Chapter 1 Self-cultivation of a sweet girl

In the early spring of the 7th year of Chunjia Period, the Empress Dowager worried that the Emperor had no offspring, so she ordered Yousi Department to select some girls from good families, and also cordially invited some ladies from rich families to enrich the Imperial Harem. They were expected to deliver children for the Emperor.

Yun Zhao, namely Duke Yi, was the General-in-chief and held great military power in the country. His eldest legitimate daughter had been bestowed as Noble Consort Shu when she married the Emperor, and she was in charge of Tong Xia Palace since then. Yun Zhao also had a beautiful younger daughter delivered by his concubine, who was still underage, but many boys had come to pursue her. However, taking the advantages of being a favored position, people in the palace had heard about this girl’s reputation. Therefore, Duke Yi’s Mansion was soon ordered to be prepared for the Principal to announce the imperial decree.

Although it was not surprising, people of the Yun tribe still came to congratulate one after another, hoping to connect their fellowships with Duke Yi.

“Nian Xuan, the rosewood box on the dressing table is my gift to Qingman. Take it to the backroom and give it to my aunt. Tell her that I have a sudden headache today, so I have to rest.” Xie Fenghuang had long dark hair, leaning against a blue peony pillow, and lazily ordered her maid, “And I won’t go with them to Duke Yi’s Mansion.”

She added, “Tell my aunt I’m fine and don’t bother to get me a doctor. The family is in celebration, so don’t get them upset for me. We are only a small alley away from them!”

“I know that, My Lady.” Nian Xuan signed, “But don’t you go there this time? I know you mind that your surname is not Yun, so it’s not appropriate to join in their family feast. However, Fourth Miss is the only one who is suitable to marry the Emperor in Duke Yi’s Mansion. You have been friends with her for so long. If you don’t visit her now, I’m afraid you will have no opportunity to meet her in the future!”

Xie Fenghuang waved her hand, “I have learned the rules of cordial invitation. She does not need to join the Imperial Harem immediately after taking the imperial decree. After the banquet, I will say goodbye to her. No one else would be there to disturb and it’s more convenient for us to chat.”

Although it was the fact, she still felt regretful for her friend.

Three years ago, due to the mishap of Xie’s Family, she was brought to Dijing City by her aunt, Ms. Xie, whose husband Yun Ju was a cousin of Duke Yi. Yun Ju’s ancestral house was on the side of Duke Yi’s Mansion, so their children often contacted with each other. Yun Qingman, the fourth daughter of Duke Yi, shared similar age and temper with Xie Fenghuang, so they quickly became close friends, and it was even suitable to say they were sisters.

Last year during their chatting, they even dreamed that they would let their sons and daughters get married in the future. Unexpectedly, Yun Qingman would soon marry the Emperor, and no one knew whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Xie Fenghuang thought of the ups and downs of the concubines in the past and the warning of her eldest sister (a daughter of her father’s concubine) before her death. She was even sadder and could only comfort herself, “Well, there is nothing to worry about. After all, Qingman’s father is Duke Yi and her sister is Noble Consort Shu, who married the Emperor a long time ago. They can protect her.”

She couldn’t sleep and didn’t get out of bed until noon.

Nian Xuan was combing a Liusu haircut for Xie Fenghuang. Suddenly, there were a mess of footsteps!

They were surprised, because everyone in Yun’s Mansion, except them and their servants, all went to Duke Yi’s Mansion for congratulations. Who was so brave to break into the backyard? They then saw Ms. Xie rush in, with her hairs fluffy. Ms. Xie went straight to Xie Fenghuang, hugged her and cried, “Poor girl!”

Xie Fenghuang was confused.

“Your damned uncle!” Ms. Xie cried, stamped her chest and stomped her feet, “As an experienced man, how could he do such a thing? If he were here, I would definitely tear him into pieces!”

Although her aunt didn’t explain the situation, Xie Fenghuang, who had rich experience as a sweet girl, had her own guess about what had happened. Yun Ju must have had affairs with someone young, so her aunt went crazy.

