AWB Chapter 298 Court Struggle
Chapter 298 Court Struggle
In the autumn of Xijing Kingdom, sunlight pierced through thin clouds, casting a dazzling golden glow on the glazed tiles of the Taihe Hall. Inside, a faint scent of sandalwood lingered among the carved beams and painted rafters, while the candlelight on the gilded candlesticks flickered gently in the breeze. Jiang You'an, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his majestic gaze sweeping over the neatly arranged civil and military officials below.
The atmosphere at today's court assembly was somewhat unusual. The usual orderly pace of the discussions seemed to be subtly disrupted by an undercurrent. After the routine reports on government affairs were completed, Ma Wenyuan, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward first. He was dressed in a scarlet official robe, and the jade pendant at his waist swayed gently with his movements. His face was full of smiles: "Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Jiang Youan nodded slightly: "Minister Ma, please speak freely."
Ma Wenyuan cleared his throat and said loudly, "Your Majesty, my daughter Ma Ruoli is sixteen years old. She is beautiful and well-educated, and proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I humbly request that you send her to the palace to serve Your Majesty and share your burdens."
These words immediately sparked a murmur among the court officials. Minister of Rites Lin Wenhan frowned and stepped forward to retort, "Lord Ma, the selection of imperial concubines is a matter of national importance, and must follow established procedures and be conducted according to the rules. How can you, alone, propose sending your own daughter into the palace?"
Ma Wenyuan's face darkened, and he said unhappily, "Lord Lin, you can't say that. My Ma family has served the court for generations with unwavering loyalty. If my daughter can enter the palace, it will be to better serve the court. Moreover, it will also add luster to His Majesty's harem."
At this moment, the Left Chancellor Zhao Zhong also stepped forward. He stroked his beard and said slowly, "Your Majesty, Lord Ma's loyalty is beyond question. There are not many concubines below the Empress in the harem now. It is only right to appropriately enrich the harem and continue the royal bloodline."
Right Chancellor Li Mingde scoffed, "Chancellor Zhao, the selection of imperial concubines concerns the dignity of the royal family and the discipline of the court. If everyone were like Lord Ma, sending their daughters to the palace at will, what kind of order would that be?"
The court was immediately divided into two factions, with supporters and opponents each holding their own opinions and arguing endlessly. Jiang You listened quietly to the debate, his face growing increasingly gloomy. He coughed lightly, and the hall instantly fell silent.
"My beloved ministers, I will arrange the selection of concubines myself." Jiang Youan's voice was deep and authoritative. "The affairs of the harem cannot be taken lightly. Everything must follow the ancestral rules and be conducted fairly and justly. Minister Ma, although your actions were well-intentioned, they were against the rules. You must not make any more unauthorized suggestions in the future."
Although Ma Wenyuan was unwilling, he dared not disobey the emperor's will and could only bow and say, "Your subject will respectfully follow Your Majesty's teachings."
However, the matter did not end there. A few days later, Ma Wenyuan, along with several ministers who supported him, once again pressured Jiang Youan. They jointly submitted a memorial, imploring Jiang Youan to grant Ma Ruoli special permission to enter the palace.
Jiang Youan frowned as he looked at the memorial in his hand. Seeing his displeasure, Su Liyue asked with concern, "Your Majesty, what has happened?"
Jiang Youan told Su Liyue what had happened. After listening, Su Liyue frowned slightly: "Your Majesty, Lord Ma's actions were indeed inappropriate. If this precedent is set, more ministers in the court will likely follow suit, and the harem will also be in turmoil."
Jiang Youan nodded and said, "I am well aware of this. However, Ma Wenyuan wields considerable power in the court, and if not handled properly, it may cause turmoil in the court."
Su Liyue pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, I have a plan. Why not take advantage of the imperial concubine selection to let Ma Ruo participate? If she is indeed outstanding, it would be reasonable for her to be selected for the harem; otherwise, it will leave Lord Ma speechless."
Jiang Youan's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands in praise: "Li Yue, your idea is excellent. It neither offends Ma Wenyuan nor undermines the fairness of the talent show."
