Chapter 21 Monitor
Nian Shilan sat there impatiently. The election was approaching, and she was already overwhelmed with all sorts of trivial matters. Now that the Empress's headache had subsided, she still had to perform the morning and evening rituals.
Already annoyed, she now had to listen to Consort Qi, that idiot, making a fool of herself. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Without even opening her mouth, she launched into a sarcastic laugh: "If you were Consort Xin, would you be so convinced? Ha."
A single sentence interrupted Consort Qi's deliberate fake smile. Her expression changed instantly, and she frowned as she looked at Consort Hua—"What do you mean by this?"
Consort Hua leaned back on the stool in Jingren Palace, her provocative gaze sweeping over Consort Xin from head to toe. Then she chuckled lightly, "Consort Xin can give birth, and she can give birth. Even people can give birth to twins, a sign of good fortune. Can you do that?"
Consort Qi was about to speak when Nian Shilan didn't give her the chance—"Oh, I forgot, Consort Qi, you also gave birth. The Emperor often worries about the Third Prince's studies. He's really a handful. I heard that Hongzhao went to the Imperial Study and his teacher praises him every day."
Consort Qi—"You!"
Consort Hua was displeased and became increasingly sharp-tongued—"Consort Xin's father is capable and has just been promoted to Governor-General of Zhili. Consort Qi, you also have a son, so why doesn't the Emperor promote your father as well?"
Consort Hua suddenly covered her mouth as if in a daze, her action even more fake than Consort Qi's fake smile earlier—"Oh, I forgot, Consort Qi, your father was a disgraced official. If it weren't for having such a son, he probably wouldn't even know where he is now, huh?"
After speaking, she looked at everyone and laughed. Her words were utterly merciless. Consort Qi's face turned red and she couldn't say a word. She pointed at Nian Shilan and stammered, "You...you!" She couldn't get a straight answer for a long time. She turned to the Empress, hoping that she could make a decision for her.
But when faced with the Empress's extremely unpleasant expression and warning look, he reluctantly shut his mouth, his chest heaving violently, and stubbornly refused to look at Nian Shilan again.
Yixiu had been ill for over a month. Her initial "illness" was actually at the Emperor's behest. The imperial concubine selection was extremely expensive and concerned the royal family's reputation, so it had to be done beautifully. However, it was true that the national treasury was not well-funded at the time.
Although the national treasury was not abundant, the family was extremely wealthy.
Nian Shilan deeply loves the Emperor. If this matter is entrusted to her, she will surely handle it beautifully no matter how much money it costs.
Yixiu was happy to use the excuse of headache.
But ever since Lü Yingfeng gave birth, all the subsequent events—the Sixth Prince, his promotion, becoming a Noble Consort, and his trip to the capital—truly triggered her headaches.
If I continue to be sick like this, will the harem be in turmoil?
It's time to bring in new talent and give the palace a fresh start.
——
Children change every day. Hongzhou, who is now a month old, has changed from being thin and weak when he was born to being a chubby baby. Hongjin is playing with the wave drum to amuse his younger brother, while Hongzhao returns from the study to Yongshou Palace for dinner.
Lu Yingfeng, with her hair down and wearing a nightgown, leaned against the window, holding a chess piece, looking at her three children with a relaxed smile.
Consort Jing was also in the hall at this time. She was sitting lazily, staring at the chessboard with no clue whatsoever, while laughing at Hong Jin's childish words.
"Your Majesty, have you heard that the Han Bannermen are holding a selection of consorts today? The Emperor seems to be very pleased," Xue Xin said, sitting on a low stool at Lü Yingfeng's feet while doing her embroidery.
"Tell me about it." Lü Yingfeng, who was always fond of joking, perked up at the mention of this and sat up straight to look at Xue Xin.
Consort Jing glanced at her with amusement and said with a laugh, "You're a mother now, why are you still acting like a child?"
"Sister, don't you want to know who we'll be dealing with in the future? Xuexin, tell us quickly!" Lü Yingfeng urged.
Xuexin stood up, like a storyteller, cleared his throat in a pretentious manner, and said vividly, "The most outstanding person today is the daughter of the Assistant Commander of Jizhou. She is dignified and elegant, and is very much liked by the Empress Dowager. Even the Empress said that she has the demeanor of Consort Jing back then."
