"Zhuang Gui Puan, I didn't see you mention her."
She looked up at Liuli and asked again.
Liuli glanced at her, then fell silent for a moment before saying, "Empress Concubine is not favored; it may not even happen once a month or two, but since she comes from the Marshal's Mansion, she was granted a high position when the new emperor ascended the throne. The other concubines in Yihe Palace are also not favored. It was only during the Emperor's time as a crown prince that he brought back from Jiangnan some enchanting talents who enjoyed his favor. But that's all there is to it; it can be said that they meet once every two months or so."
YU Yao understood at once. Although Empress Concubine Zhuang was not favored, she could be promoted to the position of a concubine solely because of her family status.
As for the other women in Yihe Palace, they hardly see Emperor Jing's face.
Not to mention those like the Enchanting Talent, who only see Emperor Jing once every two months, in Liuli's eyes, they are considered to have a bit of favor.
She thought to herself that she should visit Empress Concubine Zhuang, even though Zhuang Gui Puan is not favored, she still holds a high position in Yihe Palace. It would be easy for others to criticize her for not visiting.
She stood up and said to Liuli, "Liuli, come with me to the main hall. I want to visit Empress Concubine."
No matter how glorious she may be in other dimensions, here she is merely a lowly consort. Respecting the main position and maintaining good relationships are important survival rules.
"Okay, Your Highness, do we need to prepare some gifts?"
Liuli inquired.
Yu Yao shook her head slightly, "I came from the ranks of palace girls, and I don't have anything valuable to give. Even if I were to force it, Empress Concubine might not appreciate it. As long as the sincerity is there, that's enough."
At least that's how it seems to others. If she were to bring out good gifts, wouldn't that prove that she has been favoring the emperor long ago?
This would instead bring about envy from others, which is unnecessary.
Liuli looked at her in surprise. Although the Young Lady was indeed from the ranks of palace girls, she had now become a consort, and no one would be willing to bring up their humble past.
The Young Lady is quite candid about it, as if she doesn't care at all.
"That's what the Young Lady said. Let's go then."
Liuli's smile became a bit more sincere, and she said as she approached.
Yu Yao observed Liuli's expression, and in her heart, she thought, "Liuli is wise and stable, and she is very familiar with the palace. She has her own scale of things in her heart. If used well, it can save her a lot of trouble."
With this in mind, she quietly stuck a piece of heartfelt charm on Liuli's back and smiled meaningfully.
"Let's go."
She smiled lightly, and her hand rested on Liuli's arm. The two of them left the east hall.
On the way, she remembered the slaves who used to serve the original host and wondered if she should find an opportunity to transfer them.
But the thought was immediately extinguished by her.
Those people are very familiar with the original host, and if transferred to her side, it would be difficult to cover up any discrepancies.
"Oh, Liuli, where did you originally serve, and why were you transferred to Yihe Palace?"
Yu Yao glanced at Liuli walking beside her and couldn't help but ask.
"Master, I used to be a palace girl in the Empress Dowager's palace. After the Empress Dowager passed away, I was assigned to the flower garden. I used money to get transferred here, hoping to secure my future," Liuli replied as she walked beside Yu Yao.
Liuli didn't hesitate to tell the truth about her origin.
"In the Empress Dowager's palace?"
She looked suspiciously at Liuli. Empress Dowager's position was much higher than that of the original host. She was a Shao Yi before the late emperor passed away.
It was after the late emperor's passing that Emperor Jing posthumously titled her Empress Dowager Ru.
Empress Dowager Ru was quite favored during the late emperor's reign. However, she was ruined by someone who poisoned her early on, causing her to become infertile.
Without having given birth to any children, she ultimately ended up being sacrificed along with the late emperor.
Yu Yao looked at Liuli with a look of sympathy, and she tried to recall any memories of the original host, but couldn't remember anyone like Liuli by Empress Dowager Ru's side.
However, there were so many slaves in Empress Dowager Ru's court that the original host might not have noticed Liuli among them.
"Yes, Master, I was just a third-grade palace girl in the Empress Dowager's palace at the time and was not valued much," Liuli replied.
Liuli lowered her eyes, not hiding anything.
She understood what Liuli meant. She thought the same thing. It was strange that she didn't have any impression of Liuli at all.
Who would bother to pay attention to a third-grade palace girl who is not valued.
While they were talking, they had arrived at the main hall of Yihe Palace.
There was a palace girl standing by the entrance, named Jin Xin, who was the personal attendant of Empress Concubine Zhuang.
Jin Xin saw the two women and knew who they were because of the arrival of a concubine named Qin today at Yihe Palace.
She quickly stepped forward, "Slave has paid respects to Concubine Qin."
Her attitude was polite, and she spoke with respect and courtesy, without a trace of arrogance towards Yu Yao's status as a palace girl.
Yu Yao smiled slightly, adding two more points of goodwill to her heart, "No need for such formalities. The Young Lady I am here today to visit Empress Concubine Zhuang. Is she inside?"
Jin Xin rose in response, smiling faintly, "The Empress Concubine is here. Concubine Qin, please wait here. Allow slave to go in and inform her."
The two of them waited by the main hall for a while.
Soon, Jin Xin emerged and said with a smile, "Concubine Qin, the Empress Concubine is waiting for you to come in."
She nodded slightly, instructing Liuli to wait at the door, and then stepped inside.
