Chapter One, thus the high candle burns to illuminate the red makeup

Cao Zhi's "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" beautifully states: "With delicate steps upon the waves, her silk stockings stir the dust; like a startled swan, she flits gracefully, as elegant as a swimming dragon." The way Shang Baiwen is born so remarkably makes me feel that his existence in this mundane world is an insult to him

Yang Shuyi's grandfather, who is the biological brother of the Empress Dowager Zhang Yi, upon hearing that his beloved granddaughter was placed under house arrest, went to the Dongnuange the next day to plead for her. The affection that elders have for their grandchildren is universal; regardless of whether the child has truly been wronged or not, as soon as they catch wind of any trouble, they will undoubtedly inquire about it

The emperor gave me a glance, and I immediately understood his intention. I stepped forward to help Yang Shuyi up and smiled at her in a particularly friendly manner: "Your Highness Shuyi, there is no need for you to apologize. I am merely a third-rank concubine; how could I allow you to apologize to me?" Perhaps it was truly because I smelled too bad, as Yang Shuyi frowned and recoiled slightly when I helped her up.

"Liang Shi, how is your stomach feeling?" The Emperor's voice sounded very close to me, probably just on the other side of the screen. To me, it even felt as if he were speaking to me while leaning against the screen.

It is quite normal for Yang Shuyi to look down on me, as I have always been someone who believes in the idea of "finding comfort under a big tree." Relying on my good sister, Hua Fei, I can live quite well without any effort. My coal consumption in winter is even higher than that of other concubines of the same rank, and during banquets in the palace, I can sit directly next to Hua Fei—this is equivalent to sitting next to the Emperor. Of course, the Emperor is too busy to pay attention to me.

The emperor is named Gu Cheng, the youngest son of the late empress dowager who passed away many years ago. His three elder brothers, all of whom were legitimate sons, died due to illness. The retired emperor looked down upon the illegitimate sons of other consorts, and did not even consider the son of his favored consort, Consort Zhang, the Prince of Yue. He directly established the empress dowager's last legitimate son as the crown prince. When I was young, I heard my father speak of these matters, and I did not particularly like this favored crown prince, believing that he was merely fortunate and had no real abilities. Later, the retired emperor became infatuated with Taoism and passed the throne to the emperor early, retreating to Qingcheng Mountain to pursue immortality. When I was young, I heard my father speak of these matters, and I did not particularly like this favored crown prince, believing that he was merely fortunate and had no real abilities. Later, the retired emperor became infatuated with Taoism and passed the throne to the emperor early, retreating to Qingcheng Mountain to pursue immortality.

Upon the Emperor's return to the Qianren Palace, the Empress, kneeling on the ground, let out a sigh of relief, nearly collapsing to the floor. Fortunately, Yang Shuyi was quick-witted and swift, supporting her just in time.

He scoffed, "It seems that the food in the Chengqian Palace is too greasy"

"Your Majesty, I must report... I have suddenly felt unwell... I can no longer hold back; even if I am immediately sent to the cold palace, I must speak the truth to the Emperor"

As for me, I have never met the emperor alone; the bond of sisterhood is more important to me than the emperor's favor.

Perhaps she will be the last one to know in this palace city

My master said that, in fact, the Empress Dowager wanted to stop Lady Shuyi, but since Lady Shuyi is the niece of the late Empress Zhangyi, she could not interfere too much with her actions, which allowed Lady Shuyi the opportunity to go to the Chengqian Palace. Little Meizi has always been a chatterbox who cannot keep secrets. Having known me for a long time, she spoke a few more words with me, and seeing that it was getting late, she hurriedly took her leave

"Sister is truly easily satisfied." Yang Shuyi mocked me while eating chestnuts, her headpiece of green phoenixes shaking incessantly with laughter. "It has been ten years; you are already twenty-six years old. Your contemporary, Lady Su, has already risen to the rank of Imperial Concubine, and what about you?"

Then I do not mind, being together with the moon every day to eat and drink tea is quite joyful

However, if it must be made public, it would still be quite embarrassing. To be despised by the emperor and then have it disclosed to everyone, how hurtful it would be for a woman

"Xiao Xiao, I am so grateful for you." Although the moon has become quite plump due to her pregnancy, her beauty remains unchanged. She held my hand, tears welling in her eyes, "So many people in the palace are hoping that I won't give birth to this child, but only you have devoted yourself to helping me, only you wish me well, only you."

The person that the concubines in the harem least want to see is probably this little Meizi who delivers edicts to various chambers, as he generally does not bring any good news about themselves. It is either that a certain lady in a palace is pregnant or that a certain lady in a palace has been promoted. Any lady from any palace could be the subject, but it will never be oneself—if it were oneself, one would have already heard the emperor's oral decree in person, without having to wait for the eunuch to run errands to announce it.

However, the emperor did not seem to care much. He came over to help me up and said, "Ronghua, you have worked hard. Your sisterly bond with Consort Hua brings me great comfort."

