Chapter 5: Rigorous Analysis of the First Imperial Favor Selection

Everyone was present, and the time was almost up. Noble Consort Shu led all the concubines to the Cining Palace to greet Empress Dowager Xue.

Empress Dowager Xue’s attitude towards Noble Consort Shu was neither harsh nor close, she just beckoned Concubine Xue with a wave of her hand and asked kindly:

“Yan’er, are you living well in the Qionghua Garden? Is there anything you are dissatisfied with? I’ll ask Noble Consort Shu to change it for you.”

Concubine Xue looked gentle and considerate, “Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Aunt.”

Empress Dowager Xue glanced at all the concubines and said lightly, “I don’t like crowds, but since there is no mistress in the palace, I can only take care of it a little more.”

The previous few Empress Dowagers didn’t ask about the affairs of the palace, and they exempted the concubines from greeting them every day, they only had to pay their respects on the first and fifteenth of each month.

But as soon as she said this, everyone understood.

All the concubines had to come to greet her every day.

Empress Dowager Xue was letting everyone see clearly who was the real master of the palace!

Noble Consort Shu heard this, but her expression didn’t show any displeasure, she maintained a faint smile.

The Xue family had the Empress Dowager, and the Cen family had Noble Consort Shu, both families were taking care of their own power, and they didn’t interfere with each other.

…

The Qianxin Palace, the Imperial Palace.

A young man in a bright yellow five-clawed golden dragon brocade robe sat at his desk reviewing memorials.

He was only twenty-three years old.

His face was as white as jade, his eyebrows were like swords, his eyes were like stars, he was handsome and elegant, like a graceful young gentleman.

But he exuded a powerful sense of oppression, the majesty of an emperor.

“Your Majesty——” The chief eunuch, Wang Degui, knelt on the ground and reported everything that happened in the palace today.

The young emperor continued to look at the memorials in front of him, his expression was unreadable, he didn’t mention a word about these matters, and then he mentioned another person:

“Issue an imperial decree, Concubine Song will serve you tonight.”

Wang Degui was shocked. Everyone guessed that the first night after the new showgirls entered the palace, it would be either Concubine Xue or Concubine Cen, why did His Majesty choose Concubine Song?

Wasn’t this slapping the Xue and Cen families in the face?

…

Ning Wanyin returned to the Lingxue Pavilion.

After going to the Jingxi Palace and then the Cining Palace, she was tired after a morning of running around, and she leaned back on the soft couch by the window to rest.

“Master, the spring scenery is beautiful now, you should go to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers!” Xiaogui came forward and said.

Lianrui frowned slightly, “Can’t you see that the master is tired?”

“His Majesty will choose a concubine tonight! If the master stays in the room, there are Concubine Xue and Concubine Cen ahead, I’m afraid it won’t be the master’s turn. But if you happen to meet His Majesty in the Imperial Garden, then you will have a chance…” Xiaogui’s eyes rolled, his eyes were full of shrewd calculations:

“This servant is an old hand in the palace, I’ll tell the master something from the bottom of my heart, there are many masters in the palace, if you can’t attract His Majesty’s attention, His Majesty won’t remember you, even if you are the most beautiful, it will be in vain!”

“This servant used to serve Liu Guiren, she entered the palace for two years and never saw the late emperor. It was only once, by chance, that she met the late emperor in the Imperial Garden, and then she was favored and granted the title of Guiren.”

Xiaogui was telling the truth.

During the reign of the late emperor, several concubines were favored by chance encounters with the emperor, so during the late emperor’s reign, the concubines often went to the Imperial Garden to stroll around.

“This servant specially went to the Imperial Garden to investigate, and there are many concubines enjoying the flowers! You should seize the opportunity!” Xiaogui persuaded.

“No need, I want to rest for a while. I’m a little hungry.”

Ning Wanyin said calmly, “Go to the Imperial Kitchen and get breakfast.”

Xiaogui was speechless. How did he end up with this master who only cared about eating?

What about your ambition yesterday?

After Xiaogui left, Lianrui looked at Ning Wanyin and asked with concern, “Master, are you not interested in the imperial favor?”

“The timing is not right.”

Ning Wanyin had learned more than just the rules in the past three years, she had also been paying attention to the emperor’s actions.

For someone who could decide her fate, she had to at least know his way of doing things.

Otherwise, she would be going to the palace to die?

She had carefully studied the list of selected showgirls this time.

Below the two Jieyus, there were six Meirens.

