Chapter 360: Chapter 355: Imperial Concubine
"Your Majesty, the sedan chair is ready," An Fu said hurriedly after seeing Emperor Ji Fei finish reviewing the documents.
Emperor Ji Fei gently rubbed his brow, "Who told you to prepare the sedan chair?"
An Fu was slightly surprised and hesitantly said: "Didn’t Your Majesty say during the day that you would visit the Imperial Concubine tonight?"
Hearing An Fu’s words, Emperor Ji Fei was once again enchanted by the fresh and charming scent of Ye Qiu, and her gentle and beautiful smile lingered incessantly in his mind.
Emperor Ji Fei rose to his feet, the wallet at his waist lightly hitting his thigh bringing him back to his senses. He took off the wallet, smelled it deeply – the scent was somewhat pungent, yet thinking that it was personally packed by his Little Moon softened his heart a bit.
"No need, send someone to tell the Imperial Concubine that I will accompany her another day." After saying this, Emperor Ji Fei felt somewhat guilty for reasons unknown.
"Chirp."
At the same time, Ye Qiu also saw the change in Emperor Ji Fei’s fondness towards her on the "Conquer Emperor" system.
Hmm, what is the reason for the sudden extra ten points out of nowhere?
She soon knew the reason; was it because he felt guilty for breaking his promise to her during the day?
Tsk! Ye Qiu sneered disdainfully, the best thing was him not coming, but him starting to keep himself pure for his Little Moon now was not easy either!
A month later, a minister once again proposed that since the new Emperor has finished the mourning period, it was time to select new concubines for the Imperial Family to extend the lineage, Emperor Ji Fei declined twice, but ultimately issued a decree for a selection amidst the ministers’ persistence.
As the new Emperor’s first draft selection, especially under the situation where the Queen’s position was vacant and the harem empty, almost every official family with unmarried daughters was enthusiastic.
If fortunate to catch the Emperor’s eye, their family could skyrocket in status, and if even luckier to bear a Prince or Princess, they might not need to worry for several generations.
From that day, the retired palace maids and nannies were warmly welcomed by major families, and some wealthy families even spent thousands of silvers just for these experienced nannies to coach their daughters for a month.
Among them, the Imperial Concubine Ye Qiu’s maternal Duke Ye Mansion had its threshold worn down, who didn’t know that the Imperial Concubine now managed the harem’s phoenix seal? Whether someone was selected or eliminated was merely a word from her, right?
Especially since those women who were beautiful and full of grace worried about being deliberately eliminated by the Imperial Concubine during the selection. However, Qiao Qingyue from Old Qiao’s family and Wang Yajing from Empress Dowager Wang’s maternal home had no such worries.
"Qingyue, you’ve always been bright. Grandfather won’t say much, but once you enter the palace, you must be cautious with your words and actions. Do not clash with the Imperial Concubine or the Empress Dowager, and stay out of palace intrigues," Old Qiao told Qiao Qingyue with a stern face.
Qiao Qingyue kneeled and bowed, "Yes, Qingyue understands."
Wang Yajing from the Wang family of the capital also listened to her mother’s teachings: "Jing’er, once you’re in the palace, don’t be afraid of the Imperial Concubine, your aunt is there to support you."
Wang Yajing was very pretty but somewhat spoiled: "Mother, I really don’t want to salute Wang Yaning."
Thinking of this, Mrs. Wang also felt somewhat helpless and aggrieved, Wang Yaning was not her own daughter, and originally was sent as a concubine to the Second Prince’s Mansion, who would have expected the Second Prince to ascend the throne so soon? Who would have guessed that Wang Yaning would give birth to a son for the Second Prince?
The in-laws and son-in-law all valued the son born by Wang Yaning, and in these past two years, the status of the concubine who birthed Wang Yaning had also risen within the mansion, how could Mrs. Wang, who had been smooth-sailing all her life, be content with this?
And that despicable Wang Yaning, who has never been respectable since childhood, now even demanding her own daughter to pay respects to her?
But no matter what, her daughter entering the palace wouldn’t instantly become one of the Four Concubines, which means her Jing’er would certainly suffer indignation for a while.
Mrs. Wang suppressed her hatred, gently coaxing her daughter: "Jing’er, be good, it’s only temporary. If you don’t want to pay respects to her, then don’t see her. Your aunt will protect you when you’re with her."
Wang Yajing huffed: "Mother, you said it, I certainly don’t want to pay respects to Wang Yaning."
"Very well, but you also have to promise mother, never let the Imperial Concubine catch you off guard; otherwise, even your aunt can’t blatantly protect you then."
"Mm, Jing’er understands." Wang Yajing obediently agreed, knowing her family had significant plans for her entering the palace, and the Imperial Concubine was her biggest obstacle.
Like Wang Yajing thought, the majority believed Ye Qiu was their biggest enemy, but in fact, Emperor Ji Fei had already favored someone else in his heart for a long time; Ye Qiu was merely a shield he put forward.
When everyone is mutually harmed from their conflicts, that will be the time he elevates Qiao Qingyue to the queen’s position.
His thoughts were so meticulous, using the excuse of Ye Qiu having no children to prevent her from becoming queen, reserving the Empress position for the one he loves.
In her past life, Ye Qiu was deceived by him like this, thinking Ji Fei truly loved her, diligently clearing the remnants of the previous dynasty for him with the Ye Family, and fiercely contending with the Empress Dowager. But what was the result?
Her Ye Family was seized under falsely accused rebellion charges, not sparing the men of the Ye Family including her month-old nephew, and she herself was sent to the Cold Palace, where even the lowest ranking palace attendants could freely humiliate her.
Yet why were Ji Fei and Qiao Qingyue comfortably enjoying everything the Ye Family sacrificed for them without a shred of remorse and living a happy life?
Ha! Weren’t they the most loving and perfect Emperor and Empress couple? Who knows if they can withstand the test of love after she returns in this lifetime?
"Announcing the presence of concubines!"
Ye Qiu sat in the main seat, beside her were Lady and Fang Pin. The grand selection had been going on for over two months, and now all who remained were concubines who had passed the first and second rounds, all residing in the Chuxiu Palace.
Last night’s torrential rain cleared the heat of the past two days, so Ye Qiu led Lady and Fang Pin to meet the concubines of this term.
"Greetings to the Imperial Concubine, Lady, and Fang Pin."
"You may all rise." Ye Qiu greeted everyone, a faint smile on her lips, "The weather is nice today, the chrysanthemums in the Flower House have bloomed. I had the Palace Attendants transplant some high-quality ones to the imperial garden, thinking everyone might feel stuffy being in the palace these days, so I invited everyone to enjoy them together."
"Thanking the Imperial Concubine for her grace."
"You may all disperse; there’s no need to be afraid, if you have any questions just ask the nearby palace maid and eunuch."
"Yes!"
"You two don’t need to accompany me either; go take a walk, I’m a bit tired." Ye Qiu lazily sat on the seat, leaning on the armrest to nap, wishing she didn’t have to put up this act with these women if it weren’t for this ancient tradition!