Chapter 341: Mistress of the Imperial Harem

"You’ve seen one before?" Ye Qianning asked doubtfully.

"Mhm."

Nanxiang pouted and nodded.

After passing through several palace gates, Dean Chen, Xiang Minghou, and their party headed toward Qianqing Palace, while the women entered the inner palace.

The emperor’s inner palace was said to hold three thousand beauties. Its grounds were a sea of compounds, one after another, each with its own unique style.

They passed through the rear garden and soon arrived at Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace was the empress’s residence, several times larger than an ordinary palace compound. Its exterior was lavish, the classical architecture capped with a pagoda-like roof that was simply stunning.

Ye Qianning glanced around, a hint of awe in her eyes. ’I have to admit,’ she thought, ’the building techniques of the ancestors were truly magnificent.’

The carvings on the stone pillars were intricate, and the subtle patterns on the palace gates were stately, creating an air of nobility, refinement, and mystery.

"It’s so beautiful," she couldn’t help but exclaim.

Hearing this, Nanxiang covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

"What is it?"

Nanxiang suppressed her smile and thought for a moment before saying, "You’re going to be the Crown Princess Consort from now on. Don’t act so impressed by everything, or people will look down on you for being inexperienced."

"But I am just a country girl."

"That’s exactly why every single one of your actions must be impeccable. You have to show them that even though you’re from the country, you’re not the least bit inferior to the nobility." Nanxiang’s expression grew proud as she spoke.

"I’m surprised you know so much," Ye Qianning said, impressed.

"Of course! I used to go to the army barracks with my father, the Prince. The men there were all from the countryside. They were kind and incredibly skilled—much better than the palace guards." ’And they used to grill fish for me all the time,’ Nanxiang added silently.

"In that case, I’ll have to be on my best behavior today."

’I’m representing the countryside now. If I’m rude and unbearable, I’ll just be confirming their image of a ’country bumpkin.’’

Nanxiang patted her on the shoulder, silently telling her not to be afraid.

When they reached Kunning Palace, a palace maid curtsied and went inside to announce them.

"Xiang’er, come here," Princess Changyang called, beckoning her over.

Mrs. Zhan also moved to Ye Qianning’s side, taking her small hand and whispering, "When we go into the hall, don’t be afraid. I’ll be right here for you."

"Yes."

"Answer whatever the Empress asks you. If you don’t know how, just look at me."

"Alright."

Ye Qianning answered obediently.

"Your Highnesses, my ladies, Her Majesty the Empress invites you all inside," the palace maid announced as she came out.

The two princess consorts walked in front, while Mrs. Zhan led Ye Qianning in from behind.

Inside Kunning Palace, the noble consorts and other concubines from the various palaces had already arrived, and the hall was filled with the continuous sound of idle chatter and laughter.

The moment Ye Qianning’s group stepped into the hall, the chatter and laughter came to an abrupt halt.

All eyes in the room fell upon the newcomers.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty, the Empress, and to the Noble Princess Consorts."

The two princess consorts curtsied.

Mrs. Zhan and Ye Qianning followed suit, also curtsying deeply.

"You may all rise. Be seated."

The group rose and took their seats.

Ye Qianning sat down and surveyed the room full of women. The seating was arranged by rank. She had seen all of them at the banquet two days prior. Including the Empress, there were sixteen concubines present.

Consort Yuan was clad in an emerald-green palace gown. She had slender, arched brows, eyes as captivating as peach blossoms, and fair skin. A cinnabar mole dotted just below one eye gave her an even more distinctive charm.

’Consort Yuan’s beauty was truly outstanding among the concubines,’ she thought. ’It wasn’t just that she was young and gorgeous; her very bone structure was captivating.’

Noble Princess Consort Zhan, by contrast, was refined and serene. Every gesture was the epitome of elegance. She was even more strikingly beautiful than Consort Yuan, but hers was not a seductive beauty; she exuded an air of scholarly grace.

Just looking at her put one at ease.

As she looked at Noble Princess Consort Zhan’s eyes, Ye Qianning unconsciously touched the area around her own. ’Come to think of it,’ she mused, ’we do look a little similar.’