"Yang Shuyi is indeed fortunate to have a powerful grandfather with whom she can converse at any time," Yue'er remarked as I was accompanying her in her chamber, and upon hearing this news, she sighed in this manner

Lift the curtain and let the eunuchs raise the soft sedan chair, and through the curtain say: "Your Highness, this Yang Shuyi has only just parted from us, she probably does not know yet."

The emperor was relatively easy to talk to; he did not impose any punishment on me, nor did he say anything else. He simply ordered that I be carried back to my former palace, the Chengqian Palace, without any changes.

The year I entered the palace, I was sixteen years old, in the prime of my youth. My mother was a concubine of the emperor, the only living grand princess of her time. My father was a military governor, holding power over the troops and responsible for the security of the borders. In fact, my family was not in a bad situation, yet the emperor simply did not favor me

I truly apologize for bothering you

What do I have to say to gain widespread fame? It is merely an attempt to use me as a hostage to coerce my father, pretending to appreciate me.

The birth of the moon was arduous; after taking labor-inducing medication, the Ninth Prince finally arrived. When I entered, the palace maid Chengbi was attending to the moon as she breastfed. Upon seeing me, the moon disregarded the child and beckoned me to come to the bedside.

Xiaomeizi cupped her hands in salute to me and said, "First and foremost, it is essential to convey the news of Her Highness, the Empress, giving birth, as well as your news, Lady Jieyu." Xiaomeizi lowered her voice, leaned her upper body slightly towards me, and gently added, "Yang Shuyi has been confined to her quarters by His Majesty for intruding upon the Empress's Chengqian Palace today, and I am here to relay this message."

I have long been accustomed to her like this. In the past, whenever she gave birth to the Eighth Prince Zhaohe and Princess Chengmin, she would always hold me and cry after each delivery, as if she had finally found an opportunity to vent all the suffering of childbirth, which made me feel very distressed

Later on, during the selection for the imperial harem, the daughter of a regional governor was chosen to be sent to the palace

The emperor let out a soft laugh upon hearing my response. This laughter was like a breeze passing over my face, inescapable, and I could not comprehend the reason behind the emperor's amusement

This is already the umpteenth time the queen has knelt before the emperor in front of everyone, pleading for mercy

He has a pair of peach blossom eyes, with watery glances that make it hard for one not to look his way. The light in his brown pupils dances, and if he wishes to captivate hearts, it would surely be an effortless task. His nose is high and straight, suggesting that he must have a very handsome profile. Additionally, his lips are exceptionally attractive, with the corners naturally turned up, as if he is always smiling, exuding a great sense of approachability

Due to this almost blind selection process, it can be said that the Emperor and I are like two blind people engaged to each other, only discovering each other's height and appearance once we are in bed

The emperor continued slowly, saying: "You are not focused on vying for favor, and Yue'er has a simple mind, only thinking of me. Only you have entered the palace without any ulterior motives."

It is rather strange; usually, when they meet to discuss matters, it is generally at the Wenhua Hall or the Wuying Hall. Why did the emperor think to bring him here today

During the previous palace banquets, the emperor would always speak coldly to the empress in public, and he was not very fond of the Princess Yining, who was born to the empress. On one occasion, he even misremembered the birthday of Princess Yining.

The emperor suddenly squatted down in front of me without any warning, lifting my chin as if it were the first time he sought to share my bed. However, this time his gaze was somewhat softer; although he still looked at me intently, it was akin to the way one might observe a cat

Fang Zhixuan can be considered one of my rare friends in this deep palace. Although the relationship I have with him is not straightforward and is always entangled with interests, as long as he is not in the palace for a day, I find myself missing him. This leads me to frequently send his disciples to the palace to inquire about various matters, much to their annoyance.

Speaking of which, the reason is particularly difficult to articulate

On one side, the Emperor was discussing with his favored consort about how to impose a minor punishment on Prime Minister Yang and his granddaughter Yang Shuyi, while on the other side, my soul was nearly taken away by the beauty of Shang Baiwen

Especially the queen, upon seeing that the newcomer was the talented Yang Shuyi whom she had personally recommended, her face turned red and then pale in quick succession

In this world, there are far too many women who are regarded by men as mere adornments, like a fragrant pouch on their bodies, a tassel accompanying a sword, or a ring on their fingers. When they feel fresh, they are cherished like a luminous pearl, constantly worried about becoming tarnished with dust and age. Once they grow weary of them, they simply set them aside, letting them go their own way

The emperor is usually a person of such high vigilance; why has he thought of bringing a man into the harem today

As a result, I had just arrived at the Chengqian Gate when I was blocked by the arrogant Yang Shuyi.

The emperor slammed the memorial onto the side, stood up, and walked in front of me

Upon hearing the name of Fang Zhixuan, I could no longer pay attention to the beauty of Shang Baiwen. After bidding farewell to the Emperor and Yue'er, I led A Guo and departed.

"Pity the hearts of parents everywhere," the emperor remarked in a detached tone. He then asked, "Have the aunt and General Yue inquired about your affairs in the inner palace?"

