Chapter 13

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Rest assured, the others in the Huang Hou are easy to get along with. You're cute and obedient, so they definitely won't make things difficult for you."

Tai Ji Hall Study

Shen Yao arrived early today, and Wei Zhu simply sent her to serve by the Yuanhe Emperor's side.

Xiao Yanchen was handling official business. Seeing Shen Yao arrive, he had her grind ink for him.

Of course, just grinding ink wasn't enough. With a beauty by his side, Xiao Yanchen wasn't truly cold and detached.

Moreover, Shen Yao's bedchamber service over the past two days had left him with an excellent impression. Just looking at Shen Yao standing there made Xiao Yanchen unbearably restless.

Tsk, this feeling was somewhat subtle, but unexpectedly not unpleasant.

Xiao Yanchen didn't understand. He put down the hairbrush in his hand, followed her to Shen Yao's side, reached out and pulled her into his embrace, their bodies pressed together in intimate closeness.

"Yao'er, you came early today. Are you feeling any discomfort?"

The voice sounded by her ear, and Shen Yao could clearly feel a puff of hot air blowing against her earlobe.

A numb, tingling feeling crept up from beside her ear. Shen Yao's body was sensitive; she moved her wrist and replied with a soft sound, "Imperial Consort feels no discomfort."

Xiao Yanchen gave a light laugh, and Shen Yao's earlobe turned rosy red along with it.

With ill intentions, he brought his mouth corner closer to her ear again. Xiao Yanchen's gaze was teasing. "Yao'er, do you have a favorite character?"

A favorite character?

Shen Yao was stunned by Xiao Yanchen's question, then realized he might be thinking of bestowing a title upon her.

"Does Your Majesty have a favorite character?" Shen Yao countered, then leaned her whole body back slightly, reducing the gap left between them.

Turning her head, Shen Yao's beautiful apricot eyes met Xiao Yanchen's peach blossom eyes. "Whatever Your Majesty likes, Imperial Consort likes."

This obvious and smooth flattery didn't anger Xiao Yanchen; instead, it made him laugh until he couldn't stop.

The vibration of his chest passed through the clothes into her body. Shen Yao was shy and charming, her eyes innocent and bright. "Your Majesty—"

Xiao Yanchen was stopped. He lowered his head, his lips touching Shen Yao's cherry lips. "Xi, meaning joy and happiness. I feel this character suits you best."

Xi?

Leaning against Xiao Yanchen's shoulder, Shen Yao pondered the meaning of this character in her heart.

It seemed the title Your Majesty wanted to give her was the character Xi.

Mm, compared to the character Xin, Xi was still excellent.

The satisfied Shen Yao stretched out her hand to encircle Xiao Yanchen's neck and sincerely thanked him.

Although Shen Yao eventually lost out in the end, both parties were thoroughly satisfied.

A little later, Shen Yao accompanied Xiao Yanchen for the late dinner. After washing up, they cleaned separately, which forced Shen Yao's plan to try unlocking new positions to be postponed.

There was no way around it. There were too many elders in the palace, too many prying eyes. Shen Yao couldn't indulge herself even if she wanted to.

Sigh

I hope time passes quickly. By next spring, when I can leave the palace to stay at the Bie Yuan for a while, I must work hard to develop new sites.

As the saying goes, familiarity breeds affection. I don't seek exclusive favor in the imperial chambers, only favor from time to time.

Another night of passionate intensity.

Perhaps knowing he couldn't summon Shen Yao again tomorrow, Xiao Yanchen went especially overboard this time. It was as if he had inexhaustible strength in his body, devouring Shen Yao over and over, biting and chewing again and again.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao felt she was very much like a pig's trotter, being held and gnawed from head to tail, from outside to inside, without a single spot spared.

This time, Shen Yao slept more soundly than the previous two days. If she hadn't still remembered she needed to go to Fengyi Palace to offer greetings, she wouldn't have been able to open her eyelids.

She yawned and simply had the morning meal at Tai Ji Hall.

Shen Yao didn't let the sedan chair carry her back to Hehuan Palace; instead, she turned and went to Fengyi Palace.

