Within Fengyi Palace.
The empress sent away the consorts who came to pay their respects and returned to the inner chamber. Jinxuan brought the tea over to serve her.
The empress leaned against the soft sofa, took the tea and asked, "How does it look to you?"
Jinxuan knew that the empress was asking about Qin Guiren. She thought for a while and replied frankly, "Qin Guiren is exquisite in appearance and unforgettable at first sight, but she is too conceited. Look at her today, she dare to directly confront Li Lüniang. I wonder where she gets her courage from."
Upon hearing this, the empress's mouth curled up into a faint smile, the smile carrying a deep mystery, "Oh? I think this courage to defy authority is rather rare. Li Fei has been acting even more brazenly under the favor of the emperor. It's about time someone tempered her sharpness."
She stood up slowly, her figure graceful, and the gorgeous phoenix robe she wore was extraordinary.
She instructed Jinxuan, "Prepare yourself. Follow the Empress to the Imperial Library. The Imperial Concubine Selection is still subject to discussion with the Emperor as it is his first reign."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Jinxuan answered respectfully, and then she went to prepare.
The Imperial Library.
The aroma of dragon's beard incense rose gently, mingling with a faint sandalwood scent, intertwining with the occasional sunshine filtering through the window to create a tranquil and solemn scene.
The empress, dressed in a phoenix robe, walked in lightly.
"Subject sees the emperor, long live the emperor, a thousand years, ten thousand years."
Even though she is the empress, she must still kowtow to her husband in a place like the Imperial Library.
King Jing is buried in piles of documents, he has just ascended to the throne and has a lot of official business. He can't be idle even for a moment during the day, except for when he sleeps at night.
At this moment, he heard the sound and lifted his head to see that it was the empress. He was slightly surprised, "The Empress, please accept my greetings. Is there anything special you have come for today?"
He did not like the empress; the reason was simple—she was too dignified, her every word and action conforming to the standards of a noble daughter from a family of scholars, which made him find little interest in her.
However, as the empress had not committed any mistakes and managed the harem well, she was respected for that.
At least on the 1st and 15th of each month, these days belonged to the empress, and he would not go to the palaces of other concubines.
When there were matters in the harem, he would consult with the empress proactively.
The empress stood up, smiled slightly and spoke softly: "The Empress indeed has something to consult with the emperor. The emperor has just ascended the throne and has also passed the mourning period. According to the ancestral laws, it is time for the Imperial Concubine Selection to be held in order to add new blood to the harem and demonstrate the prosperity of the royal family. I don't know what His Majesty's opinion is."
King Jing's eyes flickered slightly, and he gently stroked his chin, pondering for a moment before saying, "The Empress speaks wisely. The matter of the Imperial Concubine Selection should indeed be taken up. The affairs of state have kept me busy recently, so this matter is left entirely to the Empress to handle. On the day of the selection, if I have time, I will attend myself."
The empress was not surprised by this answer and bowed respectfully, speaking softly: "The Empress will surely not disappoint the emperor's trust and will do her utmost to organize this Imperial Concubine Selection properly. However, this matter concerns the imperial family's dignity. The Empress dares to boldly request that the emperor set a general framework for this selection to avoid any oversight."
She is also experiencing her first time as an empress and has never organized a concubine selection. Such a difficult task is better left to the emperor.
King Jing put down the red pen in his hand and looked deeply at the empress, as if examining every subtle expression of hers.
After a moment, he slowly said, "The Empress has considered everything. If so, please draft an Imperial Concubine Selection Regulation for me. Focus on the morality and talent of the candidates, and choose more women who are good at childbearing. As for family background, there is no need to be overly strict."
Not having descendants has always been a source of worry for him. He doesn't want to leave the empire to others after he passes away.
Upon hearing this, the empress immediately understood the emperor's meaning and bowed respectfully: "The Empress understands, Your Majesty. We will carefully plan the Imperial Concubine Selection according to Your Majesty's instructions, aiming to choose women of excellent moral character, outstanding talent, and suitable for childbearing."
