Treacherous Living in the Imperial Harem

In the early spring of the 7th year of Chunjia Period, the Empress Dowager worried that the Emperor had no offspring, so she ordered Yousi Department to select some girls from good families, and also cordially invited some ladies from rich families to enrich the Imperial Harem. They were expected to deliver children for the Emperor.

Yun Zhao, namely Duke Yi, was the General-in-chief and held great military power in the country. His eldest legitimate daughter had been bestowed as Noble Consort Shu when she married the Emperor, and she was in charge of Tong Xia Palace since then. Yun Zhao also had a beautiful younger daughter delivered by his concubine, who was still underage, but many boys had come to pursue her. However, taking the advantages of being a favored position, people in the palace had heard about this girl's reputation. Therefore, Duke Yi's Mansion was soon ordered to be prepared for the Principal to announce the imperial decree.

Although it was not surprising, people of the Yun tribe still came to congratulate one after another, hoping to connect their fellowships with Duke Yi.

"Nian Xuan, the rosewood box on the dressing table is my gift to Qingman. Take it to the backroom and give it to my aunt. Tell her that I have a sudden headache today, so I have to rest." Xie Fenghuang had long dark hair, leaning against a blue peony pillow, and lazily ordered her maid, "And I won't go with them to Duke Yi's Mansion."

She added, "Tell my aunt I'm fine and don't bother to get me a doctor. The family is in celebration, so don't get them upset for me. We are only a small alley away from them!"

"I know that, My Lady." Nian Xuan signed, "But don't you go there this time? I know you mind that your surname is not Yun, so it's not appropriate to join in their family feast. However, Fourth Miss is the only one who is suitable to marry the Emperor in Duke Yi's Mansion. You have been friends with her for so long. If you don't visit her now, I'm afraid you will have no opportunity to meet her in the future!"

Xie Fenghuang waved her hand, "I have learned the rules of cordial invitation. She does not need to join the Imperial Harem immediately after taking the imperial decree. After the banquet, I will say goodbye to her. No one else would be there to disturb and it's more convenient for us to chat."

Although it was the fact, she still felt regretful for her friend.

Three years ago, due to the mishap of Xie's Family, she was brought to Dijing City by her aunt, Ms. Xie, whose husband Yun Ju was a cousin of Duke Yi. Yun Ju's ancestral house was on the side of Duke Yi's Mansion, so their children often contacted with each other. Yun Qingman, the fourth daughter of Duke Yi, shared similar age and temper with Xie Fenghuang, so they quickly became close friends, and it was even suitable to say they were sisters.

Last year during their chatting, they even dreamed that they would let their sons and daughters get married in the future. Unexpectedly, Yun Qingman would soon marry the Emperor, and no one knew whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Xie Fenghuang thought of the ups and downs of the concubines in the past and the warning of her eldest sister (a daughter of her father's concubine) before her death. She was even sadder and could only comfort herself, "Well, there is nothing to worry about. After all, Qingman's father is Duke Yi and her sister is Noble Consort Shu, who married the Emperor a long time ago. They can protect her."

She couldn't sleep and didn't get out of bed until noon.

Nian Xuan was combing a Liusu haircut for Xie Fenghuang. Suddenly, there were a mess of footsteps!

They were surprised, because everyone in Yun's Mansion, except them and their servants, all went to Duke Yi's Mansion for congratulations. Who was so brave to break into the backyard? They then saw Ms. Xie rush in, with her hairs fluffy. Ms. Xie went straight to Xie Fenghuang, hugged her and cried, "Poor girl!"

Xie Fenghuang was confused.

"Your damned uncle!" Ms. Xie cried, stamped her chest and stomped her feet, "As an experienced man, how could he do such a thing? If he were here, I would definitely tear him into pieces!"

Although her aunt didn't explain the situation, Xie Fenghuang, who had rich experience as a sweet girl, had her own guess about what had happened. Yun Ju must have had affairs with someone young, so her aunt went crazy.

She said instantly, "Aunt, calm down. My uncle has always respected you, so there must be a reason for this. Maybe he just couldn't refuse it?"

"He told me he was muddled at that time, but how could he make such a big decision out of muddle? I can't just forgive him for he was muddled!" Ms. Xie continued and gritted her teeth, "How could he explain to your father and mother in the future?"

Xie Fenghuang wiped her cold sweat secretly, wondering that her aunt must have been mad, because her parents were thousands of miles away. They were too far away to offer any help. Even if they were here, they would be in no position to blame their brother-in-law for getting a concubine!

