Chapter 13 Look how sought-after pretty girls are. (Including...)

Hanyuan Hall

Today is a small court assembly. Before dawn, Emperor Xuanpei had already summoned all the officials to an audience.

Outside the hall, Eunuch Chen went to the small tea room and made sure that snacks and tea were prepared carefully.

As for the palace women serving the emperor, none of them were ugly or unsightly.

Even the palace maids in the tea room were all skillful, beautiful, and of good character. Having served the emperor for many years, they were even more dignified than some of the lowest-ranking concubines.

The palace maids in the tea room were like this, and the palace maids specially prepared to serve the emperor were even more outstanding in appearance, each with their own unique charm.

For example, the lowest-ranking concubines in the palace who were given "changing clothes" were often given a title by the emperor after he had favored these palace maids.

However, Emperor Xuanpei rarely summoned such palace maids, so there are not many palace maids serving him now, and none of them have gained the emperor's favor and become prominent figures in the palace.

Since they are not favored by the emperor, those below them will not bother with this matter.

For example, Eunuch Chen usually keeps a close eye on the tea room so that His Majesty can enjoy his tea comfortably.

At this moment, watching Yunxiu selecting tea leaves from the tea cabinet, Eunuch Chen couldn't help but sigh, "Miss Yunxiu's tea-making skills are among the best in the palace."

"If the young lady were to suddenly leave the tea room, I would feel uneasy."

Yunxiu, who was holding tea leaves, paused, then looked at Eunuch Chen and smiled, "You always know how to amuse me, Eunuch."

"Those who can serve before the emperor, are all exceptionally skilled."

"If we're talking about the most important person in His Majesty's court, it has to be Eunuch Chen."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Chen shook his head and laughed.

Before he could say anything more, Fuhai ran in.

"Manager."

Seeing that Fu Hai had something to report, Eunuch Chen nodded to Yun Xiu and said, "Miss, please go ahead with your work."

Yunxiu put down the clip and curtsied to Eunuch Chen.

"Take care, Steward Chen."

Once Eunuch Chen was out of sight, Yunxiu picked up the clips again.

But when Yunxiu looked at the tea cabinet in front of her, she was a little dazed and didn't move for a long time.

Yunxiu has been serving tea in this tea room for five years.

Yunxiu's tea-making skills were excellent; even Eunuch Chen praised her several times.

For the past few years, His Majesty has been drinking tea brewed by her.

Yunxiu was a palace maid who entered the palace through the selection process. According to custom, palace maids like her who entered the palace would be released when they reached the age of twenty-five.

This is a rule in the palace.

But there are always exceptions to the rules of the palace—

It's like the master wanting to keep some people around him, or appointing female officials, or even having gained the emperor's favor by serving him...

Yunxiu never dared to hope for the Emperor's favor or any official title; she simply wanted to serve in the tea room.

But she waited and waited, until tomorrow was the day for the palace selection, but she still hadn't received the Emperor's verbal order to allow her to stay.

From beginning to end, the Emperor never considered making an exception for her, even though he was used to the tea she brewed, or even just speaking a single word to her.

Yunxiu quietly wiped away her tears.

Indeed, their emperor is a person who values ​​rules the most, so why would it be worth breaking the rules for her?

*

Upon emerging from the tea room and seeing Eunuch Chen nod, Fu Hai quickly recounted all the information he had gathered.

"Master Steward, that little palace maid is a servant of the Yeting Palace. The nannies all call her Azhu. Because she has not yet been selected for the palace, she does not have a proper job. That day, she was sent to the Cold Palace to deliver meals."

It turns out that the palace has not yet been chosen... Upon hearing this news, Eunuch Chen stroked his chin and smacked his lips for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

To be honest, that fleeting glimpse of A-Zhu outside the Imperial Garden that day left a deep impression on Eunuch Chen.

And shouldn't the most unique, outstanding, and exceptional people in the palace serve the emperor?

Unfortunately, His Majesty himself said that this little palace maid was stupid and unruly.

For this reason, Eunuch Chen, who had been secretly lamenting the loss, suddenly got up from his bed in the middle of the night the other night, slapped himself hard, and cursed himself for being foolish.

Don't they realize how many people come and go in this palace and actually catch His Majesty's eye?

Could we possibly receive a single word from His Majesty?

