If one were to say what’s different between today and yesterday, it would be that the self-proclaimed sick-for-many-days Ronghua Ye had finally come to pay respects to the empress . The empress’ expression was the same as usual, seemingly unchanged even after the empress dowager had left seclusion .  

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Zhuang Luoyan sent a curious gaze at Ronghua Ye . Shurong Ye, who had suffered a miscarriage, did not yet appear . However, her demoted younger sister, Ronghua Ye, actually showed her face . Whom the empress dowager favored the most was unknown to Zhuang Luoyan . 　　　　

“Shurong Ye has arrived!”　　

As everyone heard this announcement, they s.h.i.+fted their attention to the person standing by the entrance . Yet because Zhuang Luoyan happened to look at Ronghua Ye instead, she saw that other woman’s expression was somewhat strange . It did not appear happy . In fact, it gave off an impression of ridicule . 　　

When it came to appearance, Ronghua Ye was more beautiful than Shurong Ye . Not to mention, she was more vivacious . If Zhuang Luoyan were a man, she would favor Ronghua Ye more than her sister . Ronghua Ye was considered to be flippant and impudent in the imperial harem . However, she knew her limits . So why did she wear such a strange expression today?　　

Could she be jealous that her sister’s rank was now higher than her own? But that seemed far-fetched . 　　

Because of her miscarriage, Shurong Ye had not appeared in public for a while . Although it could be said that she had recovered a little if she were able to appear in public today, her complexion seemed more wan and sallow than it had before . 　　

“This concubine greets Her Majesty, the empress . ” After Shurong Ye paid respects to the empress in a well-behaved manner, she moved to the side . When her gaze fell upon Ronghua Ye, she quickly averted her eyes . 　　

The empress smiled . “It’s been a while since we last met . Have you recovered?” She turned to He Yu . “Present a seat to Shurong Ye . Place her… next to Ronghua Ye . I think you two sisters have not had a good chat in a long time . ”　　

Zhuang Luoyan directed her gaze at the gentle-faced empress . She truly deserved to be called the empress . She even knew whether the Ye family sisters had met up or not . No wonder all the women who used to be favored never dared to be arrogant in her presence . It was apparent how skilled the empress’ measures were . 　　

“Thanking Your Majesty, the empress for the concern . This concubine has already recovered . ” Shurong Ye’s expression was somewhat stiff . Whether she was thinking about the child she had no fate with or something else was anyone’s guess . 　　

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Ronghua Ye glanced indifferently at Shurong Ye, who was sitting next to her . In a slight manner, she leaned her body to the side . With a smile, she said in a soft voice, “After so many days, Elder Sister should in fact have recovered . ” 　

A light smile spread across Shurong Ye’s face . She could not help but forgive Ronghua Ye . “Is Younger Sister blaming Elder Sister for not visiting you those days?”　　

Once Ronghua Ye had heard those words, she lifted her head . Looked at Shurong Ye . Looked like she wanted to determine if her sister’s words were sincere . Suddenly, she flashed a smile that could put flowers to shame . “We share an intimate sisterly bond . Elder Sister’s health is not good, so how could Younger Sister blame you? Younger Sister has grown up these past few years . How could I still be like those little children, ignorant and not sensible?”　　

n.o.ble Consort Shu lifted her teacup . Her gaze fell upon the Ye family sisters’ act of sisterly affection . Then she s.h.i.+fted her gaze to the other people in the hall . Most of the imperial concubines sipped their tea, as if they did not notice the two sisters . However, they kept looking at the Ye family sisters from the corner of their eyes . Only the young Chongyi Zhao seemed different, just drinking her tea in a well-behaved manner . It was unclear whether she truly had no interest in those two, or was just putting on an act . 　　

Last year, the Ye family caused some trouble . The empress dowager used the excuse that she was praying in seclusion to not deal with the matters of the imperial harem for one year . And the emperor only lightly punished the Ye family . Then during the start of this month, the Ye family did two things that could be praised by others, and the empress dowager finally left seclusion .   It was unclear if it was a coincidence or something else entirely .

