Chapter 11 A Generous Greeting to the Emperor and Empress
Inside the Hall of Union, the air was warm and fragrant, like springtime.
Inside the Imperial Bedchamber, the bedchamber attendants felt a chill in their brocade quilts.
"My lady, you still have to pay your respects to the Empress tomorrow, so please turn off the lights," Mao Gen gently advised.
Gan Cao nodded, the palace lanterns were extinguished, he closed his eyes, but his thoughts drifted to the Zichen Palace.
——
He slept soundly and felt dizzy. It was only after Mao Gen called out a few times that he woke up from his drowsy state.
At this time, before dawn, the palace was already quietly in operation.
In the past, the palace attendants didn't need to get up early, but now that the harem has a master, they are no longer so free.
"Go get some water to wash up." Gan Cao got up and tidied her long hair.
Soon, Mao Gen brought over cold water, saying with difficulty, "The palace servants are too busy, and not enough hot water has been boiled."
cold water?
Since becoming the bedchamber attendant, he has never used cold water again.
Moreover, the weather hasn't fully warmed up yet, so you can imagine how cold it would feel.
"It's alright, I used to wash my clothes with cold water even in the dead of winter," he said as he went to wash up.
As I placed my hand into the basin, the bone-chilling cold instantly seeped into my skin.
Licorice shivered and became completely awake.
With a lord in charge, there's an extra layer of control, so his days ahead probably won't be so easy.
We must be more careful in every word and deed.
After washing up, he changed into his bedchamber attire: a blue robe, silver hairpin, and green palace shoes.
He needed to keep a low profile today, so he didn't dress up elaborately; he just wanted to make sure his clothes and makeup were decent.
After making all the preparations, he took Maogen to the main hall, where he encountered Piaopeng, Baiping, and two other palace attendants: Zhuyun and Mingxiang.
The group of people carried lanterns and went together to Liu Shang's quarters.
Liu Shangqin was giving a speech in the square in front of the Shangqin Bureau: "Everyone, keep your skin on your sleeves. Anyone who dares to make a mistake in front of the Empress will not be allowed to stay in the Shangqin Bureau."
All the palace staff in the Imperial Bedchamber were on high alert and responded in unison.
Gan Cao and the others were also taken aback and quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Your future depends entirely on His Majesty and the Empress. I need not say more; you ladies know this yourselves." Liu Shangqin spoke more politely to the half-master, half-servant Siqin.
With the precedent of licorice being punished and willow branches learning the rules, no one dared to act recklessly.
After Liu Shangqin saw that everything was in order, he led everyone to Changning Palace.
Jiaotai Hall was the emperor and empress's private quarters, while Changning Palace was the permanent residence of emperors and empresses throughout history.
They walked in silence until they reached the square in front of Changning Palace. The Shanggong Bureau and Shangyi Bureau were already there. Both sides were completely silent. The officials nodded to each other in greeting and then waited quietly with their men.
Soon after, the Imperial Food Bureau, the Imperial Clothing Bureau, and the Imperial Works Bureau also arrived.
At this time, the sky was gradually brightening.
A male official came out from inside Changning Palace and announced, "The Empress has arrived!"
Liu Shang led all the palace servants to kneel down.
The white marble floor tiles in the early morning still carried the chill of the night, seeping through the palace attire and into the knees.
How spoiled!
Gan Cao cursed himself in his heart, but his body remained completely still.
Half an hour later, the empress, dressed in her finest attire, slowly emerged, supported by a palace attendant.
"The captive pays his respects to Your Majesty and Empress, may Your Majesty live a thousand years..." Everyone bowed and kowtowed in unison.
After the six bows, the square gradually quieted down, and the Empress then spoke: "I am of meager virtue, but I am fortunate to have gained His Majesty's trust and become the mistress of the harem. From now on, I will devote myself to the affairs of the harem. You are all senior members of the harem, and I hope you will do your best to assist me."
His voice wasn't loud, but the unique design of the square and the icy, serene atmosphere around it ensured that all the palace staff could clearly hear his decree.
His words were humble and sincere, yet also possessed the dignity of an empress, which made the already respectful palace servants even more submissive.
The crowd bowed and kowtowed once more.
"Rise, no need for formalities!" The master of ceremonies beside the Empress then spoke.
It was windy outside, so Shen Mingyue didn't linger. After making sure all the palace servants recognized him as their master, he entered the inner palace.
Liu Shang was also taken in with him.
As the head of the harem, he naturally had to manage palace affairs. Although he had received guidance from the Empress Dowager when he first entered the palace, he still needed to understand things personally.
Liu Shang dared not be perfunctory and reported on the matters under his jurisdiction one by one.
The Empress had some questions in her mind, but she kept them to herself and didn't ask them directly until Liu Shangqin reported to the other palace attendants, at which point she raised her hand to interrupt him temporarily.
"They were all palace servants who had served His Majesty, weren't they?" he asked softly.
Liu Shangqin felt a slight tension in his heart, but replied calmly, "It was all thanks to His Majesty's guidance that the palace men were promoted to Siqin according to palace rules for their merits."
"To have the honor of serving His Majesty, these palace attendants must all be men of excellent character and appearance. Bring them in so I can have a look," Shen Mingyue instructed the palace servant beside her.
Without the Queen's order, Gan Cao naturally stood solemnly outside the palace, waiting, just like the other palace maids.
After about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, a palace servant came out and announced: "The Empress requests all attendants to enter the palace."
They specifically hired a few of them to oversee the quarters?!
The group exchanged glances, their hearts pounding.
When summoned by their master, they dared not delay and bowed their heads, following the palace servants as they walked in step by step.
Since ancient times, it has been rare for a principal husband to favor concubines or mistresses. This empress had a reputation for virtue even when she was still in her boudoir, and they hoped that she would be one of the rare exceptions.
Once inside the hall, none of them dared to raise their heads; they could only kneel and bow in the most respectful manner.
Shen Mingyue's heart clenched at the sight of the five kneeling men.
He had long known that those who could stand out from thousands of palace men and be selected to serve the emperor must have some special skills, but their physiques still made him a little envious: their bodies should be able to withstand the emperor's favor, right?
Fortunately, they were all just bedchamber attendants, so even if they received some favor from their cousin, it wouldn't be a big deal: "Raise your heads and let me see you."
Gan Cao raised her head as ordered, but her eyes and brows remained lowered.
"You gentlemen have worked hard serving His Majesty," Shen Mingyue praised, then added, "You deserve a reward for your service. Each of you will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver and ten bolts of brocade."
The palace attendants were overjoyed and their voices were filled with excitement as they expressed their gratitude: "Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty!"
It's just a small favor, yet they're so grateful. So, we don't need to take it too seriously. We should focus on His Majesty and palace affairs.
Shen Mingyue made her judgment and waved for them to leave.
As they left Changning Palace, the group relaxed a little.
With a virtuous and generous ruler and empress, their lives were much easier.
Another quarter of an hour passed before Liu Shang finished his report.
Shen Mingyue intended to take a closer look at the account books and rosters they had submitted, so she didn't linger. She gave them a reward and then sent them away.
After leaving the main hall, they departed with Ben Shang's palace servants.
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