But that day, their emperor not only stood still and clearly saw the person, but also noticed that she was disheveled, crawling and rummaging in the hay, and even spoke...

Thinking of this, Eunuch Chen slapped himself twice more.

Chen Delu, oh Chen Delu.

You've served the Emperor for so many years, what a fool you are!

Don't you realize that she's just a lowly palace maid? Is she really worth the Emperor's time and effort?

Since this little palace maid is so stupid, she naturally needs a clever person to teach her.

If it's not proper, then we need to teach it rules even more.

When it comes to cleverness and palace etiquette, where else can compare to the Emperor's presence?

Seeing the smile on Eunuch Chen's face, Fu Hai felt a chill run down his spine. Then he heard Eunuch Chen ask, "Is Sun Sucen the current head of the Inner Palace?"

Fu Hai nodded repeatedly.

"The steward has a good memory; it is indeed Steward Sun."

Eunuch Chen didn't mince words and directly instructed, "Later, you will go to the Imperial Palace for me."

“Tell Steward Sun that when the palace is selected tomorrow, one more palace maid should be sent to the Emperor.”

Having received the instructions, Fu Hai did not move his feet.

The quick-witted Fu Hai had secretly visited A Zhu beforehand, after receiving a message from Eunuch Chen inquiring about people.

Having seen him this time, Fu Hai became even more attentive and went back to carefully review all of A Zhu's information.

This simple act of digging led to trouble.

"Chief Steward," Fu Hai said softly, bowing his head, "that Miss Azhu in the Yeting Palace, her original surname was Jiang."

"She was not a palace maid purchased from the common people, but a criminal slave who was confiscated and sent to the palace after the entire Jiang family was convicted of a crime."

Eunuch Chen's face immediately fell.

He stared at Fu Hai. "Say that again?"

"Steward, this servant dares not be negligent in the slightest. I have repeatedly verified the information on the archives when this Miss Azhu entered the palace."

"She is indeed a descendant of the Jiang family... of the Jiang clan."

"It's just that I was too young when I entered the palace, so I didn't go to the Xin Zhe Ku (a place for palace maids to work in), but instead went to the Yeting (another place for palace maids to work in).

A slave? How could she be a slave?!

At least the palace maids who were selected for the palace had a clean background.

She was not even as good as the palace maids who were recruited into the palace.

No matter how much face Eunuch Chen has, he's still nothing more than a servant.

Arranging a pretty palace maid to please the emperor is entirely different from arranging a criminal slave to serve him.

"Alright, alright, let's just pretend this never happened."

All his excitement and joy vanished in an instant, and with a furrowed brow, Eunuch Chen waved his hand irritably.

"Shut your mouth and get out of here."

Yes, yes.

Fu Hai nodded repeatedly, then quickly left.

After taking a few steps, Fu Hai could still hear Eunuch Chen muttering resentfully, "How can he be a slave?"

***

"...a slave?"

Hearing Nianqin's words, Empress Wang frowned slightly. "Then why is she in the Yeting Palace?"

"Your Majesty, the girl from the Jiang family was only five or six years old when she was punished and sent to the palace. That's when she went to the Yeting Palace."

Nianqin chuckled as she combed Empress Wang's hair: "Your Majesty, the matrons in the inner palace have trained this Jiang woman exceptionally well."

"Well-behaved and exceptionally obedient."

"The head of the inner palace just had a stern face, and she knelt down and kowtowed in fear. She was frivolous and lacked courage."

Jiang Zhu comes from the Jiang family.

Before Empress Wang's eyes, a figure with a cool and aloof demeanor appeared—it was the eldest daughter of the Jiang family.

Back then, Miss Jiang was famous throughout the capital, and she definitely outshone Wang Yushu. Empress Wang, who was used to being flattered, was often angry about this.

Moreover, there was already a rift between aristocratic families and the upright officials in the capital.

Wang Yushu was extremely annoyed by the audacious Jiang woman who, in her pursuit of fame and reputation, made sarcastic remarks about her.

Unfortunately, in every encounter, Wang Yushu was at a disadvantage.

Later, the Jiang family became collateral damage in that tragic affair caused by a beautiful woman.

The fact that Empress Wang could not see Lady Jiang kneeling before her, kowtowing in fear and trembling, admitting her mistakes, was a constant regret in her heart.

