Yes, they didn't marry husbands, they married emperors. Love was never involved. If the throne were to be held by someone else, she would still have to enter the palace for the sake of the Shen family.
Shen Meizhuang thought of her naivety before entering the palace, even though she knew he was the emperor and could not possibly favor her alone.
But I also hope that people will believe in her and pity her, so that she can have someone to rely on for the rest of her life.
Looking back now, it's clear that gaining the emperor's trust wasn't so easy. She didn't even have genuine feelings for the emperor, so how could she expect him to have genuine feelings for her?
Shen Meizhuang sighed, "I was asking for too much."
“Huan’er, you are right. People like us, if we cannot bring honor to the family, should at least keep our lives and not implicate our clansmen.”
"If you want to have someone to rely on for life, you still have to rely on your offspring. Otherwise, no matter how much you are favored, it will only be a moment of glory, not a lifetime of wealth. You might even end up in a miserable old age because of jealousy in the harem."
The imperial concubines living in the backyard of Shou Kang Palace, and Consort Shu who became a nun at Ganlu Temple, are all examples of what happened before them.
Those with sons can leave the palace to enjoy their old age. Those without sons but with daughters will receive greetings on major holidays and birthdays.
For concubines without children, the rear courtyard of Shou Kang Palace was quite small. Those of higher rank were spared, as they at least had their own rooms.
Those of lower rank lived in conditions worse than even some of the head maids. After all, the favored maids didn't have to sleep in communal beds or share a room with others.
Shen Meizhuang's gaze sharpened, worry hidden in her pupils. Although, given her favor with the emperor, pregnancy was only a matter of time.
But the thought of possibly ending up in that situation when I get old makes me worry.
She often went to Shou Kang Palace to pay her respects, so she always knew more than others.
Zhen Huan had just gained the emperor's favor, so there was no time to be anxious. However, the emperor was unreliable, and having her own child would make things easier for her in the palace.
"Sister Mei, don't be anxious. With our favor, you should be able to conceive soon."
Shen Meizhuang nodded, but didn't mention any fertility-enhancing formulas. She was always on guard and would never use such things lightly.
It's said that every medicine has some degree of toxicity; what if a child conceived through medication has any hidden risks...?
If anyone tries to frame her with a fake pregnancy, she'll gladly go along with it, just to see who has the more clever approach.
The two chatted for a while longer until the moon was high in the sky before Chen Meizhuang returned to Cunjutang. After removing her makeup, only she and Caiyue were left in the room.
Seeing Shen Meizhuang sitting in front of the dressing table, staring blankly at herself in the mirror, Caiyue assumed that she was worried about having children.
He whispered, "Your Highness need not worry too much. Consort Wan is right. You are still young, so there is no need to rush about having children."
Shen Meizhuang's voice was tinged with helplessness, "You don't understand..."
"I am young, but the Emperor is getting old. If it were just favor, that would be fine, but he also wants me to learn how to manage palace affairs."
"There are many senior nobles in the palace. How can the people be convinced that the power they have not obtained has been given to me, a noble without even a title?"
"It was fine before, but because of the Emperor's favor, they dared not go too far except for their words."
"Besides my skills and the benefits I receive, what gives me the confidence to command those servants is the Emperor's favor."
"But since Huan'er became the most favored, the favor I receive has not been as great as before. I am happy that she is favored, and I am not jealous, but such favoritism is indeed beyond my expectations."
Shen Meizhuang originally thought that after Zhen Huan rose to prominence, the three of them could join forces and rely on each other. In this way, their lives in the palace would be more stable.
By joining forces, they can firmly grasp the emperor's heart and first elevate his rank. At that time, she will hold power in the palace, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong will also enjoy his favor.
No matter who gets pregnant first, with the other two watching over them, they won't panic or be flustered.
They would not give their children away to others to raise simply because of their low rank, thus benefiting others.
But man proposes, God disposes; she needs to be even more attentive to palace affairs.
Caiyue thought that made sense; it certainly didn't sound right for a noble person to manage palace affairs.
But the Emperor seemed oblivious to the young lady's predicament, and it was unclear what his true intentions were.
Suddenly, Caiyue had a flash of inspiration, "If Your Highness wants to be promoted but doesn't want to mention it to the Emperor, why not spend more time with the Empress Dowager?"
"The Empress Dowager has managed the inner palace for many years. It is only natural for you to consult her when you encounter difficulties."
"With the Empress Dowager's wisdom, she will surely understand your difficulties and may even promote you directly to the rank of Consort."
Shen Meizhuang was somewhat tempted by this idea; it was indeed a good one. However, she then hesitated, as her filial piety towards the Empress Dowager was not motivated by self-interest.
And doing so seems far too deliberate. What hasn't the Empress Dowager seen?
After thinking for a moment, Shen Meizhuang shook her head. "It's not appropriate. If the Empress Dowager has such intentions, she will definitely speak up for me even if I don't mention it."
"If it doesn't exist, it's a waste of time. And if it gets noticed, it might even annoy people. Let nature take its course..."
*
Within a few days, the concubines had fully recovered. Seeing that the emperor and empress dowager's anger seemed to have subsided, they were once again dressed in their finest attire and moving about freely.
This time, however, no one sent any nourishing soups or desserts to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The Imperial Household Department still went to the big fat orange to choose a concubine every day at the appointed time, but for many days in a row, not a single one was chosen.
The rumors made the concubines increasingly believe them, and many secretly shed tears, lamenting the fate of their later years.
But after crying, she rallied her spirits and continued her flamboyant stroll, hoping for a chance encounter with the chubby orange cat.
Either sending someone or going to the Hall of Mental Cultivation himself, all just to see Big Fat Orange. This annoyed Big Fat Orange so much that his temper flared up day by day.
That day, Fatty Orange was in Yikun Palace, listening to Consort Hua report on the palace affairs for the month. Shen Meizhuang, Consort Jing, and Sun Miaoqing were also present.
Originally, it should have been the Empress who asked these questions, but the Empress didn't care about anything, and Big Fat Orange couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't force the Empress to do it, could he?
However, her resentment towards the Empress grew stronger. Although she was sickly and couldn't control Consort Hua before, she still had some influence.
Unlike now, she occupies the position of empress but does not bear any responsibility as empress.
This left the concubines unsupervised, creating chaos and disorder in the harem, which is why so many troubles arose.
Shen Meizhuang was unaware that the chubby orange cat was secretly criticizing the Empress. She was reading the accounts...
"The monks of Baohua Hall performed four religious ceremonies. The incense money and other expenses totaled two thousand three hundred taels of silver."
"After the start of summer, the palace maids and eunuchs were given a bowl of mung bean soup. The price of mung beans was thirty-two taels, and the cost of firewood and other supplies was ten taels."
"The greenhouse has cultivated another batch of precious flowers and trees for use in vases and bonsai, costing a total of 37,600 taels."
Big Fat Orange suddenly came to his senses, "Wait, just a batch of flowers and trees cost nearly 40,000 taels of silver?!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
