Chapter 0093: A Beauty Like Sister Lin

Chapter 0093: A Beauty Like Sister Lin

The Yue Mansion had rehearsed a dance performance, led by their best dancer, Qin Niang, who performed a celestial dance.

Indeed, her dance was graceful and her figure light.

This Qin Niang was thirty-one years old this year.

She had entered the palace at a young age to study dance and had been doing so for over twenty years, truly passionate about dancing.

Yue Mansion had several others like her, who sought nothing but the joy of dance.

"Leading a group of dancers, she performed for Emperor He Jingli's birthday celebration, and he smiled, rewarding them generously. He even specially bestowed a pair of bracelets upon Qin Niang."

"Everyone was joyful, and the Empress and others also presented their gifts."

"The atmosphere remained pleasant throughout."

"As the night deepened, the Emperor became quite inebriated."

"Prince Qi, usually a reserved man, also drank heavily. It seemed he had grown bolder since his daughter moved to the Yuanzheng palace."

"So, bolstered by alcohol, this usually reserved man boasted about the exceptional beauty of several dancers in his residence."

"Perhaps the Emperor was also tipsy? Or maybe he was just humoring his fourth brother, suggesting he present them to him."

"Prince Qi readily agreed."

"The night passed without incident, and the Emperor naturally retired to the Empress's quarters."

"The next day, sober Prince Qi nearly took off his belt in despair, contemplating suicide."

"How could he dare send dancers to the Emperor? Who did he think the Emperor was? If His Majesty desired dancers, the Yue Mansion was full of them, and they were far more refined than any from outside."

"He was utterly distressed."

"In the end, it was his consort, Lady Ye from his residence, who suggested presenting her own younger half-sister from her maternal family."

Prince Qi had never met this inexpensive younger aunt, but this favored concubine, Lady Ye, had been favored for many years due to her beauty. Presumably, her sister would be no less striking.

Only then did she dare to enter the palace.

In Zhengyang Palace, Prince Qi looked distressed: "Your Majesty, I truly drank too much yesterday and offended you. Although the dancer was good, she's not a decent woman. I am deeply grateful that Your Majesty saved my face yesterday. How could I truly send her to sully Your Majesty's sight?"

"Fourth brother need not worry, whatever you send is naturally good," He Jinli knew his honest elder brother was just carried away with the wine and hadn't minded yesterday.

"I have a side consort who is quite beautiful. Her maternal family has a seventeen-year-old illegitimate sister, reportedly quite attractive and knowledgeable in poetry and literature. I thought perhaps she could serve Your Majesty, just as a maid," Prince Qi suggested cautiously.

He Jinli laughed, "Fourth brother's younger aunt entering as a maid? Let's grant her the title of Baolin. Fourth brother can choose a date to bring her in."

Prince Qi hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Prince Qi knew that on one hand, it was because he was honest and never opposed the Emperor.

On the other hand, it was because he had sent his daughter as a marriage alliance, earning the Emperor's favor.

In reality, sending someone was just a result of his drunken blabber.

But having said it, it would be inappropriate not to send someone.

That's how the situation evolved into what it was now.

Fortunately, the Ye family had a beautiful girl, and since they were of no significant status, it seemed fitting to send her to the palace.

He sought nothing more.

It was precisely this thought that He Jinli had, which is why he was indifferent.

Thus, both the monarch and his subject were satisfied, and the palace welcomed Ye Baolin.

The addition of one more person was a trivial matter.

There was just a minor issue; this person would be residing in Le'an Palace.

Yunli watched as the western side hall of Le'an Palace was being tidied up.

The main hall was off-limits for living; they weren't of high enough status.

Yunli lived in the east side hall.

At this moment, the western side hall was bustling with people coming and going, preparing the room for the new Baolin.

The eunuchs and maidservants coming in and out spoke of her, mentioning she was the illegitimate younger sister of Concubine Ye, and indeed quite beautiful.

As for other matters, this girl from the Ye family wasn't very famous, so people didn't know much about her.

Yunli sat in the courtyard; it was an overcast day with no sunshine, which was just perfect.

Despite the many people coming and going, they were all careful and not too noisy.

Yunli casually asked a young eunuch, who joyfully replied, "It's said she's the third young lady of the Ye family, born out of wedlock. She's beautiful and talented. Nothing else is known, but regardless of her virtues, she couldn't compare to you."

Yunli smiled, "You certainly have a way with words. Are you also from this palace?"

The young eunuch replied joyfully, "Indeed, I am a servant here for menial tasks. Perhaps the lady hasn't noticed me before; my name is Cui Ke. Should you need my services in the future, feel free to send someone to summon me. I am at your service."

Yunli, smiling, rewarded him, "Very good, I'll remember you."

Cui Ke was even more delighted.

With Lady Qiong currently favored, if she were to promote him, he wouldn't be just a menial servant anymore.

No one who serves a master wishes to remain in menial roles.

The day for Ye Baolin's entry into the palace was set for two days later, considered an auspicious date.

The Empress, being pregnant, decided just to arrange a small banquet in Le'an Palace for the occasion. After all, it was the same when Mei Fei and Lin Cairen joined.

The inclusion of Baolin was merely a gesture of courtesy to the Prince of Qi.

The Empress even specifically summoned Yunli to the Fengyi Palace.

"Considering there's no other place to settle her for now, she'll be in Le'an Palace. As a Cairen, you should take some care of her."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, as long as this Ye Baolin behaves herself, I will certainly get along with her," Yunli smiled.

The Empress nodded in satisfaction.

Yunli was well aware that the Empress did this deliberately.

Currently favored herself, what else could the Empress' arrangement of a newcomer signify?

But she didn't mind. How a person is can only be known after they arrive.

When Ye Baolin arrived, she first visited Fengyi Palace to pay her respects.

After seeing her, the Empress complimented her beauty and then instructed someone to escort her away.

Yunli, in Le'an Palace, watched as this new beauty entered.

Ye Baolin was indeed beautiful, with a willowy grace, a small face and pointed chin, delicate brows, and almond-shaped eyes.

She was a quintessential classical beauty.

Her scholarly aura was indeed somewhat distinctive.

Shu Jieyu also had a scholarly air, but she was more vivacious than Baolin, who seemed more like a demure character from a novel.

Of course, she appeared fragile but not sickly.

It was obvious that the Prince of Qi wouldn't dare to present the Emperor with a sickly Xi Shi.

Miss Lin... oh no, Ye Baolin hurried to pay her respects to Yunli after setting down her belongings.

"Greetings to Lady Qiong," she said, deeply bowing.

"No need for such formalities, sister. Ah, truly remarkable. Your brother-in-law's praises were well-deserved," Yunli smiled. "Bring the gift I prepared for Ye Baolin. Seeing her now, it's just perfect."

Zhifu came over with a smile, bringing a box with light blue velvet inside, on which lay a pair of hairpins.

They were silver hairpins styled like lilies, although made of silver, they were also enameled in light blue.

They were indeed exquisite.

"How can I accept such a valuable gift? I've only seen my sister wear such things, they're not easily obtained," Ye Baolin hurriedly said.

"Look at you, what's given to you is yours. We live together now, shouldn't we get along well? Since I entered the palace before you, it's only right that I take care of you," Yunli said with a smile.

Ye Baolin could only gratefully accept her appointment.

She wasn't lying; such opportunities were indeed rare in her family.