Onboarding training and court "benefits"
Li Zhi did not take her away on the spot.
This is easy to understand. No matter how satisfied the boss is, the personnel process still has to be followed.
Moreover, the process of an emperor taking concubines, especially those who were once the emperor's concubines, was as complicated as a company merger.
Wu Zetian (inner monologue: I understand, it's a background check! After all, my previous company was "Taizong Group," and the position was sensitive.)
Emperor Gaozong left two trusted eunuchs to "assist" her in packing, but in reality, it was for protection and surveillance. He also rewarded her with some gold, silver, and silk, and allowed her to "stay temporarily" at Ganye Temple while awaiting his decree.
Wu Zetian accepted the letter of intent to be hired.
Back in that dilapidated meditation room, looking at the pile of rewards on the table that amounted to a fortune after her transmigration, Wu Meiniang almost shed tears of excitement.
"Startup capital! This is my first pot of gold!" She rushed forward, touching the smooth silk and weighing the heavy silver ingot in her hand. "Finally, I don't have to worry about starving or freezing to death anymore! The Tang Dynasty's five social insurances and one housing fund, here I come!"
Unlike nouveau riche who indulge in lavish feasts, she was frugal and used part of her money to improve her daily diet and hygiene, while secretly using the rest to bribe several key figures in the temple, such as the abbot and the nun in charge of purchasing.
(Inner monologue: First rule of workplace survival: manage logistics well and keep administration and finances in check.)
Life was no longer hard, but Wu Zetian did not relax.
She knew that preparation before "starting the job" was crucial.
She began consciously exercising to restore her physical strength (after all, serving in the imperial harem was physically demanding); she made the most of the limited resources to learn court etiquette (so as not to embarrass her boss); and more importantly, she began frantically "catching up" on her studies.
—Recalling major events and key relationships during the Zhenguan and early Yonghui reigns.
(Inner monologue: Shouldn't new employees familiarize themselves with the company structure and business history before joining?)
During this time, Li Zhi made another secret visit. This time, it wasn't a big fuss; it was more like a boss privately inspecting the future employees' work environment.
Wu Zetian was well-prepared. This time, instead of bringing a rough cloth PowerPoint presentation, she offered a cup of calming tea that she had modified from memory to slightly relieve headaches. She also combined this with the information she had obtained through "observation" to conduct a "talent assessment and analysis" of the characteristics of several officials from humble backgrounds in the court.
Li Zhi looked at her, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.
She can not only identify problems, but also provide constructive solutions and talent development advice!
This is simply a gender-swapped version of Zhuge Liang, a gift from heaven, and he's also incredibly pleasing to the eye!
"Meiniang, wait a little longer, I will be able to bring you into the palace soon." He held her hand, his tone filled with promise and urgency.
Wu Zetian (inner monologue: The boss is urging me to start! Okay, I'm ready to go anytime!)
---
In the spring of the first year of the Yonghui era, the imperial edict was finally issued.
The nuns of Ganye Temple knelt on the ground, listening to the eunuch read out the imperial edict in a shrill voice, conferring the title of Zhaorong upon Wu.
The imperial edict was written in a very formal style, and its general meaning was that Lady Wu was virtuous and kind, and was specially permitted to enter the palace to serve.
Amidst a chorus of envious, jealous, or incredulous gazes, Wu Zetian calmly accepted the imperial decree and expressed her gratitude.
(Inner monologue: Done! Position: Zhaorong. Rank: One of the Nine Concubines, Second Rank. Benefits: Top-notch! A solid step towards retirement!)
With only simple luggage (mainly the gold, silver and valuables later bestowed upon her by Emperor Gaozong), she boarded a carriage bound for the palace.
There was no turning back, no lingering attachment. Ganye Temple was simply the first and last "grassroots project site" she needed to clean up herself after her transmigration.
The palace was magnificent and heavily guarded.
Wu Meiniang was led to a palace garden called "Chengxiang Palace".
