After the old nursemaid withdrew.
The Empress called Li Mome over who was serving beside her and asked, "Cheng'er has always been uninterested in women, so why would he suddenly favor Yu the Concubine and even elevate her to the rank of Secondary Consort?"
This is Li Mome, who has served by her side for nearly 30 years and is also the person she trusts the most.
Li Mome walked out of the corner, keeping her head low and showing respect. "Madam, the concubine Yu was originally a dancer from the western region who was given to Prince Qin's palace when she danced at a banquet last month and pleased the Emperor. It is said that Miss Yu not only has exceptional dancing skills but also possesses beauty that surpasses others. Perhaps it is these qualities that have stirred up earthly desires in Prince Qin."
Upon hearing this, the Empress furrowed her eyebrows even deeper.
With a bracelet in her hand, she twirled it back and forth. "People from the western region have complicated thoughts. My son is both a war god of Jing and the prince of Qin, so every move he makes is related to the country's stability. We must be cautious about this matter." She instructed him to pass on the imperial edict: "Order Miss Yu, the secondary concubine, to come to the palace tomorrow and present herself to me personally. I want to see for myself this woman who can move my son's heart."
If it were any other woman who had the ability to awaken her son's senses and make him willing to be close to women, even a jade rabbit spirit without grace, she would be very happy.
Even rewarding the other party.
However, she is a person from the western region...
The Empress thought of this, and her eyes flickered with some worry.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Li Mome replied respectfully, and then quickly withdrew.
Prince Qin's mansion.
In the Bright Dawn courtyard, morning light filtered through the exquisite carved wooden windows, casting patchy and varied shadows on the path paved with green stone, adding a touch of warmth to this luxurious and delicate courtyard.
Yu Yao was curled up on a soft couch, flipping the pages of the novel occasionally.
Suddenly, Xiang Bing pushed the door open and went in. She glanced at her mistress who was curled up on the soft couch, hurried forward, and respectfully said: "Concubine Yu, someone from the palace has come. It's Li Mome from the side of Her Majesty Empress. She says she has something to find you and is waiting in the outer room."
Yu Yao looked up at Xiang Bing, "Do you know what it's about?"
Xiang Bing faintly shook her head, indicating that she didn't know.
Seeing Xiang Bing's manner, she didn't ask any more. She put aside the novel in her hand, got up from the couch, tidied herself up, and found nothing wrong. She also went to the outer room.
Yu Yao came to the outer room and looked up to see an elderly nursemaid sitting there.
She was dressed in a deep blue palace robe, her hair tied up high, with an air of pride. Looking at her, her eyes carried a touch of inspection.
"May I ask what business brings you to me?"
Yu Yao furrowed her brow slightly, speaking in a faint tone.
She roughly guesses what the matter is, which is that the Empress has learned that Xuanyuan Cheng has finally agreed to associate with a woman, causing her to be pleased in her heart.
But she is not sure about her background as a Western region dancer, so she wants to summon her to the palace to meet and also subtly warn her.
But she doesn't care much either; after all, she has not been the Empress herself.
"Yu Concubine, the Empress has an order: Please come to the palace to meet immediately."
Li Mome got up and approached, showing a very arrogant attitude and an inflexible tone.
Seeing such an arrogant attitude, Xiang Bing on the side became unhappy. After all, the master is also a woman's man.
Li Mome, even though she is close to the Empress, is still a servant in the end.
Not paying respects is one thing, but to have such an attitude towards the master, it's like a dog using its master's power.
Xiang Bing's inner thoughts about Yu Yao's actions are not known to her. Seeing Li Mome's arrogant attitude, she doesn't get angry either.
She is from the palace and an elderly person close to the Empress. It is normal for her to look down on her.
"Please wait a moment, Li Mome. I'll change into another outfit and then go to the palace with you."
She didn't wait for Li Mome to respond and went into the inner room with Xiang Bing's hand.
"Concubine Yu, this Li Mome's attitude is also..."
Xiang Bing, just as she entered the room, spoke out with an air of indignation.
Yu Yao frowned and interrupted her, "Be careful, there may be eavesdroppers. Whatever you want to say, keep it to yourself."
Xiang Bing, thinking that Li Mome was waiting outside, had to swallow her words and start serving her mistress.
Yu Yao changed into a dignified yet unobtrusive palace robe, which was neither too ostentatious nor lost its status.
But her face is so beautiful that it cannot hide her charms.
She asked Xiang Bing to go to the front courtyard and inform Xuanyuan Cheng, and then she took along Xiang Jue and followed Li Mome on a carriage into the palace.
Xiang Jue is more composed and has a more intricate mind, making her more suitable to accompany her into the palace than Xiang Bing.
According to her observation, Xiang Jue's back is very clean and appears to be very loyal.
Since she is loyal and clean, she doesn't mind giving the other person a chance.
Front courtyard study.
Xuanyuan Cheng is buried in piles of documents, and his brow shows a trace of fatigue and determination.
"Master."
A soft knock at the door from outside interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter."
