Chapter 178 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Bai Ruiji 5
The Empress could only suppress her doubts for now and wait to see if Bai Ruiji and Consort Xian were related.
The Empress gestured to Lianxin, who then introduced the various concubines to Bai Ruiji.
After exchanging greetings, Consort Jia looked at the warm satin on Bai Ruiji's body and spoke with a sharp edge.
“Not only are we easy to get along with, but the Emperor really cares about my sister. The clothes she is wearing are warm satin from Jiangnan, aren’t they?”
"Consort Jia has a good eye. When I caught a cold, His Majesty bestowed warm satin upon me to prevent me from falling ill again."
Bai Ruiji smiled slightly, her tone soft and gentle, making her look easy to bully.
Consort Hui took a sip of hot tea and said coldly, "Her Majesty the Empress advocates simplicity in the inner palace. For someone as lowly as a concubine, isn't this outfit a bit too extravagant?"
Bai Ruiji looked quite troubled and said in a delicate and weak voice:
"I know that Your Majesty the Empress advocates simplicity. Originally, I did not intend to wear it, but Your Majesty said that it was bestowed upon me so that I could wear it, not just leave it there. I dare not disobey."
Bai Ruiji couldn't understand the Empress's idea. If you want the harem to be simple, there's no need to make the concubines dress in such a drab way.
The clothes and jewelry we used to wear have already been made and repaired. If we leave them unused, they will wear out and become even more wasteful.
She was just a newly arrived concubine, and these were things she shouldn't be involved in, nor did she want to. But she couldn't bear to be wronged.
So after the Emperor bestowed the clothes and jewelry, she specifically mentioned the Empress's advocacy for simplicity in the harem.
The Emperor did indeed promise to bestow upon her the clothes and gifts, and she was no longer intimidated.
"Everything shall be done in accordance with His Majesty's wishes," the Empress said after hearing Bai Ruiji's words.
The Empress looked at the sky outside and said, "The snow has stopped. It's cold and the roads are slippery, so you should all go back early."
"Yes." The concubines rose and bowed, "Your Majesty, we take our leave."
After leaving Changchun Palace, Bai Ruiji did not linger and returned to her own Yongshou Palace.
After that, the Emperor visited Yongshou Palace every day except for the first and fifteenth of the month. A month later, Bai Ruiji was promoted to Noble Lady Mi, which ended such great favor.
However, when the Emperor visited the inner palace, he still mostly went to Yongshou Palace. Among the other concubines, only Consort Jia and Consort Hui received more favor, but they were far less favored than Bai Ruiji.
Before we knew it, the first day of the Lunar New Year arrived, and the palace was filled with joy.
In Shengyu Hall, Suyun and Mohua helped Bai Ruiji dress in her auspicious attire, as she was going to Cining Palace to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager today.
Cining Palace —
Inside the main hall, the Emperor and Empress led the concubines, princes, and princesses in paying their respects to the Empress Dowager.
The Emperor and Empress: "Your son/Your subject wishes Your Majesty peace and happiness, and a long and blessed life."
The concubines said, "Your Majesty, we wish you good health, long life, and abundant blessings."
Prince and Princess: "Grandson wishes Your Majesty good health, and may Your Majesty enjoy longevity, peace, and happiness every year like this."
Looking at the crowd kowtowing below, the Empress Dowager smiled kindly, "Very well, rise."
All the concubines said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"The palace is in perfect harmony, which pleases me. Let's not stand on ceremony and take our seats."
Seeing everyone stand up, the Empress Dowager said again, "Children, come here to your Grandmother. It's been a long time since I've seen you. Let your Grandmother take a good look at you."
Bai Ruiji sat in her seat, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, surveying the other concubines.
This was the first time she had seen the concubines dressed up in their finest attire since entering the palace.
They were all dressed in auspicious robes, with their hair styled in jeweled hair, looking elegant, luxurious, and radiant.
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