In the side hall of Qianqing Palace, candles burned for half the night, only going out after midnight.
Early the next morning.
The Empress looked at the concubines with a smile and said, "Last night, His Majesty favored Nongyu, a third-class palace maid in my palace. His Majesty was very satisfied with Nongyu."
"This morning, His Majesty sent Li Dequan, a member of the Imperial Guard, to personally convey a message to me, bestowing upon the Imperial Palace maids Guo Luoluo and Nongyu the title of Concubine. Concubine Guo Luoluo is granted residence in the West Side Hall of Yongshou Palace, and Concubine Nongyu is granted residence in the East Side Hall of Yongshou Palace."
Consort Niohuru paused for a moment, her expression indifferent.
Consort Tongjia, her face full of jealousy, spoke coldly with a sullen expression, "Those who come from the Empress's palace are indeed different. Nongyu was made a concubine the first time she was favored. There are other palace maids who have served the emperor, but after that, they are just palace maids. Only those who come from the Empress's palace..."
"First there was Consort Xu, then Consort Shang, then Consort Fan, and now it's Nongyu."
After a pause, Consort Tongjia covered her mouth and giggled, saying, "Your Majesty the Empress is truly skilled in training! No wonder she was known as the 'Four-Complete Girl' even before she married into the palace."
"Your Majesty, we are far inferior to Your Majesty's virtue and generosity."
The Empress looked embarrassed and slightly taken aback.
Xu Lejin raised her head slightly, glanced at the Empress and Consort Tongjia, a faint smile appearing on her lips, then lowered her head to look at her toes, remaining silent.
After a long while, the Empress smiled gracefully and said, "As the Empress, I should naturally be a model for all women and a mother to the nation."
"Consort Xu, Nongyu, and others are favored by the Emperor, and I am happy for them. Among the concubines in the harem, besides myself, my sister Niohuru and my sister Tongjia have the highest ranks."
"Your two younger sisters are people whom the Emperor trusts and favors. You should treat the concubines and palace maids who have served the Emperor with kindness and generosity."
Consort Niohuru and Consort Tongjia exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty, we will follow Your Majesty's teachings and get along well with our sisters in the palace."
The Empress smiled with satisfaction.
At this moment, Chu Qiao, the head palace maid of Kunning Palace, bowed and entered the hall to report to the Empress: "Your Majesty, Consorts Guo Luoluo and Xitala have come to pay their respects to you."
The Empress smiled gently.
"Quickly invite Consort Guoluo and Consort Xitala into the palace."
Chu Qiao respectfully agreed and withdrew.
A moment later, Chu Qiao led two women in palace attire into the hall side by side. The woman on the left was dressed in a rose-red palace gown, slightly plump, with an oval face and stunning beauty.
The woman in the light blue palace dress on the right was no stranger to the Empress and the others; she was Nongyu, a former palace maid in the Empress's Kunning Palace, and now a concubine named Xitala.
Consort Xitala was pretty and charming. Although she was not as beautiful as Consort Guoluo, she was still a rare beauty.
"This humble servant, Guo Luoluo (this humble servant, Xitala Nongyu), greets Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace. Greetings to Consorts of Chuxiu Palace and Chengqian Palace. May Consorts of Chuxiu Palace and Chengqian Palace be blessed with good fortune. Greetings to all my elder sisters! Hello, all my elder sisters!"
Consort Guo Luoluo and Consort Nong Yuying knelt down and bowed in unison to the Empress, Consort Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, and Consort Xu Lejin and other consorts to pay their respects.
The Empress's scrutinizing gaze fell upon Consort Guoluo. After looking her over, the Empress smiled and said, "Consort Guoluo and Consort Xitala, please rise. There is no need for such formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Consort Guo Luoluo and Consort Nongyu, supported by palace maids, stood up and bowed their heads slightly.
The Empress smiled gracefully, "Chu Qiao, bestow seats upon Consort Guo Luoluo and Consort Xitala."
"yes."
Chu Qiao respectfully agreed, then left the main hall of Kunning Palace. She beckoned to several eunuchs to bring over two chairs and place them on either side.
Consort Guo Luoluo and Consort Nongyu took their seats one after the other.
The Empress sat on her throne with a dignified and proper smile on her face. Below her, Consort Niohuru slightly raised her eyes and glanced at Consort Guoluo and Consort Nongyu Xitala, smiling but saying nothing.
Consort Tongjia looked at the radiant Consort Guoluo with jealousy in her heart and sneered, "I once heard that there was a palace maid in the Emperor's court who was exceptionally beautiful, no less than Consort Ma Jia and Consort Zhang. Seeing her today, I can confirm it."
"Consort Guoluo's beauty surpasses that of Consorts Ma Jia and Zhang, making her arguably the most beautiful woman in the harem!"
With a cold snort, Consort Tongjia muttered something sarcastic.
"The three officials of the Imperial Household Department have indeed raised a fine daughter, as beautiful as a flower."
Xu Lejin glanced out of the corner of her eye at Consort Tongjia, whose face was contorted with jealousy. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she lowered her head and smiled without saying a word.
Consort Guo Luoluo smiled sweetly, "Your Highness is too kind. Your Highness is like the peony among flowers, while I am but an ordinary flower and grass, not even a fraction as beautiful as Your Highness."
Consort Zhang and Consort Dong, among others, were not well-educated and did not understand the meaning behind Consort Guo Luoluo's words, showing expressions of bewilderment.
Xu Lejin slowly raised her head, glanced at Consort Guo Luoluo, and smiled.
Consort Tongjia paused for a moment, then chuckled and said, "Has Consort Guoluo ever been to school? How dare she compare me to a peony?"
"Your Majesty, I am foolish, but I have heard the older maids in the palace say in private that the peony is the queen of flowers. Today, when I saw Your Majesty, I thought of the peony."
After speaking, Consort Guo Luoluo lowered her head, her face filled with fear and trepidation.
Consort Tongjia smiled slightly, her eyes looking at the Empress on the throne with an unfathomable gaze.
The Empress glanced at the assembled concubines and spoke with a smile: "The peony in the courtyard is charming but lacks elegance, the lotus on the pond is pure but lacks passion. Only the peony is truly the beauty of the nation, its blooming season stirs the capital."
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