Chapter 93 The Legend of Zhen Huan: An Lingrong 3

"I find Zhen's gentle smile quite beautiful."

The Emperor patted the Empress's hand and then let it go, leaning back on the couch, laughing heartily. Both of them knew that this explanation was not true.

Yikun Palace —

Led by Zhou Ninghai, Huang Guiquan entered the hall, knelt down and greeted her, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant greets you."

Consort Hua, enjoying Songzhi's leg massage, glanced at Huang Guiquan and said, "Get up."

Huang Guiquan smiled obsequiously and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress has drafted the palace layout for the newly arrived concubines. She asked me to read it to Your Majesty, and if Your Majesty finds it inappropriate, we can revise it."

Consort Hua rolled up the handkerchief in her hand and adjusted her posture. "Speak."

Huang Guiquan opened the folded document in his hand and read aloud: "The Manchu Plain White Banner Lady Fucha resides in Yanxi Palace, and the Mongol Bordered Red Banner Lady Borjigit resides in Zhongcui Palace."

"Consort Shen of the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Han Army resides in Xianfu Palace, while Consort Shu of the Bordered White Banner of the Han Army resides in Chengqian Palace..."

Consort Hua frowned and interrupted Huang Guiquan, "Wait, Consort Shu?"

"Yes, she is the eldest daughter of An Bihai, the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. Among the newly selected ladies-in-waiting, only she and Consort Wan have titles, and the two of them live together in Chengqian Palace."

Huang Guiquan added: "Wan Changzai was a member of the Han Army's Plain Blue Banner and the eldest daughter of Zhen Yuandao, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."

Consort Hua asked coldly, "Are you referring to the two who were praised by the Emperor for their looks and eloquence during the imperial concubine selection?"

"Yes, Your Majesty is wise."

Consort Hua, her mind in turmoil, pressed on, "Was Chengqian Palace assigned to them by the Emperor?"

Huang Guiquan explained, "The Emperor doesn't care about this; it was all decided by the Empress. Chengqian Palace is a wonderful place, spacious and magnificent. It is the most important of the Eastern Six Palaces, and only favored concubines can stay there."

"The Empress is adept at pleasing the Emperor. If the Emperor praises her, she will rush to flatter him. Now that she is old and her beauty has faded, she is thinking of arranging for younger men to serve her."

"Do they even deserve to live in Chengqian Palace, a place only favored concubines can stay in? Are there any other renovated palaces left?" Consort Hua breathed a sigh of relief, leaned against the kang table, and lowered her head to play with her slender, jade-like fingers.

"Yes, the east and west side halls of Yanxi Palace are still empty. Among the newly entered concubines, Consort Fucha is one of them because there are currently no high-ranking Manchu bannermen concubines in the palace."

"Being granted residence in the main hall of Yanxi Palace is considered a pre-ordained position as the head of a palace. The former Consort Fang's Suiyu Pavilion is also empty. The place is clean and elegant, but it is a bit remote, far away, and small."

Songzhi interjected, "Yanxi Palace is close to the palace servants' passageway, and the palace servants make a lot of noise when they come and go. I guess Consort Fucha was implicated because Lord Maqi sided with the Eighth Prince."

"And that Suiyu Pavilion is not only small, there is an old stage there. Because the late emperor thought it was too far, he sent it to an unfavored concubine."

Consort Hua raised her eyes and said, "In that case, Consort Shu shall move into Yanxi Palace, and Consort Wan shall move into Suiyu Pavilion."

"By the way, what about that arrogant Xia Shi who gave the tutor a hard time? The one the Emperor casually pointed to and said was interesting?"

Huang Guiquan: "Yes, later, because her father held a high official position, the Empress asked the Emperor to grant her the rank of Changzai. She was assigned to Changchun Palace by the Empress and lived with Consort Qi."

Consort Hua pondered, "She's been given the title of 'Changzai' and resides in Changchun Palace. It seems the Empress intends to promote her. Keep an eye on her for me and see if she's one of the Empress's people."

"Let's also arrange for her to enter Yanxi Palace. With Consort Fucha and Consort Shu keeping her in check, let's see if she can still act arrogantly."

"Yes, sir." Huang Guiquan bowed in response.