jdhmnovel Chapter 289 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 3
Chapter 289 Do You Know? Lin Yitang 3
(Du, the concubine of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, was promoted to Consort in December of the first year of the Qingli era of Emperor Renzong of Song, and to Lady Wanyi in September of the fourth year of the Qingli era. She was then promoted to the first rank of Virtuous Consort. She passed away in August of the sixth year of the Qingli era and was posthumously honored as Noble Consort.)
(Here, Du is referred to as Consort Du Xian in advance. Also, there is no mention in the Song Dynasty of conferring titles such as Grand Consort or Grand Noble Consort on the concubines of the late emperor. There is none!!)
In April of the second year of the Qingli era, sixteen-year-old Lin Yitang carefully followed behind this old woman. She entered the palace through the Song Dynasty's system.
To enter the emperor's harem, one would typically be selected through a selection process, but Emperor Renzong of Song abolished this system in recent years due to excessive expenses.
Then she could only become the "adopted daughter" of the concubines in the harem. At that time, the concubines would present their beauty to the emperor, which would save expenses and allow new women to enter the emperor's harem.
The Bai family presented silver to Consort Du, who was a concubine of Emperor Zhenzong of Song and the birth mother of Princess Weiguo. Princess Weiguo was a Taoist priest from a young age and died young. After Emperor Renzong of Song assumed power, she was posthumously honored as Princess Weiguo.
The fact that Lady Du was able to give birth to the eldest princess in the harem naturally indicates that she had some methods. In addition, Lady Du came from a respectable family with little power and did not discriminate against merchants.
Lin Yitang followed the nanny to a palace. She waited outside the door, and soon the nanny invited her in. Once inside the palace, Lin Yitang respectfully performed a clasped-hands salute.
"Greetings, Empress Dowager Du."
Consort Du sized up Lin Yitang and saw that she was a beautiful woman, a rare beauty. She had also gotten involved with the Du family, which is why the Du family sent a message to her asking her to adopt a daughter.
"You're quite clever, you have good manners. Now that you've entered the harem, you must abide by the rules of the harem. Li Mama, go and give them a proper lesson. You may leave."
Lin Yitang followed Li Mama to a side room. It wasn't very big, but it was quite spacious for one person. Then Li Mama brought over a young palace maid and told her to have this maid serve Lin Yitang.
"Since you've come with me, then you shall be called Lianyun."
"Thank you for bestowing a name upon me, young lady," Lian Yun said happily.
……
Lin Yitang began her life in the palace, learning etiquette and rules from Granny Li every day. Granny Li was strict, and Lin Yitang was able to calm down and benefit from it.
Currently, the most favored concubines in the harem are Consort Zhang and Consort Rong, who are locked in a fierce battle. Of course, the Emperor's favorite is Consort Zhang, but since the early death of her three daughters, her health has deteriorated and she can no longer serve the Emperor.
After realizing that this world was somewhat different from history, Lin Yitang understood that it was a parallel world to the Song Dynasty, so it was normal for things to be a little different.
Inside the palace, Consort Du, with her eyes closed, said calmly, "Is that woman honest?"
Li Mama replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Lin is neither arrogant nor impatient, and seems to be a blessed person."
"Good fortune? Let's hope so. What are the rules?"
"I've almost learned it all."
Consort Du opened her eyes. Now that she was half-buried, she only had some affection for the Du family. Since the Du family had asked her for help, and Lin was obedient and often came to pay her respects, she naturally had to lend a hand.
"Then let's wait a little longer. Those two are making quite a scene right now. Granny Li, you should give Lin a proper talking-to. She can't let herself get carried away," said Consort Du.
"Old slave knows."
……
Three months later, Lin Yitang quietly studied the palace etiquette. Recently, Consort Zhang presented a beautiful woman to the Emperor. This woman was her adopted daughter, Zhou, who had now been granted the title of Lady of Qinghe County.
Lin Yitang was not anxious because of Empress Dowager Du's neglect. She was beautiful and did not care about the Emperor's attitude. Once she became a concubine and gave birth to a child, she would have already succeeded halfway. The original owner did not specify what kind of rights he wanted.
