My eunuch An is a yandere

The high-ranking concubines in Xiao Duo's harem are ranked from the highest to the lowest: the queen, four concubines, and nine imperial concubines.

Although the four concubines and nine imperial concubines were of equal rank and had their own titles, they were still ranked in order of rank.

Take the rank of concubine for example, they are Imperial Concubine, Shu Concubine, Virtuous Concubine, and Xian Concubine, all of which are of the first rank.

But strictly speaking, the status of Shufei is slightly higher than that of Defei.

But these will also change with the emperor's subjective wishes.

So when Bai Ningwei saw the gorgeously dressed Concubine Shu walking into the Lingqi Palace surrounded by palace maids, she chuckled in her heart.

I really don’t know what the emperor promised her that made her so arrogant and think that she was the most powerful in the entire palace, and he even showed off to her.

When concubines of the same rank meet, they must exchange courtesies. The world is vast, but rules are paramount. Since the newcomer was a guest, Bai Ningwei stood up to greet him and bowed politely.

However, Concubine Shu raised her hand to support her hair which was covered with pearls and jades, and spoke lazily.

"De Fei, I am pregnant with the heir and cannot move around easily, so there is no need to return the gift.

Bai Ningwei naturally replied, no need.

"We are all women, and I understand the hardships that Concubine Shu has endured. We must always be extra careful during pregnancy."

"De Fei has never given birth, yet you know the hardships of a pregnant woman?"

"I have seen how hard Empress Xiaoyuan has worked."

Bai Ningwei really didn't like chatting with stupid people. Concubine Shu's presence was just a way of hinting that she was a concubine, favored and had children. Whether in terms of title, order, or strength and status, she was far inferior to her.

But Bai Ningwei wouldn't tolerate the wrath of a fool like Concubine Shu. She raised her delicate hand, and the eunuch, Hezi, knowingly bowed and offered his arm. He leaned on his human-powered cane, also putting on airs, his smile nonchalant. From the moment he stood there, he exuded natural nobility, as if he were born to stand at the pinnacle.

Just kidding, Bai Ningwei was once the empress dowager, so who can match her demeanor?

Concubine Shu immediately felt that she was being outdone.

The other person, with only one palace maid serving her, was so graceful and had such an aura. She herself had so many people serving her, but apart from being rich and powerful, she didn't have the aura of a superior, which really made her angry.

Bai Ningwei's next words made her feel even more unbalanced.

"During Empress Xiaoyuan's pregnancy, it was Nanny Qin who took care of her. It was Nanny Qin's extreme care that saved Empress Xiaoyuan from suffering. For example, the water she drank every day had to be just the right constant temperature. Oh, by the way, Concubine Shu probably doesn't know what constant temperature water is, right?"

Bai Ningwei paused deliberately, and seeing the expression in Concubine Shu's eyes that showed reluctance but a strong desire to know, she continued to talk nonsense.

"Constant-temperature water is water at the same temperature as body temperature. It's neither too hot nor too cold, which is perfect for pregnant women. Only a loyal servant like Nanny Qin could achieve such perfection. Not to mention everyday clothing, which is all steamed in boiling water to absolutely remove dust and dirt. And spinach juice, you have to drink it every day, it's good for the child..."

Bai Ningwei picked up a few terms that were not used in the Great Qin Dynasty and made up a story that made Nanny Qin feel ashamed. If she didn't understand that Concubine De was trying to make things difficult for Concubine Shu, she really wanted to clarify that their queen was not so picky and fussy.

These words fascinated Concubine Shu, and it was not entirely out of a competitive spirit. For the sake of the royal heir, she actually took notes seriously in her mind, completely forgetting that she was speaking harshly today about the host of the talent show.

In the end, Concubine Shu returned with a lot of complicated and useless pregnancy knowledge.

Nanny Qin was full of admiration. This Concubine De didn't have to put in any effort. She just coaxed people back with a few words. The problem was that what she said was also meaningful and made some sense. It was hard not to believe it.

I'm afraid that for some time, Concubine Shu won't have time to find fault.

After returning to the palace, Concubine Shu first called in the imperial physician to prove that what Bai Ningwei said was true. She then really asked the palace maids to prepare constant temperature water for her all day, steam and boil clothes, squeeze juice every day, etc. The palace maids were miserable and were often punished for not doing their job well.

Because of the unreasonable increase in workload, the palace maids of Concubine Shu were dissatisfied, but this had nothing to do with Bai Ningwei.

In this kind of bickering and palace fighting, how embarrassed she wants to make the other party depends entirely on her mood at the time.

On the night that Concubine Shu left, Xiao Duo came with the talent show plan.

When Xiao Duo came to Lingqi Palace, he still teased his son first. Seeing that his son was sitting unsteadily, he sighed in his heart but did not show it on his face.

After asking Nanny Qin to take the child away, she asked Wang Xi to set the table.

Generally speaking, the palace where Xiao Duo has dinner means that is where he will stay overnight.

Bai Ningwei hadn't reacted yet, but her face had turned pale with fright.

It was because she calmly instructed Caihe to follow Wang Xi and help him that an awkward situation was avoided.

After dinner, Xiao Duo took out the plan.

"Tell me, what did you think when you wrote this?"

What Bai Ningwei wrote directly broke the century-long tradition of talent shows.

The talent show is held every three years, and each place sends at least one young girl to Beijing to participate.

There are two rounds of selection. The first round is to screen out unqualified concubines according to the palace standards.

After qualified concubines learned royal etiquette, they were selected by the emperor himself.

Those who passed the exam entered the palace, and those who failed returned home.

Not to mention the successful concubines, the unsuccessful concubines did not have a good ending after returning home.

When Bai Ningwei traveled to the Daye Dynasty, she learned that she was going to participate in a talent show. Her original body was worried about being eliminated, and she got stuck in a dead end and probably died of depression. This is why her soul traveled to her body.

It was then that she realized that the talent show was not as simple as leaving a name tag or giving flowers.

The women who were chosen for the selection were the best of the best in the area. However, if they failed in the selection, they would not be allowed to marry after returning home, and would end up living a lonely life.

If a woman in the Dazhen Dynasty cannot get married, she will not live long.

Bai Ningwei and Xiao Duo sat on a Luohan couch and took the memorial.

"I believe that for most of these concubines, this is probably their only chance to enter the capital. Rather than sending them back home, it would be better to hold a talent show. This would liven up the palace, and perhaps even help Your Majesty find a few destined marriages."

"A destined marriage?"

Xiao Duo was not interested in talent shows, but when it came to arranged marriages and balancing the previous dynasty, he was very interested.

"Are these showgirls okay?"

Xiao Duo asked uncertainly. Some of the girls' hometowns were poor and remote, so it was hard to imagine what effect it would have. Although he asked uncertainly, he was tempted.

"They are all local girls picked from thousands of people, and they always have something special about them."

At least they are all beauties.

"You are in charge of the draft, so you can arrange everything."

Xiao Duo was very satisfied with Bai Ningwei's proposal. It had to be said that Bai Ningwei was a rare and remarkable woman, always able to think of things that had previously escaped his notice.

Thinking about the concubines who were rejected and returned home in the past, Xiao Duo felt a little sorry.

"I, Your Majesty, would like to thank you in advance on behalf of those unsuccessful candidates."

Only after getting Xiao Duo's consent did Bai Ningwei hand over a cup of after-meal tea.

Looking at the fingertips as white as scallions on the teacup, Xiao Duo stepped forward and covered it.

"Well, it's getting late, let's get settled."