What happened in the Imperial Garden was akin to a pebble being thrown into the sea. A small splash, before the water’s surface grew calm once more. All the while the superiors turned a blind eye.
There were more important things for them to see. For them to do.
“Your Majesty¹! Your Majesty, the Empress!” The palace maid Mingyu rushed into the courtyard of Zhangchun Palace, steadying her jagged breathing before she spoke again. “The selection is about to start. You should prepare.”
The large courtyard was full of jasmine flowers in bloom.
Layer upon layer of white petals. But as many petals as there were, there were even more green leaves. Among the bloom was a plainly dressed woman, her hands holding a pair of golden scissors. Her full focus was on trimming the flowers.
As a breeze rolled by, only the fluttering of leaves and the snapping of the scissors could be heard.
The woman did not seem to hear the palace maid’s words. Or perhaps she did, but pretended not to. Mingyu could not be certain. She winked at the beautiful palace maid nearby, trying to catch her attention.
This palace maid was also dressed in a simple manner. A copper kettle sat in the palm of her hands. At first glance, she seemed like an ordinary palace maid that had just arrived at the Forbidden City. But in reality, she was a personal head palace maid of the empress. Her name was Erqing. Her status was very high and her responsibilities important. In Zhangchun Palace, few were as indispensable as her.
Although Mingyu did not dare to repeat her question to the empress, Erqing was another story. The things that Mingyu dared not do, Erqing did.
Taking a step forward, Erqing softy said, “Your Majesty?”
The snip of scissors. A jasmine flower fell from its branch, disconnected. The plainly dressed woman turned around, holding in her hands a jasmine flower. With her appearance, the beauty of the courtyard seemed to dim a few levels.
As if it merely existed as a foil for her.
She was different from ordinary people.
This was the Empress Fucha.
“Today is their day to shine. Why do I need to prepare?” Empress Fucha closed her eyes, head lowered as she inhaled the scent of the orchid flower in her hand. She smiled gently. “I rather stay here and tend to the flowers.”
The empress was not worried, but the servants were². Mingyu scratched her ears. She resembled a monkey unable to eat bananas. “How can this be allowed? Your Majesty, if you don’t go, it’ll give that woman in Chuxiu Palace a chance!”
“Ming Yu, mind your words!” said Erqing. Compared to Mingyu, Erqing was like a monkey under the tutelage of Tangseng³, mature and calm. Her eyes betrayed unhappiness. After she sent a look Mingyu’s way, Mingyu instantly settled down. Then Erqing turned to Empress Fucha, her face shining bright. “Your Majesty, the selection is important. You should at least be present. Otherwise, the empress dowager might blame you for failing to do your duty!”
People said that entering the palace was like entering a deep ocean. That wasn’t too far from the truth. In the ocean, the larger fish hunted the smaller fish. In the palace, the higher-ranked consorts stepped on the lower ranks. There was always someone further up the ladder. And for Empress Fucha, this person was the empress dowager.
Empress Fucha had no choice but to stand, patting off the dirt on her dress. “You young girls nag so much. Fine, let us go check it out!”
Apparent on Mingyu’s face was her joy. “Your Majesty, this slave will help you get ready!”
Once finished speaking, she quickly made to leave. In the blink of an eye, she had vanished, only a cloud a dust remaining.
“She’s really just like a monkey,” said Empress Fucha, shaking her head
This translation is the property of Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com. If you read it anywhere else, it’s stolen.
“Agreed. Also—” Erqing leaned forward, carefully inserting a flower into Empress Fucha’s hair. The empress was taken aback, before letting out a smile.
The selection would take place in Yanhui Loft of the Imperial Garden.
Although on the surface the empress was getting ready, in reality, it was just a change of clothes, a wash of the hands. Her face was clean of makeup, but her beauty eclipsed that of all the elegant ladies participating in the selection. First, it was because of her appearance. Second, it was because of her status as the empress.
Too bad that some people did not put her status in their eyes.
“Noble Consort Hui has arrived!” shouted an eunuch.
Hips swaying as she walked, Noble Consort Hui stepped foot within Yanhui Loft. Some women could pull off heavy makeup. Others would appear vulgar. Empress Fucha belonged to the second category.
