Chapter 729 - 507: Show the Aura of a Favored Concubine

Chapter 729: Chapter 507: Show the Aura of a Favored Concubine

On a spring morning, sunlight scattered across the ground, filtering through the treetops.

Song Yunzhao was doing her makeup before a mirror. Xiangxue styled her hair into a peony bun, placing a five-tailed phoenix hairpin in it that shimmered brilliantly.

She wore a palace gown of concubine-red brocade sprinkled with gold. The hem of her skirt was embroidered with a border of phoenix patterns, and a golden shawl draped over the crooks of her arms. She examined herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

Since she was the favored concubine, she had to look the part.

Countless eyes would be on her today; she couldn’t afford to lose in presence and bearing.

Song Yunzhao boarded her carriage and set off for Jincui Garden. It was some distance away, so she had to depart early.

The three concubines had already gathered to wait for her. Seeing her carriage approach, they came forward to pay their respects before boarding their own carriages and following the Imperial Concubine’s procession.

As for when to visit Shouci Palace, Song Yunzhao didn’t concern herself with it.

Upon reaching Jincui Garden, the carriage drove straight through, only stopping at the inner gate where Palace Attendants and senior maids were already waiting.

Song Yunzhao alighted from the carriage, and the Housekeeper of Jincui Garden came forward to greet her. "This servant pays her respects to the Imperial Consort."

"You may rise," Song Yunzhao said.

Consort Shu and the others approached, and everyone came forward to offer greetings again. After all the fuss, they finally headed toward Huayang Hall.

Huayang Hall was in the northeast corner of Jincui Garden, quite a long walk. Sedan chairs were waiting at the side. Song Yunzhao and the three concubines boarded them, and eunuchs lifted the chairs, moving as swiftly as if they were flying.

The path took them right past Zhichun Palace, but the concubine candidates staying there had already been led by their instructing nannies to wait outside Huayang Hall.

At this moment, over a hundred concubine candidates stood in formation in the small square before Huayang Hall. Each one stood with her back straight, not daring to speak loudly, only whispering amongst themselves.

Toward the back of the crowd, someone whispered, "It should be about time, shouldn’t it? Why haven’t they arrived yet?"

"Shh, keep your voice down."

"I am keeping my voice down, aren’t I? I wonder if the Imperial Consort will come."

The girl who spoke had a sweet, charming voice, a very endearing small, round face, and bright, watery eyes.

The young woman beside her, who had an oval face and was slightly taller, replied, "Today is the final inspection. The Empress Dowager and His Majesty will both be in attendance, so the Imperial Consort will certainly be here as well."

The Imperial Concubine’s fame was legendary. Hearing this, those nearby felt a renewed sense of anticipation. They were all eager to see what this renowned Imperial Consort looked like—the woman who had kept the Emperor’s exclusive favor, day after day, for years.

Was there a single candidate present who didn’t dream of becoming the next Imperial Concubine?

"Ling E, what do you think the Imperial Consort is really like?"

Zhao Ling’e, who had been nudged lightly, didn’t look up. She merely said faintly, "We will see her soon enough. It is not right to speculate about someone we have not met. We should both be more careful with our words."

"Oh, you’re just too serious. We’re only whispering in private..."

Before she could finish, someone exclaimed, "They’re here!"

At this cry, everyone turned in unison. In the distance, they saw several sedan chairs slowly approaching. The procession, surrounded by Palace Attendants, was grand and imposing. They were too far away to make out the appearance of the people in the chairs.

However, when the sedan chairs were set down, they saw a flash of red emerge. Under the sunlight, the hem of a concubine-red skirt shimmered with a golden light. The three concubines followed closely behind her, and the surrounding eunuchs all bowed deeply, only rising after the Imperial Concubine had ascended the steps and entered the inner hall.

The whole process was swift. The Imperial Concubine didn’t spare them a single glance, yet her inexplicable aura left them with a lingering sense of awe and trepidation.

’Is this the Imperial Consort?’

