Why has she come?
Noble Concubine Shih looked again toward the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was watching the Fine Ladies standing in a row below, her face full of satisfaction. She occasionally gave the Empress a kind and affectionate smile. When the girl from the Shih family was called by name and stepped out to perform her curtsy, the Empress Dowager said directly, "Emperor... this child is one I have watched grow up, intelligent and clever..."
Zhao Junyao felt some displeasure in his heart. It stood to reason that after Noble Concubine Shih had entered the palace, the Shih family’s daughter should have avoided the selection. Yet the Empress Dowager seemed to have completely forgotten this. Although it might not be a formal rule, it was still an unwritten custom.
"Mother..."
He was just about to object when the Empress Dowager said directly, "I am old, and Wanxin is not in good health; I am merely hoping for someone familiar to come in, to keep me company in conversation!"
Zhao Junyao then said, "Mother, if you simply wish for someone to talk to, Miss Shih can come into the palace any time! Even if she marries in the future, an outer court lady can come into the palace to see the Empress Dowager!"
The Empress Dowager’s complexion changed. "How can that be the same?" Her tone was already different from before, carrying a hint of anger. "Imperial Son, you are busy with state affairs and do not understand your mother’s arduous heartfelt intentions! Wanying is also your cousin! In the future, attending by your side and regularly visiting me, wouldn’t that be nice?"
These words not only made Zhao Junyao uncomfortable, but they also indirectly slapped the faces of the Empress and the Noble Concubine. Especially Noble Concubine Shih; her rage was about to spill from her heart, and she couldn’t suppress it any longer!
What does the Empress Dowager mean! My cousin, the Emperor, has only me as his legitimate first cousin. Who does Shih Wanying think she is? She’s merely a clan sister from a collateral branch, so how did she become *his* cousin? Besides, is the Empress Dowager implying that I haven’t visited Ningshou Palace frequently enough? When I used to visit more often, I never saw the Empress Dowager wearing a pleasant expression. Afterward, when I lost my child and didn’t return, she treated me with utter contempt! So what am I supposed to do?
As for the Empress? She was hardly feeling comfortable either! She sneered inwardly. The Empress Dowager’s blatant favoritism is truly unsightly. No sooner had Noble Concubine Shih lost favor than she hastily arranged to bring another one in. What... is the Empress Dowager not content unless a Shih girl takes the position of Empress? No wonder the Empress Dowager’s attitude towards me was so favorable today! All smiles and hand-holding! So this was what she was waiting for! Had one not known better, one might really think the Emperor isn’t her own flesh and blood! To support her own family, she goes to such lengths, even if it means sacrificing her son! Heh...
Zhao Junyao was displeased, and the atmosphere became extremely tense. In the end, the Empress Dowager used her ultimate trick. She took on an air of, "If you do not let Shih Wanying enter the palace, I shall no longer live," and, using filial piety as leverage, forced Zhao Junyao to reserve a position for Shih Wanying.
Noble Concubine Shih could no longer contain herself and snickered repeatedly. Shih Wanying, do you so desire to climb the social ladder and fawn over the Emperor? Then enter if you wish! My today will be your tomorrow! I’m eager to see what benefits you can reap with that favored vixen Lady Xia blocking your path!
The Empress had no choice but to agree with a forced smile. Zhao Junyao, infuriated, left directly with a flick of his sleeves. You all think you can make the decisions, don’t you? Then go ahead. I won’t choose; you all choose well!
With the Emperor gone, the Empress Dowager, having achieved her desire, also left contented, leaving behind only the Empress and Noble Concubine Shih to stare in dismay!
The Empress was so angry that she could no longer contain herself. "What is the meaning of all this?"
Noble Concubine Shih, however, didn’t dare to leave, knowing she must still rely on the Empress in the future. Yet she also could no longer suppress her inner feelings and let out a cold chuckle. "Since everyone is gone, whoever Her Majesty the Empress favors can be selected to enter the palace. Isn’t that also good?"
The Empress was anxious. "How can this be the same? It should have been the Emperor who made the selection!"
It’s the Emperor who will sleep with them, not me! However, the Empress felt a bit relieved at heart. Everyone has left, so I’m the one with the most power now. Doesn’t that mean I can choose whoever I fancy?
But on the surface, the Empress was still as anxious as could be. "A proper selection cannot end up like this! We can’t just stop! We have to choose; we can’t not choose!"
Noble Concubine Shih glanced over and said nothing. Acting! They all know so well how to act!
The Empress looked left and right, and finally could only command, "Call them all in together! I will just follow the Emperor’s wishes and make a proper selection of a few!"
After all, the Emperor had chosen a Lady Du, hadn’t he? Then I should choose according to Lady Du’s example! This was also the Empress’s intention; she liked those who were easy to manipulate and did not stir up trouble. It would be best not to have any more like Noble Concubine Shih!
In the end, after considering Lady Du’s temperament and character, the Empress chose eight more to add to the list, plus Lady Du and Shih Wanying, totaling ten Fine Ladies selected. The ones who were not chosen received some gifts and returned to their homes. The selected would stay in the palace, waiting for their ranks and living arrangements to be assigned. The Ministry of Internal Affairs had a pile of tasks: cleaning up the palaces, making clothes, preparing headwear, and so on! However, after all the hassle of the selection process, it had finally come to an end.