Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 1672: Chapter 1672: Entering the Palace

The Empress looked rather ordinary, not a great beauty, but recalling Cui Shanggong’s words, this was a formidable person.

After watching, she stood obediently to the side; this was the treatment of the mistress.

At this moment, a female official brought tea, and the mistress had to kneel down and serve tea to the legal wife, signifying that she always had to be a step lower. A lifetime destined to be a mistress.

Yuanyuan took the teacup and knelt on the ground, thinking to herself, this isn’t me, this isn’t me. Otherwise, she felt an impulse to leave immediately.

"Emperor, please drink the tea."

Tan Shaoting took it without even touching it and directly placed it on the table.

The Empress saw this and was very pleased, with a more genuine smile on her face.

Yuanyuan felt helpless inside. All the women here revolved around one man; perhaps it’s normal for their hearts to be twisted, right?

She picked up the teacup again, "Empress, please drink the tea."

"Good, Sister, you seem like a well-mannered and polite good girl, and in the future, we will serve the Emperor together. There should be sisterly love between us."

"I will remember the Empress’s admonition."

The Empress was very pleased with Yuanyuan now. She herself was not beautiful, and she disliked those two flamboyant ones. She did not understand why the Emperor had chosen the Su Family.

But this was the best scenario. With no family background, what would it matter if she had a son or daughter in the future? If she managed to win her over, she might even become an ally.

So she did not make things difficult; after taking a sip of tea, she rewarded Yuanyuan.

The Emperor wanted to leave but was called back by the Empress.

"Your Majesty. Although Sister looks young, she is educated and sensible, a well-mannered person. Do you think it’s appropriate to just appoint her as the Noble Consort? Appointing the Su Family as the Noble Consort, though nominally, ensures those two cannot succeed."

Make them celebrate in vain. Just let them stay under this little girl.

Tan Shaoting nodded, "Arrange it as you see fit." Saying that, he left.

Yuanyuan knelt down again to courteously see him off, inwardly cursing countless times.

Appointing oneself as a Noble Consort without favor or merit, can this really be okay?

However, she also understood she was just a pawn, so listening and following was fine.

It was not without benefits; in the future, she’d only kneel to two people, which seemed worth it.

"Sister, go to Chuxiu Palace and rest for now; everything has been arranged.

In ten days, it will be the Festival. There will be a coronation ceremony, and by then, Sister will be able to rightfully enter Huaqing Palace."

Yuanyuan knelt again, "Thank you for the Empress’s grace."

"Alright, it’s getting late, Sister, go and rest."

Yuanyuan followed Cui Shanggong, with the Empress’s rewards, and left.

Chuxiu Palace was just a temporary residence, as the appointment had not yet been confirmed.

Yuanyuan ate the snacks her family brought, which was a comfort.

In the Imperial Palace, especially in a palace like this, there were no secrets.

Yuanyuan did not bring a maid with her; currently, the ones serving were still the four palace maids brought by Cui Shanggong.

They stood outside; inside, Cui Shanggong accompanied Yuanyuan.

"Noble, what do you think of today’s events?"

"Thoughts? None. As an outsider, perhaps I’m just someone they all want to win over.

I won’t be close to any side; that one just wants to use me to disgust the other two.

Rest assured, Cui Shanggong, I haven’t let it go to my head."

Cui Shanggong nodded in satisfaction, this master was sensible. This was best, because in this deep palace courtyard, sensible people were the most lacking. Only then could she have a comfortable life later. May she maintain this clarity in the future.

"It’s good that the Noble understands. Glory to one is glory to all, damage to one is damage to all. If something really happened to her, it wouldn’t be good for me either."

Yuanyuan was very tired, so Cui Shanggong arranged people to prepare the bathwater.

An hour later, lunch was sent over, cold, with chunks of lard on top. She thought to herself, this first clash was quite comprehensive.

"Cui Shanggong, I don’t have an appetite. I want to take a nap, do not disturb me."

What Yuanyuan liked the most here were the bed curtains. Once hidden inside, entering the space, it felt free and easy. Lying on her big bed, she felt relaxed and at peace.

After waking up and eating her fill, she came out, thinking her future would be eating when full, sleeping when tired, and living day by day like this.

At night, the meal was the same. Yuanyuan ate two pieces of pastry and slept.

Life continued like this; three days passed, and she hadn’t taken a single step out of Chuxiu Palace.

In Kunning Palace, "Your Ladyship."

"She’s being well-behaved for now. Send over the rewards and also punish the Dining Palace responsible over there."

"Yes, I will deal with it right away."

Yuanyuan knelt down again, thinking that the things sent over were not worth her kneeling like this.

At noon, she received news that a Dining Palace official had been punished, and her lunch had improved significantly.

Cui Shanggong greatly admired Yuanyuan’s patience.

"Noble, should we go out for a walk?"

"No, what’s there to see?"

Might as well read a book. At night, exercise in the space.

Another three days passed, and both the Emperor and Empress sent their rewards.

Yuanyuan understood that she had gained the favor of the two main figures, and it would continue like this in the future.

In the afternoon, her ceremonial dress was delivered, it was directly the attire of a Noble Consort.

The person who came was someone from the Empress, implying that the other two must have known about her being appointed as Noble Consort upon her arrival.

Yuanyuan guessed correctly; the other two broke their teacups in anger.

"Why? She becomes a Noble Consort without favor or merit. That bitch, it must be her, doing this to disgust me."

No matter how angry they were, it was futile; the ceremonial dress being custom-made showed the Emperor had consented.

Humph, just a little girl, there will be chances to deal with her in the future.

Yuanyuan did not care what others thought. Cui Shanggong was very cautious, carefully inspecting even the ceremonial dress, as only the Empress had authority in Chuxiu Palace. Others wanting to interfere had to wait until tomorrow.

Her behavior showed intentions of camaraderie, and she certainly wouldn’t let blatant things expose her weaknesses again.

On the day of the festival, Yuanyuan was woken before dawn. An hour later, she was ready, sitting and waiting.

Yuanyuan mused, is it that for every ceremony, one can’t eat or drink?

The women in the palace are quite strong, able to endure such things.

The hour arrived, and Cui Shanggong led them to the front hall.

Why do they all aspire for high status? It is because this appointment ceremony takes place in front of civil and military officials. It is also a chance to bring glory to one’s family.

In such a grand occasion, Yuanyuan and her entourage followed behind the Empress.

She didn’t even spare a glance at the other two women; it was entirely unnecessary now. In the future, they would be the ones to salute her.

The women watched from behind as the Emperor performed the rites, but no one dared to overtly watch them, and they couldn’t look at others.

Yuanyuan quickly found her father’s position, just glancing once without any other actions.