Chapter 365: Chapter 360: Imperial Concubine
"Mumu, do you know why your sister told you about this matter?" Ye Xing looked at his youngest grandson and said.
"Because I am the only one sister can pass the message to!" Ye Mu replied subconsciously, then shut his mouth after seeing his grandfather looking at him as if he were an idiot.
"It is because you are the one who trusts her the most, and you are not as impulsive as your two brothers," said Ye Xing, his tone somewhat reflective, "I am getting old and my health is failing. I used to worry that after I’m gone, you all would not be able to preserve the Ye Family. But now I am relieved. Mumu, no matter what happens in the future, trust your sister."
Ye Mu nodded solemnly at his grandfather’s earnest expression: "I understand."
From that day on, the contact between Ye Qiu and Ye Mu became more frequent, and Ye Xing also handed over the people he had placed inside the palace to her. Every night, she would receive reports from all over, detailing various important events.
At the same time, Ye Qiu let Ye Mu take some Spiritual Spring Water back with him for their grandfather’s health, which had always been poor. In the previous life, it was a cold two years later that had claimed his life.
"Summon the daughters of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice Li Yao, the imperial tutor Qiao Qingyue, the Hebei Governor Du Qingman, the Duke Cheng’en Wang Yajing, and the Vice Minister of Rites Chang Hui to see the court!"
After over a month in the palace, the third round of royal selection finally arrived today. Emperor Ji Fei sat in the principal seat with Ye Qiu and Empress Dowager Wang seated on each side. More than sixty concubines were left, with groups of five appearing before the three most powerful people in the palace. Those selected would be granted a sachet, and those not selected would be given a flower and some favor.
Being selected did not necessarily mean staying in the harem; it was possible to be granted to the Imperial Family or relatives. However, this was the new Emperor’s first major selection since his accession, mainly organized to fill his harem and ensure the succession of his lineage. Moreover, the princes of a similar age to the new Emperor had not fared well, with the rest being underage for marriage, hence there was no talk of granting marriages this time.
This was already the fifth group of concubines to enter today. Earlier, Emperor Ji Fei had retained two from families with high status and power, while Empress Dowager Wang had kept two who had good relations with the Wang family. As for Ye Qiu, as if afraid others did not know she was jealous, she did not wish to keep any.
This group was the highlight of the day, with Wang Yajing, whom Empress Dowager Wang had taken a liking to, and Qiao Qingyue, the beloved of Emperor Ji Fei, both present.
"I pay my respects to Your Majesty, to the Empress Dowager, and to the Imperial Concubine," the five ladies curtsied in unison. The most impressively dressed was Wang Yajing, the most ethereal was Qiao Qingyue, and the one with the most stunning beauty was Du Qingman, who bore some resemblance to Ye Qiu. However, perhaps because she had been chastised and almost punished by Emperor Ji Fei before, her appearance today was not outstanding, and her desire to prove herself had vanished from her demeanor.
"Which one of these children do you feel looks pleasing to your eyes, Imperial Concubine?" Empress Dowager Wang was quite satisfied with how Wang Yajing behaved and then looked at Ye Qiu with a slight challenge.
Ye Qiu snorted with laughter: "Does the Empress Mother mean to say that if I find none of them agreeable, then I should grant them all a flower? In that case..."
"The Imperial Concubine is really being too petty." Before Ye Qiu could finish, Empress Dowager Wang grew angry, "Being so sour and jealous, aren’t you afraid of the Imperial Censors submitting a complaint?"
Ye Qiu looked at Empress Dowager Wang and Ji Fei’s furrowed brows and smiled with satisfaction, "Wasn’t it Her Majesty the Empress Dowager who asked me to speak? So, I simply told the truth. Your Majesty, you didn’t speak a word for me either. You’re my husband; of course, I do not wish for more newcomers in the harem."
