In the Kunning Palace, Qi Daiyu was nearly dazzled by the sight.
For a moment, she wondered if it was the New Year again, otherwise why were all these consorts dressed so flamboyantly?
Speaking of which, ever since "Lotus Blossom Beauty" became popular in the capital, it had also been included in the procurement list for the imperial harem. However, due to the high price of its products, it wasn't part of the fixed quotas. Instead, if any palace had a need, they would use their own silver, and the Imperial Household Department would handle the unified procurement. The Imperial Household Department, representing the imperial family, naturally had priority purchasing rights, which actually provided a convenience for the consorts.
For those close to her like Qin Saizhu and Nie Zhiyu, Qi Daiyu had privately gifted them the products. But the other consorts she wasn't as familiar with didn't know that "Lotus Blossom Beauty" was her business and could only spend their own silver to buy it.
No one was reluctant. The effects of those products had long been circulated privately, and the consorts cared even more about their appearance than women outside the palace.
They used "Lotus Blossom Beauty" facial tonics for skincare and "Lotus Blossom Beauty" rouge and powder for makeup.
Qi Daiyu glanced around, feeling that everyone looked radiant.
Especially Zhaorong. She already had a bright and beautiful appearance, and today she was particularly dazzling with pearls and jewels. What most surprised Qi Daiyu was that Zhaorong had actually discovered the wonderful use of loose powder, creating a matte makeup look for herself.
Qi Daiyu couldn't help but look at Zhaorong a few more times, thinking that if Zhaorong were in her original world, she might have the potential to be a beauty blogger.
Zhaorong noticed Qi Daiyu looking at her and felt somewhat uneasy. She lowered her head to check her clothes—nothing seemed wrong! Was her makeup smudged? She turned to look at her maid, Qiuzhi, who shook her head indicating everything was fine.
Zhaorong couldn't help but glare back. "Why is Consort Hui looking at this concubine?"
"Because you look beautiful," Qi Daiyu voiced her thoughts.
Zhaorong was taken aback, feeling even more uncomfortable. She opened her mouth to say something but couldn't find the words.
Instead, Qi Daiyu's comment elicited laughter in the hall.
Qin Saizhu said with a smile, "Concubine Wei is indeed exceptionally beautiful today. When she first entered, I could hardly keep my eyes open."
Consort He added, "Concubine Wei has always been as fair as a flower and as lovely as the moon, something we could never compare to. Today, Concubine Wei's brilliance makes us feel even more like ordinary willow branches."
If Qin Saizhu's words were playful teasing, Consort He's were obvious flattery.
Zhaorong was beautiful, but Consort Hui (Qi Daiyu) and Consort Nie in the hall were not lacking either. Consort He shared the Yonghe Palace with Zhaorong and, for some time now, had been following Zhaorong's lead.
Ye Qiong said calmly, "Sister Wei is dressed so splendidly today, is it because of that Concubine Li?"
She continued, "I heard Concubine Li is like the moon goddess Chang'e. Her beauty is said to put the moon and flowers to shame, to make fish sink and geese fall, and she is also skilled in singing and dancing. The sound of the pipa from the Xianfu Palace has been heard for three days, no wonder His Majesty is fond of her. With this new sister, the harem will be even more lively."
The smile on her face seemed genuinely joyful, but it stung Zhaorong's eyes.
Zhaorong scoffed coldly, "What sister? She's nothing but a lowly dancer. Is she worthy of being called our sister?"
Among those present, Zhaorong had the highest birth. She had always prided herself on her noble status and looked down on those from humble backgrounds, let alone a dancer. Most dancers from the Music Bureau came from lowly households or were descendants of disgraced officials, their status being humble.
Zhaorong was already displeased that Concubine Li had gained the Emperor's favor and stolen her limelight. Now, hearing Ye Qiong praise Concubine Li as if no one in the palace could compare made her even more resentful, and she directly spoke her mind.
Hearing this, Qi Daiyu frowned and was about to speak when someone beat her to it.
It was Consort Ning.
