"Old bastard! Even at this time, you still want to summon Li Zhaoyi to sleep with you."
Concubine Xue was very upset and paced back and forth in the bedroom.
The old guy she was referring to was naturally the emperor, Emperor Kaiyao.
The confidant whispered, "My lady, please keep your voice down. Be careful, there are ears on the other side of the wall."
Concubine Xue's face turned stern. "If anyone dares to spread a single word of what I said, I will kill all her clans."
After saying this, she paced back and forth in the bedroom in annoyance, appearing very irritable.
"I presented two beauties to this old man, but they both slept with me for one night and nothing happened after that. Conversely, even when Li Zhaoyi was pregnant, this old man didn't forget about her. He sent people to check on her every few days and showered her with all kinds of rewards. How could the beauties I presented to you be inferior to Li Zhaoyi?"
The confidant pondered for a moment and said, "I've heard that Li Zhaoyi is good at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and loves reading. Could it be because of this that Your Majesty treats her so differently?"
Moreover, Li Zhaoyi is pregnant again, and everyone inside and outside the palace says that this baby will definitely be a prince. "Your Majesty, having a son in his old age, naturally loves the whole family and dotes on Li Zhaoyi."
Concubine Xue frowned, "I've only been with him for one night, how can I tell if he has ink?"
The confidant said, "Perhaps during the question-and-answer session, I revealed my incompetent nature and earned His Majesty's dislike."
Imperial Concubine Xue thought for a moment. "According to what you said, I must prepare a beautiful and talented woman to present to Your Majesty. At this moment, where can I find a beautiful woman who is educated and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Are you asking me to choose someone from the Xue family?"
The confidant whispered, "Your Majesty, there's a ready-made candidate in Ganlu Palace. Although she's not proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, she spends all day reading, so she's a bit knowledgeable and has some literary talent. She's also incredibly beautiful, so she'll definitely be favored."
"Oh? There are people like this around me, how come I don't know?"
The confidant said, "In fact, she has already appeared before the Queen. She is one of the five people chosen by the Queen."
"Stop keeping me in suspense. Who is it?"
The confidant hurriedly said, "Jiang Yan! She first entered the palace as a clerk in the laundry department, and later became a maid in Ganlu Palace. She is honest and dutiful, loves reading, is well-versed in literature, and understands reason."
"Oh? Go call Jiang Yan over. I want to personally investigate and see if she is as good as you say."
"As you command."
…
Soon, Jiang Yan was taken to the bedroom.
She was feeling uneasy, not knowing why Concubine Xue called her over at this time.
Concubine Xue lay on the Arhat couch, "Are you Jiang Yan?"
"Your Majesty, this servant is Jiang Yan."
"I heard that you like reading and have some knowledge of writing. Is that true?"
"I only know a few words."
Concubine Xue smiled and asked, "Do you know how to play the piano, chess, calligraphy, or painting?"
Jiang Yan shook her head slightly. "I only know how to write. I don't have the chance to learn anything else."
"Write a few words and see."
The palace maids prepared the four treasures of the study and placed them on the desk.
Jiang Yan walked forward, thought for a moment, picked up the pen and wrote the six big words "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Wish You Good Health".
Over the past two years, she hadn't forgotten Gu Jiu's teachings. Whenever she had free time, she would read and practice calligraphy. If she didn't have ink, she would practice with water.
Six characters, fairly neat. After all, she had only been learning calligraphy for a short time, so her handwriting wasn't particularly good. But it was still far better than ninety-nine percent of the palace maids'.
The eunuchs in the palace had the opportunity to go to the inner study to read and practice calligraphy, and were trained from a young age.
If you are lucky, you can serve the emperor closely and become a regular attendant, a eunuch, or even a junior eunuch.
People like Fang Shaojian and Chen Jianzheng climbed up step by step from the inner study.
However, palace maids had no opportunity to read and write, especially those who came from poor families.
The ladies-in-waiting in the palace were not considered palace maids. Most of them were daughters of officials who entered the palace to gild their reputations and get married in the future. They were treated differently.