However, she also felt strange. Although her uncle's five sons and three daughters were all delivered by Ms. Xie, there were still two concubines, and Yun Ju went to them every now and then, but she had never seen Ms. Xie become so angry.

Was it because the concubine was too beautiful and arrogant, so that Ms. Xie felt so nervous even if she was Yun Ju's wife and had so many children?

Xie Fenghuang gently reminded her aunt, "Since it's already happened, instead of arguing with uncle, you'd better think about what to do in the future. Anyway, you are the hostess of this family, so whomever uncle wants to marry as his concubine should have to follow your orders."

Xie Fenghuang wondered if her aunt cried and spread the news out, people would blame her for being so mean and jealous, according to the prevailing concept.

Therefore, it was better to accept the concubine, and if she were domineering, many servants would know what to do to crucify her. They've been trained and taught by her aunt for many years after all. As time went by, the concubine might be disabled, out of favor, or die. Quite normal in this world... If so, it would be the concubine who had a bad fate. Her aunt had nothing to do with that!

"What concubine?" Xie Fenghuang thought that her words were reasonable, and her aunt was not sensible, so she would definitely listen to it!

It was true. Ms. Xie calmed down after hearing it, but asked in confusion, "I'm talking about you, but whom are you talking about?"

Xie Fenghuang was shocked, "Me?"

"Yes!" Ms. Xie choked, "Your uncle showed off your talents to Duke Yi when he was drunk the other day. He said you were clever and beautiful. After asking about your information from other ladies and people who know about you, Duke Yi handed a letter to Noble Consort Shu. Therefore, the one who was in charge of the Emperor's auditions added your name into the cordial-inviting list. Your surname also has changed into Yun. Now, as our daughter, you are going to join the Imperial Harem and your title is Bao Lin... Your father has only two daughters. Since your elder sister died, I thought taking you in Dijing City would lead you to a peaceful life, though far away from your homeland. But I didn't expect... I didn't..."

She was sobbing again.

Xie Fenghuang was shocked, "Noble Consort Shu has entered the palace and Qingman will join her after the cordial invitation. Why did Duke Yi want me to change my surname and join them?"

She hadn't seen Noble Consort Shu before, but it was fair to say that Yun Qingman was definitely a beauty!

Therefore, Qingman could help Noble Consort Shu after she got in the Palace!

"For having offspring for the Emperor." Ms. Xie said in tears. "It has been eight years since the Emperor succeeded the imperial throne when he was 15, but his concubines only got pregnant several times, and none of them had made it to bring the baby to the world! In the past eight years, Noble Consort Shu had served and slept with the Emperor for many times, but she didn't have any child. Guess it's impossible to count on her. As for Qingman, she is indeed beautiful, but she is the sister of Noble Consort Shu, sharing the same blood, so she might have the same fate as Noble Consort Shu. You are different, however. You are my niece, and have several brothers and cousins, so it is reasonable that Duke Yi selected you."

With an aunt who gave birth to five sons and three daughters, and a mother who gave birth to four sons and one daughter, Xie Fenghuang was guaranteed to have many children, too.

Based on this logic, Duke Yi seemed right! Xie Fenghuang pressed her chest, swallowing her anger, and confirmed again, "Is the imperial decree true? But I haven't received it yet?"

"Today we went to Duke Yi's Mansion for congratulations. I heard it clearly when I kneeled behind the wife of Shizi (the heir of Duke Yi)." Ms. Xie sniffed and said with certainty, "I have no interest in attending the banquet anymore, so I came back to tell you this. As for why you are not asked to receive the imperial decree, maybe because it was given to Duke Yi, letting him send you to the Palace someday... Even Qingman kneeled in the back-end of the crowd today."

She cried again, "You and Qingman share the same way of cordial invitation as Noble Consort Shu, obviously, Noble Consort Shu is showing her power! Who knows how she will treat you after you join the Imperial Harem?!"

"Aunt, maybe Noble Consort Shu just shows her respect to Duke Yi?" Xie Fenghuang took a deep breath and wondered there was nothing to do but be optimistic. After all, neither she nor Ms. Xie had the right to resist the imperial decree, so she comforted Ms. Xie, "After all, Noble Consort Shu and Qingman are sisters, so she would take care of Qingman for sure. Besides, she had no child in the past years. It's possible that she might hope Qingman could give birth to a child to win honor for her."

