Yu Shu had rested for two days because of moving. As soon as she returned to the Celestial Commissioner, she received the Empress's order. She was not surprised at all. She packed up, gave a few words to Wen Shao 'an, and then went with the people sent by the palace.
The Phoenix Perching Palace wasn't as cold and cheerless as Yu Shu had imagined it to be. Golden colored glass, colorful paintings, exquisite sky flowers, and green potted plants filled the corridors. In this early autumn season, there wasn't the slightest bit of desolation.
The eunuch led her into the palace door, and a palace maid came forward to guide her all the way to the side hall facing the sun. In other palaces, other than the Palace Master who lived in the main hall, the left and right side halls were mostly occupied by low-level concubines. Only Xi Wu Palace was occupied by the Empress alone. This was the privilege of the Empress.
She knew that this Empress was not favored. She had sat on the empress' throne for many years, but she had no children. She gave birth to four children for Emperor Zhao Qing. The Second Princess married the Tao Wen Guan Grand Scholar, the Fifth Prince died at a young age, and the Tenth Princess died a violent death. Now there was only a nine-year-old Fourteenth Princess by her side.
The process of meeting the Empress was much more complicated than when Yu Shu visited Noble Consort Xue. She first changed clothes in the incense room in the side hall, and only had a thin shirt left. Her hair was almost scattered, and she had to comb it again. She had a special palace maid check her belongings and register them one by one to make sure there was nothing she shouldn't bring.
Then she rinsed her mouth and lit a stick of incense in front of her. She sat quietly for a while and waited for an experienced old mammy to speak. Then she put on her clothes and went out.
Yu Shu had already looked through the books in the Celestial Commissioner. This set of rules for meeting the Empress was passed down from the time of Emperor Anwu. In other words, it was made by Empress Ningzhen when she was alive.
Thinking about it carefully, it was not difficult to understand. Empress Ningzhen was not only the mother of the country, but also the chief officer of the Celestial Commissioner. To say it disrespectfully, a large part of it restricted the behavior of the emperor. At the beginning of the founding of Da An, the customs and culture of the previous dynasty influenced the generation. Women's status was not as good as men. Many people thought that women should not interfere in court politics. There were many officials who attacked Empress Ningzhen. By establishing such a rule, a lot of trouble was avoided.
For example, this stick of incense in front of him had a purpose. It was called "Three Thoughts Fragrance". It was said that in the past, there was a minister's wife who had some friendship with Empress Ningzhen. Because her husband and son were convicted. She entered the palace to plead for mercy. With the determination to die, she smeared poison on the hairpin. Originally, she thought that if Empress Ningzhen did not agree to her request, she would commit suicide in front of her.
Empress Ningzhen had heard the news early and did not refuse to see her, but after she entered the palace. He had someone lead her into a room and burned a stick of incense in front of her. He told her to sit motionless until the incense was extinguished. Only then was he willing to see her. In the end, the minister's wife calmed down while waiting. When the incense was finished, she gave up on the crazy idea. In the end, she didn't do anything stupid. This was how the incense got its name.
This was a psychological tactic, but it was used in the rules of the palace. Yu Shu flipped through this piece of unofficial history in the collection of Taishi Library. She had to admire Empress Ningzhen's wisdom.
Of course, Yu Shu didn't have any bad ideas. She leaned against the back of the chair and closed her eyes to rest. She didn't care about the old nanny who was staring at her.
There were a few palace maids standing in the room. They quietly raised their eyes to look at this legendary Messenger Miao Ling and secretly thought that she was really extraordinary. Those who came to Phoenix Perching Palace for the first time to visit the Concubine were all trembling with fear and trepidation. However, this one in front of them was very relaxed and didn't even have a drop of sweat. Seeing that her eyes were closed, they wondered if she had fallen asleep.
After half an hour, Yu Shu finally saw the current Empress, Lady Rui, in the side hall.
As a former commoner, seeing the noblest woman in the world, Yu Shu didn't feel particularly excited. Empress Rui's body was slender and thin. At first glance, she looked extremely weak. She was wearing a beautiful gold and luan robe, her long silk tail hanging on her feet. Large gold pearls and bright jade hung from her heavy bun.
She wasn't as beautiful as Lady Xue, wasn't as arrogant as Lady Yin, and wasn't as amiable as Lady Lu. There was a faint smile on her face. When she spoke to Yu Shu, it seemed intimate but there was an indescribable indifference.
"This subject greets the Empress. Long live the Empress." Yu Shu knelt down. After kowtowing, she heard Empress Rui speak.
"No need for formalities, grant a seat."
Two palace maids carried over a chair. It wasn't a stool or a block, but a chair with a backrest. Yu Shu glanced at the chair and instantly understood.
The Empress had summoned her into the palace, not to make trouble for her regarding the Kun Book, but to express goodwill.
"Thank you, Niangniang, for your grace."
Yu Shu sat down on the chair. She raised her head and looked at Empress Rui. She didn't behave like those female officials in the books and the chambermaids. The old mama on the side saw that she was so unruly and frowned. She was about to scold her when she was stopped by a look from He Shang Gong who was standing behind Empress Rui.
"Ha ha," Empress Rui laughed and said to Yu Shu: "I heard that Envoy Miao Ling was originally from the South?"
Yu Shu replied: "Yes, this subject is from Yi Yang."
"Yi Yang? Ben gong has never been to the South. What are the customs of your hometown? Tell me about some interesting ones? "
Even though Empress Rui appeared to be approachable, her words couldn't help but contain a sense of superiority. Yu Shu knew that she was trying to find a topic to warm up and cooperated by talking about some of the things in Yi Yang City. Empress Rui was very interested and occasionally asked questions. In the end, when it came to food, she had the servants present three-colored pastries. She said that the Imperial Chef had just made the pastries from the South this morning for Yu Shu to try.
After drinking tea and eating pastries, Empress Rui felt that it was time to warm up the atmosphere and went to the main topic: "Kun Ling Bureau presented the Kun Book for the eighth month. Ben gong has seen it. Did the envoy make it?"
Yu Shu wiped her hands with a handkerchief and answered seriously: "It was after this subject made a divination, and the Right Commander Daren made the final decision."
If Empress Rui couldn't see what was hidden in the Kun Book, she wouldn't be able to sit peacefully in her position. Yu Shu knew that she would ask so she laid an ambush in her words. It sounded like Jing Chen's final decision wasn't bad, but who knew that the entire thing had been arranged by her alone. Jing Chen hadn't changed anything, stamped it, and submitted it to the palace.
Pausing, a thread of unease appeared on her face. She asked: "This subject is frightened. Is there anything wrong with this month's Kun Book?"
Empress Rui saw her unease and her voice softened slightly. She said: "There's nothing wrong. But ben gong is in charge of the feipin of the six palaces. There are some things that ben gong has to say to the envoy. Ben gong's body had been unwell before and was only able to see you today. I heard that you have already met with the niangniang of the other palaces. They must have already explained some matters to you. There is only one point that ben gong has to mention again.
Yu Shu stood and bowed, asking: "Please tell me, niangniang."
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