Concubine Zhuang
It was in the fourth year of Yongping that Cui's daughter entered the palace and was named Concubine Zhuang of Qixiang Palace.
At that time, Concubine Wan was the most favored among the six harems. On the second day after Concubine Zhuang entered the palace, when everyone gathered in Kunning Palace to pay their respects to Empress Li, Concubine Wan arrived late.
"I'm so sorry, Concubine Zhuang. I waited on the Emperor until midnight last night and I almost couldn't get up today."
Looking at Concubine Wan's pretended embarrassed smile and her words being so blunt, everyone knew that she was showing off.
The others looked at each other, just watching the show.
Last night was supposed to be the night for Concubine Zhuang to attend the emperor's bed. Although Concubine Zhuang was young, Emperor Yongping went to Qixiang Palace to sit for a while during dinner. After that, Emperor Yongping was summoned to Zhongcui Palace.
Even if she can't sleep with him, she can at least stay overnight. What Concubine Wan did is no different from blatantly stealing someone.
But there's a reason why Concubine Zhuang earned this title. She was so dignified and serious at such a young age, her expression changing without a single word from Concubine Wan. It was obvious that Cui had specifically trained her to be this way. With a faint smile, Concubine Zhuang said, "I'm still young, and regret that I can't serve the Emperor. Concubine Wan has pleased the Emperor, and I'm grateful to you."
Concubine Wan's face darkened, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Madam Zhuang, you're joking. Serving the Emperor is the duty of the concubines. How can I possibly deserve your thanks?"
Concubine Zhuang remained unmoved. "The concubines' duties extend beyond this. The Empress is the ruler of the Central Palace, and we concubines should respect her. Isn't that right, Concubine Wan?"
Concubine Wan: "...Yes."
Concubine Zhuang smiled faintly: "Even if I am late in serving the Emperor, I cannot be late in paying my respects to the Empress. Fortunately, the Empress is so lenient that she didn't make a fuss. But I still should apologize to the Empress, right?"
Oh no.
Li Qingping paused the round fan in his hand, changed to a more comfortable sitting position, and exchanged an interesting look with Concubine Ke next to him.
This Concubine Zhuang is quite a character.
There was no way Concubine Wan would refuse. With so many concubines present, if she dared to say no, she would be finished if the reputation of disrespecting the Empress Dowager got out.
Empress Li accepted Concubine Wan's apology with a gentle smile, then said to Concubine Zhuang, "Concubine Wan did indeed work hard last night. Concubine Zhuang, you are a good person, and I will remember this."
Isn't this just saying that I'm not good enough? Concubine Wan's eyes were filled with anger, and she sat down with a sullen smile.
Concubine Rong, Noble Lady Qi, Noble Lady Le and others were extremely happy and laughed like crazy in their hearts.
For the past couple of years, they've been at odds with Concubine Wan, yet they've been unable to do anything about her. Concubine Wan is favored, has a son, and knows how to act in front of Emperor Yongping, so he turns a blind eye to anything that doesn't cross his line. Regardless, Empress Li, for the sake of security, won't confront him, so Concubine Wan's affairs are usually left alone unless she's brought to their attention. The other concubines either sit back and watch, or avoid her, and Concubine Wan's arrogance is only growing.
Now that Concubine Zhuang has arrived, it will be a good show to watch.
Before Cui's daughter entered the palace, everyone thought she was young and easy to bully, but she turned out to be quite the pushover. Now it seems that Concubine Zhuang was probably someone Cui had specifically chosen to send into the palace.
Zhuangpin was indeed a good person. After paying her respects, she stayed in Kunning Palace to chat for a while, and then went to pay her respects to the heads of each palace in turn, bringing gifts.
It was almost noon when they arrived at Yonghe Palace, so Li Qingping invited Concubine Zhuang to have lunch with him.
Concubine Zhuang was indeed young, with a chubby face. Upon asking, I learned that she was born in the 28th year of Xianshun, and had just reached the age of marriage.
Li Qingping's expression suddenly became a little strange.
This was two years younger than Li Qingping's Yuxi. Although he knew this was inevitable, Emperor Yongping was almost old enough to be Concubine Zhuang's grandfather. If a good girl didn't enter the palace and went outside, she would still have the noble status of a concubine.
