"What do you know? It wasn't bestowed by the Empress, but by the Empress Dowager. Sigh, you wouldn't understand even if I told you, so why am I telling you all this?"
Yue Qingyin turned around and went to sleep.
She was a very practical person. She thought An Xianwang was a good person and was thinking about him. She had two thoughts: first, to find a good support for him; and second, to be a wise and discerning hero who recognized his talent before he rose to prominence.
Who knew that this path would be cut off, and that jade bracelet was simply a way to put an end to that relationship.
She immediately and practically thought about how to navigate her path in the palace. On one side was the Empress Dowager, and on the other was the Empress. After pondering it over and over, she roughly came up with an idea and then drifted off to sleep.
Before long, it was dawn.
She's going to the palace.
...
In the palace.
Today is the day the newlyweds enter the palace. Linghu Lan smiled as she watched the assembled ladies, all dressed in their finest attire, come to pay their respects to the Empress. They were all radiant and vibrant, like fresh morning dew.
"Your Majesty, I kowtow and wish you good health."
"No need for formalities, please have a seat!"
Linghu Lan sat upright on the throne, and the others sat down according to their rank and status.
Among the newly arrived concubines, the highest-ranking was Yue Qingyin, who was granted the title of Virtuous Consort. Next was Su Niaoyue, the daughter of the Prefect of Mianzhou, who was granted the title of Consort. The rest were granted titles such as Talented Lady and Noble Lady. The lowest-ranking one was granted the title of Virtuous Lady, the same title as when the Empress Dowager first arrived in the palace. No one underestimated her.
In Linghu Lan's eyes, these young concubines were just a group of children who were not yet grown up. She had no intention of playing tricks on them, so she bestowed upon them fruit platters and pastries that were only available in the palace, allowing them to eat to their heart's content.
At first, everyone was still a bit reserved, eating in small bites, until Linghu Lan gave the order.
"Are the pastries in my palace not delicious? If she doesn't finish the pastries in front of her today, I will punish her by making her copy scriptures."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
I've never heard of such a bizarre request—to not eat but to copy scriptures?
Yes, yes, the Empress must be afraid of being laughed at and the concubines not giving her face, so that's why she said that.
Since that's the case, we must give the Empress face. So, everyone said in unison, "Your Majesty, we will obey your decree."
Now that they had no more reservations, they all ate heartily, and...
The more I eat, the more delicious it seems...
"Your Majesty the Empress? Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I would like to have another dish." The one who spoke was the lowest-ranking lady, named Li Bai, who was only ten years old. She was a delicate girl raised in seclusion, and she just thought it was delicious, so she said it in a simple and honest way.
Everyone laughed.
Linghu Lan smiled and instructed, "Quickly give Consort Li another dish, and bring some back to the palace for her to eat later."
Yue Qingyin ate the fruit and pastries in front of her in small bites. The food was delicious, but she was not at ease eating it. She was very worried. She was afraid that the pastries were poisoned. Even if they were not poisoned, if there was something that would harm her pregnancy, then her life would be over. Later, seeing that everyone else had eaten, even Linghu Lan, she began to eat with restraint.
Linghu Lan glanced at Yue Qingyin and smiled slightly.
She's so reserved, even when she's eating, she's so refined.
After Yue Qingyin had just finished eating, she said, "It seems that Consort Xian really likes the pastries in my palace. Please have another serving!"
Yue Qingyin quickly raised her head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I have had enough. Eating any more would be too much."
"If that's the case, then forget it."
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