Chapter 2667
Being an Empress Isn't Easy 13
Chapter 2667 Being an Empress Isn't Easy 13
"Help! Someone has fallen into the water!"
"Ah, help! I can't swim..."
"Hurry and save them!"
Screams and cries for help filled the air, creating a chaotic scene outside.
As expected, it happened. Xi Ning sighed and said helplessly to Qiu Shi, who was still holding the phoenix crown, "Put it on again."
Then they heard a palace maid outside shouting, "Just stand up, the water here is only three feet deep."
One can imagine the reaction of the young woman who had fallen into the water, standing up and finding the water only up to her waist. And it wasn't just her; the expressions on the faces of the others were equally varied.
She could have rested then, but instead, she put the phoenix crown she had just taken off back on and went out again to uphold justice.
Looking at the young lady, soaking wet and having just climbed out of the fish pond in the courtyard, she looked quite disheveled.
Upon seeing her, he immediately knelt down, wiping away tears and begging for justice, saying that someone had pushed her.
The fishpond was raised with soil more than a month ago. Now, after the mud and sand in the pond have been stirred, it is slightly turbid, but dozens of dark-colored carp and crucian carp are still swimming around as usual.
Xining immediately felt incredibly wise; if this concubine were to accidentally drown in the pool of her Changqiu Palace, she would also bear responsibility.
He asked in a feigned tone, "Who had the audacity to push you like that?"
The woman who fell into the water said she was pushed from behind and didn't see who it was.
Then ask others: "Did you see anyone push this?"
Once you enter the palace, you must be careful. Since you're new to the palace, you haven't figured out the situation yet, and you haven't had much grudge against anyone.
As expected, the many young women looked at each other, none of them daring to speak.
Heaven knows whether someone pushed him or he jumped in himself. Don't tell me he wouldn't be courting death by jumping into the pool; who knows, he might have been trying to get the emperor's attention.
One was expelled from the palace, leaving 27 more women to be selected for the imperial harem. To catch the emperor's eye among the newcomers, they had to rack their brains and devise every possible method.
Xining sighed slightly, feigning nonchalance: "If no one says anything, this will be difficult to handle."
He then said seriously, "This is also the first lesson I learned after entering the palace. No matter how good the relationship is or how many people are around, try to keep your distance. This is not only for your own safety, but also to avoid suspicion. If you are eight feet away, it will be difficult to pin the blame on the other person if they fall or fall into the lake."
The young ladies-in-waiting responded in unison, "Your Majesty the Empress is right."
Supported by her maid, Consort Chen spoke in a very flattering manner: "It's only because Her Majesty the Empress is kind-hearted that others usually don't offer advice. I was walking in front and didn't see what happened behind me. In the future, you should all be more careful. If you want to cause trouble, go somewhere else and don't cause trouble for Her Majesty the Empress."
"Yes, Consort Jieyu," the other young ladies-in-waiting replied respectfully.
This made Consort Chen's lips curl up involuntarily. How many years had it taken her to go from a beauty to a consort? It was indeed very pleasant to be a high-ranking concubine.
Xi Ning raised her hand, letting Qiu Shi help her leave, and said before speaking: "Send someone to find a clean set of clothes for her to change into. Send her back home, and summon the imperial physician. Make sure she doesn't catch a cold. If this woman gets wet in cold water and catches a chill, it could affect her ability to have children."
Everyone broke out in a cold sweat. It was almost June, not the dead of winter. They didn't need to drink ginger soup to ward off the cold, let alone catch a chill.
But thinking about it again, the Empress was probably trying to warn everyone. The weather is fine now, but if someone falls into the water in the dead of winter, even if the water isn't deep, they'll suffer.
On their way back, many of the young women walked slowly, trying not to get too close to others.
Back inside, she removed the phoenix crown again. After changing into casual clothes, she took a sip of the tea that was served and finally felt much more relaxed. It seems these young ladies-in-waiting need to have their safety awareness strengthened; the etiquette training class must be held again.