It was also unclear what the always kind and virtuous empress thought . n.o.ble Consort Shu lifted her teacup once more and covered her smile . Blew at the tea leaves floating at the surface . It was just watching several plays . She definitely wouldn’t believe that the emperor would only want this Ye family to grow in importance .

“Since we have all gathered, come with this palace to pay respects to the empress dowager . ” Using He Yu’s hand as support, the empress rose to her feet steadily . She swept her gaze through the crowd, and was the first to leave the hall . 　　

Zhuang Luoyan followed the other women to her sedan, to travel to the empress dowager’s Kang’an Palace . The empress’ sedan was carried by twelve strong eunuchs . It appeared extremely dignified . The high-ranking consorts had eight strong eunuchs carrying their sedans . Those imperial concubines of the third rank and above only had four . Those of the fifth rank and above had two . The rest walked . It was apparent that there were many differences between the ranks of imperial concubines .

Kang’an Palace was in southeast direction . It was far away from the emperor’s Ganzheng Palace . From the interaction between the emperor and the empress dowager last night, Zhuang Luoyan could not discern much affection between them . However, judging by Emperor Chengxuan’s behavior, perhaps he would not allow the empress dowager to put a hand in the court and the imperial harem . 　　

“Stop!”　　　　

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After the eunuch’s shout, the sedans slowly landed on the ground . Zhuang Luoyan placed her hand on Tingzhe’s for support . She rose to her feet, and took a look at Kang’an Palace, the residence of every empress dowager in the past . It indeed gave off a more n.o.ble and dignified impression than those of the imperial concubines .   　　

As they entered Kang’an Palace, Zhuang Luoyan did not yet see clearly the empress dowager’s appearance . She followed the other women in performing the full ceremony of paying respects . Because the empress dowager had relieved them of doing so for so long, the imperial concubines not only knelt but bowed several times .   　　　　

“Hurry and rise . This grieving one does not find these conventional courtesies important,” said the empress dowager with a smile . Then she told the higher-ranked imperial concubines to sit . Whoever saw the expression on her face would undoubtedly praise it as kind . However, for a woman in her forties to reveal such an expression seemed uneasy and fake in Zhuang Luoyan’s opinion . 　　

Although her position could not be considered low, she did not have the privilege to be in the front . While she had the honor of sitting, she sat farther away . 　　

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The empress dowager took in the beautiful women in the hall . She patted the empress’ hand and said, “It’s been a while since I have managed the harem . There has in fact been a few more beauties added . ”　　

The empress looked at Zhuang Luoyan and two other lower-ranked imperial concubines that had entered the palace this year . In a courteous manner, she said, “His Majesty is working hard, diligent in attending to state affairs . Daughter-in-law should naturally arrange for more people into the harem . ”　　　　

The empress dowager grunted in acknowledgement . “You are virtuous and kind . This grieving one has heard that a cousin of yours has entered the palace . This grieving one has yet to see her . Give this grieving one a look . ”　　

The first half of her words praised the empress as being virtuous and kind . The second half reminded her that she had arranged for her own cousin to enter the palace . Was the empress dowager praising the empress or making things difficult for her? Zhuang Luoyan saw a charming and pretty young woman in a pink blouse and tight-waisted wrap-around skirt step forward . She appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old . If one looked at her alone, she would appear beautiful . But among all these beauties in the harem, she seemed ordinary . No wonder ever since she had entered the palace, she was still only a huiji¹ .  　　

Huiji Sun paid respects to the empress dowager once more . The empress dowager then bestowed her a bracelet, face neutral . After that, she no longer held interest for Huiji Sun . 　　

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“The emperor originally has few children . Now that Shurong Ye has miscarried, this grieving one is heartbroken . ” The empress dowager turned to the empress . “Empress, you and the emperor have been married for many years . You should talk to him about this more . ”  　　

Yet the empress respectfully agreed . When Zhuang Luoyan saw this, she felt that the job of an empress was difficult . Not only did she have to help her husband manage his concubines, she also had to arrange for the concubines to have kids . Now that the concubines gave birth to too few children, the mother-in-law wittingly or unwittingly lectured her . Whether there were few or many children was all up to Emperor Chengxuan . What good would the empress advising the emperor do?　　　　

