Rong Yang was stunned, unsure how to respond to their earnest concern.
"Consort Xian..." the Empress said in a calm tone, "If you are saddened by those old scoundrels from the previous dynasty, there is really no need for it. Our Emperor is diligent in governing and loves his people. He is very capable. Those ministers can't find anything substantial to criticize the Emperor, so they make a big fuss about trivial matters."
He rarely entered the harem, but lately he's been coming to you whenever he does, which makes them think you're the only one who favors the harem, giving them a perfect opportunity.
Let them curse...
When I first entered the palace, I was also cursed for half a year as a wicked concubine who brought ruin to the country.
After all this time, they haven't even changed their swear words.
Rong Yang was somewhat surprised to hear this, "Your Majesty, those ministers from the previous dynasty even dared to scold you?"
"That's a lie..."
The Consort De and Consort Shu, who were standing next to the Empress, both smiled…
"Your Southern Dynasty civil officials are tyrannical, while our Great Jing family holds power. If they really want to criticize someone, what wouldn't they dare to do?"
"But Her Majesty's family is so powerful!"
"So what if my family is powerful?" the Empress sighed. "A tall tree catches the wind. It is precisely because my family is powerful that I have to keep a low profile. Let them curse. They can't go back to the palace and point their fingers at me to curse back then. They can't stand me or my family. Let them curse and vent their anger. It won't hurt them much."
Rong Yang listened with admiration, "Your Majesty has such a magnanimous spirit! I can only look up to it."
The Empress shook her head, "I am not a person with a good temper. It is those ministers who are just good at talking in court. As for anything else, they dare not do it."
The same applies to you. They may curse you, but His Majesty will not allow you to do anything they really want. You are the legitimate princess of the Southern Dynasty, and the Southern Dynasty army and our Great Jing army are facing each other across the river south of the Muyang River.
The slightest misstep could have huge consequences; these are all cunning foxes who have been navigating the court for years, and they all know what's good for them.
They don't really care about whether you are the emperor's favorite or not; what they care about is why His Majesty hasn't taken their daughters as concubines yet.
So this matter is directed at you, but it doesn't really concern you.
Try to think more positively.
Don't worry, it will be fine in a while. Our Emperor is sensible and won't bring matters from the previous dynasty into the inner palace.
Furthermore, when you first entered the palace, I assured you that once you entered this harem, it would be my territory. His Majesty would have to ask me first before doing anything, let alone the ministers.
You should rest assured and not lock yourself in the palace all day because of these things.
A few days ago, I told Consort De and Consort Shu that you should be getting used to things by now. We've been hanging around you every day, so we should be familiar with you by now. We can play a game of cards together.
As soon as the rumors started, you backed out again.
After hearing this, Rong Yang's gloom of the past few days seemed to dissipate somewhat. She smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling with determination and tenderness, "Your Majesty's concern will be remembered by me."
"You're right. I can no longer let these pointless rumors disturb my peace of mind. Although the inner palace is a place for women, it is also our own domain. How can we be easily swayed by external storms?"
"As for His Majesty, I know that he has his own plans and knows how to balance the court and the harem. Now that I have entered the palace, I am a member of the royal family and should abide by the palace rules and fulfill my duties so as not to cause His Majesty any trouble or cause the ladies any worry."
"That's the right way to think!" Consort De said with great relief. "I heard you haven't been feeling well these past few days, and I was really worried about you. It's good that you're trying to think positively."
The Empress looked at them, thought for a moment, and then said, "Consort Xian... there is something I think you should know. His Majesty is holding a spring banquet, and from what I've heard, he wants to select consorts."
Consort Shu, who had been lounging lazily, suddenly became interested. "Isn't His Majesty someone who doesn't like the harem being too lively, which is why he's been bearing the pressure from the court and not taking any concubines?"
The Empress nudged her unruly body and said, "He didn't take any concubines before because most of the officials in the previous dynasty came from aristocratic families. In the harem, having just the two of us from aristocratic families is enough."
The Empress's father was recently enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan, wielding military power, and her maternal grandfather was a role model for millions of students, with countless disciples.
The Zhao family held a pivotal position in Lindong. The reason they took Consort Zhao was to win over the scholars and literati of Lindong.
The Empress and Consort Shu together basically satisfied the Emperor's political needs.
Therefore, he will no longer recommend women from aristocratic families to enter the palace.
He wanted to promote those from poor families.
It would be unacceptable for noble families to elevate a woman from a humble background to the palace, so after Rong Yang entered the palace, he favored her exclusively, letting the ministers of the previous dynasty see that their emperor was about to be bewitched by a foreign princess.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the emperor seized the opportunity to propose taking a concubine. Regardless of whether she came from a noble family or a humble background, she was still of high status and better than a foreign princess.
This is the emperor's usual tactic. The empress understands him and sees it clearly. It's just a pity that Rong Yang was scolded like this for no reason.
The Empress took a deep breath, took Rong Yang's hand, and said, "I'm saying all this to tell you that I don't like fighting, and the sisters in the palace are kind-hearted. They would never take advantage of Minghua Palace's misfortune just because of the winds of the previous dynasty. You can rest assured."
But we're currently in a period of heightened tension, so it's not convenient for us to travel around. Therefore, I will bring my sisters to your Minghua Palace.
Don't always treat us like outsiders!
Upon hearing this, Rong Yang's eyes reddened slightly, her gratitude beyond words. "Your Majesty is too kind. I am deeply grateful for your and all the other sisters' concern for me."
The Empress gently patted Rong Yang's hand to comfort her, "Consort Xian...you've suffered too much."
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