"What happened?"
Hailing put down her jade pendant and looked at Lühe, who was kneeling down and speaking softly: "Your Highness, today Consort Yu sent a maid to give me a gift, saying that from now on all news from Zhengyi Palace should be sent to Chunwan Palace, and I will be rewarded."
After speaking, Lühe handed over a translucent emerald green bracelet, which was clearly a fine piece and quite valuable.
Fortunately, Lühe was not the kind of person who was greedy for money, and having served Hailing closely, she knew that the Empress was definitely not as bad as the rumors suggested. On the contrary, she was very capable, and nothing could escape her notice. So she wouldn't be so stupid.
Hai Ling narrowed her eyes, a cold glint in them, and a slight smile played on her lips. She gracefully picked up the jade bracelet and slipped it onto Lü He's wrist, saying calmly, "It's alright, just agree to her request. I'll tell you which ones can be passed on to her and which ones can't, so you don't need to worry."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Get up and go reply to her."
Hailing waved her hand, and Lühe got up and left to reply to the little palace maid who was waiting for her message.
In the main hall, Hailing had no appetite and stared at the various dishes on the table without moving.
Rouge said angrily, "That Consort Yu is so boring. She even dares to buy people from the Zhengyi Palace. Isn't she just taking advantage of her pregnancy? It's too shameful."
Hailin waved her hand, calm and wise, with a gentle smile.
"The palace will soon be bustling with activity, why get angry? Perhaps?"
She didn't say anything more, but perhaps the lively atmosphere was her opportunity to leave the palace.
Three days later, on the auspicious day designated by the Ministry of Rites, the beauties chosen by the Emperor were brought to the palace early in the morning by carriages sent by the palace officials. The palace staff, in accordance with the Empress Dowager's decree, arranged accommodations for each of them. Although these beauties all held official positions, they had not yet received the Emperor's favor, so they were not granted palaces for the time being. Once the Emperor had bestowed his favor upon them, he would issue an edict to grant them accommodations and corresponding rewards.
All of this depends on how much favor one receives. That's why it's said that once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea, where everyone's future depends entirely on the emperor's will—whether they will be powerful and influential or at the mercy of others.
That evening, by order of the Empress Dowager, a banquet was prepared at Chengqian Palace so that everyone could get together, recognize each other, and avoid forgetting who was who in the end.
Although this banquet was a family affair, some ministers were also invited, all of whom were trusted close advisors of the emperor.
Although the Empress was confined to her quarters, the Emperor would still send someone to summon her to important banquets.
In fact, Hailing preferred to stay in Zhengyi Palace. Tonight, she had planned to sneak out of the palace to visit her mother when no one was looking, but unexpectedly, the Emperor summoned her.
The main hall of Chengqian Palace was bustling with activity, with many princes and ministers present.
When Hailin arrived, many people were already there; apart from the Emperor and Empress Dowager, almost everyone who was supposed to come had arrived.
Especially the imperial concubines and the newly arrived concubines, all gathered together to flatter her, and the object of their flattery was naturally Consort Yu.
In the palace, besides the Empress, the fourth consort is Consort Yu. Consort Yu is also pregnant. The child in her womb is the first bloodline of the royal family. If it is a prince, the future is hard to say. So these women first try to build a good relationship with Consort Yu.
Among these people, Ye Xiuying and Jiang Feixue were the most outstanding and eloquent. With each of them saying something, they made Yufei smile from ear to ear, her face full of joy.
The eunuch shrieked, "Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
Inside the hall, many people looked over and saw the Empress walk in with elegance and poise. Although she was plump, she was not particularly unattractive. Moreover, the clothes she chose made her appear less plump. In addition, her confident demeanor added to her charm. A woman's confidence is attractive. Some ladies from noble families may be beautiful, but they lack confidence and therefore fail to attract attention.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."
Everyone bowed in respect. Whether they liked it or not, they could not deny that this woman was the Empress of the current dynasty, and the proper etiquette could not be disregarded.
Hai Ling knew perfectly well that among all these people, how many truly considered her the Empress? They were only acting out of consideration for her current status. Besides, she didn't care about that, and waved for everyone to stand up.
Without the slightest hesitation or timidity, he walked confidently and humbly to the head of the main hall.
The ministers on both sides of the main hall were not fools. They could tell from the empress's demeanor and bearing that she was a fine, elegant, and noble woman, worthy of being called an empress.
It's just that the Emperor doesn't like her. The Emperor has always liked beautiful things, which is nothing new in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The emperor, who grew up in luxury, could not tolerate anything ugly, so it was destined that the plump empress would not be favored unless she became a beauty.
Many people thought this to themselves and stepped back. Hailing then walked to the head of the main hall and sat down.
Consort Yu led the concubines from the harem over to pay their respects to her.
Jiang Feixue and Ye Xiuying's eyes flashed with hatred. This woman was so ugly, yet she sat on the throne of the empress and received everyone's respect. It was infuriating.
Hai Ling seemed oblivious to the glances from Jiang Feixue and Ye Xiuying, raising her eyebrows and waving her hand to signal the concubines to rise.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager finally arrived and entered the main hall together. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to them as they paid their respects to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.
Only after the two important figures sat down did the others dare to sit down.
Empress Dowager Sima Lan raised her head and spoke first with a smile: "Today's event was my idea. It is a joyous occasion that the Emperor has taken a new concubine. However, since the late Emperor has not been gone for long, we will keep things simple and only hold a banquet tonight to entertain everyone. Firstly, it will allow the newcomers to the palace to get to know each other better, and secondly, we, the Emperor and his subjects, should be closer together."
"Yes, Your Majesty is right."
The voices below were loud and clear, showing great unity, and the Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction.
Emperor Feng Zixiao was in a good mood. His long, narrow phoenix eyes swept over the beauties who had been brought into the palace that day, and he was quite satisfied with their appearance and demeanor.
However, when his gaze inadvertently met Hailin's, he made no attempt to hide his disgust, quickly turning his gaze away and ordering the banquet to begin.
The banquet quickly became lively.
The emperor and his ministers rejoiced together. The ministers below raised their wine cups to toast the new emperor, for he had taken several concubines today, a truly joyous occasion.
These officials were adept at saying flattering things, so they only said what the emperor liked. Feng Zixiao's expression grew more and more pleasant, and for a time the hall was filled with laughter and joy.
The singers came up to perform, and everyone enjoyed the songs and dances while drinking and eating. They chatted with those around them about women and politics, creating a lively atmosphere.
Feng Zixiao squinted at the ministers below him. Many of them were his confidants. He believed that soon he would have enough power to stabilize the court and calm the situation. At that time, he would definitely eliminate the Jiang family with his own hands.
Inside the main hall, some people were not interested in appreciating the singing and dancing; they were preoccupied with their own thoughts.