King Jing's face looked a bit odd when he heard the empress say "dignified". Although it was a good word, he did not like women who were too dignified.
Dignified means lacking in charm, wooden, boring.
As long as they can have children, it's still worth selecting them. However, if they cannot have children, then what's the point of selecting them?
However, as an emperor, such words are not suitable to be spoken openly. He just hoped that on the day of the selection, he would find time to take a look.
King Jing, though thinking this, did not reveal his thoughts. He merely nodded slightly, gave some other instructions, and then dismissed the empress.
Moonlight Palace.
The sun's rays slanted down onto the floor inside the palace, casting a mottled pattern that added a touch of languidness and tranquility to the gilded and splendid palace.
The Consort Li sat in front of the copper mirror, her reflection showing a charming and beautiful face, yet it was distorted with anger in her heart.
"Just a lowborn slave, dare to compete with me. What is she?"
The Consort Li's lips curled into a cold smile, and her eyes flashed with viciousness. "Qi Wei, go to the Palace of Concubine Selection and tell that An Hai to suppress Qin Guiren's green placard. Put it up later."
Truiwei knew that Consort Li was extremely angry today and meant to teach Qin Guiren a lesson. She dared not ask any further questions and respectfully received her orders before leaving.
The Palace of Concubine Selection.
Just as the eunuch in charge of the Palace of Concubine Selection, An Hai, had just finished making the green placard for Yu Yao, he was about to put it up when he saw Truiwei pushing the door in.
An Hai saw Truiwei and paused slightly, thinking: What does Consort Li's person want?
But he didn't dare to be neglectful, his face smiling, he rushed over to welcome her, "Miss Truiwei, what wind brought you here today? Is there something that Consort Li wants?"
Truiwei saw An Hai and walked over with a smile, "There is indeed something I need your help with."
Upon finishing her sentence, she pushed a bag of considerable weight over to him.
Truiwei did not mention the matter, and An Hai did not dare to accept the silver.
He looked around, seeing no one, then moved closer and whispered softly, "Miss Truiwei, I don't know what Consort Li wants."
Truiwei smiled faintly, and once again, she pushed the silver into An Hai's hand. "There's nothing much. It's just that Consort Li thinks Qin Guiren has not learned the rules properly yet and does not know how to serve the emperor. What if she offends the emperor by accident? Consort Li wants you to put Qin Guiren's green placard up later."
An Hai understood at once what was going on. He had heard about the events at the Fengyi Palace that morning and knew that Consort Li was still angry and wanted to take revenge on Qin Guiren.
If it's an unpetted concubine, it wouldn't matter if the green placard was put up later. The emperor wouldn't pay much attention anyway.
But the emperor is newly enchanted with Consort Qin. He went to the eastern pavilion of Yihe Palace last night, and who knows if he will go again tonight.
If the green placard is not put up, and if the emperor finds out, he would also bear the blame.
But Consort Li is a favorite concubine in the palace. At least for the moment, she enjoys the first share of favor. An Hai is also torn between left and right, fearing to offend her.
"Miss Truiwei, this..."
An Hai wanted to say something but hesitated. He gently rubbed his hand over the bag of silver, feeling that the silver was rather hot. He didn't know whether to take it or leave it.
He pondered for a moment and then said, "Miss Truiwei, the emperor is newly enchanted with Consort Qin. If I rashly suppress her green placard, the emperor might discover it. Then my head would be in danger."
Truiwei furrowed her brow and her eyes flashed with dissatisfaction. "An Gong, you also dare to disobey Consort Li's orders? The position of Consort Li in the palace is clear to you. What is Consort Qin to you? Besides, if you help Consort Li, she will also remember your good intentions and you will definitely receive benefits in the future."
