Chapter 24: The Imperial Decree

Lan Wu showed no sign of waking up. Even when Chu Mingheng shifted her body aside, she merely tugged at the quilt, turned over, and continued sleeping.

Wasn’t she supposed to be a servant? Who had indulged her to develop such delicate habits?

Chu Mingheng rose from the bed and went to the outer area separated by a screen. Soon after, servants brought in water for his morning ablutions.

However, when the palace maids entered the hall and saw only His Majesty present, they surmised that the lady inside had yet to awaken.

Luo Yun stood nearby, awaiting His Majesty’s instructions.

“Make sure to wake her up when the time comes. Be meticulous in selecting the palace servants for her hall.” At this point, Chu Mingheng recalled the red marks on the inside of her thighs from the previous night.

“Apply a bottle of Jade Dew Ointment to her.”

Luo Yun bowed and acknowledged the order.

Nearly half an hour after Chu Mingheng had left, Lan Wu woke on her own.

Luo Yun had intended to rouse her a little later but, seeing she was already awake, called for servants to attend to her morning routine.

His Majesty’s decree had been issued before the morning court assembly, though it had not yet been publicly announced. Considering this, Luo Yun still addressed Lan Wu as “Your Ladyship.”

Lan Wu had no idea what time she had fallen asleep the night before, but she had slept soundly.

“Your Ladyship, His Majesty instructed that once you awaken, you are to be escorted to Longyu Pavilion.”

Hearing the familiar name, Lan Wu responded with a soft “Mm”—so it was still Longyu Pavilion after all.

Although Chu Mingheng had granted her the rank of Zhen Jieyu, a Jieyu was not entitled to reside in the main hall of Yilan Hall. Longyu Pavilion, though not spacious, held the advantage of familiarity for her.

“Also, His Majesty ordered this servant to apply medicine for Your Ladyship.” Luo Yun produced the bottle of Jade Dew Ointment.

This ointment not only reduced bruising but also helped fade scars. In her previous life, Lan Wu had used it frequently.

However, the area requiring application was somewhat embarrassing to expose before others. Lan Wu took the Jade Dew Ointment herself, saying she would apply it on her own.

Luo Yun said nothing more, lowering her gaze and leading the others outside. They only reentered when Lan Wu called for them after finishing the application.

Taichen Palace had no suitable attire for imperial concubines. Fortunately, Luo Yun had arranged for the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau to send over a well-fitting set of clothing in advance.

As the palace maid styled Lan Wu’s hair, an array of hairpins was laid out on the table.

“This one,” Lan Wu selected a silver filigree hairpin inlaid with amethyst, along with several wisteria hairpins and dangling ornaments, handing them to the maid behind her.

That day, she wore a light purple belted brocade dress. Paired with the purple hair accessories, her complexion appeared even more radiant and translucent, her eyes bright as pearls—exceptionally beautiful.

Lan Wu leisurely finished her breakfast in Taichen Palace before heading to her own Longyu Pavilion.

Luo Yun accompanied her along the way. They encountered no one on the journey, much to Lan Wu’s regret.

Presumably, since the imperial decree had not yet been announced, every palace was speculating about her rank.

If they were to learn she held the rank of Jieyu, and that His Majesty had even bestowed upon her the title “Zhen,” it would likely infuriate quite a few.

Consort Li, Consort Shu, Beauty Rong… oh, and Lady Liu as well.

Lan Wu counted them off one by one, clicking her tongue softly in amusement.

“Is there anything Your Ladyship finds unsatisfactory? You need only say the word, and this servant will have it adjusted immediately.” The speaker was the head maid among the new batch of servants assigned to Longyu Pavilion. Lan Wu did not recognize any of them.

Looking at the small pond before her, Lan Wu snapped back to attention and turned toward the person who had spoken, smiling slightly. “No, I’m quite satisfied. It’s just that this little pond probably can’t hold any large koi, can it?”