Jiang Yan is a real person. She climbed up step by step from the lowest level of palace maids. She can read and write, and her handwriting is quite neat, which is really rare.
With a charming face, Concubine Xue nodded with satisfaction.
However, this palace maid named Jiang Yan is indeed stronger than the others.
Concubine Xue asked again, "What books have you read?"
Jiang Yan suppressed her fear and listed a dozen book titles.
Hey!
Concubine Xue was surprised. "Have you read the Four Books and Five Classics?"
Jiang Yan nodded, "I can recite a few."
"Then recite it to me."
Jiang Yan chose the one she was most familiar with and recited it word for word in a clear voice.
By the time Concubine Xue heard half of what she had said, she had already completely accepted Jiang Yan.
She raised her hand and Jiang Yan stopped reciting.
Concubine Xue stared at her and said, "Read more books and practice calligraphy when you have time. I will arrange for you to serve His Majesty tomorrow."
Jiang Yan's face turned pale.
Concubine Xue narrowed her eyes immediately, "Why, you don't want to?"
"I'm willing!" Jiang Yan said with difficulty.
Concubine Xue laughed and said, "Okay, go down. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Jiang Yan bowed and retreated, feeling very flustered.
She wanted to find an opportunity to meet Zhou Miao, but Concubine Xue sent people to keep an eye on her, so she had no chance to go out.
Just a few days later, it was time to sleep with the emperor.
Jiang Yan was washed clean, changed into a light gauze dress, and sent to Xingqing Palace.
…
After that night, Jiang Yan was named Baolin.
The emperor summoned her to sleep with him for three consecutive days, and three days later, she was promoted to Jieyushi.
Concubine Xue was very pleased with this and specially ordered someone to prepare a side hall in Ganlu Palace for Jiang Yan to live in. She also arranged for palace maids to serve her.
At the same time, the emperor's rewards were sent to the side hall.
She has become the new star in the harem.
Ever since Jiang Yan came into the world, the emperor no longer summoned Li Zhaoyi to talk with him. He said he was worried that Li Zhaoyi would be tired. He even sent someone to remind Li Zhaoyi to take good care of her pregnancy.
Whenever the emperor had some free time, he would summon Jiang Yan to be his attendant.
Jiang Yan read books for the emperor and served him with writing materials. Sometimes she would also play the role of a student and listen to the emperor explain historical allusions and famous people.
Jiang Yan listened very carefully and also took care of Jiu's point of view.
I thought to myself, Gu Jiu's views are quite close to Tian Zi's. They are both naked realities.
When Jiangnan was serving Gu Jiu, Gu Jiu had praised her for being smart, studious, and hardworking. She was the teacher's favorite student.
Now that Jiang Yan has become the emperor's "student", she studies even harder, and the emperor is very satisfied.
This is better than Li Zhaoyi.
Li Zhaoyi enjoyed music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and possessed extraordinary talent. However, she disliked historical allusions and was unwilling to study them diligently. She preferred to spend her time on music, chess, calligraphy, and painting rather than reading and learning to read.
Jiang Yan made Tianzi regain the long-lost feeling of being a teacher, and he looked two years younger.
Because of this, his love for Jiang Yan increased.
A month later, Jiang Yan was promoted to Shuyi.
In just over a month, Jiang Yan's life changed dramatically from a penniless palace maid to Jiang Shuyi.
It seemed that her original goal of climbing up the social ladder had finally been achieved.
After being promoted to Shuyi, Jiang Yan had some power in her hands.
The purpose of Concubine Xue employing her was to suppress Li Zhaoyi.
Jiang Yan completed her task very well, so Concubine Xue did not interfere with her daily actions.
When Jiang Yan gained power, the first thing she did was to summon Zhou Miao.
Zhou Miao worked in the Imperial Kitchen and had the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor as his godfather. That was why he was able to transfer Jiang Yan from the Laundry Bureau to work in Ganlu Palace.
Zhou Miao came to a side hall of Ganlu Palace.
"I pay my respects to Jiang Shuyi."
"No need to be polite, stand up and talk."
"Empress Xie Shuyi."
