A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 1069 - 1070: Investiture
Five or six days after the selection at the hall, the ranks of the Fine Ladies were finally determined.
This was also the result of the discussions between Xia Ruqing and the Emperor.
The six Fine Ladies, ranked according to their backgrounds, were as follows:
Ma Yueqiang, daughter of Ma Guanglin, Captain of Northwest Liangzhou and Third Rank, was conferred the Fifth Rank Liyi and granted residence in the east side hall of Xihuai Palace.
Lu Minshu, daughter of Lu Zhao, Deputy of the Capital Rites Office and Fourth Rank, was conferred the Sixth Rank Honored Lady and granted residence in the west annex of Xihuai Palace.
Shi Yurong, daughter of Shi Zhihai, Prefect of Southwest Huizhou and Fifth Grade Official, was conferred the Sixth Rank Honored Lady and granted residence in the west annex of Yaoyue Palace.
Liu Xuaner, daughter of Liu Hao, Ceremonial Officer in the Capital City and Sixth Grade Official, was conferred the Seventh-Rank Lady and granted residence in Zhaohua Pavilion.
Kong Yuqiu, daughter of Kong Xiangming, County Magistrate of Gaoyang County and Seventh Rank, was conferred the Eighth Rank Xiao Yi, with residence arrangements to be made.
Wu Baolan, daughter of Wu Qianwang, from the Head Temple of the Taishang monastery and Seventh Rank, was conferred the Eighth Rank Xiao Yi, with residence arrangements to be made.
Since this was an affair of the Harem, 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
the decree used Xia Ruqing’s golden seal, also called a Benevolent Decree.
Once the Benevolent Decree was issued, it circulated throughout the Harem in less than half a Shi Chen.
Regardless of their willingness, the Fine Ladies had to receive the decree properly and prepare to move to the palaces.
Meanwhile, the concubines in the Harem were all astir.
Consort Zheng and Consort Yun were drinking tea and playing chess at the time.
Consort Zheng gave a helpless, bitter smile.
"I’ve just had a few days of peace, and now this..."
Consort Yun didn’t seem to mind.
"It’s just two little girls, why should you be afraid of them, sister?"
"I have one too, if worst comes to worst, we’ll take care of them together!"
"Would the Emperor really take their side?"
Consort Zheng leisurely placed a piece, raising her eyebrows.
"Who fears them!"
"I just don’t like causing trouble!"
"That Ma girl comes from a family of generals, her father is a Captain of Third Rank!"
"Her background is the most outstanding amongst this batch of Fine Ladies!"
"She herself is in her prime, both talented and beautiful, and reportedly quite famous in the Northwest, with many noble heirs unsuccessfully vying for her hand in marriage!"
"Now that she’s been selected into the palace, who knows how proud she might become!"
"Pride leads to trouble, doesn’t it?"
Consort Yun pondered in silence for a while, then placed a piece on the board with a sneer.
"Even if that’s so, what of it?"
"This is the palace, not the Ma family of the Northwest!"
"If she doesn’t abide by palace regulations or offends the Empress, she must be dealt with according to the rules!"
Consort Zheng chuckled.
"That’s true!"
"With the Empress here, she might not be favored, and by that time... won’t it be up to us?"
Consort Yun smiled.
"You’re right to see it that way, sister!"
The two chatted for a while longer, then set aside the chessboard and went to admire the flowers in the Imperial Garden.
...
As the Fine Ladies gradually moved into the Harem,
the concubines all braced themselves.
Each displayed an attitude of "If you dare to cause trouble, I certainly won’t hold back."
Xia Ruqing didn’t pay much attention to it.
After all, with four children by her side, she had no way to spare any concern for these young wives.
Moreover, she had no reason to fear.
As the Empress of a great nation, not only had she borne four children for the Emperor, but she was also extremely favored.
Those Fine Ladies would have to be quite brainless to cause her any trouble!
So Xia Ruqing lived her days as usual, in leisure and tranquility.
Days passed by.
