To A-Wu’s surprise, after entering the palace, she did not get to see the Emperor immediately.
Instead, she was first settled in a side hall.
For two or three days in a row, A-Wu had to learn various postures and etiquettes.
If she didn’t perform well, she would be strictly disciplined, which made her suspicious.
Could it be that she had been deceived?
This didn’t feel like entering the palace to be showered with the Emperor’s favor; it felt more like she had become a pitiful little victim being bullied.
But there was nothing she could do; she had no choice but to endure it.
Finally, on this day, the palace maids suddenly began to help her bathe and dress up, applying makeup and powder.
When A-Wu asked them what was going on, they didn’t explain, only saying they were following orders.
This made A-Wu even more puzzled.
She knew that the Empress was in charge of the inner palace affairs.
Now that she was hidden away here, unseen by the Emperor, she feared the Empress might be scheming against her.
But… if Emperor Jingxi couldn’t even protect her, allowing the Empress to deceive everyone…
She thought bitterly, “Forget it, such a man is unreliable. I must have misjudged him.”
As she was thinking this, she was already fully dressed.
She looked at herself in the bronze mirror.
Her hair was styled into a high, layered bun, adorned with a jade hairpin.
She wore a small jacket with a red floral collar and narrow sleeves, embroidered with golden thread in a pattern of small sunflowers.
A thin, beaded belt cinched her waist, and below it was a purple skirt scattered with floral patterns.
The attire was no different from what she wore outside, but it seemed more refined and meticulous, every stitch exuding the strictness of palace regulations.
Her hand rested on her collar, where there was an additional jade button compared to her usual jackets.
Soon, she noticed that her cuffs were also adorned with buttons of the same color.
She was a bit confused, but a palace maid beside her softly explained, “Madam, the palace is different from the outside. Those who are close to the Emperor must dress with particular care. The inner and outer layers are all arranged according to the rules.”
The maid continued: “Whether it’s a coat or a jacket, white sleeves must not be exposed. As for the neck and wrists, they must not be revealed either, so these buttons are necessary to ensure proper decorum in the Emperor’s presence.”
A-Wu: “I see…”
The maid’s tone was so gentle that A-Wu felt she had been too rash.
Over the past few days, she had already learned many rules, but there were still so many she didn’t understand.
Not understanding was one thing, but she still couldn’t help asking questions.
She touched her collar and suddenly realized that these clothes probably hid a hundred intricacies…
But on the bright side, she was finally going to formally meet the Emperor and see Jingxi.
He should confer some title upon her, right?
However, it seemed she couldn’t rush.
She had to wait for the sedan chair.
After a while, a small green sedan chair arrived.
A-Wu was helped into it by the palace maids, and the sedan chair began to weave its way through the red walls and green tiles.
Although A-Wu had learned the palace rules and knew she shouldn’t look around carelessly, she couldn’t help but glance here and there.
The scenery within the palace was indeed unlike anywhere else, more majestic and solemn than the Crown Prince’s residence.
Everywhere she looked, there were towers, pavilions, and exotic rocks in the gardens, with guards standing in strict formation, creating an imposing atmosphere.
The small sedan chair she was in moved forward along the corridor, but it was stopped three or five times.
Each time, a black lacquered carved token had to be presented before they were allowed to proceed.
As they continued forward, suddenly, the scenery became even more exquisite and luxurious.
The corridors twisted and turned, with railings and balustrades connecting the structures.
Among them, trees and flowers intertwined…
Although winter was approaching, the scenery remained vibrant and beautiful.
The small sedan chair came to a stop in front of a palace.
A Wu was helped down from the chair, and two palace maids in purple jackets and skirts approached to guide her forward.
Having learned some etiquette over the past few days, A Wu naturally lowered her head slightly and followed them inside.
The group first turned west, passed through a ceremonial gate, and then entered the hall.
At the entrance of the hall, over a dozen palace maids stood in two rows with their hands clasped, so many yet not a sound could be heard.
Someone quickly went inside to announce their arrival.
A palace maid beside her swiftly instructed her on what to say once inside.
A Wu was surprised to learn that this was the Empress Dowager’s residence, and the Emperor was also present.
She had never expected to meet the Empress Dowager so soon after entering the palace.
Her heart was somewhat flustered, but she had no choice but to force herself to remain calm.
As her thoughts wandered, she heard a response from inside, a single word: “Summon.”
A Wu was then asked by the palace maids to change into soft purple satin shoes, which were spotless and pristine.
After changing her shoes, A Wu was led into the hall.
Upon entering, she was greeted by a soft, delicate fragrance that was light yet comforting, making her feel relaxed.
The floor was covered with a luxurious and intricately woven carpet, soft underfoot as if walking on clouds.
With her head lowered, she followed the palace maid step by step forward.
As she walked, she recalled that night at the Crown Prince’s residence when she had suddenly stepped into an unfamiliar banquet and was scolded for being “unpresentable.”