Zhou Miao stood up and secretly winked at Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan found an excuse and sent away all the palace maids serving her.
Then Zhou Miao said with a smile: "Congratulations, in just one month, you have risen from an unknown palace maid to the position of Shuyi. It is not impossible for you to be crowned as a concubine and become the head of a palace in the future."
"Stop making fun of me." Jiang Yan waved Zhou Miao over to talk.
"Li Zhaoyi now sees me as a thorn in her side. I'm afraid she's about to take action. Please help me, what should I do?"
Zhou Miao stiffened his neck and said, "She is Zhaoyi, and you are Shuyi. You are both of the same rank, third rank. Why are you afraid of her?"
"She's pregnant with a dragon seed, and she has her family as a backer. How can I not be afraid? I don't have a family to back me up."
Zhou Miao asked, "Where are your family members? Didn't you ask His Majesty to reward them?"
"I've lost contact with my family for several years. I don't know whether they are dead or alive. Even if you want to reward me, you have to find my family first."
Zhou Miao frowned. "Your problem is difficult to solve. Why don't you go to Concubine Xue? She raised you single-handedly, and she would definitely not want you to suffer any loss. Tell her the truth about the situation, and she will definitely have a way to deal with Li Zhaoyi."
Jiang Yan snorted and breathed out through her nostrils.
"If the Imperial Concubine really had a way to deal with Li Zhaoyi, there would be no need to promote me and confront her."
Zhou Miao stared at Jiang Yan and asked quietly, "Have you changed your mind? Do you not want to be manipulated by Concubine Xue?"
Jiang Yan also lowered her voice, "Who wants to be manipulated by others for the rest of their lives? I have no choice now, I must rely on the Imperial Concubine. When I am more mature, I will cut off all ties with her."
Zhou Miao chuckled, "I knew you were a cruel and ruthless person who didn't care about our friendship."
"Bullshit! I also miss the old times, but it depends on what kind of old times it is."
Zhou Miao smiled and said, "Never mind, I just admire your cruel and ruthless temper.
In fact, it is the same inside this palace as outside. If you have money, you can eat all over the world, but if you don’t have money, you can’t even take a single step.
If you want to protect yourself and have people to use, you must have money.
You and Li Zhaoyi are equally favored. How can she deal with you? It’s still people.
She has connections and money, so she can set up some traps to frame you, and then have people slander and defame you in front of His Majesty, and then banish you to the cold palace.
Ultimately, Li Zhaoyi has both money and connections, and she's already a dominant force. "You two may be of the same rank, but in terms of power, you're not even as powerful as her little finger."
"You've said so much, what do you want to say?"
Zhou Miao said: "If you want to protect yourself and build your own network of influence, you must first have money."
Jiang Yan frowned. "How can I have money? His Majesty has given me many good things, but I can't take these good things outside the palace and sell them for money."
Zhou Miao said, "So you need a family in your family, so that they can use your influence to make money for you."
Jiang Yan said with a stern face, "Even if you find my family, you won't be able to get any money for a while. I should be thankful that I'm not being schemed against and dragged down by others."
Jiang Yan is very contemptuous of her own family, simply because she knows too well what kind of people her mother's family is.
With her influence, everyone in the family has risen to prominence. They absolutely need her to provide for their livelihood. If they were to rely on her family for money, it would take years of accumulation.
It was also for this reason that she did not rush to send anyone to look for her family.
Zhou Miao spread his hands, "If you don't have money, you really can't move an inch. If you don't have money, even rewarding people can only use the small items or jewelry given to you by His Majesty. It's more convenient to use real gold and silver."
After all, it was a gift from the emperor, and Jiang Yan couldn't openly give the gift to the palace maids as a reward, as that would be a taboo.
Jiang Yan bit her lip, looking embarrassed.
Zhou Miao gave her an idea, "Aren't you in contact with the wife of Prince Ning's mansion? Ask her for money."
Jiang Yan was stunned. "Asking a girl for money?"
"Don't call me Miss, call me Madam Zhao now."
Jiang Yan frowned, looking conflicted.
