When Kangxi arrived at Chengqian Palace, the Imperial Noble Consort, with a wooden expression, paid her respects and said, “I thought Your Cousin had gotten so comfortable in the soft comforts of Jingren Palace that he was unwilling to come out.”
After being slapped in the face by Kangxi again and again, the Imperial Noble Consort did not even have the energy to be angry anymore.
Kangxi helped the Imperial Noble Consort up, pulled her to sit beside the dining table, and said with a smile, “Zhaopin had just entered the palace, and I was not at ease with her. Since I was passing by, I naturally had to go and take a look. It was instead I who made you, Cousin, wait for a long time.”
Perhaps he also knew that what he had done was not quite proper, so he picked up the serving chopsticks and personally夹ed some dishes for the Imperial Noble Consort.
Even if the Imperial Noble Consort was still angry, seeing Kangxi being so considerate, she could not say anything more. She could only say unwillingly, “It is hard for Your Cousin to still keep me in mind.”
Kangxi did not care about the Imperial Noble Consort’s temper. Women, after all, if they were angry, soothing them a little would be enough: “Listen to what you are saying. If I did not keep you in mind, how could I have brought you back a full set of head ornaments from Jiangning from so far away?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Kangxi glanced at Liang Jiugong. Liang Jiugong moved the hand behind his back, and a little eunuch carrying a box hurried forward and knelt beside the Imperial Noble Consort’s feet.
Kangxi lifted his teacup and looked at the Imperial Noble Consort. “Open it and take a look.”
The Imperial Noble Consort had not expected that Kangxi really had brought her a gift. She was both surprised and delighted, her heart beating very fast. With eyes full of affection, she looked at Kangxi, then turned to gaze at the carved wooden box in the little eunuch’s hands, carefully opened the latch, and a set of exquisite and novel head ornaments was revealed before her eyes.
The entire set of Xifu Begonia head ornaments lay quietly in the box, gleaming brilliantly. The Imperial Noble Consort stared at them for several breaths, and her surprise slowly turned into some regret.
Xifu begonia had the elegant title of the Imperial Noble Consort among flowers, but it was still only an imperial noble consort. In the end, it could not compare to peony, the king of flowers, which was dignified and noble.
Kangxi tasted his tea, and his peripheral vision did not miss the change in the Imperial Noble Consort’s expression. Seeing that she did not speak for a long time, he pretended not to know and said, “Could it be that Cousin does not like it?”
The Imperial Noble Consort hurriedly raised a smile. “No, this concubine likes it very much. Thank you, Your Cousin, for your trouble.”
Xia Lan stepped forward to close the box and properly put it away on the dressing table in the Imperial Noble Consort’s sleeping quarters.
Liang Jiugong timely smiled and flattered the Imperial Noble Consort a bit. “Your Imperial Noble Consort, you may not know this, but this set of head ornaments was personally crafted by the most skillful artisans in Jiangning Prefecture at the Emperor’s order. It is one of a kind in this world.”
Sure enough, the Imperial Noble Consort became even happier after hearing this, sweeping away her earlier displeasure, and attentively and considerately began to serve Kangxi with his meal.
Liang Jiugong silently stepped back a little, deeply hiding his merit and fame.
What he said was not wrong. The Xifu begonia head ornaments were indeed carefully ordered by the Emperor to be made, but the Emperor had not only ordered one set to be made. The remaining two sets, one with pink peach blossoms and another with white jade lotuses, had already gone into Zhaopin-niangniang’s private storehouse before they even entered the palace.
After the emperor and consort finished their dinner, Kangxi wiped his mouth and casually threw the handkerchief onto the table. As if he had suddenly remembered something, he said, “Right, when I went to Jingren Palace just now, I discovered that Jingren Palace’s small kitchen did not have a cook, so I told Liang Jiugong to transfer one from the Qianqing Palace over to Jingren Palace.”
As soon as he said this, the Imperial Noble Consort’s movement of offering Kangxi water to rinse his mouth inevitably froze. “This matter was this concubine’s oversight. I originally thought the choice of personnel for the small kitchen was of the utmost importance, so I wanted to wait until Zhaopin came to pay her respects to me and ask her opinion along the way. I just did not expect that Zhaopin still had not come to Chengqian Palace until now, so this matter was put on hold.”
While explaining, the Imperial Noble Consort did not forget to put in a word against Cao Yue,暗暗 saying that Cao Yue did not understand the rules and had not come to pay her respects until now.
How could Kangxi not hear the implication in the Imperial Noble Consort’s words? He took the mouth-rinsing water and rinsed his mouth, then said calmly, “Zhaopin has just entered the palace. I told her to first get familiar with Jingren Palace and then come pay her respects to you in two days.”
After a pause, Kangxi swept Liang Jiugong with a sharp look, and his tone was somewhat heavier. “You did not send someone to tell the Imperial Noble Consort about this?”
