Chapter 199
**Chapter 197: The Lu Family Daughter**
The imperial palace is not the same as a princely residence.
In the past, the concubines and maids brought into the prince's household were mostly daughters from humble backgrounds, lacking in both skill and vision.
But now, the newcomers in the palace are almost all from prestigious families, well-educated and talented, making them formidable opponents. The Empress, as the matriarch of the six palaces, should focus on managing her domain rather than wasting her energy suppressing the newcomers.
“Don’t worry, this palace won’t stoop to dealing with those newcomers,” the Empress said, a slight smile playing on her lips, dismissing the concern.
Liu Mama let out a small sigh of relief.
Supporting the Empress, Liu Mama walked through the Imperial Garden. At that moment, a beautiful young girl in a pink blouse approached, her face beaming with a smile as she curtsied to the Empress. “I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”
The girl was enchanting, dressed in luxurious attire, her round face framed by a pair of dark, sparkling eyes filled with mischief and ambition.
The Empress paused, recognizing the girl before her—Xie Fanglan, the Emperor’s cousin.
Back when the Emperor was still the Prince of Yan, Xie Fanglan would occasionally visit the Prince’s residence, cheerfully calling the Empress “Second Cousin.” Most of the time, she preferred to visit the Crown Prince, her intentions clear to all.
Now that the new Emperor has ascended the throne, the Xie family was eager to send their daughter to the palace. Upon her arrival, Xie Fanglan was granted the title of “Lan Pin” and assigned to reside in Huayang Palace.
The Empress frowned slightly as she looked at the young and beautiful Xie Fanglan, momentarily reminded of the ambitious Shen Wei from years past. A surge of wariness and disdain welled up within her.
“It’s cold today. Why aren’t you in your own palace, but wandering around the Imperial Garden?” The Empress’s tone was laced with frost.
Xie Fanglan raised her chin, haughtily replying, “The red plums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. I picked a bunch to send to my cousin, the Emperor. You, Your Majesty, being of a certain age, wouldn’t understand the joy of a young girl picking red plums.”
The Empress’s expression darkened.
This Lan Pin had the audacity to mock her age to her face!
“It’s getting late, and I must find my cousin, the Emperor,” Xie Fanglan said, bowing again before gracefully departing with her bouquet of red plums.
The Empress stood rooted to the spot, nearly grinding her teeth in frustration.
Liu Mama quickly interjected, “Your Majesty, don’t let a newcomer get to you. The two young ladies are still waiting for you in Kun Ning Palace.”
Suppressing her anger, the Empress returned to Kun Ning Palace with her attendants. This presumptuous Xie Fanglan would eventually be dealt with; the Empress would ensure she had no chance to rise.
Upon returning to Kun Ning Palace, the attendants had already brought in her two children, Chengke and Chengzhen.
Since being confined to the courtyard by the Empress Dowager, she had rarely seen her sons. Now, encountering them in the palace, tears streamed down her face as she rushed to embrace them. “Chengke, Chengzhen, my dear children, no one will ever separate us again.”
The two boys lowered their heads, silent.
They obediently allowed the Empress to hold them.
Overcome with joy, the Empress gently touched their faces. “Let me see if you’ve lost weight.”
In truth, the boys had not lost weight at all; they were well-fed and well-rested, their bodies stronger and taller than before.
Yet the Empress insisted they had suffered. Tears fell from her eyes. “With me here, no one can tear us apart. You are now princes, bearing the future of the Great Qing. You must study diligently, understand?”
Chengke and Chengzhen exchanged glances, not daring to contradict her.
The Empress held Chengke’s hand, rambling on, “You are the eldest son, destined to carry the future of the Qing. You must never neglect your studies. Poetry, history, horsemanship, archery—you must master them all. I’ve arranged for scholars from Anguo Temple to teach you daily.”
“Your father is strict and will occasionally come to test you. You must not bring shame to me.”
The Empress meticulously outlined the boys’ studies.
Chengke and Chengzhen listened silently, their expressions blank, like two marionettes devoid of thought.
...
With the new Emperor on the throne, the number of concubines in the palace was still limited. Officials were gradually sending their daughters to the palace, and only those deemed suitable by the Ministry of Rites and the palace matrons could serve the Emperor.
In Yunzhou, the residence of the Duke of Lu.
The Duke sent someone to summon his daughter, Lu Xuan. In the cold January weather, Lu Xuan wore lambskin boots and a red satin cloak, blooming like a vibrant red plum in winter.
“Father,” Lu Xuan entered the room with a bright smile.
The Duke of Lu had two daughters: the elder, Lu Xuan, and the younger, Lu Yun. Lu Yun was timid and weak, lacking any presence.
Lu Xuan, the elder daughter, had skin as smooth as jade and beauty rivaling that of Xi Shi. Well-versed in literature, her reputation as a talented woman had already spread throughout Yunzhou, rivaling that of the renowned Liu Ruyan from Yanjing.
The Duke had meticulously nurtured Lu Xuan, waiting for the right opportunity to send her to the palace.
However, Lu Xuan refused to enter the palace immediately, leaving the Duke puzzled.
“Everyone else is sending their daughters to the palace. Why don’t you want to go?” the Duke inquired.
Lu Xuan removed her cloak and handed it to a waiting maid.
With a gentle smile, her voice like a delicate orchid in a secluded valley, she replied, “Father, if you put dozens of fish into a new pond, they will compete fiercely for food to survive. The wise fish will wait until the others have fought to the death before entering the pond.”
The Duke paused mid-sip of his tea.
He understood his daughter’s meaning; now was not the right time to enter the palace.
“When do you plan to go?” the Duke asked.
Lu Xuan’s lips curled into a slight smile. “In a year.”
She intended to spend a year observing the palace dynamics, analyzing the personalities and skills of the concubines, and understanding the Emperor’s preferences. Only when she had gathered enough information would she be ready to enter the palace.
Her goal was not to be just another minor concubine; she aimed to become the Empress.
Preparation was essential.
Lu Xuan stood to bid her father farewell, donning her cloak as she returned to her chamber. Proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea, Lu Xuan was confident that the new Emperor would be captivated by her flawless charm.
Her maid, Xiao Qin, prepared the chessboard.
Lu Xuan had loved playing chess since childhood, especially enjoying matches against herself.
As she held a white piece, the cold winter sun streamed through the window, highlighting the graceful curve of her beautiful profile.
Xiao Qin entered, informing Lu Xuan, “Miss, I’ve learned that the most favored in the palace right now is Lan Pin. She’s from the Xie family, and the Empress doesn’t like her.”
Lu Xuan shrugged, “Let them continue their rivalry; I want to see who has the better skills.”
Setting down the white piece, she picked up a black one. “I heard that the current Emperor favored a lowborn woman named Shen during his time in the palace. Has she been granted a title yet?”
Xiao Qin shook her head. “Not yet. It’s said that Shen aspired to become a noble consort, angering both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and was taken out of the palace. Everyone in the palace is saying the Emperor has abandoned her.”
With a snap, Lu Xuan placed the black piece down, her beautiful eyes deep in thought. “Abandoned Shen?”
Shen had given birth to a daughter and two sons, all sharing the same birthday as the Empress Dowager, and were said to be quite favored by her.
With the new Emperor’s ascension, the once-favored Shen was inexplicably sent out of the palace, along with her three children.
Lu Xuan slowly picked up a white piece, her eyes thoughtful. “I can’t shake the feeling that the Emperor isn’t rejecting Shen; he’s protecting her.”
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