EBE Chapter 165 Palace Intrigue
Chapter 165 Palace Intrigue
However, these two months were exceptionally exciting for Zhao Jihua.
On the very first day she began learning etiquette in the palace, the Empress came to cause trouble.
The Empress sat high on her phoenix throne, coldly scrutinizing the woman who was about to become the Crown Prince's consort.
"Zhao Jihua, now that you've entered the palace, you must abide by the palace rules." The Empress's voice was clear and authoritative. "These etiquette rules cannot be taken lightly in the slightest."
Zhao Jihua bowed respectfully and said, "This humble woman will certainly study diligently and live up to Her Majesty the Empress's teachings."
The Empress was deliberately making things difficult for her, always finding fault with her. If she was not careful, she would be severely reprimanded.
One day, while learning court dance steps, Zhao Jihua accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt and stumbled slightly.
The Empress's face immediately darkened.
"Such clumsy behavior is unbecoming!" the Empress said angrily. "Guards, make her kneel for an hour to reflect on her actions."
Zhao Jihua felt wronged, but she knew she couldn't argue at this moment, so she could only kneel down silently.
The stone slabs were icy cold, and her knees throbbed with pain, but she gritted her teeth and straightened her back.
She secretly vowed to make sure the Empress received the punishment she deserved.
An hour later, Zhao Jihua slowly got up, his knees already numb.
She nodded to a maid: "Su Tiyu, go! Two!"
The Empress? They don't think Zhao Jihua is a pushover, do they?
Don't you like Gu worms?
Here, I, the princess, will give one to you and one to your son.
you are welcome!
After giving all the instructions, Zhao Jihua endured her discomfort and continued studying etiquette.
These are the things she had to learn on her path to becoming empress.
It wasn't hard work at all; on the contrary, she enjoyed it.
In the days that followed, she worked even harder, pondering every action and every word repeatedly, striving for perfection.
Soon, a banquet was held in the palace, which all the concubines and princes would attend.
This was an opportunity deliberately set up by the Empress to make things difficult for her.
At the banquet, Zhao Jihua, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, gracefully bowed to everyone.
The Empress looked at her, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes.
"Zhao Jihua, I've heard you're exceptionally talented. Today, compose a poem for everyone in front of us," the Empress said, her tone laced with provocation.
Zhao Jihua felt a pang of anxiety, but she quickly regained her composure.
She pondered for a moment, then recited: "Snowflakes flutter and cover the palace walls, lanterns are lit and illuminate the hall. Today I am fortunate to be with you, and I pray that our country and family will live long and prosperous lives."
The poem was met with widespread praise.
Zhao Jihua skillfully incorporated the banquet scene with blessings for the country and the people into his poem, showcasing his talent while maintaining propriety.
The Empress's expression changed slightly; she hadn't expected Zhao Jihua to handle the situation so calmly.
"A fine poem, a fine poem," the Sixth Prince said with a smile, his eyes full of admiration for Zhao Jihua. "Jihua is indeed exceptionally intelligent."
Although the Empress was unwilling, she could not say anything more.
This time, Zhao Jihua successfully resolved the Empress's difficult situation with her wisdom and won everyone's praise.
However, the Queen had no intention of giving up.
Soon, a grand sacrificial ceremony will be held in the palace. This is an extremely important ceremony, and any mistake would be considered a grave offense of disrespect.
The Empress deliberately assigned Zhao Jihua to prepare sacrificial supplies, wanting to see her make a fool of herself.
Zhao Jihua was well aware of the importance of this matter, and she worked day and night, carefully inspecting every item.
However, the day before the sacrificial ceremony, the empress suddenly demanded that Zhao Jihua be punished for using sacrificial items that did not conform to regulations.
"Zhao Jihua, do you know that these sacrificial items are of great importance to the country? Yet you have treated them so perfunctorily. What is your punishment?" the Empress said sternly.
Zhao Jihua knew in her heart that this was a trap deliberately set by the Empress.
She calmly replied, "Your Majesty, I have been in complete compliance with the palace rules and ancestral regulations when preparing the sacrificial offerings. I have not dared to be negligent in the slightest. If there is anything that does not conform to the rules, please enlighten me."
The Empress sneered and pointed to a sacrificial vessel, saying, "The patterns on this vessel are different from those of the past. It is clear that you have altered it without authorization, thus blaspheming the gods."
Zhao Jihua stepped forward, examined the ritual vessels carefully, and then said, “Your Majesty, the patterns on these ritual vessels were not altered by me without authorization. I consulted the palace records and found that there was a sacrificial ceremony in the previous dynasty, and the patterns on the ritual vessels used were exactly like this. For this sacrificial ceremony, I thought of following the ancient customs to show respect for our ancestors. I did not know that this would cause Your Majesty to misunderstand.”
As he spoke, Zhao Jihua ordered someone to bring over the classics, turned to the relevant records, and presented them to the Empress.
The empress took the book, her face turning extremely ugly.
She hadn't expected Zhao Jihua to be so meticulous, even able to find historical anecdotes from the previous dynasty.
"Since it's following ancient customs, then so be it," the Empress said helplessly. After all, with the Emperor watching, she couldn't go too far.
But the Empress harbored even greater resentment towards Zhao Jihua.
In her subsequent confrontations with the Empress, Zhao Jihua not only did not back down, but became even stronger.
Her intelligence, kindness, and resilience gradually won the favor of many concubines in the palace.
One day, the Empress summoned Zhao Jihua to the Phoenix Palace.
Zhao Jihua pondered to herself, wondering what the Empress was planning this time, but she still went without hesitation.
"Zhao Jihua, I've summoned you today to have some things on my mind." The Empress's tone was no longer as stern as before. "These past few days, I've made things difficult for you. Do you resent me?"
Zhao Jihua was slightly taken aback, then said, "Your Majesty, I dare not. As the head of the six palaces, everything Your Majesty does is to maintain order and rules in the palace. I am new to the palace and there are many things I do not understand. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's guidance."
The Empress looked at Zhao Jihua, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes: "It is rare to find someone with such a broad mind. I did have a prejudice against you before, but now I see that you are indeed a rare woman. The Crown Prince is fortunate to have a consort like you."
Zhao Jihua: !!!
Something's wrong! Something's really wrong!
The Empress must be plotting something wicked!
But the Empress said a few words and then dismissed Zhao Jihua.
As Zhao Jihua walked further and further astray, the young palace maid who had been leading the way stopped when they reached a lotus pond.
She looked around and saw that there was no one there.
Very well, they've been waiting for me here.
The second princess led a large group of people out slowly from the shadows.
A sneer played on her lips as she stared intently at Zhao Jihua, who stood not far away. She said, "Oh ho, so you're that fickle woman, Zhao Jihua, who was heartlessly abandoned by my third brother and then shamelessly seduced the ninth prince, only to be betrothed to my eldest brother! Tsk tsk tsk, quite an eye-opener! But how come you've become so haggard and aged in just a few days? Perhaps it's because of your guilty conscience and sleepless nights? Hahaha..."