The emperor gained a new favorite, whom he met only once in the Imperial Garden before moving into the west wing of Chengqian Palace.
That very evening, she was taken to the Hall of Mental Cultivation by the Phoenix Spring Grace Carriage, and became a concubine early the next morning.
Not only did she surpass the rank of a female official, but she also received the title of "Yun" (韵). Clearly, her performance last night pleased Big Fat Orange.
Chengqian Palace
The newly-born Yun, enduring physical discomfort and early morning drowsiness, sat in front of the dressing table and had her makeup done.
According to the rules, only two palace maids were allowed to serve in the concubine's room. But apart from the least favored concubine, who in the palace actually lived like that?
Su Peisheng was adept at understanding the emperor's intentions. With his orders, the Imperial Household Department immediately sent three palace maids and two eunuchs to serve her.
Although Yao Han had only recently been appointed as a concubine, she was already living a comfortable life.
Feeling the silky, jet-black hair in her hands, Fen Dai exclaimed in admiration.
"No wonder the Emperor dotes on the young lady so much. Just her black hair alone surpasses that of many concubines in the palace."
Yun felt a surge of pride as she looked at her soft, delicate hands. She was already beautiful, and had been trained by Consort Hua for nearly a year.
He was no longer the pale, thin, dry-haired, rough-handed, and disheveled man he used to be.
However, I remembered what Eunuch Zhou said about how the emperor disliked frivolous, superficial, and unrestrained concubines.
He admires women who are gentle, talented, and kind-hearted. She could emulate Consort Wan, but not too closely. She must possess her own unique qualities in front of the Emperor.
Yun kept this in mind and said gently, "You ladies are all from noble families, each one is beautiful and talented. How can I compare to you?"
Fen Dai said, "Heroes have never been judged by their origins. Your Highness is naturally beautiful. As long as the Emperor favors you, why should you be afraid of not being called Your Highness one day?"
"His Majesty said that you worked hard last night and that you should rest well today. Besides, Her Majesty the Empress is not feeling well and has already exempted the concubines from paying their respects for a long time. Why should you make yourself suffer by getting up so early to do your makeup?"
Yun rubbed her tired eyes and said helplessly, "Your Majesty can say it casually, but I can't really not go."
"With so many eyes watching in the palace, if I slack off for a moment today, tomorrow the whole palace will say that I am spoiled and disrespectful to the Empress. If the Emperor finds out, he will also think that I am ignorant."
Fen Dai said, "Your Highness sees things clearly; it is this servant who is short-sighted."
Yun agreed, saying, "It's never wrong to be careful and humble. You can't hit someone who's smiling at you."
"If we perform all the proper etiquette, even if others want to find fault, they won't know where to start."
Aunt Zhilan once said that it would be the most foolish thing to arrive with an unstable foundation and rely entirely on the emperor's favor.
The harem is more terrifying than the battlefield. At least on the battlefield, friend and foe are clearly distinguished, and real battles are fought with strength and courage.
The palace is rife with hypocrites and daggers. Today's sisters are tomorrow's enemies. They appear amicable on the surface, but behind the scenes, they scheme and plot.
Even the best of relationships can't compare to self-interest. If you can't strike decisively, showing weakness and tolerance isn't necessarily wrong.
If someone still tries to kick you while you're down, then you must let that person know that she's like a nail that can prick.
After getting ready, Yun, accompanied by Fendai, went to Jingren Palace with dignity.
Finally, she could look up and see the scenery around her. The palace maids and eunuchs she met on the way stopped to bow and give way to her.
Yesterday she was just like these people, but today she's risen to the top and become someone of high status.
No wonder most of the palace maids in the past became arrogant and domineering after they were given official titles.
It feels so good to be waited on like a mistress. When someone who was penniless suddenly becomes rich, how can they not act like a spoiled brat?
If she hadn't received those months of earnest admonitions, she might have become so arrogant that she ended up in the cold palace.
Upon arriving at Jingren Palace, Jianqiu said that the Empress was suffering from a headache and was too weak to get up and see her.
Yun didn't feel any sense of loss and performed the full ceremony in the courtyard facing the main hall. Sure enough, after she did so, Jianqiu's gaze towards her softened considerably.
After paying her respects to the Empress, Consort Yun headed towards Yikun Palace. Although they were supposed to avoid suspicion on the surface, Consort Hua was currently in charge of the inner palace.
It was only natural for a newly favored concubine like her to go and express her gratitude by paying respects at the mountain peak.
It's just a pity about her waist and legs; they've become so thin from all the walking.
*
Yikun Palace
Consort Hua leaned alluringly against the chaise longue, while Songzhi knelt on the ground, massaging her legs.
After Deng Yun agreed to perform the ceremony, Zhou Ninghai helped her up.
"All my efforts have paid off. Sister Yun has truly made a name for herself."
Yun replied humbly, "I am able to be where I am today because of the support of the Noble Consort."
"I am willing to serve Your Majesty at all times, and I will obey any command Your Majesty gives."
If Consort Hua didn't have a complete grasp on her abilities, she wouldn't have dared to push her out to compete for the Emperor's favor.
She fell into the water as a child and caught a chill, and later lacked the means to recover her health, which made it difficult for her to have children.
Zhou Ninghai arranged for the imperial physician to examine her pulse, and it was determined that she would have a very difficult time conceiving in her lifetime. Even if she were fortunate enough to become pregnant and survive to give birth, it would most likely result in the death of both mother and child.
Since you can't make a name for yourself on your own, it's good to have a powerful backer.
It's better than being driven out of the palace at twenty-five, marrying someone else as a second wife, toiling day and night, and then having to rely on the conscience of your stepson when you get old.
Or it would be much better to be someone's concubine, to follow the rules in front of the principal wife, to serve tea and water, to serve dishes, and to lift the curtain.
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