Chapter 95 - 78: The Weird Survival Rules of Changle Palace
When Noble Princess Consort Rong arrived, the Empress Dowager only made a token effort at small talk with her before changing the subject.
It wasn’t that Her Majesty disliked the Noble Consort.
No matter how long the Noble Consort had been acting high and mighty in the palace, she would never dare direct her pampered temper toward the Empress Dowager. She didn’t even feign compliance. It was simply that the Empress Dowager preferred the dignified and proper Empress and rarely involved herself in harem affairs, which kept their relationship distant. The Noble Consort had no way to curry favor, and the Empress Dowager saw no need to engage with her. Thus, they had maintained a harmonious, if remote, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship for many years, a balance that had never been broken.
"I hear the Emperor has taken quite a liking to you lately. Lift your head and let me have another look."
The Empress Dowager said slowly.
As Jiang Xian raised her head to be inspected, she once again seared the Empress Dowager’s appearance into her memory with a quick glance from the corner of her eye.
The Emperor was young, so the Empress Dowager was only approaching fifty. Even if she had entered the palace at a low rank, life in the court had molded her into a refined and elegant woman. After her son ascended the throne, he had honored and nurtured her into a graceful matron, her face always carrying the dignity of her station. "This is the fourth time I have seen you. You get prettier every time; it’s no wonder the Emperor likes you." She paused and said with a smile, "So young, and so favored. Can you truly bear the quiet of the Buddha hall?"
Hearing this, Noble Princess Consort Rong, who was standing beside her, revealed a hint of restrained frustration.
She hated seeing younger, more beautiful women by the Emperor’s side. Even hearing that he was fond of someone else was agonizing for her.
Jiang Xian lowered her head, assuming a submissive posture. "I only just arrived in the capital for the selection, and I was unfamiliar with everything. It is only by the grace and protection of the Emperor and Empress that I have been able to live a life in the palace that is far more comfortable and pleasant than before. Now, I have the great fortune to learn by the Empress Dowager’s side. I am deeply honored."
The Empress Dowager nodded, a look of satisfaction on her face, then glanced at the Noble Consort.
The latter could only chime in with respectful agreement.
※
"Since you can bear it, then I have nothing to worry about."
The Empress Dowager summoned a nanny, who entered carrying six bowls.
Three of the bowls were filled to the brim with rice.
Changle Palace had treasures in endless abundance, more than could ever be used. Yet, Jiang Xian noticed that the rice in the two bowls the nanny brought over was of mixed quality. There were noticeably blackened, spoiled grains, as well as some that were merely flawed.
Unsurprisingly, the bowl with grains that were all pearly white and plump was placed in front of the Empress Dowager.
She and Noble Princess Consort Rong received the ones mixed with bad grains.
"Picking Buddha Rice is a matter of sincerity. Miss Gu and Lady, please say a word of blessing for every grain you pick," the nanny said with a beaming smile.
Jiang Xian understood instantly.
This was today’s new release of ’The Rules of Horror: Changle Palace Rice-Picking Edition’—
’Dear Concubines, welcome to Changle Palace, the safest palace in the harem. The kind and benevolent Empress Dowager lives here. When spending time with the Empress Dowager, you must adhere to the following rules to ensure her favorability toward you remains at an acceptable level. Otherwise, the harem bears no liability.’
’1. Changle Palace is absolutely safe, unless you anger the Empress Dowager.’
’2. Please pick only the perfect, flawless grains of rice from the bowl provided by the nanny. Our Empress Dowager is a perfectionist. Although she will not say it, every flawed grain that appears in the other bowl will lower her favorability toward you accordingly. Believe me, you do not want to face an Empress Dowager whose favorability toward you has dropped into the negatives.’
’3. You must show anticipation for the Empress’s pregnancy. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager will automatically classify you as part of the enemy camp.’
’...’
’11. Be wary of the Lady picking rice with you. She is not always friendly and trustworthy.’
’As long as you abide by the rules above, you will have a pleasant experience worshipping Buddha in Changle Palace. We wish you all the best, Miss Gu!’