Story of Consort Xi

Chapter 4: Lady Gorolo

Eighteen November of the forty-third year under Emperor Kang Xi's rule.

Shun Zhen gate of the Imperial Palace opened at sunrise, signifying the start of the Imperial Harem selection that occurs once every three years.

All females between the age of 13 to 16 must attend the Imperial Harem selection. If one is unable to attend the selection due to unforeseen circumstances, she must attend the next selection 3 years later. If not, females are strictly not allowed to be married until they are past 28 years of age.

Niohuru Ling Ruo stood along with the other candidates, adhering to the instructions given by the eunuchs. The Imperial Palace, the most honourable and noble place in the world, also happens to be the most political and gossipy place. Calamity can easily befall if one is not careful.

The maid-in-charge of Zhong Cui Palace was already waiting in the courtyard with a line of maids. Upon seeing the arrival of the candidates, she greeted: "Your humble servant [1] humbly sends her greetings to my ladies. Your humble servant am the maid-in-charge of Zhong Cui Palace, Supervisor Hong Ling. During your stay here, the maids and myself will take care of all your clothing, meals and accommodation. The etiquette trainers will be here tomorrow to teach about the etiquette of the Imperial Palace, such that you do not commit a breach of etiquette in the palace." Glancing around, she continued: "If no one has any questions, your humble servant will start arranging your accommodation now."

"There is at least a hundred of candidates, will there be sufficient rooms in Zhong Cui Palace?" One of the candidates queried.

Supervisor-Maid Hong Ling smiled: "It is definitely not possible for each candidate to have a personal room. But Zhong Cui Palace is huge enough to allow 2 candidates to share a room. Your humble servant am aware that all you are of prestigious status and may not be willing to share a room with others. However, your humble servant hopes that all of you may tolerate the current arrangement, and your humble servant expresses gratitude in advance."

Several candidates frowned upon hearing Supervisor-Maid Hong Ling, but nobody dared to express any objection. The candidates were all new, and nobody wanted to be offensive right at the start.

Ling Ruo thought warily in her mind: "Even the maids here are so capable. She has already covered all the loopholes in her speech before anybody can cause any trouble. It seems like nobody is simple in the Imperial Palace."

Two maids led Ling Ruo and her roommate, Gorolo Mu Yue, to their allocated room. Taking a quick look of her room, Ling Ruo was silently impressed. Even a room for candidates of no rankings was so exquisitely decorated, the Imperial Palace is indeed extravagant.

"Hi sister, may I know how do I address you?" asked Gorolo Mu Yue. "Looking at sister's flawless skin and exquisite appearance, you are definitely one of the top beauties amongst the candidates. I am sure that sister will definitely be successfully selected to become an Imperial concubine. In comparison, my appearance and looks are inferior. From now on, we will be roommates, I hope you will look after me well."

Smiling politely, Ling Ruo replied: "Just call me Ling Ruo. You are too kind with your words. However, the selection is unpredictable, and there are also many other beautiful candidates. Moreover, the current Emperor does not judge solely on looks, talent and morals are equally important."

"Really?" Gorolo Mu Yue smiled. "Since sister is not willing to say it, I shall say on your behalf. Niohuru Ling Ruo – daughter of Lower Four ranking official in the Ministry of Rites, and younger sister of 2nd degree ranking Rong Lu. Am I not right?"

Without waiting for Ling Ruo to respond, Gorolo Mu Yue continued: "During the times when the late Empress was still alive, Niohuru family is of such high prestige. Unfortunately, the Niohuru family has fallen after the deaths of the late Empress Xiaozhaoren [2] and late Noble Consort [3] Wen. Your father even offended the current Minster of Rites Shi Zhong De. I heard that your family cannot even afford charcoals in the winter. How pitiful. Even your elder brother is banished to a post in the outskirts."

Gradually, Ling Ruo expression turned cold. She sensed that Gorolo Mu Yue harboured ill intentions, and the politeness at the start was a mere act.

Seeing Ling Ruo's expression, Gorolo Mu Yue's smile widened: "You must be really desperate to get selected, aren't you? After all, you are the absolute last hope of the Niohuru family. But do you really thing you have a chance? Do not forget your family offended the father of the Crown Princess."

Controlling her anger Ling Ruo replied: "You do not have to worry about me. Moreover, events in the Imperial Palace is not controlled solely by the Crown Princess."

"It seems like you are really oblivious." Gorolo Mu Yue walked close towards Ling Ruo and whispered: "The person in charge of this year's Imperial Harem selection is Noble Consort Rong, and she is none other than the aunt of the Crown Princess."

Ling Ruo stared coldly at Gorolo Mu Yue. She wasn't sure of Mu Yue's intent in giving her that piece of information, but she knew Mu Yue is scheming and cunning.

"Your hairpin is slanted, I'll help you place them back properly." Before Ling Ruo could reject, Gorolo Mu Yue had already pulled out the hairpin. Just when Mu Yue was about to reinsert the hairpin back, her hand loosened, and the jade hairpin fell to the floor. "Ding!" and the hairpin broke into two. "Oh no, I broke your only hairpin due to my clumsy fingers. It was an accident! You will surely not blame me, will you?" Gorolo Mu Yue smiled tauntingly at Ling Ruo.

She is trying to provoke me! Upon realising that, Ling Ruo forced herself to calm down. "That was merely a cheap hairpin. There is nothing to be blamed for. If there is no other issue, I would like to take a walk outside."

Staring at Ling Ruo leaving, Gorolo Mu Yue's expression slowly turned cold. She had broken Ling Ruo's hairpin on purpose to test Ling Ruo's patience. To be able to maintain her composure is simply not easy. Ling Ruo is indeed a strong opponent.

Ever since she saw Niohuru Ling Ruo, Gorolo Mu Yue knew that she had met a strong opponent. Although the Imperial Harem does not lack beauties, appearance is still vital in the fight to climb up the rankings in the Harem. And with that exquisitely beautiful face, Niohuru Ling Ruo has become a threat to her. A much bigger threat than the other candidates her father pointed out for her to be careful of. But thankfully, Niohuru Ling Ruo has a fatal weakness...

And the seedling has already been planted. Soon, very soon, it will bloom. By then... heh heh... Upon the thought, Gorolo Mu Yue smirked.

[1] A term used by servants such as eunuchs and maids to address themselves. Servants are of lowly status, and hence are not allowed to use the term "I". Instead they are only allowed to address themselves as "your humble servant", which is their "rightful" role.

[2] Empress Xiaozhaoren was Emperor Kang Xi's second Empress. She was instated to the position of Empress three years after the death of the first Empress. However, she passed away merely 6 months later.

[3] 贵妃 Noble Consort is one of the eight official concubine ranking in the Qing dynasty, ranking third, just below Empress and Imperial Noble Consort. The number of Noble Consorts is restricted to 2 at any point of time.