Qixiang Palace Main Hall
Chunyu rushed in from outside the door like a gust of wind. "Master, a servant from the Imperial Household Department just came to deliver the new fabrics for this season. He said that there might be some big commotion in the harem soon."
The fact that Chunyu was so excited must mean something important, probably related to the Kangxi Emperor's investiture of the six palaces.
"No rush, speak slowly."
Xiu Ning poured a cup of warm tea and handed it to Chun Yu beside her. Her eyes flickered slightly. "To be connected with the Imperial Household Department, could it be that one of the sisters in the harem is about to be promoted?"
Xiu Ning's teasing made Chun Yu nod, thinking to herself that her mistress was truly intelligent. She had only mentioned the Imperial Household Department briefly, and her mistress was able to make such connections, which was simply unbelievable.
"It's not just one person; I've heard it's a joyous occasion for the entire palace."
Chunyu put down the half-finished cup of warm tea in her hand and began to describe to Xiuning the scene the palace maid had mentioned.
"...Being able to produce so many auspicious garments in one go, I suspect this matter is similar to that of the sixteenth year."
In the sixteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the emperor issued an edict to bestow titles upon the six palaces. Concubines who originally had no rank or whose rank was low were transformed into the principal consorts of a palace, thus successfully changing the overall structure of the harem.
It's only been four years. If the Emperor comes again, wouldn't our mistress be able to go from being a concubine to a high-ranking imperial concubine?
"You've got some brains, girl."
Xiu Ning agreed with Chun Yu's association, for the Emperor was indeed thinking of recreating the grand investiture ceremony of sixteen years ago.
To be honest, this grand investiture was far more important than the one sixteen years ago, because it was an investiture that would determine the future direction of the harem.
"Has the news spread?"
The palace servants of the Imperial Household Department not only delivered cloth to Qixiang Palace, but also to other palaces.
Just like what Chunyu just said, others probably already know the general idea.
Chunyu nodded, "The servants of the Imperial Household Department are always very loose-lipped. Other lower-ranking concubines will probably have to wait, but the head of the palace definitely knows something."
After all, the Imperial Household Department was known as the most opportunistic place in the harem. It had a large number of people and complex interests, but it was also where the most information was often found.
Chunyu had recruited many connections from the Imperial Household Department. Although some of them were seasoned veterans, they would sell their information as long as the price was right. Therefore, Chunyu was certain that the matter of the auspicious robes could not be kept secret.
"In that case, you should keep a close eye on our palace recently. The number of auspicious robes is limited, and not everyone may get one."
In the sixteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the most titles conferred were those of concubines, but this year the titles conferred were those of imperial consorts.
There are only four concubines, and who gets to be in the position and who doesn't can be changed before the official decree is issued.
Xiu Ning naturally felt secure, but she wasn't sure if someone would dare to focus their attention on her, stepping on her to take their place.
Xiu Ning picked up a round fan and shook it, then rested her chin on one hand, her eyes unconsciously becoming sharper.
...
The news that the Imperial Household Department had secretly rushed to make auspicious clothes had already spread throughout the palace by the time Xiuning went out again.
That's the downside of having a large group of people; you never know when the news will spread.
Walking along the road, all I could hear were the whispers of the palace servants, which I couldn't stop no matter what I said.
Chunyu frowned, trying her best to drive away the palace servants who were close to Xiuning, so as to prevent their remarks from distracting their mistress.
"Stop the sedan chair"
"Master, we haven't..."
"Let's not go yet, let's just sit in the Imperial Garden for a while."
"Yes, I understand."
"..."
After a flurry of activity, Chunyu helped Xiuning up, and the two of them shook off the palace servants behind them and headed straight for the Imperial Garden.
In this season of renewal, choosing a good time to go for a walk and enjoy the spring scenery is a wonderful thing.
Unfortunately, Xiu Ning's hard-won recovery was short-lived, as it was shattered by a series of sharp, piercing female voices from not far away.
Xiuning: ...
Xiu Ning looked up and her gaze met that of Consort Jia, who was pointing at Wu Ya Cheng Lin and jumping up and down.
"...Don't you even know who you are? How dare you put on airs and act high and mighty with me?"
"Hmph, does she think she can rise to the top just because she gave birth to a short-lived prince? She's dreaming!"
Consort Jia's expression was ferocious, and the words she spoke became increasingly offensive.
Regardless of what Wuya Chenglin, with her back to Xiuning, might do, Xiuning believed that Consort Jia had most likely fallen into another trap.
Well, as for why again, it's naturally because Consort Jia has made quite a few jokes before.
She gestured for Chunyu to help her out, but before Xiuning arrived, her voice preceded her, "Your Highness Consort Jia has quite a temper. What did Consort Wuya do to upset Your Highness? Now, in public, this passing concubine is completely baffled."
Consort Jia withdrew her hand from pointing at Wuya Chenglin, letting out a cold snort, "No matter how bad my temper is, it can't compare to Consort Wuya's sharp tongue."
After so many years in the imperial harem, I never expected there would be one hidden away; it's truly an eye-opener.
Consort Jia's mocking gaze only made Wuya Chenglin tremble like a delicate white flower, immediately drawing the audience into the preconceived notion that Consort Jia was bullying her.
"Your Highness, you misunderstand. I am not as ignorant of rank as Your Highness thinks. Please do not misunderstand."
With her back bent, Wu Yachenglin looked even more frail and pitiful in her crescent-white cheongsam.
To be honest, Wuya Chenglin's temperament wasn't like this at first, but who knew that after her youngest son died, Wuya Chenglin would appear in this manner every day, which attracted the emperor's attention several times and allowed her to secure a place in the harem.
"Misunderstanding? I've misunderstood?"
Consort Jia simply changed her posture, a playful look on her face, "Consort Wuya, what do you mean by that? How did I misunderstand?"
It's ridiculous. Does she really think she'd be arguing here without any preparation? Or do I really think she's that stupid to be outsmarted by a mere mortal?
Consort Jia's words made Wuya Chenglin stiffen. She opened her mouth and said, "It was my fault. I spoke incorrectly. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Xiuning: ...
Holy crap, what weird game are those two playing?
Xiuning looked left and right, and her original conclusion was unknowingly overturned.
Judging from their behavior, it's hard to say who was outmaneuvered by whom.
"Consort Jing, is there something you need?"
Consort Jia smiled and chatted with Xiu Ning for a few words, her eyes conveying a sense that she should leave as soon as possible.
Xiu Ning raised her eyebrows, thinking to herself that she came just to see what was going on, and that there was really nothing wrong with her.
Since Consort Jia doesn't welcome me, then so be it.
She curtsied and said, "This concubine takes her leave."
Xiuning turned and left with Chunyu, the whole process was swift and decisive, without any hesitation.
"Consort Jing has left. Consort Wuya, let's continue our discussion. What exactly did I misunderstand?"
"Your concubine, your concubine..."
The voices of Jiafei and Wuya Chenglin could be heard intermittently behind her, but as Xiuning walked further and further away, the voices became increasingly indistinct until they could no longer be heard.
Chunyu glanced back, "Master."
Xiuning shook her head. "I'm fine. I was just thinking about what Consort Jia was up to."
"Spring Rain, help me to the pavilion to rest."
Spring Rain nodded, "Yes."
The two of them took a turn and walked onto a path paved with cobblestones.
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