After finishing the evening meal, Yan Ge pondered the crisis within the palace and decided to contemplate the strange upgrade system.
Now that it was already established that he would remain in the palace, he needed to plan for his survival. Perhaps one day this system could truly assist him.
As he thought about the system, a floating panel immediately appeared before him, displaying various options. After examining it for a while, he discovered that this system resembled a gaming system, complete with main missions, side missions, skills, and a backpack, as well as a coin purse. The task bar provided main and side missions, each offering corresponding rewards upon completion.
Learning skills required a certain amount of silver, but he currently lacked the funds to unlock any skills or determine what skills he would acquire. Rewards obtained from completing missions would automatically be stored in the backpack and could be accessed with a double-click. The coin purse held the silver he had acquired.
Yan Ge disregarded the mission prompts in the task bar and noticed two Poison Immunity Pills in his backpack.
He decided to consume one of them for the time being. Since the system had selected him, it was unlikely that it intended to poison him, so he wasn’t concerned about the authenticity of the Poison Immunity Pills. With a click, one pill disappeared from his backpack, and the system notified him that the pill had been absorbed. Yan Ge intentionally paid attention but felt no significant effects, leaving him uncertain about the reliability of the system.
Wan Xiang, by his side, fanned Yan Ge and assumed he was bored. She spoke up, “Master, in my opinion, among the other three consorts, Zhou Daying is probably the most difficult to get along with.”
Yan Ge neither confirmed nor denied it. He was not one to gossip, nor would he engage in idle chatter with a young girl. However, he didn’t mind Wan Xiang gossiping with him. Perhaps there would be useful information hidden within.
Before long, a eunuch arrived at Chunfeng Palace to deliver a message.
The four consorts quickly went to the front court to listen to the decree.
“The Empress has decreed that a grand banquet will be held at the Baihua Palace tomorrow at noon to celebrate the entry of the new consorts. All consorts shall raise their cups in joyous celebration!”
“Thank you for the Empress’s grace!”
After seeing off the eunuch, Yan Ge pondered. The Empress had scheduled the banquet for noon, and it was likely that the Emperor would also attend. However, he wasn’t worried. Among the newly entered consorts, there were many outstanding individuals who would catch the Emperor’s attention before him. Nevertheless, this banquet presented a good opportunity to gather intelligence.
The next day, half an hour before noon, Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi began preparing anxiously.
Yan Ge chose simple attire and a plain headdress. Estimating that it was almost time, he first went to visit Song Ruhao, then the four male consorts departed for the Baihua Palace together.
Since each consort resided in different palaces, they only encountered other consorts near the Baihua Palace. Some consorts were accompanied by only a few servants, while others had a large entourage. Their status determined the number of attendants. When encountering higher-ranked consorts, Yan Ge meticulously followed protocol, making way and offering proper greetings, striving not to attract attention.
Occasionally, higher-ranked consorts cast disdainful or hostile glances at him, but he pretended not to notice. Today’s banquet was hosted by the Empress, and perhaps the Emperor would attend as well. No one dared to cause any unpleasant incidents.
Once the consorts entered the Baihua Palace, they were greeted by the fragrant scent of flowers and the melodies of musical instruments. Guided by the palace maids, they took their seats according to their ranks, with those of higher rank closer to the top seat. The top seat remained unoccupied as they awaited the arrival of the Emperor and Empress.
After a while, the eunuch’s chanting came from outside: “The Empress is here—”
All the consorts stood up to greet her.
Moments later, a young woman wearing a phoenix crown and supported by eunuchs entered with a slow and graceful stride. Her golden dress shimmered with the light of emeralds and pearls, and the phoenix on her brocade robe seemed ready to take flight. Her dignified and noble demeanor, befitting the motherly figure of the world, surpassed all others. This woman was the current Empress, Lady Du Mu.
After the Empress took her seat, it was customary for all the consorts to pay their respects together. However, this time, under the eunuch’s chant, the consorts followed the order of their ranks, offering their formal salutations to the Empress one by one.
This was to help the consorts to familiarize themselves with one another. Yan Ge silently observed, recording everything.
The Huangfu Dynasty had already witnessed seven generations, allowing for the appointment of one Huang Guifei(Imperial Noble Consort), two Guifei (Noble Consorts), four Fei, six Pin, and an unlimited number of Guiren, Jieyu, and others. However, both the late Emperor and the current Emperor had not appointed a Huang Guifei or Guifei. The number of male consorts was fixed at four, regardless of their rank.
The Empress maintained a smile as she gestured for everyone to take their seats.
Merely paying respects to the Empress took a quarter of an hour, indicating the abundance of concubines and consorts.
After the formalities, the Empress spoke, “Today is a joyous occasion in the imperial harem. Originally, the Emperor had intended to attend, but he was hindered by important state affairs. However, in the future, all of you sisters and brothers will have the opportunity to meet the Emperor; there is no need to rush.”
Upon hearing this voice, Yan Ge remembered that it was the same voice that had emerged during the Emperor’s selection process—so it belonged to the Empress.
Although the consorts were disappointed, they did not show it and responded with a yes.
Yan Ge discreetly observed the consorts, silently appreciating their beauty. Counting them, there were a total of thirty-four newly entered consorts.
Even if the Emperor changed partners every night, he wouldn’t repeat for a month. Truly, he was blessed with extraordinary beauties.
Not to mention the male consorts, all the female consorts were naturally exquisite. In particular, Tian Jieyu, with her graceful appearance and radiant pair of beautiful eyes, she outshone the rest. She possessed a captivating charm that even surpassed that of the Empress, who also couldn’t help but glance at her several times.
The Empress continued, “Only those who excel in their family background and character can reside in the imperial harem. It is a great fortune for all of you sisters and brothers to be selected among the thousands in the country. However, my focus in governing the harem is on harmony. Only with a harmonious harem can the Emperor be free from worries and govern the court with peace of mind. I hope all of you sisters and brothers will take good care of yourselves and maintain purity, so that you can bear branches and leaves for the Emperor in the future.”
The concubines and consorts stood up and exclaimed together, “We concubines/We servants will remember the teachings of the Empress.”
The Empress maintained her dignified smile and nodded, saying, “Very well, Xiao Linzi, begin the banquet.”
