The Enchanting Imperial Concubine

Chapter One - A Humiliating Rank

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The early June weather was already warm.

After paying respects at Fengxi Palace, Ye Yun carefully chose shaded paths on her way back.

Her residence, Yuxiu Pavilion, was far from Fengqi Palace. The walk, lasting the time it takes to burn two sticks of incense, was enough to make anyone feel scorched.

When she finally arrived, her head maid, Huiyue, who had been waiting for her, quickly brought some warm tea. Ye Yun drank half a cup.

Coming back from the heat, she couldn't afford to cool down too quickly.

"Wanrong seems to be in a good mood today. I guess the Empress didn't give you any trouble during your first audience," Huiyue sighed in relief, smiling.

Nan Zhi, who had accompanied her, also smiled.

"The women who entered the palace this time are no easy competition. The Empress was hardly paying attention to our Wanrong today. There are Yao Baolin and Chen Baolin, who didn't get along the moment they met.

*The current Empress Dowager's surname is Chen, and the Imperial Noble Consort's surname is Yao. These two new Baolins are their nieces.

Both come from prestigious families. As such, conflict was inevitable.

After resting a while, Ye Yun felt better and began chatting casually with her maids.

"The Emperor can be quite cunning, putting those two on the same rank. Isn't that just inviting them to fight? I remember that Yang Cairen is the Empress' cousin, yet she was only given the rank of a ninth-class Cairen. Isn't that a slap to the Empress' face?"

"At least you, Wanrong, entered the palace as a sixth-class consort and have your own pavilion. No matter how much they fight, they won't reach us here," Nan Zhi said casually.

Ye Yun could only shake her head in resignation.

"My position as Wanrong is quite awkward. If the late Emperor hadn't died so suddenly, I would have entered the crown prince's palace as a side concubine. If that had happened, I'd at least be a consort by now. But looking at it now, the Emperor doesn't like me."

The two maids exchanged glances, unsure how to console her. But it was clear to them that their mistress's rank was indeed awkward.

The late Emperor, known posthumously as Wuxian, had been a warlike ruler. At nearly sixty, he led his eldest son, the crown prince, on a campaign in Lingzhou. Ye Yun's father and uncle were the commanders in Lingzhou at that time.

After a year of fierce fighting, they emerged victorious, driving the Jurchens back to their homeland. But just as they were returning in triumph, the crown prince Ning Ze suddenly rebelled, catching everyone off guard.

The late Emperor had never formally declared a crown prince. With his younger sons growing up, Ning Ze became anxious.

His rebellion left the late Emperor reeling. Ye Yun's father and uncle fought valiantly to protect him, but both were gravely injured and died soon after.

The late Emperor, also wounded and nearing sixty, was left bedridden upon his return to the capital.

After eliminating the faction loyal to the former Empress and the crown prince, his health further declined.