Chapter 10: Bound to a Childbearing System and Became a Winner in Life Chapter 10 Cannon Fodder Little Consort (10)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Shen Yao sat in the sedan chair thinking happily, and when it was time to alight, she still wore a radiant smile, which even made Qiu Yue, who had come early to receive her, reward the surrounding slaves with some silver pieces.

Seeing her master this happy, Qiu Yue naturally understood that last night's bedchamber service had gone smoothly.

She did not look down on them just because they were merely little eunuchs carrying the sedan; Qiu Yue even walked a couple of steps further forward, performing her posture and etiquette to the fullest.

"Master"

Qiu Yue reached out to support Shen Yao standing at the doorway, and the two, master and servant, turned and slowly entered the courtyard.

"First help me to the bathroom to wash up; in a while Taiji Hall will send people to deliver the decree."

She currently already holds the rank of Imperial Concubine; barring accident, a decree will certainly arrive.

And according to the harem's usual bedchamber-service rules, she can also receive some extra bestowals.

Based on last night's performance and the Emperor's degree of satisfaction, Shen Yao felt that this time she would definitely profit handsomely.

Qiu Yue nodded in agreement, happy in her heart as well.

The bathhouse's warm water had long been prepared; Shen Yao did not let Qiu Yue serve her, but alone took off her clothes and entered the bathtub to soak.

Phew

Just looking from the outside one could not see anything; only when Shen Yao took off her underclothes did she know how wild the Emperor had been last night.

Her whole body, especially the bruises left at the chest and collarbone, was simply more horrifying than if she had been abused.

Shen Yao took out two pills and put them in her mouth, one to restore skin condition, one to strengthen the body and raise her own potential.

Like last night, tossing until the end she directly fainted and lost consciousness.

Shen Yao felt this situation was too shameful, and made up her mind to raise her body's endurance level.

The pills' effect time depends on the situation, but at most will not exceed a quarter-hour.

Shen Yao soaked for about twenty minutes; when the warm water in the tub turned cool, she stood up and walked out from it.

At this moment, the bruises originally on her body had faded considerably; although they had not completely disappeared, the remaining ones would not affect today's bedchamber service.

Even in dim light, paired with her porcelain-smooth fair skin, they were all the more ambiguous and heart-stirring.

Right now, making Shen Yao and the Yuanhe Emperor talk love would be too hard; after all, besides sleeping once, the two did not know much about each other.

So Shen Yao planned to first rely on her body to hook him and stabilize things, waiting until later when she is pregnant; as the father of the child in her belly, the Yuanhe Emperor will have plenty of chances to communicate feelings with her.

"Qiu Yue, send the clothes in."

Calling out to Qiu Yue guarding the doorway, Shen Yao took a towel and simply wiped her body, and under Qiu Yue's service changed into an iris-colored skirt outfit.

Under the huge color contrast, the ambiguous traces on Shen Yao's body were faintly visible, making not only the serving Qiu Yue flush and her heart race, but even the other palace attendants originally serving in Hehuan Palace dared not look directly.

Aiyo

It was only serving the Emperor for one night, how did Imperial Concubine Shen become so radiant; could this be the benefit of serving the Emperor?

"Nonsense! I've seen the other Consorts and none are like this; I'm afraid our master is special."

A bold palace maid spoke up to refute, and after refuting did not forget to point out Shen Yao's capability.

"Others don't have it, only our master has it; doesn't that mean our master has a chance at promotion?"

The other palace maids who had gathered could not stay idle, and began to indulge in fantasies.

They look ordinary; they don't have that fate to serve the Emperor.

But if the master they serve makes good, they won't fail to live good days either.

You must know the palace attendants of those few high-ranking consorts in the palace — don't look at their low status, but every one of them holds their head high looking down on people; this is the benefit brought by the master gaining power.

"Promotion? Master is currently only a seventh-rank Changzai; promotion is not easy.

This entry into the palace totaled eight people; even the most favored Xin Pin, she entered as a fifth-rank Pin; to go up another step depends on her own ability.

You don't know; don't look at seventh-rank and fifth-rank being only one sixth-rank Guiren apart.

But sixth-rank and fifth-rank are separated like a heavenly moat; who made fifth-rank a Main Position, while sixth-rank is merely an Attached Position — the difference is huge."

A palace maid who entered early was relatively familiar with the Great Jing Dynasty's palace promotion rules.

She patiently gave the little rookies beside her a popular-science explanation while showing off her own capability.

"Our palace now has three Princes; do you know why the Crown Prince and Third Prince's Mother Consorts are only one a proper third-rank Guipin and one a proper fourth-rank Pinyu?"

"Why?" A palace maid was curious, her hand climbing onto the palace maid who just spoke, calling "Elder Sister" in a nice tone, "Elder Sister quickly tell us; they've raised an heir, yet their rank is really a bit too low."

They haven't even scraped a second-rank Consort position; you know Consort positions are vacant two, Noble Consort vacant one, and it's been like this since the Emperor ascended the throne.

The palace maid who spoke earlier raised her head, her face carrying a slight contempt, seeming proud, seeming disdainful.

"What else could it be but because their origins are too low; the Emperor wanting to raise them up is not easy either.

Do you know, the Crown Prince's birth mother was originally just a seventh-rank Changzai, and back then she served the Emperor starting from the Place.

As for the Third Prince's birth mother, that person was also only a sixth-rank Guiren; to be able to climb to fourth-rank Pinyu now is already due to merit of bearing a child."

Palace rule: after a consort is confirmed pregnant and gives birth, she is promoted one rank.

If the offspring miscarries or is lost, then there is no such luck.