Liang Jiugong was stunned. Before his brain had even turned the corner, his mouth had already neatly admitted fault. “This servant was not competent in handling the matter. Please punish this servant, Your Majesty.”
Whether or not the Emperor had instructed him to handle this matter, since something had gone wrong, it was the fault of him, the chief eunuch of the imperial court.
Seeing this, the Imperial Noble Consort’s gaze darkened. She said a few good words for Liang Jiugong and smiled as she brushed this matter past. “It was not really a big matter to begin with. Your Majesty need not be angry. It is just that the cooks in the Qianqing Palace dining room are all there to serve you. If they are transferred to serve Zhaopin, this concubine fears that the attendants in Qianqing Palace will not be enough. Why not let this concubine find one from the Imperial Kitchen or the Jingji Room instead? Would that not be better?”
On the surface, the Imperial Noble Consort was understanding, but in truth she was practically tearing a handkerchief apart inside. Asking the people from Qianqing Palace’s dining room to go serve in Jingren Palace, just what kind of status did that Zhaopin think she had?
But Kangxi did not care what the Imperial Noble Consort was thinking. He had already discussed this matter with Zhaopin, so naturally he could not go back on his word. Therefore, no matter how much the Imperial Noble Consort tried to coax him into changing his mind, he still would not give in.
Unable to get Kangxi to change his mind, the Imperial Noble Consort ground her teeth in secret and added another mark against Cao Yue.
Kangxi returned to the palace for three days. On the first day, he went to Chengqian Palace. On the second day, he went to Yongshou Palace to visit Noble Consort Niu, who was pregnant, as well as Noble Lady Tong, who was also living in Yongshou Palace and had been pregnant for six or seven months.
The places Kangxi went on the first two days were considered entirely natural by everyone. Noble Lady Tong had also only been able to see the emperor because of Noble Consort Niu’s light, so no one in the harem said anything.
But by the third day, while countless eyes in the harem were watching to see which concubine the Emperor would go to first, the Emperor instead unexpectedly went to Jingren Palace.
Noble Consort Hui did not have much reaction to where the Emperor went. Noble Consort Rong had not been favored for many years and had not expected the Emperor to come to her palace first. As for Noble Consort Yi and Noble Consort De, they were different. Both of them were still young and favored.
Noble Consort Yi had given birth to the Ninth Prince Yintián the year before, and Noble Consort De’s palace was even raising the Sixth Prince, as well as the Ninth Princess, who was the same age as the Ninth Prince. No matter what, the two of them never expected to be trampled underfoot by a concubine who had only just entered the palace.
At Yikun Palace, the Ninth Prince was placed by his wet nurse on the heated kang and crawled around. Before long he crawled to Noble Consort Yi’s side, his chubby little hands clutching the hem of Noble Consort Yi’s clothes as he babbled with a grin and drooled, “M… m… niang.”
Noble Consort Yi held a handkerchief and gently wiped the drool from the corner of the Ninth Prince’s mouth, then said fiercely, “Stupid son, why are you calling for mother? Your Imperial Father does not even come to see you, and you are still so happy.”
The Ninth Prince thought Noble Consort Yi was playing with him and became even more cheerful, not only calling for mother but also shouting ah-ah nonstop.
After mother and son played for a while, the Ninth Prince started to get sleepy.
Noble Consort Yi told the wet nurse to carry the Ninth Prince to the side hall, then supported herself on Linglong’s arm and stood up to move the body that had become somewhat stiff from sitting for too long. “Do you think the Emperor will stay the night after going to Jingren Palace tonight?”
It was not in accordance with the rules to stay the night in a concubine’s palace without first flipping the green head牌.
Linglong could not be certain about this either, but she remembered something. “On the day Zhaopin entered the palace, did this servant not go to the Directorate of Palace Affairs to inform them and put your head牌 back? On that very day, this servant saw someone in the Directorate of Palace Affairs making Zhaopin’s green head牌.”
Noble Consort Yi raised an eyebrow. “Ordered by the Emperor?”
If no one had ordered it, how could the Directorate of Palace Affairs have been so attentive? She did not think the Imperial Noble Consort would have taken the initiative to order this.
Linglong shook her head. “Does the Emperor really need to order this? The palace servants all have eight hundred minds each, especially those in charge of the Directorate of Palace Affairs. They can see through the masters’ thoughts perfectly. Just the fact that the Emperor took a detour to Jingren Palace on his way to Chengqian Palace was enough to make those servants go and curry favor with Zhaopin.”
Noble Consort Yi nodded in agreement. “That’s true. Since the Emperor is not coming here tonight, and he also did not go to Yonghe Palace, then there is nothing for me to be angry about. We should wash up and go to bed early, and wait for tomorrow to go to Chengqian Palace and watch the show.”
