“Enough, all of you, quiet down,” the Empress Dowager’s face fell. Chu Yuyan and Ximen Xinyue dared not say more. They accompanied her, gazing towards the palace gates.
Eunuchs soon ushered in the presented ladies, Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang.
Today, Mu Qingzhu was sumptuously dressed. She wore a light blue brocade gown paired with a red pleated skirt, a five-colored jade sash hanging at her waist. Her coiled hair was adorned with a jade hairpin, its tassels swaying with her every step, drawing all eyes.
Mu Qingzhu was indeed a tall, beautiful woman, though her character might not be as lofty. Knowing her sister had entered the palace as Empress, she insisted on entering herself. This was merely a pursuit of vanity, and such people were easier to control.
Mu Qingxiang, behind her, was far more subdued. She wore a misty green long skirt, its hem embroidered with delicate water grass in gold thread, unique and fresh. Though not particularly outstanding, she was delicate and refined with a much more reserved demeanor.
This woman possessed a certain composure, but still could not escape the allure of royalty.
“Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and Her Ladyship the Imperial Consort.”
“Rise,” the Empress Dowager said, her face radiating kindness and amiability, making one naturally inclined to draw near.
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang had not slept well, fearing the Empress Dowager would be difficult to appease. Now, it seemed the Empress Dowager was more like a benevolent matriarch, nothing like the ferocious figure their father had warned them about.
This was surely a scare tactic from their father, who didn't want them in the palace. However, they would not fall for it.
“Come, bring chairs for the two young ladies.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” several young palace maids immediately brought forth chairs. The chairs looked incredibly comfortable, upholstered with soft, luxurious brocade cushions, making one unable to resist sitting.
“Please, be seated.” The Empress Dowager pulled Yuyan to her side. The others were seated, and for a moment, the grand sleeping quarters were filled with the vibrant colors of peach and willow, wafting with fragrant breezes. The Empress Dowager seemed pleased, glancing from one to another, a spring breeze smile gracing her lips.
“Each of you is incredibly beautiful. If you were all to reside in the palace, it would truly feel like a home. The harem should have more women to bear descendants for the royal lineage, otherwise, how can the imperial family flourish? Don’t you agree?”
Her words brought blushes to the faces of several women, who dared not look up at the Empress Dowager, quickly lowering their heads to fiddle with their embroidery handkerchiefs.
During this brief interval, only Chu Yuyan clearly saw a trace of ill intent lurking in her aunt’s dark eyes.
It seemed she intended to use the two Mu sisters against the Empress.
Chu Yuyan remained still, then suddenly smiled. Though her smile carried a hint of bitterness, it extended from the corners of her eyes to her lips.
“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is most thoughtful.”
Mu Qingzhu’s mouth couldn’t stop smiling. Mu Qingxiang and Ximen Xinyue were much more reserved. While the Empress Dowager’s words were pleasant, they seemed to hold back something. As expected, after they finished speaking, the Empress Dowager’s face showed a slight reluctance, and she spoke slowly.
“Although I wish to help you, the mistress of the harem is the Empress. Yesterday was the grand wedding of the Emperor and the Empress. I took it upon myself to bring you into the palace. I fear the Empress might have some reservations about me, and thus it is difficult for me to speak directly. Therefore, when you have time, visit the Phoenix Palace often. As long as the Empress gives her consent, I will certainly recommend you to the Emperor, and then you will be able to properly enter the harem.”
The three women listened to the Empress Dowager’s words with some disappointment.
The Empress Dowager had sent for them yesterday, and now she said they had to wait for the Empress’s decree? Had the Empress Dowager abdicated her authority? Was the Empress now the highest-ranking in the harem?
Silence fell upon the sleeping chambers. Sunlight streamed through the windows, and everyone simultaneously thought of one thing.
It was past the morning hour, and the Empress had not yet come to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.
Did the Empress not regard the Empress Dowager with respect? Though hesitant, no one spoke. Even Mu Qingzhu cleverly feigned ignorance; she was not foolish at this moment.
The Empress Dowager’s mood grew irritable, but she continued speaking as if nothing were amiss.
“The two young ladies of the Mu family are quite sensible. Since the Empress is your own sister, if you ask her, she will surely agree.”
Mu Qingzhu and Mu Qingxiang exchanged astonished glances. Did they truly have to ask Qingyao? And why did things feel so complicated? A seed of doubt was sown in their hearts. But since they were already in the palace, they could only take it one step at a time.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ximen Xinyue’s complexion did not improve upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s words. What did the Empress Dowager mean by saying this?
The two Mu sisters could enter the palace, but was she destined to be mere cannon fodder? This would not do.
Her fox-like eyes flashed with coldness. The Empress Dowager, understanding her intentions, quickly reassured her.
“As long as the Empress agrees, I will have the Emperor take you, Xinyue, as another consort. The harem is vast, and one more is not many. Afterwards, it will depend on each of your own skills. Whichever one gains the Emperor’s favor will be her own doing. I, too, came through this path.”
The Empress Dowager sighed, recalling old times. How many times had she woken from dreams in a fright? This harem was truly a place that devoured people without spitting out bones. If one did not wish to be devoured, one could only devour others.
“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is most thoughtful,” Ximen Xinyue finally relaxed.
As long as she could become a consort as she wished, she would then use all her cunning to eliminate these women one by one. A slightly lowered lock of hair concealed the ferocity in her eyes.
The Empress Dowager saw that it was already late morning, yet that woman still had not come to pay her respects. This was clearly a sign of disrespect towards her as the Empress Dowager.
No matter what, she was the one who had nurtured the Emperor. For her to dare such rebellion, the Empress Dowager’s expression grew increasingly displeased, and finally, unable to contain herself, she turned her gaze towards Chu Yuyan by her side.
“Yan’er, go pay your respects to the Empress. Although you arrived half a year earlier, she is the mistress of the harem. You must not disrupt this order in the future.”
“Yes, Mother,” Chu Yuyan replied gently, gracefully descending from the couch and taking her leave.
Seeing the Imperial Consort leave, the remaining women knew their stay was futile. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager’s displeasure was evident, and they might become scapegoats.
The three women, being sensible, stood up. “We shall take our leave now.”
“Mmm, all of you may go.”
The Empress Dowager waved them away. Once the three women had departed, her eyes suddenly turned sharp and menacing. She called out towards the sleeping chamber door, “Little Li Zi, Little Li Zi!”
Upon hearing his name, Eunuch Li quickly darted in from outside and respectfully asked, “Your Majesty?”
“Immediately send someone to see what that woman is doing. The insolent wretch! Just entering the harem, and she already shows no regard for me!”