, and dares not offend these powerful women in the harem. She has truly mastered the art of avoiding trouble whenever possible.

Seeing that He Tiantian and Yu Yueran were so useless, Consort Jia turned around and shifted the blame to other people.

It's not just Consort Ning who's newly entered the palace; there's also Noble Lady Bai and several other ladies-in-waiting. You can ask them all.

Instantly, the entire hall was ignited with enthusiasm by Consort Jia's words.

Listening to the chattering in the main hall, Chen Yuwei thought to herself that Consort Jia's ability to stir up people's emotions was indeed strong.

I wonder what benefits Jiafei will gain from doing this.

Anyway, Chen Yuwei didn't think the new people who came in would have any impact.

On the contrary, the changes in the situation in the harem were still mainly driven by a few imperial concubines and their positions.

Others? But they weren't qualified to enter.

With a snort to herself, Chen Yuwei tapped the table with one bent hand.

The sound was drowned out by the noise, but Chen Yuwei didn't seem to care.

She continued to observe coldly, occasionally reaching out to grab a pastry from the side to tide her over.

Until the Empress entered the palace.

"Your humble servant/concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress."

"No need for formalities, please take a seat."

After sitting down, Fucha Jinyi waved her hand, first looking around, and then asked Donghan to lead Ning Pin and the others who were waiting outside the door in.

Consort Ning, being the highest-ranking concubine, walked at the front, her light blue qipao highlighting her elegant and refreshing demeanor.

Chen Yuwei remarked that true beauty lies in character, not just appearance. Consort Ning is a rare beauty, both in terms of bone structure and skin. Hongli is truly blessed.

Hongli was indeed very fortunate, because none of the concubines selected made him feel wronged; in fact, they were all somewhat wronged by his presence.

Ugh, this damned world!

Chen Yuwei watched the Empress and Consort Ning engage in a back-and-forth dialogue until the tedious greeting ended.

Chen Yuwei boarded a sedan chair and was carried back to Yikun Palace by palace servants.

Then, it's just a normal life.

Consort Ning was summoned to the emperor's bedchamber and successfully gained his favor, becoming a beloved concubine, a name frequently mentioned among the other concubines in the harem.

Chen Yuwei doesn't actively participate in these matters; she spends most of her time with Yongwei and the other children.

Time flies, and it is now the ninth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign.

Yongwei successfully turned six and, at his own request, went to live with his elder brother.

Finally, Chen Yuwei was able to escape the life of taking care of children and enjoy her free time without any worries.

"The host doesn't plan to have another child?" The system popped up at the perfect moment to make things difficult for Chen Yuwei.

"Not for now. We've finally gotten a bit easier, why make things harder for ourselves?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!