Just as Sun Miaoqing was looking at the embroidery frame in front of her with worry, about ten days later, Da Pang Ju finally had the interest to choose the concubines' names again.
Xu Guangjin thought that today was another day without a turn, and that he would inevitably be summoned by the Empress Dowager tomorrow and scolded.
How could a servant possibly be in charge of the emperor? No matter how unreasonable the empress dowager's accusations were, he could only accept them.
Just as he was lamenting his bad luck and the extreme setbacks in his career, he never expected that the emperor would suddenly become interested again.
The emperor then said, "Let us castrate Consort Shen today."
Xu Guangjin beamed with joy, took the green plaque, and left, knowing he could enjoy a couple more days of peace and quiet.
The next morning, Shen Meizhuang, with the shyness of a newlywed, stepped into the main hall of Jingren Palace.
Dozens of gazes fell upon Shen Meizhuang, a mixture of envy, jealousy, disdain, indifference, and detachment. Although she had been somewhat prepared before entering, she had still underestimated the jealousy of the women in the imperial harem.
She was in the prime of her youth, yet she hadn't seen her husband for a long time. Although she had a husband, she lived a life of widowhood, and spent her days doing nothing.
Who could find peace of mind living like this day after day, year after year?
Sure enough, Consort Qi couldn't wait to find fault, "Noble Lady Shen's demeanor today is even more impressive than the day she had her audience with the whole palace."
"It is the Emperor's favor that nurtures people. We old folks who followed the Emperor from his time as a prince can't compare."
The sourness in those words could be smelled from miles away.
This directly pits newcomers against veterans, creating two opposing factions. It's an open secret, but the effect is immediate.
Sure enough, Consort Li's face was as dark as if she had just returned from Africa.
Just as Shen Meizhuang was about to speak, she heard Hua Fei's penetrating voice coming from the doorway.
"Consort Qi, what you said is incorrect. Consort Shen has only been favored for one day. The way you put it makes it sound like she has been favored throughout the entire harem."
"I believe that not everyone has this ability."
Consort Hua's disdain was undisguised. Shen Meizhuang was furious, but she couldn't possibly declare in front of everyone that she was certain of winning the emperor's favor—she wasn't that foolish!
A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. Since the Emperor wants her to control Consort Hua, he will surely bestow upon her favors that others can only dream of.
Since everyone can scheme and plot, why can't she?
Shen Meizhuang said, "This concubine greets Consort Hua."
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. I am but a humble woman, how can I compare to Your Majesty's radiant beauty?"
"Furthermore, whether you are a newcomer or an old one, once you enter the palace, you are all the Emperor's people. The Emperor is affectionate, and all of you sisters are blessed with his favor."
Consort Hua stared at Shen Meizhuang with a forced smile, as if trying to see what she was thinking.
However, people's hearts are unpredictable, and Shen Meizhuang was always very patient. After watching for a while, Consort Hua couldn't see anything.
At this moment, Shen Meizhuang was filled with unease. During this time, she had witnessed firsthand Consort Hua's ferocity.
She had only just been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber when Consort Hua became restless. It was unclear what methods Consort Hua would devise to deal with her.
Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but think of Fuzi in the well in the Imperial Garden, and a hint of fear appeared on her face.
Upon seeing this, Consort Hua secretly mocked Consort Shen, saying that she was nothing special and knew how to be obedient and keep to herself because she knew how to fear her.
"Get up. I'm not some monster. Why are you so scared?"
Shen Meizhuang said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness. Consort Hua is so beautiful and elegant that I always feel ashamed of myself whenever I see her. Please forgive me."
"Noble Lady Shen is certainly good with words."
After speaking, Consort Hua swayed her hips as she sat down in her seat. It was rare for her to be so punctual when coming to Jingren Palace to pay her respects, as she had been today.
Sun Miaoqing and Chun Changzai ate pastries on the table while watching a short opera performance, which included singing, recitation, acting, and acrobatics.
Why aren't Mei-jie and Hua-pang-pang singing anymore? It would be nice to have a plate of melon seeds; the pastries are a bit lacking.
Consort Hua...
Shen Meizhuang...
How outrageous! They actually treated them like circuses!
Hey, why are you all staring at me? I didn't do anything to any of you.
【Oh, the Empress has come out.】
Consort Hua and Shen Meizhuang looked towards the head of the table. The Empress was dressed in a lake-blue qipao embroidered with orchids, which made her appear more gentle than usual.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"Rise, all of you. Please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
This had to happen every day, leaving Sun Miaoqing speechless. The etiquette in the palace was truly a nuisance.
After everyone was seated, the Empress said to Shen Meizhuang, "You've been in the palace for a while now, are you getting used to life here?"
Shen Meizhuang said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. All the sisters have treated me like a sister. Even if I was not used to it at first, I am fine now."
The Empress smiled and said kindly, "You'll get used to it. I'm relieved that you can get along well."
"Your family is from Shandong, so you must be used to eating donkey-hide gelatin. I just got some top-quality Dong'e donkey-hide gelatin, and I've saved some for you as well."
"Take this to nourish your body so you can better serve the Emperor."
The Empress must have done it on purpose; she couldn't wait to arrange a rival for her!
Shen Meizhuang was displeased, yet she still kowtowed to thank her for her kindness, which was truly moving.
"This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."
Consort Hua said, "The Empress also said that Consort Shen's family is from Shandong. She must have been using Dong'e donkey-hide gelatin since she was a child and is probably tired of it by now. It's just a pity that the Empress's good intentions have been wasted."
Wow, Hua Pangpang really doesn't give the Empress any face at all. Even though the Empress is putting on such a good act, Hua Pangpang is acting like someone dug up her ancestral grave.
So well disguised?
Consort Hua's smug smile vanished; it turned out the Empress had really been faking it.
She said, "How can a woman whose youth has faded be so kind and gentle to a group of women who are not only younger and more beautiful than her, but also more favored by their husbands?"
Thinking about it this way, all the pitfalls she unintentionally stumbled upon while she was in the Prince's residence, and all the hurtful words the Empress said after she entered the palace, were all intentional on the Empress's part.
This adds another layer to the existing grudges and hatreds. It's unknown how much of the downfall of the Nian family was due to the Empress's machinations.
But the Ulanara clan was long gone, reduced to an empty shell, relying on two empresses to maintain the last vestige of its former glory.
The Empress has been out of favor for a long time; does she really have that ability?
The more Consort Hua thought about it, the more she felt something was amiss. It was as if a giant net had enveloped her, something she couldn't see through, couldn't explain, and couldn't discern.
She didn't even pay attention to what Shen Meizhuang said or how the Empress responded.
"Consort Hua..."
"Consort Hua...?"
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