The next morning, when the first rays of sunlight lit up the glazed tiles of the palace, Emperor Jing had already gone to his early morning court.
Yu Yao gently opened her eyes, got up to wash and brush her teeth, dressed up meticulously as usual, and then went to pay respects at the Fengyi Palace.
As she walked to the Imperial Garden, the flowers were as brilliant as a rainbow, the trees formed a shade, and the gentle breeze swayed the leaves, creating a rustling sound.
At this moment, several little maids were whispering to each other on the path.
"Heard that Lady Shu met the Emperor by chance in the peach forest yesterday."
"That's right. Lady Shu is usually quiet and reserved, but now she's also trying to find ways to gain the Emperor's favor."
"What does it matter to fight for the Emperor's attention? Last night, he didn't summon Lady Shu to serve him; instead, he went to Qin Guiren's place?"
"You guys think, with Lady Shu living in the Yihe Palace with Consort Qin, and seeing them in love every day, her heart must be suffering, right?"
"That's for sure. Who would feel comfortable if they were in her shoes."
Yu Yao listened to these gossip and her heart stirred.
When Lady Shu came to see her yesterday, she only hinted at it lightly, and didn't expect that she would take action that night; her speed is quite quick.
Lady Shu's efforts to gain the Emperor's favor do not concern her, as she cannot serve him at night.
She then went to Fengyi Palace to pay respects.
By the time she arrived at the Fengyi Palace, many concubines had already arrived.
Inside the Fengyi Palace, the carved beams and paintings were ornate, and the gilded walls shone brilliantly.
Lady Li sat in her designated place, her face darkened with a gloomy expression. Upon seeing Yu Yao's arrival, the fire of anger instantly ignited in her eyes.
Without waiting for Yu Yao to bow to the high-ranking concubine, Lady Li sharpened her tongue and began to mock her.
"Oh, Consort Qin is becoming more and more valuable now, arriving so late. Does she think that with the Emperor's favor, she can disregard the Empress?"
Yu Yao rolled her eyes in disbelief at the accusation and respectfully bowed, "Your Majesty, Consort Li, you are too harsh. I have never had such thoughts, and I did not arrive late."
Lady Li's lips curved into a cold smile, like winter frost, "Dare to contradict me? You have gained the Emperor's favor now and act arrogant? Who knows what you are thinking in your heart?"
Yu Yao straightened her back and looked at Lady Li with a calm expression, "Your Majesty, Consort Li, has misunderstood. Yu Yao receiving the Emperor's favor is an act of gratitude. She has never been arrogant or behaved improperly due to favor. If Consort Li insists on this accusation without reason, then Yu Yao will not have anything more to say."
Lady Li was so angry her face turned as pale as iron, and she pointed at her and scolded, "You, Consort Qin, dare to talk back to me like this. I'll see how long you can keep the Emperor's favor."
"That matter of mine does not concern Consort Li. Please don't worry about it."
She was too lazy to bother with Consort Li any further and simply returned to her own position, standing quietly.
The concubines present all witnessed a good show.
Consort Zhen quietly sat in her designated spot, lowered her head, and hid the disdain in her eyes.
She merely thought that the two were like dogs fighting over a bone, neither of them was any good.
Even more, she secretly hoped that the two would fight even more fiercely. In this way, she could also benefit as the " fisherman reaping the benefits."
The other concubines had their own thoughts and were all secretly assessing Yu Yao, with complicated expressions.
Consort Yu, as usual, arrived right on time, her luxurious attire grand and imposing, perfectly embodying the demeanor of a consort.
Like a blooming peony flower, majestic and luxurious.
"Your Majesty, Consort Yu, long live and health. May you be happy and prosperous."
Upon seeing Consort Yu arrive, all the concubines present rose and paid their respects.
"All rise, please."
Consort Yu entered with a high and mighty air, sitting in her designated spot. Her gaze swept over the crowd, falling upon Yu Yao, her eyes filled with curiosity and investigation.
"I've heard that Lady Qin requested a physician last night. I wonder what the matter was?"
Consort Yu slowly opened her mouth, her voice cold and clear, like the crystal clear spring in the mountains.
Yu Yao slightly bowed her body, respectfully saying: "Your Majesty, Consort Yu, the maiden has come to have her menstrual cycle yesterday, abdominal pain is unbearable, the emperor came by chance and saw it. He called a physician."
