Chapter 113 Performance
"Performance?" Xie Nu'er was even more confused.
This term sounds even newer than what my colleagues use.
"Yes! Performance!" Desheng perked up, almost spitting out saliva, and began to eloquently expound the essence of Xie's performance management philosophy:
"Simply put, performance is about how much work you did for the young lady! How big the work was! How important and timely the messages you sent back were!"
"For example, if you find out that the Empress ate an extra bowl of porridge for lunch, your performance rating will be low! But if you find out which minister the Emperor secretly met with and what he said! Then your performance rating... hehe!"
Desheng rubbed his hands together, grinning like a fat rat that had just stolen some oil. "Then prices will skyrocket!"
"The higher your performance, the more important you are to the young lady! The more authority you'll have! The more resources you can mobilize! Do you understand?"
"Of course, you can also achieve your performance targets by completing the tasks assigned by the young lady!"
He looked at Xie Nu'er meaningfully, then glanced at Zhi Xia and Ren Dong behind her: "Don't be fooled by our current colleague status and friendly interactions behind closed doors. Behind closed doors, it's a different story..."
Xie Nu'er's heart tightened.
Desheng lowered his voice, a knowing look on his chubby face, and spoke earnestly:
"They're all competitors! They all want to make more contributions! They all want to get higher performance bonuses! They all want to show off in front of the young lady and climb higher!"
"So, Your Highness, you've just joined... you're new to this line of work, so you have to be on your toes! Listen, observe, and think! Opportunities are everywhere in the palace! Seize one, and you'll rise to the top! But if you mess it up... the deductions in performance points can be terrifying! It could determine whether you can bring your family to the Western Han to retire in the future!"
"You may not know this, but the Western Cold is tens of thousands of times better than Jinling!"
Xie Nu'er: "!!!"
Her eyes, which had initially held a hint of trepidation from entering the palace, suddenly lit up under Desheng's bombardment of performance-based arguments!
It was as if my Ren and Du meridians had been opened instantly, and a door to a new world had been opened!
I see!
It was even more exciting than the stories of江湖帮派 (jianghu gangs) and 御堂奸 (court intrigue) that she used to hear from storytellers in teahouses! And it was more organized!
An unprecedented sense of excitement and an urge to try it out surged into my heart!
"I understand! Eunuch Desheng!" Xie Nuer's voice was filled with excitement and eagerness. "I will definitely work hard! I will earn more performance bonuses! I will never hold Miss back!"
She even clenched her fists unconsciously, as if she could already see countless performance points beckoning to her! And as if she could already see her wonderful retirement days!
Desheng nodded in satisfaction as he watched Xie Nuer, this enthusiastic newcomer, successfully brainwashed. A promising student!
The young lady's eye is indeed sharp. This Consort Ru looks gentle and refined, but she's restless at heart! Competition is what drives motivation!
He was about to offer a few more words of encouragement when a young eunuch announced from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Eunuch Decai, who serves His Majesty, has arrived with gifts on imperial orders!"
Desheng's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal, a fleeting hint of displeasure crossing his face.
That brat! Trying to steal my job again?!
De Cai walked in carrying a tray, with an impeccable respectful smile on his face, his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if he didn't even see his master was present.
"This servant, Decai, greets Consort Ru."
He bowed respectfully, his voice clear and resonant, “His Majesty’s decree: Consort Ru has just entered the palace, and I am delighted. I hereby bestow upon her a jade ruyi, wishing her all things to go smoothly and that her heart’s desires be fulfilled.”
He unveiled the silk, revealing a flawless white jade ruyi scepter on the tray.
Xie Nu'er quickly expressed her gratitude.
De Cai then seemed to have just seen his master, and respectfully bowed to De Sheng, saying, "Master, you're here too."
His attitude was impeccable, but his eyes quickly swept over Desheng's chubby face, which was trying to appear calm, with a hint of barely perceptible smugness!
Look, I have news to pass on to the young lady today! The Emperor sent her a jade ruyi on the very first day, so I should at least get some of that news, right?
Desheng gave a forced smile and snorted, "Hmm, you come to deliver the Ruyi, and I come to deliver the clothes bestowed by His Majesty."
He emphasized the word "clothing," glancing at the exceptionally beautiful palace gown on the tray beside him with a hint of smugness—"See? What we sent is the real highlight!"
Ignoring his master, De Cai, who had been competing with him for the past two days, said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has another message for you."
"Please speak, sir."
De Cai cleared his throat: "Consort Ru has fair skin and an elegant demeanor. This palace dress suits her best. She must wear it today."
Looking at the palace dress that shimmered under the lamplight, and listening to De Cai's words, Xie Nu'er felt even more puzzled.
A palace dress, requiring two eunuchs to convey the message that it must be worn today.
Is there some secret behind this palace attire?
Your Majesty... seems to have some unusual obsession with this garment? Could this be related to performance evaluation?
That's right. Xie Nu'er, who has just been brainwashed, now has a performance-oriented mindset. Even the tension of entering the palace has been greatly reduced. Now she treats it as if she is at work!
She suppressed her emotions, her face displaying just the right amount of shyness and joy: "Your Majesty, I... obey your decree. Thank you for your kindness."
Having completed his task, De Cai bowed to Xie Nuer and then withdrew.
With De Cai gone, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to return to that of "one of us".
Desheng narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the palace dress, and lowered his voice to Xie Nu'er, "Your Majesty, His Majesty seems particularly fond of this dress. When you change into it later and go to accompany His Majesty, please be sure to... pay close attention to His Majesty's expression and behavior. If there is anything unusual..."
He made a "write down" gesture.
Xie Nu'er nodded vigorously, her eyes gleaming with the fearlessness of a newborn calf: "Don't worry, Father-in-law! I understand!"
Performance! Observe the emperor's reaction!
She accepted the task!
Desheng nodded in satisfaction as he looked at Xie Nuer's spirited appearance.
Newcomers need to be given something to look forward to, and besides, this hope is real. They're going back to Xihan to retire this year, and I heard they're living like gods!
Inside Yuntang Garden, lights were turned on.
That palace dress lay quietly on the tray, like a beautiful yet dangerous riddle.
As night fell, palace lanterns were lit one after another.
Inside the enormous bathtub, steam rose and various precious fragrant flowers floated.
Xie Nu'er soaked in warm water, letting the palace maids gently scrub every inch of her skin with loofahs soaked in fragrant ointment.
The rising steam blurred the expression on her face, but her almond-shaped eyes were surprisingly clear, reflecting the flickering candlelight. There was no shyness or trepidation that a new concubine should have when serving the emperor; instead, she was as calm as if she were calculating the costs and benefits of a transaction.
She certainly wasn't naive enough to think that Emperor Pei Yan had chosen her today because he was captivated by her personal charm.
From the very beginning, she knew that the young lady was teaching her to be her adoptive mother, and she could guess that the emperor must have some feelings for his adoptive mother.
She wouldn't be like the foolish women in those storybooks, fantasizing about gaining the emperor's true affection in this ruthless palace.
What she sought, from beginning to end, was crystal clear—
authority!
This is enough power for her to establish herself in this deep palace and not be trampled on at will!
It is enough power for her to live with dignity, and even enough power to make those who once looked down on her grovel on the ground!
Now, a bigger goal has emerged, so what does power in the palace matter!
Didn't you see that even the eunuchs sweeping the courtyard are of a higher rank than me?
She needs to work hard!
Climb even higher to the young lady's side!
Become a true confidant!
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