Although Nanling became a lady-in-waiting, she was not required to live in the palace.
Strictly speaking, female attendants only needed to enter the palace periodically or when summoned by the Empress.
Xie Yuan's female attendant was not a female attendant in the traditional sense; she wanted a female official who could share her workload.
They enter the palace at 8:30 AM and leave at 5:30 PM every day.
Take a half-hour nap at noon.
Xie Yuan specially cleared out a two-story pavilion outside the Jiaofang Palace, using the first floor as a council hall and the second floor as an office area.
The six female attendants, along with Gu Qingcheng's several female officials, all arrived at and left work on time.
At noon, the imperial kitchen would deliver a working meal.
"Is this what they mean by 'eating under the eaves'?"
On their first day at work, they were busy all morning. At noon, when the palace maids brought out the food table, the female attendants were all very excited.
They were all women from powerful and wealthy families; their grandfathers, fathers, and brothers all served as officials in the imperial court.
Several of them got married, and the men in their husbands' families all held high positions.
Therefore, they all knew that court officials and those working in government offices would be provided with special meals at noon.
Because most meals were eaten under the eaves, it was also known as "eating under the eaves".
Mugalo was also one of the six maids.
She's the daughter of the Mu family; in a way, she's an "acquaintance."
The Prince of Guangling wanted to arrange a good marriage for Helian Chen, and the bride was Mu Jialuo.
She was General Mu Jialan's cousin, and the only young lady in the Mu family of this generation who had not yet become a nun.
Her former fiancé was involved in the Tangquan Palace Coup and was exiled to Chang'an to build a new city.
The Mu family then took it upon themselves to cancel the marriage.
Mugalo didn't have particularly deep feelings for her fiancé, but she felt that it was somewhat unfair of her to break off the engagement so readily.
Whether it was a momentary lapse of judgment or a desire to prove something, Mugalo secretly attempted suicide by hanging, but was saved by a maid at the critical moment.
The Mu family was terrified.
Rumors also began to spread that Mugalo was not the kind of person who "changes course with the wind" or "betrays trust."
In any case, after this incident, Mugalo gained a reputation for being loyal and affectionate.
However, this still cannot solve her marriage problem.
Just then, Xie Yuan was selecting a female attendant. In order to balance the relationship and to show goodwill to the nobles, he chose Mu Jialuo from among the old Xianbei nobles.
The Mu family was worried about their daughter's reputation being ruined and were planning whether to find a Taoist temple or a manor outside the city to avoid trouble.
When Xie Yuan sent word, the Mu family was overjoyed: "Greetings, Lady Attendant! Visit the palace more often and get closer to Empress Xie; perhaps there will be some 'unexpected joy'!"
As for Mugalo himself, he was also somewhat interested—
She had long heard that Empress Xie was a capable and extraordinary woman who, as a substitute bride, accompanied her husband to Lingnan without hesitation.
In that desolate and impoverished land, she and her husband worked together to build a business.
Now, the family has returned to the capital, and the couple has become the most distinguished men and women in the world.
Despite several provocations from Empress Dowager Ashina, Empress Xie remained calm and composed.
The battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law ended with the Empress Dowager Ashina's demise.
But Xie and the emperor were still living in perfect harmony!
sharp!
Mugalo had not yet met Xie Yuan, but he already held him in high esteem.
Now that she had the opportunity to serve Empress Xie at close range, Mu Jialuo could only be happy.
Thus, Mu Jialuo, who had also experienced the upheaval of annulment and damage to her reputation, entered the palace along with Nanling and others.
However, compared to Nanling's shyness and timidity, Mugaluo is actually a free-spirited and flamboyant young noblewoman.
Come to think of it, the Mu family, formerly known as the Qiu Muling clan, was one of the eight prominent Xianbei clans.
The Mu family has produced generations of Pillar of State Generals.
The Mu family has produced empresses, princesses, or noble ladies.
The daughters of the Mu family were almost as famous as the daughters of the Dugu family—fierce and jealous!
However, a woman who can be so fierce has the means to back it up.
That is, skilled in riding and archery, and possessing martial arts skills!
Mugalo is the youngest and most favored daughter in this generation of the Mu family.
She learned to ride horses and shoot arrows from a young age, and her riding whip made her look powerful and majestic.
On her first day in the palace, she wore a fiery red dress, making her look as radiant as a peony.
Looking at this wildly growing girl, Xie Yuan felt a strange sense of familiarity:
"She looks like Li Baozhu! And like A Yuan!"
Confident and outgoing, bright and vibrant.
Born into a wealthy and powerful family, and pampered by her family, the only setback she has ever experienced in her life is probably her unsuccessful marriage!
Seeing this fiery young woman, Xie Yuan couldn't help but wonder: her suicide wasn't because of feelings or guilt, but probably because she felt ashamed.
After all, Mugalo had always been proud, and her life had been smooth and successful. She had never encountered such a "failure" before.
"Galuo, you look somewhat like the Princess Consort of Yong!"
Xie Yuan smiled at Mu Jialuo with obvious admiration in his eyes.
"Princess Yong? Xu Shi A Yuan?"
Mugalo's eyes lit up.
Actually, she and Xu Yuan used to be close friends.
Ahem, both of them are daughters of military families and are very strong women.
The only difference is that Mugalo is skilled with whips, while Xu Yuan's pair of spiked clubs are famous.
"Yes! You're also acquainted with A-Yuan?"
Xie Yuan could tell from Mu Jialuo's reaction that this girl must be an acquaintance of A Yuan.
"Your Majesty, I am not only acquainted with A-Yuan, but we are also distant relatives!"
Mugalo answered cheerfully.
Distant relatives are not important.
In a time when "marrying someone of equal social standing" and "no marriage between scholars and commoners" are prevalent, many families in the elite circles of Beijing have intricate and complex kinship relationships.
Compared to so-called relatives or best friends, this kind of relationship really highlights the bond between the two people.
Xie Yuan's smile grew even brighter, "I'm quite familiar with A Yuan too!"
With mutual friends, Xie Yuan and Mu Jialuo became close in a very short time.
Of course, the most important factor is Xie Yuan's personal charm.
After entering the palace, Mugaluo saw the legendary female soldiers. "Your Majesty, did you personally train these female soldiers?"
"Yeah! Do you like leading troops? Would you like to join the women's army?"
"Me? I can lead troops into battle?"
"Why not? Your Mu family has produced great generals for generations. Like father, like daughter. If you, Jialuo, are willing, you might even become the first female general of our Great Zhou Dynasty!"
"...A female general? I'm willing!"
Another young fan has completely sided with Xie Yuan.
Helian Jue: ...
For some reason, he always felt that the way Princess Nanling and those young ladies, including Mu Jialuo, looked at him was strange.
Helian Jue knew that his A Yuan was both talented and handsome, and he also knew that there might be rivals in love.
But he still couldn't have imagined that he would encounter so many strange and unusual opponents.
Li Baozhu, the former Princess Xu of the neighboring Yongwang Mansion... and now there's Princess Nanling and Mu Jialuo!
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