One

Old Madam Shan turned her gaze back to the Cining Palace, "Although the Empress Dowager has not explicitly stated it, it seems that the discussion about who will oversee the affairs of the six palaces is leaning towards the selection of the Imperial Noble Consort. With the matter concerning the Empress arising, there will be many decisions to be made afterwards, from the grand funeral arrangements to the smallest details, all of which require someone to organize. The Empress Dowager is a benevolent figure; apart from her concern about what vegetarian meals are served, she does not inquire about anything else. The Grand Empress Dowager, despite her advanced age, may occasionally involve herself in the affairs of the younger generation for the sake of the longevity of the Emperor, but the matters are too complex and could potentially harm her spirit.

Old Madam Shan said, "The Emperor has his own considerations in mind. However, when the matter of managing the six palaces was mentioned last time, as soon as the topic arose, His Majesty bowed to the Empress Dowager and requested her to be accommodating for the time being. The Empress Dowager, however, was not concerned about those matters at all; a piece of sweet cheese nearly choked her to death."

The ancestors of the Hai family were once royal relatives and nobility, but unlike the hereditary titles of the iron-capped princes, their status diminished from generation to generation. Now, they are merely a General of the State. In terms of rank, it is not considered high, but the family is well-off. When the parents choose a husband for their daughter, practicality is the primary concern. A good man does not rely on the favor of his ancestors; he earns his own rank and there are opportunities for advancement in the future.

Old Madam Shan is a clever person, and she knows how to say what her master likes to hear, so she smiled and said: "In my humble opinion, among the young ladies, our young master's lady is the most outstanding. If you introduce her again later, the Empress Dowager will surely take notice of you; even if she does not become the Empress, being conferred as a consort is certainly not out of the question"

The rain gradually ceased, and at the moment of dusk, every corner of the Forbidden City emitted a long, mournful tone reminiscent of the turning of a door hinge. The eunuchs from the Palace of Reverent Affairs stood before the Gate of Heavenly Purity, holding lanterns and calling out: "Gentlemen, it is time to pay the taxes."

The queen smiled and told Yingming: "There is an unwritten rule in the palace that when a disregarded queen gets married, it must be chosen during the queen's auspicious period."

The guards at the palace began to relay the message in all directions: "The doors are locked."

The queen shook her head, "I should be cursed a hundred times in their hearts. I do not blame them; it is all the sins created by my father. It was he who insisted on sending me into the palace. He thought that by doing so, he could influence the emperor. If I were to give birth to a son in the future, half of the kingdom would bear the surname Xue."

Carefully discerning, a faint call carried by the wind sends a shiver through one's heart—could it be a summons from the Zhongcui Palace? Yet upon further listening, it seems unlikely. The noble Consort Min raises her head to look in the direction of the rustling branches and leaves. This year, the late spring chill is upon us, and the wind blowing at this moment is from the west. It is likely that someone is crying out at the Xihua Gate, pleading for permission to enter the palace and meet the emperor.

The news of the tragedy came too suddenly, initially feeling as if it had nothing to do with her. The Empress was merely a facade of the Forbidden City, devoid of any significance. It was only when she suddenly came to her senses that she realized her best friend had died, and that pain was sharp and precise, piercing through to her very heart, leaving her unable to stand upright.

The expression on the face of the noble concubine Min Gui was faint, as if this answer brought her no joy. She moved slowly, the Bodhi prayer beads in her hand clinking against her robe, producing a soft sound. "This palace is like a well; once you enter, you can forget about climbing out. But if you don't come in, you miss out on glory. Once you're in, it doesn't matter if you sit at the bottom of the well and cry, after all, no one can see you."

The side consort noticed that she looked unwell and came over to touch her forehead, which was indeed burning hot. She quickly turned her head and called for Lu Ge and Song Ge to help her remove her clothing again and let her lie down

The sound of whimpering echoed, and a greater sorrow began to surge. It was not that the guards were unwilling to relay the message; they were clearly under orders not to do so.

