"Dismiss the court!" Eunuch Wang's shout cut through the silence of the court like a sharp blade.
At this moment, the ministers flocked to Prime Minister Jiang, bowing and offering flattery. "Your Excellency, congratulations! I heard your daughter is so beautiful she could make fish sink to the bottom of their chests and geese drop to the ground, and her beauty would shame the moon and flowers. She will surely be deeply favored by His Majesty after entering the palace. If she can give birth to a son for His Majesty, then the Prime Minister's Mansion will surely enjoy everlasting glory and favor!"
For a moment, everyone rushed to fawn over Prime Minister Jiang, but he remained silent, his face gloomy, as if a mountain had crushed him. At this moment, he was in agony... Whether he would be punished by his wife when he returned home was still unknown. Perhaps he would be punished by kneeling on a washboard...
As night fell and the lights came on, Prime Minister Jiang had already returned home. Madam Jiang had already ordered the maids to prepare the meal, and the house was filled with enticing aromas. However, Prime Minister Jiang felt a lump in his throat, unsure how to approach his wife.
Just as he was about to speak, he heard a loud shout from outside the door: "The imperial edict has arrived!"
Prime Minister Jiang and his entire family knelt on the ground to receive the order.
"The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Prime Minister Jiang's legitimate daughter, Jiang Meiyu, is gentle and virtuous, graceful and elegant, dignified and intelligent, self-disciplined and respectful of propriety, peaceful and harmonious, graceful and elegant, and pure and flawless. She is hereby canonized as the Virtuous Consort and granted residence in Yongning Palace. This is my decree!"
"Long live our emperor!"
"Thank you, Eunuch Wang." Prime Minister Jiang raised his hand slightly, and Steward Wang hurriedly handed a heavy bag of silver to Eunuch Wang.
Eunuch Wang accepted the silver and a smile immediately spread across his face. He said flatteringly, "Congratulations, Prime Minister. This is our family's responsibility. Please, Madam Concubine Xian, please pack up a few things. The palace will send someone to bring you back in three days."
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, I'm taking my leave." Eunuch Wang bowed slightly, then turned and left.
"Goodbye, Eunuch Wang..." Prime Minister Jiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Eunuch Wang's back gradually disappearing into the distance.
However, Madam Jiang, standing by, could no longer suppress her inner anxiety. She hurriedly asked, "Master, what is going on? Why did you let Yu'er enter the harem?"
Prime Minister Jiang frowned, sighed, and said, "Madam, this is a long story. Nowadays, various forces are constantly fighting in the court. Although I am the prime minister, it is difficult for me to stay out of it. This time, the emperor allowed Yu'er to enter the palace as a concubine, which is actually a political tactic. If our Jiang family can have someone favored in the palace, it will undoubtedly be a great help to our Jiang family. Yu'er is young, beautiful, and intelligent, and she is just the right person."
Mrs. Jiang was still worried: "But I still think this is too risky. What if Yu'er doesn't gain favor and ends up in danger of being killed? What should we do then?"
Prime Minister Jiang pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Madam, what you said is not without reason. However, this is also a helpless move."
Madam Jiang nodded helplessly, her eyes filled with worry. Prime Minister Jiang consoled her, "Madam, don't worry too much. Yu'er has been smart and clever since she was young, and she will be able to handle it well. Besides, with me backing her up in the court, I'm sure no one will dare to bully her easily."
Mrs. Jiang's voice trembled with fear, tears streaming uncontrollably. She clutched her husband's sleeve tightly, as if afraid of losing her last glimmer of hope. "I went through untold hardships to have this daughter in my old age. My whole family pampers and protects her like the apple of our eye. How could I send her to such a dangerous and hostile harem? The women there will do anything to win the emperor's favor, resorting to all sorts of despicable means. How could Yu'er, with her innocence and kindness, handle such a complex and dangerous environment?"
Mrs. Jiang couldn't help but burst into tears as she spoke of her heartbreak. Beside her, Jiang Meiyu's eyes were already blurred with tears, her heart filled with endless emotion. She knew her parents' love for her ran deep, and this unconditional care warmed her heart. At this moment, she became even more determined to protect her family and safeguard their happiness.
"Mom, I really want to enter the palace! You see, I'm an adult now, and I know a little bit about the tactics that the concubines in the harem often use to win favor, and I should be able to handle it with ease. And don't forget, Qiu Ping has always been by my side, taking care of me wholeheartedly! She is so meticulous and considerate, and she will definitely help me take care of everything. With her by my side, you can rest assured!" Jiang Meiyu only said the good things
Listening to her daughter's words, Mrs. Jiang couldn't help but sigh: "My child has truly grown up and become much more sensible." Although she no longer appeared as anxious as before, deep down she was still filled with worry and uneasiness. However, no matter how worried she was, they had to face the cruel reality before them—the imperial decree had been issued, and no one dared to disobey. They could only helplessly accept their fate.
At that moment, within the imperial palace, Emperor Wu of Yan sat in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, absorbed in reviewing a mountain of memorials. Suddenly, he thought of the woman he admired entering the palace in three days, and an indescribable surge of excitement welled up within him. He recalled the moment he first met her at Lingyin Temple—her blooming smile, her captivating eyes, and her slender, supple figure. His heart fluttered, his thoughts drifting, and a smile played upon his lips.
All of this happened to be observed by Eunuch Wang, who stood nearby. He mused to himself: I've served the Emperor for many years, but I've never seen His Majesty smile so happily. It seemed this woman entering the palace must be something special. Perhaps the situation within the palace was about to undergo a radical change... With this thought, Eunuch Wang decided to be even more cautious in his future service to the Emperor.
Hiding in the shadows, Chen Feng's mouth widened in astonishment. His Majesty had always been resolute and decisive, exuding an air of detachment, even toward the concubines in the harem. Chen Feng had never seen His Majesty smile, but to his amazement, upon meeting him today, simply for the Virtuous Consort, His Majesty had completely shed his usual cold image. Chen Feng couldn't help but feel admiration for this empress, who hadn't even entered the palace yet.
That night, Madam Jiang arrived at Jiang Meiyu's courtyard and decided to sleep with her daughter. She wanted to take this opportunity to tell her daughter about the inner court and urged her to take good care of herself. If she needed anything, she could send a servant home to let her know, and her family would fully support her. Furthermore, since the palace required many financial resources, Madam Jiang suggested that the entire dowry be converted into cash and brought into the palace.
Jiang Meiyu obediently agreed to her mother's instructions, saying she would follow her mother's arrangements. Seeing her daughter so sensible, Mrs. Jiang's worries were slightly alleviated.
Late at night, the mother and daughter slept in each other's arms, immersed in the warm family love.
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