Chapter 957 The Master of the Imperial Harem
“I… I can’t accept it. It’s our blessing to serve you, Your Highness.”
How could the scared head eunuch dare to accept such a gift?
However, Baishao merely smiled and stuffed the banknote into the chief eunuch’s sleeve.
“We are also new here. We might bother you with many things. Also, this is the gift from our Highness.”
The chief eunuch could not refuse it because of these words.
A grateful expression appeared on his face as he carefully stuck the banknote into his sleeve.
However, he could not help but have a better impression of the princess.
Who in the palace didn’t want to do this kind of job that brought fame and fortune at the same time?
In the future, the job in Yixin Courtyard would probably become the most enviable job in the entire Imperial Palace.
The Majesty really favored this princess. Not only did he rebuild the courtyard, but he also brought all the servants outside the palace directly into the palace.
Since the founding of the country, only the person in front of him could receive such special love.
Life in the palace was not as awful as what Lin Mengya had experienced before.
After settling down, she was led by the eunuch toward the Empress Dowager’s Fengxiang Palace.
There were no traces of the fight between Long Tianyu and the Crown Prince left in the Imperial Palace.
Even the palace walls, which were dyed red with blood, returned to their original state.
Perhaps because the new emperor was about to ascend the throne, the palace was full of vitality.
It was still the dead of winter, but the servants working busily in the palace still gave people a lively feeling.
Almost everyone knew Lin Mengya, the Princess Rongan.
Even some elders in the palace had already recognized her true ident.i.ty.
But in this palace, no one dared to uncover this well-known secret.
As long as the new emperor said who she was, so she was.
Moreover, they all clearly knew that this princess would be the master of the imperial harem in the future.
The crisp laughter of a woman coming from the hall of Fengxiang Palace. Lin Mengya raised her eyebrows, but remained emotionless.
Behind her were the four maids with their own characteristics, but they were all very imposing.
When the servants outside Fengxiang Palace saw this famous Princess Rongan, they all greeted her respectfully.
Even they knew who was the last master of the imperial harem.
“See, I just mentioned you to them, and you’re already here. This Princess Rongan will be your new sister-in-law in the future. I’m old and useless. Your marriage in the future will depend on your new sister-in-law.”
In the main hall of the Fengxiang Palace, the Empress Dowager was wearing light green robes with an indifferent expression.
After taking a glance at the ladies from aristocratic families surrounding her, she turned to Lin Mengya and smiled tenderly at her.
“My child, it’s still so cold. Why don’t you rest more before coming to see me?”
Although she was the Empress Dowager, the Imperial n.o.ble Consort Dehui was not yet fifty years old.
Even though she had been tortured many times before, she was born a beauty and well taken care of. She looked like a n.o.ble madam in her thirties or forties.
However, she could now enjoy the glory of being the Empress Dowager.
There was a sense of indifference and n.o.bility on her beautiful face.
Only when she talked to Lin Mengya would she show a little affection and tenderness.
But for those Misses, they were also very surprised.
After all, the Empress Dowager rarely smiled once when they were in the palace and served her these days.
They could not help but feel curious about this Princess Rongan. And those more arrogant ones were a little indignant about this Princess Rongan, who came from another country.
But when the girl, who was doted on by thousands of people, appeared in front of them, those young girls, who were inexperienced, had some awe for this Princess Rongan.
There was no need to mention her appearance. Her temperament was not as pretentious as that of the n.o.ble ladies in the capital city, nor was it as rude as that of those from foreign va.s.sal states.
Within her elegance was a sort of confidence that placed her above everyone else.
There was a glimmer of light in her eyes. It seemed that nothing in the world could stop her.
The exquisite and luxurious jewelry and clothes could only play their original roles on Lin Mengya. No one wanted to compete with her.
If the Majesty was the sun, then she was the dazzling moon. The sun and the moon were still competing for glory, so no matter what they did, it would be difficult for the stars, who had long been overshadowed, to compete with her brilliance.
With her around, the Majesty would not love anyone else.
Those young girls who came with various purposes finally realized what despair was.
“Distinguished Your Highness.”
Some of the more quick-witted ones were already bowing in front of Lin Mengya with all smiles.
The Empress Dowager was right. They were destined not to find a good husband on their own.
If they were to win the favor of the future Empress, it would be of great benefit to their family and future.
Although they were still a little unwilling, how could they win?
Under the watchful eyes of the Empress Dowager, these girls bowed to Lin Mengya with real or fake intentions.