An Hai's forehead broke out in fine beads of sweat. He thought for a moment and still agreed with Truiwei.
After all, in his opinion, Consort Li was currently favored, and if he offended her, his life in the palace might not be easy.
As for Consort Qin's green placard, if the emperor asks, just say that the green placard has not been completed yet. It is likely that the emperor, even if he is not pleased, will not make too much fuss.
Truiwei was satisfied when she saw that An Hai had agreed and left.
The night was as dark as ink, and the palace lanterns flickered, outlining the majestic and mysterious silhouette of the Imperial Study.
Inside the hall, the fragrance of sandalwood rose slowly, intertwining with the occasional whispers of night wind outside to create an unspoken orchestral prelude to the palace.
King Jing, Yuan duan, sat at the back of the dragon desk, holding a red pen, deeply buried in the mountain of official business piling up.
At this moment, An Hai hurried in with a group of young eunuchs, each carrying a tray filled with a row of exquisitely crafted green placards.
An Hai led the group and knelt on the ground, "Your Majesty, it's late at night. It's time to choose a concubine."
King Jing looked up when he heard the sound, and saw the hourglass beside him. It was already the sixth hour.
He put down the red pen in his hand, stretched lazily, and glanced at the rows of green placards, saying softly, "Bring them up."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
An Hai respectfully acknowledged the response, stood up, and then called out to the young eunuchs behind him to present the green placards.
The young eunuchs respectfully presented the green placards to King Jing.
King Jing gazed at the row of green placards in front of him, thinking about the promise he made to a certain little woman last night. He was about to flip her placard but couldn't find it anywhere.
He frowned and looked at An Hai, displeased and said, "Why is there no placard for Consort Qin?"
Lu Xi stood beside him, and upon hearing the emperor's words, caught a glimpse and saw indeed that there was no green placard for Consort Qin.
He secretly looked at An Hai, shook his head in disbelief, and muttered to himself: "This thing doesn't even know who to take bribes from. It even dared to suppress Consort Qin's green placard. It's truly without a care for its life."
An Hai had already turned pale with fear upon hearing the emperor's question. He trembled and knelt on the ground, fearfully saying, "Your Majesty, it was the servant's negligence. Consort Qin's green placard has not been completed yet, so it was not placed on display."
Enraged, King Jing kicked An Hai, shouting furiously, "The imperial edict for the enshrinement of Consort Qin was issued several days ago. You tell me the green placard hasn't been done? What have you been doing all this time? If you can't do your job properly, I'm not above replacing you."
An Hai, who had been kicked by King Jing, fell to the ground and immediately kowtowed and begged for mercy. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was the servant's negligence in handling matters. The servant will go back right away and finish making Consort Qin's green placard and bring it here."
King Jing's anger had not dissipated. "Hmph, I think you are deliberately doing this. Tell me, is someone behind this?"
He had heard about the incident in the Fengyi Palace today and was not entirely unaware of everything.
If he hadn't guessed wrong, it should be the fault of Consort Li.
Upon thinking this, he harbored resentment towards Consort Li in his heart.
He was indeed fond of Consort Li, and he could tolerate her occasional pettiness.
If this woman dared to interfere in his choice of concubines, she would be crossing a line.
An Hai's heart tightened as he could not dare to implicate Consort Li. He continued to bow and plead, "Your Majesty, the servant was indeed momentarily negligent. There was absolutely no one else who instructed me. Please give the servant another chance."
King Jing sneered and was not interested in arguing over such a trivial matter. He roared, "Get out of here quickly! Put Consort Qin's green placard up tomorrow, or you'll lose your head if there's another time."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty."
An Hai was as if he had received a pardon, rolling and crawling out.
Exiting the Imperial Study, his back was drenched in cold sweat, and he knew that he had just come close to walking through the gates of death.
King Jing did not choose a concubine but, instead, went directly to Yihedu with Lu Xi to visit Yu Yao.
