Chapter 0005: The Meeting

Chapter 0005: The Meeting

"It’s good that there’s no involvement now," Yun Li smiled again, glancing over them: "I know that although you serve me, in this imperial palace, eunuchs and palace maids have their own ways. Sometimes, they have more connections than we low-ranked concubines. You all are capable. Do you know why I didn’t bring my own people when I came here?"

They all shook their heads.

"Unknown people are better not involved. Where you all come from, I don’t know, and now I don’t need to know," Yun Li said indifferently.

"But you must understand, I didn’t enter the palace to be a stepping stone for others. Under the Empress, should I serve those of lower or higher rank? Should I be ordered around or give orders? Consider this well. Whatever you think, do, or believe, in my service, betrayal leads only to death. So, if you are a skilled agent sent by someone, weigh your chances. Even if you succeed in bringing me down, consider whether you can avoid dying with me, and whether my family, the Dongchang Marquis House, can annihilate yours. Once you understand this, you'll know how to behave."

The servants hastily knelt down: "We dare not!"

"Alright, rise. I've made my point clear. Zhifu, distribute the rewards, and don’t just listen to my scolding. You may leave now," Yunli waved her hand.

The servants thanked her and then withdrew.

Regardless, Yunli's words, though not fiercely spoken, were not to be taken lightly.

Those with a guilty conscience couldn't bear to hear them.

After saying this, Yunli never brought it up again.

In the Furong Pavilion, Consort Wu felt both joy and fear. She wasn't foolish; she clearly understood whether the Emperor's fondness for her was genuine or indifferent. Now that she was suddenly pregnant, happiness was inevitable. This was the Emperor's child, a potential heir to the throne.

But she also knew, with so many in the harem, including those from the Eastern Palace, the competition was fierce.

"All the favored ones are there, and even the Empress doesn't have a son yet."

"Can I really bring this child to term?"

Lacking an illustrious family background, her pregnancy put her ahead, a cause for joy, but what if she couldn't keep it?

Lady Wu gently touched her belly, biting her lip, unsure of what to do.

What should she do? How could she ensure the safety of her child and herself?

Lady Wu tossed and turned, unable to sleep, while many in the harem speculated about her pregnancy.

The next day, May 15th, the Empress was to visit the Dowager Empress to pay her respects.

The courtiers went early to Fengyi Palace to pay respects to the Empress. After a brief exchange, the Empress stood up, "Let's go with me to pay respects to the Dowager Empress."

Not everyone had the privilege.

Only those of the third rank or higher were eligible to visit the Dowager Empress on the first and fifteenth of each month; others could only go on festivals or special occasions.

Those currently qualified included only Noble Consort Rong, Consort Jinde, Consort Lan, Ye Xiuyi, and Wu Xiurong.

The others could only watch enviously. Being able to visit the Dowager Empress in Cian Palace was indeed a blessing.

After watching these few leave, the rest prepared to disperse.

Some had already gathered around Lady Wu, chatting and laughing.

Yun Li slightly raised her eyebrows and turned towards the Imperial Garden.

It was mid-May, and the flowers were in full bloom. The Imperial City of Daijin was located in the north-central part of its territory.

Daijin's north was cold, its south humid and hot, bordered by the sea on one side and mountains on the other.

It was a splendid location, with the palace geographically in the north, yet not in the extreme north.

Fires were lit during winter, but the summers were not too hot.

Yun Li admired the scenery, choosing a pavilion to rest in.

She gently waved her fan, lost in thoughts about the palace affairs.

Emperor He Jinxi currently doesn't have any particularly outstanding favorite concubines.

Consort Jin De is favored largely because she bore the Crown Prince, which is always special.

Lady Lan is favored because His Majesty once said she has the grace and heart of an orchid, thus bestowing her the title of Lady Lan, praising her as being as lovely as a secluded orchid.

However, in Yunli's eyes, Lady Lan, with her straightforwardness, doesn't quite resemble an orchid.

Song Jiyu also has favor, known for her quiet demeanor and scholarly aura.

Beauty Li is a fiery beauty, also quite favored. Originally a teaching assistant in the Eastern Palace, she entered the palace and directly became a sixth-rank beauty. After the mourning period, her rapid promotion to the rank of a beauty indicates that her favor may not be less than Lady Lan’s.

Among the newcomers, the ones leading the way are Hua Baolin and Sun Baolin.

Hua Baolin, as the personal granddaughter of the current Imperial Teacher, whose grandfather, though retired, had taught the Emperor, and with her father being a key official in court, naturally stands out.

As Yunli was pondering, she heard someone approaching from behind and turned to see Zhang Maolin.

"Greetings to Baolin," Zhang Maolin said with a smile.

"Sister went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, why didn't you go with her to serve?" Yunli asked.

"Responding to Baolin, the Consort specially sent me to find you. She said that no matter what, we should meet," Zhang Maolin's tone was somewhat more serious today.

"Alright, then I’ll stay here a bit longer, waiting for sister to come to the Imperial Garden. It's not that I refuse to meet her; it's just not appropriate for me to go all the time," Yunli responded.

"Indeed, the Consort didn't specify meeting at the Jade Zhi Palace."

Zhang Maolin responded with a smile and went to convey the message, confident that Yunli wouldn’t run away.

Yunli remained seated, lazily waving her fan, without speaking.

Cautiously, Zhifu suggested, "If Baolin doesn't want to meet, perhaps we should return? It wouldn't be appropriate for the Consort's servant to come looking for you again."

Yunli shook her head: "Why should I hide? I simply don't want to properly meet her."

Yun Li's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Zhifu, unsure whether she understood or not, replied, "I understand."

"Zhifu, look," Yun Li lifted her head and pointed with her fan, "Do you think those nine heavens are high? Can I reach them?"

Zhifu glanced up and said, "Baolin is blessed; naturally, you can achieve your wish."

"Good. If that day comes, it will be your moment to shine as well," Yun Li said.

Zhifu bowed deeply, "I understand your intentions, Baolin, and will serve you diligently."

Yun Li and Zhifu waited for a while longer, estimating it had been quite some time, when finally there was some movement.

Soon, they saw the Noble Consort and her entourage approaching.

Behind her followed Zhang Maolin and two maids, the very ones who had entered the palace with her.

Upon seeing her, Yun Li stood up, "Big sister!"

"Hua Baolin, be respectful. You should address her as the Noble Consort," Ban Yue reminded.

"Oh, my respects to Noble Consort Rong," Yun Li hurriedly said.

"No need for formalities among sisters," the Noble Consort glanced at her, "Come."

The two walked back into the pavilion.

The Noble Consort's attendants didn't follow, and neither did Zhifu dare to; they all stood below the pavilion.

"Since entering the palace, you've changed, Sixth Sister. Now, it's hard even to see you," Noble Consort Rong said indifferently.

Yun Li had only visited Yuzhi Palace once in her first few days in the palace and had since refused to go.