Qing'e Palace, Jixian Pavilion.
Huan Yue spends about half a day here, and he doesn't go to Qing'e Palace unless it's something important.
Obviously, seeing a few beautiful women is not an important matter.
Princess Yongqing thought this place was quite nice. She brought three young ladies with her and ignored everything else, sitting down to drink tea with Princess Yongmu.
The eldest princess didn't intend to do this, making things all so strange, but since several people came to her for help, it seemed alright.
Huan Yue sat up straight on the recliner and looked at the three young ladies.
The first one is Meng Pingting, who is a cousin of Chen Zhi. She has a graceful figure and is also quite fair-skinned.
The second one is Wang Yin. She is the illegitimate daughter of Wang Shide, a former doctor of the Imperial Academy. She is fair-skinned and tender.
The third one, Shi Qingzhu, was a young lady from Pei Yuannu's husband's family. Her father was a minor official, so her status was extremely low.
Huan Yue trusted the Princess's judgment; she didn't look too bad.
Princess Yongmu felt that her aunt might take on this matter in the future.
Princess Yongqing didn't care. Many people sought her out, especially since she had a decent relationship with her brother, the Emperor. She rarely paid them any attention.
The Eastern Palace is particularly difficult to navigate; once the concubine selection is over and a few more arrive, it's basically full.
These few have a slight advantage over the women who want to catch up.
Huan Yue and Wang Yin said, "Your father has just been dismissed from his post?"
Wang Yin hurriedly and cautiously replied, "It's because of my mother. Her mouth has caused my father a lot of trouble, and this time we can't tolerate her anymore."
Huan Yue asked, "Is your mother very favored?"
Wang Yin lowered her head and was very careful: "My aunt was given to me by someone else. My father is... more gentle and considerate towards women."
Huan Yue asked, "Do you think His Highness would be gentle and considerate towards women?"
Wang Yin hurriedly knelt down, looking like a steamed bun: "Father instructed that I must obey Your Majesty in everything. Being as obedient as my aunt is the most important thing."
Huan Yue said, "I think you have a plan."
Wang Yin was terrified and almost cried.
Huan Yue ignored her and didn't call her to get up. Instead, he asked Shi Qingzhu, "What about you?"
Shi Qingzhu knelt down and obediently kowtowed: "Your Majesty, because I am of decent appearance, the Pei family was planning to sell me. My parents discussed it and then begged the Princess for her grace. We beg Your Majesty for protection."
Huan Yue asked, "To whom will it be sold?"
After a long pause, Shi Qingzhu managed to utter a single word: "Five."
Master Qiu the Fifth?
Huan Yue asked curiously, "Actually, it's pretty good, isn't it?"
Shi Qingzhu lowered her head, and after a long while, she managed to utter a sentence: "I'm afraid the Pei family is not easy to mess with, and I don't have that ability."
Huan Yue laughed and said, "The Pei family is terrifying!"
Princess Yongqing asked, "Do you know what the Pei family does?"
Huan Yue didn't know.
Shi Qingzhu said in a low voice, "The birth mothers of Pei Huanqiao, Pei Jinnu, and Pei Huanxin, along with a large group of people, went to the Yongning County Princess's family home to make a scene. Pei Huanxin's birth mother is six months pregnant, and no one can afford to offend her."
Huan Yue sighed, "Fortunately, he can't come to the gates of the Eastern Palace."
Jiafu Gate is located inside the Imperial City, and the gates of the Imperial City are not places that can be entered casually.
Xuande Gate is the eastern gate of the Imperial City, but it's not a gate you can just enter anywhere. Only after passing through Xuande Gate can you enter Xuanfu Gate.
That's why it's called the inner palace. It's certainly difficult to get out, but it's also safer.
Although there are dangers inside, it is an undeniable fact that it shelters us from the wind and rain outside.
The cat asked, "And then what happened?"
Shi Qingzhu didn't know: "They're probably making a scene at the Prince's residence."
Huan Yue said, "You should know that with your status..."
Shi Qingzhu kowtowed: "I will leave it all to Your Majesty."
Huan Yue said, "If you are willing, I will appoint you as a female official and let you serve for a few years. It will sound better when you go out."
Shi Qingzhu kowtowed deeply: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Huan Yue didn't mince words: "Go and work with Chao Yun. If you slack off, she will deal with you according to the rules."
Chao Yun thought Shi Qingzhu was alright. Her family background was average, and she did a lot of chores herself. If her family hadn't spoiled her too much, she would be quite sensible at her age.
Wang Yin hurriedly kowtowed: "I also want to be a female official."
Huan Yue laughed and said, "Don't you want to stay in the palace?"
Wang Yin thought for a moment: "A female official would be fine, right? I don't want to go out, it's just..."
There was no clear distinction between female officials and imperial concubines, or rather, all women in the harem were the emperor's people. However, there were still some differences around this boundary.
Huan Yue nodded: "You should also follow Chao Yun and do your job well."
Chao Yun smiled and said, "Miss Wang is literate, why don't you work in the study?"
Huan Yue smiled and said, "You can arrange it as you see fit."
Chaoyun understood that the Empress not only trusted her, but also couldn't be bothered to care.
Our empress really knows how to enjoy life.
Wang Yin was quite happy to have found a place to stay.
I'm afraid that if my father is dismissed from his post, or if my family suffers any other misfortunes, the outcome will be very uncertain.
Living in the Eastern Palace should be very peaceful; after all, people seek peace and stability.
Now only Meng Pingting is left.
She wasn't the most beautiful of the three, and the palace was certainly not lacking in beauties.
Huan Yue said, "I can bestow upon you the title of Fengyi. There are some rules, though. If you wish, you may stay; if not, consider this a visit for tea, and return with the Princess."
Meng Pingting quickly knelt down: "I will obey Your Majesty's orders."
Huan Yue knew that once she came, she probably wouldn't be able to go back, but she said what she had to say: "First of all, don't cause any trouble for me in the Eastern Palace."
Meng Pingting wore a light pink robe and a light red skirt. She understood and could hear clearly.
Huan Yue hoped she was a sensible person: "If you want to win favor, then go ahead and do so. If you do, you will be rewarded. If you don't believe me, it's up to you."
Meng Pingting understood that this empress had even beaten Empress Dong, so what was she thinking to be going against her?
Someone as intelligent as Chen Zhi calling Chang Ziyu "Your Majesty"? That's just plain stupid.
Huan Yue instructed: "Secondly, the Crown Prince's Palace is cutting expenses, and many tasks are being done by themselves. If you do more, you can save ten taels of silver a year, which can support one or two commoner households."
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