Chapter 14

When the Empress Dowager spoke, the entire Jinghe Hall fell silent, and an undercurrent of tension swept through the room.

Especially those with eligible young women in their families were secretly calculating their chances.

In this dynasty, there are eight ranks of consorts in the imperial harem, excluding the Empress

1. One Noble Consort

2. Four Consorts

3. One Lady

4. Six Ladies

Nobles, talents, chosen attendants, and pickeresses have no rank restrictions.

The imperial court has twelve palaces in the eastern and western parts, and there are exactly twelve positions of rank and above.

Therefore, those of rank and above can become the head of a palace and reside in the main hall, while lower-ranked individuals live in the side halls of each palace.

Now, with all high positions except for the Noble Consort being vacant, if their daughters can enter the palace through this selection and win the Emperor’s favor, they could easily secure a high position.

Previously, Emperor Yongfeng’s harem was full, and since he had been on the throne for a long time, high positions were occupied by well-established individuals with good family backgrounds.

Later entrants, no matter how favored, could only hold the position of Consort and could not be promoted until a high-ranking consort passed away or was demoted.

Therefore, when Emperor Yuanxi appointed Kang Yuyi, a concubine of lowly status to the position of Noble Consort, it caused a huge stir.

There had been empresses from commoner or palace maid backgrounds in the past, but they were all elevated because of their sons becoming the heir or emperor.

Kang Yuyi, coming from the lowest slave status and having no children, being initially appointed as Noble Consort seemed excessive.

To them, even considering Kang Yuyi’s background as a former member of the palace, a title of Consort would have been the limit.

However, Kang Yuyi managed to secure the position of Noble Consort right away, leaving the rest of the noblewomen with no chance but to remain beneath her, unless they could secure the top position themselves.

The noblewomen who had hoped to enter the palace and saw Kang Yuyi as a rival never expected that not only would they remain subordinate to her, but they wouldn’t even get a chance to enter the palace.

But as the saying goes, “the seven-year itch.”

It had been a full seven years since Kang Yuyi was taken as the concubine of Emperor Yuanxi.

No matter how charming or beautiful she is, seven years of the same routine would surely become tiresome.

Many in the room secretly observed Kang Yuyi, seated beside the Emperor.

She was wearing a pomegranate-red dress embroidered with gold and adorned with birds and phoenixes. Her hair was styled in a high bun, and she wore a full set of red gold and ruby jewelry. Her eyebrows were elegantly arched, her lips lightly tinted, and a delicate floral ornament was affixed to her brow. Her appearance was strikingly beautiful and radiant.

However, there was a faint shadow of sadness in her beautiful brows, and her face showed signs of weariness.

In contrast, Kang Yuyi’s beauty, though undeniable, could not compare to the youthful and vibrant charm of a young woman in her prime, blossoming like a spring bud.

They privately thought that since the Empress Dowager had mentioned the need for a selection of new consorts on her sixtieth birthday, the Emperor would not dismiss her wishes.

However, their hopes were quickly dashed.

“The treasury is tight, and the expenses for selecting consorts are considerable. If Imperial Grandmother wants more activity in the palace, inviting women from various families to the palace to keep you company would be enough,” the Emperor said coldly, his expression stern but calm.

Had it not been for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, the Emperor might not have even bothered with excuses.

“The emperor’s duty to fill the harem and ensure a long line of heirs is a matter of national importance. The emperor should take it seriously!” The Empress Dowager frowned.

Then, softening her tone, the Empress Dowager added, “While I am still able, I will organize a selection this year to find some suitable noblewomen for you to bring into the palace. Will that be acceptable?”

With the Empress Dowager personally handling the selection, her first priority would naturally be to include her own granddaughter, Pei Yuqian, who was already over twenty.

Instead of directly appointing her, the draft was proposed to gain the support of the families and ministers.

Through this selection, even if her granddaughter were initially appointed as a consort or a lady, if she gained favor and bore an imperial son, the position of Empress would be within reach.