Now, the man who had scolded her was bringing her into the palace to take her as his concubine.
Being a concubine was not a favorable status.
She had once harbored a sense of pride, unwilling to become someone’s concubine.
But a royal concubine was different-it was still a position, one that would spare her from loneliness and wandering.
Her gaze remained fixed on the carpet as she walked forward, finally coming to a stop.
She could feel numerous eyes upon her, all dressed in splendid attire, adorned with jewels.
Who were these people?
The Emperor’s consorts?
As she pondered, the palace maid beside her made a gesture.
Understanding, A Wu stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and kowtowed three times before saying, “This humble girl, Ning, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
She pressed her forehead against the carpet, her hands flat on either side of her ears.
Then, she heard an elderly voice from above say, “Rise.”
A Wu knew this was the Empress Dowager.
Her voice was pleasant, unhurried, clearly that of someone who had lived a life of ease.
She expressed her gratitude and then stood up.
As she rose, she faintly sensed a familiar figure seated below the Empress Dowager.
She knew it was Emperor Jingxi, but she dared not look up, only catching a glimpse from the corner of her eye.
Today, he wore a winged cicada crown, a soft robe with a sash, and the hem of his robe was adorned with intricate dragon, phoenix, and longevity patterns, different from his usual attire he used to wear when they were in the villa.
At this moment in the hall, Emperor Jingxi sat below the Empress Dowager, with the Empress and other consorts seated further below.
A few days earlier, everyone had learned that a new person would be entering Emperor Jingxi’s harem.
Today, she came to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, leaving everyone uneasy, puzzled, and curious.
In truth, it was not unusual for the Emperor’s harem to welcome a new member.
However, Emperor Jingxi had been rather indifferent to his harem in recent years, rarely visiting, and the harem had already…
It had been years since any new faces entered the palace, so the sudden arrival of a newcomer naturally sparked curiosity and speculation among the court.
Everyone tried to gather information, but no one seemed to know who this newcomer was not even the Empress, who appeared to be kept in the dark.
This only heightened everyone’s curiosity, and they began to employ various methods to uncover the truth.
By the early morning of the day the newcomer was scheduled to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, the entire court was on edge, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the Emperor’s new favorite.
While the concubines were filled with speculation and unease, the Empress herself harbored some doubts, though she maintained her composure.
After all, as the Empress, the addition of a few new faces to the harem was of little consequence.
In fact, she hoped the Emperor’s harem would gain some vibrancy, as the current atmosphere was dull and lifeless.
When the newcomer finally stepped into the Shouchang Hall, all eyes turned to her.
She appeared delicate and graceful, almost as if her slender frame could barely support the weight of her robes.
Her head was bowed, but her fair, jade-like neck and radiant forehead hinted at extraordinary beauty.
As the woman drew closer, the Empress suddenly felt a pang of unease.
This woman… she looked far too familiar.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she glanced at Emperor Jingxi, who was idly toying with his teacup, not even sparing the woman a glance.
But it was precisely because he didn’t look that the Empress felt something was amiss.
How could he not glance at the woman he had personally chosen to add to his harem?
It was too deliberate he was clearly pretending.
At that moment, the Empress recalled something from the past: a suspicious red mark on the Emperor’s neck during a prayer ceremony at Mount Yun.
Who could have left such a mark on the Emperor’s neck?
Her gaze returned to the woman, who had now approached and knelt before them.
The Empress quickly scanned her, from her hair to the delicate hands resting beside her hairpin.
Her hands were soft and pale, with finely manicured nails tinged with pink…
A sense of foreboding rose in the Empress’s heart.
Her hands, resting on her knees, unconsciously clenched the hem of her robe as she stared intently at the woman’s profile.
Just then, the Empress Dowager chuckled warmly and said, “Lift your head, let me see you.”
The woman, named A wu, slowly and respectfully raised her head, though her eyelashes remained lowered.
She knew better than to meet the gaze of such esteemed figures directly.
When A wu’s face was fully revealed, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
She sighed repeatedly, “I’ve never seen such a radiant beauty before!”
The concubines around them were equally stunned.
No wonder!
Emperor Jingxi hadn’t taken in any new concubines for years, despite the Empress Dowager’s urging and even her offers to select suitable candidates.
Now, he had suddenly chosen one-and she was such an exquisite, luminous beauty!
She was breathtaking like a sculpture of jade or a mound of snow.
Her skin was flawless, translucent, and seemed to glow.
Her eyes were like pools of water, and her lips were so fresh and tender they seemed to flow.
Even the women couldn’t help but feel the urge to rush over and take a bite!
While everyone was in awe, they subtly glanced at Emperor Jingxi, only to find him still looking down, seemingly indifferent, as if he didn’t care at all.
The crowd was puzzled.
What did this mean?Â