The Emperor’s tactics worked on Nan Feng; he aimed to make it clear that the Imperial Palace was his kingdom and the lives of everyone within were at his disposal. He held the power to decide who lives and who dies.
Seeing Nan Feng kneeling before him brought a sense of delight to his heart.
However, this gratification was short-lived, soon replaced with a trace of regret.
At this moment, Eunuch Li De Man from the Office of Respectful Affairs arrived with the record of available concubines. Respectfully, he asked the Emperor, “Your Majesty, these are the names of those available to serve you tonight. Which of these consorts would Your Majesty prefer to attend to you?”
The Emperor glanced at the list nonchalantly, casually picking one out, “Concubine De.”
Li De Man opened his mouth, looking like he wanted to say something but said nothing. He simply replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. I will deliver the message immediately!”
…
Outside, after Li De Man left the Dragon Cloud Palace, he saw a crowd of eunuchs and palace maids, sent by various masters to glean information. As soon as they spotted Li De Man, they swarmed him, “Eunuch Li, who has been chosen to serve the emperor tonight?”
Eunuch Li said nonchalantly, “Who else? Naturally, it is Concubine De.”
The eunuchs and palace maids were puzzled, “Ah? Concubine De again?”
“This month, aside from Concubine De, the Emperor has manded no other consort.”
“Indeed, then we won’t wait around any longer; let’s head back.”
“Alas, let’s go,” the maids and eunuchs dispersed, disappointed, pondering how they would explain this to their masters. The usual result always made them irritable, often leading to scoldings and beatings, leaving both master and servant unhappy.
The consorts in the harem, each had e filled with hope, but found themselves transformed from innocent girls into bitter women.
When Qin Kun was still in power, the Emperor would summon daughters of ministers favored by Qin Kun into the palace. Now with Qin Kun’s downfall, a large number of ministers also fell, and the consorts associated with Qin Kun were banished to the Cold Palace. Hence, the Emperor only favored Concubine De now.
At night, the imperial carriage stopped outside the Dragon Cloud Palace. A woman around twenty emerged from the carriage. Her beauty was not earth-shattering, but she stood out from the rest. Due to her frequent visits, she walked confidently into the palace, and respectfully greeted the Emperor seated at his desk, “Your servant pays her respects to Your Majesty!”
The Emperor was reviewing documents at his desk. Seeing Concubine De, he responded indifferently, “Please rise.”
Concubine De then sat next to the Emperor’s desk, waiting for his instructions.
Even though the Emperor regularly summoned Concubine De, it did not necessarily mean he favored her. In his harem of countless beauties, the notions of love and favoritism were insignificant. For an emperor, the succession was a critical matter, and he must have many sons to ensure a suitable heir.
Once he turned thirteen, the Dowager Empress and Qin Kun had kept busy arranging his marriages and concubines. Even an Empress had been selected, Qin Kun’s own niece, a full twelve years younger than the Emperor. The plan was to wait for her to mature before bringing her to the palace, but things were put on hold as Qin Kun grew ambitious. As a result, the palace was without an Empress. Once the honored fourth concubine was banished to the Cold Palace, all that was left was Concubine De.
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