He replied in a deep voice, not lifting his head, and his pen continued to rapidly outline on the official document.
Dong Feng pushed open the door and glanced at the master in front of the desk, then respectfully said, "Miss Xiang Bing from the Bright Dawn courtyard has reported that Concubine Yu has been summoned to the palace by Li Mome, who is close to the Empress."
Xuanyuan Cheng's action paused slightly, and the ink on his hand dropped onto the official document, staining it.
He looked out the window at the bamboo grove, his brow furrowing, and his deep eyes flickered with complexity.
"I've heard it. You can go now."
His voice was low, carrying an unspoken worry that was hard to detect.
Here, Yu Yao has arrived at the front of the Cultivating Celestial Palace with Xiang Jue.
Li Mome asked them to wait here and then went in to inform.
Not long after, she came out from inside.
"Yu Concubine, please go in. The Empress is already waiting inside."
Li Mome approached Yu Yao and said without any expression.
Yu Yao nodded slightly, instructed Xiang Jue to wait at the entrance of the Cultivating Celestial Palace, and then entered.
As soon as she stepped into the Cultivating Celestial Palace, a faint aroma of sandalwood hit her nose.
She slowly walked into the main hall, where the light was soft. A carved rosewood chair was placed in the middle, and the Empress sat on it, holding a string of jade beads in her hand, examining her critically.
"Reported to the Empress, may Your Majesty live a thousand years and ten thousand years."
Yu Yao stopped in front of the Empress, bowing and kowtowing respectfully with a demeanor that was neither too humble nor arrogant.
Having experienced the modern position, she has begun to dislike doing tasks in the ancient position.
Especially tasks related to the palace, with its intrigue and constant kneeling.
Only when the task reaches its later stage and her status becomes higher will she no longer have to kneel to others.
"Look up, let the Empress have a good look."
The Empress did not call her to rise, but continued to stare at her, examining her closely as if looking for something unusual.
Yu Yao raised her head as instructed, her gaze intersecting with the Empress's, without a shred of fear or retreat. It was as if she wasn't facing the Empress, but a peer.
The Empress secretly nodded in admiration, feeling that this Western woman had a bit of courage and dare to look at herself directly like that.
"Rise."
She gently raised her hand, and her expression softened somewhat.
Yu Yao stood up as instructed, but didn't say anything, just standing in place.
"Her Majesty has heard that you were originally a dancer from the Western regions who was favored by Prince Qin. You must have some extraordinary qualities to win his favor."
The Empress's gaze fell on her face, and she slowly spoke.
Yu Yao's heart tightened, but soon relaxed, speaking in a slow and steady manner:
"I, as a humble and fragile beauty, have been favored by Prince Qin's grace. I am truly fortunate. Although I come from the Western regions, since entering the Prince's mansion, I have devoted myself to Jin Guo wholeheartedly. I am willing to relieve the troubles of the Jin Guo imperial family and ease the worries of my lord."
Upon hearing this, the Empress' eyebrows slightly unfurled, as if quite satisfied with the response. However, she then asked: "The land of the Western regions is very different from our Central Plains in terms of climate and customs. As a native of the Western regions, how can you adapt to the life in our Jing Guo?"
Yu Yao had already thought through her answer on the way here. She replied naturally, "Although I am a Western woman, my mother is from Yangzhou in the Jing Guo. Since I was young, I have been exposed to many things about the Central Plains through my mother and have gained some knowledge of the culture."
Upon hearing that her mother is from Yangzhou, the Empress's eyes flashed with surprise.
Yu Yao paused for a moment and then continued, "After entering the palace, I have been cautious in my words and actions, diligently studying the Central Plains' etiquette to live up to the expectations of my lord and the Empress. I believe that as long as one has a kind heart, one can be connected across mountains and rivers."
Upon hearing this, the Empress' eyes flashed with a trace of approval, nodded gently, and her tone also became much more gentle. "Having such a heart is rare. But remember that you are not only the woman of Prince Qin but also a part of the Jing Guo royal family. Your every move is related to Jing Guo's reputation and tranquility."
Yu Yao hurriedly knelt down and respectfully bowed her head, "I will follow the teachings of the Empress, regard the Jing Guo royal family as my priority, and live up to the expectations of Her Majesty and my lord."
The Empress smiled faintly, "Since Prince Qin likes you, you should serve him well and strive to give birth to an heir for him as soon as possible."
"Yes, Empress."
Yu Yao's face turned slightly red, as if embarrassed, and she spoke softly in a respectful tone.
"All right, go ahead and leave."
The Empress also rewarded her with some things and let her leave.
Yu Yao stepped out of the Cultivating Celestial Palace, and Xiang Jue hurried up to meet her, nervously asking: "Concubine Yu, did the Empress have any trouble with you?"
Yu Yao shook her head slightly, "No harm, the Empress just asked a few questions, nothing else."
Xiang Jue breathed a sigh of relief and didn't ask anything else.
The master and servant quickly left the palace.
However, before Yu Yao left the palace, as they passed through the Imperial Garden, they encountered Emperor Xuanyu Zan.