Upon stepping into the main hall, a faint fragrance of elegance tickled her nose. Compared to the east hall, this place was even more majestic and luxurious.
Empress Concubine Zhuang was sitting on a carved pear wood chair, holding a scroll in her hand. Her appearance was dignified and beautiful, with a full forehead, a round face like a plate, crescent-shaped eyebrows, black hair slightly draped over her shoulders, fair skin, and an air of grace and composure.
Yu Yao stepped forward a few steps, performed a standard palace bow, "Palace maid Yu Yao comes to pay respects to Empress Concubine. May Your Majesty's health be robust and Your blessings long-lasting."
Empress Concubine Zhuang put down the scroll she was holding and smiled faintly, but the smile looked a bit bitter and helpless. "Concubine Qin, Your Graciousness is too generous. It makes me very happy that you could come."
"Please, have a seat. There is no need for any restrictions."
She pointed to the embroidered bench next to her and said softly.
Once Yu Yao was seated, Empress Concubine Zhuang said, "In the palace, where there is warmth and friendliness among people, there are also coldness and aloofness. As concubines, we must also be careful of ourselves. Since you are new here, if there is anything you need help with, feel free to ask."
Looking at Empress Concubine Zhuang, Yu Yao felt grateful. Although Empress Concubine Zhuang was not favored, it was not easy for her to maintain such openness and composure.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. The palace maid will definitely remember this. If there are any inadequacies in the future, please don't hesitate to teach the palace maid."
After a conversation, she gradually got to know Empress Concubine Zhuang's personality, and she realized the reason why Empress Concubine Zhuang was not favored.
Empress Concubine Zhuang was undoubtedly a beauty, but she was not exceptionally outstanding in her beauty. She carried a pride of a noble family's daughter in her dignity, which made her unable to lower herself to flatter or serve men.
That being unpopular was expected.
While Yu Yao was talking to Empress Concubine Zhuang, the concubines in various palaces also heard the news that the emperor had conferred a rank of concubine on a maid.
Rumors and curses erupted in the various palaces, with countless vases broken in secret and numerous slaves suffering at the hands of their mistresses as venting objects.
The Fengyi Palace.
The empress was straightening her appearance in front of a bronze mirror, with palace girls moving around quietly and busily.
The empress thought about the news she had heard and lightly opened her lips, "I heard that the emperor added a concubine today, a concubine named Qin. Is this true?"
The palace maid Jing Xuan stepped forward a step, respectfully replied: "Yes, Your Majesty. This news has spread throughout the palace. It is said that she has been given the residence on the east side of Yihe Palace. The palace maid heard that the concubine Qin used to serve at the Da Tiao Palace, and her appearance is extremely beautiful."
"Extremely beautiful?"
The empress smiled faintly, smoothed her hair by the mirror, and a wave of emotion flickered in her eyes. "In the palace, there is no shortage of beauties."
The emperor observed a twenty-seven-day period of mourning, during which he did not call any concubines. The maid having served at the Taihe Palace must have become close to the emperor during this time.
The empress knew very well what kind of man her husband was, and it was impossible for him to abstain from women for twenty-seven days during the mourning period.
Although the palace had gained a new woman, it made her uncomfortable and annoyed, but she had long since become accustomed to it.
She just didn't know how much talent Concubine Qin had. If she could take away some favor from Concubine Zhen and Concubine Li, she wouldn't mind taking her under her wing.
And that Yuyin empress was a bastard, clearly disliked by the emperor, but still behaved arrogantly in front of her, boasting and showing off, not giving the empress the respect she deserved.
The empress furrowed her brows, her eyes full of disgust, and gave a light snort. "What's happening in the palaces of Empress Yuyin, Concubine Zhen, and Concubine Li?"
Jing Xuan slightly lowered her head and reported truthfully, "To the lady, I heard that Empress Yuyin had a big temper in the palace, breaking a lot of vases and pouring out her anger on her servants. As for Concubines Zhen and Li, they didn't vent their anger on their servants, but they also broke a lot of vases."
Upon hearing this, the empress's face turned dark in an instant. She pounded the golden nail brush she was holding onto the vanity table with all her might and roared, "How dare they! The emperor just made a concubine, and they become this upset. Do they really think they can't be controlled with a bit of favor?"
Her eyes were filled with anger as she paced back and forth in the hall, deep in thought, then said, "Jing Xuan, go and inform the Hall of State that from now on, if any concubine breaks vases or porcelain to vent her anger, they are not to be replaced; let them buy their own with their own money."
Why not? Let them see how deep their pockets are. Are they really going to think that the palace's porcelain is free to break? If they want to smash, they can smash, but at their own expense.
Jing Xuan's lips twitched, and she managed to suppress a laugh, saying: "The empress is wise. This will definitely make Empress Yuyin, Concubine Zhen, and Concubine Li furious."
Empress Yuyin has a good background, but Concubines Zhen and Li are both from the south of the Yangtze River, and they don't have any formidable family background. They have reached the rank of concubine solely because of the emperor's favor.
The empress faintly smiled, and much of her inner dissatisfaction was relieved. After thinking for a moment, she added instructions: "Go and choose some good things from the warehouse and send them to Yihe Palace for Concubine Qin. Tell her that Your Majesty congratulates her."
The palace had gained a new sister, and as the empress, even if she didn't like it in her heart, she still needed to show her goodwill. She didn't want others to say that she was small-minded.
Moreover, this action could also provoke those three bastards, why not do it?
