Everyone says that the Xiao Family produces beautiful women. Empress Dowager Xiao was chosen by the late Emperor for her outstanding beauty, and despite her unremarkable family background, she became the Crown Princess Consort. This clearly shows her exceptional looks. In the next generation, Noble Consort Xiao was hailed as the capital’s top beauty, entering the palace with the rank of Noble Consort. Although her cousin Xiao Zi is not as stunningly beautiful as Noble Consort Xiao, she possesses a refreshing quality that is particularly captivating.
However, once Beauty Li appeared, she managed to outshine both of Xiao Family’s legitimate daughters. Today, she wore a pale yellow dress that highlighted her fair, jade-like face, and her long black hair was styled into a young girl’s bun, adorned with a pink beaded flower hairpin with tassels that swayed as she spoke. Her slender eyebrows were like paintings, her eyes twinkled like stars, and her high nose bridge along with her rosy lips, slightly turned upwards, unwittingly revealed a hint of scholarly air.
Even more exquisite is the red beauty mark underneath her left brow which, when she smiled at you, carried a captivating charm. Empress Dowager Xiao liked her at first sight, especially since Beauty Li’s family was humble, and even the Empress had no objections.
Noble Consort Xiao immediately regarded Beauty Li as her number one enemy. Indeed, not only her, but other women in the harem also harbored veiled hostility towards Beauty Li.
Today is the third day after the grand selection, and the newly appointed concubines had been settled in. The Empress Dowager specially invited them to enjoy the flowers in the imperial garden, which was also an opportunity for Ye Qiu to recognize people. Ye Qiu, unable to refuse had intended to take a glance and leave but was truly astonished by Beauty Li.
This body, by nature, adores beauty; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been enraptured by Noble Consort Xiao for many years in the previous life. This life, he intended to restrain himself, and for several years, all was well, but now his heart was stirred.
Ye Qiu followed his heart’s desire and turned over Beauty Li’s card that night.
Her skin was like snow, her hair loosely draped, not completely dry, with droplets at the ends, her little face flushed with hints of red, her big, bright eyes seemed shy but also curiously gazing around, making her look incredibly enticing.
Ye Qiu found his breathing irregular, staring intently at her as the palace maids and eunuchs discreetly exited.
"This servant pays respects to Your Majesty." Li Wan greeted him, frightened and frail, her crisp voice carrying panic and timidity. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel{f}ire.net
Ye Qiu felt his mind stirred, and his feet unconsciously moved closer to her.
When he came to his senses that night, it was already noon. For the first time, he felt so out of control, something must be amiss. After pondering for a long time, he penned an edict promoting Beauty Li to Lady and bestowing her with the title of Rong.
It astonished everyone; she was promoted from fifth-rank to fourth-rank in just one night, but what’s more, the Emperor even bestowed a separate title upon her – Rong, a significant favor! Doesn’t one remember that even during Noble Consort Xiao’s favor, she hadn’t received a title?
It seems the harem may once again witness the rise of another "Noble Consort Xiao," and perhaps, she might even be more favored!
Consequently, the number of jealous women in the harem increased, as did those who took pleasure in the situation.
"This wretched woman." Xiao Rou smashed another vase, her beautiful face full of anger, but upon closer inspection, it revealed a trace of grievance and hurt. Could it be true that the Emperor, her cousin, no longer favored her?
In Weiyang Palace, Li Yanlan was absentmindedly feeding the fish while her nanny cautiously reported, "My Lady, His Majesty has turned over Lady Rong Jieyu’s card again tonight."
Li Yanlan paused, originally considering Li Wan with her beauty and lowly background as no threat, but today marked the Emperor’s third consecutive night summoning Lady Rong Jieyu, she couldn’t help feeling unsettled, as if some matters were slipping from her grasp.
Could her and the Crown Prince’s positions remain as stable as today if one day Lady Rong Jieyu gives birth to a Prince, given the Emperor’s favor towards her? Li Yanlan was uncertain.
Inside Yangxin Hall, Ye Qiu gazed at the beauty under the lamp, and was once again engrossed in a daze.