As for Kang Yuyi’s eldest son, whether he would survive to adulthood remained uncertain.

Thinking this over, the Empress Dowager glanced at her daughter, the Grand Princess, seated at the bottom of the west side.

The Grand Princess, receiving the signal, quickly advised, “The Emperor is nearly thirty and has only one son. Not only are we, the clan elders, concerned, but the subjects are also very worried.”

“Aunt, there is no need to discuss this matter further,” the Emperor said coldly, his tone leaving no room for debate.

This time, he did not even bother with excuses.

The Grand Princess, publicly rebuffed, had a very displeased expression. Her heavily powdered face was tense.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager could only sigh, “Very well. It’s good that the Emperor has his own plans.”

Then, another birthday gift covered in red silk was presented. The eunuch announced that it was a gift from the Noble Consort.

This gift had been prepared months in advance. Kang Yuyi, curious about what it was, looked up with interest.

The eunuch unveiled the red silk to reveal a two-foot-high red coral, as fiery red as a flame.

Although the red coral was rare and valuable, it lacked novelty.

“Your Highness has a kind heart,” the Empress Dowager said without further comment and nodded for the palace staff to take the gift.

After viewing some birthday gifts presented by close royal relatives, the celebration continued with singing, dancing, and music.

Kang Yu Yi’s gaze inadvertently met a man in a purple brocade robe with a crane pattern. He had red lips and white teeth, and his appearance was somewhat androgynous.

She felt uncomfortable, as if pricked by thorns, and found his gaze unsettlingly cold and slimy.

Noticing her discomfort, the man’s mouth curved into a gentle smile, feigning innocence.

Seeing her reaction, the Emperor followed her gaze and realized it was his maternal cousin, Cui Mu Lin.

Suddenly recalling something, the Emperor’s dark eyes narrowed slightly.

Cui Mu Lin, startled, quickly looked away.

By late afternoon, the Empress Dowager could no longer continue and left the banquet first.

The Emperor soon followed, taking Kang Yu Yi, who appeared dazed, with him.

The remaining guests did not hurry to leave. With the main figures gone, the princes and ministers became more relaxed, drinking and socializing while the entertainment continued.

Seeing this, Kang’s father and Zhou’s wife were even more anxious than at the beginning.

Fortunately, they were soon called by the eunuch and invited to Renshou Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager Cui and to meet His Highness the Crown Prince.

Kang’s father and Zhou’s wife followed the eunuch, their first visit to the palace making them very cautious. They dared not look around.

Upon arriving at Renshou Palace, the Empress Dowager did not appear but sent them directly to the East Hall to meet the Crown Prince.

In the East Hall, they saw a chubby little boy sitting unsteadily on a soft nanmu couch. The wet nurse beside him occasionally helped him steady himself.

Though more than five months old, His Highness could sit on his own but was not very stable. His plump arms and legs were like lotus roots, squished together.

In the hot weather, he wore only a small golden bib embroidered with a five-clawed python, giving him an imposing appearance.

He looked at Kang’s father and Zhou’s wife with large, curious eyes, like a little fairy child.

Kang’s father and Zhou’s wife were melting with affection and wanted to hug and kiss him but were afraid to overstep.

Since the Crown Prince had not yet reached his first birthday and had no name, everyone simply referred to him as “Little Highness.”

There was only this one prince in the palace, so there was no need for further distinctions.

About half an hour later, Kang Yu Yi finally arrived.

The elaborate attire and headdress she had worn to the banquet were beautiful but cumbersome.

She changed into a simpler apricot-colored palace dress with a peony pattern and removed the elaborate accessories.

Seeing her, Kang’s father and Zhou’s wife showed clear joy and excitement.

“Greetings to Your Highness!” they quickly bowed.

Kang Yu Yi instinctively helped her parents up and hurriedly said, “Please don’t do that”

Hearing her sweet voice, Zhou and Kang’s father were even more convinced that she was indeed their daughter, and their eyes instantly filled with tears.

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