In October of the second year of the Qingli era, Granny Li led Lin Yitang to the side hall. Before they even reached the main hall, they overheard Consort Du and the Emperor talking.
"How has Your Majesty been lately? Are you enjoying your meals? There are many matters to attend to at court; Your Majesty must take care of your health," Consort Du said slowly.
"Your Highness is very kind. I've been doing well lately," the Emperor said softly, showing his good attitude towards Consort Du.
When Consort Du saw Li Mama leading Lin Yitang in, the Emperor saw a woman and understood Consort Du's meaning. His third son's health had been deteriorating recently, and many women in the harem were offering him beauties, which he accepted without hesitation, mainly because his offspring were somewhat few.
"Your Majesty, this is Lin Shi."
Lin Yitang raised her face at the opportune moment and carefully glanced at the Emperor. The Emperor was thin and handsome, with fair skin and a small mustache. His eyes were gentle, and he could be considered a handsome man. No wonder there were rumors that Emperor Renzong of Song liked beautiful women. He himself was good-looking, so of course he didn't like people who were not good-looking.
The official saw a woman dressed elegantly. She raised her face and was naturally beautiful, with a fair complexion, peach-like cheeks, willow-leaf eyebrows, and almond-shaped eyes full of affection.
He took a light breath. She was a stunningly beautiful woman, and although there were many beauties in his harem, none could compare to her.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Lin Yitang respectfully performed a crossed-hand salute.
The Emperor waved his hand, telling her not to stand on ceremony. At that moment, Granny Li appeared and led Lin Yitang to a side hall. The Emperor kept watching the woman's figure until she disappeared.
Consort Du chuckled and said, "Since Your Majesty likes her, it is also this woman's fate. She is beautiful, but life is difficult for her among the common people. Your Majesty is kind, so why not give her some protection?"
The Emperor understood Consort Du's meaning: if a woman's beauty is too great, and the man she marries cannot protect her, it will be another disaster.
"In that case, we will listen to Lady Du."
The Emperor did not stay in Ningci Palace for long. When he left, he took Lin Yitang with him. Lin Yitang was taken by Zhang Maoze to a new residence called Wutong Pavilion.
Lin Yitang asked Lian Yun to see Zhang Maoze off. She looked around the interior of the pavilion. Generally, only those who became officials of the third rank could move to the pavilion to live, while officials of the first rank and above moved to the palace. It seemed that the emperor was very satisfied with her.
There's no secret that can be kept hidden in the inner palace. Before long, it was rumored that the Emperor had taken a "foster daughter" from Consort Du. The concubines were used to it, and even the Empress had presented beauties to the Emperor.
That night, after Lin Yitang finished washing up with the help of the palace maids, she didn't see the Emperor. She heard from Lian Yun that the Emperor had gone to Consort Zhang's Phoenix Palace.
Lin Yitang didn't care. It was just Consort Zhang's way of putting her in a difficult position. But Consort Zhang had been unable to serve anyone since she gave birth to her three daughters. Now that the Emperor was kept in the Phoenix Palace, wouldn't that mean Zhou would have to serve him?
Consort Zhang and Consort Rong intercepted the Emperor several times, but the Emperor was thinking about Lin Yitang at Wutong Pavilion. Five days later, he arrived at Wutong Pavilion.
Lin Yitang specially stood in the Wutong Pavilion to greet the Emperor. After bowing, the Emperor pulled Lin Yitang into the Wutong Pavilion.
"What have you been doing these past few days?" the official asked gently, stroking Lin Yitang's small hand repeatedly.
Lin Yitang thought to herself, "This old man, if it weren't for the original owner's desire for power and her hatred of powerlessness, she wouldn't have entered the palace."
"Your Majesty, I have been quietly reading in the study these past few days." Lin Yitang has not yet been officially appointed by the Emperor and is currently still a palace maid.
The Emperor thought Lin Yitang's small hands were so warm and smooth, even more so than those of the concubines in the harem, and exclaimed, "I never expected Yitang to be such a talented woman."
Lin Yitang lowered her head at the opportune moment, revealing her fair neck. The official did not want to say anything more and directly pulled Lin Yitang into the inner room.