Seeing her expression, Concubine Zhuang smiled and said, "Your Highness, Concubine Ding, there's no need to be so. Ever since I knew I was going to enter the palace, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I have nothing to say about being able to share the burdens of His Majesty and the family."
Li Qingping sighed, "You see things clearly."
Li Qingping was gentle towards the little girl, and they had lunch together in a harmonious atmosphere.
Knowing that Zhuangpin was about to go to Jiapin's Xianfu Palace, Li Qingping reminded her, "Jiapin is used to resting for half an hour after lunch. If you go there now, Xianfu Palace won't be seeing guests either."
Zhuangpin naturally thanked Li Qingping for his kindness, and after leaving Yonghe Palace, she returned to Qixiang Palace with her maid. She waited until it was almost time to go to Xianfu Palace to pay her respects to Jiapin. She then made the most of her time to visit Anpin, Jingpin, and Rongpin.
When she returned to Qixiang Palace at dusk, Concubine Zhuang was exhausted physically, but still in good spirits.
Concubine Zhuang reflected on today's gains and smiled. "The ladies in the main seats are all relatively easy to get along with. With the exception of Concubine Rong, they're all elderly women who came from the Qiandi Residence. Their children have all grown up and no longer compete for favor. Currently, only the ones below them are vying for favor. It seems my mother's information is accurate."
The palace maids were all assigned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Concubine Zhuang had already asked them to go out and wait. At this time, there was only Nanny Wu by her side.
When the palace allowed Concubine Zhuang to have a personal attendant, she chose her own wet nurse, Wu. She was too young, and even if she was more respectable, she wasn't up to the task. There were things that Concubine Zhuang couldn't handle, so she needed an experienced wet nurse.
Cui sent Concubine Zhuang into the palace not expecting this girl to be favored, but just to maintain the hub of the relationship between the imperial power and the aristocratic families. For Cui's sake, Concubine Zhuang would not be neglected.
Concubine Zhuang wasn't the most beautiful woman to capture a man's attention. She had several sisters with stunning looks and figures, and they couldn't even compare to her. But there were already Concubine Rong and Concubine Wan in the palace, and Concubine Ke and Concubine Yi were also stunning in their youth. Emperor Yongping had seen so many beauties before, and Cui's beauties might not catch his eye.
Concubine Zhuang was able to enter the palace because she was intelligent and thoughtful. If beauty didn't work, she had to find another way. Rather than relying on her beauty to serve men and rely on the emperor's favor, it would be better to rely on her brains to firmly maintain Cui's position in the harem.
Before entering the palace, the elders in my family had warned me not to be hostile to the concubines in the main position. They had a special bond with Emperor Yongping, and their children, the princes and princesses, were gradually growing up. They were not something a newcomer could easily pry into. But I shouldn't try to curry favor with them either. As a fellow concubine, Concubine Zhuang had the Cui family as her backing, and being too servile would be a laughingstock. Just be neither too close nor too distant.
But as for other concubines of lower rank, Concubine Zhuang can do whatever she wants.
Grandmother Cui had also told Concubine Zhuang that it was possible that during the third grand promotion, two of the concubines would be promoted to Imperial Concubine. At that time, at least two of the five concubines, Ding, Jia, An, and Rong, would be promoted. Concubine Ding's promotion was inevitable, and of the remaining four, Concubine An, who had a son by her side, was the most likely. If Concubine Rong managed to get pregnant and give birth before then, she might even be promoted to Concubine Rong.
"By then, the position of concubine will be vacant. If Concubine Wan hasn't fallen by then, she will definitely have a share of the position. When Concubine Ding is promoted to Concubine, who will be the first concubine? In terms of seniority, it will be Concubine Jia. In terms of favor, it will be Concubine Wan, who was promoted to a concubine. In terms of family background, it will definitely be our Cui family's daughter."
Cui's minimum requirement for Concubine Zhuang was to secure the newly conferred position of concubine, or at least not to be ranked last.
Nanny Wu said, "After all, those below you are not as noble as you, and they can't cause any trouble."
