Chapter 7
Qi Yu obtained the power of the palace a month later.
During this time, she left the palace twice, buying snacks for Aunt Jinrong, jewelry and flowers for Peijiu, and even purchasing a small house outside the palace as a place to stay in case of an emergency.
She also carefully reviewed the account books of Zhaoyang Palace and found no major problems.
She had also been keeping an eye on the palace servants with problems in Zhaoyang Palace, so soon after gaining control of the palace, she eliminated all the spies from Zhaoyang Palace.
Because this was Qi Yu's first time handling palace affairs, Wu Shiyan specially sent a nanny who was familiar with palace matters.
Under the guidance of the nanny, Qi Yu quickly got the hang of it.
She learns things quickly and seems to have a talent for everything.
Immediately afterwards, she faced her first test: successfully organizing Wu Shiyan's birthday banquet.
Wu Shiyan's birthday is in early May, but in previous years there has been no celebration on this day, except this year.
Naturally, this was also the first time that Qi Yu, as a favored concubine, appeared before the officials.
With less than ten days until her birthday, Qi Yu devoted all her attention to the matter, and the threshold of Zhaoyang Palace was almost worn down by the female officials who came to report to her.
From the smallest details of the meal preparation process to the biggest decisions regarding seating arrangements and song and dance performances, everything required her approval.
Qi Yu wished she could split herself into two people, and she also got a sense of how wicked Wu Shiyan was.
He completely acted like he was the boss, making her do whatever he wanted.
Fortunately, before she transmigrated, Qi Yu had not yet stepped into the treacherous society and was still an energetic little sponge. Even after a long day, she would still smile when she opened her eyes and saw Aunt Jinrong.
I still feel that the sun is shining brightly, the air is fresh, the palace maids are considerate and beautiful, and life is interesting.
Time flies, and soon it was Wu Shiyan's birthday.
In the morning, officials paid homage and presented congratulatory memorials and birthday gifts.
Wu Shiyan, dressed in a deep robe and with colorful jade beads hanging in front of his crown, sat upright in the court, exuding an imposing and dignified aura.
...
The birthday banquet began at noon and was held in the front hall of Weiyang Palace. Qi Yu attended the banquet along with Wu Shiyan.
As soon as she stepped into the hall, several pairs of eyes fell on her.
All the people knew was that the Emperor had only met Consort Yu once before promising to make her a Consort, but the imperial decree actually promoted her to Imperial Noble Consort.
Consort Yu had been in the palace for over a month, and His Majesty, who never went to the inner palace, frequently visited Zhaoyang Palace. It was also rumored that Consort Yu came from the countryside and was not highly educated, but not long ago His Majesty handed over all the power in the palace to Consort Yu.
Now they're even using a birthday banquet to give the Imperial Concubine face, how could they not be curious about this Imperial Concubine?
Like Wu Shiyan, Qi Yu wore a dark red robe with a large seven-tailed phoenix pattern embroidered on the back. She wore a golden sparrow hairpin and translucent deep blue glass earrings, the color of the sea adding to her mysterious aura.
Her waist was slender, which was made even more obvious by the waist belt, and she also wore two white jade pendants around her waist, which were particularly eye-catching.
However, what left the first impression on everyone was the noble aura that Qi Yu had cultivated throughout her body. She smiled slightly, with a faint disdain in her eyes, making people dare not look directly at her.
Everyone glanced at it and quickly looked away.
However, some people couldn't help but wonder why the Imperial Concubine seemed so similar to Madam Pei.
Amidst shouts of "Long live the Emperor!", Wu Shiyan ascended to the high position, with Qi Yulu sitting on his right and the Empress Dowager on his left.
Wu Shiyan said, "Rise. Today is my birthday, and I should share it with all of you."
As soon as these words were spoken, ministers began to stand up and offer their congratulations to Wu Shiyan, chanting things like "May your life be long and your great undertakings prosper forever." The voices in the hall rose and fell, resounding and powerful.
