Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 853: Chapters 859–860: Court Diary

Tianchuan City.

The news of Emperor Yong’an’s abdication and King Wei’s succession, establishing the nation of Great Wei, had circulated in the city for half a morning and an afternoon, as the sky gradually darkened.

At the gates of Copper Sparrow Platform, Xu Ying donned a luxurious long gown, her face as charming as a lotus blossom. Under the glow of lanterns at the gates, she looked as flushed as if tipsy, resembling the vibrant peach blossoms of February, radiant and captivating.

Her hands tightly clenched a handkerchief, her swan-like neck stretched long, akin to a stone statue gazing for a husband, staring into the distance. Alas, she could not see that familiar figure, and her heart sank slightly to the bottom.

Indeed, an external wife is but an external wife; a childless one is even less than a maidservant.

She had heard that ever since Emperor Yong’an abdicated to King Wei on Mingyang Mountain, all the ladies of the Prince Wei’s Mansion moved into the Imperial Palace.

Whereas ladies of the Copper Sparrow Garden didn’t even have someone to deliver news to them.

Xu Ying bit her cherry lips tightly, sadness floating beneath her elegant Liu Mei brows.

Just as Xu Ying felt aggrieved and was about to shed tears, a convoy of carriages and horses came down the street.

Leading them was actually an eunuch from the palace.

Xu Ying was stunned and immediately saw the convoy heading straight for Copper Sparrow Platform. Startled, she raised a hand to wipe the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief, slightly tidied her attire, and restored her usual noble appearance.

Indeed, the convoy stopped at Copper Sparrow Platform.

The maid serving Xu Ying stepped forward to inquire, "Who are you?"

"Madame Xu..." Along with the convoy, Chu Ran’s maid was there, having come to recognize people, she had called out "Empress Xu" from habit and quickly corrected herself.

"Cai’Er." Xu Ying also recognized her.

"Madame."

The leading eunuch bowed to Xu Ying and then said, "I wonder if Ladies Gan, Xiao, and Zhihua are here?"

Xu Ying nodded and hurriedly asked the maid to call for them.

The eunuch hurriedly stopped her, saying he was there to deliver a Holy Decree; since the ladies were all present, he would come in to announce the decree.

Inside Copper Sparrow Platform.

Once Xu Ying, Zhihua, Xiao, and Gan were all present.

The eunuch opened the decree and began reading: "Mandate from the Emperor of Great Wei: As for the transformation of the harem... You, Xu Clan, have upheld your responsibilities with prudence and respect without transgressing, known for your gentility and versed in etiquettes; hereby sealed as Consort Qing. You, Gan Clan..., hereby sealed as Consort Ning. You, Xiao Clan..., hereby sealed as Consort Hui. You, Zhihua..., hereby sealed as Consort Lan..."

Once the eunuch finished reading the decree, all four ladies rejoiced and immediately expressed their gratitude and acceptance.

The consort rank is below Empress and Consort Rank, classified as third-tier within the harem. In the past, Xu Ying certainly would have disregarded it—having entered the palace as an Imperial Consort and later served as Empress, such a rank would have been beneath her.

But the present differs from the past; first, she was demoted to slave status, becoming a Female Musician of the Music Bureau, then bestowed to Chen Mo.

After leaving the slave status, she became an ordinary commoner, turning into an external wife of Chen Mo.

Now, although only sealed as Consort Qing, it still offered a recognized status.

Gan Clan and Xiao Clan’s women, along with Zhihua, had no objections.

After all, the former two were merely concubines of a Vassal King before, while the latter was of low birth from a brothel; to receive such treatment truly was like burning high incense in gratitude.

After accepting the decree, they packed their belongings and accompanied the convoy to the palace.

What they didn’t know was, the reason for being sealed as consorts.

Was because back when Chen Mo wasn’t Emperor, he had over twenty women, considered a lot.

Upon ascending to the throne, this number became relatively small.

The harem’s positions for consorts were adequate.

Otherwise, they’d undoubtedly be relegated to the "Worldly Wife" level.

Yet even so, within the harem, some already had opinions about the matter.

Xia Zhi Ning’s sleeping quarters.

Xia Zhi Qing was caring for her sister, while Wu Mi took their two children away.

Xia Zhi Ning ate a small mouthful of the meat porridge fed by her sister, pouted and said, "What does he mean by this? Sister, you bore him two children, yet there’s still no conferment, while he instead first conferred those few seductive women of the Copper Sparrow Platform. Does he think they’re more important than us?"

Seeing her younger sister getting jealous again, Xia Zhi Qing gave a wry smile: "It’s just a few consort ranks, Zhi Ning, how do you infer that in His Majesty’s heart, they are more important than us?"

"Sister, you don’t understand; the order and sequence are very important. Even if it’s merely consort ranks, it proves that the first thought in his mind was those few seductresses of Copper Sparrow Platform." Pregnant women, especially those about to deliver, are particularly sensitive to such matters and love to fuss.

Xia Zhi Qing didn’t know what else to say, just smiled: "Following your logic, Zhi Ning, you and I were brought into the palace first."

"Sister, you’re too biased towards him. I don’t care; if he wrongs us sisters, I won’t let it go." Xia Zhi Ning pouted, thinking that not only had they both followed him, but had rendered great service to the Chen Family; counting the children her sister bore and uncertain whether she’s carrying one or two children, she would bore him three or four children. If the status was low, Xia Zhi Ning would truly cause a scene.

...

On the other side.

Chen Mo had just finished court duties and prepared to head to Weiyang Palace, sensing footsteps following him, he turned around: "You can leave now, no need to follow."

"Chancellor Geng said that as Your Majesty’s Left Chamberlain, it is my duty to accompany and record Your Majesty’s words and deeds at all times." The speaker was Great Wei’s Left Chamberlain, named Wang Yu, his ancestry tracing back to the founding of the previous dynasty, several generations serving as Historians.