Chapter 5: Newcomer to the Palace
On the other side, the newly selected concubines entered the palace from Shenwu Gate and were led to their respective residences by eunuchs from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Normally, two palace servants would be enough for each person, but a woman in a Shu brocade dress was surrounded by at least five or six people, and even a eunuch dressed as a general manager was flattering her with a smile on his face.
A servant saw this and asked curiously, "Who is that? Why is he making such a big fuss?"
Lady Zhou, who was beside her, was warm-hearted and told her with a smile, "She is Concubine Jiang's sister. I asked around and she was given the title of noble lady this time."
The concubines who were selected to enter the palace through selection could only be given titles such as noble lady, beautiful lady, maid, or maid, with noble lady being the highest title.
There were only two noble ladies participating in this selection, and the other one was the Queen Mother's niece.
It stands to reason that if the Queen Mother's niece wanted to enter the palace, she could be invited with courtesy and start as the head of a palace. But somehow, she ended up being selected together with them.
At this moment, Concubine Zhou noticed Wen Yao, the niece of the Queen Mother, with whom she had a few words during the selection.
Wen Yao was also guided by only two palace servants. She was wearing simple and elegant clothes and followed the eunuch to another palace road.
Lady Zhou sighed casually, "She is the niece of the Empress Dowager after all, but her status is not even half as grand as that of Concubine Jiang's sister."
Qiu Da Ying, who was walking in front, heard it, turned around and looked at her with contempt, snorting and laughing: "What is the Queen Mother? She is not your Majesty's biological mother. It is a well-known fact that Sister Jiang's elder sister, Concubine Jiang, is the most favored in the harem. How can Concubine Wen compare with Sister Jiang!"
She spoke loudly and without reservation, attracting the attention of everyone on the palace road, all of whom had expressions of horror on their faces.
Are you crazy? Being so disrespectful to the Queen Mother in public?
A eunuch who was leading the way for other concubines turned around and looked at her deeply, then lowered his brows and continued to do his job.
Seeing that no one dared to say anything, Qiu Da Ying felt even more proud.
She was far-sighted. She flattered Concubine Jiang during the selection, which meant she had married Concubine Jiang. From then on, no one in the palace would dare to say no to her!
Jiang Wanqing, who was not far away, naturally heard these words. She frowned slightly, fearing that this idiot would implicate her.
But looking at the palace maids and eunuchs around, although each of them had different expressions, they were all silent as a mouse, not daring to say a word.
Could it be that my sister's power in the palace is so great that even the Empress Dowager can ignore her?
She clenched the handkerchief in her hand. After the shock, she felt only irony.
This is my own elder sister. She lives a life of unparalleled honor in the palace and has the power to do whatever she wants, but she wants her younger sister to marry the son of a fallen marquis.
If she hadn't cried and tried to commit suicide, she would have never had the chance to visit this magnificent and luxurious imperial city in her lifetime.
Wang Shun, the eunuch in charge of Zhaoyang Palace, had come back to his senses, as if he had not heard what Qiu had promised just now. He continued with a smile and said, "Your Excellency, there is no need to pay attention to them. Follow me to Zhaoyang Palace first. I believe the Empress is already waiting anxiously."
Those who were close by and heard this looked at him with envy.
She was given a title of noble lady as soon as she entered the palace, and had a favorite concubine sister to look after her. This was too smooth sailing.
Jiang Wanqing quite enjoyed such gazes, but at the same time she also felt some hidden hatred in her heart.
Why is it considered a blessing in their eyes that my sister can live in the main hall while I can only live in the side hall even though we are born of the same mother?
Jiang Wanqing did a good job of hiding the cold light that flashed across her eyes, and still said gently, "Thank you, eunuch."
She was about to go to Zhaoyang Palace with Wang Shun when she suddenly saw a familiar-looking palace maid walking towards them hurriedly, passing the crowd.
As she got closer, she saw clearly that it was Yuzhu, one of her sister's maids brought into the palace.
Jiang Wanqing thought that Yuzhu was also sent by her sister to pick her up. She was annoyed that her sister was too ostentatious and brought trouble to her, but she was also secretly proud of herself.
When Yuzhu approached, she was about to say hello, but she saw that the other party only bowed and then ignored her. He looked at Wang Shun with embarrassment and said, "Eunuch Wang, the queen said that Concubine Jiang should find a new place to live and is not allowed to go to Zhaoyang Palace."