She rather wanted to see what expression Noble Consort De, who had always valued the Emperor’s favor more than anything else, would have on her face when she could not compare to a Zhaopin whose background was similar to her own.
The night deepened, and the darkness in the air was filled with a thin mist, making the night watch servants feel especially cold.
The main hall of Jingren Palace was brightly lit. Liang Jiugong and the servants of the Directorate of Palace Affairs stood outside the sleeping quarters, listening to the movements coming from inside, and recorded them expressionlessly in the register.
Fortunately, it did not take very long. After more than half an hour, the sounds died down, but there was still no sound of the master calling for water from inside the hall.
Cao Yue’s skin, white and glossy like snow, had taken on a pinkness after arousal. She lay exhausted in Kangxi’s arms, lightly gasping as she recovered from the lingering sensations he had given her.
Kangxi lowered his eyes and saw Cao Yue’s appearance, and his heart stirred again.
He wanted to release once more, but thinking of the eunuchs from the Directorate of Palace Affairs outside the door, he had no choice but to give up.
He could indulge his own wishes and let Zhaopin serve him, but by tomorrow Zhaopin would be burdened with the reputation of being a seductive temptress who had bewitched the ruler. That was not what he wanted to see.
Kangxi’s gaze was too intense. Cao Yue called out in confusion, “Your Majesty?”
“Mm.” His low, hoarse voice after the fact sounded. “Tomorrow Yue’er will have to go pay her respects. Are you prepared?”
Because he had been thinking of this matter, he had wanted to come and comfort Zhaopin tonight, so that she would not be alone and helpless, and it would make his heart ache to see it.
At the mention of this, Cao Yue first nodded, then shook her head, which made Kangxi puzzled. Just as he was about to ask, Cao Yue took the initiative to explain, “This concubine has prepared the meeting gifts for the elder sisters, but I am still a little nervous. When I was at home, I did not have sisters to talk to, so I developed this solitary temperament. I am afraid I will not know how to get along with the elder sisters, and I am also afraid that if I say something wrong, I will offend the elder sisters.”
As for Cao Yue saying that she had a solitary temperament, Kangxi could be said to have deep experience with it. In the information investigated from Jiangning, it indeed also said that Zhaopin often stayed alone and did not like lively places.
However, in the palace, some situations were unavoidable. He could not let Zhaopin be too special, so he could only let Zhaopin slowly accept it.
Stroking the smooth black hair under his hand, Kangxi said gently, “Yue’er does not need to be too nervous. You only need to treat it with a normal heart. As long as Yue’er does not make a mistake, I will take care of the rest.”
Cao Yue’s eyes darkened. How much of the Emperor’s words at this moment were sweet talk to coax her, and how much were from the heart? She did not know, but she did know that the promises he made in front of her, the words he said, she would sooner or later make him fulfill one by one.
The dark color in the sky slowly retreated. Although it was still dim, a trace of brightness could already be seen faintly within it.
Wrapped in the brocade quilt, Cao Yue drowsily opened her eyes and watched Liang Jiugong serve Kangxi in putting on his court robe, arranging his crown and clothing, and preparing to go to court.
After the court beads were fastened, Liang Jiugong stepped back a few paces. Kangxi took two steps to the bedside, bent down and touched Cao Yue’s face, and the cold court beads happened to brush against her forehead. Cao Yue could not help shivering and said in a soft voice, “So cold.”
Kangxi smiled and said she was spoiled, then straightened up and instructed, “It is late, and I still have to go to court. Today I cannot draw Yue’er’s brows.”
Ever since the first time she had served him in bed and Cao Yue had directed Kangxi around in circles, Kangxi seemed to have come to appreciate the pleasures of the inner chamber from it. Whenever he spent the night with Cao Yue, if he had time the next day, he would personally draw Cao Yue’s brows.
Kangxi’s eyebrow-drawing skills had also gone from being unfamiliar at the beginning to skilled now.
Liang Jiugong stood in the shadows and could only look up at the sky in speechless frustration. Had the Emperor mistaken something?
Zhaopin-niangniang did not even get up to serve the Emperor with dressing and washing, and the Emperor was not angry. That would have been one thing. But in the end, the Emperor even had to draw Zhaopin-niangniang’s brows?
Sure enough, he, a eunuch who had lost his root, did not understand a man’s thoughts.
Cao Yue shrank back into the brocade quilt and glared at Kangxi. “How could I be so inconsiderate?”
For this kind of bedroom fun, Kangxi was also indulgent. “Yes, yes, yes, Yue’er is the most considerate.”
Just two or three sentences later, another incense stick’s worth of time passed. Liang Jiugong timely reminded them, and Kangxi did not say anything more. He just gave another worried instruction: “If Yue’er is too tired, then lie down a little longer. Have someone watch the time for paying respects and do not miss it. When you go out, bring the chief eunuch of your palace with you. He is very familiar with the palace…”
Once Kangxi started instructing, it was endless. Liang Jiugong’s eye twitched. The Emperor was not even this nagging with the Crown Prince.
