coobybook Chapter 369: Changing Clothes for Me
Chapter 369: Changing Clothes for Me
There was indeed a heavy rain last night. After a night of heavy rain and wind, there are still water droplets hanging on the pomegranate flowers in Yiku Palace.
If the boxes containing the imperial concubine's auspicious clothes and the imperial concubine's auspicious clothes are similar, it is common for palace servants to make a mistake.
"It's okay. There's still time. Just go get me the ceremonial attire I'm going to wear."
"Yes Yes Yes……"
Nanny Wu was sweating profusely, but she didn't dare to stand up. She just knelt on the ground, glanced behind her, and winked at the eunuchs who were carrying boxes and baskets below.
The young eunuchs were so frightened that their legs went limp and they ran straight to the storeroom.
Concubine Hua sat upright in the main seat, drinking a glass of Fontainebleau brewed by Songzhi to refresh herself.
If everything had gone smoothly today, Concubine Hua would probably still be half asleep and unable to wake up. But now, thanks to this little accident, she has become much more awake.
Soon, several young eunuchs staggered back, and Nanny Wu was still kneeling on the ground.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me~ Your Majesty, please forgive me~ Your Majesty, your majesty's auspicious clothes were soaked last night. The servants just opened the box and took them out to look. Even if they can be dried now, the clothes are deformed. What should we do?"
"Oh, what should I do?" Concubine Hua put down the teacup, frowned, and glanced at the group of servants kneeling on the ground, waiting for them to speak next.
"First, I wonder if Her Majesty would be willing to carry the Imperial Concubine's ceremonial attire..." Nanny Wu knelt on the ground and spoke. This was the only remedy she could think of. She would just go through today's ceremony first.
Concubine Hua looked at Nanny Wu lying on the ground. She remembered that there was indeed such a Nanny in the Shangfu Bureau, but it was not this Nanny who came forward to take her measurements and presented her with clothes.
"Madam Wu?"
"Is the servant here?"
"Why didn't I see you in Yikun Palace before?"
"I was not originally assigned the responsibility of the Imperial Concubine's auspicious attire. It was originally handled by Madam Zheng, but she has been suffering from a cold these days, so the responsibility has fallen to me."
"So that's how it is... Well then, I'll have to put up with it and borrow Concubine Duan's..."
"Your Majesty, this is not right." The voice of a young eunuch suddenly sounded.
Concubine Hua looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young eunuch kneeling in the distance. Oh, it seemed like he had just run back to get the auspicious clothes.
"What's wrong?" asked Concubine Hua.
"Her Royal Concubine Duan has been ill for many years and has a thin figure. Therefore, the auspicious dress has been altered to be a little narrower. If Her Royal Highness wears it, I'm afraid it won't show off her graceful aura."
"That makes sense." Hua Fei looked at the dazzling imperial concubine's dress in the box, lifted up a corner of the dress with her fingers and glanced at it casually.
"So what should I wear today?"
Seeing that Concubine Hua couldn't let go of the Imperial Noble Concubine's dress, the young eunuch crawled all the way to Concubine Hua's feet and said, "Today is a good day, Your Majesty. This Imperial Noble Concubine's dress is a style from several years ago. No one has worn it since the Emperor ascended the throne..."
"what do you mean?"
"Look, Your Majesty, how magnificent the Imperial Noble Consort's dress is! The Emperor already dotes on Your Majesty, and General Nian has made great military achievements. Why not take advantage of the mistake in the auspicious dress and take advantage of the situation?" The little eunuch moved a little closer to show his flattery.
Concubine Hua tightened her grip on the gilded armor, but her expression remained calm. "You're quite clever. Why don't you leave the Clothing Bureau and work for me in the Yikun Palace?"
"Your Majesty, I am eternally grateful for your kindness!" The young eunuch was overjoyed.
"Zhou Ninghai, take this little servant down and tell Huang Guiquan from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to come and work in my palace."
Zhou Ninghai stepped forward in response, and the young eunuch followed Zhou Ninghai out of the main hall.
"Songzhi, help me change my clothes."
……
The heat grew thicker in the square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Thirty-six coiled dragon pillars were wrapped in scarlet silk ribbons. The Empress sat upright in the main seat, gazing in the direction of Concubine Hua.
The early summer sunlight had begun to shine brightly, and the queen had a hint of a smile on her lips.
In the dim sunlight, Concubine Hua slowly approached from a distance.
Gradually from a tiny point, it gradually expands and expands.
The emperor was still majestic and sat like a mountain.
The emperor's palms were sweaty with his hands on his knees, perhaps because of the hot summer weather.
Hua Fei deserves the title of Imperial Concubine.
However, the Nian family behind her...
The emperor was still hesitating.
Concubine Hua wore a three-phoenix 翟 crown and a red 翟-patterned dress that swayed gently in the wind, giving her a dignified and elegant air.
