TICIEC Chapter 5.1

When everyone arrived and the time was almost up, Shu Fei led the other concubines to the Cining Palace to pay their respects to Empress Dowager Xue.

Empress Dowager Xue treated Shu Fei with a neutral attitude, neither making things difficult for her nor being too close to her.

She simply waved at Xue Jieyu and asked lovingly, “Is Yan’er enjoying living in Qionghua Garden? Is there anything you are not satisfied with? I will ask Shu Fei to change it.”

Xue Jieyu looked gentle and considerate. “Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Aunt.”

Empress Dowager Xue glanced at the other concubines and said calmly, “I don’t enjoy crowds, but with no one in the harem, I can only look after you a little more.”

The previous empress dowagers had not intervened in harem affairs, exempting the concubines from daily greetings and only allowing them to pay their respects on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month.

But as soon as this person said this, everyone understood.

All concubines were required to pay their respects daily.

Empress Dowager Xue wanted everyone to see clearly who the true master of this harem was!

Upon hearing this, Shu Fei showed no displeasure on her face and maintained a faint smile.

The Xue family has the Empress Dowager, and the Cen family has Shu Fei. Each family clung to their own power and did not interfere with the other.

***

The Imperial Palace, Qianxin Hall.

A young man dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe emblazoned with a five-clawed golden dragon sat at a desk, reviewing memorials.

He is no more than twenty-three years old.

With a face as white as jade, sharp eyebrows, and bright eyes, he is handsome and elegant. At first glance, he looks like a graceful and elegant young man.

But he exuded a cold, oppressive aura, the aura of a superior.

“Your Majesty…”

The Chief Eunuch, Wang Degui, knelt on the ground and reported what happened in the harem today.

The young Emperor continued to look at the memorial in front of him, his expression unremarkable. He did not mention a word about these matters, but instead mentioned another person.

“Decree that Song Meiren will sleep with me tonight.”

Wang Degui was shocked. Everyone speculated that on the first night of the newcomer’s entry into the palace, it would be either Xue Jieyu or Cen Jieyu. Why did His Majesty choose Song Meiren?

Wasn’t this an insult to both the Xue and Cen families?

***

Ning Wanyin returned to Lingxue Pavilion.

She went to Jingxi Palace first, then to Cining Palace. She was tired after a whole morning of work, so she sat down on the soft couch by the window to rest.

“Master, it’s spring now. You should go to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers!” Xiao Guizi stepped forward and said.

Lian Rui frowned slightly, “Can’t you see that the Master is tired?”

“Today, His Majesty will flip the cards! If the Master stays in the room, with Xue Jieyu and Cen Jieyu ahead of the Master, I’m afraid it won’t be the Master’s turn. But if the Master goes to the Imperial Garden and runs into His Majesty, then the Master will have a chance…”

Xiao Guizi’s eyes rolled, full of shrewd calculations:

“I’m an old servant in the palace, and I’m speaking to the Master from the bottom of my heart. There are so many concubines in the harem. If you can’t catch His Majesty’s attention, he won’t remember you. Even your beautiful face will be wasted!”

“I used to serve Liu Guiren. She hadn’t seen the late Emperor in two years. It was only by sheer luck that she ran into him in the Imperial Garden that she was granted the title of guiren.”

Xiao Guizi was telling the truth.

During the reign of the late Emperor, several concubines gained favor through chance encounters with the emperor. As a result, the Imperial Garden was a frequent hangout for the concubines.

“I went to the Imperial Garden to check and found that many concubines were enjoying the flowers! You should also seize the opportunity!” Xiao Guizi advised.

“No need. I need to rest for a while. I’m a little hungry, though. Let’s go to the Imperial Kitchen for breakfast.” Ning Wanyin said calmly.

Xiao Guizi was speechless.

How could he have such a master who only cared about eating?

How was her progress yesterday?

After Xiao Guizi withdrew, Lian Rui looked at Ning Wanyin and asked with concern, “Master, are you unwilling to accept His Majesty’s favor?”

“The timing is wrong.”

Ning Wanyin had learned more than just the rules in these three years. She also kept a close eye on His Majesty’s actions.

For someone who could decide her life, she had to at least have some understanding of his ways.

Otherwise, was she going to the palace to die?

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