Chapter 5: Turning Cards and Attending Bed
So, she softened her tone and spoke.
"You missed the selection due to illness, but I thought of your stunning beauty, sister. If you could enter the palace as a concubine, I’m sure Uncle and Aunt would be willing as well. If you gain His Majesty’s favor in the harem, it would benefit Brother’s future too. At that time, not just the Imperial City Department, even the Imperial Guard could be within reach, right sister?"
First the stick, then the carrot; Lin Guifei wielded the method of balancing power and favor with skill.
Lin Wanyi understood Lin Guifei’s intentions quite well, keeping a faint smile on her face, looking as if the Imperial Consort was always right.
The sisters exchanged pleasantries for a moment until Jiang Heqing walked in, respectfully declaring.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Chief Manager Quan from the Inner Court Department has arrived."
"Oh? What’s the matter?"
"He says he’s here to deliver the Diary."
The Diary, it’s the book recording the Emperor’s visits to the concubines.
Typically, it is delivered by Mr. He from the Jingshi Room; why today is Chief Manager Quan delivering it personally? It seems there’s more news to report.
"Let him in."
"At your command, Your Majesty."