Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

After Yunxi returned to her room from the Queen Mother's palace, she quickly told the palace maids to help her pack her things.

Soon, the eunuch came to help her move all her things to Changle Palace, where some new palace maids and eunuchs were assigned.

They all knelt to welcome the arrival of their master. Yunxi sat in the main seat, looking at the palace servants below, and slowly said: "From now on, you will be my Changle Palace's people. When working in this palace, the most important thing is the word rules. I don't care who you were before, but now that you are here, you must abide by my rules. If anyone dares to disobey, don't blame me for being rude." Everyone below responded in unison. Yunxi nodded and motioned for them to get up, "Get up, everyone, and go about your business. Xiaohong, come here." Yunxi called her personal maid, "Go and ask where His Majesty is staying tonight." Xiaohong took the order and left. Yunxi thought that now that she had moved into Changle Palace, everything would be easy to handle.

In the evening, Xiaohong came back. She leaned close to Yunxi's ear and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty will stay in Yime Garden tonight." Yunxi's eyes darkened. It seemed that His Majesty still favored Concubine Mei more. But it didn't matter. She had plenty of time and means.

Yunxi turned to Xiaohong and said, "Okay, I understand. You can go down first." After Xiaohong left, Yunxi called the other palace maids and ordered, "No need to keep anyone on duty tonight. Go down and have a rest." Then, Yunxi washed up and went to rest early. She knew that in this deep palace, to be favored by the emperor, one needed not only beauty, but also wisdom and patience.

The moon was at its highest point in the sky. Yunxi changed into night clothes and quietly left Changle Palace.

She arrived at the East Palace with ease. The palace was silent except for a few lanterns emitting faint light.

Yunxi approached the prince's bedroom cautiously, and when he was about to climb over the wall to enter, he suddenly heard footsteps.

She was startled and quickly hid in the dark. She saw a few guards passing by, and Yunxi breathed a sigh of relief.

After the guards walked away, Yunxi came to the wall again, jumped lightly, and flipped into the yard.

She tiptoed to the prince's window and was about to peek inside when she suddenly heard an angry shout: "Who's there?" Yunxi recognized the voice as Shangguan Yu's.

In the darkness, she saw a slender figure, it was indeed Shangguan Yu.

She quickly whispered, "Shangguan Yu, it's me, Yunxi."

Shangguan Yu walked out of the darkness and asked suspiciously, "Yang Fumu, why are you dressed like this? And you climbed over the wall to get in?"

"My status is different now, so it's not convenient for me to see him during the day. I miss the prince and don't know how he is doing, so I come to see him at night." Yunxi said.

"Oh? I heard in the palace that one of the new concubines looks very much like you. Could it be you?" Shangguan Yu asked.

"That's right, now I am the new concubine Yang Mengxi, and Yang Yunxi is my sister." Yunxi said.

"I see! Then you go in and see the prince. You shouldn't delay too long." Shangguan Yu said.

"Okay, thank you." Yunxi said and quietly slipped into the bedroom.

Yunxi slipped lightly into the bedroom and her eyes fell on the sleeping prince.

The prince was still young, only eight years old, but his face already revealed an innate dignity and childishness.

He lay quietly on the spacious bed, his eyes closed, as if immersed in a sweet dream. His hair was scattered on the pillow, gently brushing against his white forehead.

The room was filled with a light fragrance, which made people feel peaceful and serene. Yunxi stood quietly beside the bed, staring at the prince, and a desire to protect him surged in her heart. At this moment, she vowed to silently guard the young prince and witness him grow into a great monarch.

After a short pause, Yun Yunxi slipped outside, said goodbye to Shangguan Yu in a low voice, and then returned to Changle Palace under the moonlight.

The East Palace was adjacent to the Changle Palace, and she returned to the bedroom after a while. Because she had told the palace maids not to keep watch at night, the Changle Palace was very quiet at this moment. She tiptoed back to the bedroom, took off her nightgown, changed into pajamas, and went back to bed.

The next morning, the palace servants got up early to serve Yunxi. Yunxi got up a little late tonight. Xiaohong, the personal maid, entered the bedroom and saw Yunxi who was still sleeping. She whispered, "Your Majesty, it's time for you to get up. You have to pay your respects to the Queen Mother today."

"Oh, aha!" Yunxi slowly opened her eyes in her sleep, stretched her body, and then yawned. Her eyes were still a little confused, as if she had not fully woken up yet.

With Xiaohong waiting on her, Yunxi finished washing and dressing up, and put on a gorgeous palace dress. The dress was brightly colored and embroidered with exquisite patterns, making her look even more beautiful.

Afterwards, Yunxi, surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, set out on the journey to Yongshou Palace. Today was her first time to pay respects to the Queen Mother after being canonized as Xi Fei, so she attached great importance to this meeting.

Along the way, they passed through the winding palace corridors, passing by rockeries and beautiful gardens. Yunxi quietly admired the scenery along the way, but her mind was full of thoughts. She knew that this visit was of great significance to her, not only representing the promotion of her status in the palace, but also meaning that she needed to bear more responsibilities and obligations.

Finally, they arrived at Yongshou Palace. Yunxi stared at the familiar palace in front of her, and a complex emotion surged in her heart. This place had witnessed countless stories and history, and now, she had become a part of it.

At this moment, a sharp voice rang out: "Empress Xi has arrived!" It turned out to be the eunuch standing at the door who announced loudly. Then, Madam Liu came out and came forward to Yunxi and said: "The Queen Mother ordered me to welcome Empress Xi here!" After that, she bowed and saluted.

"Thank you, Madam Liu. You don't have to be so polite." Yunxi responded with a smile, expressing her gratitude. Then, under the guidance of Madam Liu, Yunxi slowly walked into the Queen Mother's bedroom.

The Queen Mother was seen sitting on a cushion with a solemn expression.

"Your servant pays respects to the Queen Mother. May she live a long and healthy life!" Yunxi performed a grand palace ceremony.

A trace of approval flashed in the Queen Mother's eyes, and then a smile appeared on her face and she said, "Princess Xi, no need to be polite, come and sit down!"

"Thank you, Queen Mother!" Yunxi replied respectfully and then sat down.

"Are you used to living in Changle Palace?" the Queen Mother asked with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty! I just came from Yongshou Palace and I didn't sleep well last night." Yunxi replied respectfully.