She said instantly, “Aunt, calm down. My uncle has always respected you, so there must be a reason for this. Maybe he just couldn’t refuse it?”

“He told me he was muddled at that time, but how could he make such a big decision out of muddle? I can’t just forgive him for he was muddled!” Ms. Xie continued and gritted her teeth, “How could he explain to your father and mother in the future?”

Xie Fenghuang wiped her cold sweat secretly, wondering that her aunt must have been mad, because her parents were thousands of miles away. They were too far away to offer any help. Even if they were here, they would be in no position to blame their brother-in-law for getting a concubine!

However, she also felt strange. Although her uncle’s five sons and three daughters were all delivered by Ms. Xie, there were still two concubines, and Yun Ju went to them every now and then, but she had never seen Ms. Xie become so angry.

Was it because the concubine was too beautiful and arrogant, so that Ms. Xie felt so nervous even if she was Yun Ju’s wife and had so many children?

Xie Fenghuang gently reminded her aunt, “Since it’s already happened, instead of arguing with uncle, you’d better think about what to do in the future. Anyway, you are the hostess of this family, so whomever uncle wants to marry as his concubine should have to follow your orders.”

Xie Fenghuang wondered if her aunt cried and spread the news out, people would blame her for being so mean and jealous, according to the prevailing concept.

Therefore, it was better to accept the concubine, and if she were domineering, many servants would know what to do to crucify her. They’ve been trained and taught by her aunt for many years after all. As time went by, the concubine might be disabled, out of favor, or die. Quite normal in this world... If so, it would be the concubine who had a bad fate. Her aunt had nothing to do with that!

“What concubine?” Xie Fenghuang thought that her words were reasonable, and her aunt was not sensible, so she would definitely listen to it!

It was true. Ms. Xie calmed down after hearing it, but asked in confusion, “I’m talking about you, but whom are you talking about?”

Xie Fenghuang was shocked, “Me?”

“Yes!” Ms. Xie choked, “Your uncle showed off your talents to Duke Yi when he was drunk the other day. He said you were clever and beautiful. After asking about your information from other ladies and people who know about you, Duke Yi handed a letter to Noble Consort Shu. Therefore, the one who was in charge of the Emperor’s auditions added your name into the cordial-inviting list. Your surname also has changed into Yun. Now, as our daughter, you are going to join the Imperial Harem and your title is Bao Lin... Your father has only two daughters. Since your elder sister died, I thought taking you in Dijing City would lead you to a peaceful life, though far away from your homeland. But I didn’t expect... I didn’t…”

She was sobbing again.

Xie Fenghuang was shocked, “Noble Consort Shu has entered the palace and Qingman will join her after the cordial invitation. Why did Duke Yi want me to change my surname and join them?”

She hadn’t seen Noble Consort Shu before, but it was fair to say that Yun Qingman was definitely a beauty!

Therefore, Qingman could help Noble Consort Shu after she got in the Palace!

“For having offspring for the Emperor.” Ms. Xie said in tears. “It has been eight years since the Emperor succeeded the imperial throne when he was 15, but his concubines only got pregnant several times, and none of them had made it to bring the baby to the world! In the past eight years, Noble Consort Shu had served and slept with the Emperor for many times, but she didn’t have any child. Guess it’s impossible to count on her. As for Qingman, she is indeed beautiful, but she is the sister of Noble Consort Shu, sharing the same blood, so she might have the same fate as Noble Consort Shu. You are different, however. You are my niece, and have several brothers and cousins, so it is reasonable that Duke Yi selected you.”

With an aunt who gave birth to five sons and three daughters, and a mother who gave birth to four sons and one daughter, Xie Fenghuang was guaranteed to have many children, too.

Based on this logic, Duke Yi seemed right! Xie Fenghuang pressed her chest, swallowing her anger, and confirmed again, “Is the imperial decree true? But I haven’t received it yet?”

