Chapter 2664
Being an Empress Isn't Easy 10
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor have both arrived. In any case, there aren't many concubines currently available, and they are all inside the palace.
As it was their first time appearing before the emperor, the 28 young women naturally pulled out all the stops and tried their best to impress him.
As the empress, sitting in a high position, closest to the emperor's throne, she naturally attracted more attention.
However, most of the concubines' eyes were on Consort Xiao, who was seated first in the lower row. Consort Xiao was assisting with the selection of the candidates, including the girls' food, clothing, daily necessities, servants, and tutors. She had a lot of work to do and it was thankless. In the end, the Empress was still sitting in the seat of honor.
Consort Xiao was dressed in a rose-red palace gown, with a hibiscus crown on her head and pearl hairpins on her left and right. Her attire was in accordance with regulations, but she was clearly trying to outdo the Empress.
Her rose-red palace dress was dazzlingly beautiful, and her luxurious and elaborate headdress exuded opulence. She took meticulous care of herself, applying egg white and pearl powder daily, making her already wrinkle-free face even more radiant.
This pearl hairpin was a gift from His Majesty when she gave birth to the prince. Although the pearls on it are not large, each one is round and full, and they are all the same size. They hang in a string and sway slightly with every movement, making them look dignified and elegant.
Unfortunately, the hairpin was still there, but the prince was not even a hundred days old. Before he could be named and registered in the imperial genealogy, he died of a high fever.
In comparison, the Empress's attire, though luxurious, was clearly only about 70-80% new. Even if it was worn, no one except the Empress Dowager would dare wear it. The Empress Dowager herself disdained to wear it; she had her own phoenix crown and court robes.
The Empress, having recuperated for a while, seemed to have actually lost some weight, but her original oval face remained as smooth as a jade plate. She didn't look old, appearing to be in her early twenties. Her slightly powdered face made her seem far more peaceful and approachable than the heavily made-up Consort Xiao.
Dancing, singing, playing instruments, painting...
After all, she was chosen from among thousands, selected through rigorous nationwide screenings, to be the most beautiful and outstanding woman. She couldn't possibly be a clueless good-for-nothing. Even if she really didn't know anything, with her exceptional beauty, she could easily strike a few poses on stage, with the palace dancers fluttering around her, and that would be a feast for the eyes.
Cui Zhaorong, however, looked disgusted. After a young lady finished performing the graceful Handan dance, he rolled his eyes and gave her a cold laugh.
Consort Xiao had long been dissatisfied, and coupled with past grievances, she directly asked, "Does Sister Cui think the dance was not good?"
Go ahead and criticize, you'll offend even more people. Some of these concubines will definitely gain favor and rise in rank in the future, then we'll see if they retaliate.
"Those chosen by Sister Xiao are naturally all good." Cui Zhaorong said arrogantly, "But women should still be virtuous. How long can a woman who works in a brothel and theater rely on her beauty to serve the emperor?"
In this era, noble ladies from wealthy families do not learn singing and dancing; instead, they learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework, and household management.
I occasionally learn some cooking and tea ceremony skills, since there are people to take care of these things.
Dancing and singing are not among the Six Arts of a Gentleman.
As expected, she was foolish. Her words offended all the young ladies-in-waiting who could sing and dance, including the imperial concubines. She lived up to her expectations perfectly; seeing the pit, she still jumped right in. Although Consort Xiao was pleased, she still pretended to suppress her embarrassment and anger: "Sister Cui is right, but this selection is to choose those who are considerate and can relieve His Majesty's boredom. Although we are from noble families, we are somewhat reserved. The newcomers cannot be as boring as us."
As he said this, he glanced at the Emperor and Empress.
This means that this talent show is all about looks, just like concubines or maids; as long as you're good-looking and can please a man, that's enough.
This elevated the status of the Empress and her group of noble ladies while simultaneously suppressing the newly arrived women. As for the women's grievances, although they were attributed to the loose-lipped Cui Zhaorong, it was actually Cui Zhaorong who spoke up for them.
