I smiled and said,"So what? She's a pitiful person."”
Wen Lang saw that I was fine and eased his tone."She was betrothed and the wedding date was set, but…she was afraid that it would be difficult for her to remarry. Mother took pity on her and called her into the palace to help Second Brother settle his funeral matters and accumulate merit for the royal family.”
" The Empress Dowager's kindness is the blessing of the women in the harem. Brother Lang," I looked up at him and smiled." Brother Chuan is gone. I have to listen to him and live well. I have to take care of myself. I can't escape from the people and things related to him. I have to face them myself. Brother Lang, don't spoil me."”
Wen Lang stroked my head like he was treating a child."Yu 'er, your appearance makes my heart ache even more.”
" I'm not that good. It's a lie to say that I don't mind. I'm just getting used to it. Besides," I put away my sadness and smiled." The news spread throughout the Jincui Palace as early as afternoon. Brother Lang was a step late to tell the secret.”
Wen Lang was a little surprised. He frowned." Mother summoned me to discuss this matter last night. She sent someone to pass the secret edict today at seven in the morning. Has it already been sent out in the afternoon?"”
I didn't mind." This harem is full of secrets, but there are no secrets at all.”
Seeing that Wen Lang was a little angry, I quickly comforted him,"Brother Lang, you don't have to take it to heart. It's not a big deal, and it will only be hidden for a day or two. Those servants will naturally be happy to present treasures after receiving benefits. In the future, if there are any confidential matters, just send trustworthy people to do it privately. You are the greatest master in the world, in charge of wealth and life. When you should be angry, you have to show your master's face. The people below are all smart and know when to advance and retreat.”
Wen Lang forced a smile and didn't say anything. I knew that he must be feeling complicated. It was difficult to go from a kind and idle Fifth Prince to an emperor with supreme power.
Looking at Wen Lang in front of me, I was a little worried, but I couldn't help much at the moment. At this moment, I heard Chang Yuan reminding me in a low voice outside the door,"Emperor, it's time to rest.”
Wen Lang stood up and called him in.""Send Yu 'er back. Don't let anyone know about what happened today. If any news leaks, you will be held accountable!”
Chang Yuan was shocked and hurriedly agreed.
I looked at Wen Lang and said,"Your Majesty, take care of your body and rest early. Yu 'er will take his leave."”
After saying that, we bowed and left. The three of us took advantage of the night to return. When Ring Bell helped me change my clothes and remove my makeup, I felt hungry. Jincui Palace was not like home. There was food prepared at any time. I could only randomly eat some snacks and then sleep.
Early the next morning, there was news that Song Bining had moved into the Moon Courtyard of Jincui Palace. She stayed in her room for the next few days and refused to receive guests. Even when she had to show her face, Song Bining would stand at the back and not say a word. She was similar to the cold Ni Lening who stood in the crowd. One was far away from the hustle and bustle, while the other was quiet in the midst of the hustle and bustle.
Although I lamented her situation, I didn't have the temperament or mood to provoke her. Very soon, the news of the candidate for the empress began to spread like wildfire. For a time, there were many different opinions. Needless to say, Chen Yanyu and Ni Lening were the focus of the rumors. Soon, Zi Qi and Yao Qianqian were also dragged into it.
In a few days, it was said that the Ministry of Rites had prepared everything for the ceremony, and that anyone above Rank-2 had a chance to be selected. In an instant, there were nearly ten candidates, and everyone was talking about them.
During this period, besides studying the history of the palace, I stayed with three or five sisters who had similar habits. I played the role of a well-behaved young master waiting to be conferred. I compared notes on the zither and spoke in agreement. I was neither as aloof and aloof as the two icebergs nor as overly friendly as Wang Yiyao.
A month passed quickly, and the conferment was set on the third day of the late emperor's funeral, the 26th of August.
This morning, everyone was gathered in the main hall of Jincui Palace. There was a room full of colorful people. The ceremony in the main hall of Qianyuan Palace had just ended. From time to time, a servant girl came in to report the news. The news quickly spread. In addition to the usual enfeoffment of Wen Lang and Wen Chuan's mother, the appointment of several princes as princes and princes, and the appointment of several imperial concubines with children, the promotion of several young officials was quite eye-catching. All the civil and military officials were arranged between the third and fifth ranks. As for the high-ranking officials, they only received some false titles or gold and silver.