Therefore, Jiang Youan issued an imperial decree to hold a talent selection in accordance with ancestral traditions.
On the day of the imperial selection, as dawn broke and the night was not yet fully dispelled, the gates of the Forbidden City slowly opened. One after another, exquisitely decorated carriages filed in.
The wheels rolled over the stone pavement, making a crisp sound.
Inside the carriage, the women awaiting the selection were exquisitely made up.
Dressed in fine silks and satins, they harbored both anticipation and trepidation for the future.
Led by eunuchs, the young women arrived at the Imperial Garden. The garden was a riot of color, with butterflies and bees flitting about, a truly breathtaking sight.
However, the young women had no interest in appreciating the scenery; their gazes were all fixed on the temporary platform erected in the center of the garden.
That place will determine their fate.
Jiang Youan, dressed in a black dragon-patterned casual robe, ascended the high platform together with Su Liyue, who was dressed in a phoenix robe.
The sunlight shone on them, bathing them in a golden glow, making them appear even more noble and extraordinary.
Below the stage, the young women stood in neat rows, not daring to make a sound.
"The selection process begins!" As the eunuch's shrill voice faded, the first candidate slowly walked onto the high platform.
This young lady was named Lin Shiyun. She came from a scholarly family and wore a light blue long dress that flowed like a gentle stream. The hem of the dress was embroidered with delicate orchids that swayed gently with her steps.
With her graceful figure and elegant demeanor, she first gave Jiang Youan and Su Liyue a standard courtly salute, and then said in a clear voice, "This commoner, Lin Shiyun, greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."
Su Liyue asked with a smile, "Miss Lin, I've heard that you are an outstanding musician. Would you be willing to play a piece for us today?"
Lin Shiyun nodded slightly and sat down in front of the guqin that had been prepared beforehand.
She adjusted the strings, her slender fingers gently plucking them, and melodious music flowed forth like a clear spring. The music was sometimes stirring, like a stampede of horses; sometimes soothing, like a gentle breeze. Jiang Youan and Su Liyue closed their eyes, listening quietly, satisfied smiles on their faces.
When the piece ended, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Jiang Youan nodded in praise, "Miss Lin's piano skills are superb, truly admirable."
Next, several more young women showcased their talents: some were exceptional dancers, some had superb calligraphy skills, and some excelled in poetry.
Just then, a young woman dressed in a pale yellow palace dress stepped onto the platform. Her name was Li Menglan, and she came from a family of military generals, exuding a heroic air in every gesture. After performing the proper courtesies, Li Menglan said, "This humble woman is not skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, but I have mastered martial arts. I would like to perform for Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress."
Having said that, Li Menglan took a precious sword from the guard and began to dance gracefully on the high platform. Her swordplay was like a dragon in flight, her movements agile and powerful. Sunlight shone on the sword, reflecting a dazzling light that dazzled the eyes.
After the performance, Jiang Youan clapped and said, "Miss Li's martial arts skills are superb; she is a true heroine, not inferior to any man!"
As time went by, the talent show drew to a close. After rounds of selection, ten women were chosen. Jiang Youan and Su Liyue discussed the matter and decided to bring them into their harem.
When the list of selected candidates was announced, the audience fell silent. The girls whose names were called beamed with joy, while those who were not selected were heartbroken.
The selected women were taken to the inner palace to begin training in court etiquette. In the days that followed, they would learn how to survive in the inner palace and how to serve the emperor.
Meanwhile, Jiang Youan and Su Liyue, amidst their busy palace affairs, kept an eye on the newly arrived palace ladies. Su Liyue, well aware of the cruelty of palace intrigue, decided to personally mentor them, hoping they could live in harmony and create a peaceful harem together.
One day, Su Liyue gathered the newly arrived palace ladies together and said earnestly, "Sisters, from today onwards, we are one family. Although the harem is vast, it is also a place of intrigue. I hope you can support each other, live in harmony, and avoid getting caught up in unnecessary struggles."
The young women nodded in unison: "We will follow Your Majesty the Empress's instructions."