Consort Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, and she stared at her scrutinizingly, "It's just menstrual cramps that require such a grand display. Consort Qin's body is truly delicate."
She originally had no interest in bothering a small concubine and had never taken Yu Yao into account.
Last night, Consort Qin had her menstrual period, but the Emperor still visited her. This made Consort Yu begin to take her seriously.
Lady Li coldly snorted, "Who knows if you're not intentionally faking illness to gain the Emperor's sympathy."
She glanced at Lady Li, "What your Majesty said about this is not reasonable. If Yu Yao is really faking illness, how could she fool the physicians?"
Consort Yu lifted her jade hand lightly to stop the two from arguing, "Alright, stop shouting. In the Fengyi Palace, such a ruckus is most improper."
The other concubines all remained silent, not daring to speak anymore.
At this moment, the Empress, wearing a magnificent dress and exuding grace and magnificence, slowly walked to the main position and sat down.
"Presenting to the Empress, may the Empress live a long and happy life."
"Be relieved of bowing, please." The Empress's voice was gentle yet authoritative.
All the concubines bowed in unison to show gratitude, and then returned to their respective positions.
The Empress swept her gaze over everyone, and her eyes lingered on Yu Yao for a moment.
"I've heard that Lady Qin requested a physician last night. Is there any truth to this?" The Empress asked.
Yu Yao bowed again and replied, "Your Majesty, Consort Empress, this is indeed the case. The maiden had her menstrual period yesterday and experienced severe abdominal pain. When the emperor arrived by chance, he noticed it and immediately called a physician."
The Empress nodded slightly, "In that case, you should take good care of your health. In the inner court, good health is the most important."
She expressed gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Consort Empress. The maiden will definitely take good care of her health."
She then returned to her own position.
The Empress's gaze slowly swept over the concubines seated before her and she spoke, "Ladies, the selection of new concubines is now on the agenda. The young women chosen for the selection will be entering the palace shortly. With more people in the palace, there will be many eyes watching. You must discipline those under your care and prevent any trouble from arising. Speak and act with caution, set a good example for the new concubines, and work together to maintain stability and harmony in the inner court, to ease the Emperor's worries."
The concubines in the room had different thoughts in their minds, but on their faces, they all showed respect, "The maidens will definitely follow the Empress Dowager's instructions."
Yu Yao lowered her eyelids in deep thought, the arrival of the new concubines would only add more chaos to the already turbulent inner court.
With her current pregnancy, it's best for her to stay indoors more in the future.
Lady Li's expression was very poor. She had already lost favor with the emperor and now new concubines would be selected. How could the emperor possibly remember her then?
Thoughts like these made her anxious, and she was eager to regain the emperor's favor as soon as possible.
The other concubines had various thoughts, but all of them looked rather unhappy.
The Empress saw everyone's expressions and didn't say anything, but simply let everyone leave.
Lady Li's mind was filled with thoughts of how to regain the Emperor's favor and not lose face in front of the new concubines. She didn't have the mood to bother Yu Yao anymore.
The court ceremony concluded, and she hurried back to her quarters.
As soon as Yu Yao returned to the east wing of the Yihe Hall, she saw Lu Xiang, the eunuch, with a young eunuch waiting in the courtyard.
"Oh, Lady Qin has finally returned. The Emperor has an imperial edict. Come quickly and listen to the edict."
Lu Xiang saw Yu Yao return and walked forward with a smile.
She glanced at the yellow imperial edict in Lu Xiang's hand and quickly knelt down to bow.
Lu Xiang slowly unfolded the imperial edict and began to read aloud:
"By the decree of the Son of Heaven: Lady Yu, of serene demeanor and gentle nature, with a delicate and graceful character, elegant and tranquil, virtuous and cautious by nature, gentle and compliant to rules, greatly consoles the heart of the emperor. It is hereby decreed that she be enfeoffed as a Fifth-rank Consort Jieyu with her title unchanged. This is an imperial command!"
Lu Xiang completed the reading of the edict and smiled at Yu Yao, "Consort Qin, please receive the edict."
Yu Yao knew it was because she was pregnant that the Dog Emperor would bestow the title on her. However, she did not want to reveal this secret, so the edict did not mention it and instead showered her with praise.
She took the edict, and with a respectful tone, said, "The maiden receives the edict, and thanks Your Majesty for the honor."
She was promoted to Second Lady, a Fifth-rank Consort Jieyu, a significant promotion.
