Harem Daily Life

Master Shu finally succeeded in the first step and returned home in high spirits. Shu Yunyun was a little disappointed when she heard she would be taking the examination to become a court lady in the palace tomorrow, but she still smiled and said, "Thank you, father, for your planning. I will definitely contribute to the Shu family and bring honor to our family in the future."

Madam Shu snorted coldly, "You're just a woman, how can you talk about bringing honor to your family? You'd better prepare yourself well. Don't show your weakness tomorrow and let the ladies in the palace laugh at you."

Shu Yunyun smiled and said, "Yes, mother, I will prepare well and live up to your expectations."

After leaving the house, Shu Yunyun's face darkened. The maid beside her said anxiously, "Sixth Miss, this lady always speaks so harshly. Don't take it to heart. Just think of her as venting her sorrow over the death of her daughter."

Shu Yunyun sneered, "Of course I won't argue with her. Isn't she just jealous of me being able to enter the palace? The more she looks down on me, the more I have to perform well, so that the ladies in the palace will like me, the Queen Mother will love me, and His Majesty... will also look at me with new eyes. Her own daughter can't keep a man's heart, but I'm different."

After Shu Yunyun finished speaking, she went to her aunt's place. Her aunt, Xia, was originally an embroiderer from the Jiangnan area. She was brought back to the mansion by Lord Shu and settled there. She has always been favored by him. He also agreed to let her run an embroidery workshop outside, and she kept the money she earned for herself. Therefore, Shu Yunyun's aunt was quite wealthy and lived a good life in the Shu family.

Seeing her daughter return with a smile on her face, Xia had snacks and fruit brought over: "Look at you, what's going on? Is it done?"

Shu Yunyun smiled and said, "I'm halfway there. Mother, I didn't make it to the palace to become a concubine, but I can take the examination to become a female official. Father said he would bring me to the palace to take the examination tomorrow. I believe that with my embroidery skills, I will definitely be able to gain a position in the Shangyi Bureau. Mother, just wait for my good news. Not only do I want to become the youngest and most powerful female official in the palace, I also want His Majesty to see my good qualities and be completely captivated by me."

Mrs. Xia still had great confidence in her daughter. She took Shu Yunyun's hand and said, "Mother became a concubine because her family background was poor and there were no better options. But you are different. Your biological father is a second-rank official of the current dynasty, the empress dowager's brother, and the emperor's uncle. Although you are a concubine's daughter, your status is not low. Mother hopes that you can have a good future and not be trapped in this harem like me, under the control of the mistress."

Shu Yunyun comforted her, "Don't worry, mother. I will definitely behave well and won't be as useless as my deceased daughter."

"Of course. My daughter is so beautiful that His Majesty will be unable to take his eyes off her once he sees her. I heard that His Majesty hasn't accepted a new bride for many years. This is a great opportunity for you." After saying this, Xia dismissed the maid and personally took out a set of books and handed them to Shu Yunyun.

"This is my family embroidery method. I will give it to you. As long as you learn half of the patterns and needlework above, you will be able to surpass many excellent embroiderers." Shu Yunyun took it and liked it very much.

"And this one. This... you can read it secretly. Learning everything will help you win the heart of His Majesty in the future." Xia handed a wrapped book to Shu Yunyun. Shu Yunyun wanted to open it, but Xia held her hand. "Take it back to your room and read it secretly. Don't let anyone know."

Shu Yunyun became curious and couldn't wait to open it when she returned to her room. When she saw the explicit paintings on it, she felt like she was soaking in a hot spring and her whole body became hot.

After seeing Lord Shu off, Concubine Xian hurried to Changle Palace.

"Your Majesty, I can't refuse the Shu family directly, so I have no choice but to agree and let the Shu family's Sixth Young Lady enter the palace tomorrow for the examination. Alas, these young ladies are all trying so hard to get in, but they don't know that life in this palace is not as good as finding a compatible husband outside to marry."

Tao Yanyan smiled and said, "Perhaps the Sixth Miss of the Shu family just wants to pursue a career and doesn't want to get married? Since His Majesty has agreed, you can just take a look at her and arrange a quiet place for her to stay, so that the Shu family won't bother His Majesty again because they are too tired."

The virtuous concubine nodded and hesitated, "I've inquired a little, and I heard that the Sixth Miss of the Shu family is very beautiful. She originally wanted to enter the palace to take over the position of Concubine Shu. Perhaps because Your Majesty won't give in, she's thinking of becoming a court lady. This idea... hehe, I think we should be on guard."

Tao Yanyan understood what Concubine Xian meant. After a moment's thought, she said, "Your Majesty is in the prime of his life and incredibly handsome. He has attracted the attention of the Shu cousin, and we can't stop him. I think it's necessary to take precautions, but whether we can truly prevent this depends on Your Majesty. If he's tempted, can we really hold him back?"

The virtuous concubine choked and jokingly said, "Of course we can't tie him down, so we can only rely on the queen."

Tao Yanyan glared at her and said, "I'm too lazy to tie it up. Let him be."

The two of them laughed together, and before long, Concubine Xian returned to her Yongtai Palace to do some work.

After everyone left, Qingfeng said, "This Shu Cairen has done so many disgusting things. I wonder what kind of person the Sixth Miss will be this time? I hope she won't be too annoying."

Mingyue coughed lightly and said, "Don't talk about Shu Cairen. After all, she is the master."

Qingfeng stuck out his tongue and dared not say anything else.

Tao Yanyan said calmly, "She's probably a bit of a nuisance. Otherwise, why would she even consider entering the palace as a concubine when she was already denied? This is a roundabout way to save the country, and it's for Your Majesty's benefit."

Qingfeng tilted his head: "No matter if she is annoying or not, just don't mess with the Empress, or I will definitely make her suffer."

Mingyue couldn't help but look up and flicked Qingfeng's head: "Ancestor, please be quiet, so as not to give the Queen a chance to talk."

Qingfeng patted his head and said, "That's right. If she behaves herself, we won't interfere with her. But if she thinks too much and wants to do something stupid, then we won't be able to talk to her."

Mingyue didn't want to correct anything anymore, she even said swear words!

Tao Yanyan couldn't help but smile. It was quite entertaining to watch the little palace maids bickering with each other.

The next day, Shu Yunyun went to the palace with Madam Shu to pay a visit to Concubine Xian. Although Madam Shu did not give her a good look throughout the whole process, she did what she was supposed to do properly and without being rude.

The virtuous concubine looked at the sixteen-year-old girl in front of her and smiled, "Time is indeed unforgiving. Compared with the Sixth Miss of the Shu family, I can't compare." One is almost thirty years old, and the other is only sixteen years old, but still a charming girl.

Shu Yunyun immediately said, "Her Majesty the Concubine has such a graceful demeanor. How can I compare to her? Your Majesty is too modest."

The virtuous concubine did not say much, but asked what Shu Yunyun was good at. After learning that it was embroidery, she asked someone to call Zhao, the head of the Shangyi Bureau, and brought with him the two most outstanding embroiderers of the Shangyi Bureau.

"Everything is ready, please come in, Miss Six." With the three judges from the Clothing Bureau present, Concubine Xian waited patiently for Miss Shu's masterpiece.