Outside the Shenwu Gate, the scene was bustling with activity. The newly selected consorts and ladies were all entering the palace today, with palace maids and eunuchs coming and going, their greetings and salutations echoing continuously.
Several carriages were parked on an open area not far away, the most eye-catching among them being a silk brocade carriage adorned with a splendid canopy.
A maid in green respectfully lifted the carriage curtain and helped down a young woman dressed in a peach-red Shu brocade gown.
The gold and silver embroidery on her dress, along with the golden hairpins and pearl ornaments in her hair, shimmered brilliantly under the bright summer sun. Such a flamboyant display immediately drew the attention of many.
“That must be Lin Yue, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, right? One of only two consorts selected this time. Look at her attire—she seems like someone with a flashy personality. She might be difficult to get along with in the future.”
“What does it matter whether she’s easy to get along with or not? I’ve heard that His Majesty is dignified and strict, placing great importance on rules, and Her Majesty the Empress is a model of grace and virtue, gentle and kind. How could she dare to bully us in the harem?”
The two speaking were also among the newly selected ladies. One was granted the rank of Lady Wu, a sixth-rank position, and the other was Selected Lady Jiang, a sixth-rank lady of the second rank.
The two had been in the same group during the Imperial Selection. After learning they had both been selected, they made an effort to get to know each other in the days leading up to their entry into the palace, hoping to have a companion once inside. Thus, they were now somewhat familiar with each other.
After Selected Lady Jiang finished speaking, she didn’t hear a response from her companion. Unbothered, she continued muttering to herself, “Consort Lin is one thing—her father is a minister of one of the Six Ministries, a rising star in the court. But I heard the other Consort Su’s father is just a minor official in the Imperial Academy, a position only slightly higher than my father’s. How could she also be granted the rank of consort?”
Lady Wu swallowed the words “How can you compare?” that were on the tip of her tongue and calmly explained, “Her surname is Su, and she belongs to the same clan as Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Naturally, she’s different from us.”
“Ah?” Selected Lady Jiang exclaimed in surprise. Realizing she had attracted curious glances from those around her, she quickly covered her mouth and leaned closer to Lady Wu, whispering, “But isn’t there already a Consort Su in the palace? She’s the Empress Dowager’s own cousin’s daughter. Why would the Su family send another one? What does this mean? Do you know, sister?”
Selected Lady Jiang’s behavior made Lady Wu frown deeply, a wave of irritation rising within her. However, out of consideration for their recent acquaintance and the fact that they would have to live together day and night in the future, she suppressed her temper for the time being.
“How would I know? Just keep your voice down when whispering. There’s no need to lean in so close. If you act like this in front of other high-ranking ladies in the palace, you could easily be charged with disrespect.”
“Of course, I know that,” Selected Lady Jiang pouted, somewhat displeased. “It’s not like I act this way with everyone.”
Lady Wu grew even more annoyed. She had originally intended to observe the newly entered consorts and ladies more closely, forming a general impression in her mind to better navigate future interactions. But now, she had lost the mood for it.
“Let’s go find the guiding matron,” she said.
With that, she took the lead and walked away. Selected Lady Jiang hurriedly quickened her pace to catch up. “Hey, sister, wait for me…”
Su Yuewu arrived the latest and shared a carriage with Jiang Junrou.
The Su family’s carriage had broken down halfway, its axle snapping. If it hadn’t been for Jiang Junrou’s timely assistance, whether they had sent someone to hire another carriage or returned to the Su residence to fetch a new one, they would have missed the auspicious hour for entering the palace.
Su Yuewu didn’t need to think twice to know whose handiwork this was.
She ordered the Su family guards to tie up the evasive-looking coachman and take him back, handing him over to Concubine Feng for full interrogation. To prevent her father and brothers from sweeping the matter under the rug, she specifically instructed that if this wasn’t handled properly, she would take it to the Emperor and demand justice.
Of course, she wouldn’t actually make a fuss over such a trivial matter—but scaring them was enough.
Today, Su Yuewu wore a light pink narrow-sleeved dress embroidered with peach blossom branches, paired with matching hair ornaments. Her eyebrows were lightly traced, and her lips were glossed with a delicate rouge. Following closely two steps behind her, Jiang Junrou wore a goose-yellow long dress, her hair adorned simply with a few beaded flowers.
Unintentionally, both had chosen the colors they wore during the Imperial Selection.
As they approached the palace gate, the welcoming matron immediately stepped forward, curtsying respectfully: “Greetings to Consort Su and Noble Lady Jiang. Please follow this servant.”
Jiang Junrou nervously clenched her sweaty palms, unsure how to react, and instinctively looked toward Su Yuewu.
She still remembered how during the Imperial Selection, Su Yuewu had been poised and graceful, as if she could handle anything with ease—unlike herself, who agonized over every word before speaking and regretted it afterward.
Even in the carriage earlier, it was Su Yuewu who kept the conversation going, while she could only offer stiff responses.
She was afraid Su Yuewu would grow tired of her, but until the very end, Su Yuewu’s attitude remained gentle and warm, smiling and chatting amiably.
For the first time, Jiang Junrou felt that being with someone could be comfortable, just like being with a little kitten…
Over there, Su Yuewu thanked the welcoming matron with a smile and led Jiang Junrou through the palace gate.
Entering from the Xuanwu Gate, they soon reached the Qin’an Hall. Heading south from there, they arrived at the Imperial Garden.
Upon reaching the Imperial Garden, other eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department approached, preparing to lead the two in different directions.
Jiang Junrou immediately looked up, her almond-shaped eyes blinking with shock and confusion. After a long moment of hesitation, she timidly asked the eunuch, “Is my residence very far from Consort Su’s?”
The Imperial Household Department eunuch beamed with a practiced smile: “Young Mistress Jiang resides in the Tingyu Pavilion of the Palace of Gathered Elegance, which belongs to the Western Six Palaces. Consort Su resides in the Palace of Earthly Honor, located to the northeast. As for distance—well, the Imperial Garden lies between them, so it’s not exactly close, but it’s not far either. After all, both are within the rear palace. We’ll see each other often, so what’s a little distance?”
Jiang Junrou listened as he waffled between “close” and “far,” her mind in a muddle. Without thinking, she quickly nodded: “Alright, alright…”
Su Yuewu thought her temperament was quite similar to that of her own elder half-brother.
Su Yuze was a silent gourd, while Jiang Junrou was a trembling gourd.
But neither had a bad heart.
Thinking this, Su Yuewu gently patted the young girl’s back, soothing her softly: “Junrou, go ahead. Don’t be afraid. The people in the palace are all very kind. Once you’ve settled in and have some free time, we can meet again.”
Jiang Junrou’s long eyelashes fluttered twice. She glanced up at Su Yuewu, then quickly lowered her head, giving a firm “Mm-hmm” before curtsying: “Then, then, this concubine will take her leave.”
Su Yuewu suddenly felt as if she had just tricked a child.
But upon reflection, what she said wasn’t wrong. After all, in these first few days after entering the palace, even if those around them harbored ulterior motives, they would surely put on a kind facade.
As for what would happen afterward—well, that would depend on their own fortunes.
She was clear about gratitude and grudges, and she found this young girl quite agreeable. In the future, as long as it didn’t harm her own interests, she would offer help and guidance where she could. As for anything beyond that, it would depend on the situation.