Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Chapter 134: Legend of Zhen Huan 6

When entering the palace to meet the empress for the first time, not only were the newlyweds not allowed to chat or meet with other concubines first, even their personal maids had to stand outside. After meeting the empress, they could enter the main hall of Jingren Palace with their personal maids on the day of paying respects.

There are not many concubines in the palace now. Among them are Concubine Hua, Concubine Qi and Concubine Duan. Concubine Duan has been ill for many years and has not appeared in public for a long time when she was in the palace. Among them are Concubine Jing, Concubine Li and Concubine Yu. Concubine Yu is far away in the Rehe Palace to take care of the Fifth Prince and is not in the capital. It seems that the emperor has not forgotten that he has a woman with a child outside.

Then there are Concubine Cao and Concubine Xin, plus Concubine Chun who has been here for some time.

Jianqiu went in and told the Queen about the position dispute between the newlyweds, and also told her that Concubine Hua still hadn't come.

The Queen was originally in a good mood, but when she heard that Hua Fei was deliberately making fun of her, her face suddenly darkened. She walked to the front hall and said to Jian Qiu without turning her head, "It's okay for Hua Fei to be late. Anyway, it doesn't make sense for me, the Queen, to wait for a concubine."

When the old people saw the Queen coming out, they all bowed down. The Queen called out to her without any embarrassment. Then Concubine Qi talked about Concubine Hua: "This Concubine Hua really doesn't give face to the Queen. She still makes trouble on such an important day for the audience with the newcomer."

The queen's heart sank. She knew, of course, that Concubine Qi was speaking up for her, but her words were tantamount to saying that she, as the queen, was not able to control a mere concubine.

The queen remained calm and smiled gently and virtuously as she spoke of the newcomer: "Princess Jing, please don't continue to ignore everything. Since Concubine Shen has been assigned to your palace, you, as the head of a palace, must always show your authority and teach the people under you."

Jingpin pretended not to understand the deeper meaning and sincerely admitted her mistake: "The Queen is teaching me that I must take good care of Xianfu Palace."

Xin Changzai spoke quickly about how the newcomers didn't know the rules, so Jianqiu said that the new ladies in the palace were ready for an audience, and the empress then began to summon them into the palace.

Yi Xin and Noble Lady Bolkigit led the way, followed by Noble Lady Shen and Concubine Wan, and finally Concubine Xia and Concubine An.

When meeting the empress for the first time, no matter what rank one has, one must kneel down and kowtow three times. However, because it is really inappropriate for a large group of people to kowtow together, the palace now uses kneeling down and shaking hands three times instead of kowtow three times. The action looks like a fortune cat and is a bit funny.

The queen had no intention of making things difficult for the newlyweds. She just called them up and continued to talk about how they should serve the emperor wholeheartedly and expand the royal family.

Yi Xin kept an expressionless face and looked like she would never be approached by strangers from beginning to end. When the Queen saw her like this, she couldn't help but feel that her good looks were wasted, but she had no intention of relaxing with her at all.

Then Concubine Hua came, and hearing the eunuchs calling out their names outside the door, the group of women became a little nervous.

Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan had also heard a lot about Concubine Hua's deeds. Even the aunt who taught the palace rules said that Concubine Hua was the most beautiful woman, surpassing the Manchu and Mongolian flags. Zhen Huan also said contemptuously about Concubine Hua, "Those who use beauty to seduce others, how long can they be happy?" It was only because the aunt Fangruo who was sent over was a person with a plan in mind that she only told these words to the Empress Dowager and did not even tell the Queen.

Concubine Hua walked in gracefully, and she did have some aura. Even the noblewoman Borjigit beside Yi Xin changed her expression slightly, especially when she saw that Concubine Hua just slightly bent her knees as a salute to the Queen. The other newlyweds all thought that Concubine Hua was taking advantage of her favor and trying to intimidate the Queen.

After Concubine Hua sat down, the newlyweds had to squat and salute her, and get to know the old people in the harem at the same time.

But Concubine Hua didn't wake up, instead she started chatting with the Queen about family matters. She raised her hand to admire the jade bracelet on her wrist, complaining that the jade tribute this year was not of enough color, and implying that the Queen had long fallen out of favor and was so poor that she didn't even have the silver to make new jewelry.

But the queen smiled and said, "I just got a pair of Dongzhu earrings. Considering the tight situation of the Ministry of Revenue, I don't want to spend money."

Hua Fei's face darkened immediately, but the Queen reminded her at this time: "Sister Hua Fei, please wake up quickly, don't just talk to me."

Concubine Hua called out reluctantly, then turned around and asked, "Who is Concubine Jin?"

Yi Xin took a step forward without changing her expression or heartbeat, slightly bent her knees and said, "I am the noble lady Jin of Yanxi Palace, Fucha."

Concubine Hua had no intention of making things difficult for Yi Xin. After all, Fu Cha was not someone that Nian could afford to offend. She was just curious as to why the daughter of Fu Cha could also get a title.

At this time, Concubine Hua felt relieved when she saw that Yi Xin's appearance was just so-so and not outstanding among the newcomers.

He just said, "Noble Lady Jin is indeed a person who abides by the rules. No wonder the Queen specially commended her."

After Yi Xin returned to her seat, Concubine Hua asked again, "Who is Concubine Shen?"

As Concubine Shen was also from the Han Army Banner, Concubine Hua was the most hostile to her. After all, they were both from the Han Army Banner, the Shen family also served in the army, and Concubine Shen's biological father was a third-rank military general.

Shen Guiren followed Yi Xin's example and stepped forward to bow slightly. However, when she heard Hua Fei say that she was pretty, she said the wrong thing and actually said that Hua Fei was as beautiful as a country and as graceful as a heaven. Hua Fei almost laughed to death and quickly seized the handle in her words and scolded her, "I am just a concubine. Isn't the phrase "as beautiful as a country and as graceful as a heaven" used to describe the queen?"

Concubine Shen was also anxious, but she had said the wrong thing and Concubine Hua had a handle on her. She couldn't think of any good way to turn things around. It was Concubine Wan who stepped out to smooth things over and said, "The Empress is as splendid as the moon, and Concubine Hua is as beautiful as a pearl. I can't even compare to her."

Hua Fei looked at Wan Changzai quietly and asked, "Who are you?"

Wan Changzai said quickly: "My name is Sui Yuxuan Wan Changzai Zhen Huan, I am honored to meet Empress Hua Fei."

Seeing that Wan Chang Zai was really outstanding in appearance, Concubine Hua felt very jealous and hateful, but in the blink of an eye, she couldn't help feeling a little lonely, so she smiled and said, "Wan Chang Zai is dressed in plain clothes, but her appearance is still very beautiful. It can be seen that the emperor really has a good eye for talent. Especially since Wan Chang Zai is very eloquent, the palace will surely be more lively in the future."

Thinking that Hua Fei would continue to make trouble and that the Queen wanted to use Wan Changzai's appearance to do things, she quickly interrupted and asked Jian Qiu, "Does the Queen Mother have any order?"

Jianqiu was about to reply, and replied in a moderate voice: "Aunt Zhuxi, who is beside the Empress Dowager, said that the Empress Dowager is feeling a little unwell today, so she can skip the greetings today."

So the Queen said logically: "Since the Empress Dowager has exempted herself from paying respects, everyone should obey her. I still have to go visit her, so I won't keep you sisters here."

So the audience with the queen finally came to an end.