The Second World in Ancient Times

Ever since I cleverly foiled Concubine Li's plot, the atmosphere in the palace seemed to have quietly changed. The maids and eunuchs looked at me with awe and respect, and I knew all this stemmed from the king's attitude towards me.

It was a sunny day, and I was trimming a few newly delivered pots of flowers in the palace courtyard. My scissors moved through the branches, making a soft, snapping sound. Wanqing stood nearby, handing me the tools, her eyes focused and sharp. Suddenly, a eunuch's voice boomed, "The King has arrived!" The shrill, long voice echoed through the courtyard. I was delighted, quickly putting down my scissors, straightening my clothes, and heading out with Wanqing to greet him.

The king walked into the courtyard with steady steps. He was clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, the hems swaying gently as he walked, and the golden dragon embroidered on it seemed to swim. The sunlight shone on the delicate embroidery, reflecting a dazzling light, further highlighting the king's majesty and dignity. When he saw me, he smiled gently, his eyes revealing a hint of doting: "My dear, the flowers in this courtyard are blooming beautifully today, but I feel that they are not even half as beautiful as yours." He thought to himself, this Concubine Yu always caught his eye, no matter where he was. She possessed a unique aura that was truly rare in this harem.

I knelt slightly and saluted with graceful movements: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. These flowers can grow in the palace thanks to your blessing and the blessing of this palace." I was filled with joy at the king's arrival, but also a little nervous. After all, in this palace, the king's every move was related to the fate of many people.

The king entered the palace and sat on the couch, gently waving his hand, motioning for me to sit beside him. He looked at me with a gaze filled with trust and intimacy, secretly thinking that with the recent turmoil at court, a conversation with Concubine Yu might offer some new insights. "My beloved, I've come to feel more and more that you are unique. You are not only exceptionally intelligent, but also kind-hearted. You are truly a breath of fresh air in this harem." He thought of the ministers at court. While each had their own strategies, they were often rigid and pedantic, unlike Concubine Yu, who was as clever and thoughtful as he was.

I responded with a smile, my eyes clear and bright: "Your Majesty, I am only doing what I believe is right. I am humbled to receive such praise from Your Majesty." I was grateful for the king's appreciation, but also a little worried, afraid that showing my edge too much would cause more trouble.

The king gently held my hand. His hand was broad and warm, making people feel at ease: "Don't be afraid, my beloved. I came here today because there is something else I want to discuss with you. I was in the court, worrying about the trade with our neighboring country. That neighboring country is rich in a rare silk. I want to expand trade with them, but they put forward many harsh conditions. I can't make a decision for a while." He frowned, and there was a hint of worry in his eyes. This trade matter is related to the country's economy and diplomacy, and no mistakes can be made.

A thought struck me, and after a moment's reflection, I spoke with a confident glint in my eyes. "Your Majesty, I believe that in matters of trade, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes are the most sustainable path. Perhaps we could first understand the reasons behind our neighbor's harsh demands: are they driven by domestic needs, or are they simply trying to gain a greater advantage in negotiations? We might as well send some capable individuals to investigate further within the neighboring country." I thought to myself, in modern society, market research before business negotiations is crucial. Although this is an ancient palace, the principle applies equally. The king was taken aback by my words, his thoughts intrigued; he had never considered approaching the problem from this angle.

The king nodded slightly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "My beloved concubine, this idea is quite novel. Previously, I only learned about the situation from the reports of the diplomatic envoys, but I never thought of investigating deep into enemy territory."

I continued, speaking at a moderate pace and with a firm tone: "Your Majesty, in modern times... Oh, I'm saying that in some past cases, a deep understanding of the other party's situation often gives you more initiative in negotiations. Just like in a military campaign, knowing both yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. Furthermore, we can also seek alternative products within the country to increase our bargaining power and show them that we're not solely reliant on their silk." I felt a little uneasy, unsure whether the king would accept my modern-minded suggestions, but I also wanted to do my best to relieve his worries. A flicker of surprise and admiration flashed in the king's eyes. He looked at me, secretly amazed at my insights. Where on earth did Concubine Yu acquire these unique insights?

After hearing this, the king laughed heartily, and his laughter echoed in the palace: "My beloved, you are really my good wife. I was troubled by the various opinions of the ministers in the court before, but now after listening to your words, it is like seeing the sun after the clouds have been cleared." The worries in his heart immediately dissipated a lot, and his love for me increased a bit.

