Guangyang Palace.
The palace was brightly lit, with the scent of musk wafting through the air and sheer curtains hanging down. Upon a high seat sat a woman in red. Her hair was piled high, her temples adorned with emeralds, and she was ethereally captivating.
Her eyebrows were like silken threads, her eyes like shooting stars. With lips red and teeth white, her red silk gown made her skin appear even more crystal clear and fair. Her nails were painted a vibrant crimson, and her ten slender fingers delicately held a question that she breathed out like fragrant orchids to a palace maid below.
"Is His Majesty coming today?"
"Replying to Your Ladyship, we have not received any summons from His Majesty." The kneeling palace maid reported with perfect adherence to protocol, her head bowed. A hidden gleam flashed in her eyes.
The woman in red’s expression changed abruptly, becoming somewhat displeased. She slapped the high table beside her with her slender jade hand and let out a cold snort, imbued with unspoken authority. "Scram."
"Yes, Your Ladyship." The palace maid below withdrew without haste.
The woman in red was the Emperor's new concubine, Jin Jiali. Every night, she excitedly adorned herself, awaiting the Emperor's favor. However, each time it was in vain.
A month had passed since she entered the palace, yet the Emperor had not favored her, nor had he favored any of the newly admitted concubines. It was heard that besides staying in the chambers of Zhang Xiuyi, no other maiden had this opportunity.
Jin Jiali rested her chin in her hand, her beautiful face now etched with worry. It seemed His Majesty would not be coming tonight; it was already past the auspicious hour.
She recalled the day she entered the palace, her father affectionately embracing her, "Lier, the hope of our Jin family rests upon you. If you gain the Emperor's favor after entering the palace, and then give birth to a young prince, our Jin family will prosper forever."
But now, she was unable to do anything. Why did the Emperor not favor them? The dozen or so maidens who entered the palace were all charming and beautiful.
Especially her, a beauty of the capital. On the day of the selection, she had seen the fleeting astonishment in the Emperor's eyes when he saw her. But why did he then ignore her completely?
Jin Jiali pondered endlessly. In this palace, she had no influence whatsoever. On the other hand, that Empress Liu had the protection of the Grand Supervisor and the shelter of the Empress Dowager's formidable presence. She needed to cultivate her own power as soon as possible.
"Your Ladyship, what are you thinking about?" A melodious voice interrupted Jin Jiali's reverie. Without looking up, she knew it was Suo'er, her personal maid whom she had brought from the Jin family. Suo'er was an intelligent and capable girl.
"Suo'er, have you found anything out?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship. His Majesty is spending the night in Yongyuan Hall today. It is heard that he is troubled by the flooding of several counties in Jingzhou, which caused many casualties.
To this day, houses and crops remain submerged. Those who survived have become beggars, wandering everywhere. Furthermore, the silver for disaster relief that His Majesty sent was embezzled.
His Majesty is now very angry and has ordered Prince Yan to investigate the matter. He is currently devising strategies to rescue Jingzhou."
Suo'er reported diligently. This information was obtained with money. In this palace, anything could be managed with money, but it was essential to ensure absolute certainty.
Jin Jiali nodded. She did not expect so many people had died, no wonder His Majesty was in a bad mood. It seemed they, the concubines, could only wait in the inner palace. Jin Jiali suddenly felt a sense of desolation.
She had entered the palace filled with illusions. Would she truly have to wait endlessly in the palace for a man's favor?
After indulging in some self-pity, she rallied her spirits. Since His Majesty was occupied, she could use this time to consolidate her influence within the palace.
"Suo'er, I heard that Empress Liu slapped Commander Zhao twice a few days ago, is that true?"
"Yes, Your Ladyship." Suo'er nodded respectfully. She was devoted to her mistress. Besides inquiring about His Majesty, she had also investigated the matter of the Empress slapping Commander Zhao a few days prior.
It was heard that Commander Zhao was one of the officials trusted by His Majesty. If they could win him over, then they could stand on equal footing with Empress Liu.
