Chapter 393 Yixiu 71
In the following month, the emperor showed great pity for Concubine Ke. Even though she had a miscarriage and could not sleep with him, he still often went to her palace to accompany her. He even promoted Concubine Ke after she finished her period, and showed her even more favor than before.
But Concubine Ke lived up to the title bestowed by the emperor. She always abided by her duties and was not arrogant at all even though she was favored by the emperor. Instead, she was loved by the empress dowager.
Seeing her growing power, even the favored Concubine Hua at that time could not match her, not to mention the current Concubine Zhen. Finally, in early March, on a moonlit night with a clear wind, the emperor met Concubine Wu when he went to the Yanx Palace to visit Concubine Zhen. No one knew the details, but it was known that the next night, the only newcomer who had entered the palace for more than half a year was finally granted the title of serving the emperor in the bedchamber, and transformed into Concubine Wu.
Seeing this, Yixiu took the opportunity to bring up the matter of the selection of concubines to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager was very pleased with her virtuous behavior and agreed immediately. The Emperor had been less busy with government affairs recently, so he agreed as if it was not necessary.
After getting the promise, Yixiu immediately called her old team and also drafted Concubine Xin, who had just finished her confinement, to start preparing for the selection.
First, the Ministry of Households notified everyone to register all eligible beauties. Then, the beauties were divided into groups and boarded carriages to enter the palace. When they arrived outside the palace gate, they were selected by eunuchs and maids for a preliminary selection.
After going through so many rounds, it was already early April when the final palace selection came.
The Emperor sat in the Tiyuan Hall, with the Empress Dowager and the Empress sitting on either side. Yixiu, like the sole interviewer, waited for the two senior leaders to nod before giving her orders.
The beauties were separated into groups of five according to their origins, Manchu, Mongolian and Han, and arranged in order of age, with the youngest in front and the oldest at the back.
The rounds of selection went on, and it was truly dizzying. The Empress Dowager and Yixiu each kept one from the Han army banner, but the Emperor, who was at the top, didn't even bother to open his mouth and simply asked, "Vulgar and vulgar women, so unbearable."
When they reached the last row, the three already somewhat exhausted people's eyes lit up. Yixiu immediately noticed the girl in the middle. It was because she stood out from the crowd.
After the eunuch called out her name, even the emperor finally spoke and asked her to come forward.
Yixiu heard the name again, Shang Yuzhen, the daughter of the Shang family of the Han army's Bordered Blue Banner. The emperor was recently preparing to promote the Han army's meritorious descendants, and this girl was really considered to be the best in terms of both status and appearance.
As expected, the emperor finally used up his precious first choice. After that, whether he was impatient or the quality of the subsequent candidates was indeed good, he suddenly selected four more Manchu military flags and symbolically selected a Mongolian military flag beauty. Everyone knew that the last one would only be able to enter the palace as a mascot.
Next, Yixiu had to plan the positions and palaces of the concubines entering the palace this time. When everything was ready, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory calculated that April 16 was an auspicious day, and set the day for the concubines to enter the palace.
Unfortunately, this job is like a bowl of vermicelli noodles. No matter how many bites you take, it remains the same, as if you have never eaten any at all.
After selecting the beauties, it was the Empress Dowager's birthday. Although it was not a full birthday, she couldn't fool around with it. Then there was the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of May, which she couldn't avoid. Even with helpers, she was still very busy.
By the time they realized what was happening, the newlyweds had already been in the palace for over a month, and the emperor was planning to take everyone to the Old Summer Palace to escape the summer heat.
Yixiu, however, did not go. Firstly, she was the empress, and her daily ice was free to use without question. Secondly, although the Old Summer Palace was large, she had already enjoyed it for two lifetimes.
What's more, she was going there as the queen, so it was obvious that she would have to work there. That place was bigger and more likely to have accidents, so why should she get into trouble? Staying in the Forbidden City would not affect her eating melons, so after the emperor asked, she declined and only asked the emperor to send the empress dowager, concubines and newlyweds to the Old Summer Palace for summer vacation.
After seeing the emperor off, Yixiu lay on the chaise longue and felt a sense of relief.
[Working really ages people, especially mentally.]
Yixiu sighed and did nothing. She slept for a whole day and still felt unsatisfied when she woke up.
"Is your Majesty awake? Empress Xin and Concubine Hua are outside asking to see you."
Jianqiu spoke softly, reaching out to help Jianqiu up. She soaked a handkerchief in the basin held by the maid behind her, wrung it half dry, and handed it to her. Yixiu wiped her face as she stood up. "Why didn't you wake me? It's not good to keep them waiting."
"The two ladies have just arrived. I have already invited them to the west warm pavilion to sit for a while. I was just about to call you when you woke up."
Yixiu nodded, sat in front of the mirror and let Jianqiu wrap her hair. She didn't dress up deliberately, still looking casual, and asked someone to invite them in.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen."
"Get up, why are you looking for me now? What's the matter?"
Concubine Xin glanced at Concubine Hua and saw that she had gentle features and a soft temperament. Although bright and beautiful, she was not aggressive, unlike her cousin, who was a first-rate figure. She smiled back and then said to the Empress, "I saw the Emperor off today. I came back and forgot myself and slept for a while. I just remembered that the Empress's birth is next month. I wonder what the rules are here?"
"The Emperor originally wanted to take me to the Old Summer Palace for a lively day, but I declined. Since it's not a birthday celebration, there's really no need for that. Instead, we sisters who remain in the palace could come to my palace for a banquet that day, just to have some fun twice."
Yixiu smiled and replied, then looked at Huapin, her tone more gentle: "You are still pregnant, and the weather is getting hotter. If it is not something urgent, just send someone to tell me. Come here before the sun comes, and be careful of the heat."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm relieved now and won't rush out in the sun again. I originally came out today because the sun was about to set, and I wandered around slowly, so I came here to ask for a cup of tea."
Yixiu and Xin Fei both laughed. Yixiu hurriedly asked someone to serve rose tea: "I'm afraid I have more tea here. I remember you praised my rose tea before. How about asking them to serve you this?"
"It seems the tea here is really good, Your Majesty. Sister Huapin came all the way from the east to ask for a glass of water from you."
Yixiu smiled and shook her head: "It's just an ordinary rose tea, how can it be so good? If we really want to talk about preciousness, it's naturally the Rain-front Longjing."
Concubine Xin started to flatter: "Of course, Your Majesty, this is specially given by the Emperor. We can't drink it normally."
Yixiu smiled at Huapin: "Yes, after all, only the things bestowed by the Emperor can be called precious."
The three of them chatted and laughed for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, Concubine Xin hurriedly stood up and said goodbye. Concubine Hua beside her also followed her away. From beginning to end, it seemed as if she really came to ask for a glass of water.
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