My mother told me that the emperor was not originally the top choice for the crown prince in the heart of the retired emperor; he was merely the last surviving son among the several born to the late empress. Thus, he was chosen. As a result, he is quite distrustful of everything around him, especially of the ladies selected by the noble consort Zhang Yi, who has always sought to undermine his throne

I detest those who speak falsehoods the most. The Emperor's tone suddenly turned cold, and his gaze became piercing. I wanted to evade his scrutiny, but he firmly grasped my chin. At that moment, I must have appeared to him like a frightened rabbit, both pitiable and amusing. The Emperor said, "Do not forget, the last time you were in the Western Warm Pavilion with a stomach ache, you had the same expression."

The emperor seemed reluctant to listen to the empress speak well of Yang Shuyi. He frowned, glanced at the empress who was smiling at Yang Shuyi, and said: "It seems the empress has a misunderstanding of the term sincerity"

However, as I was leaving the Qianren Palace, he suddenly called out to me, glanced at me, and the disdain and suspicion in his eyes made it impossible for me to feel any sense of closeness towards him again

"What is the matter today, that you have forgotten to greet me?" The emperor seemed to be in a very good mood, as he stepped forward to touch the face of Yue'er, even smiling at me, and he took Yue'er's hand to sit down, not forgetting to invite me to sit as well

Without a word, the emperor reached out and lifted my chin, scrutinizing me with an aggressive gaze, as if in his eyes I was not a woman without a stitch of clothing, but rather a leopard ready to pounce at any moment

I still feel somewhat afraid of him; whenever he touches me, I become tense, and then my stomach acts up again. Ever since the last time he looked at me, I have never been able to forget that gaze. Just now, when he touched me, I recalled that gaze and immediately felt my stomach ache again

Unfortunately, I am too close to the emperor; he can see any change in my expression clearly. Soon, he noticed that something was amiss with me and asked, "Yue, do you have anything to hide from me?"

Today, I have truly gained insight. After ten years in the palace, this is the first time I have witnessed such a straightforward approach to seeking favor. In contrast, the method used by the Liu family when they were demoted from consort and reappointed as a noble lady, which involved hanging, was utterly uninspired.

I am truly heartbroken. Although I am covered in blood and dirt, I am wearing a distinctly styled ceremonial robe. Did Her Highness not notice this?

"Since you are unwell today, you may withdraw," the Emperor said loudly to a string of beads in the outer chamber as he stood up from the bed. "Proceed to the Dongnuan Pavilion; I shall review the urgent memorials overnight."

I find it somewhat difficult to endure the daily conversations between this couple, yet I can only listen here and cannot simply leave. In fact, over the past few years, I have encountered such situations countless times, but each time is just as awkward as the first. If I were merely a vase in the Palace of Eternal Longevity, it would be fine, but I am a living person, and standing here feels a bit intrusive to them

Then, Feng Ronghua of the Yue clan shall be appointed as a third-rank Jieyu, with a reward of one hundred taels of silver The Emperor and Empress continued to converse above me, completely oblivious to the fact that I was still kneeling

The palace regulations are strict; I have never heard of any healthy man, apart from the emperor and underage princes, being able to enter and exit the inner palace.

This merchant's hundred inquiries are akin to a porcelain doll from the East; does the Emperor ever feel a stir of emotion when gazing upon this face every day

However, I have already grown accustomed to it; as long as the moon truly loves the emperor and believes that the emperor is also sincere towards her, I can stand in her palace every day.

Without the favor of the saints, I will not suffer from gains and losses; I will just consider it as coming to my mother's home to enjoy my old age. Since childhood, I have not been like other noble young ladies, nor can I engage in the melancholic affairs of spring and autumn. I grew up in the military camp with my father, and I am no different from the boys.

The moon nodded slightly, just about to say something else, when she heard the palace maid outside calling out loudly: "Your Majesty, we humbly request your peace and safety"

Half a month ago, Yang Shuyi was favored to the extent that it rivaled the moon, but now she has suddenly been placed under house arrest

As a sixteen-year-old girl, why should I compromise myself in matters of excretion? I should have handled it properly in the Changqian Palace before presenting myself to the emperor.

Although I was the first to be summoned by the Emperor after the first group of court ladies entered the palace, I have never had the experience of sharing a bed with the Emperor

Today, I witnessed the queen displaying too many ungraceful behaviors, which made me feel somewhat embarrassed. I wanted to retreat to the Luan Yi Palace to avoid the situation, but I did not dare to speak up and could only stand there in a daze. Sometimes, I feel that we, as concubines, are like the children of the emperor and empress who see their parents arguing; we cannot intervene, nor can we escape, making our situation even more awkward than that of the parties involved.

I looked up at her, smiling as insincerely as one could: "Your Highness, do you know why, ever since His Majesty ascended the throne and held the grand selection ten years ago, there have been three more selections of talented women in these ten years, yet among the twenty talented women who entered the palace, you can now only see me and Consort Hua?"

