The selection process concluded. All the maidens chosen this time were granted the lowest rank of Beauty.
They followed the palace attendants, curiously observing every corner of the inner court. Only Bai Wutong felt no interest at all. In her eyes, this place was merely a cage for human women. Once one stepped inside, they could never leave for the rest of their lives. No matter how luxurious, how could it compare to the vast world outside?
The attendants led them to a cluster of palaces in the southeast corner—the place where the new maidens would reside every year. Only after serving the Emperor and gaining his favor could one move to a better location.
The attendant was an elderly Nanny, a trusted servant of the Empress Dowager. "Ladies, according to the rules, two of you will share a residence. I hope you will get along well and not cause any trouble. Once inside the palace, serving the Emperor and conceiving a royal heir is the most important thing."
Although they all held the rank of Beauty, there were still distinctions. Those like Gao Jingwan, who were buxom and whose families were known for their fertility, were assigned to the main hall. The Nanny’s gaze landed on Bai Wutong, and seeing her slender frame, she didn't even bother with polite titles. "You shall stay in the Lanxin Pavilion," she dismissed her.
Gao Jingwan’s expression shifted instantly. "Nanny, how can you let someone so devoid of luck live with me? What if it affects my ability to conceive a royal heir?"
The Nanny’s attitude toward her was three parts warmer. "This is the Empress Dowager’s will; please do not make things difficult for me."
"Fine." Gao Jingwan glared fiercely at Bai Wutong, then turned and stomped into the Lanxin Pavilion. Bai Wutong did not respond; she simply followed behind.
The Lanxin Pavilion was merely a small hall. The main hall was slightly larger, but the side hall was less than half that size, consisting of only three rooms: a bedroom, a washroom, and a utility room. Bai Wutong looked around and sat down on the daybed.
Half an hour later, two palace maids and one eunuch arrived at the side hall. All three knelt simultaneously. "This servant greets the Lady."
According to palace rules, the Beauty rank was the lowest; one could only have one personal maid and one eunuch for chores. Unless one bribed the Imperial Household Department, one would only be assigned the least capable staff. As for the extra maid, that was the one Bai Wutong brought from outside the palace—selected by her nominal father, Lord Xun.
"All of you, rise."
"Thank you, Lady."
Bai Wutong beckoned, and Lianxin trotted over, her chubby face full of smiles. "Congratulations, Lady! Your wishes have finally come true!"
"Save the flattery. From now on, you are responsible for everything, big and small, in this place. If there is something you cannot decide, come and ask me. I am tired; you may all leave."
"Yes." The three of them withdrew together.
With Bai Wutong’s command, Lianxin became the head maid of the side hall. She unceremoniously assigned the other two to the outside quarters and kept watch by the bedroom door herself.
The moon set and the sun rose.
Gao Jingwan’s shrill voice pierced through the doors and windows. "Make Bai Wutong come out! Hmph, if it weren't for her being here, I would have been the one serving the Emperor last night! She has no luck and has dragged me down with her. Make her come out and kowtow to apologize to me immediately!"
Lianxin responded in a low voice, "Our Lady is still resting."
"A luckless wretch—what right does she have to sleep? If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll crawl out herself, otherwise..."
With a creak, the side hall door opened.
Bai Wutong leaned against the doorframe. Dressed in a white gown, though she had just woken up and wore no makeup, it only made her face appear all the more delicate and lovely.
Gao Jingwan was so jealous she nearly bit her tongue. "I thought you were going to play dead inside! It’s all because of you that Wen Chuyun was the one who served the Emperor last night. Kneel and apologize, now!"
Bai Wutong did not move; she remained smiling sweetly. "Beauty Gao, we are both Beauties. You are not higher in rank than me. According to the rules, how can you make me kneel to you?"
Gao Jingwan wished she could claw that face to shreds. "You dare to talk back! You little vixen, thin as a bamboo pole—so what if you entered the palace? You’ll never climb onto the dragon bed in this lifetime! Once I gain his favor and become a high-ranking concubine, I’ll see if you kneel then!"
Bai Wutong didn't want to waste time on her and turned to go back inside.
Gao Jingwan wanted to storm in, but her personal maid blocked her. "Lady, please don't be impulsive. With your figure, you will surely serve the Emperor soon. If you cause a scene at this juncture, someone else might snatch the opportunity."
