Chapter 7 Draft
After several rounds, only two beauties were left. The empress dowager was in high spirits at the beginning, but later on her graceful face showed a bit of fatigue.
The Queen beside her said gently, "Mother, we have only selected half of the girls. There will definitely be one you like later."
The Queen Mother picked up the teacup and blew on it gently: "Never mind, just pick two that the Emperor likes and a few more that look well behaved."
The queen nodded dignifiedly, the phoenix-tail amber hairpin on her bun emitting a dazzling halo, "Yes."
"Jiang Ruoxi, daughter of Shangshu Youcheng, leaves a name card~"
As Xie En's voice fell, the eunuch's loud voice rose again:
"Su Nanqing, daughter of the Pingjiang County Magistrate, is sixteen years old."
When she heard her own name, Su Nanqing took a deep breath, moved her jade feet slightly, and broke away.
She smiled gently and bowed gracefully, "Your humble servant pays respects to the Queen Mother and the Empress. I wish the Empress Dowager good health and a long life, and may the Empress live a thousand years."
Listening to the gentle and graceful voice, each word was precious and polite, the Queen Mother also perked up and nodded with satisfaction: "As expected of her, she was born in the water town of Jiangnan. Her lotus leaf skirt is cut in the same color, and the lotus blossoms on both sides of her face."
The Queen's eyebrows curved, and she said with a smile, "There are few concubines in the palace who are as graceful as water. Why not keep her here to serve you together with me?"
The Queen Mother nodded in agreement.
The eunuch immediately shouted loudly: "The concubine Su Nanqing, leave your name card~"
It was almost noon when Liu Yuetang's name was called.
"The daughter of the Minister of Rites, Liu Yuetang~"
She took a deep breath, and just as she had practiced at home, she moved with light lotus steps, her posture graceful and elegant, showing the dignity and elegance of a lady from a noble family.
After leaving the queue, she lifted the hem of her skirt, knelt on her left knee first, then her right knee, folded her hands, and gently pressed them to the ground. Her voice was soft and clear: "Your humble servant pays homage to the Queen Mother and the Empress."
She didn't say too many auspicious words, and she knew that the Queen and the Queen Mother had already grown tired of hearing them by noon.
As expected, her demeanor really caught the attention of the Queen Mother and the Empress.
The Queen Mother straightened herself and said to the Empress, "She is the daughter of the Doctor of Rites."
The Queen smiled gently: "No wonder the etiquette is so thorough. She must be a beauty..."
After saying that, she asked Liu Yuetang to raise her head.
Liu Yuetang slowly raised her head, but her eyes only dared to look at the ground.
Just like that, her stunningly beautiful face caught the sight of the person sitting in the upper seat.
The Queen stared at her face in surprise, then smiled with satisfaction: "She is indeed a beauty!"
It was rare to encounter such a graceful and elegant lady, whose appearance was charming but not coquettish. The Queen Mother nodded in satisfaction.
The eunuch knew that this was what he was staying for.
"Exquisite girl Liu Yuetang, leave your name card."
The words "leave a sign" hit Liu Yuetang's heart.
Everything was under control. When she expressed her gratitude, she glanced quickly towards the seat of honor without leaving a trace.
This single glance was not enough to clearly see the face of the most noble person in the world, but one could clearly feel the majesty and noble demeanor of the superior.
That is the courage and spirit that is often cultivated at the pinnacle of power.
Liu Yuetang clenched her palms. No wonder everyone wants to be the best.
Since you have the opportunity to appreciate flowers, how can you be willing to be a flower that is picked by anyone?
She is like a chess piece today, and whether she can get on the chessboard depends entirely on others.
Liu Yuetang walked out step by step, her eyes stern and determined: one day, she would also be the one who controls chess.
Among the eighty beauties, only seven were able to keep their names.
The decree for the promotion of each person came down the next day:
Ye Shujing was canonized as a talented person and granted the residence of Yihua Palace and Hanxiang Hall.
Jiang Ruoxi was canonized as Baolin and granted residence in Yaoyue Palace and Nianyun Hall.
Jiang Lige was canonized as a concubine and given the title of living in Yingyue Pavilion.
Su Nanqing was canonized as a concubine and granted the residence in Zhongcui Palace and Yufu Hall.
