After a broken heart, I traveled through time and space and became an abandoned concubine. My fate i

The Emperor's impeccable decree for a trial harem reform was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples through the harem. Concubine Su knew the weight of her responsibility was immense, and she dared not slack off even for a moment.

She meticulously selected several representative palaces as pilot sites for the reforms. Some of these palaces housed high-ranking concubines, while others housed the numerous palace maids. Concubine Su was determined to make these places models, paving the way for the subsequent full-scale implementation of the reforms.

At the outset of the reforms, Concubine Su personally oversaw the implementation of the new measures, tirelessly overseeing them daily. The once tedious and almost breathtaking rituals were finally being streamlined. In the past, palace maids' morning greetings required a complex process, with even the slightest error resulting in severe punishment. Visits between concubines were even more fraught with rules, with restrictions on everything from dress to speech and behavior. Now, as these constraints gradually loosened, smiles of relief began to spread across the faces of palace maids and concubines.

However, just as there is always a shadow under the sun, the road to reform is never smooth.

Nanny Li, who was in charge of etiquette, had been a vested interest in the old system, enjoying all the benefits. Faced with this change, she was filled with resistance and opposition. On the surface, she smiled at Concubine Su, nodded and said, "Your Highness, I will fully support the new system and share your worries." But when she turned around and taught the new palace maids, she still followed the old system's complicated etiquette and strict requirements. Behind their backs, she muttered quietly, "This new system is just a temporary trend. We can't abandon the rules of our ancestors. These newcomers must be taught well and the rules can't be messed up."

One day, Concubine Su happened to pass by the maids' training area and overheard Matron Li's words. Her eyebrows instantly arched, her eyes widened, and a frost settled over her beautiful face. She immediately ordered Matron Li to stop, her voice as cold as ice: "I am carrying out reforms at the behest of His Majesty for the benefit of all in the harem. Matron Li, you keep saying yes, yet behind the scenes you continue to do as you please. Are you defying His Majesty's orders?"

Li Ma Ma was so frightened by the scolding that she trembled all over and almost dropped the etiquette stick in her hand. She turned around hastily and fell to her knees before Noble Concubine Su. The fat on her face trembled with fear as she begged for mercy, "Noble Concubine, please spare me. I will never do that again. It was all due to my own confusion!"

Concubine Su looked down at Nanny Li who was kneeling at her feet, her eyes full of majesty and anger: "Nanny Li, I am implementing reforms to make everyone in the harem live a more comfortable life, not to let you make trouble in secret. Considering that you have been in the palace for many years, I will forgive you this time. But if there is a next time, I will not let you off easily!" Nanny Li kowtowed repeatedly, bruising her forehead, and vowed never to disobey the new system again.

The conservative Consort Wang Dowager was particularly resentful of the reforms. Counting on her seniority and wielding considerable influence within the harem, she, upon hearing of the reforms, meticulously dressed in a formal and luxurious outfit, clutching a silk handkerchief embroidered with peonies, and hurried to the Emperor's chambers.

Upon seeing the Emperor, Concubine Wang covered her eyes with a handkerchief, her body trembling slightly as she sobbed, tears welling up in her eyes: "Your Majesty, please help me! This harem reform is a complete mess, the rules of our ancestors have been thrown out the window. Without rules in the harem, where is the dignity of the royal family? I am heartbroken to see this harem transformed beyond recognition!"

The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, frowning slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of impatience. "My Lady Consort, I have already made a decision on this matter. Let's wait and see how effective this reform is, and don't jump to conclusions."

Seeing the emperor remained unmoved, Concubine Wang grew even more anxious and continued to cry, "Your Majesty, I am doing this for the sake of the royal family. This ancestral law has been passed down for so many years, how can it be easily changed? If this precedent is set, won't the harem be filled with lawlessness in the future?"

The emperor's face darkened and he raised his voice and said, "Dona Wang, you are old and should rest in the palace. I will weigh the matters of the harem myself." Dona Wang had no choice but to return home in disappointment, but her resentment towards the reform grew deeper and deeper.

In this ever-changing harem, there were also those like Concubine Liu who truly and wholeheartedly supported the reforms. Coming from a prominent family and well-educated, Concubine Liu understood the importance of reforms to everyone in the harem.

On this day, Concubine Liu Xian was wearing a simple palace dress with fresh and elegant orchid embroidery. She smiled gently and came to the residences of several concubines.

She took a concubine's hand and patiently persuaded her, "Sisters, this reform is for the sake of greater harmony in our harem and a more comfortable life for everyone. Think about the past, those cumbersome rules have exhausted us both physically and mentally. Now that there is an opportunity for change, we should support it."

