When Consort Gao arrived in the Imperial Garden, Mingyu and Consort An were already there. Consort Gao bowed to Mingyu and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Mingyu waved her hand to signal Consort Gao to stand up, then pointed to a seat next to her and told her to sit down.
Consort Gao slowly walked to Mingyu's side and sat down. Then she said to Mingyu, "Your Majesty, I heard that the girls selected for this year's imperial concubine selection are all very beautiful. The descendants of our ancestor have also come."
Hearing this, Mingyu smiled and nodded, "Then I'll have to take a good look."
Upon hearing Mingyu's words, Consort Gao and Consort An covered their mouths and smiled.
After a while, Consort Gao saw that Xueying had not yet arrived, so she mocked Mingyu, "This Consort Xian has quite the airs; she hasn't come yet."
Upon hearing Consort Gao's words, Consort An, who was standing nearby, said, "Consort Xian said she was feeling unwell and therefore will not be coming."
Xueying was focused on recuperating, so she declined to go to the Imperial Garden, citing her discomfort.
As soon as Consort An finished speaking, Consort Gao snorted and said disdainfully, "Consort Xian's body is indeed precious."
Upon hearing Consort Gao's sarcastic remarks, Consort An and Mingyu simply smiled and remained silent.
On the other side, the selection process also began, and a large number of palace maids followed.
Two palace maids walked at the end of the procession. Both were pretty and equally beautiful. The one on the left was named Wei Jiayingwan, and the one on the right was named Suoluo Liqing. They were both from poor families and could only participate in the palace maid selection because of their humble origins.
These imperial concubines were to be selected from the Eight Banners. Wei Jiayingwan and Suoluo Liqing were of low status and naturally could not pass the Ministry of Revenue's selection process.
After entering the palace, the maids were assigned to various palaces by the nannies and eunuchs. If they were lucky enough to be assigned to serve the emperor, they might have a chance to gain his favor and become a concubine in the harem. Even a lowly concubine was better off than a maid serving others.
Therefore, many palace maids would slip silver to the nannies and eunuchs in hopes of getting a good job. However, Suoluo Liqing and Wei Jiayingwan were struggling to make ends meet, so they naturally didn't have any extra silver to bribe.
At this moment, the palace maids who had entered the palace stood in a row, waiting for the matrons to assign them their future destinations.
"Those whose names are called, come out."
"Yes..." everyone replied in unison.
"Wei Jiaying, Wan, and Suoluo Liqing, you two will be on duty in the four warehouses."
Upon hearing the words "Four Treasurys," Wei Jiaying, Wan, and Suoluo Liqing felt a pang of bitterness, because they had not bribed the eunuchs and maids, and thus had been assigned to work in the Four Treasurys.
The emperor's crown, robes, belt, and shoes were managed by the Four Treasurys of the Imperial Household Department, who were responsible for his attire at all times. This might sound like a good job, but it was actually a lowly position with little reward and little chance of advancement. Many palace maids and eunuchs who made mistakes were punished by being sent here.
But there was nothing they could do; they exchanged a glance and both saw the bitterness in each other's eyes. Then, carrying their bundles, they followed the guiding matron to the Fourth Treasury.
These two young palace maids were new to the place and were naturally bullied by the eunuchs and maids here. One of the maids pointed at Wei Jiaying and ordered, "Today you must arrange the Emperor's crown, robes, belt and shoes properly. If there is any mistake, you will not be allowed to eat."
Wei Jiaying dared not disobey, after all, it was best not to cause trouble since she was new here.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