After some thought, I still cannot swallow this anger and plan to make a small counterattack to scare her a little

Why is it often said that being young is good? Although Yang Shuyi may be a bit naive, she indeed looks beautiful when she smiles, embodying the appearance of a pure and innocent young woman

The queen instantly became trembling with fear and immediately knelt down on the ground to plead for mercy from the emperor: "I have failed in my duties, and I am ashamed to be the queen. Please, Your Majesty, impose punishment on me!"

"Your Majesty?" Yang Shuyi widened her bright red almond-shaped eyes and pointed at me, saying, "How could Your Majesty favor Consort Hua to such an extent that you would even bring the midwife who assisted in her childbirth into the imperial harem?"

Moreover, the consorts in this imperial harem are merely tools for bearing children; if they fail to produce offspring, they would have long been deposed by the emperor. I have never been fond of vying for the empty title of a consort, nor do I think highly of the emperor. I would rather follow Yue'er; she eats the meat while I drink the broth

Of course, I am certainly included in this. Among the ten selected ladies in the palace, apart from Yue'er, all were chosen by the Empress Dowager Zhang Yi

Upon hearing my humble words, the Emperor was even more pleased and said to the Empress, the eldest daughter of the prestigious and noble Xiao family of Lanling, Xiao Xunbi: "Zitong, Ronghua of the Rong family is so knowledgeable, gentle, and virtuous, she should be promoted in rank to highlight the virtues of the imperial consorts. I recall that the last time she was promoted was during the full moon celebration of Princess Chengmin."

I really do not want others to keep bringing this up, it is truly annoying. What is wrong with me being twenty-six? It is not like she raised me to the age of twenty-six.

As a mere concubine, I naturally have no qualifications to speculate on the feelings between the Emperor and the Empress. However, it is clear to everyone that the Emperor's overt punishment of Yang Shuyi is, in fact, a warning directed at the Empress.

Before I could leave the Chengqian Palace, the Empress and Yang Shuyi had already departed. The farce had finally come to an end, and the tension in my heart dissipated. Considering that I had nothing to do, I decided to enter the inner hall of the Chengqian Palace to see the moon.

The chief eunuch beside the emperor was likely preoccupied with his own thoughts, completely unaware of the current situation. He opened his mouth to ask the emperor: "Your Majesty, the newly conferred Consort and the Ninth Prince have both safely arrived; shall we hold a banquet tonight?"

Having served in the palace for ten years, I find myself less valued than a humble inkstone in the warm chamber of the Eastern Nuan Pavilion of the Qianren Palace before the Emperor

This is how it is in the palace: one watches as he builds high towers, one watches as he hosts guests, and one watches as the high towers collapse

"Your Majesty, there is none," I said, every word I spoke was the truth, there really is none. When I entered the palace, my mother was extremely reluctant to part with me, almost taking the Grand Princess's seal to the capital to defy the imperial decree. If it weren't for my brothers stopping her, it is very likely that my family would have been executed by now. Later, when there was truly no other way, she wrote a lengthy letter to the Grand Emperor, asking him to instruct the Emperor to take care of me, and only then did she relent.

This afternoon, Fang Zhixuan will come to me to request a peace pulse check. After I wake up, I need to quickly sort out the payment list and settle the accounts with him.

I was just about to sit up and apologize when a dull pain began to stir in my stomach

On the way to the Guihuan Yi Palace, I encountered a rushing eunuch, Xiao Meizi, who was delivering imperial edicts. Upon seeing my palanquin, he deliberately stopped to the side to pay his respects and congratulate me on my promotion

Upon careful consideration, I realized that I have not seen Fang Zhixuan for two months. He has not replied to my letters, yet today he remembered me and even brought something to see me, which is quite unlike his usual style

Yang Shuyi is famously fond of eating chestnuts. At this moment, while she is putting on airs in front of me, she does not forget to carry a bag of chestnuts in her arms, eating and talking with me: "Sister Jieyu has been newly conferred, truly the most favored person in the harem. I have been waiting here for you, and I would like to extend my congratulations. It took ten years in the palace to ride on the coattails of Consort Hua to attain the third rank, sister, it has not been easy for you."

"Is it really so dull for me?" The emperor's voice was not loud, yet it startled me awake from my dream with a jolt.

At that time, I did not understand and thought that the storyteller's family must have stumbled in matters of love, which is why he said such things. It was only later, when I was selected to enter the palace and witnessed the emperor's ruthlessness and rationality, that I realized the storyteller's words indeed held truth.

This gaze sends chills down my spine

"Common house arrest has never been communicated, so why this time?" I could roughly guess that there must be another reason behind it, so I asked one more question. Although it is customary in the inner palace to speak little and say less, this time I truly could not suppress my curiosity.

She is clearly jealous that Consort Hua is favored, feeling that Consort Hua's rise has even elevated the status of the midwife beside her, who possesses some beauty, to the imperial harem. The Emperor seemed genuinely angry, pointing at Yang Shuyi and saying to the Empress, "As the master of the harem, how can you be unaware of such an unvirtuous woman in the harem? Is this not a dereliction of duty?"