Who would have thought that a convicted slave from the Jiang family would end up in the palace, and even fall into her hands...

Back then, Miss Jiang was as aloof and elegant as Qingxue, possessing a unique charm that even Empress Wang couldn't help but imitate.

But what about Jiang Zhu?

Nowadays, she's nothing more than a plaything that uses her looks to please others, to be manipulated at will.

Sinners.

Sinners are good!

If it's because Ah Zhu is young and can't remember things, that's fine.

But if she still remembers... hey, if she does remember, that would be even better.

She would keep this thought to herself day and night, abandoning all pride and dignity, desperately trying to climb up the ladder...

But the crime committed by the Jiang family was determined by the late emperor.

Empress Wang made up her mind—

She would definitely give Jiang Zhu hope, even if it meant temporarily concealing her identity and sending her to serve His Majesty.

Miss Jiang, as aloof and proud as ever...

Oh, no, it's her younger sister, enduring such humiliation and clinging to life, using every trick in the book to seduce her lover in bed...

However, their emperor is so particular about rules and regulations, not to mention the crimes personally determined by the late emperor.

What people despair most is not the inability to see hope, but the hope that they can see but cannot touch.

That's the last glimmer of hope for Jiang Zhu.

It made her willingly trample on Jiang's pride, shamelessly doing the despicable thing that Jiang, the eldest daughter, once despised the most—flattering and serving others with her beauty.

She would be tormented day and night, caught between hope and despair.

If one day you grow tired of this charade, and after Jiang's woman has gone to great lengths to flatter you, you personally shatter her hopes...

There really isn't a better candidate.

Empress Wang, who was originally extremely reluctant to personally send someone to the emperor's bed, actually began to look forward to that day coming soon.

Thinking of this, Empress Wang laughed heartily.

"Great, excellent."

"Nianqin, you did an excellent job."

"Tomorrow, when Jiang Zhu arrives—no, from now on, I'll call her A-Zhu—I'll bring her here to pay her respects to me immediately."

"yes."

***

Yeting

Tomorrow is the day to send the palace maids from the inner palace to various places to perform their duties. No matter how much the matrons in each courtyard prepared beforehand, they still felt it wasn't enough at the last minute.

These past few days, Manager Sun has been extremely busy during the day, and at night he has been working tirelessly, staying up all night without sleep.

She forced herself to stay awake, waiting to finish the palace selection process before she could get a proper rest.

Unexpectedly, early in the morning, an "uninvited guest" arrived at the door—it was Qingwen, a palace maid who served Consort Zhang.

The relationship between Qingwen and Mingxia is no secret in the Yeting Palace.

Upon seeing Qingwen, Steward Sun naturally thought of Mingxia, who had stirred up a huge mess a few days ago.

Honestly, if Qingwen hadn't been serving Consort Zhang, who was quite respectable and who always managed things for her and fiercely protected her only younger sister, it would have been a different story.

Based on the trouble Mingxia caused this time, Manager Sun could easily deal with her.

But in this palace, even the most important rules can't overcome the power of saving face.

It's not only imperial concubines who can "whisper in the pillow's ear".

If a palace servant who serves the empress were to whisper a few words in her ear, she might very well be in trouble someday.

Now that the princes have begun to take up positions in the court, Empress Wang and Consort Zhang are fighting each other more fiercely in the palace.

One was of noble birth but failed to win the Emperor's favor, while the other, though a Noble Consort, also had a prince and enjoyed the Emperor's favor.

It is said that even a minor official cannot escape the prime minister's authority. Granny Sun from Kunning Palace is someone she cannot afford to offend, and she dares not make enemies of those from Nianfu Palace for no reason.

"Miss Qingwen."

"Greetings, Steward Sun."

After inviting them to sit down and serve tea, before Granny Sun could even mention Mingxia, Qingwen immediately began to criticize her.

"Mingxia is so foolish!"

"She actually dared to..."

After a long scolding, seeing that Qingwen's eyes were red as she spoke, what could Granny Sun say?

In front of Qingwen, she even had to say a few good things about Mingxia.

Upon hearing Qingwen mention the palace selection, Granny Sun patted her chest and assured her that she would definitely find Mingxia a suitable job.

Hearing that Qingwen had a preferred job, Granny Sun didn't hesitate and immediately arranged it for Mingxia.

