Volume 1 Chapter 40
The Emperor’s selection of concubines was a major event; for the court, it was a significant affair, but for the women of the harem, it was an even more critical matter. Leng Jiu tasked Consort Hui with managing the selection of candidates, so she was naturally present. A few other consorts and noblewomen of the harem had also arrived early at the imperial garden to wait. Even Consort Li, who frequently had issues with her pregnancy, was supported by two palace maids and came as well.
Consort Hui was dressed in a peony red robe adorned with cloud patterns, and Consort Li also wore red. When the two stood together, there was an immediate tension of rivalry. With the harem currently without a leading consort, these two had the highest rank, and today, both wanted to intimidate the new candidates. However, they ended up confronting each other.
“Greetings, Sister Consort Hui!” Consort Li smiled faintly. Although her words were polite, she did not move her body at all, pretending to apologize, “My body is unwell, so I cannot bow to you. Please forgive me, Sister.”
Consort Hui, being the highest-ranked of the four consorts, had a rank far above Consort Li, but she couldn’t feel proud. Every time she saw Consort Li’s pregnant belly, it made her feel like she had swallowed a fly. “What are you saying, Sister? You are carrying the dragon seed, so this courtesy can be waived. Your health is precious; if anything were to happen, I could not bear the responsibility!”
In the vast imperial garden, three hundred women in identical clothing stood silently. No one dared to speak a word, and the tension between the two consorts above them made them even more cautious. Success or failure would be determined today, and any mistake could spell their doom.
“The Emperor has arrived!”
“The Empress Dowager has arrived!”
Two voices came from left and right, leaving everyone momentarily stunned, unsure which way to kneel. In the end, they knelt in place: “Blessings to the Emperor! Blessings to the Empress Dowager!”
Long Yi, still wearing his bright yellow dragon robe, exuded nobility and authority, his handsome appearance remarkable. He had come directly from the Golden Throne Hall after the morning court session, still in his court attire. On the other side, Leng Jiu, contrary to her usual white and red, was dressed in a black robe embroidered with bright red peonies. The contrast between black and red was striking and eye-catching. This was an old outfit of Leng Jinghua’s, which Long Yi had seen before. Back then, it had looked clumsy and vulgar on Leng Jinghua, but now, on Leng Jiu, it exuded elegance, nobility, and splendor, making it hard for him to look away.
Leng Jiu’s hairstyle was neither overly elaborate nor too simple. A faint scar on her brow was painted with three tiny bamboo leaves, adding a touch of majesty and sharpness to her stunning features. Anyone who dared to look up would find her beautiful in a different way.
Leng Jiu’s gaze swept over Consort Li and her slightly protruding belly. She then walked up to the platform, about to sit down, when she seemed to notice Long Yi, who had forgotten to move: “What is the Emperor standing there for?”
Long Yi finally snapped out of his trance, not explaining why he had been distracted. He sat down next to Leng Jiu and raised his hand to let everyone rise.
“Everyone, please rise!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Leng Jiu and Long Yi sat in the center, with Consort Li and Zhao Yan sitting to their left and right. The other consorts and noblewomen were not permitted to sit and could only stand, eagerly watching Long Yi. Unfortunately, Long Yi did not spare them a single glance.
Zhao Yan waved her hand, and five palace servants brought over five trays covered with red cloth. When the cloths were lifted, each tray revealed five jade pendants, all carved with peonies and cranes. Whoever received a pendant from Long Yi would be the chosen consort. However, the official appointment would only be confirmed after the first night. There were exceptions, like Hua Yuxuan, of course.
Eunuch Qu held a bright yellow imperial decree and announced in a shrill voice, “Hua Yuxuan, receive the decree!”
Hua Yuxuan stepped forward from the group of candidates, her noble demeanor and upbringing evident in her every move as she knelt properly.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Hua Yuxuan of the Duke of De’s residence, with outstanding appearance and exceptional talent and virtue, is hereby bestowed with this decree, and shall be exceptionally granted the title of Noble Consort Hua, awarded the Palace of Prosperity, temporarily acting as the Empress, in charge of the six palaces, thus decreed!”
Leng Jiu didn’t bother to listen to the flowery middle part, but the last few words caught her attention. The title of Empress had been downgraded to Noble Consort. She wondered how Hua Yuxuan felt about this.
