diskusbooks Chapter 531: Every Sentence Is for Your Benefit
Chapter 531: Every Sentence Is for Your Benefit
A lot of bad things happened this year.
For example, war, bloodshed, the emperor being poisoned and injured, as well as floods, droughts, rebellions among the people, etc.
A court official suggested to the emperor that the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors in the twelfth lunar month should be more grand than in previous years, so as to use the power of heaven and ancestors to assist the power of dragon, purge the evil spirits between heaven and earth, and prosper Daliang.
The emperor is right.
As a result, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, the Imperial Observatory and other places were very busy.
In the palace, Queen Yan followed the trend of the previous dynasty and decided to make this year's New Year's Eve banquet a grand and lively one to wash away the bad luck of the previous year.
The ceremony of conferring the title of Imperial Noble Consort before the New Year's Eve banquet served as a small warm-up and was also to be held grandly to boost the spirits of the entire harem.
On this day, all the concubines were called to Fengming Palace to pay their respects in the morning, even those who were of low rank and not qualified to attend the morning and evening visits were summoned.
The room was packed with people.
Empress Yan smiled at everyone and said, "Your Majesty is recuperating in bed, so it's reasonable not to hold a grand ceremony. However, after discussing this with Your Majesty, I feel that we must cleanse ourselves of this filth. Therefore, we must carry out the several major events of the twelfth lunar month: the ancestral worship, the New Year's Eve banquet, and the Imperial Consort's enthronement ceremony and banquet. We must make them as lively as possible. If you have any good ideas, just tell us."
When the concubines heard this, they were all very happy.
This one said that we could add some lanterns in each palace and courtyard so that everywhere would be bright at night.
That person said that there are fewer flowers in winter, but you can make silk flowers and hang them on the trees, which will make it look like the garden is full of spring colors at a glance.
Some people will sing and dance at the banquet.
Someone suggested listening to the opera for several days in a row.
There were also people who offered recipes to add dishes to the palace banquet.
Queen Yan listened to all the suggestions and approved of them all.
"Okay, let's do as everyone agrees. I'll discuss this with the Imperial Concubine and have the Imperial Household Department handle it. Yesterday, the Imperial Concubine suggested that she would pay for new clothes for all the sisters during the New Year. I think that's a great idea. So, I'll join the Imperial Concubine. She'll give the clothes, and I'll give everyone a set of rouge and powder, and a piece of jewelry. The Imperial Concubine and I will pay for the money, and the Imperial Household Department will make all the purchases. You all will supervise the Imperial Household Department. If anything is unusable or something goes wrong, just come and complain to me."
Fei Wan smiled and advised, "Now that you have new clothes and jewelry, you must dress yourself up beautifully. When the time comes, you will stand before His Majesty surrounded by flowers and brocade, and His Majesty will surely be delighted. It's better for everyone to start practicing and figuring out how to dress up."
Everyone quickly saluted and thanked him.
He was in high spirits and praised Queen Yan and Fei Wan.
After the show, the concubines went back in groups of three or five, chatting about the event. Everyone was very happy.
There have been incidents happening all the time in the palace, and it has been a long time since it has been lively.
As the New Year approaches, everyone is preparing for the happy event together. There is a sudden feeling of new beginnings in the new year, and everyone can’t help but look forward to the New Year’s arrival.
Consort Xin brought Pan'er back to the small courtyard behind Chunxi Palace and said to Pan'er with a smile:
"You'll be busy now. The Imperial Concubine asked everyone to start thinking about dressing up early. This is what you're best at. Someone asked you to do it before, and now you'll be even busier."
Pan'er bowed respectfully, "Before I help other ladies, I must first take good care of you, my lady, so that you can take the lead and become the most beautiful one."
Concubine Xin said, "Don't be so reserved, bowing all the time. Besides, you're wrong. I'm just a concubine, how can I be the most beautiful? Besides, I'm not very pretty, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't."
Pan'er said, "If the young lady hadn't agreed to keep me, how could I have stayed and served in such a fine place as Chunxi Palace? The daily work isn't much, and it's not tiring at all. It's a hundred times, a thousand times better than the Xinzheku. I'm able to be where I am today because of your kindness, so of course I'll do my best to make you even more beautiful."
As she spoke, she saw that the other palace maids were not around, so she stepped forward and lowered her voice.
"Your Majesty loves beautiful women, my lady, please do not underestimate yourself. You are so beautiful, and with my skills, it would be easy for you to surpass the Imperial Concubine. However, the Imperial Concubine has also been kind to me, and I cannot overstep my bounds. But I will definitely help you and make you more worthy of His Majesty. His Majesty promotes people very quickly. Even though you are currently a concubine, you may soon be promoted to a concubine or consort."
Consort Xin hurriedly looked towards the door.
I felt relieved when I saw the door was closed.
Quickly remind: "Don't talk nonsense!"
Pan'er said, "I dare not deceive you, young lady. You are good-looking and have a good temperament. You just didn't get the right opportunities before. Now that I am here to help you, if you continue to interact with the Imperial Noble Consort, you will soon stand out. Not to mention the distant future, among the young ladies in Chunxi Palace, who can compare to you? If the Imperial Noble Consort wants to promote someone close to her, she will of course choose you first."
These words made Concubine Xin's face change, and she was obviously moved.
Pan'er whispered in her ear, "Let me be honest, my lady, you have a very nice figure."
He then gestured at Xin Xuanshi's waist and chest.
"Your Majesty will surely like it."
"Pooh!"
Consort Xin slapped Kai Pan'er's hand and said, "What are you talking about? If you keep doing this, I will send you back to the Imperial Concubine!"
Pan'er knelt down hurriedly, "No, my lady, I'm telling the truth! I'm grateful for your kindness and want to help you get promoted soon, so I have the audacity to say these shameless words. My lady, once His Majesty recovers from this injury, there will surely be newcomers. Even if the Imperial Noble Consort is favored, she won't be able to accompany him every day. If you don't seize the opportunity to stand before His Majesty and get promoted, when the new round of selections begins next year and more newcomers enter, your chances will be even fewer. I'm speaking for your own good. Please understand, my lady, please don't drive me away. I don't want to return to the Xinzheku!"
Consort Xin pulled her up.
Sigh.
"Since you're thinking about me, I'll forgive you this time."
Pan'er nodded vigorously with tears in her eyes, indicating that she would never say nonsense again.
Consort Xin smiled and said, "You don't have to be so scared. What you said makes some sense. I want to spend more time with the Imperial Noble Consort. Even if it's not for the favor, I want to thank her for taking care of me for so long."
On this day, Concubine Xin asked Pan'er to put on beautiful makeup for her, changed into suitable clothes, and went to Fei Wan to express her gratitude.
"If Your Majesty hadn't given me the plate, how could I have become so beautiful? After all this work, I can finally catch up to one percent of the Imperial Noble Consort. If Your Majesty needs any help, I will do my best to repay your kindness."
Fei Wan smiled and said, "I have enough people around me, so I don't need to trouble you. However, when I go to Chen Qian Palace to serve, it's not a good idea to bring too many people with me. I'm not very good at using the people in front of the emperor. Why don't you accompany me a few more times and help serve His Majesty."
Xin Xuanshi was surprised: "I will follow your Majesty's orders!"