On the other hand, there were women who relied on heavy makeup to look charming. Who relied on adorning themselves with countless jade ornaments to seem noble. Noble Consort Hui was such a person. Hanging from her ears was a pair of resplendent eastern pearl earrings. On her wrist, a bracelet made with eighteen jade and two jadeite beads strung together. Her headpiece⁴ was embellished with jewels and inlaid with a silver butterfly and ruby peony, both which seemed real at first glance. As she walked, both the butterfly and peony trembled.
First from the top right is the headpiece worn by Noble Consorts.
The jade and jadeite bracelet looks something like this.
If another person had worn all this jewelry, they would resemble a jewelry shop exhibit. They would be buried under all this splendor, the person nowhere to be seen. However, Noble Consort Hui did not have this problem. She was as noble as a peony, and as the king of the flowers⁵, she suppressed the jewelry’s overwhelming aura.
She took her time to approach the empress, like each step forward was a great honor from her. Be it her voice or actions, each lacked any shred of respect. “This one⁶ pays respects to the empress.”
While Erqing was expressionless, Mingyu’s face grew dark with anger. Just a word from Empress Fucha and she would leap in and give Noble Consort Hui’s face a nice big slap. But Empress Fucha only smiled. “No need to stand on ceremony.”
Before the empress had finished speaking, Noble Consort Hui had already rose from her feet. She took her seat below the empress. She received a cup of tea from a palace maid. Slowly took a sip and placed the cup down. Then she turned to face the elegant ladies waiting just outside of Yanhui Loft. “The quality of this year’s selection is exceptional. Some of these girls are quite beautiful.”
Empress Fucha’s expression did not betray her thoughts. She said, “Selections in the Qing dynasty are different from previous. Girls chosen should come from a noble family. Only those who are moral and well-mannered may serve the emperor. Appearance is not important.”
A hand covering her lips, Noble Consort Hui smiled. Such a smile was reminiscent of a peony in full bloom. Not only men, but even women would fall for her charms, a fairy her only rival in beauty. “Even so, we cannot select ugly girls in case the emperor feels upset just by looking at them. It would also affect the appearance of the imperial descendants.”
Although this conversation seemed ordinary, in reality there was murder hidden beneath each word. No one dared to make a sound. The elegant ladies kept their heads down, too afraid to even breathe.
This translation is the property of Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com. If you read it anywhere else, it’s stolen.
Both the peony and the orchid were beautiful in their own right. But when forced to meet head on, naturally one would suffer a loss. Unexpectedly, Empress Fucha retreated a step, and gently said, “No matter how beautiful the elegant ladies are, they cannot compare with your beauty.”
Seeing Empress Fucha’s concession, Noble Consort Hui felt as though she had won, her laughter a tinkle of bells. “Your Majesty is flattering me. This one does not dare accept the praise. However, the peony is the king of flowers. It is not something just anyone can be⁷!”
“You…” Mingyu’s anger was boiling over. She could hardly contain herself, itching to reprimand Noble Consort Hui’s impudent behavior. But the empress just waved her hand at Mingyu. In Mingyu’s heart she was unwilling to the extreme, yet she forced herself to stand by.
“The emperor has arrived!”
The eunuch’s announcement interrupted the two’s confrontation. A moment later, a tall man walked in, his hands clasped behind his back, his features handsome. He dressed in a similar manner to Empress Fucha, mostly free of embellishments and jewelry. His dark green daily robes⁸ gave off a sophisticated feel. From his sleeves lingered the scent of ink. It seemed before this, he was still busy at work on important court documents.
This person was the emperor, Hongli.
Although this is the emperor, he’s not wearing his everyday clothes in this shot.
“This one pays respects to the emperor.”
“This slave pays respects to the emperor”
“No need to stand on ceremony.” Emperor Hongli walked briskly to Fucha’s side, reaching out to lift her on her feet. His expression was very gentle. “The empress needs not be so ceremonious.”
Before, his words were for everyone. Now, these words were meant for only the empress. Noble Consort Hui watched their clasped hands, their show of affection, in her eyes a flash of jealousy.