The young girl, who has not yet been married, asked in astonishment why.

At this moment, we cannot afford to fall ill again, as we must pay our respects before the late Empress. We are still connected by marriage to the Xue family, and you must visit their residence to avoid any accusations of disrespect. The Empress has passed, and they no longer regard us as human beings

She still remembers that day last year when the queen summoned her to the palace for a conversation. Following the eunuch who guided her, she entered the Zhongcui Palace. The queen reclined on the cloud head couch, smiling as she said: "Forgive me for not being able to greet you; this Chengzi person is quite lazy, and I do not know what is wrong."

This is a set of insights gained after being confined in a luxurious cage for over twenty years. If I were to start over, would I still choose this old path? Perhaps I would still walk it. The women in the palace never breathe for themselves; when they first enter the palace, they live for their families, and after receiving the emperor's grace and having children, they live for their children. The noble consort did not have children; once, the emperor's third son brought a child for her to raise, but in the end, the child died. She had little connection to children and had nowhere to pour her affection, so she helped her family's children more, and having them around was also a form of companionship. The noble consort did not have children; once, the emperor's third son brought a child for her to raise, but in the end, the child died. She had little connection to children and had nowhere to pour her affection, so she helped her family's children more, and having them around was also a form of companionship.

You said... "After the selection, who could have such fortune?" The noble consort turned her head to look at the kind old lady.

She respectfully kowtowed, "This humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

The queen has been ill for too long, and in fact, she has long ceased to be of any use. Life and death are merely a door that can be opened at any time, crossing from one side of the door to the other requires no effort at all

Yingming originally thought that as long as the Empress remembered her, she would go to the palace to see her, but she never expected it to happen so soon ... She had just turned twenty in July

The queen lay on the pillow, her once bright eyes now clouded with dust, murmuring: "I am nothing, my father is not affectionate, my husband does not love me... I do not know what I have done wrong. This journey in the human world, is it meant for me to cultivate?"

She indeed did nothing wrong; now that her period of cultivation has concluded, she can fly out of the cage and go to a broader place

The sound of the drum echoed as an old eunuch walked down the long street with his apprentice, dragging out a long chant in the dim night, repeatedly calling: "Pay the taxes, be cautious with the lights..."

"Where can it be?" the noble consort said, "A nation cannot be without an heir for a single day. Even if one feels uncomfortable in their heart, one must still respect the ancestral rites and laws."

The queen raised her hand and called "Yili," asking the person beside her to assist her over. Holding her hand, she said: "Yingming, I am trapped in this walled city, like a bird with its wings broken, unable to fly away. You see, I am dressed in fine clothes and live in the heart of the imperial city, where everyone shows me respect and calls me 'Your Majesty the Queen.' Yet, in truth, I have nothing. I have no one close to me, no one who cares for me; they all wish for my early demise, including the Empress Dowager and the Emperor." You see, I am dressed in fine clothes and live in the heart of the imperial city, where everyone shows me respect and calls me 'Your Majesty the Queen.' Yet, in truth, I have nothing. I have no one close to me, no one who cares for me; they all wish for my early demise, including the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

The Imperial Noble Consort... After a moment of contemplation, the esteemed Grand Dowager Empress slowly articulated those three words, which emerged from between her teeth, and after a while, she asked, "What do you think the Emperor is thinking?"

Yingming understood in her heart, but she still had to comfort her, "You are the Empress, the mother of the nation; no one can wish for your death"

The news of Xue Fujin kowtowing at Xihua Gate was ultimately not as swift as the news of the Empress's passing. Just before dawn, the city rang with the sound of funeral bells, echoing a lingering resonance.

The side consort was still murmuring: "Your father has been foolish all his life, only understanding one thing, which is not to let you enter the palace. Although you were not born from the consort's womb, I cannot treat you unfairly. Anyway, we have already passed the age of selection. Once the period of mourning for the state is over, we will arrange the marriage with the Hai family."

