At that moment, the inner voice echoed again:

【Hahaha, the Beauty is truly amusing!】

System: 【Indeed, she loves His Majesty so much!】

Yuan Ruan: 【Hmm, whether she loves him or not, I think the beauty is very clever. Look, she managed to memorize an entirely unfamiliar language within three months just to please His Majesty. What kind of determination is that? If she were a man, with such ambition and execution, she could have easily topped the imperial examinations!】

【Wow, when you put it that way, the beauty is indeed quite amazing.】

The Junior Director froze: …

Could the young National Preceptor actually admire women who use cunning tactics?!

【Ambition is so admirable, so full of vitality! She’s adorable. I like her.】

The Junior Director: !!!

Could there still be a turning point? No way. His Majesty would surely refuse. But… what if?

With this thought, the Junior Director couldn’t help but steal a glance at the chubby little dumpling.

The officials felt uneasy: …

Could it be that the young National Preceptor actually likes scheming women? Would His Majesty be persuaded?

The emperor hesitated. He had been planning to give up on Consort Rong completely, but he hadn’t expected Yuan Ruan to appreciate someone like her.

Just as the officials were about to enthusiastically recommend their own candidates like a flock of peacocks displaying their feathers, the emperor spoke: “Here’s the plan. Rotate between Kunning Palace, Zhaoyang Palace, and Yilan Palace for one month each. After that, we’ll decide based on whom Yuan Ruan prefers.”

Kunning Palace was the empress’s residence, Zhaoyang Palace was Consort Rong’s, and Yilan Palace belonged to Consort De.

Supporters of the empress made up half the court, so as soon as the emperor said this, one official stepped forward and replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The other officials, caught off guard, could only swallow their frustration and accept the order. They would find another way to influence the outcome later.

After all, a young National Preceptor with real divine abilities and a close bond with her was invaluable. It was worth fighting for her favor.

The emperor escorted Yuan Ruan back to the palace.

Consort Rong and Wu Yue were displeased upon hearing the new decree, but they both managed to maintain their composure.

In terms of seniority, Wu Yue should have been the Fifth Princess, but she had voluntarily moved down the ranks to become the Seventh Princess, and Yuan Ruan was the Ninth Princess.

The emperor handed Yuan Ruan over to Wu Yue.

Wu Yue declined when a palace maid, offered to take Yuan Ruan, insisting on carrying her herself all the way to Zhaoyang Palace.

Consort Rong watched as her regained youngest daughter carried the tiny infant ahead of her, unable to suppress the smile spreading across her face.

Chun Lan whispered, “Your Grace, the princess likes her so much; she must be worried about tiring her out…”

“Tiring her out from being carried…” Consort Rong trailed off before catching herself. She then turned to Chun Lan with a serious expression. “Ever since we brought back the Seventh Princess, she’s been constantly thinking about the little princess, calling her her little savior and benefactor, and often talking about her preferences. Chun Lan, we must treat her well, especially since she’s also the National Preceptor. Do you understand?”

Chun Lan nodded repeatedly.

Yuan Ruan lay in Wu Yue’s arms, excitedly glancing around as they walked.

Consort Rong kept a close eye on Yuan Ruan’s gaze and noticed her interest linger on the flowing water, small bridges, and bamboo groves. This made Consort Rong suddenly nervous.

The decor of Zhaoyang Palace was completely different from that of a quaint, waterside home.

Would the little fairy dislike it? Should she consider redecorating Zhaoyang Palace?

At the next turn, they entered Zhaoyang Palace.

From the outside, Zhaoyang Palace didn’t look much different from other palaces. However, when they crossed the front courtyard and entered the main hall, a maid opened a side door, and Yuan Ruan and the system were momentarily dazzled by the treasures filling the adjacent side hall.

Yuan Ruan’s big, round eyes widened as she stared, utterly dumbfounded.

【Oh my goodness, pearls as big as fists, gold bricks the size of stones… my eyes, my eyes are blinded!】

Consort Rong: !!!

Blinded? Blinded?!

Her heart sank.

Had Little Yueyue misunderstood the Ninth Princess’s preferences?

Of course. How could the young National Preceptor, so different from herself, enjoy such gaudy things?

Should she claim the side hall wasn’t hers and find an excuse to pack everything away?

Yuan Ruan was momentarily blinded, but not by disgust—by delight.

The glazed porcelain vases were filled with colorful jeweled flowers. The massive jade screen featured phoenixes and roc eagles spreading their wings. There was even a perfectly clear jade statuette of a celestial maiden and a god of wealth carved from flawless water jade! What Chinese person could resist such exquisite jewelry?