Ms. Xie cried, "You are really an innocent child! Obviously, Noble Consort Shu wanted to put pressure on both of you from the very beginning. If any of you has children in the future, she can foster them. Maybe she would kick down the ladder by then, banning them from calling you Mom... After all, Noble Consort Shu has no blood relationship with you. As for Qingman, though they are sisters, they have different mothers. Before she entered the palace, Qingman was still young, so their relationship is not that close. As the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke, Noble Consort Shu has been arrogant, so how could she treat Qingman, the daughter of her father's concubine, and you, a so-called sister who just shares the same surname with her, as equal sisters? Not to mention allowing you to be superior to her."

Xie Fenghuang knew these!

She just wanted to comfort herself and Ms. Xie by the way... But Ms. Xie didn't understand her.

Xie Fenghuang remained herself that she was a sweet girl, then she smiled, "Aunt, don't worry. It doesn't matter if Noble Consort Shu doesn't want to help us. She is not in charge in the Imperial Harem. Besides the honored Empress Dowager and three Queen Mothers, there are the Emperor, the Empress, and Noble Consort Gui, who are all superior to her. Qingman and I are going to the palace for serving the Emperor, not her. If she deliberately makes things hard for us, we will turn to the Emperor."

Hearing this, Ms. Xie cried more sadly, "How do you know the situation between the Imperial Court and the Imperial Harem, you little girl? Ji's Family has been in power ever since the Empress Dowager became Queen Mother. The Emperor was 15 when he was enthroned. It was reasonable to say he was a little bit young to govern the country at that time. However, the Emperor is 23 now, but he is still forbidden from the Imperial Court by both the Empress Dowager and one of the Queen Mother who share the same surname of Ji. They only asked the Emperor to continue his study."

"After all, Duke Yi supports the Emperor, and the Prince Regent is a member of the imperial clan. Although the latter was unhappy when Ji's Family insisted to enthrone the present Emperor, he has to cherish the relationship with his nephew, namely the Emperor... If not, I am afraid that women of Ji's Family would have occupied the Imperial Harem, and girls from other families won't be selected as concubines of the Emperor."

"So, even if the Emperor likes you and Qingman, what can he do for you?"

Xie Fenghuang was speechless.

Looking up at the rooftree again, she suddenly felt that it was very suitable with a white skein... It would be more suitable if she was hung on it...

Ms. Xie, however, continued to tell the sufferings of being a concubine of the Emperor, as if she thought her niece's will to die was still not strong enough, "Now that your surname is Yun, Ji's Family and the Prince Regent would surely regard you as the supporter of Noble Consort Shu, but Noble Consort Shu actually dislikes you. Therefore, if you are favored by the Emperor, everyone in the Imperial Harem will hate you! If not, Noble Consort Shu will blame you. Tell me, what can you do?"

Xie Fenghuang was desperate.

What could she do?

Could she just kill herself with the white skein immediately?!!!

Ms. Xie cried for several hours in front of Xie Fenghuang. Xie Fenghuang couldn't stop her, so she almost wanted to cry with her aunt!

In the end, her cousins returned from the banquet, and rushed to persuade Ms. Xie to stop crying before she went to the backroom.

"Sis, this situation..." Ms. Lan, the wife of Xie Fenghuang's eldest cousin, winked at other irrelevant people to go away, only leaving a few sisters-in-law to join her, apologizing to Xie Fenghuang. According to them, Yun Ju, their father-in-law, didn't mean to do harm to Xie Fenghuang. Because of him, however, Xie Fenghuang had to join the Imperial Harem in the end. They felt guilty about this, so they begged her for mercy for the sake of their blood relationship.

The apology was half sincere to some extent. On the one hand, Xie Fenghuang was only their cousin, but she got along well with them and played an important role to balance and perfect their relationship with their mother-in-law, so they couldn't bear to let her go through sufferings in the palace. On the other hand, they worried that Xie Fenghuang would hate them for this.

Since Xie Fenghuang had been declared by Duke Yi as the daughter of Yun Ju and his wife, they would share the glory and risks together. If Xie Fenghuang resisted the imperial decree or revenged them after being favored, Ms. Lan and others would get involved.

Luckily, Xie Fenghuang acted clear-headed, and didn't even cry to show her grievance. She said what's done was done. For the sake of Yun's Family, they should ask about the rules in the palace for her so as to avoid offending the nobles and getting the family involved.