Ji Shuyi was canonized as Baolin and given the residence of Fuyaoxuan.
You Zhifu was canonized as Baolin and granted the residence of Fuyaoxuan.
Liu Yuetang was named a royal concubine and was given the residence in Jinxiu Pavilion of Yaoyue Palace.
This position was also within her expectations. Her father's official position was neither high nor low. If she were a legitimate daughter, she might be given the title of Baolin.
Unfortunately, she was just a concubine's daughter. In this dynasty where legitimate daughters were respected and illegitimate daughters were inferior, her status would always be lower than that of legitimate daughters.
Just like Ye Cairen, she had a good family background and was a legitimate daughter, so she was given a sixth-rank position as soon as she entered the palace.
The vermilion palace walls are tall and majestic. All you can see are the tall red walls, and the sky is no longer endless.
Liu Yuetang walked on the bluestone brick road, step by step towards Yaoyue Palace.
After arriving at the Yaoyue Palace, he rewarded the eunuch who led the way, and then walked towards the Jinxiu Pavilion.
The palace maids and eunuchs of Jinxiu Pavilion had already been waiting at the door. Liu Yuetang saw Liu Zheng in the crowd at a glance. She was delighted and her eyes were as bright as Su's.
"Your servant greets the young lady." The palace maids all knelt down and saluted with smiles on their faces.
Liu Yuetang asked them to excuse themselves and asked Liu Zheng to follow her in first. She would call them in and formally introduce them after everything was settled.
As soon as she stepped into the house, Liu Zheng smiled happily and bowed to Liu Yuetang: "Congratulations, young lady."
Just as she finished speaking, she remembered something and slapped her lips: "Young Master! Now it's time to call me Young Master!"
A single name in the palace was enough to get you beheaded, and Liu Zheng knew this clearly.
I have been living cautiously in the Liu Mansion, and now that I am in the palace, I should be even more careful with what I say and do.
Any wrong words she said could be used as a handle to accuse the young lady of not governing strictly enough.
Liu Yuetang pursed her lips and smiled: "I'm really not used to you not being by my side these days. Seeing you here today, I feel more at ease."
The two of them had been together for five years, never separated like family. During the first month in the palace, she really couldn't get used to being without Liu Zheng. After all, she was not at all at ease with the servants in the palace.
Jinxiu Pavilion is not particularly magnificent, and it does not even face the sun, but it is elegant and unique, and the vases and ornaments on the ancient shelves are all exquisite.
After Liu Yuetang had finished packing, she called everyone in.
The palace maids all kowtowed and paid their respects.
Liu Yuetang quickly glanced at everyone.
There were two eunuchs, two palace maids, and Liu Zheng, making a total of five people.
As the saying goes, a new official must establish his authority.
Liu Yuetang didn't let them off the hook. She waved her round fan gently, her laziness yet a hint of dignity. "Each of you please introduce your names and where you worked before."
A palace maid kneeling at the front spoke up, "My lady, I am Wanqiu, the head maid of Jinxiu Pavilion. I used to serve Concubine Liu. After her passing, I stayed in the Imperial Household Department for two years."
Liu Yuetang looked at her carefully. She looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a steady and friendly appearance.
The other maid was younger, with dark, glittering eyes, and looked quite clever. She said in a crisp voice, "My name is Amber. I have been serving in the Ministry of Internal Affairs since entering the palace last year. It is only after you, my lady, entered the palace that I have the honor of coming to Jinxiu Pavilion."
Next came two eunuchs, Xiao Zhongzi and Xiao Kangzi.
They looked young, about eighteen or nineteen years old.
Xiao Kangzi was thin and small, with a black mole on his eye, which made him look a bit unsightly. Perhaps because of this, he lowered his head when he answered, and his voice was filled with inferiority and timidity.
Replenish:
Concubine rank
Queen
First rank: Imperial Concubine (one)
Second rank: Concubine (four)
The third rank: concubine (nine persons), the main concubine of a palace, can be called "Niangniang" and call herself "Ben Gong".
Fourth rank: Concubine
Fifth rank: Beauty
Sixth rank: Talented
Seventh Rank: Baolin
Eighth Rank: Imperial Concubine
Positive Ninth Grade: Picking Women
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