The Emperor did not continue to jest with Yue Er, but instead shifted the topic to Yang Shuyi, who was under house arrest and about to regain her freedom: "Yang Shuyi is about to be released from her confinement, but I do not wish to see her. You may later choose a more secluded palace to place her in." The Emperor lifted his teacup and took a sip of tea, "When will Prime Minister Yang understand that I am the Son of Heaven, then you may relocate Yang Shuyi back."

While using the toilet, I made an effort to keep my voice down, as I knew the Emperor was not far from me. The sound was truly unbearable, and it was best not to let him hear it. However, because I was trying to control the volume, I did not dare to exert myself, and the matter remained unresolved for a long time.

The pitiful queen usually stayed quietly in Kun Ning Palace, raising her daughter and living her life, yet at this moment, she was still summoned by the emperor to be reprimanded for her dereliction of duty

For my parents, as long as their only daughter can live a long and healthy life, they will be grateful to heaven. Whether I am favored or not is all up to fate, and having a child would be even better

At this moment, the Queen stepped forward to mediate, taking Yang Shuyi's hand and saying to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, Sister Shuyi spoke out of turn because she misses you dearly; I hope Your Majesty can understand her sincere feelings."

The emperor awkwardly exchanged a glance with me, then kicked Yang Shuyi aside: "This is the Master of Luan Yi Palace, the recently promoted third-rank Concubine Yue. If you believe she is unworthy of the third-rank position, then I shall have her take your second-rank position, and you can serve as a concubine. How does that sound?"

Princess Chengmin is very intelligent, and at such a young age, her memory is already quite remarkable. She also noticed the man standing at the entrance of the main hall and raised her little chubby finger to point at him, asking me: "Aunt Xiaoxiao, who is that Susu?"

Once these words were spoken, what face do I have left to thank him? I only wish to find a large vase and end it all by crashing into it.

Fu Xiang has been with me for many years. Without waiting for me to speak, he took a handful of golden melon seeds and gave them to Xiao Meizi, then walked over to lift the curtain of the soft sedan, making it convenient for me to talk to him. I looked at the whisk in Xiao Meizi's hand and asked, "What decree has been issued from Qianren Palace that requires transmission to the Six Palaces?"

I chatted with Yue'er for a while, noticing her slight fatigue, so I left, thinking of returning to Luan Yi Palace to bathe, change my clothes, and take a nap

At that moment, I suddenly understood that accompanying a ruler is akin to accompanying a tiger; it is generally such a flavor.

During the selection, the Emperor sent the Retired Emperor to Qingcheng Mountain for cultivation, and he did not participate personally at all. It was entirely managed by Imperial Concubine Zhang Yi. I was the first to be chosen, followed by Yue'er. Only she and I have the best family backgrounds—actually, Imperial Concubine Zhang Yi looked down on her, but the Retired Emperor specifically instructed otherwise, so Imperial Concubine Zhang Yi only made things difficult for her a few times before selecting her.

Yue'er and I were selected as imperial beauties in the same year that the Emperor ascended the throne ten years ago

As soon as I noticed that Yang Shuyi had taken an interest, I immediately put away my smile and said with a blank expression: "Because the other ladies of the court have all met tragic ends within the palace, through hanging, swallowing gold, madness, starvation... Your Highness Shuyi, you see, there are indeed countless ways to die in this world"

I wish to speak, yet out of fear, the words linger on the tip of my tongue, and I must swallow them back, forcing a smile as I say: "I am well in every way." Even though I come from a prestigious family, before the Emperor, I remain merely an ordinary concubine of his.

I hurriedly accepted the decree and expressed my gratitude, just as I was about to stand up, a commotion erupted outside the Chengqian Gate. By the time I stood up, a thin, petite woman dressed in the attire of a consort rushed over, crying out incessantly: "Your Majesty, you have not visited my Zhongcui Palace for seven days. Do you still think of me?"

The moon smiled and playfully tapped the emperor, saying: "Your Majesty, how could she possibly know what a maternal uncle is?"

The young girl, with her unclear speech, amused the emperor. He turned his head to look at Princess Chengmin and said: "That uncle is Uncle Shang Baiwen, your uncle the King of Yue's brother-in-law." It turns out he is the son of General Shang Changhe, the brother of the King of Yue's consort, whom I have heard of. This Young Master Shang has been delicate and weak since childhood, so he stayed in the palace to serve as a companion reader for the emperor, unlike his brothers who followed General Shang to the front lines.

It is said that one should not rely on favor to become arrogant. Now, I do not even have the emperor's favor. If I were to repeatedly show displeasure in front of the emperor, I fear that my personal safety would be a minor issue; the real concern would be that my parents at home would be unjustly implicated because of me.

In this harem, only you and Yue'er are the cleanest. The Emperor's words carry a certain ambiguity, which makes me even more anxious

"There is no need to reduce the punishment; I only hope that the Empress will lead by example and not raise any more concubines who display such improper behavior in front of the Emperor." The Emperor cast one last glance at Yang Shuyi, stepped forward, and gently stroked her delicate cheek as if soothing a cat, smiling at her, "Miaozhe, you must also behave yourself." He then turned to Wanlu and said, "Your master still needs to rest; inform me once she awakens." With that, he departed.

