Ming Dynasty: Is a mere unruly commoner rebelling against heaven?

Chapter 89: The First Concubine to Receive Imperial Favor!

Fu Dahai knelt before Zhu You樘, holding the tray up to him.

Zhu You樘 was momentarily distracted; the late Emperor's poisoning case had consumed too much of his attention these past few days.

He had almost forgotten that today was the official entry of the five concubines into the palace.

Zhu You樘's gaze swept over the five nameplates, which read: Consort Kang, Consort Chen, Talent Lady Liu, Noble Lady Dong, and Maiden Gu.

Consort Kang's plaque was placed in the very center.

Zhu You樘's hand hovered over the five plaques, finally landing on one, which he flipped over.

Fu Dahai looked up and saw that Zhu You樘 had indeed chosen Consort Kang's plaque.

Fu Dahai quietly retreated from the Qianqing Palace and hurried to the Xianfu Palace as quickly as possible.

As soon as he entered the Jiangyun Hall, Fu Dahai couldn't wait to offer his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Consort Kang! His Majesty has summoned you to his bed tonight."

"You are the first concubine to receive imperial favor. Hurry and prepare yourself to serve His Majesty!"

Zhang Wan'er stepped forward excitedly, her face beaming with joy.

"His Majesty really chose me to serve him?"

"Could there be any doubt?"

Fu Dahai replied with a smile, "Consort Kang, your rank is the highest, so it's only natural that His Majesty would summon you first."

"Then I..."

As the moment approached, Zhang Wan'er felt a mix of nervousness and confusion, and she looked at her two personal maids.

Fu Dahai had anticipated that a concubine serving for the first time would lack experience, so he had already informed the female historian from the Shangqin Bureau to come and provide guidance.

Fu Dahai stepped back and looked outside the hall, where a female historian in her thirties entered.

"This humble servant, Liu, from the Shangqin Bureau, greets Consort Kang."

"Your Ladyship need not worry. This servant will explain the rules of serving in the imperial bedchamber."

Zhang Wan'er felt slightly calmer, "Then I will have to trouble you, Historian Liu. Yicui."

Yicui stepped forward and handed a light purse to Historian Liu.

Liu received it, "Thank you for the reward, Consort Kang."

Fu Dahai reminded, "Then Your Ladyship should prepare. I will bring people to pick you up at You time to go to the Qianqing Palace."

After Fu Dahai finished speaking, he retreated from the Jiangyun Hall.

At this time, Historian Liu began to explain the entire process of serving in the imperial bedchamber to Zhang Wan'er.

"Your Ladyship, the time for serving in the imperial bedchamber begins at You time. At this time, Your Ladyship must first accompany His Majesty for a meal before officially serving him."

"It is not advisable to wear too many ornaments when serving in the imperial bedchamber, and it is strictly forbidden to wear sharp metal jewelry."

"Clothing should also be light and convenient, and it is not advisable to wear complicated palace attire."

As Liu spoke, she stood behind Zhang Wan'er and restyled her hair and makeup.

The hairpins, hair ornaments, and other head ornaments were removed, and her hair was styled into a simple bun.

The complicated palace attire on her body was also removed, and she changed into a pink silk robe.

Because she had already bathed, Zhang Wan'er's skin was as smooth as water and exuded a faint floral fragrance, so she didn't need to bathe again.

"After the meal, Your Ladyship should go to the dragon bedchamber to serve His Majesty..."

Speaking to this point, Historian Liu lowered her voice and leaned close to Zhang Wan'er's ear, explaining the details.

Zhang Wan'er's cheeks flushed red, like a drunken blush.

"When serving in the imperial bedchamber, there will be eunuchs from the Jing Shi Fang waiting outside the palace. When the time is right, they will call out."

"At this time, it depends on His Majesty's intentions. If His Majesty ignores it, Your Ladyship can stay a little longer. If His Majesty agrees, Your Ladyship should get up."

"Your Ladyship cannot spend the night on His Majesty's dragon bed, but you do not need to return to your own palace."

"There are 9 side rooms and 27 beds in the Qianqing Palace. Your Ladyship can choose one to rest in, and after having breakfast with His Majesty the next morning, you can return to your palace."

Zhang Wan'er listened attentively, not daring to miss a single word.

She also repeatedly asked Liu many times, striving to remember all the rules by heart.

Thus, when the time came to You time, Fu Dahai arrived at the entrance of Xianfu Palace on time with a sedan chair.

"Consort Kang, it's about time, we should depart."

"Alright, let's go."

Zhang Wan'er took a deep breath and stepped into the sedan chair.

Fu Dahai called out, and the young eunuchs lifted the sedan chair and headed towards the Qianqing Palace.

Along the way, Zhang Wan'er smiled and held her head high, looking very proud.

The palace maids and eunuchs passing by all lowered their heads and stepped aside respectfully.

When the news that Zhu You樘 had summoned Zhang Wan'er to his bedchamber spread throughout the harem, it brought both joy and sorrow.

Empress Dowager Wang was naturally delighted. The development of the entire harem was gradually moving towards her expectations.

Empress Dowager Wang took off the jade bracelet on her right hand and summoned the chief palace maid of Ciqing Palace.

"Runqiu, send this bracelet to Xianfu Palace tomorrow."

"Also, select more jewelry and Shu brocade Su embroidery to send there."

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

In Jingren Palace, Li Xiangjun ran into Yuqing Tower in a panic.

"Your Ladyship, it's bad, His Majesty summoned Consort Kang today."

Chen Yuanyuan's face, which had been smiling, suddenly stiffened, but she quickly adjusted and exhaled a breath of turbid air.

"I expected this. Consort Kang has the highest rank and is the most pleasing to His Majesty's eye."