There were many people who wanted to deduce the candidate for the empress based on the previous dynasty's conferment, but they did not find any important minister who had received the divine grace alone, causing the endless speculations in the harem to become blurred. Most of the people revealed doubts on their faces, and no one spoke again.
Soon, the head of the Internal Affairs Office and the other palace stewards arrived at Jincui Palace. With the announcement of "the Empress Dowager has arrived" and "the Emperor has arrived", everyone made way for them to kneel and greet them. After shouting, they stood in rows.
The internal supervisor opened the imperial edict. After the opening words that had not changed all year round, a series of titles followed.
The people who were called out knelt down in front of them one by one. Unexpectedly, the conferment was completely based on the order of their family's rank. There was no bias, and the highest was only the fifth rank concubine. Not to mention the empress, there was no main position, which was beyond everyone's expectations.
Chen Yanyu was a fifth-grade Rong Concubine and was given a residence in Yongxiang Palace. Ni Lening was a fifth-grade quiet concubine and was given the title of Changxing Palace. Cui Ziqi is from the fifth grade Lan Liangyuan, granted to live in Yuhua Palace; Feng Chunsheng was granted the title of sixth-grade Yi noble person and lived in Guangming Palace. Yao Qianqian is the sixth grade celebration noble, given to live in Shihua Palace; Duan Zilin is a six-grade good noble person, granted to live in Chengtai Palace; Song Bining is from the sixth grade Han beauty, granted to live in Jingan Palace; Wang Yiyao was appointed as a seven-grade Mingcai person and was given a residence in Yanxiu Palace. Yuan Yan was given a residence in Chengfu Palace because he followed the seven-grade Qi. I was also granted the title of noble person, named Yu, living in Jinghe Palace. In addition to the twenty-two people, there were also two lowest-ranking servants from the eighth grade who changed clothes. Presumably, they were the palace maids who had come to Wen Lang's side these days and could be considered to have a name. Different from the usual practice of having titles for those above the sixth rank, the twenty-four people who were conferred titles this time all had titles to show the new emperor's grace.
After the enfeoffment, there was another reward. Everyone thanked him in unison. At this moment, Wen Lang said," The late emperor passed away, and the people are in mourning. The whole country has a funeral for three months straight. In my country of etiquette, I should be the filial ancestor of the world. Because there was no wedding before I ascended the throne, the position of Empress is temporarily suspended. After the anniversary of the late emperor, another title will be conferred.”
When I heard this, the corners of my mouth curled up into a smile. Wenlang had finally delayed the matter of choosing an empress.
The people in the hall did not make any sound. They were all calm and probably had their own thoughts.
Next, the Empress Dowager admonished the harem." The harem has not yet been named as an empress, so your positions are not high. As long as you serve the Emperor wholeheartedly and spread more branches for the royal family, whoever gets the throne first can help this widow manage the harem. The future position of empress will not be biased towards anyone. It's just that you all should abide by the rules and do not let this widow hear anything about seducing the emperor or fighting in the harem. That will definitely be punished!”
Everyone respectfully agreed. At the end, the Empress Dowager stood up and said,""Send people back to take care of the various palaces and assign servants. Today, let Rong Pin sleep with you.”
Chen Yanyu did not show any expression and thanked her respectfully. Wen Lang then helped the Empress Dowager away. His face did not show any emotions and he did not even look at her.
When he returned to the Plum Blossom Courtyard, he saw Qiao Mei and Little Yong Hou at the door before he entered. They were happy. As they approached, he could see their faces full of anticipation."Congratulations, Noble Yu!"
I nodded, and the ring pendant behind me immediately took out silver to reward the two of them. When I sat down in the hall, I saw Xiao Yong holding the silver and couldn't help but be happy. Qiao Mei didn't have much joy and just calmly thanked the reward.
I took the tea from Ring Bell and took a sip."Qiaomei, I will be moving out of Jincui Palace in two hours. If you have anything to say, say it now. If it's too late, you'll have to wait for the next talent show.”
Qiao Mei suddenly looked at me and bit her lip hard. Her entire person was filled with disappointment and uneasiness. She struggled until her eyes were red and watery, but she didn't speak in the end.
Little Yong suddenly knelt down."" This servant has only served the noble Little Master for a month. My clumsy hands and feet have never made Little Master comfortable. I dare not ask Little Master to bring this servant along, but this servant boldly begs Little Master to keep Qiao Mei. She, she…"
Little Yong looked at Qiao Mei and finally made up his mind."Sister Qiaomei has been in the palace for five years and has been assigned to the Plum Courtyard, a place where few people live. If there is no master to choose from, she will be released from the palace next month.”
