Mingyue was happily eating a rose pastry when she heard a commotion at the entrance of Lanyue Palace.
She thought about going out to see what was happening.
Before she could get up, she felt a gust of fragrant wind and her vision was filled with a riot of colors.
"Greetings to the Empress!"
More than twenty women in palace attire swarmed in from the doorway, bowing to her.
Mingyue understood. These were all Ji Shiyou's consorts.
Logically, as the Empress, they should have paid their respects on the first day of her wedding.
And they should have come to Lanyue Palace to greet her every morning.
But they hadn't come yesterday, nor this morning, and now it was past noon.
Mingyue wondered why they were coming to Lanyue Palace at this particular time.
She didn't realize that these women usually followed the lead of Consort Lian and Noble Consort Zheng.
Yesterday was Mingyue's wedding day, and the consorts of the harem were supposed to pay their respects at Lanyue Palace.
But since the two of them hadn't made a move, the other consorts, even if they wanted to, dared not.
As a result, Noble Consort Zheng and Consort Lian didn't know Mingyue because they hadn't come to pay their respects.
One was sent to prison, the other demoted and expelled from the palace, both implicating their families.
The Empress Dowager was also effectively confined to Cining Palace, refusing to come out.
Those who could establish themselves in the palace, the masters of each palace, had their own intelligence networks.
As soon as there was any disturbance, they would know immediately.
News of Consort Lian's situation had spread throughout the six palaces in less than half an hour.
All the consorts in every palace became like ants on a hot pan, not knowing what to do.
Anyone, even a blind person, could see clearly from the events of the past two days.
The Emperor's affection for this Empress could not be described by mere words like "doted on"; it was outright indulgence.
For the sake of the Empress, Ji Shiyou had destroyed Marquis Huguo, demoted the Prime Minister, and confined the Empress Dowager.
Even when the Empress's blood stained Cining Palace, she caused a scene in the Imperial Kitchen, dismantled the Imperial Household Department, and slapped Consort Lian,
she remained unharmed and received no punishment whatsoever.
And a mere maidservant by her side had been promoted to a female official and bestowed with the Golden Hairpin of Flowing Clouds.
Such favor was beyond their wildest dreams.
Thinking that the Empress had not come to pay her respects since her wedding, they felt a chill in their hearts.
Rumor had it that this Empress had a violent temper.
She killed people at the slightest disagreement; Consort Lian and Noble Consort Zheng were prime examples.
All the consorts were filled with anxiety and unease.
Thus, they coincidentally brought gifts and came to Lanyue Palace to seek an audience with Mingyue.
Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the front of Lanyue Palace, they saw that everyone had the same idea.
To leave a good impression on Mingyue, they all wanted to be the first to pay their respects, leading to a dispute at the entrance.
Lanyue Palace only had Mingyue and Yanliu. There was no gatekeeper, nor was there anyone to announce their arrival.
No one stopped them, so more than twenty consorts surged in together.
"Are you all consorts of this harem? Rise!"
Looking at the more than twenty women, each with a different allure and dressed in vibrant attire, Mingyue secretly cursed Ji Shiyou.
He was impotent yet kept so many concubines; it was truly a sin.
"Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, this concubine is Consort Jing, daughter of the Minister of Revenue."
"Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, this concubine is Consort Hui, daughter of General Wei Wu."
...
Hearing Mingyue's question, the twenty-odd women vied to introduce themselves,
and stated their maternal families, all in an effort to leave a good impression on Mingyue.
"Alright, I know. Do you have any business with this palace?"
Mingyue's head ached from the chatter. She didn't offer them seats.
She just wanted to dismiss them quickly and have some peace.
"Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, we should have paid our respects to Your Majesty yesterday.
It was Consort Zheng and Consort Lian who spread the word.
They said that whoever dared to come to Lanyue Palace would face consequences.
But this concubine thought that Her Majesty the Empress is the mistress of the six palaces, and daily greetings are ancestral rites.