"You are right. I will let that wretch go for today!" Gao Jingwan looked triumphantly at the rolls of fat on her stomach, which trembled with her every movement. With so much flesh, she was bound to conceive a royal heir in the future!
Gao Jingwan held her head high and chest out, feeling more confident than ever. "Let's go. We are returning to change into that emerald green dress. It will certainly make my waist look even more voluptuous. When the Emperor sees it, he will surely love it."
Watching Gao Jingwan leave, Lianxin patted her chest, looking terrified. "Lady, that Beauty Gao is truly frightening. The way she looks, she will surely come back to cause trouble in the future."
"Do not concern yourself with her," Bai Wutong said, not wishing to discuss it further. The person Xun Mingzhi sent appeared to be a maid, but in reality, she was there to monitor her.
"Lady," Lianxin said, cheekily inching closer, "This servant went to inquire this morning—the Emperor has already begun choosing who to spend the night with. Lord Xun did say that he hoped you would serve the Emperor as soon as possible so that he could be at ease."
Bai Wutong’s hand, holding the teacup, faltered. To wait for the Emperor to call upon her would likely be difficult. Although the Empress Dowager kept her because of Fubao, she would certainly not allow the Emperor to waste his time on her. It seemed she would have to find a way herself.
"Go and..."
Before she could finish, another maid, Chan'er, walked over quickly and reported, "Lady, people from the Empress Dowager have arrived."
Bai Wutong immediately straightened her dress and stepped out of the side hall.
The Nanny from earlier stood there, tall and stout, her face full of disdain. "The Empress Dowager has commanded that, starting today, you are to go to the palace physician and get fat. Otherwise, looking this frail is not a good look in the palace. If others see you, they might think the palace is mistreating you."
Bai Wutong bowed. "Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s concern, but I have been this thin since childhood. Eating more is useless, so there is no need to trouble the palace physician."
The Nanny snorted. "Beauty Bai, do not be unappreciative. Do you not understand what the Empress Dowager means? Pack your things and come with me now. From now on, you are to go to the palace physician daily to properly nourish your body, and you shall not return until the sun sets."
Lianxin pulled out a gold leaf and ingratiatingly stuffed it into the Nanny's hand. "Even for medical treatment, there is no reason to go daily and stay until dark. May I ask the Nanny to clarify—is there something our Lady did wrong that has troubled the Empress Dowager?"
Looking at the gold leaf in her hand, the Nanny’s expression softened slightly. "Since you are so sensible, I will give you a hint: your Lady caught the Emperor’s eye a bit too much. Now that heirs are the priority, she cannot be allowed to distract the Emperor. Understand?"
"Beauty Bai, your maid is quite thoughtful, so I will give you more time. Bring some things with you so you don't just sit there idly."
The implication was clear: "nourishing the body" was a lie; keeping Bai Wutong busy was the truth. Just because the Emperor had looked at her a few times, she received this treatment. Bai Wutong sneered inwardly. As it stood, she was the one in the entire inner court most capable of conceiving. Even though she had taken a human form and lost the chance to cultivate, her demon nature remained, making her extremely fertile. The Empress Dowager truly thought of her precious son!
"Very well, Nanny, one moment." Bai Wutong returned to her room and grabbed a storybook.
Lianxin was extremely anxious. "Lady, are you really going? The new girls are serving the Emperor one after another. If you don't serve him, how will the Emperor remember you after some time?"
Bai Wutong shot her a cold glare. "And what would you have me do? Go against the Empress Dowager? You may have a death wish, but I intend to live. Move!"
She walked out of the side hall and followed the Nanny toward the palace physician.
Gao Jingwan stood at the entrance of the main hall, smiling triumphantly. "Hmph, you relied on that vixen face to seduce the Emperor—this is what you deserve!"
For the next seven days, a new girl served the Emperor every night. As the eighth maiden, it should have been Bai Wutong’s turn eventually. Watching the sun set, Bai Wutong stood up and bid farewell to the palace physician. "I am leaving now."
"Lady, wait a moment." The palace physician walked forward, smiling kindly, her eyes squeezed into slits by the flesh on her face. "You must stay here tonight. The treatment has reached a critical stage, and we cannot let it go to waste. The Empress Dowager has ordered that, no matter what, you must be cured."