Undercurrents in the Palace: Conflicts Arise Among the Imperial Concubines
As dusk settled like a veil, it slowly enveloped the Forbidden City. In the Chuxiu Palace, where the young ladies of the inner palace temporarily resided, gilded palace lanterns lit up one after another, their warm yellow light flowing among the carved beams and painted rafters, yet unable to dispel the lingering chill and tension in the air.
After being eliminated, Ma Ruoli was filled with resentment. She sat before a carved bronze mirror, gazing at her beautiful reflection, her hands clenching a handkerchief so tightly her knuckles turned white. "Why? Why were those people chosen while I was eliminated! That Li Menglan, she only wielded a sword a few times, what's so great about her!" she muttered through gritted teeth, her heart burning with jealousy.
Just then, Li Menglan pushed open the door and entered. She had just finished a day of learning court etiquette, and although she was dressed in a plain palace dress, her heroic spirit was still undeniable. Upon seeing her, Ma Ruoli's eyes flashed with resentment. She slammed the handkerchief in her hand onto the table with a "bang," stood up, and sneered, "Oh, isn't this Li Menglan? She's won His Majesty's favor by wielding swords and knives, how glorious she is!"
Li Menglan frowned, puzzled, and asked, "Miss Ma, what do you mean by this?"
Ma Ruoli crossed her arms and took a few steps forward, her face full of mockery: "What do you mean? You know perfectly well. The selection of concubines in the harem should be based on talent and virtue, but you are just a military man. What do you know about poetry, songs, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? You're just lucky!"
Li Menglan frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes: "Miss Ma, on the day of the selection, everyone showed their talents. I was selected because of my own efforts. You should look for the reasons within yourself instead of making unfounded accusations here."
Enraged by these words, Ma Ruoli stepped forward, pointed at Li Menglan's nose, and cursed, "Stop pretending to be high and mighty! My Ma family has served the imperial court for generations. In terms of background and appearance, how am I not better than you? If it weren't for someone secretly sabotaging me, how could I have failed to be selected!"
Li Menglan took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger: "Miss Ma, the innocent are innocent. If you continue to make trouble like this, I will not let you humiliate me."
Ma Ruoli snorted coldly: "What can you do? With your wild and untamed appearance, you think you can gain a foothold in this harem? Let me tell you, you'll be in for a world of trouble in the future!"
The argument between the two grew louder and louder, attracting other young women to gather around.
Everyone watched the two men, who were on the verge of exchanging blows, and dared not utter a sound.
At this moment, an older woman stepped forward and gently advised, "Miss Ma, Miss Li, we are all sisters, why hurt our harmony? The harem is not easy, we should support each other."
Ma Ruoli, however, was unmoved and glared at the young lady, saying, "Mind your own business! Today I will make sure Li Menglan knows that in this harem, not just anyone can ride roughshod over me!"
As she spoke, Ma Ruoli suddenly reached out, intending to slap Li Menglan.
Li Menglan reacted quickly, grabbing Ma Ruoli's wrist and saying coldly, "Miss Ma, you've gone too far!"
Ma Ruoli struggled fiercely but couldn't break free, and her anger grew even stronger: "You dare to fight back! You wait, I'll make you pay the price!"
Just as the two were at an impasse, the matron in charge of managing the imperial concubines walked in.
Seeing this, the old woman's face darkened: "What are you doing? This is the inner palace, you can't run wild here!"
Ma Ruoli and Li Menglan then released their hands and bowed to the nanny. The nanny glanced at the two of them and said sternly, "Now that the talent show is over, you should focus on your training. If you dare to cause trouble again, you will be severely punished!"
Although Ma Ruoli was unwilling, she dared not disobey the nanny's orders, so she could only lower her head and reply, "Nanny is right to reprimand me. Ruoli acted impulsively."
Li Menglan also said, "Granny, it's Menglan's fault."
The nanny gave everyone some more instructions before turning to leave. After she left, Ma Ruoli glared at Li Menglan and whispered, "This isn't over!"
Li Menglan watched Ma Ruoli's departing figure and shook her head helplessly.