Even though Jieyu was still part of the lower-level concubines, she now had the right to ride in a carriage. In the future, when she went to Fengyi Palace for obeisance, she wouldn't have to walk anymore.
That's not bad.
She stood up and had a smile on her face.
Liu li immediately moved forward and stuffed a little pouch into Lu Xiang's hand, "Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Xiang. Please accept these as a token of my gratitude."
Lu Xiang accepted it with a smiling face and gestured for the young eunuch behind him to fetch the things bestowed by the Emperor.
Lu Xiang then turned to Yu Yao and said, "Consort Qin, these are the imperial gifts for Consort Jieyu. Consort Qin, please keep them. If there's nothing else, the servant will return first."
"There's nothing else, thank you for your trouble."
Yu Yao was polite and walked him to the door specifically.
Lu Xiang bowed his head and spoke in a low voice, "Consort Qin, please wait. Consort Jieyu's body is heavy now, and the good days are yet to come. The servant congratulates Consort Jieyu."
She smiled faintly upon hearing this, knowing that Lu Xiang was referring to her pregnancy. She lowered her voice as well, "I hope you won't reveal it to anyone else first."
"Consort Qin, you may rest assured. The servant understands and will not reveal it to anyone else."
Lu Xiang nodded quickly in response.
With even the Emperor keeping the secret, he naturally dared not say anything rashly.
Yu Yao felt reassured and bowed to show her gratitude. The two exchanged some polite words, and Lu Xiang and the young eunuch left.
She turned back into the hall, gazing at the various gifts around her, with a calm expression and no significant stir in her heart.
The palace women and slaves in the east wing were all very happy about their mistress being elevated to the rank of Consort Jieyu, and there was a festive atmosphere throughout.
Liu Li was excitedly saying, "Your Majesty, now that you have been enfeoffed as a Consort Jieyu, things will only get better and better in the palace from now on."
"Yes, indeed. The favor of the Main Mistress is unmatched in the palace, even outshining Empress Zhen and Consort Yuhuang."
Jùpí also happily agreed.
Although Yu Yao was pleased inside, she furrowed her brow slightly upon hearing Jùpí's words and said, "Jùpí, your words are fine to say in the house, but if they get out, it will cause another round of trouble."
Seeing Jùpí was afraid, she sighed softly and said with a heavy heart, "I'm already at the center of a storm. You all need to be careful with your words and actions. We should avoid unnecessary trouble caused by gossip. The selection will soon take place, and the situation will only become more complicated. We must be even more cautious. Do you understand?"
"Yes, your majesty."
Jùpí also realized that she had said something wrong, and her face turned pale. She bowed respectfully in response.
"Yes, your majesty."
Liu Li also quietly replied, "Yes, your majesty."
"Alright, register these items in the treasure house and store them properly."
Yu Yao glanced at the room full of gifts, gave instructions to the two, and then lay down on the bed to read a novel.
The news that Consort Qin had been enfeoffed as a Fifth-rank Consort Jieyu spread throughout the inner court like wildfire.
Everyone had different thoughts in their hearts. Some envied her, while others were jealous and cursed her.
Yingyue Palace.
When Lady Li heard the news, she bit her teeth in anger, causing a pile of broken porcelain to scatter across the room like debris after a storm.
The oppressive atmosphere was created by the dark light filtering in through the carved window frames.
"This slag has risen from a palace maid to a concubine in no time at all, and now she has been promoted again, skipping two ranks. This slag will not be allowed to enjoy her success for too long," Lady Li fumed.
Lady Li's face was extremely grim, her charming and beautiful features twisted with jealousy, and she cursed through gritted teeth.
The palace women and eunuchs in the hall knelt down in a row, all silent and not daring to speak.
I tried to lower my presence as much as possible, fearing that I might upset Lady Li who was still angry.
Guanyu Palace.
"Madam, just now the news came that Consort Qin has been enfeoffed by the emperor as a Fifth-rank Consort Jieyu, but her title remains unchanged."
Yuhuang, who was lazily leaning against the bed, had the palace maid Haitang kneel on the ground and carefully report to her.
Consort Yu, with a slight squint of her eyes, added a note of scrutiny to her expression, "This Consort Qin... no, she is now Consort Jieyu. She does have some talent."
Haitang dared not speak and kept listening quietly.
Empress Zhen sat quietly in her own palace, a cold smile curling at the corners of her mouth, "The inner court is getting more and more lively."
