Second Day of the Grand Marriage, Ye Zhen Zhen still had many things to do, praying to her ancestors, meet with the Empress Dowager, and which after she still had to lead and bring the inner court ladies/concubines to greet the Emperor. When she can finally return to her Kun Ling Palace, her shoulders are already in ache due to the amount of things she had to do, not to mention that her lower body is in dull pain. All in all, she was very uncomfortable.
Her maid servant, Su Yue is giving her a shoulder massage, while the other maid servant, Su Feng serves her a cup of tea, Ye Zhen Zhen drank a sip.
Su Yue and Su Feng, are both part of the dowry that has been serving her since young. Su Yue, does her job in detail and concise, while Su Feng is smart and has good wits.
"Niang-Niang, yesterday night the Emperor spent the night at Lu Hua Palace" Said Su Yue
"En", Ye Zhen Zhen answered nonchalantly.
"That Lee Concubine is really too daring, just because the Emperor is doting on her a little, she actually dared to pick a fight with you, she really don't know what's her worth" Su Feng added "oh". Seeing that her own master is not paying attention to the matter at hand, Su Feng got a little anxious and said "Niang-Niang, you shouldn't be like this now, you will allow others to bully you easily"
Sighing, Su Yue added, "Now the most important thing is to attract the Emperor, that Lee Concubine, is so arrogant now due to the Emperor's doting, Niang-niang you should…."
Shaking her head, Ye Zhen Zhen said, "She is this arrogant, because her father is the general in charge of fighting of the Western Regions Barbarians.
What a joke, the emperor is not doting on her now, if he was Ji Wu Jiu wouldn't let her enter the inner palace. It is just a way to control her father, to help control the western regions. The border is in current need of people, even though General Su is not a great general, but still considered talented and loyal, and since it is hard to find good generals, when there is one, it is best to placate them when possible, and one of the best way is to keep her daughter in the bed of the emperor.
Su Feng, however found this hard to accept. " then the emperor…."
"The emperor can be considered sacrificing his body for the country, speaking of which I also admire his will" said Ye Zhen Zhen.
Her maid servants bursts into laughter upon hearing this sentence. Slowly Su Yue, stopped laughing, and said " Our Empress, why are you still the same as last time, now you will need to control yourself, we need to be vary of the ears behind these walls, if it happens to get to the emperor, I am just afraid he will sentence you that you did him great disrespect".
In her heart Ye Zhen Zhen said " So what, nothing could be worst then yesterday night"
After resting a while, the other inner palace ladies and concubines came to greet the empress, and which after today, they are to come and greet her every day before she leads them to greet the Empress Dowager.
Ji Wu Jiu, is only 20 this year, that's why his harem is still small, and higher rank concubines are even less, as for imperial concubines there are only 2 of them, Lee Concubine and Xian Concubine. Lee Concubine is the daughter (not from main wife) of Su General, originally she was just an inner court lady from Dong Palace (Crown Prince Quarters). After the coronation of Ji Wu Jiu, her rank has ben raised step by step. Xian Concubine on the other hand is the daughter (from main wife) of the Ministry of Household Fang Xiu Qing, which just entered the palace together with Ye Zhen Zhen yesterday. According to the rules, when an Empress are to be coronate, one or two other imperial concubines needs to be canonized as well. There can be two ways, either choosing from within the imperial palace or to bring in from outside, Xian Concubine belongs to the latter.
The ranks of the imperial consort are as below, in the second rank there are 3 sub ranks, Zhuang rank, Hui rank and Xi rank. In the third rank, " Jie Yu" there will be 3 person, fourth rank "Zhao Yi", 2 person and fifth rank "Mei Ren", which are the rest of the people. All these imperial consorts are pretty in a various ways, showing that Ji Wu Jiu has many different tastes. Without an expression Ye Zhen Zhen, glanced through the consorts. An action albeit natural brings forth grace and majesty, and those who was glanced by her could not help but to feel in awe.
Then, her gaze stopped at Li Concubine. Initially she didn't want to find trouble, but since Li Concubine arrived late today, she wanted to give her a chance to explain herself. Sure enough, Li Concubine started to explain herself, "I was not feeling well, therefore made it late here, therefore was rude to Empress, hope you give me punishment". Ye Zhen Zhen answered nonchalantly " Li Concubine, you don't have to worry and be so formal, after all it was to serve the emperor, what is there to blame.
Li Concubine observed that Ye Zhen Zhen, did not show any expression on her face, feeling a little surprised. Another doted consort, the consort of Xi rank, smiled and agreed with the empress. Then turned and smiled at Li Concubine "Mei-Mei, heard that yesterday Sis accidently fell yesterday, are you feeling better now?" " Yesterday the Emperor already asked the doctor to check on it, it is not a big deal, thanks for the concern" answered Li Concubine. "Sis, although you got hurt, instead of informing the doctor first, you told the Emperor, the way you act was truly cautious" Xi rank consort said while glancing at the Empress, to find out that her eyes were closed without any expression on her face.
