NOVEL NEXT “Obviously, they should join the line. We don’t bully newcomers, but we certainly would not let other concubines down. Am I right?”
Concubine Huang and Concubine Li who were older than others nodded in agreement.
Concubine Chen seemed not very good at mathematics. She didn’t say a word before but kept her head down and counting her fingers. Now, she figured it out and asked me with surprise, “Your Majesty, each of us would have three days to serve His Majesty each month, right? ”
Finally, you get it right, silly girl.
I smiled and replied in a solemn voice, “It looks like that now, but if there are newcomers in the future, there would be some changes in the number.”
Concubine Wang had always been a taciturn person, but she said, “We are very grateful that Your Majesty care for us. But unlike us, you are the leader of the harem. Surely the rules don’t apply to you.”
I quickly waved my hand, “The last thing we want is to have a privileged few. As the Empress, I should set an example for all of you, so I can’t break the rule.”
Concubine Huang and the others were obviously relieved to hear those words. In case I should change my mind again, they quickly huddled up, trying to finalize the details of the matter.
While we were doing that, I also raised many issues such as the plan for cutting down expenses in harem, and the work arrangement for the next year, financial budgets, personnel transfers, and so on, and had those plans approved all at once.
Unity is power indeed!
However, because I lacked the experience of hosting a large-scale women’s conference, I was a bit overwhelmed by the meeting at the end. All those discussions made my brain dizzy. By the end of the meeting, there was only buzz in my ears.
Xie Yi eyed me several times during that time, but unfortunately, she never got the chance to speak. By the time I remembered her, she was already nowhere to be found in the crowd.
The first Harem Conference had been going on like this for a long time before it was successfully concluded.
The conference had been a success. At the end of this conference, the entire harem was united around me for the first time.
Only then did Xie Yi get a chance to talk with me privately. She complained anxiously, “Your Majesty! How can you do that without His Majesty’s approval! His Majesty would surely feel offended. It’s not like His Majesty could actually take turn and visit everyone! Your Majesty should have consulted His Majesty about this.”
She was being articulate with each of her word, a clear sign that she was deeply worried.
I laughed and said indifferently, “This is just an idea; it has not been implemented yet. Besides, do you think Qi Sheng will stay in the harem recently?”
Xie Yi thought for a moment, shook her head and said, “With the war going on in Yunxi, the emperor has been staying in Da Ming Palace every day.”
I nodded, “Exactly, so why are you so worried?”
Not knowing how to reply to that, Xie Yi paused for a while.
I got up and started walking towards the inner hall. On my way there, I comforted Xie Yi, “The economy drive has taken quite a toll on everyone, and you have to give them something in return. Rest assured, Qi Sheng will not hold that against me.”
As expected, Qi Sheng really didn’t go after me for that, as he had not the slightest intention of staying in the harem.
Concubine Huang and the others had been waiting expectantly for Qi Sheng’s visit for a few days, and eventually realized that this whole thing about “Qi Sheng taking turns to visit his harem “was nothing but pie in the sky. But by the time they realized that, the number of their servants had been cut, their money donated, their jewelry sold and their daily food reduced to a few rice and vegetable rolls.
They were fuming with rage.
It also happened that it was March, and the weather had been sunny with all lives blooming in full swing. So, the magnitude of that anger was amplified against the backdrop of the warm spring. I was so overwhelmed by this anger that I had to go to Da Ming Palace with Xie Yi to find Qi Sheng.
Qi Sheng listened to what I came to say, raised her eyebrows and looked at me, “So you are asking me to go back to the harem to appease them?”
More accurately, it was not so much “appease them” as to “comfort them”, but I really dare not put it like that, and so I simply said, “I mainly want to make you feel relaxed. You look exhausted by all those state affairs…”
Instead of replying, Qi Sheng just threw the paperwork onto the table, leaned back lazily, raised his face slightly and looked at me with a smile.
I couldn’t say anything anymore, and so I stopped for a moment and try to make my case from another angle, “A woman’s youth is as transient as the blooming flower, and once her youth is gone, she’s afraid it will be even harder to get close to you. Concubine Huang and the rest of them have been with you ever since you were the Crown Prince. Even if you don’t like them, you should at least sympathize with their sorrows.”
Qi Sheng looked at me calmly, but still did not speak.
Realizing that he didn’t buy my words, I lowered my head and confessed, “You told me to cut cost, and I had no other choice but to promise them that you would visit them more often.”
