Chapter 338 The Empress from a Humble Abode
A few days later, news spread that Consort Zhang would be holding a flower-viewing banquet at the royal villa, which greatly excited the powerful and wealthy families.
The reason was simple: according to inside sources, this flower banquet was actually for the selection of concubines for the new emperor. However, only a very small number of high-ranking officials received invitations; instead, it was officials below the fifth rank who received them.
Many people immediately guessed the key point, saying that the empress came from a humble background, and given the emperor's exclusive favor towards her, there was no way that other concubines would be allowed to surpass her in terms of background. The more prestigious the family, the less chance they had. Of course, some people did not believe in such superstitions and thought it was nonsense.
Those nobles who did not receive invitations also tried every means to curry favor with Consort Zhang, hoping to have the opportunity to appear at the flower banquet, stand out, and gain Pei Siyan's favor.
Empress Dowager Zhang was unaware that this grand selection of concubines was a charade orchestrated by Pei Siyan and Dou Wenyi. She spent considerable time selecting a group of outstanding women and ordered their portraits to be delivered to Pei Siyan.
Pei Siyan didn't even look at it before ordering it to be sent to the Empress.
Dou Wenyi opened the portrait, her fingers stroking the paper stopping on one of the pages. The girl in the portrait was Xu Yujiao, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel.
Cuizhi frowned slightly. "Your Highness, weren't all the people attending this flower banquet from humble backgrounds? Why is this Miss Xu among them?"
Dou Wenyi left the flower banquet to Consort Zhang, hoping to have less to worry about and focus on her pregnancy.
It seems the Xu family is determined to win, so they must have found a way to get things done. It's only natural that Consort Zhang, not understanding Pei Siyan's intentions, would go along with it.
"How about we prevent the Xu family from showing up at the flower banquet?"
Dou Wenyi smiled and shook her head, saying, "No, I need to meet this Miss Xu first."
If you're going to turn a fake relationship into a real one, you have to consider every detail carefully.
A few days later, Madam Xu, the Minister of Personnel, appeared at Kunning Palace with Xu Yujiao.
The mother and daughter knelt respectfully on the floor of the Dali Temple, saying, "Your Majesty, may you be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace!"
Dou Wenyi narrowed her long eyes slightly. "Raise your head and let me take a good look at you."
Xu Yujiao had a small, oval face and skin as smooth as jade. She was quite beautiful. She wore a long, wide-sleeved robe with a purple pomegranate pattern and a pleated skirt of the same color, which made her look elegant and noble.
"She is quite beautiful; Madam Xu is very fortunate."
"Your Majesty flatters me."
"Someone, bring me a seat!"
The palace servants immediately brought over two embroidered stools. After Madam Xu sat down, she breathed a slight sigh of relief, finding the new empress to be gentle, polite, and surprisingly easy to get along with.
Do you read books on weekdays?
Xu Yujiao lowered her eyes and spoke softly, "I only know a few characters and occasionally read 'Rules for Women' and 'Classic of Filial Piety'."
Dou Wenyi smiled faintly as she looked at Xu Yujiao's fair face. "It's good for a young lady to read 'Rules for Women' and 'Classic of Filial Piety' to understand principles and calm her mind."
Seeing that the Empress's attitude was gentle, Madam Xu took the opportunity to give her a wink, and the maid behind her immediately brought out two brocade boxes.
"Your Majesty, this is a small gift; please accept it with a smile."
Madam Xu personally opened the first long, flat box, inside which were neatly stacked a pair of exquisitely crafted soft satin insoles. The insoles were embroidered with intricate pomegranate patterns in gold and colorful threads, with fine and even stitches, showing that a great deal of effort had been put into them.
“This was specially made by my daughter using the softest brocade. She embroidered it carefully, stitch by stitch. Her needlework is crude and not presentable. I hope Your Majesty will not find it offensive.”
Dou Wenyi paused slightly. She realized that Madam Xu's idea was impromptu, and she only needed a suitable noblewoman like Xu Yujiao to convey to the court officials the message that the Empress had put her heart into selecting a consort for the Emperor.
It's impossible for the Xu family to have gone out of their way to embroider insoles for her in just a few days.
These insoles symbolize thoughtful care; they simply wanted to express through this small gift that the Xu family was willing to humble themselves and be at her beck and call, even if the Empress trampled on them every day.
I just don't know if the insole size is right for her.
Next, Madam Xu opened another exquisite small-leaf sandalwood brocade box, inside which was a rare book with yellowed pages and exquisite binding, with the words "Supplement to the Treatise on Various Diseases of Women" written in large characters on the cover.
"Your Majesty, this medical book is a rare copy from the previous dynasty. It records some ancient prescriptions used in the palace to treat women's health, which is extremely valuable. I thought that Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance, so I specially presented it to Your Majesty. Perhaps you can consult it or not, which is better than it being buried in the Xu family."
Xu Yujiao raised her head slightly at the opportune moment, revealing a humble and proper smile: "This humble woman is dull-witted, and this little bit of my heartfelt gift is truly meager. I hope Your Majesty will not laugh at me."
Her submissive demeanor perfectly conveyed her understated "concern."
However, the fact that the Xu family had already learned of her interest in medicine in just a few days shows that the Xu family is quite powerful and should not be underestimated.
Dou Wenyi's deep gaze swept over the two gifts, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "You've really put a lot of thought into this."
A slight smile curved her lips as she gestured for the palace servant to take it.
Cuizhi sneered inwardly. Her master had so many medical books hidden away, and to show off with just one was truly absurd!
Dou Wenyi said casually, "The Empress Dowager Zhang's flower banquet is approaching. There will inevitably be some fun competitions. His Majesty likes lotus flowers. Miss Xu, your painting skills should be quite good, right? Don't hold back your talent then."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu's face immediately broke into a genuine smile, proving that her earlier discovery of the Empress's preferences had not been in vain.
Finally, they revealed something useful.
She repeatedly said, "My daughter is of mediocre talent, but she has loved painting since she was a child, and she will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations. In the future, I hope Your Majesty will give her more guidance and instruction, which will be her good fortune."
Xu Yujiao's smile became much more sincere: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Cuizhi," Dou Wenyi instructed, turning her head slightly.
"Go and bestow upon Miss Xu the box of pearls that were once tribute from foreign lands, as well as those bolts of sky-blue brocade. I think the colors suit Miss Xu's refined and elegant demeanor perfectly."
Madam Xu was overjoyed and quickly pulled her daughter to express her gratitude.
Xu Yujiao bowed respectfully, her demeanor flawless and perfect. However, the moment she stood up, a smug glint flashed in her eyes.
After the two left the palace and boarded the carriage, Xu Yujiao could no longer hold back.
“Mother, people from poor families are always petty. A pair of insoles and a medical book are enough to sway her. She can be moved by the smallest gestures. It’s clear she has no discernment.”
Madam Xu poked her forehead hard with her fingertip. "You must not be careless. Sheng Xiyue's temperament and appearance are no worse than yours, but she lost miserably to her. Do you still dare to underestimate her?"
"Moreover, apart from her, the Empress, there is no one else in the palace. That's her skill!"
Xu Yujiao felt disdain.
Dou Wenyi only achieved her current status because of a marriage to bring good luck; no emperor is without his harem, and the new emperor is no exception.
Let her enjoy her position for a while longer. Who will ultimately hold the position of Empress and the Emperor's favor? It's still uncertain!
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