Cao Yue also had not expected Kangxi to have such a talkative side. Seeing that Liang Jiugong could no longer hold back from urging them a second time, Cao Yue hurriedly interrupted Kangxi’s words. “This concubine understands. You should hurry and go to court, or you will be late.”
It was fine for the Emperor to be delayed at court for a moment or two, but if he left her palace late and caused himself to be late for court, that would be another matter entirely.
Kangxi’s next words were cut off and he could not say them. He could only pinch Cao Yue’s nose in irritation. “Fine, I am leaving. No need to get up and see me off.”
After the imperial carriage left Jingren Palace, Cao Yue did not continue lying down. Today, after all, was the day she officially made her appearance in the harem, so she had to dress herself properly.
She called An Ning and An Ping in together to help her change clothes and dress her hair, and An Shun also came in and waited outside the screen: “This servant, An Shun, has come to await orders.”
As a servant, one was not afraid of serving the master through hardship. What one feared was not reaching the master’s side and being unable to show one’s face, for then there would be no dignity at all in the palace.
Cao Yue had plans to use An Shun, so naturally she would not let him sit on the cold bench. “The matters in the palace, you have arranged very well.”
Although there was help from Wei Zhu, An Shun was able to properly handle everything in Jingren Palace within just three days. Whether it was the small kitchen, the storehouse, or the sewing women, the little eunuchs carrying shoulder sedan chairs, and the rough labor palace servants that a palace mistress should have, everything was arranged in good order.
He had even recorded each servant’s background and experience in a booklet for her to review.
Being praised by the master, An Shun was especially excited. He thudded to his knees, his voice even trembling a little. “These are all things this servant should do. I do not deserve the master’s praise.”
Cao Yue chuckled. “Since I am willing to praise you, it means I have affirmed your effort. It is just that I still have one doubt and want to ask you for an answer.”
“Please ask, master. This servant will certainly answer everything without concealment.”
“That is not necessary. I only want to know why you chose me?”
An Shun had shown her extremely loyal from the very beginning, but loyalty was never something without reason.
An Shun thought for a moment and felt that there was nothing hard to say about this matter, so he said openly, “Because this servant did not want to be bullied, this servant wanted to become the one doing the bullying.”
Since he entered the palace, because he had gained the favor of an old eunuch with deep seniority in the Internal Affairs Office, whenever there was anything in ordinary times, that old eunuch would stand up for him a little. At that time he had no fighting spirit and thought such days were quite good.
But after all, he was still young. Ever since that old eunuch died, those who had disliked him before had bullied him with all their might. They either poured water onto his bedding in winter or secretly set all kinds of traps for him.
Later, he finally understood the survival rules in this palace and focused all his effort on climbing upward. But because he was of low status and had little influence, even after suffering all kinds of bullying, he only managed to sit in a small supervisor position in the Internal Affairs Office, and his life still did not improve much.
Until about ten days ago, he heard that the Emperor had conferred the title of Zhaopin on a woman in Jiangning, and had even granted Jingren Palace to Zhaopin. From then on, he made up his mind. Through all kinds of connections, stuffing silver, emptying out his family savings, and even owing some money to eunuchs he was close to, he finally sat in the position of chief eunuch of Jingren Palace.
“Even so, I am not your only choice.”
There were so many concubines in the harem. The East and West Six Palaces, which palace could not one go to?
An Shun’s answer also did not have the slightest falsehood. “Each palace mistress has her own trusted people. If this servant went, he would also be guarded against in every possible way. It would be better to fight with all my strength instead.”
Cao Yue understood. What An Shun had his eye on was that she had just entered the palace and was isolated and helpless, while he could make up for his own shortcomings.
After understanding this, Cao Yue called An Shun to rise, and her tone was light. “I like ambitious people. It is just that whether your strength can match your ambition remains to be seen.”
An Shun was not anxious either. He said respectfully, “This servant understands. This servant will make you trust this servant and believe in this servant’s loyalty.”
Cao Yue did not say whether she believed him or not and directly gave the order. “Then first tell me, what was the movement in each palace yesterday?”
While speaking, the two maids had already finished dressing Cao Yue in her qipao.
Looking at the clothes in the bronze mirror, a pale moon-white garment embroidered with light patterns, it set off Cao Yue’s cool and elegant appearance very well, and also brought out that snow lotus-like aura of being beyond the ordinary, beautiful with a touch of immortality.
Sitting at the dressing table, with only one look, An Ning knew what kind of makeup she should do.
As the powder puff lightly brushed across her face, An Shun’s voice remained steady and unhurried. “Chengqian Palace did not have much movement, but this servant heard that a little eunuch seemed to have been injured. Yongshou Palace, Zhongcui Palace, and Yanxi Palace were as quiet as ever. As for Yonghe Palace, this servant heard that Noble Consort De had no appetite for dinner.”