Qi Sheng squinted slightly and asked me, “So you sold me out? Do you know what harem is for?”
I looked up and explained, “No, I just thought that, since you rarely go to the harem, no one would be able to keep you for herself. Who would have thought that…”
“What?” Qi Sheng asked coldly.
I could hear anger from his voice, but I couldn’t just pretend that I didn’t hear them, and so I replied, “It’s spring and women have needs.”
Qi Sheng froze for a moment, then laughed, “What? What sort of Empress are you?”
I lowered my eyelids and, after a moment of silence, replied with a pitiful look on my face, “I have never been an Empress before, and I have never managed so many women. I thought life would be much more harmonious if people are willing to make compromise to each other… I made a mistake and it will never be repeated.”
As if touched by the sincerity of my apology, Qi Sheng’s fury seemed to have abated, and the hall was silent again.
I thought now that I had made my case, it was time for me to leave, “I can see that you are busy. I will leave you to it then.”
Qi Sheng didn’t answer.
I took that as a yes, and so I bowed to him with a salute, and backed out slowly. Unexpectedly, Qi Sheng asked suddenly, “Where to first?”
I was rather stunned by this abrupt question and in a state of confusion I replied, “Maybe go visit the Grand Empress Dowager first?”
Qi Sheng didn’t speak, and only looked at me with tightly closed lips.
I immediately understood what he meant, and responded in a hurry, “Concubine Huang, Chen, Li or whoever you like.”
With a somber face, Qi Sheng took a deep breath, and nodded slightly, “I see.”
That night, Qi Sheng went to Concubine Chen’s place.
It caused a stir in the harem the next day. The earlier promise was actually being honored, and that sent a strong message to the whole harem that I was holding up my end of the bargain. However slim the chance might be, they might just be visited by the Emperor at any time.
As if being inspired by the prospect of a royal visit, Concubine Huang, along with other concubines, came to my place to apologize in persons, claiming that they were not thinking straight earlier.
I forgave them all, and said that as long as they remained good, the Emperor would visit them sooner or later. At the same time, I also warned them in advance that just because the Emperor went to Concubine Chen’s place, it didn’t mean that he would visit them afterwards. I told them that at present, the war in Yunxi had occupied most of the Emperor’s attention, and so they had to be patient while waiting for the Emperor’s visit.
As if to confirm my prophetic words, Qi Sheng really stayed in the Da Ming Palace for four or five days before he spent a night at the Li’s palace.
Like the saying went, good thing never came easy.
Although the frequency of Qi Sheng’s visit was much lower than originally thought, Qi Sheng did visit them, which appeased Concubine Huang and the rest of the concubines, and the harem was back to normal again.
As an Empress, I am very pleased, and at the same time, I couldn’t help but sympathize with Qi Sheng. After he was finished with Concubine Huang, I sent him a bowl of nourishing soup, and expressed my gratitude for his support for my work.
I didn’t think that Qi Sheng would suddenly get angry. Not only did he smack the soup right off my hands, he also pointed his finger at my nose, and growled, “Zhang Pengpeng, there would come a day when you will regret this! ”
My guess was that Concubine Huang was a bit overly enthusiastic last night, which might have caused Qi Sheng to be so angry.
I retreated submissively but couldn’t help but laugh lowly when I was out of the Da Ming Palace.
Xie Yi, who was following me the whole time, sighed and said, “Your Majesty, if you keep this up, I am afraid you will soon exhaust the Emperor’s good will.”
Exhaust? This is just the beginning. How can it be exhausted? You must know that the more you don’t take a man seriously, the more he will remember you. This is called playing hard to get.
I glanced back at Xie Yi and shook my head. Oh girl, although you are smart, you are still too young!
In March, Zhang Chacha, the eldest daughter of Zhang Ling, finally arrived in Sheng City. Under the insinuation of the Grand Empress Dowager and the instruction of the Empress Dowager, I obediently called the little girl into the palace.
At first glance, the little girl looked like the typical girl who grew up outdoors. Her skin had been tanned into a healthy wheat color. She had round face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and her lips were very beautiful. The corners of her lips were slightly lifted up, making her look like she was smiling. Although she looked a bit childish with her red cheeks, her figure was very good. She was tall, and people could clearly notice her curvy body typical of young woman.
I introduced her to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. The Grand Empress Dowager seemed very satisfied, but the Empress Dowager seemed a little disappointed.
I understand why the Empress Dowager would seem so down. If I had a son like the Bathroom Lord who had no choice but to marry that girl, I too may not be happy.