eurekapd Chapter 471 [The Legend of Zhen Huan 6]
Chapter 471 [The Legend of Zhen Huan 6]
The day to enter the palace soon arrived. On that day, Prince Guo, accompanied by the Minister of Rites Zhang Tingyu and the Vice Minister of Rites Zhangjia Akdun, came to Niuhulu's mansion again.
Early in the morning, everyone in Niuhulu's mansion was busy, and the faces of people coming in and out were filled with joy.
Youyou got up early and asked the maids to help her bathe and wash in the inner room. She sat in front of the dressing table and looked at herself in the mirror with a firm and expectant look. She knew that from today on, she would bid farewell to her past life and embark on a new journey.
The maids carefully put on the imperial concubine's dress sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for her. The dress was gorgeous and solemn, and was embroidered with exquisite patterns. Youyou couldn't help but exclaimed, "It's so beautiful!" She gently stroked the embroidery on the dress, and a longing for the future surged in her heart.
After everything was packed up, Youyou was helped by Ziyuan to the front hall.
In the front hall, Prince Guo was talking with Niu Hulu and his wife. When he saw Youyou coming out, he stood up and walked forward to greet her with a smile.
Youyou walked over slowly, bowed to Prince Guo and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Prince Guo quickly helped her up and said with a smile, "No need to be so polite. Today is a happy day. I should call Concubine Shu as my little sister-in-law."
Youyou said shyly, "Your Majesty, I don't deserve this title."
Seeing this, Prince Guo gave up and opened the imperial edict, reading: "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Niuhulu Alinga, a Manchu of the Bordered Yellow Banner, a first-class duke, who leads the Imperial Guard, the Minister of State Affairs, the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs and the Assistant Commander, has contributed greatly to the treatment of cowpox. His daughter, Niuhulu Yaliqi, is hereby allowed to enter the palace as a noble concubine. This is the order of the Emperor."
After hearing this, Youyou brushed her body slightly and thanked him, saying, "I obey your order."
Then, Prince Guo said to Youyou, "Madam Shufei, the time has come, it's time to set off."
Youyou nodded, turned to look at her parents, tears in her eyes. She slowly walked in front of them, knelt down and said goodbye: "I am an unfilial daughter and cannot be with you. After today's separation, I don't know when we will meet again. I hope that you take care of yourself. I will serve the emperor well and live up to your expectations."
Mrs. Niuhulu's face was already in tears. She held Youyou's hand tightly and said with a sob, "Don't worry, my daughter. We will take good care of ourselves. You must be well in the palace and don't wrong yourself."
Lord Niuhulu couldn't help but shed tears. He patted Youyou's shoulder and said, "My child, after entering the palace, you must be careful and cautious. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell your family. Ama will always support you."
Youyou nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her cheeks. She hugged her mother, feeling her mother's warm embrace, her heart filled with reluctance.
The three elder brothers spoke up to comfort her, "Don't worry, little sister. We will be your solid support. We will take care of your father and mother, so you don't have to worry. As for those people in the clan, we will keep them under strict control and will never bring you any trouble."
"Thank you, brothers." Youyou said gratefully.
Then, Youyou slowly loosened her arms from hugging her mother, gently wiped away the tears from her eyes, stood up, and made a gesture to leave. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, telling herself that she must be strong, after all, what awaited her ahead was the palace life full of unknowns.
Finally, Youyou sat in the ceremonial carriage. Prince Guo, Zhang Tingyu and Zhangjia Akundun mounted their horses and walked in front to clear the way for Youyou.
Two imperial guards, two standing melons, two lying melons. Two red and black plain flags, two red and black phoenix flags, two golden, red and black plain fans, two red and black phoenix fans, two red and black auspicious grass umbrellas, two golden, red and black flower umbrellas. Two golden festivals. Two whisks, one golden incense burner, one incense box, one wash tray, one bowl, two golden vases, one golden chair, one golden square table. One golden curved handle cover with seven phoenixes. One chariot, one ceremonial carriage, one ceremonial car. (The imperial concubine's ceremonial guards)
Seeing such a grand ceremony, the people could not help but exclaim: "Wow, this is too grand! Whose daughter is being married off?"
Someone answered, "Don't you know? This is the legitimate daughter of Lord Niuhulu who is going to enter the palace!"
"Oh? So she is the legitimate daughter of Lord Niuhulu! The one leading the way is the prince. This is as grand as the wedding of a titled princess."
Someone else exclaimed: "It is said that this legitimate daughter of Niuhulu will be made a concubine as soon as she enters the palace!"
"I also heard that this lady is extremely beautiful, kind-hearted and gentle."
"Yes, there was a natural disaster a few years ago, and this lady sent people to set up a porridge shop in the west of the city. The rice porridge there was not like other people's, which were so thin that you could see your reflection in them. Her porridge was thick and dense."
"Then this Miss Niu Hulu is really a kind person!"
Soon, the guard of honor arrived at the palace gate, but since only the queen's guard of honor could go through the main gate, the team could only enter through the side door.