Consort Ning said with a stern face, "Concubine Wei, Concubine Li was personally bestowed the title by His Majesty. Speaking like this, do you have any regard for His Majesty?"
Zhaorong's face changed. Biting her lip, she said, "This concubine spoke carelessly. Please forgive me, Consort Ning."
Consort Ning said, "Let there be no next time."
The atmosphere in the hall grew somewhat tense. Qin Saizhu chose the right moment to speak, and with a few words, restored the liveliness.
But not long after, someone else said, "This Concubine Li is certainly making us wait."
"Now that she's favored, it's inevitable she might presume upon that favor and become arrogant."
Actually, this was deliberately making things difficult for Concubine Li. The morning greetings were scheduled for 8 AM. It was only just past 7:45 AM; they had simply arrived too early today, making it seem like Concubine Li was late.
Not long after these words were spoken, Concubine Li arrived.
Hearing the announcement from outside, everyone looked towards the main door.
The curtain was lifted. First to enter sight was a fair, slender hand, followed by a foot stepping over the threshold. The gaze moved up to a waist so slender one could almost encircle it with two hands. Moving further up, the hall fell silent, and looks of astonishment flashed in the consorts' eyes.
Concubine Li truly lived up to her title, "Li" (Beautiful).
Her beauty shone like spring blossoms, rich as peach and plum; her eyes held a natural allure. One could say every smile and frown was full of charm, and even her walk was graceful and captivating.
This was a woman whose style was completely different from the other consorts in the harem.
The palace selection required beauty, talent, virtue, and upright character. The consorts each had their own beauty, but one thing they all shared was dignity, a kind of majestic beauty. To train the selected girls in dignity, they studied etiquette for several months at the Nanshan Summer Palace before the final palace selection, and those deemed "improper" were weeded out.
But Concubine Li was different. Even though she performed the proper salutes to everyone, her innate sensuality made even the act of bowing seem alluring.
Concubine Li's beauty wasn't the most stunning, but it was the most seductive.
No wonder the Emperor had summoned her to attend him for three consecutive nights. Such a beauty made even their hearts flutter as women.
The more they thought this, the more wary their gazes towards Concubine Li became.
"It seems everyone is here," the Empress said, appearing just as everyone was quietly observing Concubine Li.
"Your servant (This concubine) pays respects to the Empress. May the Empress be blessed with good health," everyone rose and bowed.
Empress: "Rise, all of you. This must be Concubine Li?"
Seeing Concubine Li, the Empress also paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Are the servants at Xianfu Palace attending to you properly?"
Concubine Li replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Empress. The people sent by the Imperial Household Department are naturally attentive."
"Good. His Majesty mentioned you like trumpet vines. Two days ago, I had the gardeners transplant a few to your Xianfu Palace. Do you like them?"
Concubine Li: "Bestowed by the Empress, this concubine is overjoyed."
"That's good."
Watching the Empress and Concubine Li converse so harmoniously, some couldn't sit still. When did the Empress send things to Xianfu Palace? Could it be the Empress favored this Concubine Li?
Zhaorong, who had the least patience, couldn't hold back: "The trumpet vine symbolizes lofty aspirations. I wouldn't have thought Concubine Li possessed such ambition. I had assumed those from the Music Bureau only knew the pleasures of music and song."
Concubine Li smiled faintly, her beauty putting even peach and apricot blossoms to shame. "Concubine Wei, it's been a while, yet you are still as outspoken as ever."
Zhaorong was taken aback. "You've seen me before?"
Concubine Li replied, "Several years ago, on the Grand Princess's birthday banquet, the Music Bureau was invited to perform songs and dances. This humble concubine was fortunate enough to have seen Lady Wei then."
"Oh." Back then, Zhaorong was the highly esteemed daughter of the Grand Princess, while Concubine Li was merely a dancing girl for the guests' entertainment. Feeling smug, Zhaorong was about to speak when she heard Concubine Li continue.
"This concubine still remembers how the Imperial Son-in-law, drunk, seized a musician's hand and refused to let go. It was you, Lady Wei, who shattered a wine cup, startling him awake and preventing a scandal. At that time, this concubine thought, Lady Wei truly lives up to being a noble lady, so spirited and graceful, far beyond what this concubine could ever hope to be."
