He Xue felt she had seen enough, and wanted to see if Zhen Huan still didn't want to enter the palace, so she got up and led her people toward the place where the imperial concubines were.
When the young women saw someone approaching, and that the woman in the lead was pregnant, they could easily guess who it was.
"We, your humble servants, pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be blessed!" All the young ladies-in-waiting bowed to He Xue.
"Get up!" He Xue said, taking in everyone's expressions. Some people looked a little nervous, while others wanted to sneak a peek at her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Looking at these young women, some as young as sixteen or even younger, He Xue suddenly had the illusion that she was getting old. These girls had such tender voices that you could pinch water out of them, and their faces were as smooth as peeled eggs.
It seems she had already married Emperor Jingning when she was their age. Time really flies; she is now a mother of several children, and she can't help but feel sentimental when she sees a delicate young girl.
Those who had been arguing fiercely fell silent after seeing He Xue.
He Xue looked at Nian Shilan and the others and said, "You all seemed to be arguing about something just now?"
Xia Dongchun spoke first, saying, "Your Majesty, An Lingrong spilled a cup of hot tea next to me, almost scalding me and ruining my clothes!"
"Are there any burns? Should we call the imperial physician?"
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern. I am fine!" Xia Dongchun said.
"Which family's imperial concubine are you?" He Xue asked deliberately, pretending not to know even though she knew who the person in front of her was.
"Your daughter is Xia Dongchun, and my father is Xia Wei, a bondservant captain!"
He Xue nodded, "Xia Bing, go to Kunning Palace and get a bolt of Suzhou embroidery for Miss Xia, as compensation for her outfit!"
"Yes!" Xia Bing replied.
"Your Majesty, I thank you!" Xia Dongchun said with great joy. She was the first among the selected ladies to receive a reward, but she wished the Emperor himself had given it to her.
"You all should introduce yourselves so I can get to know you!" He Xue said to the others.
"Your subject is Nian Shilan, daughter of Nian Xialing, the Governor of Huguang!"
"Your humble servant is Qi Yuebin, daughter of General Qi Fu, the Tiger-like Warrior!"
"This humble woman is Shen Meizhuang, daughter of Shen Zishan, the Assistant Commander of Jeju!"
"This humble woman is Zhen Huan, daughter of Zhen Yuandao, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"
"This humble woman is An Lingrong, daughter of An Bihuai, the magistrate of Songyang County!"
...
"I don't care what official positions your fathers and brothers hold. Once you enter the palace, you will only have one identity: imperial concubines!"
"I don't want anything to go wrong during your stay in the palace. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I don't care whose daughter or sister you are, I will punish you severely!" He Xue said with a gloomy face.
"I will heed Her Majesty's teachings!"
Xia Dongchun had a feeling that the Empress was talking about her, so she could only lower her head even further.
"Lingrong!" He Xue said to An Lingrong with a gentle smile.
“Your subject is here!” An Lingrong stepped forward and said.
"Perhaps your father's official position is not very high, but you must not belittle yourself."
A person's greatest virtue is self-respect. If you don't belittle yourself, others will naturally be unable to belittle you in the slightest!
"Your Majesty, I understand. Thank you for your guidance!" An Lingrong said gratefully.
He Xue then looked at Nian Shilan and Qi Yuebin, "It is truly commendable that they can speak out for justice and stand up for the weak. They are indeed worthy of being descendants of a military family!"
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!" Nian Shilan and Qi Yuebin said.
He Xue finally looked at Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang.
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