The newly-entered Fine Ladies were busy adapting to the environment and indeed didn’t cause much trouble.
The concubines in the Harem sighed with relief in secret.
In no time, it was Mid-Autumn.
Xia Ruqing busied herself for several days to arrange the Mid-Autumn family banquet properly.
On the day of Mid-Autumn, it was customary to pay respects.
Xia Ruqing got up early and dressed herself.
When all the palace consorts of Sixth Rank and above had arrived,
she was to lead everyone to Ningshou Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
The palace consorts gradually gathered.
Xia Ruqing, wearing a phoenix robe embroidered with gold-threaded phoenix patterns all over a bright red garment, sat on a high platform.
Her posture was dignified and grand, her smile graceful and gentle.
Yet, actually...
She didn’t like sitting so properly at all, it was too tiring.
Sitting for a while left her with an aching back and sore waist.
But since everyone hadn’t arrived yet, she had to chat and wait.
Unknowingly, half a Shi Chen passed.
The tea had been replenished three times, and she’d told several jokes; if she didn’t leave soon, the atmosphere would turn cold.
Everyone still wasn’t there.
Xia Ruqing’s expression darkened slightly.
She turned and quietly asked Zi Yue.
"Who’s still not here?"
Zi Yue replied softly.
"It’s Ma Liyi!"
At once, her expression cooled, and with a wave of her hand, she said,
"Let’s not wait, let’s go first!"
Saying this, she rose to her feet, taking the others with her.
The consorts responded in agreement, each rising and following behind the Empress out the door.
...
The Empress was seated in the Phoenix Sedan, carried by four people, with an additional four holding the ceremonial canopy and silk fans behind.
The four consorts were seated in step sedans, also carried by four people but without the procession.
The concubines were seated in double-person step sedans.
The rest had no seats and could only walk.
Led by the Empress, the procession majestically made its way along the palace paths to Ningshou Palace.
Halfway there,
they saw Ma Liyi hastily approaching, accompanied by her personal palace maid.
Xia Ruqing frowned in silence.
The concubines behind covered their mouths, whispering, their eyes filled with undisguised schadenfreude.
’On such an important day, she dares to be late, obviously disregarding the Empress!’
’Now there’ll be a good show to watch!’
’Haha, Ma Liyi usually disregards everyone, now she’ll finally meet misfortune!’
Under everyone’s watchful eyes,
Ma Liyi rushed over, hastily wiping her sweat and kneeled to salute.
"This humble servant greets the Empress, wishing the Empress peace and prosperity!"
"This humble servant greets all the consorts and sisters!"
Without waiting for anyone to respond, she took it upon herself to rise.
Everyone was taken aback, the air was dead silent.
Zi Yue and Zi Su were wide-eyed with astonishment.
’Merely a Fifth Rank Liyi, and she doesn’t kneel before the Empress. Did she learn her manners from a dog?’
The concubines were also wide-eyed.
’Never mind not kneeling, but before the Empress gives permission to rise, she just... stands up willingly?’
Ma Liyi felt nothing was amiss.
After saluting, she proudly took her place in the line.
The concubines immediately made a path, isolating her in a large empty space.
’Seeing she’s about to face trouble, better keep a distance! No need to get burned by the backlash!’
Ma Liyi still sensed nothing wrong.
Xia Ruqing’s forehead twitched in exasperation.
’With such judgment, is she entering the palace to seek her own demise?’
’Either she’s foolish or way too self-satisfied’
’Recalling the prior selection, her talents and morality seemed fine, so...’
’Too confident?’
Xia Ruqing gave a faint smile and tidied the phoenix pattern embroidered with gold thread on her sleeve.
"The time grows late, we must hurry to pay respects to the Empress Dowager!"
"Yes!"
The consorts responded as one, obediently setting the matter aside.
After all...
As the Empress had said.
Paying respects to the Empress Dowager is important, dealing with Ma Liyi isn’t as pressing!
"The Empress departs!"
Xiao Xizi cried out at the front, and the long procession continued onward.
