Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Ever since the new queen, Empress Xiao, entered the harem, there seems to be a peaceful atmosphere in the harem.

Empress Xiao was beautiful, dignified, and elegant, and was deeply loved by the emperor. She treated everyone in the palace kindly, and treated other concubines, palace maids, and eunuchs equally, winning everyone's respect and love.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, countless undercurrents are hidden.

In addition to Yunxi and Lian Zhaoyi, the concubines in the palace are secretly competing for the emperor's favor and power. They use all their tricks to attract the emperor's attention and gain more favor. Although Empress Xiao has a noble status, she is also a newcomer to the palace and lacks experience. It is inevitable that she will be envied and excluded by other concubines.

Empress Xiao was gentle and kind, not good at fighting. But she would not easily show weakness in the face of provocations from other concubines.

She knew that she was shouldering the honor and responsibility of her family and had to protect this position. So she began to learn how to deal with the complex relationships in the palace, how to deal with other concubines, and how to protect herself from harm.

At the same time, the other concubines were not idle. They tried their best to slander Empress Xiao in front of the emperor and try to shake her position. Some concubines deliberately created trouble to put Empress Xiao in trouble; some concubines sowed discord and destroyed the relationship between Empress Xiao and the emperor.

Faced with these challenges, Empress Xiao remained calm and unmoved. She believed that time would prove everything, and as long as she stayed true to herself, she would be able to overcome the difficulties.

On this day, the blazing sun shone brightly on the earth. Empress Xiao was sitting in front of the window of her bedroom, concentrating on her embroidery. Her fingers flexibly shuttled between the silk and satin, embroidering exquisite flowers one after another, as if the whole summer was integrated into it. The palace maid next to her gently fanned her.

At this time, a palace maid came hurriedly and reported respectfully: "Your Majesty, Concubine Ye Shufei and Concubine Zhu are outside requesting to see you." Empress Xiao was slightly startled and a trace of doubt arose in her heart.

She didn't have much interaction with Concubine Ye Shu and Lady Zhu on weekdays, and didn't know why they came today. But she still put down the embroidery in her hands and said softly, "Please let them in."

A moment later, Concubine Ye Shu walked into the room with her head held high, followed closely by Concubine Zhu who was six months pregnant. Concubine Zhu's belly was already bulging very high, and it was a little inconvenient for her to move. After the two entered the bedroom, they bowed slightly to Empress Xiao.

Concubine Ye Shu had a hint of arrogance on her face. She looked straight at Empress Xiao and said stiffly, "Empress, you are now the queen and you should work for the welfare of the sisters in the harem. But now the emperor stays in your palace all day, leaving us sisters in the cold. I hope the queen can persuade the emperor to share some of his love with us."

Empress Xiao looked at Concubine Ye quietly, knowing that she had bad intentions. However, she was not angered by her words, but smiled and responded: "Concubine Ye is right. But I cannot control the emperor's heart. If you sisters can serve the emperor wholeheartedly, you will naturally be favored by the emperor."

Concubine Ye Shu was obviously not satisfied with this answer. She sneered and said sarcastically, "Empress, are you just being perfunctory? Can't you find a way to get the emperor to visit our palace more often? After all, we are also his concubines and need his love and care as well."

Empress Xiao's eyes flashed a hint of coldness, but she still maintained an elegant smile and said lightly: "Concubine Ye Shufei, I have always served the emperor wholeheartedly and have never slacked off. As for the other sisters, I believe that as long as you are sincere, the emperor will see your goodness."

Concubine Zhu interrupted and said, "Empress, you know that I have been pregnant for several months, but the Emperor has never visited me since you entered the palace. As the Empress, you should understand the feelings of us concubines." As she spoke, her eyes became red and tears almost burst out.

Empress Xiao glanced at Concubine Zhu, with a hint of sympathy in her eyes. She sighed softly and comforted her, "Concubine Zhu, I understand your difficulties. However, the emperor is busy with government affairs, and it is inevitable that he sometimes neglects the affairs of the harem. When he is free, he will surely come to visit you."

Concubine Ye Shu snorted coldly and said disdainfully: "Empress, please don't put the blame on the emperor. You are the one who should care about us the most. If you can't solve this problem, then what qualifications do you have to be the queen?"

Empress Xiao's face changed slightly. She took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. She knew that Concubine Ye's words were a deliberate provocation, but she did not intend to get angry easily. She responded calmly: "Concubine Ye, I know that my ability is limited, but I have been trying my best to maintain harmony in the harem. If you think I am not worthy of being the queen, you can go and make a suggestion to the Queen Mother."

Concubine Ye Shu smiled coldly and stared at Empress Xiao fearlessly, with a provocative light in her eyes. She taunted, "Empress, are you afraid that we will take away your favor?"

Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao stood up abruptly, staring at Concubine Ye Shu with a firm and majestic look. She straightened her spine, exuding an inviolable aura, and solemnly declared: "As the Empress, I naturally know how to put the overall situation first. If anyone has bad intentions and tries to stir up disputes in the harem, I will never tolerate it."

Concubine Ye Shu felt the powerful aura of Empress Xiao and became timid and pale. She realized that she could not compete with Empress Xiao and could only leave with Concubine Zhu in disgrace.

After they left, Empress Xiao slowly sat down and sighed softly.

She knew that similar things would happen again and again in the future, but she was fully prepared to deal with them. She secretly made up her mind to find an appropriate time to be honest with the emperor and let him understand her predicament and true feelings.

At the same time, she will manage the harem more attentively to ensure the harmony and stability of the palace. Empress Xiao decided to find a suitable opportunity to communicate with the emperor. She asked the palace maids to prepare the emperor's favorite cakes and tea and wait for the emperor to come.

That night, the emperor came to the palace, and Empress Xiao greeted him with a smile. The two sat down to taste snacks and chat for a while.

Empress Xiao looked at the emperor tenderly and mustered up the courage to say, "Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask. I know that Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, but the sisters in the harem also long for Your Majesty's care. I hope Your Majesty can take some time out from time to time to visit them. This will not only make the sisters happy, but also contribute to the harmony of the harem."

The emperor frowned slightly after hearing what Empress Xiao said, "I know what you mean, but I am busy with government affairs and have no time to take care of the harem."

Empress Xiao gently held the emperor's hand and said, "I understand your hard work, but the stability of the harem is also related to the peace of the court. Your Majesty can set a few days a month to visit the concubines in turn. This way, the sisters can feel at ease and will not be too tired."

The emperor thought for a moment and nodded, "The queen is right, let's do as you wish." Empress Xiao looked at the emperor gratefully, "Thank you for your understanding." From then on, the harem ushered in new changes. The emperor favored concubines in turn on the prescribed days, and the harem became more harmonious and orderly.

Empress Xiao also used her wisdom and kindness to successfully resolve a potential crisis.