After entering the palace, the team stopped not long after and everyone got off the sedan chair. From then on, Youyou had to walk into the palace.
Since the Manchu and Mongolian military flags entered the palace first, and the Han military flag came later, and Youyou had a good family background and a high rank, she became the first concubine to enter the palace this time.
Youyou slowly got out of the car with the help of Ziyuan and Zixuan. Ziyuan asked the aunt who led the way, "Hello, aunt, how can I get to my master's Chengqian Palace?"
The leading aunt immediately bowed respectfully and replied, "In reply to the young lady's question, please come this way." Then she reached out to support Youyou.
Youyou quickly stopped her and said, "Aunt, you don't have to do this. Thank you very much."
The leading aunt nodded and bowed quickly in response: "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it, this is what I should do."
At this moment, Aunt Fanghua came hurriedly, bowed and said, "I am late, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Youyou pretended to be surprised and asked, "How can Aunt Fanghua come to greet me personally? I wonder why Aunt Fanghua came today?"
Aunt Fanghua quickly explained: "In reply to Your Majesty, the Emperor specifically instructed me to serve as the head aunt of your Chengqian Palace. Your Majesty happened to enter the palace today, and I was so careless that I forgot the time and almost missed Your Majesty's arrival. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!" After saying that, Aunt Fanghua bowed deeply.
"It is my blessing that my aunt can come to pick me up. Please lead the way." Youyou said to Fanghua with a faint smile on her face.
"Your Majesty, please." Fanghua bowed to Youyou with a smile, then turned and walked towards Chengqian Palace.
Youyou walked behind with two maids, looking at the unfamiliar environment around her, feeling a mixture of emotion.
Soon, the group arrived in front of Chengqian Palace. Youyou looked up at the plaque on the door and walked into the palace.
After entering Chengqian Palace, Youyou and the two maids tidied up briefly and then sat on the bed to rest.
After a while, Fanghua came in and asked, "Master, all the eunuchs and maids from Chengqian Palace are here. Would you like to take a look?"
"Then I'll trouble you, aunt." Youyou said with a smile.
"It's not a problem. Please wait a moment, master. I'll go down and call them all over." Fanghua said, then turned and left the room.
Youyou nodded, then walked out with the help of Ziyuan and Zixuan and sat on the stone bench in the yard.
Not long after, Fanghua came in with a large group of people and stood in front of Youyou.
Youyou glanced at everyone and asked, "Who among you is the eunuch in charge of Chengqian Palace?"
"Your Majesty, my servant Zhou Yinghai is the eunuch in charge of Chengqian Palace." A thin eunuch stepped forward and bowed.
"Everyone else please introduce yourselves," said Youyou.
"My servant Xia'er."
"Your servant Yue'er."
"Your servant Qiu'er."
"Your servant Qin'er."
"My servant Lu'er."
"Your servant Yu'er."
"Minion Xiao Fuzi."
"My slave, Xiao Dengzi."
"Minion table."
"Slave chair."
"Minion Xiao Yunzi."
"Minion Xiaodongzi."
A group of palace maids and eunuchs knelt on the ground, bowed their heads and spoke in unison.
Youyou sat on the couch, looked at them, and then said: "Since you have entered Chengqian Palace, you will be my people from now on. I don't like people who are disloyal or sneaky. I hope you can do your job honestly and do your job well. Of course, if you feel that there is no future with me and want to climb up the social ladder, that's fine too, but if you dare to do things secretly behind my back, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"We dare not." Everyone kowtowed quickly to show their loyalty.
Youyou looked at everyone and slowly said, "Ziyuan and Zixia, who are by my side, grew up with me. They both receive the salary of first-class maids. According to the rules, a concubine can have four first-class maids, but I just entered the palace and don't know you very well. Xia'er and Yue'er, you two will change your names to Zixia and Ziyue in the future. You will first receive the salary of second-class maids. If you perform well, I will consider promoting you to first-class maids. As for Qiu'er, Qin'er, Lu'er, and Yu'er, you will all change your names to start with the word "Zi" and receive the salary of third-class maids. The names of the others will remain unchanged. Xiao Fuzi, Xiao Dongzi, and Xiao Dengzi, the three of you will receive the salary of first-class eunuchs; Xiao Zhuo, Xiao Yizi, and Xiao Yunzi, the three of you will receive the salary of second-class eunuchs. As long as you perform well, you still have a chance to be promoted to first-class eunuchs."
After Youyou finished speaking, she turned to look at Ziyuan and nodded.
Zi Yuan stepped forward and said, "I have followed Your Majesty since I was a child. Your Majesty is kind-hearted, but I will not be soft-hearted. If anyone dares to betray me, don't blame me for being cruel. This is Your Majesty's reward to you. I hope you can serve Her Majesty with all your heart and soul." As she spoke, Zi Yuan distributed the rewards one by one.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The servants knelt down and kowtowed to express their gratitude.