"Her Majesty Hua Guifei has arrived—"
When Concubine Hua walked up to her, the smile on the queen's lips froze in place.
It's very similar, but it's indeed the dress of a royal concubine. The rules are very strict.
The clothing of the Imperial Noble Consort and that of the Noble Consort differ in the amount of embroidery, pearls, and cloud shoulders, but the materials and colors of the clothes are roughly similar.
It was not until Concubine Hua came to her that the Queen noticed something was wrong.
"Your humble servant Nian Shilan pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Empress."
Following the instructions of the ceremonial officer, Concubine Hua kowtowed to the two people sitting in the main seats in the hall.
Concubine Hua knelt in the center of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and looked up at the Queen. That glance made the Queen shiver involuntarily.
The nine-turn phoenix gold hairpin worn by Concubine Hua on her head caught the sight of the Emperor and Empress.
That was sent by Zhuxi from Shoukang Palace early this morning.
It was a gift from the Empress Dowager to Concubine Hua.
The Nine-Turn Phoenix Gold Hairpin was originally given by the late emperor when he was still alive, when Concubine De was assisting in managing the six palaces.
The meaning is naturally self-evident.
The queen's eyes fell on the hairpin, and her pupils tightened.
The emperor saw the empress dowager's attitude, but he still wavered.
The Empress Dowager had told her earlier in Shoukang Palace that Concubine Hua had served her all these years, and even if she had no merits, she had worked hard.
Now she is in the harem, assisting the Queen in managing the six palaces, doing her duty and being sensible. Perhaps the Emperor doesn't need to be so taboo about the Nian family.
The Empress Dowager must be old, that's why she is so indecisive now.
The emperor walked down the steps and looked at the dignified and proper Concubine Hua, and exchanged glances with her.
After years of loving each other, if we don’t consider the Nian family behind her, Shilan would have been worthy of the position of imperial concubine long ago.
However, the emperor must never be soft-hearted.
The Emperor solemnly took the imperial edict from the tray held by Xiao Xiazi and handed it to Concubine Hua. "You look very beautiful today."
Hua Fei took the imperial edict with both hands, a smile on her lips: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Thank you, Your Majesty. What should I thank you for?
Thank you for bringing me to this wealthy and prosperous position in this life.
Thank you for digging a deep abyss for me next to this position of imperial concubine in this life.
After the Noble Consort, there is neither the Imperial Noble Consort nor the Queen.
Instead, the Manchu clan of the Nian family was convicted and Nian Gengyao was executed on the spot.
That year, he agreed to kneel on the white marble floor tiles at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and beg bitterly.
It was a self-torture trick played by Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang that made you decide to commit suicide to sever that lifelong love.
Today, Concubine Hua's nail polish is particularly bright.
Her eyes were like water, rippling with light. When they met the emperor's eyes, at this moment, the emperor felt his heart moved again.
"Sister, your auspicious dress today is even more radiant than usual. When I saw it from afar, I was dazzled and thought it was the dress of an imperial concubine."
The Queen felt the Emperor's affection for Concubine Hua and followed him down.
"Noble Concubine Hua, you are now the most trusted concubine by the Emperor and me. Noble Concubine Duan is frail and rarely goes out. You and Noble Concubine Duan are the only two concubines in the palace now. You must bear more responsibility."
Hua Fei was naturally used to hearing the sharp words in the conversation, but she didn't take it seriously. She had figured out how to get Concubine Duan to the position of Imperial Concubine before, and she didn't care at all about the Queen's tricks of who would become the Emperor's first Imperial Concubine first.
Hua Fei placed the imperial edict on the tray held by Song Zhi and bowed politely to the Queen: "Your Highness, I will follow your instructions."
Sometimes there is no need to be on edge. Just taking a step back softly may make the other person very angry.
The moment Hua Fei leaned over, the Nine-Turn Phoenix Golden Hairpin awarded by the Empress Dowager revealed the phoenix's tail, which was shining with golden light. It was indeed a good thing.
……
Concubine Hua's makeup today was truly eye-catching. The concubines lined up on both sides according to their rank, and they couldn't help but look up at Concubine Hua a few more times.
Zhen Huan's makeup today was light and did not stand out in such a grand ceremony.
Whenever she looked at Concubine Hua, she would sigh, "All the beauties in the palace pale in comparison."
Concubine Duan was not feeling well and did not attend the ceremony.
Shen Meizhuang, Concubine Jing, and Concubine Qi were standing in the front row, and they could see Concubine Hua's stunning beauty today.
Shen Meizhuang stood respectfully, but couldn't help but tears of excitement in her eyes. She always felt that when she was promoted to the position of concubine, it was a bit urgent. At that time, the four concubines were complete, and it was Sister Hua Fei who should have taken the next step forward.