But this was missed by the emperor. For this selection, he was just going through the motions. He helped the empress into her seat. Then the emperor sat down by the low table⁹, one hand supporting the weight of his head. From his lips came a single command. “Commence the selection.”
“Yes!” The head eunuch unfurled the parchment containing the candidates’ names. “Daughter of Suochuoluo Daojin, minister of the Court of Justice. Suochuoluo Yuli, fifteen years of age.”
A tall and skinny girl approached the stage in quick strides.
Emperor Hongli spared her a glance before saying, “Today was very windy. She must be exhausted from standing up too long.”
“No, it didn’t take too much effort,” the elegant lady immediately responded. She never expected that Noble Consort Hui would break into a smile with a few words of her own. “Agreed, Your Highness. This one is too skinny. A single gust of wind could blow her away.”
Although the emperor did not respond with words, he did in fact smile.
The head eunuch was quite astute, proficient at reading the atmosphere. As soon as he saw the emperor’s smile, he said, “Present the flower¹⁰.”
A little eunuch came in holding a silver tray of flowers. The tall and skinny girl helplessly received the flower and left.
“Daughter of Gan Tanglin, minister of the Imperial Stables¹¹. Gan Ruyu, sixteen years of age.”
In walked a girl that was past the point of being chubby, having gone through puberty to become a round ball.
One look, and the emperor burst into laughter. “How many meals do you eat a day?”
Since the emperor asked her this, she had to answer. Her face flushed. “Three meals.”
“Must be more than that,” Emperor Hongli said. “At least five meals. Otherwise, how is your body this shape? It’s almost comparable to those sumo wrestlers in the palace.”
Even the palace had no need for more sumo wrestlers, much less the imperial harem.
“Present the flower!” The head eunuch immediately said. Not missing a beat, he continued, “Daughter of Zhangjia Sixian, Governor of Shuntian Prefecture. Zhangjia Ruhong, fifteen years of age.”
A girl slowly approached the stage, her skin tone closer to olive than a shade of beige.
Two elegant ladies had already been dismissed from the selection. As such, the remaining girls felt worried. Felt afraid that the emperor might question them too.
“Do you apply soy sauce on your face to sunbathe every day?” asked the emperor.
Due to the strange nature of his question, the tan-skinned girl grunted affirmatively out of reflex. Once she realized her mistake, she shook her head. “No, this official’s daughter hardly leaves her room and hardly goes out in the sun…”
“Haha!” Noble Consort Hui couldn’t help but laugh. “The emperor is saying your face is too dark. Oh my, after looking closer there’s freckles!”
The butt of so many jokes, the tan-skinned elegant lady felt her face redden in shame. She blinked back tears. After receiving her flower, she turned around and ran off.
The head eunuch continued his duties. “Next person, daughter of Wuya Xiongshan, minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Wuya Qingdai, seventeen years of age.”
A moment later, a beautiful girl entered the loft.
Unlike back in the Imperial Garden, she did not allow any of her vices to show. Instead, she only showcased her best attributes, especially her manner of walking.
Every beauty had their unique point. Empress Fucha was calm and gentle, a quiet beauty. Noble Consort Hui was extravagant and proud. When it came to appearance, Wuya Qingdai could not compare to those two. However, her strut was charming. Among a group of ten people walking, she would draw the first attention.
And those who didn’t pay attention to how she walked would still notice those other things—
“Hm?” All of a sudden, Noble Consort Hui arched a brow. “What is that on the ground?”
Everyone turned to see what it was. A trail of lotus flowers led from the carpet at the entrance of the loft to where Wuya Qingdai now stood.
Overhead came the voice of Emperor Hongli. “What is going on with your shoe?”
He actually noticed…
Wuya Qingdai was ecstatic. No matter how hard she tried to contain it, her happiness still showed on her face. Even her voice leaked a bit of joy. “Replying to Your Majesty, this is called “a lotus upon every step.”
“What?” A laugh left Emperor Hongli’s lips. Unsure if her mind was playing tricks on her, Wuya Qingdai felt that his laughter was a bit cold. A bit frightening. The next moment, Emperor Hongli’s words were cold enough to freeze. “Remove her shoes so We¹² can take a good look!”