Jiang Wanqing was startled: "What?"
Wang Shun almost suspected that there was something wrong with his ears: "This, Miss Yuzhu, are you kidding?"
Yuzhu didn't believe what the young eunuch said just now, so she went to Kunning Palace in person and was convinced after meeting the empress. She said helplessly, "Eunuch is joking. I don't have the courage to do that."
Wang Shun was completely dumbfounded: "But where should I send the young lady at this moment?"
Yuzhu didn't care about all that. She felt at home that the Second Young Miss was very scheming and always liked to exaggerate things and instigate her sister to be the first to take action. This time, the Second Young Miss didn't want the good marriage that the Empress had taken the trouble to choose and insisted on entering the palace. She felt even more so.
But servants should not interfere in matters between masters and maids, especially Yuzhu, who is cautious by nature. After the first attempt to persuade her failed, she stopped talking. Now, the empress suddenly wants to distance herself from the second lady. Although no one knows why, it is ultimately a good thing.
Yuzhu grabbed Wang Shun's wrist and urged him, "That's the Ministry of Internal Affairs' business. Just listen to the queen and go back to Zhaoyang Palace with me first."
Wang Shun turned his head to look at Concubine Jiang who was stunned. Although he felt that it was not good to leave the Empress's sister behind like this, the Empress's orders naturally came first. He smiled awkwardly and said to Concubine Jiang, "I'll take my leave," then quickly followed Yuzhu and escaped.
Jiang Wanqing was left alone, still not coming to her senses, standing stiffly where she was, even forgetting to call out to them.
The crowd watching this incident was also confused. The one who asked the question once asked again curiously: "What does this mean? Does Concubine Jiang not want her own sister anymore?"
Jiang Wanqing turned around suddenly as if her tail was stepped on, pointed at her and shouted angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Lin Changzai was frightened and said in panic: "I, no, I just said it casually..."
Jiang Wanqing immediately realized that she had lost her composure, but it would have been too artificial to try to appease her in a gentle manner at this moment.
She still scolded with a cold look in her eyes: "It doesn't matter what you say about me, but my sister can't stand such talk behind her back. If you don't want to offend my sister, be more careful in the future!"
This was good for Concubine Lin, but it also portrayed Concubine Jiang as a vindictive and domineering person.
Lin Changzai bowed timidly and replied "yes", then immediately urged the palace servants to take her away.
So scary!
After being scolded and left, Jiang Wanqing began to feel confused.
Where is she going now?
*
"You are not allowed to live in Yanxi Palace anyway!"
In Kunning Palace, Concubine Jin was shocked to see that everyone's eyes were on her and she immediately refused.
Queen Shen retracted her gaze and looked at Jiang Shuyi again with displeasure: "Concubine Jiang, you are too ridiculous. You asked His Majesty to let Concubine Jiang live in Zhaoyang Palace. If you want to change it now, go and ask His Majesty again."
Jiang Shuyi picked up the teacup, but didn't drink the tea. She looked at the crystal color reflected by the jade cup in the morning light that penetrated into the hall, and said nonchalantly, "I have been making trouble for a long time. Didn't Your Majesty just now ask the Imperial Concubine to be more sensible and not to argue with me? Why is the Queen now making a fuss?"
Being responded to exactly as it was, Queen Shen's expression grew even colder.
"Why not let Concubine Jiang live with me?"
Concubine Xue Shu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke gently.
Everyone looked over and saw a faint smile between her eyebrows, as if she was trying to help the Queen out of the predicament with understanding.
Queen Shen's expression eased a little, and then she said with some concern: "But you still have Yi'er to take care of. If you let Concubine Jiang live there, I'm afraid it will be unfair to you."
This almost means that Concubine Jiang will rely on Jiang Shuyi to bully Concubine Xue and the eldest prince.
Concubine Xue Shu smiled gently: "If you don't wrong me, then you will wrong the other sisters. It's better to let me bear it."
Queen Shen was deeply moved. She praised Concubine Xue endlessly and even rewarded her with jewelry and clothing.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Good man, if I don’t go to hell, who will? Concubine Xue Shu is the one who has Buddha nature. People like Concubine Jiang will never attain enlightenment in her entire life!
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