"Have you sent someone to invite Commander Zhao?"
"I have, Your Ladyship, please rest assured. It was I who invited him, and no one else knew," Suo'er said softly.
In Guangyang Palace, there were many eyes and ears. Who knew if these palace maids and eunuchs would not stab them in the back? Therefore, only Suo'er knew everything about Jin Jiali.
"Good." Jin Jiali nodded with satisfaction. She stood up and glanced at the palace maids in the great hall. With a wave of her hand, she coldly commanded, "All of you may withdraw. This consort feels rather tired and wishes to rest."
"Yes, Your Ladyship." The palace maids and eunuchs all retreated. Jin Jiali stood up and extended her hand. Suo'er quickly helped her down from the high seat. The mistress and her maid turned into the sleeping quarters and left via another path.
Under the bright moon, which seemed to be veiled by a thin gauze, the night was deep and dark. Jin Jiali and Suo'er, who did not know martial arts and dared not carry lanterns, could only make their way into a small pavilion through the glow of the palace lanterns under the eaves.
The pavilion was surrounded by sheer curtains, and a figure stood within, his tall and straight posture evident. With a sound, he swiftly turned his head to look. In the dark night, his eyes shone like stars. He strode forward two steps and stopped before Jin Jiali, speaking coldly.
"May I ask what business Your Ladyship Shu Fei has in summoning this minister in the middle of the night?"
Jin Jiali saw that the man was merely a minor guard commander. He neither paid her proper respects nor showed any deference, and spoke so rashly. A flicker of displeasure flashed across her face.
However, she quickly remembered that this man was a favored official by the Emperor's side, and she was a concubine yet to be favored. Therefore, she should endure it.
"I heard Commander Zhao was slapped by Empress Liu a few days ago, is this true?"
Zhao Jiu, upon hearing Jin Jiali's words, knew that this woman had summoned him in the dead of night because of the Empress. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, but the sharp light was too quick, and Jin Jiali did not see it clearly.
"It is true that this minister offended Her Ladyship the Empress." Zhao Jiu did not deny it, silently observing Jin Jiali's movements, hoping his suspicions were unfounded.
It was better for the women of the inner palace to be more obedient. The Emperor was not foolish. If he discovered these concubines plotting in secret, then this Jin Jiali would likely fall into misfortune.
"Commander Zhao is too polite. In this vast deep palace, everyone knows Commander Zhao is deeply favored by His Majesty. Perhaps only that ugly woman under heaven dares to slap Commander Zhao. It is rare that Commander Zhao is so understanding and righteous. This consort has always admired those who are obedient and principled. I wonder if Commander Zhao is willing to follow this consort?"
At this moment, the dark clouds veiling the moon dispersed, illuminating the entire pavilion. Jin Jiali looked at the man before her, standing against the wind, his posture tall and straight, his black robes encasing his strong physique, his dark hair flowing. He was truly a handsome man.
Although not as handsome as the Emperor, he possessed a different charm that made her blush and her heart pound. When had she ever been so close to a man?
Even with the Emperor, she had never been this close. He was only a step away, within reach if she simply extended her hand. However, she had not forgotten her identity as the Emperor's concubine.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship Shu Fei. It is late, and this minister shall take his leave." Zhao Jiu cupped his hands and departed in a flash. He had initially thought this Shu Fei had something important to discuss with him.
He did not expect this woman was trying to win him over, and she looked quite ravenous, staring intently at him. He had no habit of getting entangled with concubines of the inner palace. It was precisely because of this that the Emperor felt confident in appointing him as the guard commander of the inner palace.
"I hope you will consider it seriously." Jin Jiali rushed to the railing, speaking into the empty air where the man had disappeared. She believed he could still hear her.
Suo'er watched her mistress stare blankly in the direction Zhao Tongling had left and quickly said, "Your Ladyship, it is late. Let us return."
"Alright." Jin Jiali nodded, and the two walked back along the path they had taken.