"Mistress"

Qiu Yue supported Shen Yao's arm, her expression slightly worried.

Last night, Mistress and the Emperor had once gone on until very late. Qiu Yue stood at the doorway. Though she was happy for Mistress in her heart, she still worried that Mistress's body couldn't bear it.

Shen Yao waved her hand. There were still faint bluish traces under the corners of her eyes from not sleeping well. "It's nothing. Help me inside."

On the way here, she had already taken a Strengthening Body Pill. Calculating the time, the pill had already taken effect.

Don't look at how poor her condition seems right now; her physical condition is better than Qiu Yue expected.

At least she won't make these jealous women bear a grudge because of her walking posture and facial expression.

Qiu Yue nodded in agreement, put her worry in her heart, and carefully supported Shen Yao into the room.

In the center of the main hall, quite a few imperial consorts had already arrived.

Shen Yao took small steps into the room, then saluted and offered greetings to everyone seated on chairs. Under the guidance of a palace maid, she then sat on a small round stool behind the chairs.

Sigh

This was unavoidable. The imperial harem consort system of the Great Jing Dynasty was no different from other dynasties Shen Yao remembered.

Imperial consorts of Imperial Concubine Rank and above had a main position in a palace and could sit on proper chairs.

Imperial consorts below Imperial Concubine Rank could only sit on round stools behind the chairs.

There was an even more miserable case: those favored by the Emperor who hadn't even received the rank of Ninth-Rank Select Attendant. They could only stand at the doorway, not even qualified to come in and offer greetings.

Holding a handkerchief in her hand, after Shen Yao sat down, she felt many gazes falling on her and around her.

Mm

Just looking forward to her that much? Shen Yao felt these people were really a bit impatient; newly promoted consorts serving in the bedchamber were only a little over half, and who knew if another consort stronger than herself might emerge later.

Now paying so much attention to her, could it be that the previous Xin Pin, who received this honor, was the same?

With all sorts of chaotic thoughts in her heart, Shen Yao sat up straight and kept her gaze forward.

Until the words "Her Majesty the Empress arrives" came from the doorway, Shen Yao stood up and followed the crowd to offer greetings and pay respects.

……

The Empress, Wei Jingyi, from the Wei State Duke's Residence, mother of the Second Prince Xiao Heng, residing in Fengyi Palace.

Noble Consort Zhou, Zhou Ningyan, from the Right Prime Minister's Residence, residing in Chaoyang Palace.

Consort Ning, Zhao Yunyue, from the Ministry of Rites residence, her birth father is the Minister of Rites, residing in Yu Fu Hall.

Consort Shu, Qian Naqi, from the Ministry of Revenue residence, her birth father is the Minister of Revenue, residing in Cuiwei Palace.

Concubine Li, Li Yanzhen, her birth father is the Minister of Justice, residing in Yong'an Hall, birth mother of the Crown Prince Xiao Yu.

Concubine Sun, Sun Churuo, her birth father is the Minister of the Honglu Temple, residing in Changle Palace, birth mother of the Third Prince Xiao Jin.

Coming out of Fengyi Palace, Shen Yao compared this information, matching each of these women one by one with those who had just left.

Tsk tsk tsk, these are all important people in the imperial harem; she will have plenty of dealings with them in the future, Shen Yao felt she had to match people with their names.

Tsk tsk tsk, she hadn't expected it; Shen Yao had thought she would be made things difficult for, but instead these people started arguing with each other.

Shen Yao's mouth corner curved slightly, feeling that sometimes one had to believe in luck; her luck had always been good, otherwise she couldn't have obtained the system and survived forever in this way.

"Mistress"

Qiu Yue called out softly, her eyes not forgetting to look at the magnificent crowd that had already left ahead.

Shen Yao turned around, taking Qiu Yue onto a route opposite to theirs, "Let's return to the palace; the Empress is taking the imperial consorts to pay respects to the two Empress Dowagers; your mistress's status isn't high enough, so there's no need to follow them."

After all, she hadn't yet risen to the Main Position; Shen Yao going to the two Empress Dowagers' place wouldn't even be allowed through the gate.