"Thank you so much, Granny Sun, for taking care of my good-for-nothing sister."

"What do you mean, Miss Qingwen? Miss Mingxia is lively and clever, and with Miss Qingwen's help, she is sure to have a bright future."

After exchanging pleasantries, Granny Sun, spouting nonsense that even she herself didn't believe, casually picked up her teacup.

While drinking tea, I glanced at Qingwen out of the corner of my eye and saw her wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes, stubbornly sitting there without even lifting her buttocks.

Seeing this, Granny Sun couldn't help but sigh in her heart—those who can't be easily sent away are all unpleasant guests.

After considering it for a moment, Granny Sun put down her teacup and asked, "Miss Qingwen, does Her Highness the Imperial Concubine have any further instructions?"

When they got down to business, Qingwen lowered his hand, which he had been pretending to wipe away tears.

With A-Zhu's blatant ambition etched on his forehead, his scheming, flattery, and sycophancy, and his arrogant and conceited demeanor after gaining power, who in the inner palace didn't know or understand him?

Don't be fooled by the fact that Ah Zhu is now grateful to Mingxia, despite all the unexpected twists and turns.

But it's hard to say she won't realize what's going on, or maybe she'll get some pointers in the future... In this palace, holding grudges is much easier than remembering favors.

The deed is done, and no amount of anger or regret will change anything. Even if she forces Mingxia to kowtow and admit her mistake, will Azhu be willing to swallow her anger?

Qingwen knew perfectly well that for a palace maid who was obsessed with "climbing the social ladder" and "dreaming of becoming a phoenix on a branch of a tree," anyone who tried to damage her appearance or block her path to success would be an irreconcilable enemy!

Qingwen, who secretly went to see Azhu, was determined to kill Azhu as soon as possible.

With Consort Zhang's help, some things became much easier.

"This time, a group of palace maids were also released to accompany the Empress."

"Right now, Her Majesty wants to select some capable people to serve her."

"I heard that Steward Sun has selected some palace maids, and they have been trained in good manners over the years. Why not add another one tomorrow?"

The shrewd Granny Sun immediately understood what Qingwen was saying – oh no, this is aimed at Azhu!

On the surface, Granny Sun smiled and agreed repeatedly.

"Don't worry, Miss Qingwen. This time, I will personally select people from Fugong who are the same as in previous years, and double the number."

"Oh, why would you, the head steward, bother to add twice as many palace maids?"

Qing Wen smiled politely, but he was clearly and blatantly pointing out the person.

"I'll just trouble you, in charge, to add another Ah Zhu."

"This, this..."

Seeing the troubled look on Granny Sun's face, Qingwen, who wanted to eliminate any future troubles and finish off Azhu in one go, directly used words to intimidate her.

"Oh, could it be that the old nanny is reluctant to let A-Zhu go out to serve the Imperial Concubine?"

"What are you saying, Miss Qingwen?"

"To be able to serve the Imperial Concubine in the Palace of Last Year is an immense blessing for her, but..."

Seeing that Qingwen chose to use Consort Zhang to intimidate others and opted for a "magical clash," Granny Sun looked utterly helpless.

"However, Ah Zhu was already scheduled to serve at Kunning Palace a long time ago."

"Look, the roster has already been sent to the eunuchs for filing this morning. Look at the mess this has made... Miss Qingwen, why don't we find someone else?"

"They went to Kunning Palace?!"

Qingwen was shocked. Consort Zhang dared to openly and secretly oppose the Empress because she was a Consort.

What is Ke Qingwen?

She dared to be disrespectful to the Empress.

Since the matter involved Kunning Palace, Granny Sun dared not lie to deceive them, and Qingwen, who was abusing his power for personal gain, dared not say anything casually.

Disturbed and upset, Qingwen left in a hurry.

Manager Sun flicked his sleeve, snorted, and sat down in his chair, looking around to see who didn't know what Qingwen was up to.

Given Ah Zhu's current state, how could she possibly emerge unscathed from Nianfu Palace?

I'm afraid that getting them smeared on their faces and rushed out would be the least of their worries!

A note from the author:

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To prevent you cuties from getting upset, this humble author has to give you a heads-up: Ah Zhu's identity is a bit cheesy, isn't it? *smacks* Don't worry, don't worry! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]