"Don't worry about this, sis. Although our family is not that rich and noble, at least we share the same surname with Noble Consort Shu." Ms. Lan promised immediately, "Duke Yi has surely prepared for a long time because the Fourth Miss also needs to join the Imperial Harem. We have already asked Mrs. Duke Yi about it and will prepare the same for you."

She also said euphemistically that they would soon pack up the dowries prepared by Xie's Family. She added, "My father-in-law has told me if time is too limited, we should use our treasures instead. Anyhow, we can't let you feel aggrieved."

Xie Fenghuang nodded calmly, and didn't intend to reply. Seeing this, Ms. Lan could not think of other topics immediately, so she left after an embarrassing short chat. She said, "We will leave you to rest."

After leaving the house, Ms. Lan asked her sisters-in-law nervously, "Any ordinary girl who encounters such a thing would cry heartbrokenly. Fenghuang is not the kind of confounded person who admires the wealth of the palace, but why was she so calm? Is it possible that she has already hated us so deeply that her heart is like dead ashes?"

Xie Fenghuang, however, was paralyzed and sitting on the couch. She asked Nian Xuan to knead her legs, and said angrily, "My sisters-in-law followed my aunt to persuade me about this. They do share the same characteristics... Since they know I'm not happy now, why don't they let me have a rest?"

She didn't feel heartbroken at first, but after being comforted by Ms. Xie and her sisters-in-law, her heart was broken deeply.

Nian Xuan was not as calm as her, and she burst into tears, "Miss, you really have a bad luck..."

Seriously? Again!!!

Xie Fenghuang could not bear it. She leaned her head on Nian Xuan' shoulder, and asked, "Could you stop this for a second, okay?"

"I really feel that you are so ill-fated, My Lady. You did nothing wrong. Why are you always involved due to others' faults?" Nian Xuan sniffed and cried, "When we were in the north, your engagement that had settled when you were a baby was ruined. After two years of peaceful life here, I thought things would be fine. Maybe Ms. Xie will find a good husband for you soon. Who knows that...?"

No wonder she felt sad. In the north, Xie Fenghuang was a legitimate daughter loved by all her family members, because she was born after her parents had four legitimate sons. What's more, she was clever and hardworking, being allowed to read books and share the same family tutor with her youngest elder brother. The tutor often signed why she was born as a girl.

When she was 12, she was known for her beauty and talents in the local area. The family of her fiancé was complacent about the early-made engagement, and repeatedly mentioned that she should get married as soon as she became an adult, i.e., the year when she turned 15. Unexpectedly, Xie Fenghuan, her elder sister born by a concubine of her father, was captured by her husband's family for having an affair.

The reputation of girls from Xie's Family was inevitably ruined!

As Xie Fenghuan's closest sister, Xie Fenghuang was involved. Not only did her fiancé break the engagement, but no one in the local was willing to marry her!

Her parents loved her so much that they couldn't bear her to marry someone inferior or so to stay in the family temple at will, so they contacted Ms. Xie to foster her in Dijing City. They thought Dijing City was far away from the north, so the people there couldn't know what happened to their family. When Xie Fenghuang got married and had children, she could contact Xie's Family again. At that time, her husband's family should know her personality well and wouldn't suspect her just because what happened to Xie Fenghuan... If so, the storm could pass!

Xie Fenghuang and her maid had lived a peaceful life in the past two years, and she was prepared for the marriage interview, but Yun Ju made it hard for her... Thinking of that, Nian Xuan felt very angry. She said distrustfully in a low voice, "Don't you think that Mr. Yun did it deliberately and said it was Duke Yi's idea because he admires wealth? After all, we dare not to ask Duke Yi about it."

"Stop." Xie Fenghuang actually had such a guess as well, but she immediately warned the maid, "We are still depending on them for living, so it's useless to say this. Besides, there isn't a wall which hasn't a rack. Even if I marry someone like others, things might be as bad as now. If not, there wouldn't be such a saying that it is easier to find priceless treasures than a true lover."

Nian Xuan choked, "But if you marry others, at least you are the legal wife. If so, you are the normal couple. Even if you can't get along well with each other, you can meet less. But once you join the Imperial Harem, you will suffer a lot and even be killed by others."

... Xie Fenghuang wanted to change a maid.

She stared at the crying girl, thinking expressionlessly that she tried so hard to comfort herself, but what the girl said really hurt her.

Nian Xuan knew Xie Fenghuang's temper, so she dared not to cry for too long. Later, she sat up and continued her massage.

After a while, Ms. Lan came again, and brought a message from Duke Yi's Mansion, saying that the palace would send someone to teach Xie Fenghuang the etiquette and rules to get her prepared.

