The concubine is extremely cautious

When everyone arrived and the time was almost up, Concubine Shu led the other concubines to the Cining Palace to pay their respects to Empress Dowager Xue.

Empress Dowager Xue had a normal attitude towards Concubine Shu. She didn't make things difficult for her nor did she get close to her. She just waved at Concubine Xue and asked lovingly:

"Is Yan'er living well in Qionghua Garden? Is there anything you are not satisfied with? I will ask Concubine Shu to change."

Concubine Xue looked gentle and considerate, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, aunt."

Queen Mother Xue glanced at the concubines and said calmly, "I don't like crowds, but there is no one in the palace, so I can only look after them a little more."

The previous empress dowagers did not ask about the affairs of the harem, and exempted the concubines from daily greetings, except for the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month.

But as soon as this person said this, everyone understood.

All concubines need to come and pay their respects every day.

Queen Mother Xue wants everyone to see clearly who is the real master of this harem!

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu showed no displeasure on her face and maintained a faint smile.

The Xue family has a queen mother, and the Cen family has a concubine. The two families each pursue their own power and do not interfere with each other.

……

Imperial Palace, Qianxin Hall.

A young man in a bright yellow brocade robe with a five-clawed golden dragon pattern was sitting at a desk reviewing memorials.

He is only twenty-three this year.

He has a face as white as jade, sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, a handsome appearance, and an elegant demeanor. At first glance, he looks like a graceful and elegant gentleman.

But there was a strong sense of oppression emanating from his body, which was the majesty of the emperor.

"Your Majesty..." The chief eunuch Wang Degui knelt on the ground and reported what had happened in the harem today.

The young emperor continued to look at the memorial in front of him, his face showing no emotion. He did not mention a word about these things, but instead mentioned another person:

"Decree that Lady Song will sleep with you tonight."

Wang Degui was shocked. Everyone guessed that on the first night of the newcomer entering the palace, it would be either Concubine Xue or Concubine Cen. Why did His Majesty choose Concubine Song?

Isn't this an insult to the Xue and Cen families?

……

Ning Wanyin returned to Lingxue Pavilion.

I went to Jingxi Palace first, and then to Cining Palace. I was tired after a whole morning of work, so I sat down on the couch by the window to take a rest.

"Master, it's spring now, you should go to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers!" Xiao Guizi stepped forward and said.

Lian Rui frowned slightly, "Can't you see that the master is tired?"

"Today, His Majesty will draw the cards! If the master stays in the room, with Concubine Xue and Concubine Cen in front of him, I'm afraid it won't be the master's turn. But if we go to the Imperial Garden and run into His Majesty, then we'll have a chance..." Xiao Guizi's eyes turned, full of shrewd calculations:

"I am an old servant in the palace. I have something to say to my master from the bottom of my heart. There are many masters in the harem. If you cannot attract the attention of His Majesty, His Majesty will not remember you. Even if you are born with a beautiful face, it will be in vain!"

"I used to serve Consort Liu, and she had never seen the late emperor in two years since she entered the palace. It was only because of good luck that she met the late emperor in the imperial garden that she was favored and given the title of Consort."

Xiao Guizi is telling the truth.

During the previous emperor's time, several concubines were favored by the emperor by chance, so much so that during the previous emperor's time, the concubines often wandered around the imperial garden.

"I went to the Imperial Garden to check and found that many concubines were admiring the flowers! You should also seize the opportunity!" Xiao Guizi advised.

"No need, I want to rest for a while. But I'm a little hungry, let's go to the imperial kitchen to get breakfast." Ning Wanyin said calmly.

Xiao Guizi was speechless. How could she have such a master who only cared about eating?

How was your progress yesterday?

After Xiao Guizi left, Lian Rui looked at Ning Wanyin and asked with concern, "Master, don't you want to be favored?"

"The timing isn't right."

Ning Wanyin has learned more than just the rules in the past three years. She has also been paying close attention to what His Majesty does.

For someone who can decide your life, you should at least know a little about his style of work.

Otherwise, are you going to the palace to die?

