Chapter 115 - 112.3: The Unemotional Emperor

Chapter 115: Chapter 112.3: The Unemotional Emperor "Why have they come again?" Xiao Rou was initially in high spirits trying on the new jewelry sent by the Internal Affairs Office, but upon hearing the senior palace maid’s words, she felt annoyed yet had no choice but to meet with them. Entering were two stunningly beautiful women in the prime of their lives, one with an ethereal grace, the other brimming with youthful charm, both possessed rare and exceptional beauty.

Xiao Zi was her cousin from her second uncle’s side, like her, a legitimate daughter of the Xiao Family, who had always enjoyed reading and writing since childhood, making her, the older cousin, seem utterly worthless in comparison. Fortunately, they did not live together for long as she soon entered the palace, and there was not much conflict between the two. But since the selection had started, whenever Xiao Rou saw her cousin’s arrogant demeanor, she felt uncomfortable.

The other was Xiao Ke, a girl from a collateral branch of the Xiao Family. Unlike Xiao Zi, she was skilled at pleasing others, her words sweeter than Xiao Rou’s had ever been, humble and well-liked among the concubines, so much so that even the haughty Xiao Rou sometimes showed her a bit of favor.

"Greetings to the noble concubine."

Despite her discomfort, Xiao Rou could not shame them due to their shared Xiao Family heritage, so with an air of discontent she said, "Rise, all of you." She then turned to the senior palace maid and ordered, "Grant them seats."

"Thank you, Lady," Xiao Ke immediately chuckled her thanks, whereas Xiao Zi was much quieter, seating herself silently without speaking a word.

"Lady, your quarters are truly splendid; no wonder rumors from outside the palace speak of Your Majesty’s profound favor towards you. Even though it’s not my first visit, every time I come, I am taken aback," Xiao Ke flattered with a giggle, implying a sense of awe every time she met Xiao Rou."

Xiao Rou, flattered, held her head high with pride and said, "You needn’t envy me; you will have your share of the Emperor’s favor someday too."

Xiao Ke covered her mouth with a shy smile: "I can’t compare to your beauty, Lady; how could I be so fortunate? Having a little place of my own would be more than enough."

Xiao Zi looked at her with a faint disdain as if she weren’t impressed, but Xiao Ke, noticing the glance, didn’t seem to mind, aware that the legitimate daughters of the Xiao Family couldn’t understand the hardships faced by those from lesser branches.

However, in her opinion, both Xiao Family legitimate daughters were foolish, blessed with a prestigious status yet clueless about how to utilize it. She vowed that one day she would rise above them.

"As long as you’re aware," Xiao Rou spoke haughtily, and Xiao Ke was momentarily taken aback, realizing that although Noble Princess Consort Xiao might be naive, she didn’t expect such blunt ignorance. Swiftly, Xiao Ke adjusted her expression, showing cautious flattery, "There are so many concubines in the harem, I will need your kindness in the future, or else there will be no place for me."

"Rest assured, you’re a Xiao, no one would dare touch you." Hearing Xiao Rou voice her inner wishes, Xiao Ke grinned, looking utterly innocent.

After the second round of selections, there remained over a hundred concubines. Ideally, Ye Qiu would personally make the final selections, but firstly, he had no interest in doing so, and secondly, he was preoccupied with establishing sea trade and building an official school, leaving him no time for such matters. Thus, the task fell to Empress Dowager Xiao and the Empress, and unwilling to be left out, Noble Princess Consort Xiao, after acting coquettishly with the Empress Dowager, managed to get involved as well. Searᴄh the Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

This selection was entirely out of Ye Qiu’s control; despite his reluctance, both the court and the harem were pushing for its advancement, and the final showdown of forces resulted in ten new concubines joining Ye Qiu’s harem.

Empress Dowager Xiao looked benevolently at the splendid throng of girls, as if already seeing her beloved grandchildren waving at her. While the Empress felt uneasy inside, she no longer needed such ephemeral favor, as over the years she gained the Emperor’s trust, and with the Crown Prince’s progress, her stance was secure. Meanwhile, Noble Princess Consort Xiao was gritting her teeth in resentment, her gaze fraught with danger.

Through Xiao Bairen’s maneuvering, both Xiao Zi and Xiao Ke were successfully selected to join the harem. Xiao Zi, as a legitimate daughter of the Xiao Family and Ye Qiu’s blood-related cousin, could not be given a status too low, thus she was bestowed the title of fifth-rank concubine. Xiao Ke received a lesser title, being named Beauty, a mere fifth-rank title. Both were from the Xiao Family, but due to the difference between the main house and a collateral branch, there was such a disparity. While Xiao Ke was inwardly resentful, she had to feign contentment on the surface.

Of the ten selected women, all were assigned high ranks. Besides Xiao Zi, a legitimate daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the legitimate daughter from the Zhang Family of the Marquis Mansion were also granted the title of concubine. Another woman, like Xiao Ke, who received the title of Beauty Li and attracted particular attention.

Beauty Li was the legitimate daughter of a county official, and her father was merely a seventh-rank county official. According to protocol, even if selected, she would start from the lowest rank as a concubine. However, her extraordinary character convinced the Empress Dowager to break protocol just this once for her.