tkworld Chapter 2565 The Great Han Imperial Preceptor, Zhunti, Enters the Palace
Chapter 2565 The Great Han Imperial Preceptor, Zhunti, Enters the Palace
Chapter 2565 The Great Han Imperial Preceptor, Zhunti, Enters the Palace
After a night of tender intimacy, the first light of dawn shone through the delicate gauze curtains of the Lingxi Palace's sleeping chamber, casting a hazy glow onto the gleaming gold-brick floor.
Wang Yu had already woken up and was quietly dressed and washed by the palace servants.
Despite the night of battle, he was still full of energy. Although Zhao Shirong was only at the early stage of Grandmaster, she was still a virgin, which was a pleasant surprise.
The actual benefits of dual cultivation are even greater than those of Bi Xiuxin and Zhu Yuyan.
Whether it's the Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic or other methods of dual cultivation, the vast majority of them are indeed most effective when the person is a virgin, after which the effects plummet.
Zhao Ling'er, Zhao Feiyan, and Zhao Hede also got up early, enduring their discomfort and drowsiness, and respectfully served them.
On the other side, Zhao Shirong was also dressed neatly, still in the attire of a palace maid, but her hairstyle had been slightly altered, making her look more formal than usual.
However, her current status was extremely awkward. She was neither a pure palace maid nor a formal concubine. She could only follow her instincts, abide by the duties of a servant, and wait for her fate to be decided.
Wang Yu was dressed neatly and prepared to leave Lingxi Palace for Xuanzheng Hall. Before leaving, he paused slightly and glanced at Zhao Shirong, who was standing beside him, as if he had just remembered what happened last night.
"Zhao Gao," Wang Yu called out.
Zhao Gao, who had been waiting outside the hall like a shadow, immediately stepped inside and bowed to receive the order.
"Relay my imperial decree," Wang Yu commanded calmly.
"Zhao Shirong is diligent in her service and gentle in nature, which pleases me greatly. She is hereby conferred the title of Imperial Concubine and granted residence in a side hall of Lingxi Palace. All her allowances shall be allocated according to regulations."
The Imperial Concubine was a lower rank among the concubines in the imperial harem, above the Lady-in-Waiting and below the Imperial Concubine. She was usually used to bestow titles upon palace women of low birth who were fortunate enough to be favored by the emperor.
"This servant obeys the decree," Zhao Gao replied respectfully, his face devoid of any extra expression, as if this were just a routine investiture ceremony that took place every day in the palace.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling'er and the other two women felt a mix of emotions.
Zhao Feiyan was the first to react and immediately offered her congratulations, "Congratulations, Sister Shirong."
However, although he was smiling, the smile was somewhat stiff.
Overnight, the former palace maids and relatives became sisters with the same titles as them, though their ranks were the lowest, but they were different after all.
This sudden blessing disrupted the original balance between them as master and servant, as well as sisters.
Zhao Shirong herself was overwhelmed with emotion, and quickly expressed her gratitude in the direction Wang Yu had left, saying, "This servant... Your Majesty, thank you for your great kindness! Long live Your Majesty!"
Wang Yu said nothing more, and didn't even glance at Zhao Shirong again. Surrounded by Zhao Gao and a group of eunuchs, he left Lingxi Palace and went to the front court to handle state affairs.
It was as if last night's roll call for his bedchamber and this morning's casual bestowal of titles were nothing more than insignificant episodes in his imperial life.
However, shortly after Wang Yu left, the official edict of investiture was solemnly delivered to Lingxi Palace by Shen Luoyan, a female official in the palace.
Along with the ceremony came clothing, an official seal, and initial rewards symbolizing the status of a royal consort. Although the ceremony was not grand, the rewards were even greater than those given to Zhao Ling'er.
Inside Lingxi Palace, the atmosphere became subtle and silent. Zhao Ling'er, as the principal concubine, presided over a simple ceremony to receive the imperial decree and express her gratitude.
Zhao Shirong changed into the attire of a royal lady. Although it was not as gorgeous as that of a Zhaoyuan or a Meiren, it was still a world apart from the palace maid's clothes.
Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, a reflection that was both familiar and unfamiliar, she felt a sense of disorientation.
“Lady Zhao, although we are now of different titles, we are of the same clan and should look after each other.” Zhao Ling’er dismissed the servants, leaving only the four of them in the inner room, and spoke in a gentle tone with a hint of imperceptible distance. “There are many rules in the palace. My sister has just been appointed, so if there is anything you don’t understand, you can ask me. However… His Majesty’s mind is deep and his favor and wrath are unpredictable. My sister will need to be more careful in her words and actions in the future.”
These words served as both a reminder and a demarcation. From that moment on, they were relatives and concubines who looked after each other, no longer simply mistress and servant sisters. Some boundaries had to be clearly defined.
Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede nodded in agreement, their eyes showing more inquiry than affection.
Zhao Shirong felt bitter inside, but on the surface she could only respectfully reply, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I will remember it."
Wang Yu, who had already entered the Imperial Study at this time, was unaware of what was happening in the inner palace.
Of course, even if they knew, they wouldn't care.
The imperial harem has its own rules for survival. As far as the emperor is concerned, as long as the people in the harem do not cross the line he has set, he will pretend not to see it even if he knows about it.
Inside the Imperial Study, Shen Luoyan had prepared the documents that needed to be dealt with urgently that day, categorizing them and placing them on the large Imperial Desk, and sorting them according to their importance and urgency.
In handling these details, Shen Luoyan has always been meticulous, even more so than Zhang Liang when he was still a secretary.
Wang Yu suppressed the lingering languor in his eyes and was about to sit down to begin another day of busy political affairs.
"His Majesty."
Zhuo Qing, who had taken over Zhao Gao's place, reported softly, "The Imperial Preceptor requests an audience outside the palace."
"Summon them." Wang Yu put down his vermilion brush and gave the order directly.
At the same time, one can't help but wonder why this national advisor has come today.
After being appointed as the National Preceptor, Zhunti mostly secluded himself in the royal temple built specifically for him not far from the palace, unless he was traveling. He rarely took the initiative to enter the palace to interfere in worldly affairs.
Both Jieyin and Zhunti are people with great perseverance and wisdom, surpassing the Three Pure Ones in this respect.
Zhunti was well aware that if he actively interfered too much in worldly affairs, it would not be a good thing for the future development of Mahayana Buddhism in the Han Dynasty.
Therefore, unless the emperor summoned him, he would rather be a recluse.
Confucianism emphasizes both detachment from the world and engagement with it; therefore, Confucian disciples are relatively more active, while it's normal for those from Taoism and Buddhism to be absent for several years.
Before long, a series of very light footsteps sounded, and an old monk wearing a simple brown robe and a golden kasaya slowly entered.
He had a thin face, white hair and beard, but his eyes were clear and bright, as if they could see through people's hearts, and also seemed to contain endless compassion and wisdom.
He held a string of crystal-clear glass prayer beads in his hand, and his movements naturally exuded a peaceful and serene aura, which formed a subtle contrast with the serious political atmosphere in the imperial study, yet strangely, it did not seem out of place.
This person was none other than the Grand Preceptor of the Han Dynasty, Zhunti.
"This old monk, Zhunti, greets Your Majesty." Zhunti did not perform a grand salute, but simply put his hands together and bowed slightly.
"You may rise, Imperial Preceptor," Wang Yu said, gesturing with his hand in a calm tone.
"The Imperial Preceptor has not entered the palace for a long time. His visit today must be of great importance. Please take a seat."
The eunuch hurriedly brought over a brocade stool as ordered. After thanking him, Zhunti sat down calmly and composedly.