The location wasn't the best, but it was quiet and well-equipped with palace maids and eunuchs.
(Inner monologue: The office environment is nice, with a private office and an assistant and administrative staff.)
Before she could even get used to the new environment, the formal "onboarding training" began.
First, female officials from the Shanggong Bureau came to teach more detailed palace rules and etiquette. Every move, every smile, had its own rules.
Wu Zetian studied diligently, but inwardly she was furiously complaining:
(This is even more tiring than rehearsing for the company's annual party! You have to manage the curve of your smile? And there are KPIs for facial muscles?)
Subsequently, the Bureau of Clothing, the Bureau of Bedchamber, and six other bureaus and twenty-four departments successively sent people to register and distribute daily allowances.
(Inner monologue: Oh, the administration, logistics, and IT departments are here to coordinate. The process is quite standardized.)
Finally, a stern-faced old eunuch came to talk about "important matters"—mainly concerning the two powerful figures in the harem: Empress Wang and Consort Xiao.
Empress Wang, born into the prestigious Taiyuan Wang clan, was Emperor Gaozong's first wife.
Consort Xiao, born into the Lanling Xiao clan, was a member of a prominent family. She was the most favored concubine in the harem and had children.
The old eunuch's words were vague, but Wu Meiniang understood instantly.
(Inner monologue: Got it. Ms. Wang, the chairman's daughter, the official wife, but her relationship with the boss might not be that great? Ms. Xiao, with strong business skills, is highly valued by the boss and is a rising star in the company. And me, I'm a senior executive personally recruited by the boss, currently on probation.)
This situation is delicate.
She didn't want to get involved in the fight between the two "directors"; her goal was to become a senior consultant, the kind who gets paid but doesn't do any work.
However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease.
On the third day after I started my job, the Empress's reward arrived.
Several bolts of fashionable palace satin, and some exquisite jewelry.
The nanny who delivered the gifts subtly hinted at winning over the Empress, suggesting that she was virtuous and magnanimous, and hoped that Consort Wu would remain dutiful and serve His Majesty with peace of mind.
(Inner monologue: Is Mr. Wang trying to recruit me? Is he offering empty promises to get me to choose sides?)
Wu Zetian respectfully expressed her gratitude, saying some polite words, her attitude neither humble nor arrogant, neither agreeing nor refusing.
(Inner monologue: Workplace survival rule number two: Don't easily take sides, remain neutral, and report directly to your boss.)
The Empress's people had just left when Consort Xiao's "greetings" arrived.
It wasn't a reward, but a "chance encounter".
While strolling in the Imperial Garden, Wu Zetian "happened" to encounter Consort Xiao, who was dressed in full regalia and surrounded by a retinue.
Consort Xiao sized her up from head to toe, her eyes scrutinizing and carrying a hint of barely perceptible hostility. Her tone was charming yet barbed: "Oh, so this is His Majesty's newly appointed Consort Wu? Indeed, she is quite beautiful. The austere place of Ganye Temple has not dulled your spirit, sister."
Wu Zetian (inner monologue: Here it comes! A classic show of force! President Xiao is here to test the competition.)
She gave a standard, perfectly curved smile, certified by the etiquette matron, and curtsied: "Your Highness, Consort Shu, flatters me. I am but a humble woman, far inferior to Your Highness's elegance. It is Your Majesty's grace that I have been able to quietly reflect on my past mistakes at Ganye Temple."
(Inner monologue: Be humble, flatter me, the core message is: I'm not trying to compete with you, the boss is the boss.)
Consort Xiao was rebuffed, snorted, and left in a grand procession.
Wu Meiniang watched her retreating figure and breathed a sigh of relief.
(Inner monologue: First round of palace intrigue, I think I've made it through safely? Sigh, all I want to do is lie back and collect my salary, why is it so hard! This harem is clearly a large-scale, high-risk office politics arena!)
She looked up and gazed in the direction of the Taiji Hall.
Boss, your "career plan" didn't mention that the workplace environment is this complicated!
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