The Crown Prince and Third Prince's birth mothers could climb up, still thanks to the Emperor's offspring not being plentiful; otherwise they would at most only be fifth-rank Pin.

Tsk tsk, the Great Jing Dynasty's harem is this cruel; below fifth-rank you can promote casually, past fifth-rank, wanting to go up is difficult upon difficult.

Inside the room, Shen Yao sat on the bedchamber, her mind receiving the system's real-time broadcast of the outside.

The words those few palace maids gathered to speak just now were all heard by Shen Yao.

Mm

The rules are such, but one cannot break the rules; it is just that the Yuanhe Emperor has been on the throne for many years and has yet to encounter anyone who could break the rules.

Shen Yao's heart began to stir with restless desire.

She felt that given the current situation in the palace, advancing in rank through bearing a child would be effortless.

"Master, Eunuch Wei from Taiji Hall has brought people over."

Qiu Yue entered from the doorway, her face full of smiles as she told Shen Yao this good news.

Although she had only seen a figure and hurried in to notify, Qiu Yue did not forget the scene that flashed by in an instant; with so many people, the bestowed treasures would certainly not be few.

Upon hearing Wei Zhu had come, Shen Yao hurriedly leaned on Qiu Yue's arm and went out the door.

She bowed respectfully to Wei Zhu, who stood in the center of the courtyard holding the imperial edict in his hands, "Eunuch Wei."

Wei Zhu smiled, his face full of wrinkles, "Imperial Concubine Shen is courteous."

He has already addressed her as Imperial Concubine; it appears the imperial edict in Wei Zhu's hands is indeed a promotion edict.

Shen Yao lowered her eyes and bowed her head, listening to Wei Zhu's sharp yet not grating voice by her ear.

"... Imperial Concubine Shen, please receive the edict."

"This concubine Shen Shi receives the edict; long live the Emperor, long live, long live."

With both hands held before her eyes, Shen Yao accepted the bright yellow imperial edict Wei Zhu handed over.

Simply receiving it was not the end; Wei Zhu turned and beckoned to the crowd standing behind him, and Shen Yao saw tray after tray of jewelry presented before her.

"Imperial Concubine Shen, these are all specially bestowed by the Emperor upon you, Imperial Concubine; please inspect them."

While speaking, Wei Zhu did not forget to introduce each tray's contents one by one.

Things like gemstone headdresses, gold, silver, and jade ornaments were normal; besides those, the Yuanhe Emperor also sent Shen Yao a beautiful white jade Guanyin and two jade Ruyi scepters, said to carry excellent meaning, able to bring offspring prosperity.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao's cheeks flushed with shame; she thanked Wei Zhu, then had Qiu Yue send the people away.

Do not look at Qiu Yue's short time in the palace, but in receiving and seeing off guests she still has a knack; even when parting with Wei Zhu, Qiu Yue still handed over the silver tucked in her purse.

Wei Zhu naturally chose to accept it with a smile; as a slave serving the Emperor, he fundamentally lacks no manner of tribute.

But which tributes can be accepted and which cannot, Wei Zhu knows perfectly clearly.

Just like now, Imperial Concubine Shen served one night and became an Imperial Concubine; as long as this person commits no major fault, she will certainly climb to a Main Position of a palace; as for whether she will have further luck later and advance another step, that is not Wei Zhu's concern.

Right now Imperial Concubine Shen is favorable, so Wei Zhu can accept Hehuan Palace's tribute; this is also the Yuanhe Emperor's tacitly acknowledged matter.

Of course, if Shen Yao had not served the Emperor well last night or had not smoothly performed bedchamber service, even if Shen Yao smashed thick stacks of banknotes onto Wei Zhu, Wei Zhu would not take a single coin.

This is the Huang Hou's tacitly acknowledged unwritten rule; the consorts and concubines on good terms with Wei Zhu, without exception, are all potential stocks or have powerful family backgrounds; otherwise, Wei Zhu fundamentally would not give them the time of day.

Coming in from outside, Qiu Yue arrived at Shen Yao's side; she first helped her into the bedchamber to rest, then summoned palace servants to register all the bestowed gifts Wei Zhu brought and send them to the storehouse.

After finishing this whole round, Hehuan Palace had other people come over.

They were all servants from other palaces, holding gifts of varying amounts; who let Shen Yao get promoted after bedchamber service.

Shen Yao did not see these servants; aside from those few high-ranking ones, she stayed in her room avoiding them to enjoy leisure.

Hmph, this really cannot blame her for being lazy; tonight is still her bedchamber service; if she does not nurture her spirit fully, how can she fight like a fairy and make the Emperor satisfied in his heart.

"Master, lunch time has arrived; would you like to have some food first?"

Qiu Yue hurried with quick steps; from morning until now, she has not rested once.

"Mm, send someone to deliver the meal."

Shen Yao stood up, handkerchief pinched in hand, and came to sit by the Eight Immortals Table.

"Qiu Yue, properly investigate Hehuan Palace's details; promote anyone usable.

You alone rushing about front and back, it is easy to become spiritually drained."

If it delays duties at that time, it would not be cost-effective.

Qiu Yue finished listening, gave an "Mm" and nodded, "Master rest assured, this servant has been paying attention.

It is just that Hehuan Palace has many people and mixed eyes; we still need to wait a while longer."

Qiu Yue also very much wants to liberate herself from daily trivialities.

She is the master's personal maid; the matters she should manage ought not be this sort.

You must know, Qiu Yue entered the palace carrying ambition; not aiming to serve the Emperor for overnight success, but aiming for the master she serves to achieve overnight success, benefiting herself and her family outside the palace.

Mm, more or less the same; it counts as different paths leading to the same destination.