"Madam Zhao is the daughter-in-law of Prince Ning, and Prince Ning is the son of Concubine Shu. I was single-handedly promoted by Concubine Gui, which means I'm not on good terms with Concubine Shu. How could I possibly ask Madam Zhao for money? If Concubine Gui knew that Madam Zhao and I were involved, I don't know how much trouble would arise. Please don't harm me."
Zhou Miao said, "You don't have to go to Madam Zhao in person. I have the opportunity to leave the palace every month. If you write a letter, I will pass it to Madam Zhao for you."
Jiang Yan was skeptical, "Will Madam Zhao really give me money?"
Zhou Miao smiled mysteriously, "That depends on your position."
Jiang Yan's face was solemn.
She was the one who was promoted by Concubine Xue, and she should stand on the side of Concubine Xue and Prince Zhao.
In what position should she ask Madam Zhao for money?
Was she going to say spy?
Jiang Yan was conflicted and unable to make a decision.
Zhou Miao reminded her, "Li Zhaoyi is young and impatient. She will make a move on you sooner or later. You must make a decision sooner rather than later. The sooner you make the decision, the better your chances of success."
Jiang Yan frowned, "Let me think about it. Madam Zhao may not be rich."
"That depends on whether Madam Zhao is giving you money in her personal name or in the name of Prince Ning's Mansion."
“What difference does it make.”
"There's a huge difference. If Madam Zhao is giving you money in her personal capacity, it means she still cherishes our past friendship and isn't distancing herself from your current status. Furthermore, she's thinking for herself, not the palace. If she's giving you money in the name of the palace, then you have to be careful. Beware Prince Ning is using you as a spy."
Jiang Yan thought about it again and again, and finally made up her mind. She wrote a letter to Gu Jiu and asked Zhou Miao to take it out of the palace.
She instructed Zhou Miao, "Be sure to ask Madam Zhao what she thinks for me. If you're giving me money in the name of the palace, I can't accept it."
Zhou Miao nodded, "You can trust me to do the job. I will definitely not let you sell your life to Prince Ning's Mansion."
Zhou Miao left Ganlu Palace with the letter.
Jiang Yan's body softened and she fell into the chair, her back already soaked with sweat.
Having to make this important decision in such a short time, she was so nervous that her stomach cramped and she felt uncomfortable all over.
It took a long time to recover.
On the day off, Liu Zhao returned to the palace.
While Gu Jiu was sitting at the desk doing accounts, he sat by the bed, holding a book and reading quietly.
A cool autumn breeze blew in towards the desk.
Liu Zhao closed the window a little.
Neither of them spoke, but they had a tacit understanding.
There is a sweet atmosphere in the small study.
Gu Jiu finished her calculations and tossed the abacus aside. She was satisfied with last month's earnings.
The profits from the pearl flower shop, the medicine shop, the dowry shop, and the farm were all pretty good. Although the money was not much, at least they were all profitable and there was no loss.
Zhenbaozhai opened at the end of last month and had a successful start.
Recently, the daily turnover has been several thousand taels, which is very gratifying.
It turns out that there is money to be made in the luxury and high-profit industry.
The profits of cloth shops, sauce, vinegar, tea, pearl flower and medicine shops are simply weak compared to those of the luxury and high-profit industries.
She picked up a pen and wrote down the work schedule for the next month, preparing to have Bai Zhong take it out and hand it over to the owners of each shop.
By the time she finished her work, the sun had already set.
The maid brought a cup of tea, "Madam, take a rest."
Gu Jiu picked up the teacup. The temperature of the tea was just right. He let out a very comfortable sigh. It was so comfortable.
Liu Zhao closed the book and asked, "Do you still remember the maid you sent to the palace?"
Gu Jiu was stunned for a moment and sat up.
She had heard about Jiang Yan's miraculous experience of going from being penniless to becoming Empress Shuyi in just over a month.
She waved her hand and asked all the maids to retreat.
"Of course I remember. Now I have to call her Jiang Shuyi."
Liu Zhao's expression was cold, making it impossible to see what he was thinking.
He just asked, "Has she contacted you?"
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