The next morning, before Sun Miaoqing had even had enough sleep, Qiangwei pulled her out of bed and forced her to sit in front of the dressing table to start getting ready.
There was no way around it; once you entered the palace, you had to live according to its rules. When it was time to get up, you had to get up regardless of whether you were fully awake or not. Staying in bed was a privilege reserved for high-ranking concubines!
Rose was incredibly quick; in no time at all, she styled her hair into a small double bun, adorned it with pearl flowers and hairpins, aiming for a fresh and clean look.
Liuli set out the breakfast sent by the imperial kitchen. Seeing that Sun Miaoqing was already dressed, she stepped forward and asked, "Breakfast has been delivered. Would you like to eat now or wait a while, Your Highness?"
Sun Miaoqing touched her empty stomach. "Use it now."
Holding her chopsticks, Sun Miaoqing looked at the breakfast in front of her and couldn't help but sigh in her heart: it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.
She stirred the red rice porridge in front of her with her chopsticks and suddenly realized that she wasn't so hungry after all.
At her uncle's house in the Zhang family, there were at least six different kinds of congee to choose from for breakfast every day...
Rose and Lily of the Valley exchanged a helpless glance. They had paid money to have these sent; otherwise, according to the usual allowance, they would only receive one liter and two measures of dried rice each day, which was far beyond their means.
The Sun family was extremely wealthy, and the master and mistress doted on this younger sister the most, always bringing the best food and lodging to their courtyard.
It's no wonder the young master is unhappy; the contrast is simply too great!
Linglan picked up a piece of cucumber with vinegar and placed it on the plate in front of Sun Miaoqing. "You didn't eat much for dinner last night, so you should eat something now."
Sun Miaoqing roused herself and finished the bowl of red rice porridge with the side dishes, then gave herself a piece of her mind.
They've only been living a life of luxury for a few days and they've already forgotten their roots. In their past lives, they ate gutter oil, Sudan Red, ready-made meals, and all sorts of high-tech, grueling work. These all-natural vegetables, which rely on manual labor to catch insects, have always been the exclusive domain of the elite.
"Your Highness, Eunuch Zhou Ninghai, the chief eunuch of Consort Hua's palace, has arrived."
Sun Miaoqing wiped her mouth and then said, "Please invite Eunuch Zhou in."
After entering, Zhou Ninghai first bowed and then said, "This servant Zhou Ninghai greets Consort Cheng."
"Consort Hua was worried that Consort Chang was not used to the palace, so she specially asked me to send some things over."
Sun Miaoqing glanced at the items and had Qiangwei and Liuli accept them, while also expressing her gratitude to Consort Hua.
Zhou Ninghai left with a satisfied flick of his whisk. Liuli, carrying a stack of fabric, said happily, "Consort Hua truly values you, Your Highness. These patterns are the most fashionable in the palace right now."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Take it and keep it safe. We can't waste such a good thing."
Liuli said, "Yes, Your Highness, please rest assured."
Soon the day of the audience with the emperor arrived. Early in the morning, Linglan used a handkerchief soaked in cool water to wipe Sun Miaoqing's face to wake her up.
They were dressed in their finest attire and waited outside the main hall of Jingren Palace.
[Huanhuan dressed very simply, afraid that being too beautiful for such an occasion would draw attention and detract from her appearance.]
[However, everyone else was wearing heavy makeup today, while she alone had only lightly drawn her eyebrows, making it difficult for her not to attract Consort Hua's attention.]
Zhen Huan: !
Despite her pride in her intelligence, she had completely forgotten these things. It was too late to go back and change her clothes now. She could only hope that nothing would go wrong.
At this moment, Xiu Xia came out, bowed, and said respectfully, "Greetings to all ladies. It is almost time to pay our respects. Please line up neatly and wait for Her Majesty the Empress's summons."
After speaking, Xiu Xia stood to the side. As if guided by the palace maids serving her, after everyone had taken their positions, Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan still stood at the front, and neither of them noticed anything amiss.
[Oh dear, wrong, wrong! Why are Sister Mei and Huanhuan standing at the very front? Xiu Xia didn't even remind them.]
According to the rules, Consort Borjigit is a member of the Mongol Banner, Consort Fucha is a member of the Manchu Banner, and Sister Mei is only a member of the Han Banner. Therefore, the two of them should be standing at the front, with Sister Mei standing behind Consort Fucha.
Meizhuang was startled. Yes, first Manchus and Mongols, then Han Chinese. She was, after all, a noble lady, while Huan'er, though she had a title, was only a low-ranking concubine.
The two of them stood at the very front. If any of the concubines asked them questions during the audience, how should they answer?
Meizhuang glanced at Xiuxia discreetly; it seemed the Empress didn't particularly favor these newcomers either.
Meizhuang was still thinking about how to offer her seat to Consort Fucha and Consort Borjigit, but Zhen Huan simply tugged at her sleeve. The two were so in sync that they understood each other's meaning at a glance.
The two women curtsied to Consort Fucha and Consort Borjigit. Zhen Huan said, "Sister Mei and I were not paying attention and somehow ended up standing in front of you two. We shouldn't have done that. Please don't take offense."
Borjigit knew that her status was different from others. The marriage between Manchus and Mongols was an old custom. She was just a figurehead in the harem for the emperor to show the harmony between the Manchus and Mongols, and was destined not to be favored.
Even if they had children, they would not have the opportunity to inherit the throne, just like the Manchu princesses who had married into Mongolia before.
They were indeed noble, but most of them were infertile, with only a very few able to have sons.
So the day she learned she was going to enter the palace, Lady Borjigit had already planned how to enjoy her wealth and status. As for where she would stand during her audience with the emperor, she didn't care at all.
Whether she's at the very front or the very back, it won't affect her dignity at all.
Unlike Consort Borjigit, Consort Fucha was extremely satisfied with the attitudes of Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang.
Soon she would be meeting the Empress and the other concubines, and in her nervousness, Consort Fucha completely forgot about these things. Zhen Huan's suggestion reminded her of them.
"Consort Wan, please don't worry. It's natural for everyone to be nervous when meeting the Empress today, and it's understandable that some people might not notice it at first."
Zhen Huan said, "I'm glad you two sisters don't blame me. Please come forward."
The group changed positions. Xiu Xia, standing to the side, seemed unaware of the incident, but the handkerchief in her hand was clearly being pulled even tighter.
Whether they switch positions or not makes no difference. Mei-jie and Zhen-huan are already on Consort Hua's list; there'll be plenty of drama to come.
[With just one careless word, Consort Hua seized upon her weakness; Sister Mei was truly unlucky.]
Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan stiffened, so it wasn't because of where they were standing.
However, the most unfortunate one was Consort Xia, who was at the back. How could such a beautiful woman have to be born with a mouth?
[With just a few words, she offended the Empress and Consort Hua to the core. She barely left the gates of Jingren Palace before Consort Hua, who was watching her closely, crippled her as a warning to others. Tsk tsk tsk, how pitiful.]
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