Hua Yuxuan felt a surge of shock and resentment but could not show it. She could only bow and accept the decree: “This servant accepts the decree!”
After taking the decree, she rose. Eunuch Qu smiled broadly, “Congratulations, Noble Consort!”
Hua Yuxuan nodded and smiled, “Thank you, Eunuch Qu!”
Eunuch Qu stepped back to stand beside Long Yi. It was now the Emperor’s turn to select.
Long Yi had been watching Leng Jiu while Eunuch Qu read the decree. Seeing no displeasure on her face, he felt somewhat relieved, but there was still an inexplicable discomfort in his heart that he couldn’t identify.
Leng Jiu noticed his gaze: “Is Your Majesty’s injury better?”
Hearing her concern, Long Yi felt a small void in his heart instantly filled: “I am much better! But I’ve been busy with state affairs these days and haven’t had time to visit the Empress Dowager. I heard she has a wound on her brow, and recently, the South Sea sent a tribute of a coral and jade forehead ornament. I’ll have someone send it to her later.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan felt a pang of jealousy. She knew of that headdress; she had secretly seen it once and found it so beautiful that it was blinding. She had asked for it many times during their nights together, but Long Yi had always refused. Now, he was casually giving it to the Empress Dowager!
Consort Li’s face remained stern, her thoughts unreadable.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Leng Jiu never turned down a good offer.
“It’s getting late; the Emperor should start selecting the candidates!” Leng Jiu reminded him not to forget the main event.
Long Yi glanced at the many candidates: “Didn’t the Empress Dowager say she wanted to select them personally? I’m just here for a formality today. The selection should be left to the Empress Dowager!”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow: “Are you serious, Your Majesty?”
“An Emperor never speaks lightly of his word!”
“So be it! Then, this widow will make the decision for Your Majesty!” Leng Jiu stood up, lightly shaking her wide sleeves, and descended from the platform. She walked among the candidates, stopping in front of a girl in the first row, whom she remembered as one of Hua Yuxuan’s sisters. That day in the palace, she wore a green dress and played the xiao, seeming to have a good relationship with Hua Yuxuan.
After some thought, Leng Jiu handed her a jade pendant. Sisters turning against each other for a man was the most melodramatic yet affectionate scenario, and such fun had to be preserved!
The girl was delighted to receive the jade pendant and hurriedly bowed, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Leng Jiu continued picking dignified and beautiful women, especially those who had a good relationship with Hua Yuxuan. Whenever she saw one, she chose her. Land Chang even reminded Leng Jiu which ones were close to Hua Yuxuan or had noble backgrounds. Thus, Leng Jiu quickly distributed dozens of jade pendants.
Eunuch Qu handed over the list of Leng Jiu’s selections to Long Yi, who glanced through it. They were all the candidates he had intended to choose. Seeing this, he was even more satisfied with Leng Jiu. As for Hua Yuxuan, her face paled slightly when she saw the people Leng Jiu had chosen, but no one paid attention to her now.
After finishing the selection, Leng Jiu returned to her seat. After taking a sip of tea, she asked Long Yi, “Is Your Majesty satisfied?”
Long Yi smiled, “The people chosen by the Empress Dowager naturally satisfy Us!”
“In that case, this widow’s task is done. Let Consort Hui handle the rest. Although Noble Consort will oversee the six palaces, she is not familiar with the palace affairs. Let Consort Hui assist her. What does Your Majesty think?” Leng Jiu suggested calmly.
Long Yi nodded, “The Empress Dowager’s words are indeed wise!”
Zhao Yan immediately bowed in gratitude, “This subject will definitely not disappoint the Empress Dowager’s trust!”
“I’m tired! You may all leave!” With these words, Leng Jiu left without even looking back, not sparing another glance at the place.
As for the selection of the candidates, Leng Jiu put it out of her mind. She was the Empress Dowager, and she would clearly state her position. Let those women fight among themselves; she didn’t care as long as they didn’t provoke her. She was happy to watch the drama unfold in the harem!
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Side Note:
There’s no affair in this chapter, so don’t be disappointed, folks! There will be plenty of drama in the story, just wait for it!