Thinking of this, this concubine was filled with apprehension.
Therefore, I would rather offend the two of them than not come to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
Consort Jing, dressed in a rose-red palace gown, was petite.
She was the most eloquent, shifting the blame to Noble Consort Zheng and Consort Lian.
After all, they had already been convicted, so adding this wouldn't make much difference.
"May my fellow Daoists die, but not I," this was the great principle.
"Your Majesty the Empress, please forgive us. This concubine's delay in paying her respects today was indeed due to circumstances.
This concubine was trusted by His Majesty and managed the six palaces before you entered the palace.
I handled the daily affairs of the palace. Now that you are here, this concubine thought.
It was natural to return this authority. I should have come to pay my respects yesterday.
However, the accounts were not yet finalized. This concubine did not sleep last night.
As soon as they were organized, I rushed to present them to you."
Consort Hui had a serene expression and held a large stack of account books.
Her words were neither hurried nor slow, and her excuse was much more clever than Consort Jing's.
The consorts each made excuses, some saying they were praying for Mingyue's blessings, which delayed their greetings.
Some said they were preparing gifts for Mingyue, their excuses varied, becoming more and more outlandish.
"Stop! This palace cherishes quiet. You do not need to come to pay your respects daily from now on.
Nor do I wish to manage affairs. You will continue to be responsible for what you were previously responsible for. Do not bother me.
Most importantly, you should have heard that this palace has a bad temper.
If you come to Lanyue Palace without being summoned and disturb this palace.
This palace will not hesitate to have your head severed. Disperse!"
Mingyue could no longer listen. She put on a fierce demeanor to scare the consorts.
She wasn't here to manage Ji Shiyou's concubines.
With so many people bothering her every day, would she have time to complete her plan?
Upon hearing Mingyue's words, they turned pale with fright.
They quickly left their gifts, bowed, and retreated, fleeing Lanyue Palace as if escaping for their lives.
They all thought to themselves, this Empress is truly as the rumors say.
Capricious and unpredictable, killing at the slightest disagreement.
It seemed that from now on, they should steer clear of Lanyue Palace.
Otherwise, who knew when their heads might roll!
"Princess, so many gifts!"
When those consorts entered, Yanliu had been standing by, ready.
She was prepared to offer seats and tea to the consorts, but Mingyue didn't let them sit, nor did she have tea served.
After everyone left, Yanliu looked at the gifts on the ground, her eyes sparkling.
"If you like them, take them all. They're for you."
Mingyue waved her hand dismissively and picked up another rose pastry to eat.
"That won't do, Princess. I'll make a list and put these items on record.
This is a matter of social exchange; it will need to be repaid later.
Princess, forgive your servant for speaking out of turn, but please don't be offended.
Although you are the Empress, you have a fixed allowance for food, clothing, and daily expenses in the palace.
But bestowing rewards on servants, social exchanges, and gathering information all require money.
Without money, one cannot move an inch in this palace.
Your monthly stipend as Empress is not enough. In the past two days, your servant has tallied.
Apart from the jewelry from your wedding, we have no other savings.
That is why, when you asked your servant today what compensation you wanted from His Majesty, your servant asked for money.
This way, our lives won't be so tight in the future, nor will we be laughed at by others.
Furthermore, your servant wants to say that even if you are the Empress, the mistress of the six palaces.
You must also maintain good relations with the other consorts, so that you can establish yourself in the palace."
Yanliu examined the gifts while chattering away, like a little busybody.
Mingyue put down her rose pastry and fell into thought.
What Yanliu said was correct. In the beginning, she had entered the palace as a servant.
She only brought a bundle with a few changes of clothes.
She might be the most impoverished Empress in history, without any dowry.
But she didn't care. She wasn't truly married; she just wanted to kill Ji Shiyou for revenge.
But Yanliu didn't know and was still worrying about her future.
"Yanliu, close the door. I have a secret to tell you."
Mingyue threw the rose pastry back onto the plate and said with a serious expression.