She has carefully studied the list of selected beauties.

Under the two imperial concubines, there are six beauties.

Four of them came from the four great marquisate mansions. As daughters of noble families, this was nothing unusual.

But there were two daughters from poor families who were also canonized as beauties.

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

Both of these officials came from humble backgrounds and entered the government through the imperial examinations. During the previous emperor's time, their careers were mediocre, but Your Majesty promoted them and entrusted them with important tasks.

Since your Majesty ascended the throne, you have been intending to promote court officials from humble backgrounds to counter the power of the two dukes.

There are only two possible outcomes as to who will sleep with you tonight.

He chose between Xue and Cen, favoring one and ignoring the other, instigating internal strife. But to be honest, this method was a bit crude, and the two dukes were not stupid, and they probably would not be fooled.

Second, he cultivated his own people to suppress the two concubines. This is an open conspiracy, open and aboveboard, even if you guessed it, you can do nothing about it. Then today and tomorrow, the two beauties Song and Wen must sleep with him.

Oh, there is another unexpected possibility.

If the emperor is innocent, greedy for women, and favors whomever he wants without considering the situation in the court, it all depends on his mood. Then if you meet her by chance in the Imperial Garden, you may have a chance.

But this is not a good thing either.

Concubines Xue and Cen haven't entered the emperor's bed yet, and you want to get the first spot before them?

Are you strong enough? How many lives do they have to kill?

Without the emperor's protection, you have to rely on yourself to fight against the revenge of the two dukes. You might as well prepare a coffin for yourself as soon as possible.

To sum up, Ning Wanyin decided to stay put.

Wait and see the situation first, then look for an opportunity to gain favor.

"Master, there is news from Qianxin Palace. His Majesty has summoned Concubine Song to sleep with him!" Danli came in to report.

Ning Wanyin was not surprised.

Lady Song was a famous talented woman in the capital. Her father had always been outspoken and courageous in making criticisms, and was known for his strong character.

When I first met Lady Song today, she seemed to be aloof and arrogant, and didn't pay much attention to others.

If Your Majesty wants to suppress the two great dukedoms, you need a sword that will never break.

This seems to be a very suitable candidate.

Soon, Xiao Guizi came back with a food box in her hand, looking dejected. On the way, she heard that Lady Song had been summoned tonight, and her noble lady would not be favored today.

Lian Rui took out the breakfast from the lunch box, a plate of emerald white jade porridge and a basket of steamed dumplings.

This is the share for you, the noble one, neither more nor less.

But Ning Wanyin prefers sweets, and this is not to her taste.

"Lianrui, go to the imperial kitchen and spend some money to get some desserts." Ning Wanyin frowned slightly.

She loves delicious food and fancy clothes.

Isn't it because you can't give up the delicious food and fun things in this world that you work so hard every day? If you work so hard to calculate everything in the world, but can't even eat the food you want, then what is the point of fighting?

"Yes." Lian Rui took the order and left.

An exceptional meal required extra money. Fortunately, Ning Wanyin's family was well-off, so even if she was not favored for a while, she could still eat her fill.

……

The left side hall of Zhongcui Palace is Mozhuxuan.

When Concubine Song received the imperial edict, she was very surprised and immediately prepared to welcome the emperor.

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

But with two concubines in front of her, she did not expect that His Majesty would choose her to sleep with him.

Could it be that His Majesty has also had feelings for me for a long time?

At dusk, the holy carriage arrived as promised.

After a night.

Lady Song supported her delicate body and helped His Majesty get up...

"No need, you worked hard last night." Helian Qi looked at Lady Song lying on the bed and said meaningfully:

"You don't need to go and pay your respects to the Queen Mother today."

Although Lady Song had a cold personality, she always observed etiquette and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy. Paying respects to the Queen Mother is my filial duty."

She has learned the palace rules and will not become arrogant because of her favor.

Helian Qi glanced at her, said nothing, and turned to go out to court.

***

Note: Based on the Ming Dynasty's palace system and combined with the flipping card system, the emperor can go to the concubines' palace or summon them for sex.