I am not entirely trying to scare Yang Shuyi. Apart from myself and Yue'er, the other eighteen sisters have indeed all died. Some fell ill, some were discarded, some starved themselves in a fit of anger with other concubines, some committed suicide after their families fell from grace, and some followed their deceased children in hanging... The emperor has been on the throne for ten years, and there are not even ten concubines with official titles in this palace. Among the side consorts and maidservants from the emperor's previous residence, apart from Consort Li, the others have all died. Now, most of the concubines in the entire harem are newly selected beauties since the emperor ascended the throne. Due to the small number of people, the palace is empty, and even a Lady Chengyi of the sixth rank can occupy the entire Changchun Palace by herself.

A string of pearls exchanged a glance with me, wearing an expression of watching a show—servants in the palace are accustomed to eating and drinking, the emperor and empress are at odds, and the empress is practically a mere ornament in Kun Ning Palace. Anyone with discernment can see this, let alone a close attendant of the emperor like the string of pearls.

During the three childbirths, I was by her side each time, taking care of her with great attention. I did not shy away from the birthing process, which can be seen as a way to express my gratitude for her care over the years

The moon gently nestled beside the emperor, smiling and conversing with him, while I continued to hold Princess Chengmin, sitting to the side and feeding her apple puree

I do not think so, while holding the three-year-old Princess Chengmin and feeding her mashed apples: "Your Majesty has always disliked being constrained by others. This commotion caused by Prime Minister Yang may not necessarily be a good thing for Consort Shu. Furthermore, Prime Minister Yang and Grand Empress Zhang Yi are siblings. The Emperor is already annoyed with Grand Empress Zhang Yi, so it is not impossible for him to outwardly comply with Prime Minister Yang's words while secretly opposing them."

This is the terrifying aspect of the inner palace

The emperor is actually quite humble, but he is particularly harsh towards his empress, constantly allowing his favored concubine to take away her power. There are even rumors that every year on the empress's birthday morning, the emperor would send the chief steward to slap the empress, striking her as many times as her age. This has spread throughout the palace, with many details being recounted vividly.

I feel quite uneasy; even if I am a distant cousin of the emperor, he would not permit me to commit such an impolite act

The moon and I exchanged a glance, and we both simultaneously harbored doubts about the identity of this man

The matters of my business are known to Yue'er, and it was Fang Zhixuan who was introduced to me by her. As long as the Emperor is unaware of this matter, it is sufficient; as for whether the Empress knows or not, I have no time to concern myself with that

During that period, the emperor was very enthusiastic about the selection process, having called upon all nine remaining candidates, each of whom received a promotion, while I remained stagnant in my position

When I had organized everything and was about to come out from behind the screen to express my gratitude, the emperor was already sitting on the edge of the bed

"I am deeply honored by Your Majesty's misplaced affection, and I am filled with trepidation. The Emperor's throne is hard-won, hence the anxiety of gain and loss. Perhaps the throne is like a hard-earned prey; even though it belongs to him, he still feels the watchful eyes of those around him. I do not know the intent behind the Emperor's words this time, but I can roughly understand that he is conveying goodwill towards me.

The most important thing is to live well

It was not for any other reason, but rather that Yang Shuyi, in a moment of anger, turned to the Empress in Kun Ning Palace and spoke of Consort Hua monopolizing the Emperor's favor. This was overheard and reported to Qian Ren Palace. Xiao Meizi gave me a knowing glance, and I instantly understood

Seeing the look of fright on Yang Shuyi's face, I was very pleased and hurriedly took my leave

I, the humble servant, respectfully request Your Majesty's peace. Early this morning, I received the imperial decree, and I spent the entire morning bathing, changing clothes, and adorning myself. In this palace, no matter how noble my family background is, it cannot compare to that of the reigning emperor.

The moon has always been exceptionally intelligent, which allows her to hold a high position. As for me, my ambitions do not lie in this direction, and I am timid and fearful of trouble, so I can only hide behind her, relying on her protection

Then, I became the first concubine to use the emperor's exclusive toilet in the emperor's sleeping quarters

At this moment, my little palace maid, A Guo, appeared outside the palace door. She first paid her respects to the Emperor and Yue Er, and then bowed to me, saying: "Noble Consort, the Imperial Medical Bureau's Fang Zhi Xuan has sent the Jade Maiden Changchun Pills for this month, and requests you to count them."

Yue'er and I have always lived together in the Chengqian Palace, inseparable. Yue'er is the favorite of the Emperor, which is well known to all. Once the Emperor said this, I began to have some wild thoughts.

"Yue Jieyu, you have been busy with the matter of the Empress Hua's childbirth, you must be very tired now," the Empress said, standing up gracefully and immediately resuming her usual dignified demeanor. She then told me, "Please return to the Luan Yi Palace to rest, and we shall meet again at the banquet for the Ninth Prince's full moon celebration"

"Nonsense." I wiped her tears with a handkerchief and glanced at the infant in her arms, "Look, His Highness the Ninth is smiling."