Before the queen, there was never any concealment, for others do not understand her difficulties, but the weeping can comprehend them

She suddenly stopped in her tracks, remaining completely still. The kind old woman was puzzled and quietly asked, "What is the matter, my lady?"

The brick floor, dampened by water, appeared coated with a layer of oil. As I stepped on the bottom of the flower pot, I slipped violently, nearly falling flat on my face. Just in time, a pair of hands reached out to support my elbow, and in a hushed tone, they said: "Be careful, my lord, the floor is slippery"

This is the only sound in the cold world beyond the sound of rain. The noble consort Min Gui slowly turned her gaze and said, "The Empress is likely no longer of use, is she?"

I promised her that during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, I would enter the palace to stay with her for two days

The queen gently tapped the pillow, as if discussing someone else's affairs, "On the night of the grand wedding, it was inconvenient for me; how could the emperor and empress consummate the marriage? If the head is not properly opened, things will not go smoothly afterward. I will tell you the truth, the emperor has not touched me to this day; my father is still counting on me to become the imperial grandmother, what a dream."

When the noble concubine Min Gu smiled and spoke of that empress dowager, she truly was a broad-minded person. In the past, they both struggled to make a living in the late emperor's harem, neither of them favored. The empress dowager was brought in after the late empress passed away to fill the void; she was not the biological mother of the emperor, yet due to her ability to eat and sleep without complaint, and having raised the emperor, she became the nominal mother of the emperor. One's background is indeed of utmost importance; the empress dowager is the niece of the grand empress dowager, and her current status is ultimately reliant on her maternal family's influence. In the past, they both struggled to make a living in the late emperor's harem, neither of them favored. The empress dowager was brought in after the late empress passed away to fill the void; she was not the biological mother of the emperor, yet due to her ability to eat and sleep without complaint, and having raised the emperor, she became the nominal mother of the emperor. One's background is indeed of utmost importance; the empress dowager is the niece of the grand empress dowager, and her current status is ultimately reliant on her maternal family's influence.

Old Madam Shan supported her, walking step by step along the straight path. Earlier, the rain was heavy, and the splashed droplets jumped higher than the soles of their shoes, soaking the hems of their robes. Now the rain had eased, and the sharp rain arrows transformed into brief ripples beneath their feet, quickly flowing towards the lower areas on both sides.

The side consort entered from outside, having already removed the tassels from her head. While assigning a maid to assist her in changing into plain garments, she said: "The Empress has passed away. Your father has received the orders from the Grand Council and has gone to the palace at the fourth watch to handle the funeral arrangements. I saw you were asleep, so I did not come to inform you."

There are rules within the palace; since the key has been turned, unless it is a matter of great importance such as a flood, it must not be opened. The noble Consort Min listened to the intermittent calls of "Your Highness... I seek an audience," and let out a sigh of melancholy. The emotional ties within the imperial family are quite tenuous; take the Emperor's treatment of the Empress, the sense of detachment that emanates from him is truly less than that found in ordinary families.

In early spring, the climate carries a lingering chill in the air, which envelops the body like water, rising in waves. Yinging hugged her arms, feeling anxious and unsettled, "I saw her the day before yesterday, and she seemed to be in good spirits; how could she just be gone..."

The heavy rain poured onto the surface of the umbrella, producing a rumbling sound. Grandmother Shan shook her head amidst the thunderous noise of the rain, saying, "I fear that is not the intention. Currently, the imperial concubine is being conferred, and once the mourning period for the late empress is over next year, she will be established as the empress. The emperor is indeed deeply strategic; at present, each person in the harem has their own agenda. If a favored one is established, she will inevitably become a target; if an unfavored one is established, it could lead to discord between the emperor and empress in the future. It would be better if the position of empress were left vacant."