Mm, the Great Jing Dynasty's imperial harem is just this realistic, especially with the current emperor, both his birth mother and stepmother alive, plus a Retired Emperor residing in Yichang Garden, tsk tsk, it's really lively.

Qiu Yue had also come out of Hehuan Palace these past few days and knew quite a few routes within the palace.

Choosing a relatively convenient small path, Qiu Yue led Shen Yao back to the palace smoothly.

Just entering the courtyard, Shen Yao saw Wei Zhu holding a bright yellow imperial edict, with a kind smile on his face.

"Eunuch Wei"

Shen Yao nodded, her gaze somewhat puzzled.

Wei Zhu performed a salute and congratulated Shen Yao, "This servant, by imperial order, has come to announce the edict."

Announce the edict?

Shen Yao remembered the discussion about titles she had with Xiao Yanchen yesterday.

Feeling assured in her heart, Shen Yao performed a curtsy, "Consort Shen of the surname Shen receives the edict."

Wei Zhu opened the bright yellow imperial edict, reading the flowery words of praise on it.

The general meaning was that Shen Yao had performed well, the emperor was very satisfied, and specially bestowed the title Xi, to show his esteem.

"Imperial Concubine Xi, please receive the edict."

Shen Yao respectfully received the imperial edict, and also reminded Qiu Yue not to forget to send rewards to share the joy.

Wei Zhu laughed heartily, and had the eunuchs behind him put down the tray, "Imperial Concubine Xi, these are items specially selected by the emperor to give to you; please accept them, Imperial Concubine Xi."

Listening to Wei Zhu's words, Shen Yao's gaze lingered on the jewelry and bead strings on the tray, smiling and nodding, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you for your trouble, Gonggong."

Wei Zhu waved his hands repeatedly, "Imperial Concubine Xi is too polite; it is all what this servant should do."

"Taiji Hall is busy; this servant will take his leave first; please stay, Imperial Concubine Xi."

"Take your time, Gonggong," Shen Yao gestured for Qiu Yue to see him off, while she herself stood still in the small courtyard.

Until Qiu Yue, who had gone to see him off, returned, did Shen Yao have someone register the delivered items into storage.

"Those that can be used, put them on the dressing table; next time the emperor summons me, I'll take them for him to see."

After all, they were sent by the emperor; leaving them to gather dust in the storage room wouldn't do either.

Qiu Yue agreed, "This servant understands."

Shen Yao served in the bedchamber for three consecutive days, transforming from Imperial Concubine Shen to Imperial Concubine Xi.

But after three days, Xiao Yanchen indeed did not continue to summon Shen Yao for bedchamber service; instead, he rested at Taiji Hall himself for a day, then spent one night at Fengyi Palace and one night at Chaoyang Palace, and then continued to draw the nameplates of other newly promoted consorts.

Of course, among them, Shen Yao would still be summoned by Xiao Yanchen to Taiji Hall for bedchamber service.

After about a month and a bit, all the newly entered consorts of this batch had finished serving in the bedchamber.

Besides Xin Pin, who originally held a consort rank, only Shen Yao, this Imperial Concubine Xi, had broken through the encirclement and registered her name before Xiao Yanchen.

As for the others, ordinary and conventional, they looked like cannon fodder with the fate of invisible people at a glance.

In mid-October, a sudden wind and snow lowered the temperature.

The imperial harem entered winter overnight; everyone changed into thick palace attire and bedding, and the charcoal supplied by the Imperial Household Department arrived half a month early.

Inside Hehuan Palace, Shen Yao wore a light blue-green palace attire, with a circle of beautiful fur around her neck and chest, warm and beautiful.

"Mistress, this servant has brought back this month's palace charcoal; do you want it lit now?"

Qiu Yue entered, stamping her feet and rubbing her hands, her cheeks red from the cold, clearly frozen badly.

Shen Yao raised her eyes, pointing to the charcoal brazier by her feet, "It's still enough for now."

"You go drink some hot water to warm yourself; we'll light it later."

Hearing this, Qiu Yue nodded with an "mm," turned around, and went out again.

Only Shen Yao remained in the room; she listened to the dull sounds the burning charcoal made from time to time, and reached out to touch her own lower abdomen.