By the time those girls retreated, Lin Mengya was already dizzy from the smell of the flagrant powder on their bodies.
Lin Mengya finally managed to keep a smile on her face. After she watched the girls leave in high spirits, leaving behind only her and the Empress Dowager’s servants in the hall, her stiff smile disappeared finally.
She rubbed her face and looked at the Empress Dowager with bitterness and sympathy.
She could not bear it this time. She did not know how the Empress Dowager had endured it for so many years.
“The Empress Dowager is so great. Your patience has caused me to feel inferior.”
The Empress Dowager, who had been frowning for a few days, could not help but laugh when she saw her sincere and respectful expression flatter her.
She waved her hand and called her to her side. Then, she poked her delicate forehead lovingly.
“You can’t even stand it? If you become the Empress in the future, you will be much busier because you have to get worship of the royal concubines. Alas, you’re much luckier than me. The imperial harem of my son is simple, and you’ll have less trouble.”
In fact, Lin Mengya was still a little nervous in her heart.
The Empress Dowager was so kind to her. If she asked Long Tianyu to marry more concubines, both of them would feel embarra.s.sed.
But what happened today made Lin Mengya realize that after all, the Empress Dowager was the one who saw the most clearly in the entire Imperial Palace.
She was really lucky to meet such an open-minded mother-in-law.
Lin Mengya pretended to be a little girl and knelt down to ma.s.sage the Empress Dowager’s calf to relieve her fatigue.
“I’m afraid that there may be someone who won’t let me enjoy that quiet. You have to dote on me at that time.”
The empress dowager smiled without a word, but she had an idea already.
From now on, the couple would be in charge of everything in the palace. She would just wait to have grandchildren and be free from everything.
“By the way, the Empress Dowager, where has that woman been moved to?”
The Empress Dowager’s smile froze slightly and a complicated emotion flashed in her eyes.
She had fought with Shangguan Dongzhu and hated her for her entire life. The winner had taken all now. However, her heart was filled with grief.
In the end, they had no control over themselves.
They had to bear the fate of their family. After giving birth to their children, they had to plot everything for their children.
They had lived for decades, but had they ever lived for themselves for once?
The Empress Dowager sighed and hid the weakness that she should not have had.
She was already the Empress Dowager. Some things were set in stone after all.
“She’s been kept in the Qingyan Courtyard. Come to think of it, I haven’t visited my old friend for a long time. Since you’re here, come take a look with me.”
Lin Mengya nodded and helped the Empress Dowager out of the hall.
The Qingyan Courtyard was one of the most inconspicuous halls in the palace. At least Lin Mengya had never heard of it when she lived in the Imperial Palace.
Although it was called a hall, it looked more like a simple yard.
There were only three to five servants in the yard.
Moreover, they didn’t seem to be smart. Presumably, only some dull and stupid servants who were disliked by others could work here.
Those servants who came to welcome them in a hurry shivered in the icy snow.
At a glance, Lin Mengya frowned slightly.
“Baiji, bring them some cotton-padded clothes.”
In the palace, this kind of thing was common.
Moreover, everyone in the palace was busy preparing for the coronation of the new emperor, so there was naturally no one caring about such trivial things.
Lin Mengya just took it as a normal thing, but she didn’t expect to receive their sincerest grat.i.tude.
She and the Empress Dowager walked to the room where Shangguan Dongzhu recuperated. Although it was not as warm as the Fengxiang Palace, it was not cold enough to freeze people to death.
The room was not big, but it was clean.
Shangguan Dongzhu was sitting by the window. A livid quilt covered her legs and her long hair was let down. She was sitting there quietly, not arrogant like before anymore.
After hearing the noise, she just turned her head around and looked at them emotionlessly.
Then she turned her head back and looked at something like before.
The lady-in-waiting on the Empress Dowager’s side was about to reprimand her but was stopped by the Empress Dowager.
With a wave of her hand, everyone except Aunt Jinyue and Baisu left the room.
“I know you will come. From the day Ru’er drugged my food, I knew this day would come. Congratulations on becoming the Empress Dowager.”
It seemed that Shangguan Dongzhu had not spoken for a long time, and her voice was a little hoa.r.s.e.
However, she was quick-witted and clear-headed. She did not look like she had been poisoned to being stupid.
Lin Mengya became more alert in her heart. Baisu also tightened her body and was ready to rush out to protect her and the Empress Dowager at any time.
However, Shangguan Dongzhu had been sitting by the window and staring at a certain place in the yard.
“There’s nothing to congratulate. Everyone can get this position.”