Lian Xi relaxed a little under her gaze, belatedly processing her words before quickly gathering her wits to reply, “The pond is indeed a bit small. If Your Ladyship wishes to keep koi, perhaps this servant could have the pond enlarged?”

Lan Wu shook her head, glancing around the courtyard. Longyu Pavilion wasn’t particularly spacious to begin with, and if the pond were made any larger, it would obstruct the walkways.

“Let’s leave it as it is. I recall there’s also a type of smaller koi—we can look for those later.” With that, Lan Wu turned and walked straight into the main hall of Longyu Pavilion.

Her arrival had been rather sudden, so many items in the hall were not yet prepared. Some of the tables and chairs were old and worn, and the palace maids were busy cleaning and tidying. When they saw her enter, they all came forward to bow in greeting.

“Rise, all of you.” Lan Wu allowed them to stand, then glanced back at Lian Xi. “Remember to reward them today.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

“We thank Your Ladyship for your gracious reward.” The servants below expressed their gratitude before rising and returning to their tasks.

Inside Longyu Pavilion, facing the main entrance, was a circular crabapple-shaped window that allowed light to filter through. The gauze curtains on either side were drawn back, and the silk cloth between the window panes was nearly transparent, reflecting hints of color from outside. Below the window stood a low table, positioned directly facing the main door.

Lan Wu rather liked this window. With it, the room was exceptionally bright on sunny days.

However, since Longyu Pavilion was not yet fully arranged, Lan Wu didn’t venture further inside. Instead, she wandered out to the shaded corridor outside.

Before she had taken more than a few steps, she saw Chen Kangan approaching with an imperial decree.

And it wasn’t just the decree—behind him followed many palace attendants carrying trays.

Once the decree was announced, the news would surely spread.

After proclaiming the decree, Chen Kangan smiled ingratiatingly as he introduced the items behind him to Lan Wu. “Your Ladyship, these were specially selected by His Majesty from the treasury. This Palace Carpet is made of the softest material, and these porcelain pieces are exquisitely crafted. Oh, and there are also jewelry and fabric for garments—all specially ordered by His Majesty to be delivered to Your Ladyship.”

Lan Wu knew Chu Mingheng all too well.

Chen Kangan’s words sounded pleasant, but in reality, it was likely just Chu Mingheng ordering some items to be sent to her palace, with the subordinates carrying out the task accordingly.

Chu Mingheng hardly had the leisure or inclination to personally select gifts for her.

Though she thought this, Lan Wu naturally didn’t show it.

She pretended to be overwhelmed with favor, looking at the items with feigned awe. Taking a few steps forward, she blushed as if at a loss for words before finally addressing Chen Kangan, “Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty on my behalf, Eunuch.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

The number of items delivered was truly substantial, and some had not arrived with Chen Kangan. Various departments of the Inner Court Administration also promptly sent gifts, making Longyu Pavilion exceptionally lively for a time.

In contrast to the bustle of Longyu Pavilion, other palaces could be described as quiet.

Beauty Rong had vomited blood just the night before and had been warned by the Emperor. Today, upon hearing that Lan Wu had indeed become an imperial concubine, she felt a sudden heaviness in her heart.

“What rank was she granted?” she asked slowly, sitting up from her couch and addressing a palace maid beside her.

The palace maid glanced at her expression before replying with difficulty, “Your Ladyship, His Majesty has conferred upon her the title of Zhen Jieyu…”

Beauty Rong drew a sharp breath, suppressing her trembling hand, and asked again, “Which Zhen? Is it the ‘Zhen’ for chastity or—”

“The palace maid who delivered the items said that according to the imperial decree, Zhen Jieyu is as precious as pearls and gems, gentle, elegant, and radiant, hence she was granted the title ‘Zhen’.”

Upon hearing these words, Beauty Rong closed her eyes.

So Your Majesty favored her so much.

Her probing yesterday had been somewhat too hasty.