Although this selection of consorts was a grand event for the new emperor’s ascension and somewhat rushed in timing, there were actually quite a few candidates for Cainü.
After all, with each new emperor’s enthronement, aristocratic families always had daughters of the right age, waiting for the selection to begin so they could send them into the palace to strengthen the ties between imperial authority and their clans.
The seven great aristocratic families, led by the Xue and Su clans, had dominated the Da Ye imperial court for many years. Throughout history, most empresses had also been chosen from these seven families in rotation.
Among this year’s New Selections, the highest-ranking was a daughter of the Su family, who was directly granted the title of Xiuyi. This was only because her initial promotion after attending the bedchamber had been suppressed by one rank.
According to tradition, the first day after new consorts entered the palace was for settling into their residences and familiarizing themselves with the palace environment.
On the second day, the new consorts were to pay their respects to the Empress and Empress Dowager in the morning. Only after completing this process would their name plaques be placed by the Office of Imperial Affairs in the area for selecting consorts, allowing them to receive favor.
Since the new emperor had just ascended the throne and there was no Empress yet, this task was entrusted to Jiang Yingli.
Thus, at this moment, Jiang Yingli was still reciting her script over and over again.
She had long since memorized it, but fearing any mishaps, she repeated it in her mind until she could recite it effortlessly without even thinking.
Lianqiao brought over a fruit platter and asked with a smile, “Xiaozhu has been cooped up for several days. The weather is so lovely today—would you like to go out for a stroll?”
Jiang Yingli was about to rise but sat back down. “No, today the newcomers are entering the palace. If we happen to run into them and some dispute arises, it wouldn’t be good.”
Qiu Xia, who had served Jiang Yingli the longest, also chimed in, “Indeed, xiaozhu has never been one to enjoy crowds.”
Lianqiao nodded. “That’s true. I was just a little curious about what the newly arrived consorts look like.”
Hearing Lianqiao’s words, Jiang Yingli felt a slight stir in her heart.
The newly entered consorts had all been screened repeatedly by Xiao Chenglan and personally selected by him to enter the palace.
They must be very much to his liking.
Suddenly, she too wanted to see what they looked like.
“Let’s go and take a look. We’ll keep our distance when we see them and stay away from any trouble,” Jiang Yingli said.
Lianqiao happily clasped her hands together.
Truth be told, since entering the palace half a month ago, Jiang Yingli hadn’t really explored the palace properly.
Her Zhaohua Palace was spacious enough that she never felt bored. It was said to have been the palace of a favored consort from the previous dynasty, sealed off for a long time before Xiao Chenglan revived it and bestowed it upon her.
After all, it was a place once inhabited by a consort renowned throughout the land. As Jiang Yingli strolled outside Zhaohua Palace, she couldn’t help but feel that the scenery outside paled in comparison to the meticulously crafted landscapes within her palace.
Of course, except for Yueqing Pond—a vast lake large enough for boating, something Zhaohua Palace lacked.
The Taihu Stones along the banks of Yueqing Pond were layered and arranged in an orderly yet varied manner. The pond’s surface was dotted with many water lilies, and the sunlight cast shimmering reflections on the water. When the wind blew, ripples formed on the surface, making it even more beautiful.
It was amidst such splendid spring scenery that Jiang Yingli watched the newcomers passing by under the willow branches on the opposite side, finding them exceptionally beautiful and captivating.
Most of them wore brightly colored clothes, their faces radiant and dazzling, full of youthful vitality.
Jiang Yingli couldn’t help but touch her own cheek. When she had entered Prince Su’s residence, she had been that age too.
With a soft sigh, Jiang Yingli withdrew her gaze. But just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard the sound of a heated argument.
"Who are you putting on that pitiful act for?! If you don't wipe it clean quickly and ruin my mood for enjoying the scenery, I won't let you off!"
"My clothes are clean, I only sat on the swing for a little while. Why must you make things so difficult, sister?"
It sounded like two newcomers were having some kind of dispute.
Just what she was afraid of.
Jiang Yingli had wanted to stay far away from trouble, but she didn't expect to hear a crisp slapping sound, followed by a woman's startled cry and the noise of someone falling to the ground.
This made Jiang Yingli frown slightly, pausing her steps to distance herself.
Really? Daring to hit someone on the very first day?
Lianqiao noticed Jiang Yingli's hesitation and spoke up: "Xiaozhu, perhaps we should go and take a look."
Qiu Xia quickly said: "No, our mistress dislikes getting involved in disputes the most. Xiaozhu, we should leave quickly."