Afterwards, the king mentioned the palace's internal affairs. He leaned back on the couch and sighed slightly: "My beloved concubine, the expenses of the palace are a considerable amount every year. I want to save money, but I am worried that it will affect the normal operation of the palace. Do you have any ideas?" He knew very well that the palace's internal affairs were complicated and it was not easy to reform them.

I pondered for a moment and replied with a focused and serious look: "Your Majesty, I think we can start with the meals in the palace. Nowadays, the imperial kitchen prepares a wide variety of dishes every day, and there is a lot of waste. We can formulate a reasonable meal menu and prepare appropriate dishes according to the season and the number of people to avoid excessive luxury and waste. There is also the production of palace clothing. Some gorgeous clothes are only worn once and then put aside, which is a pity. We can appropriately reduce the production of some unnecessary clothing, or modify some old clothes and reward them to meritorious palace maids and eunuchs." I thought about the concept of saving advocated by modern society, and hoped that it could also be promoted in this palace.

The king nodded in agreement, with recognition in his eyes: "My beloved concubine is absolutely right. Although I knew about these problems before, I had never thought of such a detailed solution." He admired my meticulousness and wisdom even more in his heart, and felt that I could not only make suggestions on major matters, but also have unique insights into these trivial matters in the palace.

Because my insights on these matters pleased the king, his favor grew. Soon, the king gifted me with many treasures, including dazzling jewelry and precious antiques and paintings. Long queues of eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department carried boxes of gifts into my palace.

Wanqing looked at the rewards and said excitedly, "Your Majesty, the king really dotes on you. These treasures are priceless." Her eyes sparkled with envy and joy.

I looked at the rewards, feeling delighted but also aware that they would only spark further jealousy. I said to Wanqing, "Wanqing, these rewards are certainly a sign of the king's kindness to me, but they will also breed resentment among the other concubines. We must be more cautious and not become overly indulgent." I worried that this favor would become a burden, sparking even more palace turmoil.

Yet, jealousy quickly spread within the harem. At a palace banquet, the moment I entered, I felt the piercing gazes of those watching me. Concubines were whispering in the corner, their glances drifting towards me, filled with jealousy and resentment.

A concubine came forward and saluted seemingly respectfully, but her words were full of sarcasm: "Sister Concubine Yu, congratulations on winning the king's favor. Your palace will be almost full of rewards. You are so lucky." She was jealous to the point of madness in her heart, but she had to pretend to be polite on the surface.

I responded with a smile that was elegant and calm: "Sister, you are joking. These rewards are just a little token of your Majesty's appreciation for me. I am humbled and only wish I could do more for your Majesty and the court." I understood her jealousy, but didn't want to argue with her on such an occasion. I just wanted to keep the peace.

Another concubine also said: "Sister Concubine Yu is so smart, no wonder the king discusses everything with you. But sister, don't forget that there are sisters like us in the harem." Her tone was sour and her eyes were full of unwillingness.

I looked at them, understanding their jealousy and resentment, but I didn't want to argue with them in this situation. I kept smiling, "I will never forget the friendship between sisters. I also hope to live in harmony with my sisters and serve the king together." I thought to myself, in this harem, making enemies with them is useless; peaceful coexistence is the best.

After returning to the palace, Wanqing said angrily, "Your Majesty, those concubines have gone too far. They are obviously jealous of you and deliberately say those things to anger you." Her little face flushed red as she stood up for me.

I sighed softly: "Wanqing, their jealousy is inevitable. In this harem, the gap between favor and disfavor is too big. It is normal for them to want to win the king's attention. We just need to do our best and not be affected by their words." Although I felt a little helpless, I also knew that this was the norm in the harem, and I could only try to maintain a calm state of mind.

The king seemed to have noticed the undercurrents in the harem. He came to my palace with concern and comfort in his eyes: "My beloved, I know you have suffered some grievances in this harem. But you should not mind the jealous words of those people. My trust and favor for you will not change because of the words of others." He felt a little guilty, thinking that it was his favor that brought me these troubles.

I snuggled in the king's arms, feeling his warmth and care: "Your Majesty, as long as you are here, I am not afraid of anything. I will use my actions to prove that I am worthy of your favor." My heart was filled with gratitude to the king, and I was determined to maintain my position in this harem.

With the king's trust and favor, my position in the harem has become increasingly secure. However, I also know that the hidden danger has not disappeared. I must remain vigilant at all times, using my wisdom and kindness to maintain my own position in this harem full of conspiracy, while also contributing my strength to the court and the king.