Chu Wan moved into Chaoyang Palace with exceptional ease. Before she could even catch her breath, she hurriedly led her entourage to the main hall of Zhaoyang Palace to pay respects to the Empress, both out of courtesy and gratitude.
"Your concubine Chu Wan greets the Noble Consort Xian. May Your Highness be well." Dressed in a lake-blue palace gown embroidered with flower petals, Chu Wan bowed gracefully, her tone gentle and her attitude respectful, her eyes lowered.
"Consort Chu, please rise. This is the first time a new person has entered Chaoyang Palace. I wonder if you are getting used to your place? If you are not, please tell Xia Ju and I will ask him to make more preparations for you."
Wuyou was dressed in a light blue palace gown, with bamboo embroidered on the hem and cuffs. Several jade hairpins, of excellent quality, were adorned in his hair, their texture lustrous and smooth. He was relaxed, holding a cup of tea in his hand, lightly skimming the foam off the surface with the lid, taking a sip, and smiling slightly.
"Your Highness is too kind. Everything is fine at Chaoyang Palace, and your arrangements have been very thoughtful. I am flattered and overwhelmed. How could I possibly have any complaints?"
Chu Wan looked surprised. Compared to Su Yun's eloquent and persuasive words, his words were simple yet full of sincerity. He came from a humble background and had seen too few good things, so his perspective was limited. Chaoyang Palace was undoubtedly paradise to him, so how could he be picky?
"That's good. I thought you were a good candidate on the day of the selection, which is why I specially asked you to join me. From now on, you are a member of my Zhaoyang Palace, and you represent the face of my Zhaoyang Palace. You must not let anyone look down on you." Wuyou touched the pearl earring at her temple, her tone gentle.
"This concubine will certainly obey Your Majesty's orders and will never bring shame to Your Majesty." Chu Wan nodded firmly. She knew that she was far inferior to the others in the harem, but she was willing to learn and would work twice as hard.
"This is Yi Rou. I'll bestow her upon you as your personal maid. She's been in the palace for over ten years, and she can offer you guidance from time to time." Wu You waved her hand gently, and a maid dressed in green stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the eunuch. She was slender and had an ordinary face.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will certainly treat Yi Rou well." Chu Wan was well aware of Wu You's good intentions, and her face was filled with joy as she spoke with gratitude.
When they first enter the palace, they are unfamiliar with everything there. What they need most is an elder who is willing to teach them everything he knows, which will save them from many detours.
"I have high hopes for you. Although you cannot compare to Consort Rou's unparalleled beauty, you have your own merits. I will help you as much as possible, but you also need to have some methods of your own."
Wuyou didn't mince words. He supported Chu Wan for two reasons: first, he valued Chu Wan's character and felt some sympathy and pity for him; second, his faction consisted of veteran high-ranking concubines who had children but lacked favor, and he needed someone to challenge Su Yun, and Chu Wan was the most suitable.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chu Wan nodded solemnly. He would never forget the great kindness and virtue that His Majesty had shown him. Moreover, His Majesty did not need to say these words to him, but he spoke frankly and openly, which made her feel much more at ease and felt more appropriate.
The women in the harem, besides serving the emperor, usually sought their own amusement. Wuyou intentionally flattered Chu Wan, chatting with her at length, which greatly benefited Chu Wan. Before they knew it, it was getting dark.
At this moment, a palace maid in plain clothes hurried in and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, someone from Chengqian Palace has come to ask for leave for Consort Rou. Consort Rou was caught in the rain today and unfortunately caught a cold. She will probably not be able to pay her respects to Her Majesty the Empress tomorrow."
Wuyou raised an eyebrow and put down her teacup. "Go and tell them that I know, and that Consort Rou should take good care of herself and serve the Emperor again once she has recovered."
Because Bai still doesn't understand official duties, Wuyou manages all the affairs of the harem. Nominally, she assists in managing the six palaces, but in reality, she holds the power in the harem. Therefore, whatever happens in the palace will be reported to Wuyou.
"Your Highness, it's only her first day in the palace, and Consort Rou has already fallen ill. What a coincidence! Is Consort Zhao jealous?" Xia Ju asked instinctively. Anyway, everyone here is one of her own, so she wasn't worried about it getting out.
Moreover, everyone was well aware of Consort Zhao's petty and jealous nature, which had already spread throughout the palace and beyond.
"What do you think, Consort Chu?" Wuyou pursed her lips, neither confirming nor denying, and then turned to look at Chu Wan.
Chu Wan hesitated for a moment before slowly saying, "I've heard that Consort Zhao is rather domineering. Noble Lady Rou stood out during the selection of concubines, which must have displeased Consort Zhao. Of course, it's also possible that Noble Lady Rou caught a cold by accident."
“We all know Consort Zhao’s temperament. If you encounter her in the future, be sure not to confront her head-on. Her family is quite powerful, and the Emperor is very fond of her. Be accommodating to her when you meet her in the future. She’s the type who responds better to gentleness than force.” Wuyou nodded, a look of approval on her face.
"I remember." Chu Wan nodded in agreement, keeping Wuyou's words firmly in mind.
Three days later, it will be the time for Emperor Liang Yuan to favor his new concubines. The newly promoted palace ladies are all full of expectations, hoping that they can be the first among the new concubines and firmly grasp the emperor's favor.
Chu Wan was indifferent to this; he hoped for the emperor's favor, but it was not to the point that he absolutely needed it. The Imperial Concubine was right; one shouldn't have too many expectations of the emperor's favor.
Unexpectedly, things turned out differently, and Chu Wan became the first newcomer to be promoted. Upon receiving the news, she was stunned and stood there in surprise.
"Your Highness, you'd better hurry up and prepare, lest the Emperor keep waiting." Yi Rou, being experienced, quickly reminded him, and the palace servants sprang into action instantly.
Dressed in a magnificent palace gown and with her hair styled in a loose, natural bun, Chu Wan was carried to the Yiyuan Hall to await the emperor's favor.
The news quickly spread throughout the palace. The new brides were disappointed and jealous, tearing their handkerchiefs to shreds. The elders were not surprised. The most outstanding among the new brides were none other than Su Yun and Chu Wan. Su Yun had caught a cold and could not serve the emperor, while Chu Wan, with the help of the imperial concubine, naturally had a smooth time.
"Sister, is Chu Wan really capable?" Consort Duan, dressed in a moon-white palace gown, had a serene expression. Over the years, she had become increasingly peaceful, her feelings for Emperor Liang Yuan had faded considerably, and she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her daughter.
Consort Duan held a white chess piece and placed it on the board with a clattering sound, her tone sarcastic.
"Whether it works or not, just wait and see. Don't you trust my judgment? Anyway, I don't even want Su Yun." Wuyou raised an eyebrow, and a smile appeared the moment the black piece landed. "I won."
"Indeed, looking at that face that looks exactly like Bai Yiran's, I feel a bit nauseous too." At this point, Consort Duan nodded in agreement. Back then, they, as concubines, had suffered a lot of mistreatment from the Empress, so naturally they didn't like her.
As she continued, Consort Duan smiled and said, "However, Su Yun has the same face as the Empress. The Empress must be furious. She has never liked concubines who look like her, and she dealt with all of them back then."
The two sisters exchanged a smile, already anticipating Bai's furious and exasperated appearance when they faced each other in the future.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
