Chapter 8 Understanding the Enemy and the Host
Everyone had finished introducing themselves, but the host not only did not tell them to stand up, but instead picked up the hot tea beside him and sipped it slowly.
This made them sweat in their palms, thinking that this might not be an easy master to serve.
Liu Yuetang took this opportunity to scan the expressions of the crowd. The two palace maids were kneeling respectfully, but Xiao Kangzi still had her head lowered and did not move at all.
"Since we have come to Jinxiu Pavilion, it is our destiny as master and servant. I am not someone who is difficult to please, nor am I a pushover, so you'd better not cross my line."
The palace maids all agreed: "We will serve the young master well and be loyal to him."
Liu Yuetang nodded and winked at Liu Zheng.
Liu Zheng took out the change she had prepared and handed it to everyone.
The moment Wan Qiu received the reward, he looked up at Liu Yuetang in surprise.
The eunuch Xiao Zhongzi's eyes lit up, as the weight was more than his salary for several months.
Everyone bowed in thanks with joy: "Thank you very much for the reward, my lord."
This reward made everyone understand that this young master was not a stingy person, and that if he did his job well, he would receive even more rewards in the future.
The first thing to do after entering the palace is to use both kindness and force on the people around him.
The second thing is to understand the enemy and the boss.
As the saying goes, knowing yourself and your enemy will ensure victory in every battle.
So that night, Liu Yuetang called the older Wanqiu over to ask.
She had been in the palace for over ten years and had served the imperial concubine before, so she naturally understood the trends and dynamics within the palace. This understanding would also help her prepare for the next day's greetings.
"Then I will begin with the Emperor. He has been on the throne for five years, having ascended the throne at the age of nineteen. I don't know much about him, but I do know that his relationship with the Empress Dowager is not very good. This is a well-known fact in the palace."
Oh? Liu Yuetang was a little surprised. The news outside the palace was that the Queen Mother and the Emperor had a deep mother-son relationship, and it was also rumored that the Emperor was very filial to the Queen Mother.
"The Emperor actually had a younger brother, but I heard that the little prince died before he was a year old, at the Emperor's seventh birthday banquet. The Empress Dowager was still Consort Shu at the time, heartbroken and depressed, and she ignored the Emperor, who was still a prince. Empress Song at the time took pity on the Emperor and took him to Weiyang Palace to care for him. She cared for him for a full six years until Empress Song passed away, and then the Emperor returned to the Empress Dowager's side."
Liu Yuetang gradually understood that those five years must have left the emperor with a knot in his heart and created some estrangement from his biological mother.
Hence the saying that the relationship is not good.
"I heard that there are many concubines in the palace?" Liu Yuetang asked.
Wan Qiu nodded. "Yes, the most favored one should be Concubine Yu. In fact, Concubine Yu was only a concubine when she entered the palace. However, because her father was so capable on the front lines and won many battles, he was promoted to the rank of Second Rank General last year. Since then, Concubine Yu has been promoted step by step and has become the most favored concubine by the emperor's side."
"However, some palace maids in the Imperial Household Department said that Concubine Zhao was the most favored."
"Zhao Fei? I rarely hear anyone mention her outside the palace."
Wan Qiu narrated the story: "Empress Zhao is the niece of Empress Song. She often came to the palace when she was young, so Empress Zhao and the Emperor can be considered childhood sweethearts. But... but strangely, the Emperor rarely stays in Empress Zhao's palace. I heard that..."
As she spoke, Wan Qiu lowered her voice so that only the two of them could hear, "I heard that Concubine Zhao has a bad temper and poor health, so she rarely receives favors."
Liu Yuetang had a strong premonition that this Concubine Zhao must be a person with a story, and she must have a great weight in the emperor's heart. This person will definitely be her powerful enemy in the future.
"The other one is Concubine Mi who gave birth to the eldest prince, right?"
This is what Liu Yuetang heard from the concubines when she was in Yuxiu Palace.
Wan Qiu nodded: "Yes, Concubine Mi was very beautiful in the past, like a fairy. Since she gave birth to the eldest prince, her figure and appearance have changed, and her favor is not as great as before."
"Apart from these three ladies, the next most favored is Concubine Ming. Concubine Ming is the Emperor's cousin and has a flamboyant and spoiled personality. It's already difficult for the other ladies to gain the Emperor's favor for even three to five months. Even Concubine Chu, who gave birth to the Second Prince, and Concubine Ning, who gave birth to the First Princess, the Emperor rarely stayed in their palaces."
Liu Yuetang has almost figured things out.
One was his childhood sweetheart, Concubine Zhao, one was Concubine Mi who gave birth to his eldest son, and the other was Concubine Yu whose father had made great military achievements.
These three have different positions in the emperor's heart, and perhaps they are beneficial to the country, so they have been favored for a long time.
As for other women, in the eyes of the current emperor, they are probably just a temporary novelty, and he will forget about them after a few months of favor.
It seems that it is not easy to take down this emperor.
On the second day, Liu Yuetang was woken up early before noon.
The new concubine's first visit to pay her respects was a major event, and everyone in Jinxiu Pavilion was busy as hell.
Liu Zheng specifically found the color and hair accessories that suited Liu Yuetang best, but Liu Yuetang just glanced at them and said, "Bring over the blue palace dress you wore yesterday. As for your hair, just tie it into a casual bun."
Liu Zheng was slightly taken aback and asked in surprise, "Young Master, didn't you say that blue makes you look old and that the Japanese bun is the worst for you? Why are you..."
Liu Yuetang took out the darkest powder and pressed it in front of the bronze mirror. "Now is not the time to be in the spotlight. It would be best if I could be ignored."
As the saying goes, the tallest tree catches the most wind. She already has a hateful face. If she dresses up brightly and seductively, she will become the target of public criticism.
I'm afraid that before she even meets the emperor, she will be sent to the cold palace for some reason.
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