"Isn't it good to leave the palace?" She should take advantage of her good age to find a good family to marry, so as not to delay her youth.”
Little Yong became even more anxious. He tugged at Qiao Mei's sleeve."Sister Qiaomei, tell me! Tell me!"
"Since that's the case, I'll just let it go. You guys can leave."”
No matter how Xiao Yong pulled her, Qiao Mei's twisted face remained unmoved like a statue, except for the large drops of tears that fell, as well as the sadness that could not be released from her body.
I looked at the two of them expressionlessly and suddenly blamed myself for being cold. I felt that I was using my newly acquired identity to bully these two servants who had been trembling in fear in the Imperial Palace for many years.
I sighed." Qiao Mei, you want to go with me, but you refuse to tell me your story. This is too pretentious."”
After a pause, I said," Forget it. I won't force you if you don't want to tell me now. I'll just remind you that no matter if you're sad or resentful, you can't casually reveal it in my palace in the future. Otherwise, it will bring endless trouble to both of us.”
Qiao Mei was stunned. Her tear-stained face revealed a surprised and suspicious expression. I smiled slightly and said to Huan Pei,"Go and report to the Internal Affairs Bureau that I've brought Qiao Mei and Xiao Yong from the Plum Courtyard of Jincui Palace.”
Little Yong understood and quickly kowtowed. He was so happy that his voice changed."Thank you, young master! Thank you, Little Master! This servant will do his best to serve little master!”
Qiao Mei was even more speechless and could only kowtow.
"Qiao Mei, what's your real name?"”
Qiao Mei didn't understand and replied,"My family name is Xie and my name is Tao Yun."”
" Tao Yun, this name is not bad." I nodded." I can take your people away, but I can't take this name. From now on, you will still be called Tao Yun."”
This was indeed a great favor. Tao Yun kowtowed in joy and gratitude.
I waved my hand." Go, pack up everything and we'll leave."”
Jinghe Palace is a medium-sized palace courtyard. There are two courtyards on the left and right sides of the main hall. I was arranged to enter Yunzhi Garden on the right side of the main hall. After entering the courtyard, I allowed the few of them to clean it up. I leisurely looked around at this place that I might have to stay for a very long time. The outer courtyard was spacious and the inner courtyard was fresh and elegant. The scenery was also exquisite, but it did not have any special characteristics. Fortunately, I did not have too many requirements for these. In the future, I would slowly fix it to suit my heart.
There was a stone arch on one side of the inner courtyard, and I could vaguely see the lush forest outside. My heart moved, and I stepped through the arch, following the small tree-lined path around a corner. The scene in front of me made me stunned.
This is the back garden of Jinghe Palace. From where I stood, the scenery was quite similar to the scenery in my courtyard. However, due to the rules of the palace, this hillside was very low and flat, and the pavilion on it was also very small. Seeing this familiar scenery, I was delighted. I quickly walked to the pavilion and sat down. I raised my head slightly and let the breeze blow on my face.
It had been more than a month since I left the garden where I had lived for six years. At the same time, I had also left the happy times and the memories of the past.
"Miss! So you're here.”
Huan Pei came looking for me. She looked around and was also surprised."Miss, this place is very similar to our garden!”
I smiled and nodded.”
Huan Pei had always been reliable." Yes, it's past mealtime. Miss, go and have some food. In addition, the Internal Affairs Bureau has asked someone to bring a few palace maids and internal supervisors over. They said that according to the rules of nobles, in addition to Tao Yun and Xiao Yong, our courtyard can also choose two more palace maids and internal supervisors. Miss, do you want to go and take a look?”
I couldn't get interested and only said," I'm not going. You go and choose. I'll stay here for a while."”
"Then I'll call Huanling over."”
This back garden immediately closed the distance between me and this cold and solemn Imperial Palace, and also made me have a good impression of this Jinghe Palace.
Huan Ling held the food box in one hand and looked around excitedly. Before she arrived, her voice was already heard."Miss, this place feels like home! The emperor is really giving you preferential treatment!"
I didn't know how long I would be staying in Jinghe Palace. I only knew that this would be the prelude to the second half of my life as a harem concubine, so I didn't say anything. I just smiled warmly and brightly, even though this smile was filled with regret.# Daguan Review Passed: Daguan Time:111420183: 47PM #Cancel Review All: wdd201302 Time:111420185: 56PM #
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