Who Would Understand, Her Ladyship Wrote A Hundred Palace Regulations - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The First Night’s Attendant Selection – A Careful Analysis

Everyone had gathered, and the time was almost up. Consort Shu led the concubines to Cining Palace to pay their respects to Empress Dowager Xue.

Empress Dowager Xue’s attitude towards Consort Shu was neutral, neither harsh nor affectionate. She simply beckoned to Xue Jieyu and asked with maternal concern, “How is life in Qionghua Courtyard? Is there anything you’re not satisfied with? Ai’jia will have Consort Shu take care of it.”

Xue Jieyu showed a gentle and considerate demeanor, “Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, aunt.”
Empress Dowager Xue glanced at the concubines and said blandly, “I don’t like too much commotion, but since the empress’s position is vacant, I’ll have to keep an eye on things.”

Previous empresses dowager didn’t interfere with harem affairs, exempting concubines from daily greetings, except for the 1st and 15th of each month. But with this empress dowager’s words, everyone understood that things had changed.

The concubines would have to pay their respects daily.

This was Empress Dowager Xue’s way of showing everyone who the real mistress of the harem was.

Upon hearing this, Consort Shu’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining a faint smile. The Xue family had the empress dowager, and the Cen family had Consort Shu. Both families were securing their own power and didn’t interfere with each other.

…

In the palace, Qianxin Hall.

A young man wearing a bright yellow dragon robe with five claws sat at a desk, reviewing memorials.

He was only 23 years old.

His fair complexion, sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and handsome features made him look like a noble young master. However, he exuded an aura of coldness and pressure, characteristic of a superior.

“Your Majesty—” The chief eunuch, Wang Degui, knelt on the ground and reported the events that had occurred in the harem that day.

The young emperor continued to read the memorials, his expression unreadable. He didn’t mention the harem affairs at all, instead, he brought up another person.
“Issue an edict, Song Meiren will attend to me tonight.”

Wang Degui was shocked. Everyone had guessed that the new palace maiden’s first night would be either Xue Jieyu or Cen Jieyu. How could the emperor choose Song Meiren?

Wouldn’t this slap the faces of the Xue and Cen families?…

Ning Wanyin returned to Lingxue Pavilion.

After visiting Jingxi Palace and then Cining Palace, she was exhausted from a morning of activities. She rested on a soft couch by the window.

“Mistress, it’s spring now, and the flowers are blooming. Why don’t you go to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers?” Xiao Guizi suggested.

Lian Rui frowned slightly, “Can’t you see that the master is tired?”

“But tonight, the emperor will choose someone to attend to him! If the master just stays in the room, with Xue Jieyu and Cen Jieyu ahead of her, she might not get a chance. But if she happens to meet the emperor in the Imperial Garden, she might have a chance…” Xiao Guizi’s eyes sparkled with calculation.

“As an old servant in the palace, I’ll give the mistress some sincere advice. With so many mistresses in the harem, if the master can’t catch the emperor’s attention, and the emperor doesn’t think of her, even if she has a beautiful face, it’s all in vain!”

“The Liu Guiren I used to serve didn’t see the previous emperor for two years after entering the palace. It was only by chance that she met the emperor in the Imperial Garden and gained favor, being granted the title of Guiren.”

Xiao Guizi was telling the truth.

During the previous emperor’s reign, some concubines gained favor by chance encounters with the emperor, which is why concubines would often stroll around the Imperial Garden during that time.

“I secretly went to the Imperial Garden to gather information, and it seems many concubines are indeed enjoying the flowers! You should seize the opportunity too!” Xiao Guizi advised.

“No need, I want to rest for a while. I’m a bit hungry, so I’ll go to the Imperial Kitchen to get some breakfast,” Ning Wanyin replied calmly.

Xiao Guizi was speechless.
How could she only think about eating?

Where was the ambition you showed yesterday?

After Xiao Guizi left, Lian Rui looked at Ning Wanyin and asked with concern, “Mistress, do you not want to gain favor?”

“The timing isn’t right,” Ning Wanyin replied.

In the past three years, she had learned not just etiquette but also kept track of the emperor’s actions.

To know the personality and behavior of the person who decides her fate is crucial.

Otherwise, entering the palace would be like sending herself to death.