【Wow! A god of wealth carved entirely from jade, with even the incense and wax drips on the altar made of jade. So thoughtful, so exquisite.】

【I love it, love it!】

Consort Rong paused in surprise. Although the decorations here were done as per Little Yueyue’s suggestion, this was actually Consort Rong’s personal preference. It was the first time someone so wholeheartedly appreciated her taste, not only not finding it tacky but highly praising it.

Conort Rong lowered her head and saw the round, bright eyes filled with joy.

Rong Pin’s heart suddenly softened.

No wonder Little Yue Yue likes her!

I like her too!

Overjoyed, Consort Rong immediately took a large gold bracelet from next to the small God of Wealth statue and said, “This is a gold necklace made to resemble a Bodhi seed, placed here to gather wealth. Now, I’m giving it to my little Ninth. Little Yue Yue has one too.”

Yuan Ruan smiled and accepted it.

Wu Yue silently accepted it as well.

The system commented: 【Unbelievable! Who would use a pure gold necklace to bless? Consort Rong’s taste is really…】

Yuan Ruan: 【It’s special! A beautiful woman seeks gold and silver, worships the God of Wealth. What’s the point of wooden beads? Of course, the God of Wealth will bless the pure gold necklace made to resemble a Bodhi seed. But if it’s jade, the blessing effect is even better!】

System: “…”

Consort Rong felt pleased: She understands me!

In her joy, Consort Rong opened the drawer from the cabinet where the God of Wealth statue was kept and took out a jade necklace with a giant jade peace pendant in the center. She placed it on Yuan Ruan’s neck and also gave Wu Yue a matching one.

Consort Rong said, “May you be safe and sound, and may everything go smoothly!”

The system remarked: 【That peace pendant is almost bigger than your face, how are you going to wear it? This is so casual…】

Yuan Ruan defended Consort Rong: 【This clearly shows how much she values it! The bigger, the more valuable, how wonderful, I love it.】

System: […I can see that, Ah Ruan, you and Consort Rong are both obsessed with wealth. She is a big wealth addict, and you are a little wealth addict. 】

Consort Rong was usually annoyed when others said she loved wealth, but now she was quite fond of the term “big wealth addict” because it matched perfectly with the little wealth addict, Yuan Ruan.

Consort Rong took out a dazzling amethyst hairpin from the box and held it up near Yuan Ruan’s hair, softly saying, “Wait until you grow a few more months and we can style it.” After that, she quickly took a matching one for Wu Yue.

The system stopped complaining.

Yuan Ruan looked at the amethyst, the size of a pigeon egg, and smiled with squinted eyes.

Wu Yue, seeing Yuan Ruan’s smiling face, showed the first soft smile of the day.

Consort Rong, witnessing this, felt warmth in her heart and thought that life was peaceful and beautiful.

After the three of them enjoyed a pleasant lunch, Consort Rong sent the two children off to nap.

When Consort Rong went to check on them later, she found Wu Yue had adorned Yuan Ruan with several pieces of jewelry she’d been given, placing them on her wrists, neck, and hair. Wu Yue held Yuan Ruan tightly as they slept, a smile lingering on her lips.

“This…” Chun Lan looked at Consort Rong, somewhat conflicted.

Consort Rong smiled and shook her head. “What I gave to Little Yueyue is hers to handle as she wishes. As long as she’s happy, I’m happy.”

Meanwhile, the empress’s entourage continued its journey, finally arriving at Yangxin Hall.

A trusted maid noticed the empress had yet to descend from her sedan chair. Stepping forward, she whispered, “Your Grace, we’ve arrived at Yangxin Hall.”

The empress waved her hand, and the sedan tilted to a suitable angle.

Supported by the maid, she stepped down, gazed at the hall, and murmured softly, “I wonder what His Majesty summoned me for this time.”

With that, she strode inside.

---

Hierarchy and Ranks

The imperial harem was organized into a strict ranking system, with titles reflecting the woman’s position in relation to the emperor:

Empress (皇后, Huánghòu): The highest-ranking woman, she was the official wife of the emperor and managed the harem.

Noble Consorts (贵妃, Guìfēi): High-ranking concubines, usually limited to one or two.

Consorts (妃, Fēi): Women of notable status, typically a small group.

Imperial Concubines (嫔, Pín): Mid-ranking concubines.

Talents, Beauties, and Ladies-in-Waiting (才人, 美人, 女史): Lower-ranking women.