Consort Jing hadn't expected that she would be involved in this, and felt a little embarrassed when she heard what she said. "You silly girl, how come you remember everything I say?"
Xue Xin chuckled and continued, “But the Emperor’s favorite is not this Miss Shen, but another one, the eldest daughter of the Zhen family, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I heard that she is stunningly beautiful, and even the Emperor and Empress Dowager praised her. She is also quite talented, and I heard that she even composed a poem with the Emperor before him.”
Xuexin tapped her head and thought carefully. At this moment, she regretted that she hadn't been able to learn to read properly from her mistress when she was at home—"What's called... what's a bird... what's a waist."
Lu Yingfeng pondered along with Consort Jing, but Xuexin's words were too general, and they couldn't come up with a solution for the time being.
"Just these two? I heard the Han Army Banner selected quite a few."
Xue Xin nodded – “Quite a few were selected, but only these two stood out… Oh, and there was also the daughter of the Xia family, a bondservant captain, named Xia Dongchun. The Emperor said she was interesting and kept her as well.”
"Xia Dongchun," Consort Jing read softly and smiled, "The name is indeed interesting. I wonder what kind of person she is."
Xuexin said, “I heard that Miss Xia is very arrogant. A young lady accidentally soiled her clothes. Because the lady’s family was not prominent, she demanded that she kneel down and apologize. She even tried to hit her. She is very unruly.”
"It seems that the young lady has also been selected."
Lu Yingfeng and Consort Jing exchanged a glance, both reading worry in each other's eyes. Such a person entering the palace would be more of a curse than a blessing, for both themselves and others.
Hongzhao sat with his back to her, seemingly having a good time playing with his sister, but in reality, he was listening intently to Xuexin's intelligence.
Just when he was about to doze off, Xue Xin appeared out of nowhere. He was pondering how to get some information about the previous talent shows when Xue Xin just happened to come along.
It seems that although there are many variables regarding the Empress Dowager in the palace, the overall plot has not been affected, and it is still those old friends who are going to enter the palace.
He pondered the reward the system had given him a month ago—a "target task monitor."
This is a great thing. How should it be used, and on whom should it be used?
Aside from the female lead Zhen Huan, probably no one else deserves the privilege of being broadcast live throughout the entire event.
Hongzhao's mind stirred, and the system's inventory slot instantly became empty.
——
Everything remained the same; Fang Ruo was still the tutor in charge of Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, only the teaching content had changed slightly.
Hongzhao peeled nuts, silently watching the screen that only he could see, and suddenly rediscovered the joy of watching TV series at home.
Fangruo entered the mansion and immediately recognized that this Miss Zhen was no ordinary person. Whether it was her temperament and intelligence, or that face that resembled an old friend, she was willing to say a few more words to gain favor.
"When our Emperor was in the Prince's Palace, he married the Empress Dowager's cousin. They were very much in love. However, three years after their marriage, the Consort died in childbirth, and the Emperor is still very saddened." Her gentle tone made it seem as if the two innocent young girls were in the same boat, their eyes filled with regret.
"I've heard... that the current Empress is born out of wedlock?" asked the maid in the green dress in front of her.
In the palace, servants are not allowed to speak before their masters. However, the instruction had just begun, so Fangruo didn't say much, but simply said solemnly, "Blessed people are not distinguished by whether they are legitimate or illegitimate. Her Majesty the Empress is of noble character and a model for the nation. The current Empress is the younger sister of the late Empress Chun Yuan, and the Emperor holds her in high esteem."
Huanbi realized she had spoken out of turn and shut her mouth in embarrassment. Zhen Huan glanced back indifferently but did not say anything.
Fangruo said, "Only ladies of the rank of Consort or above can be addressed as 'Your Highness' with respect. Other ladies of the rank of Noble Lady, Attendant Lady, and Lady-in-Waiting should be addressed as 'Young Mistress'."
"So I was the last one to agree?" An Lingrong still smiled brightly, using self-deprecation to cover up her inner inferiority.
“Wrong, the ladies-in-waiting are the lowest rank.” Fang Ruo wasn’t in a hurry and slowly began to explain the current situation in the Forbidden City.
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