Early the next morning, the palace really sent a sedan carrying a maid in cyan, who was in her 30s, but looked pretty and stern. Yun's Family treated her very uneasily. Ms. Xie wanted to say more good words for her niece, but this maid called Xiu Fu politely stopped her, saying that she did not dare to break the order of Noble Consort Shu, and she had to teach the rules as quickly as possible.

Ms. Xie didn't dare to stop, saying with a smile, "My niece has always been spoiled. If she does anything wrong, please..."

Before her trusted maid handed the silver for bribing, Xiu Fu corrected her indifferently, "Madam, you said it wrongly. I'm here to teach the daughter of you and Mr. Yun, not somebody like your niece!"

Ms. Xie forgot the fact that her niece had become her daughter in the list, so she immediately said, "... Yes, you are right. I made a mistake."

When Xiu Fu led Xie Fenghuang to the side yard, she began to wipe her tears, "Poor girl! This one is just a maid of Noble Consort Shu, but she dared to embarrass me in public, not to mention how will she treat Fenghuang? How can I face her parents?"

Hearing this, Ms. Lan and others rushed to comfort her quickly. However, the more they said, the more sadly Ms. Xie cried. In the end, they all cried with Ms. Xie. Yun Ju, who had not dared to go home for a whole day, saw the scene right after he came back silently. He was frightened to sit down on the ground, "Did...Did Fenghuang commit suicide? And dead?"

"How dare you come back?!!!" Hearing the voice, Ms. Xie looked up, and suddenly became furious. She grabbed the horsetail whisk to whip Yun Ju, causing him running around the house. Ms. Xie said, "Why did you get Fenghuang involved? I'll kill you today to make up for her!"

Although Ms. Lan and others felt that their father-in-law deserved to be beaten, as a junior, they couldn't just be onlookers. Therefore, they tried to stop the couple at a proper time so that Ms. Xie could vent her anger and Mr. Yun could avoid getting hurt... When they were doing these, Xie Fenghuang was again corrected for the greeting manner (A form of greeting for women. They would fold their hands in front and moved their body at the lower right side), "You saluted too fast just now, and it is not dignified. You should do it in this way."

Xiu Fu made an example for her with no expression. The one she did was neither quick nor slow, solemn and elegant, showing the peculiar sternness of the palace, which made Xie Fenghuang swallow her pain again.

In the next few days, Xiu Fu got up early and trained Xie Fenghuang on every respect, trying to make her a perfect concubine that met all the requirements of the palace.

During this period, Xie Fenghuang wanted to take a leave to meet Yun Qingman, but Xiu Fu refused her, saying that since Yun Qingman also needed to be trained, she wouldn't have time to meet her. Moreover, both of them were sisters of Noble Consort Shu. After entering the palace, they could spend more time talking. Why bothered to meet now?

What if Xie Fenghuang failed to learn the rules due to the lack of training right now, and offended the Empress Dowager, the Queen Mothers, the Emperor, the Empress and other Consorts after she joined the Imperial Harem?

Xie Fenghuang was speechless to refute her. After learning about this, Ms. Xie embraced her and cried again, saying firmly that Noble Consort Shu was truly hostile towards her sisters, because the maid she sent didn't allow the girls to meet, not to mention their sufferings after entering the palace... Xie Fenghuang ... Xie Fenghuang was helpless and even wanted to ask her aunt to stop feeling sorry for her, because the more her aunt said, the sadder she would be! She would rather hang herself now!

Although Xiu Fu did not allow Xie Fenghuang to go to Duke Yi's Mansion, she did not embarrass Xie Fenghuang on other aspects. Xie Fenghuang tentatively asked about the things in the palace, and she was also willing to say something, "In the past few years, there were no new concubines joining in the palace. Among those who entered the palace when the Emperor got married, a few died. Besides the Empress, there are Noble Consort Gui and Noble Consort Shu who rank the First-Grade, and Consort Yue and Consort Xin ranking Deputy First-Grade."

The rules of the current Imperial Court reigned from the former regime, but changed slightly.

