Chapter 33: Beautiful Daughter vs. Heirless Emperor 33
After entering the palace, the concubines could not serve the emperor directly, but had to learn the rules first.
When Ji Yunhuan entered the palace, she was named Concubine Shu. She had a noble status and was naturally different from others.
She lived alone in Shuhua Palace, and was taught etiquette and rules by the nanny beside the Empress Dowager. Since entering the palace, Ji Yunhuan had lived in seclusion and no one had ever seen the true face of Concubine Shu.
In Chuxiu Palace, there were less than ten newly entered beauties, and they were all maids-in-waiting and maids-in-waiting. There was not even a single noble lady.
"I heard that His Majesty has already been to Shuhua Palace. The Concubine Shu is really favored."
"Why? We are still learning the rules. Why can she see His Majesty?"
"She was conferred the title of Consort by the Empress Dowager, and her position is high, so of course she is different from us."
"Ji Da Ying, didn't you attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet? You must have seen the Concubine Shu, right? I heard that the Concubine Shu is famous for her talent and she shined at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, which is why she won the favor of the Empress Dowager and has risen to prominence ever since!"
"I'm so envious, but unfortunately I'm from a lowly family and can't go to the Hundred Flowers Banquet, otherwise I might be the one that gets chosen."
Ji Yonglian stood aside with his hands hanging down and did not participate in the discussion.
She believes that she is as beautiful and talented as Ji Yunhuan. She has everything that Ji Yunhuan has, and she also has things that Ji Yunhuan doesn't have!
If she could snatch Su Honglang away from Ji Yunhuan, she could naturally snatch the emperor away as well!
What's the point of the Queen Mother's liking her? If you want to gain a foothold in the harem, you must ultimately gain the emperor's favor. If you can get pregnant, that would really be a step to heaven.
"Silence!" The aunt in charge came over with a sullen face. "I just taught you the rules yesterday, and you forgot them today?"
"The most taboo thing in the palace is to make irresponsible comments. You must know that disaster comes from the mouth. You are all new to the palace. Any master in the palace is more noble than you. If you make a mistake in your words and anger the nobles, no one can save you."
"You all have high aspirations, and I hope you will rise to prominence, but if you lose your life, how can you expect a better future?"
The concubines suddenly became quiet, but many of them were still dissatisfied.
Only Ji Yonglian bowed to the aunt who was in charge and said, "Thank you for your teachings, aunt."
The aunt in charge smiled with satisfaction, "You should also learn more from Ji Da Ying. Ji Da Ying is careful with his words and deeds, and he has learned the rules well."
"Today I will teach you how to kowtow to the Queen Mother. When the Queen Mother summons you, your green cards will be sent to the Jingshifang. Your future prospects will depend on your luck."
The concubines were all happy. They had been tired of learning the rules for a long time, and now they could finally serve the emperor in bed!
******
Inside Jingren Palace.
The palace masters and concubines have all arrived and are sitting on both sides according to their ranks. Those with lower ranks, although they can also come to pay their respects, can only stand aside and wait.
"The Queen is here~"
The concubines stood up and saluted one after another. The queen, dressed in palace clothes, sat at the top in the center.
"No need to be polite. You sisters came early today. It is me who is late."
The queen was dressed up new today, with powder on her face and bright red lips. She looked less sickly and more lively.
Her every move is graceful and elegant, and she has the bearing of a mother of the country.
"Seeing that Her Majesty is in good health, I am relieved. Her Majesty is not late. There are still people who haven't arrived yet."
Huipin on the right was all smiles. She had been in the palace for many years but had rarely been favored. It was only thanks to the help of the Empress that she was able to get the position of concubine. Naturally, she hoped for the best for the Empress.
"That's right. His Majesty didn't stay at her place yesterday. How come she is still late?"
"The Queen is here, but Concubine Liu is still not here. Isn't that a disrespect to the Queen? The Queen is kind and generous, but I can't stand her!"
The queen felt exhausted as she watched the people below express their loyalty.
She entered the palace to check and balance Concubine Liu. She had the position of queen and was loved by the queen mother and His Majesty, but Concubine Liu had a family background and was favored. She didn't want to compete, but she had to.
Now she is already terminally ill, and is only being controlled by strong medicine. Before she closes her eyes, she only wants to see Liu Yan die with her own eyes!
"I guess something has delayed her. Someone, go to Changchun Palace to take a look. She is a noble concubine and has a high position. If you don't come now, you will miss the opportunity to pay homage to the concubines."
"I have a new batch of pre-rain Longjing tea here, which has a light and rich flavor. Huipin loves tea, so I'll give it all to Huipin."
"Your Majesty gave me a batch of silk the other day. The embroidery is superb. If you like them, please pick one or two pieces to take back. You will look bright and beautiful in them, and I will be happy to see you."
"Thank you, Her Majesty!" Everyone expressed their gratitude in unison, especially some concubines of lower ranks who were particularly happy. Apart from the rewards from the Queen, they could not get such good materials on weekdays.
"The Emperor has arrived~" Liu Dewang's loud voice was heard outside the door.
The emperor walked in wearing a dragon robe with an expressionless face. Wherever he went, a large number of people knelt down.
The concubines had not seen the emperor for many days and wished they could take this opportunity to curry his favor. However, the emperor's majesty was so terrifying that they would not dare to approach him even if they had a hundred courage.
Only the Empress could stand beside the Emperor and whisper softly, "Your Majesty, today is the day for the concubines to pay homage. If nothing goes wrong, the green cards will be put up in the evening. Your Majesty, do you want to see the new concubines in person?"
The emperor uttered a light "hmm" and sat down at the top.
The Queen sat beside him, speechless for a moment. Although they had been husband and wife for many years, the Emperor was more like a king to her than a husband.
The emperor didn't say anything, and the concubines below dared not say a word, and the atmosphere froze for a moment.
Except for the emperor himself, everyone felt that time was extremely difficult to bear.
"Empress Shufei is here~" the eunuch at the door shouted.
The emperor's eyes lit up instantly, and he wanted to rush over and bring the person in. If it weren't for the rules, he really didn't want to let Huan'er work so hard.
He pinched his fingers, suppressed the worry in his heart, and sat there seemingly nonchalantly, but in fact his eyes were always glued to Ji Yunhuan and he couldn't pull them away.
Ji Yunhuan hurried and arrived almost on time.
It's not that she is arrogant because of her favor and despises the queen. Only a fool would deliberately challenge the queen. She is not a fool!
It's all the emperor's fault. He went to see her again last night. I don't know what's wrong with the emperor. He always likes to climb over the wall in the middle of the night. It's probably the sequelae of the affair in the nunnery, no, the affair and the jade theft.
It turns out that being a concubine is not as good as being a secret lover. The emperor also likes excitement!
It was not until she became pregnant that she realized there were so many ways men and women could act in bed, and that it was not only the intercourse of yin and yang that could bring happiness.
Her lower body felt sore and swollen, the inside of her thighs were rubbed painfully, and her chest was also burning with pain. If it weren't for the sedan chair awarded by the Empress Dowager, she really wouldn't have been able to walk to Jingren Palace.
The moment she saw the emperor, Ji Yunhuan was so scared that she almost ran away. But when she thought that it was broad daylight, she felt a little relieved.
"I pay my respects to His Majesty and to Her Majesty the Queen..."
Ji Yunhuan performed the ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows in a proper manner. However, because the beastly emperor was also present, she could only perform the ceremony twice, which made her already painful thigh even more painful!
She couldn't help but secretly glare at the emperor, a look full of anger and resentment. The emperor's old face turned red, and he was already planning to climb over the wall again at night.
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