’Her high, dark coiffure was magnificent and exquisite, the phoenix hairpin in her hair looking as if it were about to take flight. And her waist, cinched beneath a silk and jade belt, was so slender it could be encircled by a single hand. To think the Imperial Concubine has already given birth to two Princes!’

Zhang Maoquan and his men stood outside Huayang Hall. With just one sweep of his eyes, the Palace Attendants of Jincui Garden didn’t dare to breathe too loudly. Each one straightened their back and wore a stern expression. And just like that, an imposing atmosphere was created.

Song Yunzhao and the three concubines entered the hall and took their seats one after another. Consort Shu remarked, "They seem to be well-behaved. So many of them standing out there, all neat and orderly."

Princess Consort Zhuang glanced at the Imperial Concubine before saying unhurriedly, "They were, after all, ordered by the Empress Dowager’s edict to learn their etiquette properly. They can’t very well disgrace Her Majesty now, can they?"

Princess Consort Wan’s expression was indifferent. ’If she hadn’t been absolutely required to attend, she truly would not have come.’

Song Yunzhao glanced at the time. ’The Empress Dowager should be arriving soon,’ she thought. The idea had barely crossed her mind when an announcement of the Empress Dowager’s arrival came from outside.

The women rose to welcome the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was in formal attire today, her magnificent robes and high coronet making her appear exceptionally majestic.

’In comparison, I might be slightly outshone,’ Song Yunzhao thought, ’but she wasn’t one to fuss over such details.’

"We pay our respects to the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager took her seat and glanced at them. "No need for such ceremony. Be seated. The Emperor hasn’t arrived yet?"

Song Yunzhao led the three concubines to their seats, showing no intention of answering.

Princess Consort Zhuang smiled and said, "There is still some time. I’m sure His Majesty will arrive shortly. If he were delayed by some matter, he would have sent a messenger."

The Empress Dowager nodded. Without looking at Song Yunzhao, she turned to Consort Shu and asked, "Have you brought the registers?"

"I have," Consort Shu replied. She glanced at the person beside her, and Nanny Wen immediately presented a register to the Empress Dowager before delivering copies to the Imperial Concubine, Princess Consort Zhuang, and Princess Consort Wan.

Song Yunzhao accepted her copy and casually placed it on the table, showing no intention of opening it.

The Empress Dowager caught this from the corner of her eye and pressed her lips together slightly, but this time, she said nothing.

Princess Consort Zhuang made a show of flipping through the pages. In truth, she knew perfectly well who was on the list, as she and Consort Shu had already discussed who should be kept.

’The Imperial Concubine might not care, but the Empress Dowager certainly wouldn’t be satisfied with keeping just a few. So, they had tried their best to select girls from less powerful families and with more unassuming looks.’

"His Majesty, the Emperor, arrives!"

Feng Yi strode into the hall.

Song Yunzhao led the three concubines in rising to greet him. "We pay our respects to the Emperor."

Feng Yi stepped forward and helped Yun Zhao up with one hand. "My beloved consort, dispense with the formalities."

Song Yunzhao and the three concubines rose, but she found that Feng Yi did not release her hand. Instead, he held it and led her all the way to her seat before sitting down himself.

Song Yunzhao’s eyes flickered, and she sat down with a perfectly calibrated smile.

’Oh, so the Emperor is backing me up.’

’I’d better play my part well.’

Just as expected, the Empress Dowager’s expression turned grim. She forcefully suppressed her anger and said nothing.

The three concubines exchanged a flurry of glances before their expressions returned to calm.

"I was delayed by an urgent matter just before coming. Mother, I hope you are not offended," Feng Yi said to the Empress Dowager.

"The Emperor prioritizes matters of state. It would have been fine even if you hadn’t come today," the Empress Dowager said, forcing a smile. ’It would have been better if he hadn’t come; it would have made it easier for me to keep the candidates I want.’

’With the Emperor here, and Song Yunzhao by his side, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep many of them today.’

The Empress Dowager’s mind raced, plotting how she should handle it if Song Yunzhao were to maliciously obstruct her later.

Song Yunzhao sat beside Feng Yi. Shielded by her wide sleeve, she gently tickled his palm.

Feng Yi was speechless.