The next day, the list of concubines who had fallen into the water was delivered, and the young woman who had been chosen for the night was summoned. Upon learning that she had been promoted to the rank of "Talented Lady," Xining ordered someone to fetch a silver hairpin from the storeroom and send it to her.
Whether this drowning was accidental or intentional, it has nothing to do with me. For safety's sake, I've already shallowed the fishpond in my own palace; what more do you want?
The days that followed became even more lively.
The young women, seeing that some had already been chosen to serve the emperor and received rewards, were filled with envy and jealousy, and began to harbor their own ambitions.
Some people paid for information and would play music and dance in places where the emperor might pass by.
But the emperor glanced at it and left.
They don't even consider that the emperor is busy with countless affairs of state; he has no time for leisurely strolls. After court, he has to go and review memorials.
When going to the Empress Dowager or a slightly distant place, one would sit in a light palanquin carried by someone, often closing one's eyes to rest, and even if one saw the light, one would be too lazy to ask for it to stop.
It's highly unlikely that they would actually stop it or send someone to ask who was dancing and playing the piano.
He went to fly kites in the Imperial Garden, but after three days he still couldn't attract the emperor, and he ended up getting a tan.
But there are also alternative approaches...
A palace maid brought over a tray: "Your Highness, this was sent by Consort Chen. She said she would not find it offensive."
It is an embroidered handkerchief with a dragonfly and lotus flower design. The small, green dragonfly is perched on a pink lotus bud that is about to bloom, which is very vivid and charming.
There's also a sachet adorned with tassels, filled with mugwort and mint to repel mosquitoes and promote sleep. Embroidered on it is a calico cat curled up asleep, its eyes half-closed, plump and adorable. It can be hung on the curtain hook above the bed.
Xi Ning picked up the sachet: "This shouldn't have been embroidered by Consort Chen, right?"
"That's right." Qiu Shi said with a smile, "It's that young lady who can also embroider, named Jiang Qiao'er. After Consort Chen was promoted, she felt a connection with her and brought her into the Chuxiu Palace to keep her company."
Another way to climb the ranks is to ingratiate yourself with high-ranking concubines, catering to their preferences and making them happy. Alternatively, you can find an opportune moment to feign weakness and ask for their assistance.
Lady Lü went to the Empress Dowager's quarters and served her food, massaged her legs, attended to her illness, and made her snacks, doing so with even more care than she would her own mother. The Empress Dowager felt embarrassed and mentioned it to the Emperor, which led to her being granted the opportunity to serve him in bed.
When Consort Bo found out, she was furious. They had all entered the palace around the same time, and Consort Lü had only risen to a higher rank by currying favor with the Empress Dowager. Both came from prestigious families; if Consort Lü could do it, so could she.
As a result, the Empress Dowager didn't take the bait. After being rebuffed several times, Consort Bo couldn't bring herself to do it anymore and gave up. After all, she was being served so well, and if another person came along, it would seem like they had ulterior motives. No matter how good they were, she would be wary and refuse.
Seeing that the Empress had changed her usual domineering and jealous ways and had given her another chance to catch the Emperor's eye, Consort Chen quickly came to curry favor with her.
Even though the Empress refused to see guests, she still sent embroidery every few days.
Xining held the sachet, which was not quite as good as Chen Jieyu's in terms of embroidery, but was better because Yingluo made it beautifully and Feimao embroidered it cutely. She raised an eyebrow and said, "This lady-in-waiting is quite interesting."
After thinking for a moment, she said, "Send these two items to His Majesty and say that they were sent by Consort Chen and that other woman, what was her name again? I found them interesting and wanted to show them to His Majesty. If he likes them, he may keep them."
Qiu Shi responded and took the plate out.
They were so proactive, even knowing the names of the imperial concubines; it would be strange if they hadn't received some benefits.
However, in the story before the autumn harvest, she stayed by the original owner's side, and even helped with the funeral arrangements after the original owner's death, visiting the grave every year to pay her respects. Therefore, the sister was tolerant and turned a blind eye.
Just as she picked up the storybook, someone came to report that Qian Jieyu, who was pregnant, had started bleeding after being frightened.