The concubine was initially hesitant, but after hearing what Concubine Liu said, she couldn't help but nod slightly: "Sister Concubine Liu is right, but I'm not sure if this reform can last."

Concubine Liu patted her hands gently and said, "As long as we work together and let the emperor see the benefits of reform, how can we give up halfway?"

On the other hand, Zhenfei always maintained a noncommittal attitude towards the reform and always watched coldly from the sidelines.

Once, while strolling in the Imperial Garden, Concubine Zhen saw several palace maids laughing and playing with joy over the simplified etiquette. She couldn't help but curl her lips, a flicker of disdain in her eyes, and said sarcastically, "Hmph, they're happy now, but who knows what will happen next. This new system is just for the sake of novelty, how can it last?"

The maid beside her responded cautiously: "Your Majesty, perhaps this new system can really bring about some changes in the harem."

Concubine Zhen glared at the palace maid and said, "What do you know? Can the rules of our ancestors be changed just like that?"

When the quota was being distributed, Concubine Li had a fierce conflict with the eunuch in charge.

Concubine Li was dressed in a gorgeous palace gown, embroidered with glittering golden phoenixes. Her eyebrows raised, her face brimming with anger, she pointed a finger at the eunuch's nose and shouted, "Why is my allotment less than last month? Is this new rule meant to deduct from us masters?"

The eunuch looked aggrieved and bowed, but his tone was firm: "Empress Li, please calm down. This is all calculated according to the new regulations. I would never dare to deduct your share privately. Please don't make things difficult for me."

Lipin was not going to listen. She raised her voice and said, "Nonsense! I have been in the palace for many years and have never suffered such injustice. Today, you, a dog slave, must give me an explanation!"

The quarrel between the two grew louder and louder, attracting many palace maids and eunuchs to watch. Finally, the matter was brought to the attention of Concubine Su.

After hearing the statements from both sides, Concubine Su immediately sent someone to check the accounts. After a careful check, she found that the eunuch in charge of accounting had made a mistake in the figures.

Imperial Concubine Su looked sternly at Lipin and said, "Sister Lipin, this time it was the subordinates who failed to do their job properly and made a mistake in your share. I have already had it corrected and will give you the full share you deserve. But sister, please don't be so impatient in the future. You must thoroughly investigate everything before making any conclusions."

After hearing this, Lipin's expression finally softened. She bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Imperial Concubine, for handling this matter fairly."

Faced with these complicated situations, Concubine Su always used a combination of kindness and severity to handle them in an orderly manner.

As for the virtuous concubine who truly supported the reforms, Concubine Su often invited her to enjoy tea and flowers in the garden. Sitting side by side amidst the vibrant sea of ​​flowers, the two smiled and talked, their friendship growing deeper and deeper.

After severely punishing Nanny Li for her hypocritical behavior, Concubine Su even arranged for a trusted palace maid to closely monitor her every move. If Nanny Li showed any signs of misconduct, Concubine Su would rebuke her without mercy.

In response to Concubine Zhen's sarcastic remarks, Concubine Su Guifei, at a palace banquet, smiled and seemingly casually reminded her: "Sister Zhenfei, you will know the benefits of this reform in the future. Don't jump to conclusions too early."

After dealing with the tit-for-tat Lipin fairly, she also gave him a heartfelt instruction: "Sister Lipin, harmony is the only way to keep the harem peaceful. Don't lose your sense of proportion because of a momentary anger."

As the days passed, the pilot palace underwent significant changes. The maids were no longer as timid as before, their faces now filled with genuine, bright smiles. They had more time to learn embroidery, read and write, and even gathered together to chat and play in their spare time.

The concubines were no longer burdened by cumbersome etiquette and rules. They could calm down in the quiet courtyard to read and savor the charm of poetry; in the exquisite embroidery room, they could embroider beautiful patterns stitch by stitch to show their talents; in the flower hall, they could gather in groups of three or five to exchange music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and enhance their mutual feelings.

Concubine Su meticulously recorded every bit of change in a small booklet. Every page was filled with her hard work and expectations. She would report these achievements to the emperor to prove the remarkable results of the reforms.

But Concubine Su also knew that despite some progress, greater challenges lay ahead. Those opposing reform would not give up easily, so she had to remain vigilant and continuously push forward reforms to truly usher in a new era for the harem.

At night, Concubine Su sat in front of the window, looking at the bright moon, and prayed silently in her heart: I hope this reform will succeed, and I hope the harem will become a place full of harmony and beauty.