Saying she had no appetite was rather polite. The informant who passed the message to him in secret said that the dinner sent in had not been touched at all.
However, his informants could only inquire as far as this. They could not dig out anything deeper at all. It seemed he still needed to carefully develop usable connections.
After he finished speaking, seeing that Cao Yue did not respond, he considered it for a moment and then said, “There is also one more thing. In the early morning the day before yesterday in front of Chengqian Palace, Noble Consort Xi said something she should not have said, and Noble Consort De heard it. Afterward she had an argument with Hesheli shufei and twisted her ankle.”
Cao Yue listened quietly, and suddenly became interested. “Something she should not have said?”
An Shun understood and hurriedly described the matter in more detail, including the line Noble Consort Xi said about baoyi slaves, repeating it word for word.
Listening to the especially harsh four words baoyi slaves, Cao Yue could not help sneering. “Noble Consort Xi was born under the Banner of the Plain Yellow Banner, and even comes from the Hesheli clan, yet she still cannot hold her head up in front of Hesheli shufei.”
An Shun fell silent for a moment. Thinking of his own master’s background, he silently remembered his master’s taboo.
Those four words, baoyi slaves, must never be mentioned in front of the master in the future.
Seeing the atmosphere in the hall suddenly sink, An Ning had also just finished putting makeup on Cao Yue. “Niangniang, take a look. Are you satisfied?”
An Ning’s skills in care and makeup application were also personally taught by Cao Yue, so naturally there was nothing unsatisfactory about them.
Seeing Cao Yue nod, An Ning called for people to bring in a tonic stewed with snow clam: “We do not know when the greetings will end. Niangniang should eat a little first, so that you do not hurt your body by becoming too hungry.”
Because they knew that Cao Yue could not eat any meat, Kangxi was afraid that Cao Yue’s body would become weaker, so as soon as he returned to the palace, he rewarded Jingren Palace with a large amount of tonics. Things like top-grade bird’s nest, donkey-hide gelatin and snow clam, cordyceps, and the like almost piled up one corner of the storehouse.
Cao Yue was not averse to these tonics. Eating more of them could also nourish the skin, so she let An Ping arrange for the small kitchen to stew them morning and evening every day.
After finishing a bowl of tonic, her hair had also been arranged by An Ping. At this point, there was only one quarter of an hour left until the first hour of the morning. The timing was just right.
Supported by An Ning’s hand as she stood up, the flower盆底 under her feet was steady and firm. “Let An Ping stay. An Ning and An Shun will accompany me to Chengqian Palace. Remember to tell people to bring the prepared gifts.”
An Ping did not feel it was unfair at all that An Ning could go out with the master and show her face. That was just her temperament. Compared with accompanying the master to talk and amuse her, she would rather mix a few more calming incense blends and make more snacks for the master to taste.
An Shun acknowledged and then asked, “Should this servant send a warm sedan chair?”
“Prepare one. It will be needed later when going to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.”
After seeing Cao Yue out, An Ping turned and went back into the hall, continuing to make the newly blended calming incense.
On the first day of the first month, the Zhaopin who had been tugging at everyone’s heartstrings and making them itch with anticipation finally came out. The concubines got up early again, and even the Imperial Noble Consort no longer put on airs and made the concubines wait outside Chengqian Palace. Instead, she directly let them come in and discuss together in the main hall.
Eight braziers were burning in the main hall. When the thick door curtain was dropped, it was warm everywhere. Then with the white-nao incense burning in the incense burner at the center of the main hall, which refreshed the mind and brightened the eyes, sipping tea and eating snacks, if there were no schemes and no sharp clashes, it would have been beyond comfortable.
The Imperial Noble Consort swept a circle with her eyes. Seeing that almost all the concubines from each palace had arrived, and even Noble Consort Xi, whose twisted ankle had not fully healed, had come, while Zhaopin was still not here, she could not help asking Xia Lan, “What time is it?”
Xia Lan looked at the clepsydra beside her and accurately reported the time. “Replying to Niangniang, there is still one cup of tea’s time before the first hour of the morning.”
The time for morning greetings had been set at the first hour of the morning. Since it was not yet time, it could not be said that Zhaopin was late.
The Imperial Noble Consort frowned. “Still send someone out to take a look. Zhaopin has just entered the palace, so she should not be lost.”
Looking at the maid who had gone out of the main hall, Noble Consort Yi smiled as she picked up a winter jujube and wiped it with a handkerchief. “Why the rush? The Emperor stayed the night in Jingren Palace last night. Zhaopin naturally has to serve the Emperor properly first before she can come to pay her respects. In any case, it is not yet time. We came early, and waiting a little is no matter.”
If one only heard the first half of Noble Consort Yi’s words, one would think she was trying to stir up hatred for Zhaopin. But when the second half was added, for a moment they could not figure out what Noble Consort Yi was thinking.
