Chapter 0184: The Newcomers

Chapter 0184: The Newcomers

Soon, ten show women were selected.

These were to remain in the harem.

The rest, those related to the royal clan and the noble families, were given in marriage, and the others were allowed to return home.

Those who stayed until today received more rewards than those who left earlier.

After all, upon leaving, the girls could marry into wealthy and noble families, essentially having their status gold-plated by their time in the palace.

In reality, this outcome could be considered happier than staying behind.

Yet, all these young girls harbored ambitions; who didn't dream of standing by the king's side? Hence, those not selected wore dissatisfaction on their faces.

It shows how people easily overlook genuinely comfortable days in pursuit of more.

The selected show women continued to reside in Qingfang Hall, waiting for their official appointment.

The next day, He Jinli visited the Empress Dowager.

He subtly informed the Empress Dowager about Miss He's background, not explicitly stating anything, merely suggesting it was a coincidence and that, now it was known, she would be looked after in the future.

The Empress Dowager was inwardly furious but would have believed it had she not investigated beforehand.

She had no choice but to reluctantly accept it.

Not only must she accept, but she also has to appear happy about it.

After all, that's her sister He's niece!

He Jinli also said: "There's no need for special treatment, just treat her like anyone else. She's no more precious than the rest."

The Empress Dowager agreed, not dwelling on the matter.

Dwelling on it is pointless, better to see what the future holds.

The show women gradually left the palace until only those ten remained.

By the time the imperial decree was issued, it was already the 20th of March.

The vast Qingfang Hall was more than enough to accommodate ten show women.

When Meng Chang came to announce the decree, all ten were waiting at the steps.

The decree appointed five as Imperial Women and five as Attendants.

Among the Imperial Women was a Miss Pei, the show woman of the highest birth in this batch, her father being a major official of the second rank.

He just wasn't based in the capital.

Miss Meng was favored by the Empress Dowager, thus also made an Imperial Woman.

Miss Jiang's family was decent too. They held a title but no significant official positions.

Both Wang and He come from humble origins, but as imperial concubines, it can only be interpreted that the Emperor favors them.

The new consorts all expressed their gratitude, their true feelings unknown, but their status is now confirmed.

The next step is just waiting for the Empress to arrange their accommodations.

The decree from the Empress followed closely, arriving in the afternoon.

Imperial Maiden Pei was assigned to Ganlu Palace, and Lady Jiang to Cuiwei Palace.

Ladies Yu and He were housed in Yuzhi Palace.

Lady Zhao was given Tingzhu Xuan, while Lady Meng was placed in Yuexian Ge.

Ladies Wang and Zheng were assigned to Yihua Xuan.

Initially, Lady Li was to reside in Chaoyang Palace, and Lady Yun in Yuqu Palace. However, the Emperor overruled this, personally assigning both to Jia Yue Xuan instead.

The day the newcomers moved was a bustling time in the inner palace.

The Empress bestowed gifts on everyone, followed by rewards from Consort Mei Shu, Consort Jin De, and Consort Lan as well.

Further down, some were rewarded, and others were not.

Yun Li was happy that no one came to Yuqu Palace, and as for rewards, she was merely a beauty.

Who dares to reward her? If any beauty rose too quickly, she might surpass Yun Li in no time.

It's best to remain humble.

The usually humble Yun Li, however, found herself in a confrontation.

During her visit to the Imperial Garden, she encountered Consort Wu Zhao.

She was not afraid.

Consort Wu Zhao was probably in a bad mood, perhaps due to the arrival of new members.

Seeing Yun Li seemed to irritate her.

So, upon seeing Yun Li, she began to mock and ridicule her, but Yun Li, unlike Consort Qi Jieyu, had a fierce temper.

This led her to retort sharply.

Consort Wu Zhao, infuriated, clutched her chest: "A mere beauty dares to speak like this, clearly lacking discipline. Today, for your insolence towards me, I will punish you to kneel for five hours!"

Yun Li scoffed, "Five hours? You might as well have told me to drop dead."

Ten hours, is she stupid or malicious?

"What? I can't punish you?" Consort Wu Zhao sneered.

"Of course not, why should I be punished by you? If you dare, go ask the Emperor and the Empress." Yun Li turned to leave.

But Consort Wu Zhao refused to let her go, and her maid Chunlan, too scared to intervene, was scolded and ordered to grab Yun Li.

Gritting her teeth, she could only attempt to stop Yun Li: "Beauty Qiong..."

Yun Li slapped her hand away, "You dare touch me?"

Chunlan, determined, tried to grapple with Yun Li but was pushed by Zhiyu and ended up sitting on the ground.

Consort Wu Zhao began to scream: "Someone come, someone come, Beauty Qiong is rebelling!"

This attracted many servants to the Imperial Garden, and Consort Wu Zhao shouted, "What are you waiting for? Seize her!"

Unfortunately, no one moved.

An elder servant stepped forward to mediate, "Your Highness, please calm down. What issue cannot be resolved by sitting down and talking?"

This only infuriated Consort Wu Zhao further.

It wasn't that she hadn't considered that Beauty Qiong was favored while she was not, but after all, she herself was a Consort Wu Zhao.

These ungrateful wretches dared to disobey.

"Fine, if you won't listen, I have no choice but to punish you," Consort Wu Zhao sneered.

The crowd was taken aback, finding themselves in a difficult position.

They truly dared not lay a hand on Beauty Qiong, but Consort Wu Zhao was also a force to be reckoned with...

After all, she was a Consort Wu Zhao...

The crowd was visibly distressed.

Yun Li sneered disdainfully, "You truly are despicable."

"You! You dare to insult me?" Consort Wu Zhao widened her eyes, fuming.

"Insulting you is putting it mildly. What's wrong with hitting someone as vile as you? Don't make things difficult for them here. If you dare, let's go see the Emperor right now," Yun Li scoffed. "To punish me, you'd have to kill me today; otherwise, you'll regret it later."

Yun Li looked at her with utmost indifference.

Yes, people like Consort Wu Zhao, who make things difficult for others, aren't truly harmful.

But it's utterly disgusting.

Why tolerate such a person?

The matter of her scheming behind my back last time has not yet been settled.

The servants in the Imperial Garden ultimately didn't dare to lay hands on Lady Qiong, only kneeling to beg for mercy.

Wu Zhaorong, unable to intervene personally, left in a huff with a parting shot of "you'll see."

Yun Li was also angered, feeling uncomfortable everywhere while sitting in the pavilion.

Wu Zhaorong went to seek the Empress, feeling deeply humiliated.

On Yun Li's side, Zhu Yu called for help, supporting Yun Li back.

Upon returning, they immediately summoned the imperial physician.

Thus, when the Empress's people arrived, the imperial physician was already waiting in Yugu Palace.

Huai Yi had no choice but to wait and see what the physician would say.

Wu Zhaorong was furious, and now calling for the imperial physician meant she was upset too?

It depends on how Her Majesty decides, but likely there will be a penalty. Wu Zhaorong is a veteran, her dignity must be maintained.

However, the diagnosis by the imperial physician took Huai Yi by surprise.

After all, she had believed Lady Qiong was unlikely to conceive.

How could the physician identify a pregnancy of over a month so quickly?

It was Physician Li who came.

"The lady was agitated? It's nothing serious, just need a few days of rest. Less than three months pregnant, please be very careful. There's nothing wrong with your health."

"Thank you. Zhi Fu, reward Doctor Li," Yun Li herself wasn't too surprised.