“Today we went to Duke Yi’s Mansion for congratulations. I heard it clearly when I kneeled behind the wife of Shizi (the heir of Duke Yi).” Ms. Xie sniffed and said with certainty, “I have no interest in attending the banquet anymore, so I came back to tell you this. As for why you are not asked to receive the imperial decree, maybe because it was given to Duke Yi, letting him send you to the Palace someday... Even Qingman kneeled in the back-end of the crowd today.”

She cried again, “You and Qingman share the same way of cordial invitation as Noble Consort Shu, obviously, Noble Consort Shu is showing her power! Who knows how she will treat you after you join the Imperial Harem?!”

“Aunt, maybe Noble Consort Shu just shows her respect to Duke Yi?” Xie Fenghuang took a deep breath and wondered there was nothing to do but be optimistic. After all, neither she nor Ms. Xie had the right to resist the imperial decree, so she comforted Ms. Xie, “After all, Noble Consort Shu and Qingman are sisters, so she would take care of Qingman for sure. Besides, she had no child in the past years. It’s possible that she might hope Qingman could give birth to a child to win honor for her.”

Ms. Xie cried, “You are really an innocent child! Obviously, Noble Consort Shu wanted to put pressure on both of you from the very beginning. If any of you has children in the future, she can foster them. Maybe she would kick down the ladder by then, banning them from calling you Mom... After all, Noble Consort Shu has no blood relationship with you. As for Qingman, though they are sisters, they have different mothers. Before she entered the palace, Qingman was still young, so their relationship is not that close. As the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke, Noble Consort Shu has been arrogant, so how could she treat Qingman, the daughter of her father’s concubine, and you, a so-called sister who just shares the same surname with her, as equal sisters? Not to mention allowing you to be superior to her.”

Xie Fenghuang knew these!

She just wanted to comfort herself and Ms. Xie by the way... But Ms. Xie didn’t understand her.

Xie Fenghuang remained herself that she was a sweet girl, then she smiled, “Aunt, don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if Noble Consort Shu doesn’t want to help us. She is not in charge in the Imperial Harem. Besides the honored Empress Dowager and three Queen Mothers, there are the Emperor, the Empress, and Noble Consort Gui, who are all superior to her. Qingman and I are going to the palace for serving the Emperor, not her. If she deliberately makes things hard for us, we will turn to the Emperor.”

Hearing this, Ms. Xie cried more sadly, “How do you know the situation between the Imperial Court and the Imperial Harem, you little girl? Ji’s Family has been in power ever since the Empress Dowager became Queen Mother. The Emperor was 15 when he was enthroned. It was reasonable to say he was a little bit young to govern the country at that time. However, the Emperor is 23 now, but he is still forbidden from the Imperial Court by both the Empress Dowager and one of the Queen Mother who share the same surname of Ji. They only asked the Emperor to continue his study.”

“After all, Duke Yi supports the Emperor, and the Prince Regent is a member of the imperial clan. Although the latter was unhappy when Ji’s Family insisted to enthrone the present Emperor, he has to cherish the relationship with his nephew, namely the Emperor... If not, I am afraid that women of Ji’s Family would have occupied the Imperial Harem, and girls from other families won’t be selected as concubines of the Emperor.”

“So, even if the Emperor likes you and Qingman, what can he do for you?”

Xie Fenghuang was speechless.

Looking up at the rooftree again, she suddenly felt that it was very suitable with a white skein… It would be more suitable if she was hung on it...

Ms. Xie, however, continued to tell the sufferings of being a concubine of the Emperor, as if she thought her niece’s will to die was still not strong enough, “Now that your surname is Yun, Ji’s Family and the Prince Regent would surely regard you as the supporter of Noble Consort Shu, but Noble Consort Shu actually dislikes you. Therefore, if you are favored by the Emperor, everyone in the Imperial Harem will hate you! If not, Noble Consort Shu will blame you. Tell me, what can you do?”

Xie Fenghuang was desperate.

What could she do?

Could she just kill herself with the white skein immediately?!!!