Noble Consort Yi’s upturned eyes swept across the faces of the others, and in a very good mood she bit into the winter jujube. What bad intentions could she have? She merely wanted to watch the show. The show, after all, was better the more lively it was: “Noble Consort De, what do you think?”
Being named by Noble Consort Yi, the smile on Noble Consort De’s face did not change in the slightest. However, her peripheral vision had noticed the Imperial Noble Consort’s not-so-good expression, and she hated in her heart that Noble Consort Yi was making trouble for her.
Yesterday the Emperor did not come to Yonghe Palace, and her mood was bad enough already. Today Noble Consort Yi still deliberately poked at her sore spot, and even asked her such a question in front of the Imperial Noble Consort.
No matter how she answered, she would offend someone, and she herself would also feel unhappy.
Noble Consort De secretly clenched her teeth. The curve of her lips on the surface widened a little, and just as she was about to gloss over it, the thick door curtain was lifted again.
“Zhaopin-niangniang has arrived!”
Accompanied by the little eunuch’s announcement, Zhaopin had already stepped over the threshold supported by a maid and was standing at the door.
Everyone’s gaze shot toward the doorway in unison. They only saw Zhaopin standing there backlit, her appearance elegant and cool, and her detached aura fused with that streak of light, making her seem almost otherworldly.
This sort of appearance was completely unlike the seductive and charming face they had imagined in their hearts beforehand.
Noble Consort Niu, who had originally looked leisurely, immediately sat up straight. Noble Consort Yi also gathered away the expression of watching the show on her face, and the Imperial Noble Consort even stared at Cao Yue’s face for a long time without coming back to herself. If her hand had not been gripping the square cushion tightly, she probably would have lost her composure on the spot.
Hearing the bursts of gasps in the hall, Cao Yue did not even raise an eyebrow. Calmly supported by An Ning’s hand, she walked to about seven steps away from the Imperial Noble Consort and saluted according to palace rules. “This concubine, Zhaopin Cao of Jingren Palace, pays respects to the Imperial Noble Consort. May the Imperial Noble Consort have endless blessings and peace.”
The greeting recalled the dazed Imperial Noble Consort. The Imperial Noble Consort smiled stiffly. “I have long heard that the Emperor’s newly conferred Zhaopin is a true beauty. Seeing her today, it really lives up to the reputation. Xia Lan, quickly help Zhaopin up.”
“Thank you, Imperial Noble Consort.”
Following Xia Lan’s strength, Cao Yue stood up. The lowered eyes of hers flickered, showing no reaction whatsoever.
Did they think that just because she was being used for her beauty, she would be upset? They were underestimating her too much.
No one had expected that in the first round the Imperial Noble Consort would hit a soft nail in Zhaopin’s hands, and the surprise in their eyes was practically overflowing.
Seeing that she had failed to strike Cao Yue, the Imperial Noble Consort’s brow furrowed slightly, then immediately relaxed, and said as if nothing had happened, “Zhaopin sister is coming to Chengqian Palace for the first time to talk with the sisters. She probably does not know anyone. I will have Xia Lan introduce everyone to you one by one.”
In the palace there was one Imperial Noble Consort, one Noble Consort, and four noble consorts, six people in total. For every person introduced, Cao Yue had to perform a deep curtsy. Fortunately, this was only needed for the first meeting. In the future, when they met again, besides needing to perform a deep curtsy and the full ten-thousand-blessings salute to the Imperial Noble Consort and the Noble Consort, she would only need to bend her body and salute when seeing the four noble consorts.
As for the remaining five concubine ranks, An Concubine, Duan Concubine, Jing Concubine, Xi Concubine, and Cheng Concubine, only a level salute was needed.
Originally, everything went fine when exchanging greetings and recognizing people, but when it came to Noble Consort Xi, Cao Yue had just returned a level salute, yet Noble Consort Xi remained seated in her chair and refused to get up, still wearing a troubled expression. “This palace injured its foot a few days ago and it is not very convenient to move. I did not return your greeting, Zhaopin, you will not mind, will you?”
The excuse was so poor that even her personal maid Bi Yun could not quite listen anymore. Noble Consort Xi had indeed injured her foot, but since she could force herself to come to Chengqian Palace, it showed that her foot injury was nowhere near that serious. What inconvenience in returning a greeting, it was all just an excuse.
Everyone thought that since Noble Consort Xi had blatantly slapped Zhaopin in the face like this, Zhaopin would surely be unable to hold back and make a scene. Who knew that Zhaopin, as if she had no temper at all, would only say lightly that she did not mind and continue on with the greetings below.
When Cao Yue turned her head to greet Noble Concubine Cheng, one could still see the surprise in Noble Consort Xi’s eyes.
With the matter developing this way, everyone could not for a moment figure out whether Zhaopin was truly of a weak temperament or whether she simply did not take it to heart.
