vstars Chapter 289 Employment
Chapter 289 Employment
Concubine Bai, having risen from the lower ranks to her current position and bearing a nearly adult prince, has become accustomed to looking down on others from a high position. She is discerning, able to discern the situation, and adaptable. She is respectful to those above her, but harsh with the eunuchs and palace maids.
In her own Baining Palace, the palace servants could be secretly executed by Concubine Bai if they were not careful.
There are many obvious reasons, such as theft, disrespect, etc., and a life is lost by any random charge. What's worse, a person is executed without even a reason.
The dark places in the harem, where the sun never shines, have never disappeared. This palace has been drenched in blood and piled with bones since ancient times.
This day was the day for the concubines in the harem to pay their respects to the Empress. The princes and princesses also accompanied their mothers to Fengqi Palace to pay their respects.
The most important event of the day was the Fourth Princess' birthday banquet in a few days. Lan Qingwu sighed inwardly. Look, it was another banquet, but she had already learned how to handle it.
So when everyone in the harem gathered together, Lan Qingwu gave the order directly: "Yang Fei, your palace is connected to the palace of the Fourth Princess's mother. You and Concubine Yu will co-host the Fourth Princess's birthday banquet. You will be the main host and she will be the assistant."
Concubine Yu is the biological mother of the fourth princess.
Concubine Yang quickly bowed and accepted the order, but after a moment's hesitation, she began to decline, "Your Majesty, I should have been obliged to do this, but I have been feeling a little unwell for the past few days, and I'm afraid... I am not up to the task."
Lan Qingwu only smiled lightly: "Is that so! Then, Yang Fei, you should have a good rest. I still remember that the problem occurred with the people in your palace at the last Autumn Banquet. If you are not competent, you should have spoken up earlier. I will not force you. After all, there are so many people in these six palaces!"
Concubine Bai cursed Concubine Yang inwardly. "The Empress Dowager had given her this power. Such a great opportunity, and yet you're throwing it away for nothing? Just because you're a concubine, can you work for the Empress Dowager, who holds all the power in the harem? Even if you're feeling slightly unwell, even if you're too sick to get up, you still have to get up and do it!" Can you just use this power whenever you want? If she hadn't known it was too abrupt, Concubine Bai would have rushed out and volunteered. Fortunately, she still had some sense.
Lan Qingwu's words really made Concubine Yang's face turn pale. However, before she could speak again, Concubine Han and Noble Lady Fang stood up from their seats and immediately knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, your concubines are willing to serve you!"
Concubine Yang's face turned even paler. Concubine Liang stood up a little later, "Your Majesty, what do you think of me?"
Concubine Jiang had no choice but to speak: "Your Majesty the Queen..."
Of the four concubines, Concubine Wen and Concubine Wan remained silent, knowing that the Empress would not give them even a fraction of her power. Concubine Wen was needless to say, and Concubine Wan also openly had a grudge against the Empress. Lan Qingwu, however, would not deliberately delegate power to them just to demonstrate her magnanimity.
Lan Qingwu waved her hand at Imperial Concubine Jiang and replied, "Imperial Concubine Jiang is already overwhelmed with trivial matters on a daily basis. Just cooperate with the birthday banquet that day. The same goes for Imperial Concubine Liang. I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it. Well, this time, Imperial Concubine Liang will take charge along with Concubine Han, Noble Lady Fang, and Concubine Yu. If there are any Shang Si who need cooperation, please feel free to go to Imperial Concubine Jiang."
Several people knelt down and said, "We will obey the Queen's order!"
Concubine Jiang had the most complicated feelings. The Empress's way of employing people was so similar to that of Emperor Shenwu!
Lan Qingwu did not manage the harem herself. On the contrary, she knew how to appoint the right people and delegated power to each concubine, allowing them to cooperate with and check and balance each other. She herself was in charge of the overall situation, and her thoughts were clear at a glance.
The Queen treats these concubines as His Majesty treats his subjects!
Concubine Jiang was startled. The Empress was using her concubines for other purposes, and the Emperor Shenwu knew all about it, yet he allowed it to happen. Perhaps the Emperor and Empress had a tacit understanding about this! Perhaps the Emperor even taught the Empress how to appoint people based on their merits!
The matter came to an end, but Concubine Yang's face was not so good. Naturally, Concubine Yang could guess what Concubine Jiang had figured out, so she had some resistance to the Queen's decree, but she didn't completely intend to disobey. She didn't know why she said such a thing, and it was too late to regret it afterwards. It was easy to give up the palace power, but it was hard to hold on to it again!
As long as the Queen was happy with Concubine Han and Noble Lady Fang, why would she want to use herself again? This would cause Concubine Yang's status to plummet, while Concubine Han and Noble Lady Fang would become as important as herself in the harem!
Concubine Yang was secretly upset, but there was nothing she could do. The Third Prince behind her lowered his head slightly. This move made by his mother was not a good one!
After giving instructions for the Fourth Princess' birthday banquet, Lan Qingwu asked all the concubines to leave.
The days passed like flowing water, and the fourth princess celebrated her birthday smoothly.
Both Emperor Shenwu and Lan Qingwu gave out rewards.
When the ice and snow melted, the year finally passed.
The busy year before the New Year has passed and the new year has begun.
Emperor Shenwu put down his pen, offered sacrifices to his ancestors on the first day, and feasted his ministers and relatives on the second day...
When Lan Qingwu came to his senses, the annual Lantern Festival had arrived again.
The Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month is also known as the Shangyuan Festival and the Spring Lantern Festival.
This was an unspoken secret between Emperor Shenwu and Lan Qingwu. The emperor and empress finished their banquet in the palace as usual that day, and secretly left the palace at the hour of Xu. However, this time, the sixth prince was also present on their outing.
The long street was bright as day, bustling with activity. The Sixth Prince, a rare child, showed his childish innocence. He took in the sight of dragon and lion dances, fire-breathing, and swordplay. Then, when he saw the myriad of colorful lanterns, he could barely move.