Ye Qiu’s coquettish tone made Ji Fei’s body go weak, but even at this moment he remembered to grant Qiao Qingyue a sachet. Empress Dowager Wang, seeing that Wang Yajing had not yet been granted a sachet before Ji Fei’s attention was seduced away by Ye Qiu, urgently instructed the eunuch to give one to Wang Jingya as well.
Watching the affectionate exchanges between the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine, both Qiao Qingyue and Wang Yajing couldn’t help but clutch the sachets in their hands tightly. However, Du Qingman, who had been granted flowers, showed no sign of disappointment; if anything, she was relieved.
The next day, the imperial decree for the investiture was handed down. Among them, the daughter of Duke Cheng’en, Wang Yajing, and the daughter of Marquis Weiyuan, Han Hui, had the highest ranks, both appointed as Secondary Second-rank concubines. However, Han Hui was made Consort Hui, ranking slightly above Wang Yajing, who was titled Consort Wang. Han Hui was awarded the Yijing Palace, and Wang Yajing the Changxin Palace.
Following the two newly appointed concubines was the daughter of the imperial tutor, Qiao Qingyue, who was granted the title of Third-rank Zhaoyi with the honorific title "Yue," and given residence in the Xianyue Pavilion. Others thought her title was simply due to the character "Yue" (moon) in her name, similar to Han Hui’s Consort Hui, but Ye Qiu knew that Ji Fei and Qiao Qingyue met on a night when the moon hung brightly in the sky. The character "Yue" holds a very special significance for them. Although Xianyue Pavilion is not large, it is a picturesque place, ideal for warmth in winter and coolness in summer—Ji Fei really went to great lengths to make sure his beloved could live well and avoid others’ scheming.
Following them was the niece of the Minister of War, Lin Xueyi, who was appointed as a Fourth-rank talented woman and given residence in Yinshuang House, and Liu Ying’er, the daughter of Dongyang Marquis, who was appointed as a Sixth-rank Bao Yi, granted residence in the side hall of Changxin Palace.
Besides these, six additional concubines of obscure family backgrounds were appointed, each given residence in the side halls of the main palaces. Due to the small size of Xianyue Pavilion, no concubines were appointed to reside with Qiao Qingyue. As for Ye Qiu, who always appeared spoiled and overbearing in the eyes of others, her Changchun Palace also had no new entrants. Other palaces had one or two positions allocated, until everyone had moved into their corresponding residences. With that, the selection for new concubines finally came to an end.
As the Imperial Concubine and the one in charge of the phoenix seal in the harem, Ye Qiu received gifts that were either precious or novel from each palace early in the morning. Of course, as the Imperial Concubine, she could not only receive gifts without reciprocating. However, most of the gifts she returned were the Emperor’s rewards, so she didn’t mind parting with them at all.
Conventionally, the Emperor should favor the new concubines after they enter the palace. However, clearly, Ji Fei, Ye Qiu, and Qiao Qingyue all thought otherwise today.
Ji Fei, in order to create the illusion that he favored only the Imperial Concubine, naturally could not upset her at this critical time. On the other hand, Qiao Qingyue had already learned of Ji Fei’s plan. Although she felt a sourness in her heart, when she thought that Ji Fei was suffering this for their future happiness, she felt a pang of distress.
As for Ye Qiu, she had already guessed Ji Fei’s plan, and thus had been waiting in the palace since early on, even preparing a special "supplemental soup" for him.
Upon reaching the gate of Changchun Palace, Ji Fei struggled internally. On one hand, he knew the Imperial Concubine’s seduction held great power over him, fearing that he would neglect Qiao Qingyue again, while on the other hand, he needed to get close to Ye Qiu for a better future with Qiao Qingyue.
"I knew Your Majesty would come today. This is the black chicken soup that I specially ordered the small kitchen to stew, Your Majesty, please have some." Listening to Ye Qiu’s tender and seductive voice, Ji Fei unknowingly finished drinking the porcelain bowl clean.
After that, Ye Qiu went into the spatial dimension to play with Little Golden Crow, while Ji Fei, left in the palace, spent yet another frenzied night in his sleep.