As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on the queen's face was immediately replaced by fear, and both she and Yang Shuyi looked at the emperor with serious expressions, their eyes revealing a hint of terror

Being confined in the inner palace is hardly considered a significant matter; the concubines can casually chat and inform each other during their tea and meal breaks, and there has never been a rule for communication across the six palaces.

I looked up at the young woman on the palanquin, as if I were seeing the now-disfavored Consort Li.

He said: "Last time you seemed to be a bit startled, are you feeling much better now"

At that time, I was merely a sixth-rank good attendant

According to Fu Xiang, Yang Shuyi is the granddaughter of the Prime Minister and the niece of the Empress Dowager Zhang Yi. With her noble lineage and high birth, the Emperor values her greatly. Upon entering the palace, she was granted the title of Shuyi, a second-rank position, ranking among the nine concubines, and resides in the Zhongcui Palace

Gongcheng, the residence of Empress Su Liangyue, is the Chengqian Palace

In fact, this is the best situation; without the favor of the emperor, I have no worries for my life. While other concubines may die or be discarded, I can still remain as steady as a mountain, enjoying my life in my own realm.

Li Fei was the emperor's concubine when he was a prince. She was granted the title of the first rank of the imperial concubines among the various consorts due to giving birth to the emperor's firstborn son. However, she has since been neglected in the Xianfu Palace due to her confrontation with the emperor's sister, Princess Chang of Jin.

Yang Shuyi is indeed a young girl, and it is likely the first time she has seen the Emperor so angry. She immediately stepped back and kept bowing to him, her voice trembling: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, I... I did not know I was a Jieyu, I... I realize my mistake."

My harem life seems to be ending before it has even begun

The queen ultimately serves as merely an ornament in Kun Ning Palace. Not to mention the daily financial transactions and accounts of the harem, she lacks even the qualifications to mediate the conflicts between the two concubines, being inferior to the princess of the Wang family, possessing only a slightly greater daily expenditure and a bit more financial freedom.

Although I am currently a third-rank Jieyu, I have never served in the inner chambers even once. It is entirely thanks to Yue'er’s eloquence that I was promoted from a sixth-rank Chenghui Liangshi to the position of third-rank.

"Have your father and mother sent any family letters to inquire about your recent situation?" The emperor's voice carried a hint of ease and pleasure, suggesting that he was in a particularly good mood today

I am truly feeling unwell. My stomach is in turmoil, yet I cannot refrain from responding to the Emperor, so I can only passively meet his gaze.

His voice traveled from the top of my skull to my ears, sounding particularly like the bell in a Taoist temple, deep and prolonged

About a month and a half later, it is said that the retired emperor specifically sent a message from Qingcheng Mountain to inquire in the palace about his niece—how my relationship with the emperor was progressing, whether it was sweet and harmonious, and whether we were inseparable. Only then did the emperor remember that there was still a matter he had not attended to regarding me

Thus, the Emperor chose to summon me one afternoon at the Qianren Palace

The emperor continued to scrutinize me, hardly blinking: "Speak. What is it? Do you wish to defy authority?"

I am the daughter of the Governor of Donghai, and she is the daughter of the Silver and Blue Grand Minister of Rites. During the selection process, we felt an instant connection and have supported each other along the way—though it is not so much mutual support, as she has been the one who has consistently advocated for me in front of the Emperor.

I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead, yet the emperor remained unfazed. It was not that he could not see it, but rather that he did not care.

Greetings to Her Highness Shuyi. I do not quite understand; she has been sitting in the palanquin waiting for me for such a long time. Does she not feel that the wind outside is a bit strong?

Not only I, but also the Emperor and Empress, as well as the attendants Wan Lu and Fu Xiang standing beside me, and other palace servants, were all taken aback

Hearing the emperor inquire about my "progress," I became even more anxious, thinking that he was dissatisfied with my slow pace and wanted to urge me on. I had been enduring severe abdominal pain all along, and this prompt completely overwhelmed me. With a series of loud cracking sounds, my excretion concluded amidst the deafening noise.

If I want to conquer the emperor through the art of seduction in my lifetime, it is basically impossible. However, I cannot directly reply to the emperor with "not much better yet"; I can only hold my ground for now. During the day, he certainly cannot indulge in pleasure with me while handling state affairs in the Eastern Warm Pavilion.

Although the Moon's father holds the title of Silver Blue Grand Minister of Rites, he is often stationed away from the capital. As for me, I need not mention it; my mother is at the residence of the Grand Princess in Lin'an, while my father has been stationed in remote areas.

Of course, I am also secretly watching out of the corner of my eye

The emperor does not favor me, and I have no way to change that. Moreover, I was still young at that time and lacked the awareness to think about how to regain the emperor's attention. I even felt that it was a rare opportunity to enjoy some peace and quiet.

"The grace of the ruler has descended; any level of reward is a blessing for me." I was determined to return quickly, thinking it would be best to admit my faults and appease Yang Shuyi with her words.