Suddenly, Consort Qian laughed and said, "Who says being good at dancing is vulgar? The former Empress Dowager was a skilled dancer, and her virtuous reputation was widely praised. I heard that Your Majesty the Empress was also a skilled dancer. When she performed the 'Raised Sleeves Dance,' she was like a celestial being descended to earth. The late Emperor said that Your Majesty the Empress had a face like a peach blossom, a waist as supple as water, and sleeves that moved freely and gracefully, surpassing even the most beautiful woman in the Weiyang Palace. It's just a pity that I arrived too late and was unable to witness Your Majesty's divine beauty firsthand. When I first learned to dance, I admired Your Majesty the Empress, but I feel that I am not even a tenth as good as her."
"You're so sweet-talking. Don't bring up the past, or I'll feel embarrassed." These words made the Empress Dowager laugh heartily, and then she asked with feigned concern, "By the way, how far along are you in your pregnancy? Is your appetite good now?"
Qian Jieyu stood out in the competition for the emperor's favor over the past two months. Her skill in dancing earned her many nights spent with the emperor. She had just discovered that she was pregnant with the emperor's child, so she was promoted two levels from Cairen to Jieyu.
That's why Consort Qian dared to speak up. Seeing that her words pleased the Empress Dowager, she quickly and gently, but with an exaggerated motion, touched her still-flat stomach: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It's only been a little over a month, and my appetite is still good. I just keep craving sour things. The sour apricots that Your Majesty the Empress gave me were all gone in just two days. I didn't expect Your Majesty the Empress to send me freshly pickled plums yesterday, which saved my life."
The other concubines were even more sour than if they had eaten sour plums or apricots. While the other concubines managed to remain composed, Cui Zhaorong rolled her eyes again.
"Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl, good! It seems this pregnancy is more likely to be a boy. Truly, good things are happening all the time these days." The Empress Dowager was very pleased, then turned to the Empress: "The Empress has done well. His Majesty and I were right. She is virtuous, generous, and knows how to share the burdens of the emperor."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. It is what I should do." Xi Ning quickly replied humbly, "In the past, there were few heirs in the palace. It is a blessing for Consort Qian to be able to conceive a royal heir this time, and it is also a blessing from heaven for our dynasty. I will certainly do my best to ensure that the imperial lineage continues and flourishes in the palace."
"Yes, very good!" The Empress Dowager listened and nodded with a smile: "That's right. Since everyone is here, I'll make my point here. I'll let bygones be bygones in the past, but if there are any more cases of harming the imperial heirs, I will not let them off lightly. The Empress has the power of the inner palace. If you encounter her, don't hold back. Eliminate her completely, even if she is from my own family. I will grant her permission."
So everyone knelt down: "We respectfully obey the Empress Dowager's decree."
Some people were secretly amused as they knelt. Empress Dowager Dou had sent in quite a few people, but unfortunately, the Dou family's power was not what it used to be. It wasn't that the emperor disliked them or refused them; it was just that the two who were left behind both died.
Every new emperor brings a new court; the passing of each empress dowager is accompanied by the weakening of the power they maintained. Otherwise, Consort Bo and the already deceased Consort Lü would have been empresses long ago, instead of surviving these rounds of palace intrigue and not even becoming a concubine.
After taking her seat, Xi Ning glanced at Consort Qian. In the previous episodes, Consort Qian had risen to the rank of Imperial Concubine. However, her birth was too low, and her children did not survive the cruel palace intrigues. In the end, she left behind a princess, who was sent away for a political marriage. She died in her fifties, not outliving Liu Cheng, and was buried in the concubines' tombs next to the imperial mausoleum.
This woman was quite clever, and it was obvious that she was trying to curry favor with her, hoping to use her influence to protect the child in her womb.
Xi Ning smiled slightly at her, then turned her gaze to the stage, ignoring the venomous glares exchanged between Consort Xiao and Cui Zhaorong. Since she was already there, she might as well make the best of it; a superb performance couldn't be missed. (End of Chapter)