Chapter 7: Revealing the Truth

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After learning the rules and returning to her chamber, Lu Shuyao did not expect to receive a visitor. The visitor was delicate in appearance, with flawless skin that was not overly pale but exquisitely smooth. A trace of melancholy lingered on her face, but upon seeing Lu Shuyao, she smiled softly and said, “Sister Lu.”

Lu Shuyao recognized her as one of the selected maidens, Lin Ruo, a concubine-born daughter of the Lin family.

“Seeing your elegance today has truly made me admire you, Sister. I thought that once inside the palace, no one would still speak of legitimate versus concubine-born status, yet it seems otherwise,” Lin Ruo approached Lu Shuyao.

Lu Shuyao politely replied, “Please, have a seat. Peilan, bring Miss Lin some tea.”

“Among the selected maidens, only you and I are concubine-born,” Lin Ruo said, holding her tea and gazing at Lu Shuyao. “I dare not speak with the others, fearing they will look down on me. I hope Sister Lu will not disdain me.”

Lu Shuyao smiled gently. “How could that be?”

Hearing this, Lin Ruo set down her cup and produced a small embroidered pouch from her waist sash, offering it to Lu Shuyao. “This is a pouch I embroidered myself. I hope Sister Lu will accept it.”

Lu Shuyao took it and smiled warmly. “How old are you? Perhaps you are even my elder sister.”

They compared birthdays, and indeed Lin Ruo was slightly older.

“In that case, I should call you Sister Lin,” Lu Shuyao teased.

Lin Ruo’s cheeks flushed softly.

“I heard the Department of Imperial Household Affairs will submit the ranking plaques today. Sister Lu, are you aware?” Lin Ruo changed her address.

“I didn’t know,” Lu Shuyao replied.

Lowering her voice, Lin Ruo said, “The Emperor is at odds with the Empress Dowager; he certainly won’t favor her chosen candidates. The primary favor must be yours. Congratulations in advance.”

Lu Shuyao looked at her, chuckling, “Sister Lin, you jest.”

Not wishing to dwell on the topic, Lu Shuyao signaled Peilan to bring some food, using the opportunity to change the subject.

Unexpectedly, Lin Ruo’s words proved true that very night.

Before dinner, eunuchs from the Department of Imperial Household Affairs came to offer congratulations.

“Congratulations, young mistress! His Majesty has flipped your ranking plaque.”

After speaking, they had Peilan remove the dinner that had just been brought in. “The first night of attending the Emperor’s bed does not permit dinner. Bring the young mistress’s meal away at once.”

Then, smiling at Lu Shuyao, one eunuch said, “All this is to ensure you do not make a mistake before His Majesty.”

Peilan was worried. “Eunuch, would it be possible for the young mistress to have half a bowl of meat broth?”

The eunuch glanced between Lu Shuyao and Peilan, smiling, “Of course.”

From this day forward, young mistress Lu was the only favored consort in the palace—a supreme honor.

As a minor eunuch, it was wise not to offend her.

Drinking broth was a matter easily overlooked.

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Lu Shuyao held the meat broth and drank a small half bowl.

This concession was won by Peilan’s efforts, and no matter what, Lu Shuyao had to show her appreciation.

The eunuch saw she only took two sips and understood immediately.

This young mistress was clever indeed!

She saved face for her maid and for him as well.

...

The eunuch from the Department of Imperial Household Affairs led Lu Shuyao to the palace prepared for attending the Emperor’s bed.

Passing through the covered corridors, they arrived at a warm bath surrounded by four hanging curtains.

The eunuch bowed and withdrew. A palace matron stepped forward with a bow. “Young mistress, please cleanse yourself.”

Lu Shuyao stepped barefoot onto the floor, removing all her garments.

Her sash slipped to the floor softly, her legs bowed like bamboo shoots freshly sprouted in early spring, stirring the warm water of the bath.

White mist curled around her, the beauty’s silhouette barely visible.

Her slender jade hands lightly touched the water’s surface, the sound stirring the air as palace maids quietly approached.

Their movements were slow and attentive, making the experience particularly enjoyable.

One poured water while two washed her hair.

After soaking for a while, the maids attended to her bath carefully and thoroughly, cleaning every inch.

Back at the Lu residence, she had never been served by so many attendants.

No wonder everyone clamored to enter the palace.

To be chosen by the Emperor was untold fortune.

Sitting in the bath, she recalled what Lin Ruo had said earlier that afternoon.

The Emperor’s discord with the Empress Dowager was well known throughout the capital.

In her previous life, when the first group of selected maidens entered the palace, none were favored, and rumors about the Emperor spread widely as a result.

Now, she seemed to be an exception.

Lu Shuyao gazed at her fingers, slightly swollen from the bath.

Tonight was the night she would attend the Emperor’s bed; tomorrow, she would surely draw the Empress Dowager’s attention.

Thinking of how the other maidens were all chosen by the Empress Dowager, Lu Shuyao smiled faintly.

This was a golden opportunity.

She did not mind being used as a pawn by the Emperor to counter the Empress Dowager’s harem faction.

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What the Emperor lacked most now was someone who could stand with him on equal ground.

Whether in the court or the harem!

About two years later, the Emperor would overthrow the Shen family behind the Empress Dowager, strictly limiting the power of maternal relatives, and firmly grasp the reins of government.

In two years, as long as she gained the Emperor’s trust, she could secure a firm position in this harem.

As she pondered, the matron beside her spoke softly, giving instructions.

“His Majesty dislikes heavy scents. No need for fragrant oil in the hair; just wash it once more with soap water.”

Several palace maids responded in unison.

After her bath, Lu Shuyao’s snow-white skin was nourished with a translucent fragrant balm, emitting a sweet but not overwhelming scent.

The matron issuing instructions wore a face marked by hardship but spoke gently, a stark contrast.

“May I know your name, Matron?” Lu Shuyao asked softly, her autumn-like eyes glancing at the matron.

“Your young mistress may call this old servant Matron Wang,” she replied.

Lu Shuyao wore a silver-threaded white inner garment, and the maids draped a cloak over her shoulders.

She was seated before a bronze mirror while the maids wrung out her hair.

Matron Wang spoke softly about the rules of attending the Emperor’s bed and placed an open “Fire Avoidance Diagram” before her.

Lu Shuyao did not expect them to lay the diagram so openly on the table. Her cheeks flushed deeply, her delicate earlobes like tender flowers in spring sunlight, translucent and dewy.

Her face was naturally pure and clear, her eyes as clear as a spring, and her trembling lashes softened the hearts of onlookers.

“Study it carefully,” Matron Wang smiled slightly. “Don’t be shy; it will be easier after tonight.”

Lu Shuyao pressed her red lips together and nodded slightly.

Though she had been a wife in a past life, she still blushed deeply listening to the explanation of the diagram.

Matron Wang’s explanation was extremely detailed, covering many things she had not known before.

While Matron Wang spoke, the other maids did not idle.

As soon as Matron Wang finished, they had styled Lu Shuyao’s hair.

Simple cloud-shaped black hair adorned with bright vermilion ribbons.

Because in the previous dynasty, an assassin once disguised as a selected maiden, no metal hair ornaments were allowed during attending the Emperor’s bed unless specially permitted by the Emperor.

The soft candlelight fell upon Lu Shuyao’s profile, highlighting her graceful and smooth features like a polished goose egg.

“May you receive abundant favor and joy, and may His Majesty’s grace forever bathe you in elegance,” Matron Wang smiled, “Young mistress, it is time to move to the palanquin.”