What ought to be present must still be present

The emperor was greatly troubled by Lord Yang's tearful pleas, and considering that Lord Yang was a veteran official who had served three reigns, he felt that he could not directly punish him due to his deep-rooted position. Thus, he could only repeatedly agree verbally, stating that he would release Yang Shuyi after three days of confinement, and after much persuasion, he finally managed to calm Lord Yang down

When the Emperor made a proposal, the Empress softly echoed, "Your Majesty is correct. Yue Ronghua has always been a model for the concubines, never vying for favor, and she treats her sisters in the palace with utmost courtesy and care. She should be rewarded with a title." The Empress has always had a weak disposition. Initially, she was dominated by the previous Pure Concubine, Bu Liugu, who has now been punished and sent to the temple for penance. Later, when Yue'er was granted the title of Hua Concubine, she was subjected to various humiliations by Yue'er. As such, this Empress, who holds only a nominal title, had no choice but to nod in agreement when the Emperor proposed her promotion.

I performed a bow and truthfully answered his question: "My mother sent a set of jewelry and also asked me to report my measurements to facilitate the making of winter clothes for me in the future. My father is far away on the battlefield and has sent some rare medicinal materials by fast horse, concerned about my poor health."

It is indeed strange that during my ten years in the palace, along with the time when the emperor was still a prince, he has had a total of only twelve or thirteen children. Aside from Yue'er, since the emperor ascended the throne, no other concubine has been pregnant, and among the children who have been born, none have been free from serious illnesses in their early years. In such circumstances, which mother would not be worried

Upon hearing the Empress take the initiative to lend her a hand, Yang Shuyi immediately broke into a broad smile, lowering her head in a daze of laughter

Such a appearance, if not for his pair of strikingly handsome and spirited sword-like eyebrows and his deep and strong facial contours, would likely be that of Daji reincarnated

These foreign objects that have entered the palace are all publicly registered, and the emperor is actually aware of this, so there is no need for him to trouble himself by asking me. However, since he has inquired, I have the obligation to respond. Living under such a suspicion, there is no other way but to speak the truth.

My brothers are famously handsome, and throughout my life, I have encountered many beautiful men. However, upon meeting Shang Baiwen today, I realized what true beauty is, surpassing even that of Pan An. No, he is far superior to Pan An—while an ordinary handsome man might only reach the level of a cart full of fruit, Shang Baiwen undoubtedly achieves the standard of a boat full of fruit. He stands at the door, silent and unspoken, yet nearly all the palace maids are gazing at him. He is far superior to Pan An—while an ordinary handsome man might only reach the level of a cart full of fruit, Shang Baiwen undoubtedly achieves the standard of a boat full of fruit. He stands at the door, silent and unspoken, yet nearly all the palace maids are gazing at him

I pay my respects to Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress. I walked over to bow to the two of them, who share the same bed yet have different dreams. Only after speaking did I realize that my face and body were covered in the blood and medicinal fluid that had flowed out during the delivery process, which was truly unsightly. To come out like this is indeed an offense to the imperial presence

Since then, the Emperor relocated me from the Changan Palace to live in solitude in the remote Luan Yi Palace, and he never summoned me again. Only during the times of the moon's birth did he acknowledge my contributions and promote me several times.

I, a humble servant, am unworthy to gaze directly upon the majesty of the Emperor. The pain in my abdomen has intensified, and yet I must muster my strength to face the Emperor, nearly costing me my life. If the Emperor were to discover that I am once again unwell, I fear I would be immediately sent to a nunnery.

Your Majesty, you flatter me; it is my duty to take care of Her Highness, the Noble Consort.

It was merely because my luck in playing cards was so poor that I kept losing money to the palace maids and eunuchs, and feeling too embarrassed to default on my debts, I soon ran out of money. Therefore, I began to team up with a young physician named Fang Zhixuan to engage in a business of buying and selling. When luck was on our side, we could earn around one or two hundred taels in a month.

In my childhood, I often sneaked out of the governor's residence with my elder brother to drink tea and listen to stories, particularly enjoying tales of talented scholars and beautiful women. Stories like how Yu Xuanji killed for love and how Du Shiniang angrily sank her treasure chest were frequently recounted. The storytellers always spoke of men as being indifferent and women as being infatuated, warning that if a woman excessively yearns for a man's affection and care, she may encounter misfortune

The Model of Imperial Concubines? I truly suspect that the Empress has some misunderstanding about my character. Throughout my life, I have loved nothing else but secretly coaxing the palace maids in my Luan Yi Palace to play cards and drink with me. She cannot possibly be unaware of this. The Empress has it tough as well; in order to maintain the dignity of her position as the legitimate wife, she dares to speak any nonsense.

I turned my head, and the first thing I saw was not the emperor's dragon robe, but a man dressed in a moon-white garment. A discerning person could tell at a glance that this man was definitely not a eunuch

Looking at the queen again, kneeling on the ground, her face turned pale, she appeared truly pitiful

That night, the Emperor was reviewing memorials in the Eastern Warm Pavilion of the Qianren Palace until very late. By the time he arrived at the Western Warm Pavilion, I had already fallen asleep