Yingming and the Empress had been close friends for over ten years. At that time, their families were both serving as regents, and they practically grew up together. The Empress was two years older and taught her how to embroider, catch butterflies, and fly kites. The bond of their childhood friendship did not diminish even after the Empress entered the palace. If it had not been for that year when Yingming was not yet of age, she would have accompanied her. The subsequent selection process for the palace was never as hopeful as the first time. The positions in the harem were more or less determined, and her father, feeling despondent, tried to feign illness to help her slip through unnoticed. If it had not been for that year when Yingming was not yet of age, she would have accompanied her. The subsequent selection process for the palace was never as hopeful as the first time. The positions in the harem were more or less determined, and her father, feeling despondent, tried to feign illness to help her slip through unnoticed.

The sky poured down with torrential rain, and enormous raindrops fell at an angle, drenching the green bricks lining the path until they were spotless. The lanterns above the wall swayed in the bleak wind and heavy rain, while a fist-sized spot of light from the brown paper spilled onto the ground, creating a hazy patch of dim yellow. The eunuch standing at the wall gate, beneath that cluster of light, lowered his eyelids, making it unclear whether he was awake or dozing off.

Where is the heart thinking of those things right now, she said weakly: "Grandma, please stop talking, my brain is about to explode."

Yingming was at a loss for words, and after a while, he pounded the armrest in indignation, saying, "How can this be? This is just wasting your time!"

This matter is quite lengthy to discuss. The late emperor passed away at a young age, and the new emperor ascended the throne at a tender age. With the presence of both an imperial uncle and powerful ministers, it was not easy to stabilize the realm. In times of crisis, it was fortunate that the loyal subjects of the late emperor, led by the first-ranked minister Duozeng, managed to uphold the court's authority and supported the young emperor through the most difficult years. However, human ambition tends to grow alongside the consolidation of real power. Duozeng has aged, and Yiming's father, Naxin, adopted a neutral stance. Ultimately, Xue Shangzhang, relying on his remarkable military achievements, became the foremost minister in charge of governance. Yet, human ambition tends to grow alongside the consolidation of real power. Duozeng has aged, and Yiming's father, Naxin, adopted a neutral stance. Ultimately, Xue Shangzhang, relying on his remarkable military achievements, became the foremost minister in charge of governance.

The side consort noticed her pale complexion and hurriedly approached her, saying, "Ying'er, I know you have a good relationship with Her Majesty the Empress. Your heartfelt concern is appreciated by her as well. Do not dwell on it any longer; once a person has departed to the underworld, the affections of the living are forgotten. No matter how sorrowful you feel, she will not know of it." After saying this, she sighed again, "I have heard that the consort of Lord Xue was aware of her condition. Late at night, she went to the West Huamen to submit a request to enter the palace. The palace has strict rules, and the guards at the gate merely watched and refused to relay her message. In the end, it was only through the grace of the Empress Dowager, who received the news, that she was granted a final audience."

This is a grand handover ceremony, performed tirelessly every day, with each instance occurring punctually and on time

The noble consort made a "hush" gesture, "Listen..."

The esteemed imperial concubine is an elder in the palace, and due to her adherence to the imperial edict in discussing matters, she does not behave like those palace women who hurry about at the sound of the keys. She continues at her own pace, leisurely walking through the Left Gate of Yongkang. Beyond the Left Gate of Yongkang lies the Longzong Gate, which leads to the Military Affairs Office. From a diagonal view, one can see the iron plaque stating "No interference in politics from the harem".

Yingming closed her eyes, fully aware of the face of Shen Zhi swaying in front of her. She pulled up the blanket, burying her tears within it.

The daughter of a senior minister had no reason not to enter the palace and serve the emperor, thus Xue easily became the empress. Unfortunately, this empress was not the people's choice; rather, she represented a compromise and forbearance, both for her and even more so for the emperor

The tent on the bed was raised high, and with a soft whimper, she stood barefoot on the footstool, still dazed, gazing at the dim sky outside the diamond-patterned door, and asked, "What happened?"

In fact, it was not without signs; during her previous visits to the palace to deliver the cards, she had already lost a considerable amount of weight.