Chapter 177 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Bai Ruiji 4
"Yes, yes, you're the best."
The Emperor reached out and pressed Bai Ruiji's face into his arms. He didn't want to look at her innocent face now; the more he looked, the angrier he became.
Changchun Palace —
“Mi Changzai has arrived.”
After the eunuch finished his announcement, Bai Ruiji went inside.
Hearing the sound, he looked at the concubines outside the door and saw Bai Ruiji walking towards him. His breathing became lighter.
Bai Ruiji was dressed in pink embroidered warm satin, with her hair styled in a straight line, and wearing exquisite jewelry befitting her status.
Her exposed skin was as white as jade, and her bright, watery eyes always gave off an innocent and lively feeling when she looked at people. She was as beautiful as a flower and as charming as a fairy.
Her movements were as graceful as a willow swaying in the breeze, and her elegant demeanor was like a secluded orchid in a valley.
With a smile in her eyes, Bai Ruiji walked up to the Empress and curtsied, saying, "This concubine, Bai Shi, a palace maid in Yongshou Palace, greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be well."
The Empress, dressed in a blue cheongsam, sat at the head of the table. Upon hearing Bai Ruiji's voice, she snapped out of her reverie and instinctively smiled gently and said, "Rise, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress." Bai Ruiji stood up and sat down next to Consort Jia.
The concubines in this row were to the right of the Empress, in the following order: Consort Xian, Noble Lady Jia, Consort Mi, and Lady Wan.
To the Empress's left are, in order, Consort Hui, Consort Chun, Noble Lady Yi, and Consort Hai.
Consort Jia turned her body slightly to the side and looked at Bai Ruiji.
Her upturned phoenix eyes held a hint of allure, and her bright red lips parted slightly. "I was wondering what kind of beauty could be so accomplished as a musician from the Southern Palace, and yet be granted the title of Changzai upon her first appointment."
"Now I finally see it for myself. She truly is a beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky, and the moon hide its face in shame."
"Yes, it's time for Consort Jia to relinquish her title as the most beautiful woman in the harem."
Consort Hui leaned back in her chair, her head slightly lowered. The once beautiful woman now seemed melancholy, and her occasional glances at Bai Ruiji carried a hint of coldness.
She used to be most skilled at the pipa, a true master, but during that period the emperor would not listen to her pipa, instead listening to the pipa of the musicians from the Southern Palace.
That would have been bad enough, but because of this, a pipa player was made a concubine in the harem. These past few days, the emperor has been going to Yongshou Palace every time he enters the harem. How could she not be upset?
Bai Ruiji lowered her head and smiled sweetly, her face radiant, and said modestly, "Sisters are too kind. I am but a humble woman."
The gentle and graceful Consort Chun, as graceful as spring water in Jiangnan, chuckled and teased, "If you are of plain appearance, then how should we refer to ourselves? Are we perhaps just plain-looking?"
As soon as he finished speaking, laughter filled the hall. The beautiful women of all kinds laughed and their expressions were stunning. On the surface, everyone seemed to be getting along very well.
"I should have come to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress much earlier, but unfortunately, due to the cold and heavy snow, I was only able to come today."
"As long as you have the intention, that's enough. You'll see each other every day from now on, and you'll know that everyone is easy to get along with."
The Empress was dignified and generous, and her words were gentle and kind, but her eyes held a wary and vigilant look.
Bai Ruiji was stunningly beautiful, but as a musician in the Southern Palace, her status was even lower than that of a palace maid, posing no threat to her.
However, this was on the premise that Bai Ruiji was not Consort Xian's person. Bai Ruiji was sent to the palace by the Ulanara Mansion and was permitted by the Empress of Jingren Palace.
It's understandable that she would overthink this identity, but after meeting the person today, the Empress felt a bit more uncertain.
Bai Ruiji is so beautiful. Would Consort Xian really scheme to bring such a beauty into the harem to help her?
Aren't you afraid that if you're not careful, things will get out of control?
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