The master of the harem was the Empress, the Super-Grade. After that, there were Noble Consort Gui, Noble Consort Shu, Noble Consort De and Noble Consort Xian, ranking First-Grade; Consort, Deputy First-Grade; Fu Ren, Second-Grade; Jiu Pin, Deputy Second-Grade; Jie Yu, Third-Grade; Pin, Deputy Third-Grade; Rong Hua, Fourth-Grade; Gui Ren, Deputy Fourth-Grade; Mei Ren, Fifth-Grade; Cai Ren, Deputy Fifth-Grade; Cheng Gui, Sixth-Grade; Bao Lin, Deputy Sixth-Grade; Yu Wan, Seventh-Grade; Feng Yi, Deputy Seventh-Grade; and Cai Nv, Eighth-Grade, which was the lowest.

There were really few concubines in Emperor Chunjia's harem, not to mention those ranking the upper positions.

The main reason was that there were not enough concubines when he got married. During the past eight years, some died for various reasons. Therefore, the number was quite limited. After the Noble Consorts and Consorts, there were only Fu Ren Yaoning and Jiu Pin Zhaoyuan. Zhaoyuan was also from Ji's Family, sharing the same surname with the Empress Dowager, Queen Mother Ji and the Empress.

There were no Jie Yu, Pin, Rong Hua, or Gui Ren, and only two Mei Ren, ranking Fifth-Grade, Yun Qingman included.

After that, there were a few low-ranking concubines. However, Xiu Fu said little about them. From her indifferent expression, Xie Fenghuang guessed that those might not be favored by the Emperor and shared poor family background, so she didn't need to pay any attention.

... Of course, it was Noble Consort Shu who didn't need to pay any attention to them. As for Xie Fenghuang, however, she dared not treat them randomly.

Xiu Fu was unwilling to talk about them, so she did not dare to ask more. She only wondered silently that if Noble Consort Shu embarrassed her as Ms. Xie said after she entered the palace... What could she do?

As soon as the days passed, it was time for them to join the Imperial Harem.

When it was still dark, Xie Fenghuang... No, Yun Fenghuang got up and dressed up according to the rules. She then said goodbye to Yun Ju and his wife, getting in the cart with Nian Xuan to the palace.

Xiu Fu returned to the palace to report to Noble Consort Shu in the previous day, so Yun Fenghuang was relaxed. But after they met other noble ladies at the gate of the palace and saw the majestic palace walls and serious guarded men from the shaky curtain, Nian Xuan became silent, and Yun Fenghuang also felt a little nervous.

Ever since Yun Fenghuang saw Xie Fenghuan being sunk into the river, she had rarely felt nervous.

The cart ran over the palace bricks, and the four sides of the cart were covered with cyan cloth. The hairpins shined occasionally from the gap. Keeping the rules in mind, no one dared to speak. The convoy drove along the aisle for a long time before it finally stopped. After a while, a eunuch with a slightly sharp voice in the outside asked everyone to get out of the cart and enter the room to bow to the Empress Dowager for her grace.

The Empress Dowager had not been in charge of the palace since she became the Queen Mother, but she accepted the visit of the new concubines this time. There might be two reasons for this: one was that she made the imperial decree; and another was that she was quite concerned about Emperor Chunjia who really had few children.

After all, the late Emperor, Xiaozong, son of the Empress Dowager, had no prince, so he adopted his niece, Princedom Fuyang, as the new Emperor before his death.

However, Emperor Chunjia had taken eight years in his throne but didn't even have a princess. It was reasonable to worry that he would have the same fate as the late Emperor.

"Fenghuang!" A group of noble ladies stepped off the cart one after another, and saw a tall and towering palace standing in front of them. There was a plaque, saying "Qing Ci" painted with gold lacquer. It was Qing Ci Palace, the living palace of the Queen Mothers in the past dynasties... Of course, the Empress Dowager lived here during this period.

The new concubines lined up according to the instructions of the eunuchs. During the period, those who had known each other inevitably said hello to each other. Yun Qingman also got closed to greet with Yun Fenghuang excitedly, but a eunuch far away stared at them sternly. Yun Fenghuang quickly signaled her to wait in line first.

After seeing the noble ladies lining up, the maid at the gate went in and asked for instructions. After she came out, she ordered the concubines to bow in different groups to thank the Empress Dowager for her appreciation.

Yun Qingman's father was Duke Yi and her sister was Noble Consort Shu, so she visited the Empress Dowager in the first group. Those who were together with her must had come from noble families, so they talked with the Empress Dowager for a long time and came out with plenty of rewards. They were relaxed and shy, so Yun Fenghuang guessed the Empress Dowager must be kind.

At least she was kind to those noble ladies.

After coming out, Yun Qingman planned to wait for Yun Fenghuang. However, after being urged by the maid, she had to get on the cart. She winked at Yun Fenghuang, indicating that she had something to tell her.