Gu Hengbo frowned, "Xiangjun, don't say things like 'it's bad' anymore."

"His Majesty's summoning of which concubine is the imperial will. Do not make presumptuous comments, lest someone seize upon your words."

"Oh."

Li Xiangjun pouted and agreed, walking towards Chen Yuanyuan.

"Is Your Ladyship hungry? I'll ask the Shangshan Supervisor to send some snacks?"

"What 'Is Your Ladyship hungry'? I think it's you, little girl, who's greedy."

Gu Hengbo pinched Li Xiangjun's small face and gently pulled it outward.

"Alright Hengbo, don't pinch Xiangjun so hard. Go and have the Shangshan Supervisor send some snacks."

"Yes, I'll go now."

Li Xiangjun smiled sweetly and ran out lightly.

After Li Xiangjun left, Gu Hengbo asked Chen Yuanyuan with some concern, "Your Ladyship, will you blame me for being so harsh on Xiangjun?"

Chen Yuanyuan shook her head and took Gu Hengbo's hand, "How could I? There are many disputes in the palace, and a slight carelessness can lead to great trouble."

"Your being strict is also for our own good."

Gu Hengbo also grasped Chen Yuanyuan's hand, "I'm relieved that Your Ladyship can think that way."

Yonghe Palace and Zhongcui Palace also received the news.

Liu Rushi silently walked to the entrance of Biluo Xuan, staring blankly at the steps outside Biluo Xuan, which were covered in clear moonlight.

Bian Yujing and Ma Xianglan stood behind her, not knowing how to comfort her.

Dong Xiaowan just sighed leisurely and began to remove her makeup and wash up.

"I'm very tired today, let's go to bed early."

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

Kou Baimen stood aside, helping Dong Xiaowan remove her makeup and wash up, preparing to go to bed.

The Chaolu Pavilion, where the maiden Gu lived, was even more deserted.

Knowing that her chances of serving in the imperial bedchamber were slim, Gu still felt a little empty when she learned that His Majesty had chosen Zhang Wan'er.

"Alright, I know, you can rest too."

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

Chun Ya retreated from Chaolu Pavilion, leaving Gu alone sitting on the embroidered couch.

...

Qianqing Palace.

The sedan chair carrying Zhang Wan'er stopped in front of Qianqing Palace, and Zhang Wan'er stepped out of the sedan chair.

Looking at the dense guards and eunuchs and palace maids around Qianqing Palace.

Zhang Wan'er's heart, which had calmed down, began to feel nervous again.

"Consort Kang, this way please."

Fu Dahai led Zhang Wan'er up the steps and walked to the entrance of Qianqing Palace.

"Please wait a moment, Your Ladyship, allow me to go in and report first."

"Alright."

Fu Dahai walked into Qianqing Palace, and the eunuchs from the Shangshan Supervisor had just placed the snacks and midnight snacks on the table.

After Zhu You樘 wiped his hands and face with a hot towel, he sat down at the table.

Fu Dahai stepped forward and asked for instructions, "Your Majesty, Consort Kang has arrived."

"Let her in."

"Yes."

Zhu You樘 waved his hand, and Fu Dahai immediately obeyed and left.

After Fu Dahai retreated from Qianqing Palace, he bowed slightly to Zhang Wan'er, who was standing outside the door.

"Consort Kang, please enter."

Zhang Wan'er pinched the hem of her skirt with both hands, nodded, and mustered up the courage to walk into Qianqing Palace.

As soon as she stepped into Qianqing Palace, Zhang Wan'er's feeling was that it was big.

Qianqing Palace was too big, with 9 rooms wide and 5 rooms deep, and every corner of the hall was filled with attending eunuchs and palace maids.

"This way, please, Your Ladyship."

Under the guidance of the palace maid, Zhang Wan'er came to the east warm pavilion.

There were not so many people here, and the lights were particularly bright.

Bypassing a screen, Zhang Wan'er saw the emperor she had been thinking about day and night, Zhu You樘.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty!"

Zhang Wan'er saluted quickly after seeing Zhu You樘.

Zhu You樘 looked at her and nodded, "Get up, sit."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Wan'er sat down in front of Zhu You樘, looking at Zhu You樘 in front of her, thinking about what was about to happen.

Her breathing gradually became rapid, and her gaze towards Zhu You樘 became a little infatuated.

Zhu You樘 frowned when he saw Zhang Wan'er staring at him.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Ah?"

After Zhang Wan'er reacted, she felt a little shy and panicked.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, this concubine was rude."

Zhang Wan'er wanted to salute again, but Zhu You樘 waved his hand.

"You haven't been in contact with me much, it's inevitable that you're a little nervous, I don't blame you."

"You are my Consort Kang, don't be so restrained, always kneeling, it lacks a bit of fun."

"Eat something with me first."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this concubine will serve Your Majesty."

Zhang Wan'er stretched out her white jade wrist to serve Zhu You樘.

Zhang Wan'er didn't dare to stare at Zhu You樘 directly anymore, but occasionally raised her eyes to peek at Zhu You樘, then shyly lowered her head and smiled.

After the meal, Zhu You樘 and Zhang Wan'er rinsed their mouths with tea and salt water, and the young eunuchs from the Shangshan Supervisor removed the tableware.

At the same time, all the eunuchs in the entire east warm pavilion also withdrew, leaving only eight young palace maids waiting quietly.

Fu Dahai struggled for a long time outside Qianqing Palace, and after seeing the eunuchs from the Shangshan Supervisor withdraw, he made up his mind and walked into the east warm pavilion again.

"Your Majesty, which time do you think is more appropriate to call for sleep?"

Fu Dahai knelt in front of Zhu You樘, trembling a little.

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