When she was assisting in managing the six palaces and when she gave birth to Jinghe, Concubine Hua helped her so much. I have only been in the palace for a few years, how can I be qualified to be on equal footing with her?
Hua Fei: You seem to have inherited the love brain that I had in my previous life.
Concubine Jing looked indifferent when she saw Concubine Hua's promotion. Being in a high position and being in great demand might not necessarily be a good thing.
Concubine Qi's eyes were full of anticipation: Today is Concubine Hua's good day. To celebrate for her, it wouldn't be too much to set up a mahjong game in the evening and play three rounds of mahjong until dawn.
Hua Fei: Are you celebrating for me or for yourself?
Lipin, who was standing slightly behind, did not stare at Hua Fei's makeup. Her eyes were always looking at the auspicious dress. She should not be dazzled, why was it the imperial concubine's auspicious dress?
Could it be that I have been dreaming about little ghosts in the middle of the night these days, and I have been worried, so my eyes have become presbyopic in advance?
Lipin frowned with a look of disbelief, her eyes wandering around in a trance, accidentally meeting the Queen's eyes. Seeing the lustful look of settling accounts in the Queen's eyes, Lipin immediately withdrew her gaze, feeling uneasy in her heart.
It really is the imperial concubine's dress. How could this happen? I clearly arranged it.
Noble Lady Fucha stood behind Concubine Li and initially followed everyone to look at Concubine Hua's makeup today. The rouge Concubine Hua used today was specially made by herself. It was the first product after the confinement period, and it just happened to be used in time for Concubine Hua's promotion ceremony.
She and An Changzai had already discussed that if the effect of Hua Fei's use today was good, then word would spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and her reputation would immediately spread among the officials' wives in the capital.
When this rouge is launched outside the palace, it will surely be enthusiastically sought after by the mistress of the house.
Noble Lady Fucha looked at the bright and translucent rouge on Concubine Hua's lips, and the coloring effect was even better than she had imagined. Miss Songzhi seemed to have used some on Concubine Hua's eye shadow, which was something she had not expected. Noble Lady Fucha was very satisfied, and a relaxed smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
When Noble Lady Fucha withdrew her gaze, she saw Concubine Li's shoulders shrank. She followed Li Concubine's broken gaze and it seemed to be in the direction of the Queen?
……
Although Xin Changzai was standing in the last row, she really couldn't contain her excited heart and trembling hands!
As an early member who stood up, chose to cling to the powerful, and actively participated in the palace fight, she was extremely glad that she had chosen the right powerful person.
This big boss will work hard to get promoted, and she, the little maid, can continue to lie down and do nothing under the big umbrella.
It’s really a good choice, bringing happiness to two generations.
Hua Fei: You did stand up straight for a moment, but only for a moment.
Chun Changzai, who was standing next to Xin Changzai, felt a little hungry. Hua Fei had to get up early in the morning to put on makeup, but as a spectator, Chun Changzai was also picked up by Nanny Zhang early in the morning to put on powder and makeup.
In the words of Nanny Zhang, today is the only chance to see the emperor in more than a month, and good opportunities should not be missed.
In order to make Chun Changzai's face look less swollen, Nanny Zhang even allowed Chun Changzai to eat only half a bun in the morning and then took away her breakfast.
As a lady from a noble family, Concubine Chun could only curse Aunt Zhang in her heart for being stupid. Not to mention that her viewing position was a hundred or eighty feet away from the emperor, and he couldn't even see whether she was swollen or shriveled today. Even if the emperor could see her, on such a good day as today, he would only summon Concubine Hua. A little concubine like her had a weaker presence than an ant.
Concubine Hua: Is it really because you are a lady from a noble family that you only dare to curse Aunt Zhang in your heart?
Chun Chang's stomach growled, but today was such a grand day, and it was also a good day for Concubine Hua, so she really couldn't eat any snacks secretly.
Then my stomach growled again.
Chun Changzai covered her stomach and looked to the left. Sister Xin Changzai seemed very happy and intoxicated. Looking to the right, sister An Changzai seemed very annoyed. Fortunately, they didn't hear her stomach growling, otherwise, it would be too embarrassing!
An Lingrong, who was standing next to Chun Chang, felt quite regretful at this time.
Why didn’t I listen when Concubine Hua advised me to work hard to improve my position?
Now I am standing in the last row and I can’t see what is happening in front of me.
Empress Hua must be even more radiant and charming today than ever before, I really want to take a closer look!!!
Why can't I see anything in the last row?
Concubine Hua: The flower I dislike most is lily.
The ceremony of conferring the title of Imperial Concubine lasted for half a day and finally ended. She could not remember how many times she had performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows, nor how many times she had prayed to the ancestors of the Aisin Gioro family for their blessing.
After going through the tedious etiquette process, Concubine Hua felt so hungry that her chest was sticking to her back.