What happened in the Imperial Garden was akin to a pebble being thrown into the sea. A small splash, before the water’s surface grew calm once more. All the while the superiors turned a blind eye.
There were more important things for them to see. For them to do.
“Your Majesty¹! Your Majesty, the Empress!” The palace maid Mingyu rushed into the courtyard of Zhangchun Palace, steadying her jagged breathing before she spoke again. “The selection is about to start. You should prepare.”
The large courtyard was full of jasmine flowers in bloom.
Layer upon layer of white petals. But as many petals as there were, there were even more green leaves. Among the bloom was a plainly dressed woman, her hands holding a pair of golden scissors. Her full focus was on trimming the flowers.
As a breeze rolled by, only the fluttering of leaves and the snapping of the scissors could be heard.
The woman did not seem to hear the palace maid’s words. Or perhaps she did, but pretended not to. Mingyu could not be certain. She winked at the beautiful palace maid nearby, trying to catch her attention.
This palace maid was also dressed in a simple manner. A copper kettle sat in the palm of her hands. At first glance, she seemed like an ordinary palace maid that had just arrived at the Forbidden City. But in reality, she was a personal head palace maid of the empress. Her name was Erqing. Her status was very high and her responsibilities important. In Zhangchun Palace, few were as indispensable as her.
Although Mingyu did not dare to repeat her question to the empress, Erqing was another story. The things that Mingyu dared not do, Erqing did.
Taking a step forward, Erqing softy said, “Your Majesty?”
The snip of scissors. A jasmine flower fell from its branch, disconnected. The plainly dressed woman turned around, holding in her hands a jasmine flower. With her appearance, the beauty of the courtyard seemed to dim a few levels.
As if it merely existed as a foil for her.
She was different from ordinary people.
This was the Empress Fucha.
“Today is their day to shine. Why do I need to prepare?” Empress Fucha closed her eyes, head lowered as she inhaled the scent of the orchid flower in her hand. She smiled gently. “I rather stay here and tend to the flowers.”
The empress was not worried, but the servants were². Mingyu scratched her ears. She resembled a monkey unable to eat bananas. “How can this be allowed? Your Majesty, if you don’t go, it’ll give that woman in Chuxiu Palace a chance!”
“Ming Yu, mind your words!” said Erqing. Compared to Mingyu, Erqing was like a monkey under the tutelage of Tangseng³, mature and calm. Her eyes betrayed unhappiness. After she sent a look Mingyu’s way, Mingyu instantly settled down. Then Erqing turned to Empress Fucha, her face shining bright. “Your Majesty, the selection is important. You should at least be present. Otherwise, the empress dowager might blame you for failing to do your duty!”
People said that entering the palace was like entering a deep ocean. That wasn’t too far from the truth. In the ocean, the larger fish hunted the smaller fish. In the palace, the higher-ranked consorts stepped on the lower ranks. There was always someone further up the ladder. And for Empress Fucha, this person was the empress dowager.
Empress Fucha had no choice but to stand, patting off the dirt on her dress. “You young girls nag so much. Fine, let us go check it out!”
Apparent on Mingyu’s face was her joy. “Your Majesty, this slave will help you get ready!”
Once finished speaking, she quickly made to leave. In the blink of an eye, she had vanished, only a cloud a dust remaining.
“She’s really just like a monkey,” said Empress Fucha, shaking her head
This translation is the property of Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com. If you read it anywhere else, it’s stolen.
“Agreed. Also—” Erqing leaned forward, carefully inserting a flower into Empress Fucha’s hair. The empress was taken aback, before letting out a smile.
The selection would take place in Yanhui Loft of the Imperial Garden.
Although on the surface the empress was getting ready, in reality, it was just a change of clothes, a wash of the hands. Her face was clean of makeup, but her beauty eclipsed that of all the elegant ladies participating in the selection. First, it was because of her appearance. Second, it was because of her status as the empress.
Too bad that some people did not put her status in their eyes.
“Noble Consort Hui has arrived!” shouted an eunuch.
Hips swaying as she walked, Noble Consort Hui stepped foot within Yanhui Loft. Some women could pull off heavy makeup. Others would appear vulgar. Empress Fucha belonged to the second category.