"Does she want to talk something about Duke Yi?" Yun Fenghuang was not surprised, because no matter Yun Ju had let her join the Imperial Harem intentionally or not, Duke Yi must had played an important role. Therefore, it was reasonable that Yun Qingman felt sorry for this.

Yun Fenghuang had already thought about how to deal with it, so she didn't think much about it at this moment. She cared more about her thanks to the Empress Dowager.

Obviously, the Empress Dowager treated the new concubines differently according to their family backgrounds. She spent the longest time with the concubines of the first group. After that, she spent shorter and shorter time, so Yun Fenghuang's turn came quickly.

She was in the last group!

After those who were truly noble ladies had gone, there were girls either had barely decent family background or others like Yun Fenghuang who were totally fake nobles. Though they dressed with gold and silver ornaments and looked noble, they were diffident.

Yun Fenghuang sighed quietly and pretended to be noble ladies to come in, trying her best to make the best of what she had been trained from Xiu Fu.

After passing the screen in the entrance of the hall, there were plenty of red steps, and a seat was placed at the end of the steps. The seat was curved with dragons and phoenixes patterns. A woman in yellow-patterned skirt sat here, and her shoes decorated with blue phoenix clouds were exposed under the skirt. There was a picture of peony embroidered with golden and silver threads in the shoes and the edges were also inlaid with pearls... She must be the Empress Dowager, legal wife of Emperor Shenzong and birth mother of Emperor Xiaozong.

Yun Fenghuang didn't dare to see how the Empress Dowager looked like. She only glanced at her in a hurry but didn't see her appearance clearly. After she greeted the Empress Dowager respectfully, she heard the maid beside the dowager telling the concubines' names and the reasons for being selected... The reasons were basically the same: they were beautiful, clever, gentle, considerate and noble enough to serve the Emperor.

"You are all good girls." The Empress Dowager said, and it seemed she was tired and ill. She glanced at those concubines one by one, and said slowly, "Give them the rewards".

Yun Fenghuang and other concubines quickly bowed down, saying thanks in a soft voice.

That's all. They were sent out after that.

Yun Fenghuang guessed that the Empress Dowager didn't even remember her and other three concubines' faces...

Her aunt was right. Without a powerful family background, there was almost no future for a concubine...

She sighed for this, and even felt helpless after knowing where she was gonna live, "Xi Xing Building in Hu Zhu Palace? Mammy, I heard that Hu Zhu Palace is hosted by Consort Yue?"

The maid looked at her with sympathy, "That's right. Consort Yue is amiable and kind. Bao Lin, after you live there, you will soon adapt to it."

"..." Yun Fenghuang looked up at the sky for a moment, and then nodded with a fake smile, "Thanks for your blessing."

She had heard about Consort Yue from Xiu Fu, okay?

Consort Yue, whose family name was Yuan, ranked in a high position. She was only inferior to the Empress and the four Noble Consorts, and she was favored by the Emperor. But...her characteristic was totally the opposite of amiable and kind!

No wonder Consort Yue was bad-tempered. She was the niece of Queen Mother Yuan. The latter was Emperor Chunjia's legal mother and the legal wife of Princedom Fuyang. Besides, Consort Yue had an engagement with Emperor Chunjia when they were fetuses. Therefore, she should have been the Empress.

However, Emperor Chunjia couldn't get his throne without the help of Ji's Family, and they had a legitimate daughter who had the similar age as the Emperor, so she became the Empress. Ji's Family worried that Consort Yue would threaten the power of their Empress, so they forced her to be a Fu Ren at the very beginning. It was said that she didn't become the Consort until something happened in the past few years.

Therefore, Consort Yue's bad temper could be understood. Her natal family was considered a clan in Fuyang but a small one in Dijing. Even if she was favored by the Emperor, she couldn't embarrass the Empress or other noble concubines. As a result, she could only vent her anger at the lower-grade concubines who had nothing to rely on.

According to Xiu Fu, most of the low-grade concubines who died in the past two years were because of Consort Yue.

Since Yun Fenghuang was arranged to live in her palace, it was not just about her future in the palace, but a matter of life and death...

Hu Zhu Palace was in the northwest corner, far from Yan Fu Palace where the Empress lived, and farther away from Tai Chu Palace where the Emperor lived. The surrounding palaces had been abandoned or left vacant for many years, and one even had to pass a relatively desolate road to get there.

The palace was like being alone overseas.

It showed how the Empress disliked Consort Yue.

