TICIEC Chapter 4.1

When the two of them were halfway through their journey, a crisp slapping sound was heard from the palace road ahead.

“How dare you block my way?”

“Xue Jieyu, calm down. I didn’t see you…”

A woman with a bright face was teaching another concubine a lesson.

This was the only way to Jingxi Palace, so many concubines witnessed this scene, but all hurried past with their heads lowered.

“Cousin, this is Xue Jieyu. Let’s go quickly…” Tang Miaoling reminded her in a low voice.

Although she is domineering in the Ning family, she is not brainless. She is a person who bullies the weak and fears the strong, and never shows off in front of people with more powerful family backgrounds than herself.

Xue Jieyu is one of the two newly selected beauties of the highest rank.

She comes from the Duke of Su’s Mansion.

When the Great Yan Kingdom was founded, the founding Emperor conferred the titles of two dukes, four marquises, and twenty-one counts on the generals who had fought together to conquer the world. The titles were to be inherited by the people and would last the rest of the country.

Although there were occasional people who were granted titles for military merit, these titles were rare within three generations.

It was far from being comparable to this group of iron-hat nobles.

This group of founding nobles was considered the true ‘aristocrats’ by the world.

Even a declining Count’s Mansion like the Ning family would choose a third or fourth rank official for a marriage alliance. Not to mention the two great Dukes, who commanded a large military force and guarded the Great Yan Empire’s frontiers for generations, wielding immense power.

It can be said that every dynasty has its own ministers, and every dynasty has its own Duke’s Mansion.

During the late Emperor’s time, the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort were from two great duke’s houses respectively, and each had a son.

For the throne, the two great dukes’ factions fought fiercely for power.

In the end, both the Crown Prince (son of the Empress) and the Prince of Ying (son of the Imperial Noble Consort) died.

Then the late Emperor passed away.

The current Emperor was elected as the new Emperor by his ministers.

While they were called ministers, eight out of ten officials in the court were descendants of the two dukes. This was actually the result of a careful weighing of pros and cons between the two dukes.

The current Emperor’s mother was of humble origin and died young. During the late Emperor’s reign, he had no opportunity to participate in court affairs. He was merely an idle prince, seemingly ignorant of government affairs.

His wife, Empress Yuanxiao, was the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Su’s family, which was considered his in-laws. His concubine, Shu Fei, was related to the Duke of Xin’s family.

It had some connection with both sides, but not much.

If he ascended the throne, the Duke of Su would have an empress, and the Duke of Xin would have a powerful concubine, benefiting both families.

Furthermore, with the position of empress vacant, they could send their daughters to the palace to compete for the position.

With this consideration, the current Emperor was the most suitable candidate among the many princes.

Xue Jieyu was well aware of this. Her grandfather had already made it clear to her that she was entering the palace solely for the position of empress.

She is the most noble eldest daughter in the Duke of Su’s Mansion. Her elder sister is the former Crown Princess, and her aunt is Empress Dowager Xue.

Even her cousin, a collateral relative whom she despised, became Empress Yuanxiao.

How could she, a daughter of the Xue family, not become empress?

“Hmph!”

Xue Jieyu slapped the woman hard several times, making her face red and swollen, then turned, and left.

The accompanying maid quickly reminded her, “Master, you’ve just entered the palace, so I’m afraid…”

“I am doing this for the new concubines and Shu Fei to see. Who is she, of her status, to be in charge of the six harems? It’s only because my unworthy cousin died early that she has this opportunity!”

A cold glint flashed in Concubine Xue’s eyes.

“Now that I have entered the palace, I must establish my authority and make an example of others.”

The maid said no more.

Her master had never been overbearing in her boudoir, always gentle and polite. This action clearly had its purpose.

…

Ning Wanyin and Tang Miaoling arrived at Jingxi Palace and first paid their respects to Shu Fei, who was in the main seat.

Shu Fei was dressed in a crimson-purple palace gown embroidered with blue phoenixes and gold. She looked gentle and elegant.

 

 

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