On the other hand, there were women who relied on heavy makeup to look charming. Who relied on adorning themselves with countless jade ornaments to seem noble. Noble Consort Hui was such a person. Hanging from her ears was a pair of resplendent eastern pearl earrings. On her wrist, a bracelet made with eighteen jade and two jadeite beads strung together. Her headpiece⁴ was embellished with jewels and inlaid with a silver butterfly and ruby peony, both which seemed real at first glance. As she walked, both the butterfly and peony trembled.
First from the top right is the headpiece worn by Noble Consorts.
The jade and jadeite bracelet looks something like this.
If another person had worn all this jewelry, they would resemble a jewelry shop exhibit. They would be buried under all this splendor, the person nowhere to be seen. However, Noble Consort Hui did not have this problem. She was as noble as a peony, and as the king of the flowers⁵, she suppressed the jewelry’s overwhelming aura.
She took her time to approach the empress, like each step forward was a great honor from her. Be it her voice or actions, each lacked any shred of respect. “This one⁶ pays respects to the empress.”
While Erqing was expressionless, Mingyu’s face grew dark with anger. Just a word from Empress Fucha and she would leap in and give Noble Consort Hui’s face a nice big slap. But Empress Fucha only smiled. “No need to stand on ceremony.”
Before the empress had finished speaking, Noble Consort Hui had already rose from her feet. She took her seat below the empress. She received a cup of tea from a palace maid. Slowly took a sip and placed the cup down. Then she turned to face the elegant ladies waiting just outside of Yanhui Loft. “The quality of this year’s selection is exceptional. Some of these girls are quite beautiful.”
Empress Fucha’s expression did not betray her thoughts. She said, “Selections in the Qing dynasty are different from previous. Girls chosen should come from a noble family. Only those who are moral and well-mannered may serve the emperor. Appearance is not important.”
A hand covering her lips, Noble Consort Hui smiled. Such a smile was reminiscent of a peony in full bloom. Not only men, but even women would fall for her charms, a fairy her only rival in beauty. “Even so, we cannot select ugly girls in case the emperor feels upset just by looking at them. It would also affect the appearance of the imperial descendants.”
Although this conversation seemed ordinary, in reality there was murder hidden beneath each word. No one dared to make a sound. The elegant ladies kept their heads down, too afraid to even breathe.
This translation is the property of Sleepchaser at https://sleepchaser.wordpress.com. If you read it anywhere else, it’s stolen.
Both the peony and the orchid were beautiful in their own right. But when forced to meet head on, naturally one would suffer a loss. Unexpectedly, Empress Fucha retreated a step, and gently said, “No matter how beautiful the elegant ladies are, they cannot compare with your beauty.”
Seeing Empress Fucha’s concession, Noble Consort Hui felt as though she had won, her laughter a tinkle of bells. “Your Majesty is flattering me. This one does not dare accept the praise. However, the peony is the king of flowers. It is not something just anyone can be⁷!”
“You…” Mingyu’s anger was boiling over. She could hardly contain herself, itching to reprimand Noble Consort Hui’s impudent behavior. But the empress just waved her hand at Mingyu. In Mingyu’s heart she was unwilling to the extreme, yet she forced herself to stand by.
“The emperor has arrived!”
The eunuch’s announcement interrupted the two’s confrontation. A moment later, a tall man walked in, his hands clasped behind his back, his features handsome. He dressed in a similar manner to Empress Fucha, mostly free of embellishments and jewelry. His dark green daily robes⁸ gave off a sophisticated feel. From his sleeves lingered the scent of ink. It seemed before this, he was still busy at work on important court documents.
This person was the emperor, Hongli.
Although this is the emperor, he’s not wearing his everyday clothes in this shot.
“This one pays respects to the emperor.”
“This slave pays respects to the emperor”
“No need to stand on ceremony.” Emperor Hongli walked briskly to Fucha’s side, reaching out to lift her on her feet. His expression was very gentle. “The empress needs not be so ceremonious.”
Before, his words were for everyone. Now, these words were meant for only the empress. Noble Consort Hui watched their clasped hands, their show of affection, in her eyes a flash of jealousy.
