The next day, Ji Huan was awakened by the noise of Emperor Qianlong getting up.
New concubines were generally not allowed to stay overnight when they were to be with the emperor. However, this rule was not very effective for Emperor Qianlong, as there were actually very few concubines in his harem who did not stay overnight.
According to the rules, the concubines were supposed to serve the emperor when he got up.
So when Ji Huan opened her eyes and saw Qianlong, she immediately said, "This concubine will help Your Majesty get dressed."
Her voice was a little hoarse, and when Qianlong heard it, he thought of his impressive performance the night before and became somewhat distracted. At this moment, Ji Huan had already gotten up. As soon as she got out of bed, her legs went weak and she fell down.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I didn't mean it. My legs just went weak."
Emperor Qianlong laughed heartily: "You are innocent. You served me hard last night. You should rest a while. I don't need you to help me get dressed."
Ji Huan blushed and said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, you're bullying your concubine again."
As he left, Emperor Qianlong laughed heartily.
When Li Yu came in to serve, he immediately felt that another powerful favored concubine was about to emerge in the palace.
He didn't understand other emperors, but his emperor was the most willful. If you made him happy and comfortable, he could make you rise to the top.
As for identity and family background, those are secondary.
After Qianlong left, Ji Huan got up not long after. Qingyin helped her back to Xianfu Palace. After having breakfast and redressing, it was almost time for her to pay her respects, so Ji Huan went to Changchun Palace.
This was her first time paying her respects at Changchun Palace since becoming the emperor's concubine, and the way people looked at her was somewhat less friendly than the last time.
The Empress had not yet come out, so Ji Huan let them look her over.
While their gazes may have been unkind, none of them were outspoken. Emperor Qianlong favored virtuous and gentle women, and regardless of whether the women in his harem were truly virtuous, they had to project an image of virtue.
When the Empress came out, she was as gentle as ever.
The greeting ended quickly, and she heard the Empress cough occasionally, indicating that she was not feeling well.
After leaving Changchun Palace, they ran into Consort Ling.
Ji Huan bowed and said, "Greetings, Consort Ling."
"Is this where Consort Guarjia is going back?"
"Yes, we need to go back."
"I think Consort Chang looks kind. Come to Yanxi Palace to have a chat when you have some free time."
"Yes, I will definitely go and bother Your Highness once I have the opportunity."
After exchanging a few words, the two parted ways.
Consort Ling was a very gentle person, with a temperament very similar to that of the Empress, possessing a feminine gentleness that could encompass all things. No wonder Emperor Qianlong liked her.
I just don't know why I ended up talking to a mere resident like her.
Not long after returning to Xianfu Palace, people from Yangxin Hall arrived.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Lady Guarjia, the Palace Attendant of Xianfu Palace, is beautiful and intelligent, of pure and virtuous nature... She is promoted to Noble Lady, with the title of Rou. Noble Lady Rou, receive the decree!"
Ji Huan smiled and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
Then came the rewards: gifts from the Imperial Household Department, as well as from Emperor Qianlong's private treasury. Most importantly, she was also given two boxes of books.
Among them is a rare and exquisite Solomon's Seal bonsai, covered with natural snowflakes, a testament to the wonder of nature and the ingenuity of the craftsman.
It seems that Emperor Qianlong still remembers the bamboo forest incident from last year quite clearly.
She handed over the newly arrived palace maids from the Imperial Household Department to Shuxiang for arrangements, and then said to Qingyin, "Register and store the Emperor's gifts. I particularly like that jade bamboo bonsai; put it in the room."
"Yes, my lord."
Her east wing immediately sprang into action.
When Consort Li, who was in the west side hall across the gate, heard the commotion, she felt very uneasy. She regretted it. If she had known that getting close to Consort Wang would bring bad luck, she would never have gone to stroll in the Imperial Garden with her.
She's a newcomer, and she's also a regular.
After Ji Huan served him in bed, she was immediately promoted to Noble Lady and given a title. In just one night, the difference between the two became immediately apparent.
That evening, Emperor Qianlong again chose Ji Huan's name.
And so she served the emperor for five consecutive days, causing many in the harem to become restless.
In Zhongcui Palace, the palace servants around Consort Ying began to feel uneasy.
Of the four women who entered the palace this time, Consort Ying came from the best family and held the highest rank. They had all spent a lot of money to serve her. Now that Consort Ying had not yet served the emperor, Ji Huan, who had just become a concubine, had taken the lead. Given the probability of newcomers rising to prominence, they were all afraid that Consort Ying would fade into obscurity.
Rose: "My lady, please think of a solution! I've noticed that the eunuchs are starting to slack off. If this continues, I'm afraid morale will collapse."
Qiangwei was one of the palace maids brought in by Consort Ying. Upon hearing her words, Consort Ying couldn't help but frown: "It's only been a few days, and they're already so sure I won't get ahead?"
She knew how cunning and opportunistic people were in the palace.
Rose said with a bitter face, "My lady, I have inquired and found out that each time a new concubine enters the palace, usually only one can stand out and gain favor, or no one can stand out. Many of those who are not favored die in despair. Since Consort Rou has enjoyed the favor for five consecutive days, they are naturally starting to get anxious."
After hearing the reason, Consort Ying realized that things were not as simple as she thought.
After a moment of silence, he said, "Indeed, we cannot sit and wait for death. Let's wait two more days. If the Emperor still does not summon us, we will make other plans. However, take some silver and go and inquire about Consort Rou's affairs, and learn more about the situation in Xianfu Palace."
"Yes, my lord."
Yanxi Palace, main hall.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has been favoring Consort Rou for five days in a row. Shouldn't we do something about it?"
Consort Ling showed no sign of displeasure: "What's the rush? It's only been five days. She's just a Noble Lady. It's not too late to worry when she's promoted to Imperial Concubine. The Emperor is in high spirits right now. If we don't let him enjoy himself, he'll keep thinking about her all the time. This favor needs to be maintained in a balanced way to last."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