Cao Yue did not need to look at their expressions to roughly guess what they were thinking.
With her kind of spiteful temperament, how could she possibly not care about Noble Consort Xi’s rudeness? It was just that, compared with her making Noble Consort Xi lose face, the Emperor making Noble Consort Xi lose face would probably leave a much deeper impression on Noble Consort Xi.
After meeting Noble Concubine Cheng, Xia Lan paused and led Cao Yue in front of Hesheli shufei. “Zhaopin-niangniang, although Hesheli shufei has not been formally conferred a rank by the Emperor, she still enjoys the treatment of a consort rank.”
If one were to strictly follow palace rules, Hesheli shufei had no formal rank and was not even comparable to a small answerable lady. Yet because the Emperor had given her the treatment of a consort rank, it meant that if Hesheli shufei were to be formally conferred a rank in the future, she would at the very least be conferred a consort rank. She was entirely different from women like Noble Lady Wei.
Thinking of what An Shun had said in the morning about Hesheli shufei and Noble Consort Xi being at odds, Cao Yue almost imperceptibly curled the corner of her lips. “This concubine entered the palace late, so I should pay my respects to Hesheli shufei.”
Although it was only such a sentence, it was enough to make people see that she was not without temper.
The so-called enemies of one’s enemy are one’s friends. Even if Hesheli shufei did not think Zhaopin came from a high background, compared with Noble Consort Xi, she was more willing to stand with Zhaopin.
Therefore, Hesheli shufei’s attitude toward Cao Yue could even be called warm.
Noble Consort Yi could not help but laugh softly. “I see that Zhaopin gets along better with Hesheli shufei.”
Hesheli shufei also accepted it openly. “Not everyone can catch this concubine’s eye. A beauty like Zhaopin, who is so clear-minded, is quite rare.”
The Imperial Noble Consort sat above and watched a show without smoke or fire, and the initial jealousy in her heart was suppressed somewhat: “All right, if you want to chat idly, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
She looked at Hesheli shufei, and her gaze finally fell on Cao Yue. “Zhaopin, besides Hesheli shufei, there is also a Borjigit shufei in the palace. She also enjoys consort rank treatment, but Borjigit shufei lives in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility and rarely comes to Chengqian Palace to pay her respects. When you go to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility later to pay your respects, you will inevitably run into each other. I am telling you this early so that you will have it in mind.”
This was not any sort of secret. At the very least, An Shun had already told her about it long ago.
But since the Imperial Noble Consort said this in front of everyone, Cao Yue naturally had to accept the favor: “Thank you, Imperial Noble Consort, for the reminder. This concubine remembers it.”
After meeting the high-ranking concubines, the ones below concubine rank had to pay respects to Cao Yue. Cao Yue sat opposite Hesheli shufei, and Xia Lan began leading the consorts below noble lady rank to her before her to pay respects.
The others were one thing, but when she saw Noble Lady Tong with her belly so round, Cao Yue waived her greeting before Noble Lady Tong could curtsy.
This act inevitably earned her the reputation of being kind-hearted once again.
After all the concubines in the room had been seen, Cao Yue roughly counted and found there were forty or fifty of them. She greatly looked down on Kangxi in her heart. This number was nearly twice that of Liu Bang’s harem, not counting those women without any official rank.
“Today is this concubine’s first time meeting all the sisters. If there is any lack of courtesy, please bear with me. This concubine has specially prepared small gifts for everyone, and I hope the sisters will not dislike them.”
As soon as the words fell, An Ning went out and brought in many maids, who delivered the gifts one by one to the people they were meant for according to the earlier divisions.
Having experienced one round of palace struggle, Cao Yue did not send anything else, only jewelry that was not easy for others to tamper with. Moreover, none of that jewelry was hollow. They were either carved jade pieces or solid gold and silver. It was impossible to stuff anything into them.
The Imperial Noble Consort looked at the jewelry handed to her, which was sufficiently valuable but not novel enough, and waved for people to put it away, intending to reward it to Xia Lan later.
“Zhaopin has been thoughtful. I also prepared a meeting gift for Zhaopin. After the morning greetings end, I will have someone send it to Jingren Palace.” As she spoke, the Imperial Noble Consort handed out the hand warmer that had become warm:
“There is also one more matter. Since the Emperor has already issued the imperial edict to confer you as Zhaopin, then I naturally have to instruct the Internal Affairs Office to prepare your conferment ceremony. But at the moment it is already the twelfth month, nearing the New Year, and the Internal Affairs Office has many complicated duties, so perhaps they may not be able to spare the time to prepare it.”
Having said this much, the Imperial Noble Consort did not continue, but instead lifted her teacup and slowly took a sip of tea.
How could Cao Yue not understand the Imperial Noble Consort’s meaning?
