allonlinenovel Chapter 159 Step Shake
Chapter 159 Step Shake
Sunlight, like golden threads, slowly filtered through the half-open window lattice, casting its light gradually into every corner of the house. The leaves outside the window swayed gently in the breeze, and the cool breeze blew in, gently floating Zhou Lingge's soft hair.
She held an exquisite round fan in her hand, leaning on the soft couch... It was like a beautiful painting, and the sunlight fell on her like golden silk threads, as if covering her with a layer of dazzling light.
She tilted her head slightly, closed her eyes, her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyelids, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She was like a fairy descending to earth, exuding a quiet and charming temperament.
The long, shiny black hair floats in the water like silk, swaying gently with the current and interweaving with the sunlight, forming a dreamlike picture that makes people intoxicated by it, as if time has frozen at this moment, leaving only this scene of eternal beauty.
Qiao'er pushed open the palace door and walked to Zhou Lingge's side.
She whispered something.
Zhou Lingge's eyes flickered and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
"Shu Fei finally couldn't help herself and took action. I hope she won't let me down."
"Isn't today the day for the concubines in the harem to pay their respects to the Queen Mother?"
Qiaoer nodded slightly in response.
Zhou Lingge didn't have to go if she didn't want to because she had the emperor's order.
But she curled her lips and smiled slightly, thinking of the news from the cold palace, she slowly stood up: "How can I be absent from such a lively moment?"
There will be a big show later.
She had to go and observe it in person, so that all her efforts in manipulating the situation behind the scenes would not be in vain.
Zhou Lingge immediately ordered Qiao'er to help her dress up.
She must appear in the most beautiful posture, outshining all the others, becoming the most dazzling and beautiful existence that makes everyone else pale in comparison.
On the walls of the Cining Palace, the colorful glazed tiles shine brightly. When the sunlight shines on them, they reflect thousands of rays of light, like a bright starry sky.
Inside the spacious hall, the concubines, dressed exquisitely, were respectfully paying their respects to the empress dowager.
The empress dowager was dressed in a dark red dress. The gorgeous brocade seemed to be flowing with light, and the gold threads were intertwined and scattered. Each gold thread was shining with a dazzling and luxurious luster, which complemented the dark red background and brought out the empress dowager's noble temperament to the fullest.
The empress dowager slowly raised her arm and asked the concubines to take their seats without formalities. The sleeves of her gorgeous clothes swayed gently, showing her majesty and nobility.
Her eyes were filled with melancholy as she stared at the few concubines, and she couldn't help but sigh.
Now the concubines and the queen in the harem are just as numerous as the fingers of a hand.
She had never seen an emperor with such a poor number of concubines as he did now.
This is really outrageous. It seems that the audition cannot be delayed any longer and must be put on the agenda as soon as possible.
There has been some unease in the court these past few days, with some disturbances gradually emerging. In order to stabilize the court, the harem needs to be quickly filled with some fresh blood.
The Queen Mother turned her head and looked at the Queen who was sitting upright below her. "The Queen has been taking care of her pregnancy these past few days. How is her health?"
Zhou Shiya replied respectfully: "I am much better now."
"Since this is the case, the affairs of the palace cannot all be managed by me. As the queen, you have to ask about them no matter what. This is your responsibility as the mother of a country." The queen mother's voice was solemn.
Zhou Shiya lowered her eyebrows and replied submissively, "Yes, I understand...but it's up to the Queen Mother to order."
"I have been planning the selection these days. I have already drafted the imperial edict and will issue it. In ten days, those beauties will be allowed to enter the palace... You should discuss the selection matters with Concubine Shu and Concubine Wan. You must help His Majesty select a woman who is both virtuous and talented, gentle and virtuous, and of noble character." The Queen Mother instructed word by word.
Zhou Shiya clenched her fists tightly, suppressing the bitterness in her heart and still responded softly.
Concubine Shu lowered her head and pretended not to care about it.
There was a hint of uneasiness in Concubine Wan's eyes. She hadn't served in the emperor's bed yet, and now the selection had begun again.
Her heart suddenly turned cold.
Wouldn't that mean she would have no chance to sleep with him?
However, His Majesty has promised the Queen Mother that he will treat all the concubines in the harem equally. As long as she behaves herself and doesn't make His Majesty angry, she will always have a chance, right?
When Concubine Wan thought of this, she gradually calmed down.
After the Empress Dowager finished explaining the selection matters, she was just about to ask about Xie when she heard the palace maid outside report that Concubine Yu had arrived.
The Queen Mother couldn't help but frown.
"What is she doing here? Isn't she exempt from paying her respects?"
She was now afraid of Concubine Yu, fearing that this evil concubine would do something weird again, so she quickly ordered the palace servants to invite Concubine Yu in.
The palace ladies respectfully announced Zhou Lingge.
Zhou Lingge was carefully supported by Qiao'er and slowly walked into the hall.
She was wearing a light yellow gauze dress, which covered her body like a thin cloud. When the breeze blew, the hem of her skirt swayed gently, as if it was an elegant flower blooming in the wind.
An exquisite hairpin was inserted diagonally on the black and shiny hair. The hairpin was made of pure gold, and the delicate patterns were like silk vines wrapped around it. The pistil was inlaid with blood-red agate, and the petals were decorated with jadeite... The lifelike and radiant hairpin, the exquisite art work, attracted the attention of everyone present.
As the breeze blew, the hairpins swayed gently, making a crisp and pleasant sound, which contrasted with the black hair, adding a bit of agility and charm.
Zhou Shiya stared at the hairpin in a daze. Her originally calm heart was like someone hitting her with a stone, instantly causing waves.
This exquisite hairpin was a tribute from those vassal small countries. She fell in love with it at first sight at the palace banquet last year. She has been hinting to Qin Feiling that she wants to ask for it.
Unexpectedly, Qin Feiling didn't understand what she meant from beginning to end.
This hairpin was put away in his private vault. She was still thinking about the palace banquet at the end of this year, and she would ask His Majesty for it again due to the hardship of her pregnancy.
She didn't expect that Qin Feiling had already given this hairpin that she had been longing for to Zhou Lingge?
Concubine Shu and Concubine Wan immediately stood up and greeted Zhou Lingge respectfully.
As soon as Zhou Lingge appeared, it seemed as if everything around her became dim.
She is so beautiful, so stunning.
Zhou Lingge smiled and asked them not to bow. Concubine Wan stood up slowly in a daze. She stared at Zhou Lingge's face and couldn't help but look at her several times. Such a beautiful face, not to mention His Majesty, even she wanted to take a few more glances.
Concubine Wan felt a little sour in her heart.
How can you win favor like this?
Her eyes were red with depression.
Zhou Lingge found a seat and sat down slowly, without any intention of greeting the Queen Mother and Zhou Shiya.
The Queen Mother's chest heaved violently, so she simply turned her head away, avoiding looking and feeling annoyed.
If Concubine Yu had not been pregnant, she would not have allowed the concubines to be so arrogant and domineering and not respect the royal rules at all.