“Daughter-in-law is useless . ” The empress did not respond to the empress dowager’s request, and only asked for punishment . 　　

The empress dowager nodded understandingly . “You’ve been managing the matters of the harem all day and must be busy . This grieving one also knows that you are virtuous and kind . However, the matters of the harem are never-ending . The most important thing is to show more concern for the emperor . ” 　　

The empress quickly agreed . Yet she never mentioned the matters of the imperial harem, as if she could not tell the hidden meaning of the empress dowager’s words . 　

Zhuang Luoyan watched this show, sighing with emotion in her heart . Those two were indeed worthy of being the empress and empress dowager . Such words were so pleasant and beautiful to the ear, yet which of them weren’t hiding needles within?　　

“His Majesty, the emperor has arrived!”

Oh good, the emperor was here . Perhaps this show would become even more lively . Zhuang Luoyan stood . Watched as Emperor Chengxuan walked through the doors . Everyone curtsied .   　　　　

“It is quite lively at Imperial Mother’s residence today . ” After Feng Jin paid respects to the empress dowager, he sat by the seat to her left . He looked at the variety of beauties in the hall . Then his gaze swept through the Ye family sisters . He turned to the empress dowager . “The weather is sweltering . Imperial Mother should take care . ”　　

“This grieving one is healthy . ” She smiled . “That the emperor cares for this grieving one brings this grieving on joy . ” 　　

“As long as Imperial Mother is of good health, Son-Official will be at ease . ” Feng Jin lifted a teacup from a gold-threaded nanmu² small table³ with flowers engraved into it . After a small sip, he said, “If Imperial Mother feels lonely, have Shurong Ye and Ronghua Ye accompany you more often . ”　　

The empress dowager nodded and smiled . Still, she said doubtfully, “ What wrong did Wanmei commit to have actually been demoted to a ronghua?”　

The emperor set down the teacup in a neither a light nor heavy manner . “Imperial Mother has stayed in seclusion in prayer, and naturally is not clear about the matters in the imperial harem . Your son has many memorials to look through still . Once Imperial Mother asks Shurong Ye, the circ.u.mstances will become clear . ” Then he rose to his feet, performed the ceremony, and left . 　　

Zhuang Luoyan glanced at the somewhat stiff smile on the empress dowager’s face . She lowered her head, making sure no one saw her do so . Did the emperor come here to pay respects to the empress dowager, or to warn her? It truly was… hard to tell . 　　　　

After the emperor had come to say a few words, the empress dowager was no longer in the mood to act like a mother-in-law who was close to her daughter-in-law . Shortly after, she dismissed everyone . Even the Ye family sisters did not stay . 　　　　　　

On the surface, the emperor told the empress dowager to have the Ye family sisters accompany her when she was lonely . In reality, he was telling the empress dowager that he knew she was also part of the Ye family . That whatever she did, she had to think of the Ye family . Although the emperor’s actions made others think he was heartless, it was effective .  

If the emperor was useless, the empress dowager would not need to worry . But if the emperor was strong, the empress dowager still would not need to worry, since she would not have the chance to do anything . It would be a different kind of show . 　　

Zhuang Luoyan sat on her sedan . In front was someone she had never interacted with before, Zhaorong Xu . She seemed as delicate as a swaying willow . Just a breeze and she would be blown away . Her appearance greatly resembled that of a daughter of a scholarly family . 　　　　

She lifted her head and looked at the blinding sun . This imperial harem truly had many skilled masters . Without so many schemes and measures, one would not be able to survive . 　　

After sighing with emotion, she watched as Zhaorong Xu, in a gentle and demure manner, wiped the sweat on her face . Her action made even Zhuang Luoyan find her lovable . 　

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