Lianqiao didn't care for Qiu Xia's approach, but she didn't show displeasure, instead offering reasoned advice: "Xiaozhu, disputes come in all sizes. This is just a minor quarrel and can easily be resolved. If we help that person today, we might form a good connection. Xiaozhu, living in the rear palace, you should understand that a single tree cannot make a forest."
Jiang Yingli thought it over.
The person who struck the blow referred to herself as 'this xiaozhu,' meaning she could at most be a Jieyu, and her rank wouldn't surpass her own. She could indeed intervene.
Hearing the woman's delicate and pitiful weeping, Jiang Yingli eventually turned and walked over. Seeing this, Lianqiao immediately straightened her posture and followed, while Qiu Xia trailed behind with an uneasy expression.
Rounding the rockery, Jiang Yingli saw the scene of the argument clearly. Four people stood around a swing—two Palace Consorts and two maidservants.
At that moment, the slightly smaller Palace Consort in blue-green robes had fallen to the ground. She covered her reddened cheek, tears streaming down her face, looking utterly pitiful.
The woman standing before her wore a flamboyant apricot-yellow dress and appeared extremely overbearing.
"What are you crying for? If you spent the time you waste crying on cleaning the swing, it would already be done."
"Who is making such a racket here?" Jiang Yingli spoke up.
Her voice wasn't loud, but its tone was clear and pleasant, causing the aggressive Palace Consort to immediately turn toward the sound.
At first glance, Lü Cairen was momentarily stunned upon seeing Jiang Yingli, but by the second glance, her eyes began to boldly size her up from head to toe.
Who is she? With such exquisite beauty, how could she have no impression of her?
Lü Cairen quickly reasoned it out—she must be of low rank, among the Cainü or Baolin categories, which was why she hadn't noticed her.
Thus, Lü Cairen lifted her chin and said: "Who are you, sister? I was merely reprimanding an unruly newcomer. Why trouble yourself to get involved?"
Just as Jiang Yingli was about to speak, Lianqiao beside her stepped forward and declared loudly:
"How dare you! 'Sister' is not for you to call her! My xiaozhu is Jia Jieyu. Hurry and pay your respects!"
Upon hearing this, Lü Cairen couldn't hide her shock and hastily curtsied in greeting.
"This Concubine pays respects to Jia Jieyu!"
Bao Lin Zheng, who had been sobbing on the ground, quickly scrambled up and knelt properly. "This Concubine pays respects to Jia Jieyu!"
Jia Jieyu!
Lü Cairen's thoughts raced.
None of the consorts who entered the palace this time had received titles yet. Titles were usually bestowed as rewards after attending the bedchamber. If this person before her was Jia Jieyu, then she must be the one who had followed His Majesty since the Qian Di days.
But… how could she be so beautiful?
She didn't look a day older than them at all.
Moreover, it was not at all as the rumors suggested, claiming her low rank was due to poor looks.
"All of you, rise first," Jiang Yingli said. "What happened? Why are you resorting to violence here?"
Upon learning that Jiang Yingli held a higher rank than herself, Lü Cairen immediately felt a pang of guilt and stammered, "Replying to Jieyu, just now Bao Lin Zheng dirtied the swing. This Concubine merely asked her to clean it, but she spoke back defiantly. That is why this Concubine gave her a slight lesson."
Jiang Yingli cast her gaze toward the spotless swing and knew at a glance that Lü Cairen was lying.
She turned to Qian'er, the indignant yahuan standing beside Bao Lin Zheng, and said, "You speak."
The yahuan was taken aback for a moment, then reluctantly began to voice her mistress's grievances.
"Replying to Jieyu, my xiaozhu was strolling here and wanted to swing on the swing. But when Lü Cairen arrived, she saw the swing and demanded that my xiaozhu give up her seat. That alone would have been tolerable, but the Cairen also accused my xiaozhu of dirtying the swing and insisted she clean it with her sleeve. However, my xiaozhu's clothes are clean, and she had only sat on it briefly. How could she have dirtied the swing?"
These words aligned with what Jiang Yingli had overheard earlier.
Hearing Qian'er's account, Lü Cairen immediately shot a hostile glare at her, causing Qian'er to tremble in fear.
When Lü Cairen turned her gaze back to Jiang Yingli, her expression took on a somewhat ingratiating tone. "Jieyu, please understand. There was indeed dirt on the swing earlier. It was just that she refused to clean it, so this Concubine cleaned it myself."
Jiang Yingli listened calmly as Lü Cairen finished her excuses. "What did you use to clean it? A handkerchief or your sleeve? Show it to me."