It was nothing more than wanting to hear her say personally that her conferment ceremony should be postponed. For a palace mistress, without a conferment ceremony there would be no golden register and golden seal, and this palace mistress would not be justified in name or reality.
However, the reason given by the Imperial Noble Consort was reasonable, and Cao Yue had no grounds to refuse. Once she refused, she would be seen as lacking the bigger picture.
The Imperial Noble Consort had repeatedly made things difficult for Zhaopin, and when one thought of the matter from the day before yesterday when the Emperor took a detour midway and the Jingren Palace small kitchen incident, everyone’s eyes were full of the words watching a show.
They very much wanted to know, if the Imperial Noble Consort and Zhaopin came up against each other, whom the Emperor would ultimately help.
However, their wish to watch the show was doomed to come to nothing. They only saw Zhaopin stand up, bend her knees slightly, and say sensibly, “Everything shall be decided by the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort. This concubine has no objection.”
It was unknown whether they had heard wrong, but they all felt that when Zhaopin said the two words Emperor, her voice had deepened a little.
Noble Consort Niu listened and found it very interesting. This Zhaopin seemed not simple.
If Cao Yue knew what Noble Consort Niu was thinking, she would surely tell her that none of the people here were simple.
“Zhaopin is so sensible. I am very gratified.” After repeatedly emerging defeated, the Imperial Noble Consort also lost the patience to continue sitting. Leaning on Xia Lan, she stood up and walked down from the throne. “All right, it is getting late. It is time to go pay respects at the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.”
Not everyone was qualified to pay their respects to the Grand Empress Dowager. At the very least, none below concubine rank except Hesheli shufei were qualified, even if they were pregnant.
Therefore, as soon as they left Chengqian Palace, after seeing the concubines of concubine rank and above board their warm sedan chairs and leave, the lower-ranked concubines then returned to their palaces in twos and threes.
Yongshou Palace and Yikun Palace were both in the Western Six Palaces, so Noble Consort Yi’s younger sister, Noble Lady Guo, walked together with Noble Lady Tong.
Noble Lady Guo walked beside Noble Lady Tong. Seeing Noble Lady Tong supported by two maids on the left and right, her face carrying a slight smile and walking carefully, afraid of falling, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.
She glanced at Noble Lady Tong’s stomach and said casually, “Sister’s belly is already seven months along, right? Looking at how pointed the belly is, it seems like it might be a little princess.”
The smile on Noble Lady Tong’s face faded a little. “Whether it is a prince or a princess is fine, they are all the Emperor’s children.”
Who would not want to give birth to a prince, so that there would be someone to rely on in the second half of life? She wanted that too, but whether a boy or a girl was born was all up to heaven. How could she control it?
Seeing Noble Lady Tong’s insincere appearance, Noble Lady Guo snorted lightly. “A prince and a princess are not the same. If sister gives birth to a prince in this pregnancy, perhaps you can fight for that empty concubine rank from before. It’s just a pity that Zhaopin got there first, occupying the last concubine rank and completely blocking the promotion path for us noble ladies who have given birth to children.”
Concubine rank, palace mistress. Once one became a palace mistress, one would never again need to live under someone else’s roof or read people’s expressions. That was a huge temptation. Which noble lady would not have such thoughts?
Noble Lady Tong naturally also kept it in mind, but she did not believe that Noble Lady Guo had no such thoughts at all.
Thinking this way, Noble Lady Tong did not hide it at all when asking.
After a moment of silence, Noble Lady Guo mocked herself. “Sister, have you perhaps forgotten what surname Noble Consort Yi bears?”
She and Noble Consort Yi both came from the Gūwalgiya clan. The palace already had one high-ranking concubine with the surname Guwalgiya, so even if she gave birth to more princes, the Emperor would not bestow her with a concubine rank.
After Noble Lady Tong understood this point, a bit of sympathy rose in her heart for Noble Lady Guo. “You have it difficult too.”
You have it difficult too.
When Noble Lady Guo heard these words, her eyes suddenly grew hot. Such words, she had been looking forward to hearing since entering the palace until now, and not even a single sentence had her family ever said to her.
To avoid losing composure, Noble Lady Guo looked up at the sky. After forcing back her tears, she lowered her nose with a handkerchief, trying to hide her abnormality: “I have no way. But sister, you are different. As long as your merit in bearing children is enough, the Emperor is also someone who remembers affection. It is just a pity.”
As for what was a pity, Noble Lady Guo had already said it just now, so saying it again now would seem unnecessary.
After saying this, they had arrived at Yikun Palace. Noble Lady Guo said farewell and entered Yikun Palace. Yu Si turned back to look at Noble Lady Tong and asked softly, “Young Lady, will Noble Lady Tong listen to it?”
“What I should say, I have already said. Whether she listens or not, whether she takes it to heart or not, it is not important.”
What she was supposed to do, she had already done. As for the rest, she could not manage it.