Four of them came from the four Marquis’ Mansions, as daughters of noble families, this was nothing unusual.

But two of them were daughters of “commoners”, and they were also granted the title of Meiren.

They were Wen Meiren, the daughter of the Minister of Rites of the third rank, and Song Meiren, the daughter of the Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the third rank.

These two officials were both of humble origins, they entered officialdom through the imperial examinations, and during the reign of the late emperor, their official careers were mediocre, but they were promoted by the emperor and entrusted with important tasks.

Since the emperor ascended the throne, he has been intentionally promoting officials from humble backgrounds in the court to counter the power of the two Dukes.

There were only two possible outcomes for the choice of the concubine to serve tonight.

He would choose one out of Xue and Cen, favor one and neglect the other, provoking internal strife. But to be honest, this method was a bit crude, the two Dukes were not fools, and they probably wouldn’t fall for it.

Secondly, he would cultivate his own people and suppress the two Jieyus. This was an open secret, it was straightforward, even if you guessed it, there was nothing you could do. Then, Song and Wen Meiren would definitely serve the emperor tonight and tomorrow.

Oh, there was also a possibility of an accident.

If the emperor was naive and lustful, and he favored someone without considering the situation in the court, and it was all based on his own mood. Then, a chance encounter in the Imperial Garden might really be possible.

But this wasn’t a good thing either.

Concubine Xue and Concubine Cen hadn’t served the emperor yet, and you wanted to take the lead before them?

Is your fate strong enough? Do you have enough lives for them to kill?

Without the emperor’s protection, relying on yourself to resist the revenge of the two Dukes, it would be better to prepare a coffin for yourself early.

In conclusion, Ning Wanyin decided to wait and see.

She would observe the situation first, and then find an opportunity to be favored.

“Master, there is news from the Qianxin Palace. His Majesty has summoned Song Meiren to serve him!” Danli came in to report.

Ning Wanyin wasn’t surprised.

Song Meiren was a famous talented woman in the capital, her father was always outspoken and dared to advise the emperor, he was known for his integrity.

She had met Song Meiren today, and she seemed to be a proud and aloof person, she didn’t pay much attention to others.

The emperor wanted to suppress the two Dukes, and he needed a sword that would never bend.

It seemed that she was a very suitable candidate.

Soon, Xiaogui returned dejectedly, carrying a food box. He had heard on the way that Song Meiren had been summoned tonight, and his own Noble Consort wouldn’t be favored today.

Lianrui placed the breakfast from the food box on the table, a plate of emerald jade congee and a basket of steamed dumplings.

This was the Noble Consort’s portion, not too much or too little.

But Ning Wanyin preferred sweets, this didn’t suit her taste.

“Lianrui, go to the Imperial Kitchen and spend some money to get some desserts.” Ning Wanyin frowned slightly.

She loved delicious food and beautiful clothes.

She worked so hard every day, wasn’t it because she couldn’t bear to give up the delicious food and worldly pleasures? If she worked hard and calculated everything, and she couldn’t even eat the delicious food she wanted, then what was the point of fighting?

“Yes.” Lianrui bowed and retreated.

Food outside the portion required extra money. Fortunately, Ning Wanyin’s family was quite wealthy, even if she wasn’t favored for a while, she could still eat her fill.

…

The left side hall of the Zhongcui Palace, the Mozhu Xuan.

Song Meiren received the imperial decree and was very happy, she immediately prepared to welcome the imperial presence.

At home, she had often heard her father praise the emperor for his wisdom and bravery, and she had secretly admired him for a long time.

But with the two Jieyus ahead of her, she didn’t expect that the emperor would choose her to serve him.

Could it be that the emperor had also had his eye on her for a long time?

At dusk, the imperial presence arrived as scheduled.

After a night.

Song Meiren, with a weak body, served the emperor to get up…

“No need, you’ve worked hard last night.” Helian Qi looked at Song Meiren lying on the bed, and said with a hint of meaning:

“You don’t have to go to greet the Empress Dowager today.”

Although Song Meiren was a cold person, she always followed the rules, and she said, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, it is this concubine’s duty to greet the Empress Dowager.”

She had learned the palace rules, and she wouldn’t be arrogant because of the emperor’s favor.

Helian Qi glanced at her, didn’t say anything, and turned around to go to court.

Note: Referencing the palace system of the Ming Dynasty, combined with the setting of choosing a concubine, the emperor can go to the concubine’s palace, or he can summon her.