Qi Yu's gaze fell on the military generals. Among Wu Shiyan's officials, military generals made up the majority. Compared to the civil officials' eloquent and verbose presentations, the military generals were much more direct, though it was clear that they had racked their brains to come up with their ideas.
Some military officers, seeing that others had already read the congratulatory message, simply wished Wu Shiyan a long life.
After a while, the noise gradually subsided, and the music, singing, and dancing began, officially starting the banquet.
Qi Yu drank a glass of wine.
A subtle gaze fell upon her after she sat down, and even after exchanging pleasantries with others and withdrawing her gaze, it quickly returned.
Qi Yu is very sensitive to the gazes of others; she can't ignore them even if she wants to.
The woman was seated very close to the front among the women, and she was unusually young, standing out from the other noblewomen.
Qi Yu lifted her eyelids and glanced back seemingly casually.
As expected, her gaze met Zhao Wanyi's.
The person watching her the whole time was none other than Zhao Wanyi.
Qi Yu had anticipated any possible look from Zhao Wanyi, whether it was displeasure, surprise, or a hint of fear.
But Zhao Wanyi didn't. She looked at her earnestly, her face filled with sorrow.
Today, they are not entirely alike. Qi Yu is a Noble Consort, so she naturally dresses in a grand and noble manner, while Zhao Wanyi is a lady of a subject, so her clothing and makeup are gentle and virtuous.
Therefore, under Qi Yu's cold gaze, Zhao Wanyi seemed like a pitiful little thing.
Qi Yu drank another glass of wine, her mind clear. She felt she had to see Zhao Wanyi.
In a novel, a stand-in can ultimately emerge unscathed and wealthy; setting aside all external factors, the female protagonist's attitude must be friendly.
However, in Qi Yu's script, she doesn't even have much interaction with Zhao Wanyi.
The moment Zhao Wanyi met Qi Yu's gaze, she lowered her head, a faint smile flashing across her face.
Yuelu asked, "Miss, why do I feel that you seem a little distracted?"
Zhao Wanyi said gently, "You've mistaken me for someone else."
Yuelu couldn't help but doubt herself, but after a moment she smiled and felt that the girl was much happier today.
I don't know how to describe it, so let me put it this way: even when she's with her loving husband, the girl rarely has a happy moment...
Qi Yu wanted to see Zhao Wanyi, but because of Zhao Wanyi's special place in Wu Shiyan's heart, her intuition told her that she could not tell Wu Shiyan directly.
She never intended to get involved in their relationship, so she naturally avoided getting involved if possible.
Wu Shiyan is her boss and a wealthy man who will give her a large sum of money in the future, which is why she inevitably has to come into contact with him.
But Zhao Wanyi...
The banquet would last a long time, so Qi Yu took Pei Jiu out of the palace to relax.
There was a bamboo grove around the palace, lush and green, and very cool. She led Pei Jiu into it.
At a narrow intersection, Qi Yu looked up and saw someone she didn't expect: Zhao Wanyi and her maid, Yuelu.
Qi Yu was caught in a dilemma. Before she could say anything, Zhao Wanyi greeted her.
"This humble woman greets Your Highness Consort Yu, may Your Highness live a thousand years..."
Without hesitation, Qi Yu helped Zhao Wanyi up as soon as she squatted down: "...No need for formalities."
She is living a comfortable life now and won't lose her mind to make things difficult for the original female lead.
Yuelu obediently performed all the proper courtesies, staying by her mistress's side, already accustomed to the respectful and lenient attitude of the palace staff towards her.
As she got up and walked to Zhao Wanyi's side, she glanced ahead subconsciously before suddenly freezing in shock.
Just now, she was a maid in the palace, so she naturally couldn't look directly at the noble lady. Now, at such a close distance, Yuelu was able to see the famous Consort Gui in the capital clearly.
She looked at her own daughter again; anyone would think the two were sisters!
It's so similar that even though Yuelu has served Zhao Wanyi since she was a child, she would be confused at this moment, wondering if the master and madam had given birth to twins back then, but only lost one and said they were an only daughter.
But if that's the case, it's impossible that she, as a servant, wouldn't have heard a single word about it.