She had carefully studied the list of new palace maidens who had entered.

Below the two Jieyu, there were six palace maidens with the title of Meiren.

Four of them came from the four major marquis families, which wasn’t surprising given their noble backgrounds.

However, two of them, who were also granted the title of Meiren, came from humble families.

They were Wen Meiren, daughter of a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites, and Song Meiren, daughter of a fourth-rank vice censor-in-chief.

Both officials rose to power through the imperial examinations and had mediocre careers during the previous emperor’s reign. The current emperor promoted them to important positions.

Since the emperor ascended to the throne, he had been actively promoting officials from humble backgrounds to counterbalance the power of the two noble families.

Given this, tonight’s selection would likely have only two outcomes.

He would either choose between Xue and Cen, favoring one and cold-shouldering the other, stirring up internal conflicts. But honestly, this approach seems a bit crude, and both noble families aren’t foolish; they probably wouldn’t fall for it.

The second possibility is that he would promote his own people and suppress the two Jieyu. This would be a proactive strategy, dignified and just. Even if you guessed it, there would be nothing you could do.
So, in the next day or two, it’s likely that Song and Wen Meiren would attend to him.

Oh, there’s also a possibility that the emperor is not strategic and only cares about his own desires, favoring whoever he likes without considering the court politics. In that case, happening to meet him in the Imperial Garden might indeed provide an opportunity.

But that’s not a good thing either. Xue and Cen Jieyu haven’t attended to him yet; you want to get ahead of them?

Do you have the fate to do so?
Without the emperor’s protection, relying solely on yourself to counter the revenge of the two noble families, it would be better to prepare a coffin for yourself.

In conclusion, Ning Wanyin decided to wait and observe.

Wait and see how the situation unfolds, then look for an opportunity to gain favor.

“Mistress, news has come from Qianxin Hall.”

“The emperor has chosen Song Meiren to attend to him tonight!” Dan Li came in to report.

Ning Wanyin wasn’t surprised.

Song Meiren was a famous talented woman in the capital, and her father was known for his straightforward and courageous advice, with an unyielding personality.

When Ning Wanyin first saw Song Meiren, she seemed like a proud and aloof person who didn’t pay much attention to others.

The emperor wanted to suppress the two noble families and needed a sharp sword that wouldn’t bend.

It seemed like Song Meiren was a suitable candidate.

Soon, Xiao Guizi returned with a food box, looking dejected.
On the way, he heard that Song Meiren had been chosen for tonight, and their mistress wouldn’t be favored today.

Lian Rui arranged the breakfast from the food box, which included a bowl of emerald white jade porridge and a steamer basket of dumplings.

This was the standard ration for their master, neither too much nor too little.

However, Ning Wanyin preferred sweet food, which didn’t suit her taste.

“Lian Rui, go to the Imperial Kitchen and use some silver to get some sweet pastries,” Ning Wanyin said, slightly frowning.

She loved good food and luxurious clothes.

If she worked hard every day but couldn’t enjoy the delicious food and worldly pleasures, what was the point of striving?

“Yes,” Lian Rui replied and left.

Food outside of the ration required extra silver. Fortunately, Ning Wanyin’s family was quite wealthy, so even if she wasn’t favored at the moment, she could still eat well.

…

In the left side hall of Zhongcui Palace, Mozhu Pavilion.

Song Meiren received the imperial edict and was overjoyed, immediately preparing to welcome the emperor.

She had heard her father praise the emperor’s wisdom and bravery many times and had secretly admired him.

But with two Jieyu ahead of her, she didn’t expect the emperor to choose her to attend to him.

Could it be that the emperor had already had his eyes on her?

At dusk, the emperor arrived as promised.

After one night…

Song Meiren struggled to support her weak body as she attended to the emperor’s departure…

“No need, you were tired last night,” Helian Qi looked at Song Meiren lying on the bed and said with deep meaning, “You don’t need to go pay respects to the Empress Dowager today.”

Although Song Meiren had a cold personality, she always adhered to etiquette and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Paying respects to the Empress Dowager is a filial duty that concubines like me should fulfill.”

She had learned the palace rules and wouldn’t become arrogant due to favor.

Helian Qi looked at her, said nothing, and turned to leave for the morning court.