The other consorts were happily watching them bicker, as Li Concubine were usually the most powerful one, not many dared to anger her. But since the empress is here today, Xi rank consort wanted to express her dislike as well as loyalty towards the empress. However it seems like the empress will not be bothering about them and sat there to watch them bicker like the rest.
Xi consort, went a little speechless although still wanted to stand by what she said. Then, Zhuang consort, who has always sided Li Concubine added " Sister Xi, perhaps you didn't know, the emperor has given instructions to the eunuchs and servants, if anything were to happen to Li Concubine, they are to report to him first. Also, that the Emperor arrived earlier than the doctor it's because the empress's chamber was nearer to Li Concubine's place in comparison to the doctor's office. The emperor also arrived quicker, perhaps because he places Li Concubine in his heart.
"What a clever mouth" commented Ye Zhen Zhen, with an expression full of praise. It seems that she was only paying attention to those words. Zhuang consort, did not know how to response, unaware whether the empress is praising or sneering. Unsure of the empress's true intention. Li Concubine on the other hand smiled and said " Zhuang mei-mei, what you said is true, I was not aware that the servants in the palace were like this, they didn't think it through before reporting it to the emperor. I didn't know that the emperor care so much about me as well". Using words to uncover the scars of Ye Zhen Zhen.
Bored with their arguments, Ye Zhen Zhen made a gesture, and Su Yue immediately brought out a prepared gift towards Li Concubine. According to the rules, when one served the emperor they are to be gifted something by the Empress.
"Even with the grand wedding, even if you are the empress, the Emperor still slept at my place" thought Li Concubine, happily she looked at the thing that was brought forward to her. There was a few priceless jewelry, showing the generosity of the empress, also there was a white jade carved toad? The toad is the size of a fist, clear and snow white, very well carved, looks almost like a real toad, but because it is too realistic, it does not really look too good and slightly disgusting. At the eyes, there are 2 red bean sized rubies. The toad is placed in the middle of the platter, with an eerie feeling, the toad seems to be staring straight at Li Concubine, making her feel goosebumps all around, and she was also afraid that it will jump on to her. "Empress, what, what does this mean?" losing her smile Li Concubine asked. Ye Zhen Zhen answered "Li Concubine, didn't you know, Toad has a lot of children, and can grow wealth, it has long been a symbol of wealth and prosperity, today I think that it is the most suitable gift for you".
Normally, after serving the emperor for concubines to get a symbol of fertility is good, but why is it a toad, is it that the empress wants to imply that Li Concubine is one. Li Concubine is no longer able to smile, looking at the toad, it is already a wonder that she did not show her disgust. "Such a valuable item, its, its still best to keep it by the empress's side"… Ye Zhen Zhen stopped her, "Li Concubine, you don't have to worry, this type of things, I have plenty, almost no place to put them anymore" Although not shown on the other consort's faces in their hearts they are secretly enjoying it, looking at Li Concubine speechless.. Something that the Empress have too much, was seemed as a treasure by Li Concubine, this clearly shows that Li Concubine has not seen the world. Without anymore words to retort back, Li Concubine can only gratefully accept the gift.
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In the Emperor's Study
"Pu"...
After hearing the Eunuch's report, Ji Wu Jiu, spit out the tea that he just sipped. The dark brown liquid was spilled on the papers on his desks, which were about where the emperor should have slept yesterday night, submitted by the ministers.
"She really said that?" Ji Wu Jiu asked while calmly wiped his mouth with the given hankerchief.
"To answer the emperor, even though if I have to die, I wouldn't dare to keep anything from you!" The little eunuch was scared by Ji Wu Jiu's reaction, still shivering he pondered about the details he told the emperor. It does seems like he knows a little too much and these info should have hurt the pride of the emperor a bit.
"Understood, you did a good job, next time keep being vigilant, do not let the empress find out"
"To work for the emperor, is my duty, your humble will definitely be able to do it".
"Alright, you all may leave"
Because the emperor said all, Feng You De, also carefully left, not forgetting to close the door behind him. The moment the door was closed, he hears a porcelain item being smashed to the ground.
Looks like the emperor is really angry, Feng You De thought while shaking his head.
In the study room, Ji Wu Jiu was almost having a fit. So daring to say that "I" am sacrificing my body to save the country? And that she is admiring this will?? This woman.. really.. really….
Ji Wu Jiu, realized that he could not find a good word to describe Ye Zhen Zhen. Looks like she has already surpassed a normal person's intelligence. Then, he slammed the table.."Really, looking for trouble!"
Since meeting her the first time yesterday night, Ye Zhen Zhen did not managed to please him at all, remembering her face of displeasure the other night, Ji Wu Jiu suddenly took a deep breath. He is the emperor, he is supposed to be the one that chooses which woman to like or despise, but now a woman actually dare to look down on him.
Indeed, those with the Ye surname, all are troublesome
Author's Note
The ranks of the imperial concubines.
Empress = Sole Leader
1st rank = Concubine (or Fei in chinese)
2nd rank = Zhuang, Hui, Xi (chinese, no translation)
3rd rank = Jie Yu (chinese, no translation)
4th rank = Zhou Yi (chinese, no translation)
5th rank = Mei Ren (chinese, means beautiful person)