Concubine Li spoke with a smiling, charming expression, her dark eyes shifting like a fox's.
That statement carried a lot of implications!
Qi Daiyu couldn't help but glance at Zhaorong. At the Grand Princess's birthday banquet, the Imperial Son-in-law got publicly drunk and harassed a musician? This...
"You!" Reminded of that incident, Zhaorong also recalled it. She still remembered how her mother had flown into a terrible rage afterwards, furious at her father for disgracing them, and how she herself had been punished by copying sutras for her improper conduct.
Zhaorong's eyes blazed with anger. She had mocked Concubine Li for being low-born yet overly ambitious, only for Concubine Li to retort by insinuating the Grand Princess's household was indulgent and the Imperial Son-in-law was disgracefully improper in his old age.
How could Zhaorong tolerate such provocation? Just as she was about to stand up, the Empress spoke: "Enough. Today is Concubine Li's first time meeting everyone. In the future, she will serve His Majesty alongside you all. It is best for everyone to be harmonious and pleasant. You must not stir up jealousy or create trouble without cause, disturbing the palace's peace."
The maid behind Zhaorong silently steadied her hand, signaling her to control her temper, then helped her stand up to join the others in a bow.
"Your servant (This concubine) respectfully obeys Her Majesty the Empress's command!"
The morning greetings concluded peacefully under the Empress's suppression, and everyone departed in turn.
Qi Daiyu and Qin Saizhu walked towards the back of the group. They saw that as soon as Concubine Li left Kunning Palace, a eunuch from the Emperor's side arrived, bringing a small sedan chair.
"Concubine Li, His Majesty requests your presence."
The Emperor had just finished morning court, hadn't he? And he was already in such a hurry to summon Concubine Li?
Watching Concubine Li's retreating figure, Zhaorong practically snorted the words through her nose: "Seductress!"
Qi Daiyu and Qin Saizhu exchanged a look and silently began walking back.
On the way, they inevitably started discussing Concubine Li.
"What a stunningly beautiful woman. I couldn't take my eyes off her. If I were a man, I'd probably be captivated too, no wonder His Majesty is enthralled," Qin Saizhu said.
Qi Daiyu also sighed. "Indeed. That kind of enchanting charm is truly unique." She had secretly taken many photos of Concubine Li.
"Still, who knows if it's a blessing or a curse." Such alluring charm is a temptation for the Emperor, but for the other consorts, it's a stumbling block. I'm afraid many will target Concubine Li in the future.
Qin Saizhu supported her lower back. "Perhaps her life would be easier if she sought someone's protection."
Qi Daiyu looked at her. "You mean, Her Majesty the Empress?"
Qin Saizhu smiled. "It would naturally be best to gain the Empress's favor. But people's thoughts are hard to guess. Who can say what Concubine Li is thinking?" Her eyes darkened slightly. This suddenly appearing Concubine Li might already have a protector for all they knew.
"I actually think there's no need to worry too much. Just from her exchange with Lady Wei today, you can tell she's not someone to be bullied easily. She's much stronger than you were back then," Qin Saizhu teased.
Qi Daiyu glared at her. "What was I like back then? I wasn't that weak, okay?"
She just couldn't be bothered to engage!
"Yes, yes, you weren't exactly made of clay either. Pfft, hahahaha," Qin Saizhu couldn't stop laughing.
Qi Daiyu was worried she might strain her back from laughing so hard.
After she finally calmed down, Qin Saizhu added, "By the way, Xianfu Palace is close to your Changchun Palace. You should be more careful in your daily conduct too."
Xianfu Palace was right behind Changchun Palace.
"Speaking of that, I've been thoroughly enjoying the pipa music these past few days. It's made me itch to learn an instrument myself."
"Why not learn the zheng with the Eldest Princess then?"
"Oh, you, Sister Zhu! I get it now, you're saying I'm not even as good as a child like the Eldest Princess!"
"Is that what I meant? No, right? Hahahaha..."
