Quickly Transmigrate to Save the Child of Heaven

On this day, Nian Shilan was sitting idly in the palace as usual, when she suddenly heard the eunuch's shrill voice coming from outside the door: "The imperial edict has arrived--" She was startled and hurriedly stood up to receive the edict.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Concubine Hua is of a very young age, dignified, virtuous, and gentle disposition. Effective immediately, she is to assist in the management of the six palaces and oversee the selection of concubines. This is my decree!"

Nian Shilan took the imperial edict with both hands, secretly delighted: "The fun is finally about to begin! In my last life, Zhen Huan and the others caused me to commit suicide. In this life, I will make them pay with blood!"

She looked up at the sky, a fierce look in her eyes: "Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, An Lingrong... none of you can escape!"

Nian Shilan returned to her bedroom and began to plan the selection of concubines. She knew that the selection of concubines was an important part of the harem struggle and also a great opportunity for her revenge.

"Someone come!" Nian Shilan called over his trusted eunuch Zhou Ninghai, "Go get the people from the Imperial Household Department. I need to carefully select the girls for this pageant."

Zhou Ninghai took the order and left. After a while, people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs came to Nian Shilan's bedroom with the selection list.

Nian Shilan carefully looked through the list, and she had a plan in mind. She wanted to select some women of humble family backgrounds but outstanding appearance to enter the palace, making them her pawns in a fierce battle with Zhen Huan and others.

"Let's choose these ones!" Nian Shilan pointed to a few names on the list and said to Zhou Ninghai, "Let them prepare well and participate in the audition." Zhou Ninghai responded and went down to make arrangements.

Today is the big day for the palace selection, but the Queen is unwell and cannot attend in person. However, both the Queen Mother and the Emperor believe that this palace selection is of vital importance, and Hua Fei, as the person in charge of the selection, has to be present.

Early in the morning, Nian Shilan slowly got up from the bed and asked the palace maids to change her into a goose yellow shantung silk dress.

This Manchu dress was light, soft, and vibrantly colored, resembling a blooming flower, as if tailor-made for Concubine Hua. The unique texture of the Xiangyun yarn allowed her skin to appear faintly, adding a touch of mysterious charm. Nian Shilan gazed at herself in the mirror with satisfaction and nodded slightly.

Songzhi then stepped forward and styled Concubine Hua's hair into a small bun. Her technique was deft and graceful, leaving it neat and smooth, almost silky. In her hair, Songzhi placed a hibiscus flower crafted from a ruby. The vibrant, eye-catching bloom resembled a burning flame, perfectly complementing the colors of her Manchu dress. The ruby's light shimmered in the sunlight like a dazzling star, adding a touch of elegance and splendor to Concubine Hua's appearance.

Nian Shilan stood up, gently turning her body like a fluttering butterfly, admiring her own outfit. This outfit would surely overshadow the new concubines at the palace selection. She was sure her beauty would make Yongzheng look down on the new concubines. Even Zhen Huan, the stand-in for Empress Chunyuan, wanted to be Yongzheng's cinnabar mole this time, a poisonous one. After admiring the beauty, she took Songzhi and Zhou Ninghai to the Chuxiu Palace to preside over the palace selection. As expected, as soon as she entered the palace, Yongzheng hurriedly greeted her and said, "My beloved, this dress is so beautiful, like a peony in full bloom..."

The Queen Mother coughed unhappily and said, "Hua Fei, you are late..."

Nian Shilan bowed hurriedly and said, "I haven't been feeling well recently. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

The Queen Mother said coldly, "If you feel uncomfortable, take a rest! Return the power of the six palaces to the Queen and let her manage it herself."

Yongzheng interrupted, "Concubine Hua is doing a good job, let her continue. The Queen has had a headache recently and shouldn't be overworked!"

The Empress Dowager wanted to say something, but Yongzheng glanced at her and stopped her. Everyone sat in their seats and looked at the new concubines.

As expected, just like in the previous life, the emperor chose Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, An Lingrong, Xia Dongchun, and others. However, this time, Nian Shilan intervened, along with Zhao Jia Ruyi and Tong Yinyin. This time, Nian Shilan did not arrange for Zhen Huan to live in Sui Yuxuan. Instead, she gave the Yongshou Palace side hall to Zhen Huan, who was given the title of Changzai. Shen Meizhuang was given the title of Guiren and lived in the East Hall of Yanxi Palace. An Lingrong was given the title of Concubine and lived in the Jingren Palace side hall. The rest of the concubines were given the title of Concubine and lived in the Zhongcui Palace and Jingyang Palace side halls.

Because Yongzheng was planning to confer the title of Noble Lady on Zhen Huan, along with the title of Wan, the Empress was wary. With her eloquence, she dissuaded the Emperor from this idea, stating that Zhen Huan was a Han Banner woman, and therefore not as noble as the Manchu Banner women. Furthermore, her father was only a fourth-rank official, making her an unsuitable noble lady. Yongzheng then gave up the idea, deciding to favor her and then gradually promote her.

As night fell, the Forbidden City fell into silence. The newlyweds waited anxiously for Emperor Yongzheng's choice. However, that night, Yongzheng chose none of the newlyweds and instead headed straight for the Yikun Palace.

Inside the Yikun Palace, Consort Hua Nian Shilan, having received advance notice, had been waiting for a long time. She was dressed in gorgeous attire, her makeup meticulously applied, and a hint of irony lingered in her eyes. She wondered if Yongzheng was deliberately trying to cause her trouble, to make the women in the harem jealous. But there was nothing she could do; she was still just a mere concubine. It seemed she needed to quicken her pace. As she was thinking, she noticed Yongzheng entering the palace gates and immediately stepped forward to greet him.

Yongzheng smiled and helped Nian Shilan up, and the two walked into the inner room hand in hand. The candlelight in the room flickered, illuminating their figures. Nian Shilan poured Yongzheng a glass of wine and whispered, "Your Majesty, why are you here tonight?" Yongzheng held Nian Shilan's hand and said, "I missed you, so I came to see you." Nian Shilan's face was slightly shy. She asked Yongzheng to take a bath quickly, while she activated the hallucinogenic grass. Sure enough, Yongzheng hugged the quilt and moved around alone as before, while she lay on the chaise longue all night. The next day, Yongzheng left refreshed. Nian Shilan asked Songzhi to dress her up and then go to Jingren Palace to pay her respects to the Queen. Today she was going to cause trouble for Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang.