From cute to empress

The first rays of morning sunlight streamed into my bedroom through the window lattice. I stood up and stretched, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep. Today was the first day my reform plan would officially begin.

I summoned all the palace maids and eunuchs and announced my decision in the Imperial Garden: From today on, the monthly wages of all palace maids and eunuchs will increase by 20%, and they will be given one day off each month to do whatever they want. I also promised to organize regular entertainment activities to enrich everyone's spare time.

As soon as I finished speaking, cheers erupted from the Imperial Garden. The palace maids wept with joy, and the eunuchs knelt excitedly to express their gratitude. Watching their ecstatic expressions, I felt a surge of accomplishment.

However, not everyone was as happy as they were.

"Your Majesty, isn't this too hasty?" After the court was dismissed, Scholar Zhao came to me with a worried look on his face. "The palace has strict rules and regulations. Such drastic reforms might cause dissatisfaction among some people."

I poured a cup of tea for Scholar Zhao and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Scholar Zhao. I'm doing this for the long-term peace and stability of the harem. Only when the palace servants live a good life will they sincerely serve the emperor and the royal family, right?"

Zhao Xueshi sighed and said nothing more. I knew he was just worried that I was young and impulsive and didn't know how to weigh the pros and cons, but I knew my limits.

Over the next few days, I worked tirelessly to implement my reform plan. I invited Coach Sun to train the palace maids in self-defense to strengthen the palace's security. I also invited Su Xiu Niang and Qian Musician to regularly teach the palace maids embroidery and musical instruments to enrich their spare time.

Seeing the harem becoming more and more orderly day by day, and the palace maids' faces filled with happy smiles, I felt extremely relieved. However, just when I thought everything was moving in the right direction, I gradually noticed something strange.

"Your Majesty, this is the osmanthus cake you requested." The little palace maid Chuntao walked into the bedroom carrying the cake, looking a little dazed.

"Chun Tao, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so unhappy?" I noticed that something was wrong with her.

"No... nothing, I just didn't sleep well last night." Chuntao lowered her head hurriedly, not daring to look me in the eye.

I frowned slightly, feeling that something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Your Majesty, it's time for you to rest." At this time, Zhen Youcai walked in and reminded softly.

I looked out the window and saw that it was already late at night, so I nodded and said, "Okay, you should go to bed early too."

After I lay down, Zhen Youcai still didn't leave. He stood by the window, looking out at the night, his brow furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

"Zhen Youcai, what's wrong with you? Are you worried about something?" I asked.

He turned around, walked to the bedside, and said in a serious tone: "Your Highness, the palace has been uneasy recently. You must be more careful."

His words made my heart tighten, and a sense of unease crept in. Could something really be about to happen?

Zhen Youcai's words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples through my heart. I sat up, looking at his serious expression, and the uneasiness in my heart grew stronger. "What's wrong? Tell me now!"

Zhen Youcai hesitated, as if considering how to start. He walked over to the table, poured me a cup of tea, and then slowly said, "I've noticed some rumors in the palace lately, saying that Your Majesty... that you..."

"What?" I demanded.

"They said you were born in a humble family and didn't know the rules. Your reforms were too radical and would break the rules of the palace." Zhen Youcai spoke in a low voice with a frown on his face. It was obvious that these words made him very unhappy.

After hearing this, I sneered inwardly. As expected, my reforms had touched upon the interests of some people. In just a few days, some people couldn't help but speak out in opposition.

"I understand. I'll be careful." I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

"Your Majesty, you must not take it lightly." Seeing how calm I was, Zhen Youcai became even more worried. "Those people are powerful and have deep roots in the palace. We must be on guard!"

"I understand." I nodded, reassuring him, "I'll find a way to deal with it."

After Zhen Youcai left, I couldn't fall asleep for a long time. I knew that a storm was coming and I had to be prepared to meet the challenge.

The next morning, I summoned Master Zhao and Coach Sun and told them what Zhen Youcai had told me last night.

"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be taken lightly." After listening to my story, Scholar Zhao's face became serious. "Since those people dare to spread rumors, they must have something to rely on. We must be on guard."

"In my opinion, they want to use this opportunity to sow discord between you and the Emperor," Coach Sun analyzed. "Your Majesty, you should refrain from mentioning reforms in front of the Emperor to avoid giving him excuses."

I nodded in agreement. I knew it wasn't the time to confront those people head-on. I had to keep a low profile, gather strength, and wait for the right moment.

"Mr. Zhao, Coach Sun, do you have any good suggestions?" I asked.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, we might as well..." Scholar Zhao leaned close to my ear and whispered his plan.

After I heard this, my eyes lit up and I nodded and said, "Okay, I'll do as you say!"

At night, I was walking alone in the Imperial Garden, still thinking about how to deal with the situation.

"My queen, why are you here alone?" A gentle voice sounded behind me.

I turned around and saw Su Xiu Niang and Qian Le Shi walking towards me side by side with kind smiles on their faces.

"It was late at night and I couldn't sleep, so I went out for a walk." I said with a smile, "Why are you two here too?"

"We just came back from the Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager wanted to listen to some music, so she asked us to play a song," replied Su Xiu Niang.

"Oh?" I thought, "Is the Empress Dowager okay?"

"The Empress Dowager is fine," Music Master Qian replied, "but..."

"Just what?" I demanded.

"It's just that the Empress Dowager seems to be worried about something. She is always absent-minded when we play." Su Xiu Niang said in a low voice.

I was struck by this. Could it be that the Empress Dowager also knew about the palace gossip? Su Xiu Niang and Music Master Qian exchanged glances, as if they were about to speak but hesitated. Seeing this, I dismissed my attendants and whispered, "Has the Empress Dowager also heard something?"

Su Xiu Niang sighed and said, "Your Majesty has a keen eye. The Empress Dowager has indeed heard some rumors about you. She is worried that your youthful impulsiveness will offend the powerful in the palace and cause trouble."

"The Empress Dowager has a loving motherly heart, and I understand that." I smiled slightly. "It's just that this reform will benefit the country and the people. As the master of the harem, I should do my part. I hope you two sisters can say a few good words for me."

Seeing my frankness, Su Xiu Niang and Qian Leshi were deeply impressed. They were both veterans of the palace and naturally understood the need for reform, but they were worried that I was too weak to accomplish anything.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The two of us will do our best." Su Xiu Niang nodded solemnly.

Musician Qian also said, "We have all seen the Queen's reform measures and believe that she is thinking about the country and the people of Daliang. However, I'm afraid those stubborn old guys won't give in easily."

"I understand." I nodded. "But I believe that as long as people are united, even mountains can be moved. I will use concrete actions to prove that my reforms are correct."

With the help of Su Xiu Niang and Qian Le Shi, my situation in the palace improved significantly. They often spoke on my behalf in front of the Empress Dowager and other concubines, promoting my reform ideas. Gradually, more and more people began to understand and support me.

I seized the opportunity and, at a court meeting, explained my reform plan in detail to the emperor and listed the various benefits it would bring.

"Your Majesty, I know that reform will inevitably affect the interests of some people, but for the future of Daliang, we must make changes!" I said in a firm tone, "I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely make Daliang's tomorrow even better!"

My words were powerful and deeply touched everyone present.

The emperor pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and said, "My beloved concubine, you are absolutely right. I support your reforms!"

The emperor's support undoubtedly cleared the biggest obstacle for my reform. I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew my reform journey had just begun and the future was full of challenges, but I believed that as long as Zhen Youcai and I worked together, we would be able to overcome all difficulties and realize our ideals.

However, just when I thought everything was going in the right direction, something unexpected happened, which made me realize that this struggle was far more complicated than I had imagined...

The Emperor's words were final, and the reform was settled. I felt both happy and a bit nervous. I was happy that my efforts had finally been recognized, and that the reform could finally be smoothly implemented. I was also nervous because the reform would inevitably affect the interests of some people. The road ahead was long, and I had to proceed cautiously to truly realize my ideals.

That day, as usual, I strolled through the Imperial Gardens. Su Xiu Niang and Qian Leshi accompanied me, chatting with me from time to time. Ever since the reforms were announced, there had been a flurry of discussion both inside and outside the palace: some supported them, some opposed them, and some remained on the sidelines.

"My queen, do you think those old stubborn people will try to trip us up behind our backs?" asked Su Xiu Niang with some concern.

I smiled and said, "If they didn't trip me up, I'd start to wonder if they were really old."

Music Master Qian also laughed and said, "Your Majesty is right. These people, on ordinary days, appear to be righteous and talk about morality, but in reality, they only think about their own interests."

I nodded and said, "I know they won't give in easily, but I believe that as long as we persist in doing the right thing, we will surely gain the support of the people and ultimately win."

As I was speaking, a few people approached from a distance. They were none other than Master Zhao and Instructor Sun. Both were senior officials in the court, highly respected, but also stubbornly conservative, and had some complaints about my reforms.

"Your servants pay their respects to the Imperial Concubine." Scholar Zhao and Instructor Sun came up to me and saluted.

I smiled faintly and said, "Excuse me, my lords."

"I wonder what instructions the Imperial Concubine has for us today?" asked Scholar Zhao, with a barely perceptible tentativeness in his tone.

I sneered in my heart, but kept my composure on the surface. I said, "I am just bored and want to ask you two gentlemen some questions."

"Your Majesty, your words are too kind. I cannot accept them," said Scholar Zhao. "If your Majesty has any questions, please feel free to ask. I will tell you everything I know."

I smiled faintly and asked, "I heard that the two gentlemen have some complaints about my reforms. Is this true?"

Mr. Zhao and Coach Sun's expressions changed slightly. They didn't expect me to be so direct.

"Your Majesty has misunderstood," said Scholar Zhao. "This old minister is simply..."

I interrupted him before he could finish his words.

"My Lords, there's no need to explain. I understand what you mean," I said. "You are both senior officials of the court, devoted to the country. I understand your feelings. But times are changing. We can't always cling to the old ways. Otherwise, we will only become complacent and eventually be eliminated by the times."

I paused, then continued, "My reforms are for the future of Daliang and the well-being of the people. You two should understand this better than anyone else."

Although my tone was calm, it was full of power. Master Zhao and Coach Sun were intimidated by my aura and were speechless for a moment.

Just then, a guard came running over in a hurry and whispered something in Zhen Youcai's ear.

Zhen Youcai's expression changed, and he turned to me and said, "Your Majesty, I have something urgent to report to you immediately."

My heart trembled, and I vaguely felt that something was going to happen.