But this was missed by the emperor. For this selection, he was just going through the motions. He helped the empress into her seat. Then the emperor sat down by the low table⁹, one hand supporting the weight of his head. From his lips came a single command. “Commence the selection.”
“Yes!” The head eunuch unfurled the parchment containing the candidates’ names. “Daughter of Suochuoluo Daojin, minister of the Court of Justice. Suochuoluo Yuli, fifteen years of age.”
A tall and skinny girl approached the stage in quick strides.
Emperor Hongli spared her a glance before saying, “Today was very windy. She must be exhausted from standing up too long.”
“No, it didn’t take too much effort,” the elegant lady immediately responded. She never expected that Noble Consort Hui would break into a smile with a few words of her own. “Agreed, Your Highness. This one is too skinny. A single gust of wind could blow her away.”
Although the emperor did not respond with words, he did in fact smile.
The head eunuch was quite astute, proficient at reading the atmosphere. As soon as he saw the emperor’s smile, he said, “Present the flower¹⁰.”
A little eunuch came in holding a silver tray of flowers. The tall and skinny girl helplessly received the flower and left.
“Daughter of Gan Tanglin, minister of the Imperial Stables¹¹. Gan Ruyu, sixteen years of age.”
In walked a girl that was past the point of being chubby, having gone through puberty to become a round ball.
One look, and the emperor burst into laughter. “How many meals do you eat a day?”
Since the emperor asked her this, she had to answer. Her face flushed. “Three meals.”
“Must be more than that,” Emperor Hongli said. “At least five meals. Otherwise, how is your body this shape? It’s almost comparable to those sumo wrestlers in the palace.”
Even the palace had no need for more sumo wrestlers, much less the imperial harem.
“Present the flower!” The head eunuch immediately said. Not missing a beat, he continued, “Daughter of Zhangjia Sixian, Governor of Shuntian Prefecture. Zhangjia Ruhong, fifteen years of age.”
A girl slowly approached the stage, her skin tone closer to olive than a shade of beige.
Two elegant ladies had already been dismissed from the selection. As such, the remaining girls felt worried. Felt afraid that the emperor might question them too.
“Do you apply soy sauce on your face to sunbathe every day?” asked the emperor.
Due to the strange nature of his question, the tan-skinned girl grunted affirmatively out of reflex. Once she realized her mistake, she shook her head. “No, this official’s daughter hardly leaves her room and hardly goes out in the sun…”
“Haha!” Noble Consort Hui couldn’t help but laugh. “The emperor is saying your face is too dark. Oh my, after looking closer there’s freckles!”
The butt of so many jokes, the tan-skinned elegant lady felt her face redden in shame. She blinked back tears. After receiving her flower, she turned around and ran off.
The head eunuch continued his duties. “Next person, daughter of Wuya Xiongshan, minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Wuya Qingdai, seventeen years of age.”
A moment later, a beautiful girl entered the loft.
Unlike back in the Imperial Garden, she did not allow any of her vices to show. Instead, she only showcased her best attributes, especially her manner of walking.
Every beauty had their unique point. Empress Fucha was calm and gentle, a quiet beauty. Noble Consort Hui was extravagant and proud. When it came to appearance, Wuya Qingdai could not compare to those two. However, her strut was charming. Among a group of ten people walking, she would draw the first attention.
And those who didn’t pay attention to how she walked would still notice those other things—
“Hm?” All of a sudden, Noble Consort Hui arched a brow. “What is that on the ground?”
Everyone turned to see what it was. A trail of lotus flowers led from the carpet at the entrance of the loft to where Wuya Qingdai now stood.
Overhead came the voice of Emperor Hongli. “What is going on with your shoe?”
He actually noticed…
Wuya Qingdai was ecstatic. No matter how hard she tried to contain it, her happiness still showed on her face. Even her voice leaked a bit of joy. “Replying to Your Majesty, this is called “a lotus upon every step.”
“What?” A laugh left Emperor Hongli’s lips. Unsure if her mind was playing tricks on her, Wuya Qingdai felt that his laughter was a bit cold. A bit frightening. The next moment, Emperor Hongli’s words were cold enough to freeze. “Remove her shoes so We¹² can take a good look!”