And Consort Yue disliked the lower-grade concubines even more.

Yun Fenghuang stood for a long time at the gate of the main hall, and then a maid in pink came out and said indifferently, "Bao Lin, you are allowed to meet Consort Yue."

"You are the Bao Lin joining the Imperial Harem this time? Out of cordial invitation?" Yun Fenghuang and Nian Xuan walked in and saluted to her carefully... After a long time, seeing them trembling, a woman snorted coldly, saying in a very unfriendly voice, "Since you are the sister of Noble Consort Shu, I dare not offend you. Sit down!"

Yun Fenghuang didn't dare to sit down immediately. After saluting one more time, she sat on the chair beside uneasily.

Some maids served tea for her deftly. She glanced at Consort Yue when she lowered her head to show thanks.

Consort Yue was in her early twenties. She was gorgeously dressed and exquisite in makeup. She actually looked not as menacing as others said, instead, she had round face and eyes and a petite figure. If she didn't show her anger, she seemed actually very approachable, and even quite cute.

At that moment, she propped on the small table with one hand, fiddling with the tea bowl in front of her with another, and looked at Yun Fenghuang with her head tilted, "You look unlike Noble Consort Shu."

"We are different branches of Yun's Family." Yun Fenghuang explained. In fact, she thought in mind that she had nothing to do with Noble Consort Shu at all, so how could they look alike?

"No wonder she arranged her biological sister in Tong Xia Palace but sent you here." Consort Yue said with a smirk, observing Yun Fenghuang carefully. After seeing that Yun Fenghuang kept calm and said nothing, as if she didn't catch her words, Consort Yue turned around and told her maid, "Tell her about the rules here."

There were many rules in Hu Zhu Palace, morning greeting and night greeting were the basic ones. Others were made according to the likes and dislikes of Consort Yue. For example, one couldn't play the qin (A kind of musical instruments in ancient China) here because Consort Yue disliked it, and one couldn't dance here also because Consort Yue disliked it... So, what if one did these privately and avoided bothering Consort Yue?

No! In Hu Zhu Palace, Consort Yue was the master. One couldn't do anything she disliked anywhere.

In addition, one couldn't eat any food or have any decorations Consort Yue disliked. In a word, anyone in Hu Zhu Palace should obey Consort Yue. This was her place.

"Miss, what should we do now?" Seeing her maid finish teaching the rules after quite a while, Consort Yue said goodbye to Yun Fenghuang arrogantly.

On the way to Xi Xing Building, Nian Xuan couldn't even put their luggage in place, and said worriedly, "There are too many rules, so many nos. What should we do in the future? What if we turn to Fourth Miss? Oh, no, Mei Ren Yun. We can ask her for help. She could beg for Noble Consort Shu to allow you to move into Tong Xia Palace."

Yun Fenghuang was also in a bad mood. She had learned from Xiu Fu that Consort Yue was not easy to get along with, but she still felt hopeful before their meeting. It turned out Consort Yue was more arrogant than what Xiu Fu told her, but she didn't agree with Nian Xuan's idea, saying, "According to Consort Yue, it was Noble Consort Shu who arranged us here. If so, it was useless to turn to Qingman for help from Noble Consort Shu."

"My aunt also told me before that Qingman and Noble Consort Shu have different mothers, so we can't get her involved... Although there are many rules in here, we can be careful, right?"

It was easy for her to say. The reality made her realize how miserable it was to obey these rules. In the afternoon that day, when Yun Fenghuang and Nian Xuan finished ordering an inferior maid and a eunuch to put the things they brought into the palace in order, a servant from the main hall asked Yun Fenghuang to serve Consort Yue for meal.

Yun Fenghuang could bear this. After all, she had practiced for this in her family because she had to serve her parents-in-law after her marriage. The problem was that she met with Consort Yue for the first time, so she didn't know her likes and dislikes.

Therefore, during the process, Consort Yue blamed Yun Fenghuang for many times. Yun Fenghuang became more and more helpless and panicky, and eventually overturned a bowl of soup which was not too hot into Consort Yue's sleeve!

"How dare you!" Consort Yue was furious and stood up immediately, raising her hand to slap her!

Yun Fenghuang kneeled in panic and chocked, begging for mercy, "Sorry, My Lady. I didn't mean it."

Consort Yue slapped her but in vain. She stood up from her seat without the maid's help, intending to continue to maltreat the poor Bao Lin. Unexpectedly, the eunuch outside called, "Here comes the Emperor--"