Yanhui heard the guard outside saluting and sat up straight, the door opened to reveal a tall man; her maids curtsied and greeted " greetings your majesty" . He waved them off and they were both left in the room. The emperor picked up a (yù rú yì) - a jade ruyi scepter, a symbol of power and good fortune to remove her veil. Immediately her veil was removed, Yanhui was stunned, he was so handsome he looked ethereal; the emperor was a tall man with captivating facial features which are refined, with a harmonious structure, almond-shaped eyes that slant downwards, a sharp straight nose, his thin pink lips in a straight line, giving him a charming appearance. He has a sharp jawline and a fit physique, standing at about 183 cm (6'0") with a slim and athletic build .
"Here"
Yanhui snapped back to reality, he was handling her a cup to drink the arm crossed wine. Yanhui took the wine cup reluctantly as she was afraid it was poisonous but had to drink it under his watchful eyes. After drinking it, she suddenly started feeling hot all over
'Don't tell me I was fed aphrodisiac' " you, what did you fed me" she tried to shout pointing at him. Her eyes slowly closed , last thing she saw was his indifferent face.
Yanhui awoke the next morning, remembering nothing except that she was fed aphrodisiac and her entire body was in pains and she was dressed in only her inner garments. She cursed the emperor for his evil and was disgusted by how looks can be deceiving as she called out to Xiao Xiao who who ran into the room
" Young miss, I mean your majesty you're awake, how are you feeling?" Xiao Xiao asked as she helped her up to get washed and dressed.
"Bad, in pains and angry"
" The emperor left this morning and instructed us not to wake you up but there's a lot of things to do today, it's good you woke up early" she continued rambling paying her no mind.
"What things? What do you mean?" Yanhui pushed around, asked in utter confusion.
"Your majesty, could you have forgotten? As the new harem owner and your first day of marriage, you have to serve tea to the empress dowager, the other concubines have to come pay their respects and you have to take charge of the harem, now let's get you ready" she explained as she worked.
"Can't we skip the consort and the taking charge part?"
" No my lady, how else would you be respected and recognized as empress if they don't pay their respects and you don't take charge of the harem and servants?"
"Ok, ok, I understand, I never win in an argument against you anyways" Yanhui answered defeated.
After Yanhui was dressed up and her hair styled and adorned with heavy pins, she was led to the empress dowager hurriedly to pay her respects. On she way, she noticed the palace was very big and pitied her maids who had to walk on foot and those carrying her sedan. She was in no mode to amire the scenery as she was still pondering over what happened the night before, why did the emperor do that?, she was already married to him and as his wife, why did he resort to such methods? But she could only ask him when she sees him.
She soon got to the empress dowager's Tranquility palace, she was helped down the sedan by her maids. She entered the palace where she was her aunt sitting down at the head sit waiting for her. She walked up to her and greeted in a kneeling courtesy:
"Greetings empress dowager, may you live to a thousand years"
" Help her up, Come, let me get a good look at you hui 'er" she beckoned.
Yanhui stood up and sat down next to the empress dowager calling out: "Aunt" joyfully the empress dowager patted her hand and smiled. The empress dowager called her head maid to summon the other consorts and concubines to salute the empress. The ladies all entered supported by their maids, like in the TV dramas she had watched; she could see their schemes in their eyes though they looked friendly. They were extremely beautiful in different styles; some looked innocent and pure, some looked enchanting and one was even full and round. " This emperor truly had no preference and loves everything on skirt" she thought tsking. They all knelt and paid their respects greeting her :
"Greetings your majesty, may you live to a thousand years"
She looked at them in an intimidating manner and kept quiet for a few seconds before smiling and asking them to raise to inform them that she was not easily bullied. The empress dowager nodded in approval seeing this and signalled to her maid. The mamma went into the inner room and came back holding a sack of books. Turning to Yanhui, she called:
" Hui 'er , this is the harem account books, you'll be in charge from now on, I can finally rest and hand over it to you"
"Thank you empress dowager, I promise not to fail you" Yanhui assured as she signalled her maid to receive them.
The consorts face turned red with anger and jealousy for the empress dowager had refused to hand it over to any of them before and her saying she can finally rest, made it seem as if they were useless. As for Yanhui, she was smiling though tears and anger; what happened to her plans of being a salted fish, not only was she now hated by the consorts , she also had to work as a manager, an accountant, and crisis manager for free! Why??!!!!!. The empress dowager unassuming reassured her:
"All the servants and mammas will obey you from now on with no exceptions, you can rest assured and do your thing, you can summon and make them aware of your rules"
"No need for new rules I'm sure empress dowager's rules are enough" Yanhui buttered up to her.
The empress dowager smiled happily and dismissed the consorts. They curtsied to the empress dowager and Yanhui and left. The empress dowager turned to her to give her a few advice.