So the only explanation is that there are just two people in this world who are so alike.
Yuelu was astonished. When Peijiu saw this lady who looked so much like her mistress, her heart was pounding in her chest.
She wasn't as naive as Yuelu. She recalled how smoothly her mistress had fared since entering the palace, and because she followed Aunt Jinrong, she knew a little bit about Aunt Jinrong's hidden worries.
So His Majesty actually prefers this lady?!
Pei Jiu's eyes immediately turned hostile, while Yue Lu was bewildered, her head down, her expression uncontrollable.
Qi Yu and Zhao Wanyi, on the other hand, were much more peaceful.
Qi Yu hadn't expected the opportunity to come so quickly, but she couldn't reveal too early that she already knew a great deal about Zhao Wanyi, so she could only pretend not to recognize her and ask, "You..."
Zhao Wanyi immediately replied, "My husband's surname is Pei, and my surname is Zhao."
Qi Yu smiled and said, "Madam Zhao."
Zhao Wanyi seemed quite pleased with the title, a smile playing on her lips: "It is such a fortunate coincidence that I have met Your Majesty here. How about I accompany Your Majesty for a stroll?"
Qi Yu looked at Zhao Wanyi and said hello.
It's confirmed; it was Zhao Wanyi who came specifically to find her.
Pei Jiu and Yue Lu followed behind them.
How old is Your Majesty this year?
"Double nine years old".
Zhao Wanyi: "I am a year older than Your Majesty. When I was young, I longed for a younger sister. Therefore, when I saw Your Majesty in the palace today, I couldn't help but want to get close to you. I apologize for my abruptness and hope Your Majesty will not take offense."
Qi Yu: "It's nothing. I've heard of Madam Zhao's name before. What I've heard most about is that Madam Zhao and Lord Pei are deeply in love. I imagine Madam Zhao and her husband have a very good relationship?"
Zhao Wanyi smiled but did not answer. Instead, she said with a hint of worry, "If I had met Your Majesty before Your Majesty entered the palace, I would not have been able to resist recognizing Your Majesty as my sworn sister."
These words sounded quite affectionate, but Zhao Wanyi didn't need to treat her like that.
Behind Zhao Wanyi are the Zhao family and the Pei family. Although the Zhao family is not at the center of political power, it is still an old and prestigious family, while the Pei family is valued by Wu Shiyan.
Even when facing a concubine of high rank, Zhao Wanyi didn't need to say anything special to please her.
Qi Yu asked, "Has Madam Zhao ever had a younger sister?"
Could it be that he transferred his feelings for his younger sister to her?
Zhao Wanyi gently shook her head: "My mother and father only have one child, me."
Qi Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
That's good.
Their similar appearances did not create any distance between them; on the contrary, they chatted back and forth, and anyone who saw this scene would think they had a good relationship.
But this was only their first real meeting.
Qi Yu blushed slightly because she had spied on Zhao Wanyi's whereabouts in the teahouse earlier.
Zhao Wanyi is a very, very good person. She is gentle and well-mannered, and her eyes always have a sincere smile on them.
Just as the two reached the end and were about to turn back, Pei Jin came looking for them.
His face was deathly pale, and he only gradually returned to normal as I approached.
A subtle glint flashed in Zhao Wanyi's eyes.
Pei Jin bowed deeply: "Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Noble Consort."
Qi Yu avoided his bow.
Pei Jin came to see Zhao Wanyi, and Qi Yu naturally had no reason to hold on to her. The two said goodbye with smiles, and Qi Yu watched Zhao Wanyi leave.
She turned to look at Pei Jiu, who looked unhappy and muttered, "Your Majesty."
After thinking for a moment, Qi Yu understood why she was acting this way and instructed, "There's no need to tell Aunt Jinrong about this."
Aunt Jinrong, knowing perfectly well what was going on in her heart, would surely worry about her.
Pei Jiu pursed her lips: "Yes."
His Majesty took the Empress at first sight because of that lady. Even though the Empress knew this, she still devoted herself to His Majesty and greeted that lady with a smile. She felt sorry for the Empress.
A note from the author:
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