Concubine Zhuang frowned and said, "Other people are fine. But Concubine Wan is probably a big trouble. She dared to provoke me like this right after I entered the palace. I'm afraid there will be constant friction between us in the future."
"Noble Lady Wan is enjoying the allotment of a concubine and has given birth to eleven princes. She's already considered the position of concubine a year ago. I'm afraid she's already seen you as a thorn in her side since you entered the palace!" Nanny Wu sneered, "But fortunately, there are still Concubine Rong and others to deal with her. Since you haven't even started serving the emperor yet, Noble Lady Wan can only resort to some minor tactics."
Although Concubine Zhuang is young, she is no pushover. "Does she consider me a thorn in her side? Is she worthy? If she keeps to herself, it'll be fine. But if she really irritates me, I'll make sure she's slammed down from her position as my favorite concubine."
No one in the palace dared to look down on the new Concubine Zhuang.
This concubine, skilled in calligraphy and tea-making, was able to please the Emperor and Empress, maintain good relations with the various palace mistresses, treat the lower-ranking concubines with kindness, and even refrained from scolding or beating the servants. She was also generous with her rewards during festivals. In short, Concubine Zhuang was a natural at handling human relationships.
Apart from Empress Li, the person with the best reputation in the palace is probably Concubine Zhuang.
"The Cui family has sent in an extraordinary girl."
A few days after the winter solstice, Li Qingping and Concubine Ke gathered in Kunning Palace with Empress Li to knit lace. As they worked, they chatted about palace affairs, and it was not uncommon for the conversation to turn to Concubine Zhuang.
Empress Li sighed, "Although both are daughters of aristocratic families, Concubine Rong is still far inferior to Concubine Zhuang."
Concubine Ke scoffed, "The little girl only knows how to build up her reputation, but she doesn't know how to bring more soup to the emperor. She is only mediocre in favor. Even if she has a reputation, she will still be overshadowed by Concubine Rong and Concubine Wan."
"Noble Lady Wan is pregnant again. Concubine Rong has been so anxious lately that she's developed blisters at the corners of her mouth. She's been guzzling pregnancy-enhancing medication like crazy." Li Qingping, however, had a different opinion from Concubine Ke: "You're just tying yourself up in knots. It's better to be like Concubine Zhuang, managing yourselves and living a more comfortable life."
Queen Li said indifferently, "She chose her own path, why do you care how she walks?"
Concubine Ke chuckled and said, "Everyone has their own opinions. I won't argue with my sister."
Empress Li changed the subject and said, "Yu Zan will be married around Double Ninth Festival, and Ping'an will arrive next year. Although I have instructed not to force children, I am still worried about Ping'an's health even if we can have sex. I want to send an imperial physician who is good at regulating her health to the princess's residence..."
The old doctor who had been in charge of Ping An's pulse case retired last year. Empress Li had no reason to continue to have someone guarding the princess's residence since he was already over eighty years old.
Concubine Ke joked, "If Ping'an heard this, he would be so embarrassed that he would die."
"That has to be faced. I've even told Ping An about what happened in bed privately." Empress Li said frankly, "Do you remember your face getting so red the next day after your first time sleeping with me?"
Concubine Ke: "...Oh, oh, I won't say anymore."
Li Qingping and Queen Li were both laughing.
It was Concubine Ke herself who decided whether to say it or not, and it was she who turned around and asked Li Qingping: "Will you discuss these things with Yuxi?" After all, after Ping'an got married, it was Yuxi's turn.
Li Qingping smiled and nodded, saying, "I've said that twice. I've also told Yujin that."
Concubine Ke touched her chest and said, "Hey, at that time, I only told Yulang that there was a small booklet hidden in the bottom of the box..."
Li Qingping winked at Concubine Ke and smiled, "Although there are special maids in the palace to teach these things, it's different after all when a mother imparts her experience."
Concubine Ke blushed slightly: "Oh, you old bastards."
Queen Li laughed out loud: "You're still shy at this age?"
"This matter in the bedroom...oh my!"
"Hahaha."
The Li sisters were chatting and laughing happily when Huixin came in hurriedly to report, "Your Majesty, Concubine Wan and Concubine Qi just had an argument in the palace. Concubine Qi accidentally fell and is bleeding!"
"What?!"
"Who saw red?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
