Li Yuyu’s coronation ceremony was personally presided over by the Empress Dowager.
When the concubines of the harem received the news, shock was fleeting; acceptance followed quickly.
With the vacancy in the Central Palace, the highest rank in the harem was Princess Consort De, but Princess Consort De had been at odds with Li Xiurong recently. Given the Emperor’s regard for Li Xiurong, how could he allow Princess Consort De to preside over Li Xiurong’s coronation?
Before 5 a.m., Hua Yin laboriously dragged Li Yuyu from bed.
Feng Yin, having recuperated for a time, was able to get out of bed and assist Li Yuyu despite a slight wobble when walking, insisting on helping her rise.
"Lady, please allow the servant to assist with your dressing. Although the servant cannot attend the coronation ceremony, I wish to make the lady beautiful and astonish the harem."
Li Yuyu couldn’t refuse Feng Yin’s request.
Thus, after freshening up, as Li Yuyu sat drowsily before the bronze mirror, Feng Yin was behind her helping to comb her hair.
Li Yuyu’s palace attire was personally overseen by Yan Xiu with guidance to the Fashion Bureau.
At first glance, this palace attire seemed to be of concubine rank, but upon closer scrutiny and comparison, it was akin to that of a princess consort.
Yet, the Dasheng Dynasty’s harem was void of princess consorts, except for Princess Consort De among the four consort ranks above.
During Princess Consort De’s coronation, the late Emperor had barely passed, and Yan Xiu had only recently ascended to the throne, making the harem coronations subdued. Consequently, Princess Consort De’s palace attire was hastily fashioned according to the old system by the Fashion Bureau, which naturally couldn’t compare to Li Xiurong’s attire, personally monitored by Yan Xiu.
At the auspicious time, Li Yuyu, adorned in concubine attire, stepped out slowly, first kneeling to hear the Imperial Decree, bowing to receive it, with Aunt Chen Jing reading the ceremonial document aloud.
Li Yuyu bowed again to receive the ceremonial book.
With that, the coronation ceremony concluded, affirming her rightful title as Lady Xiu.
"Concubine pays obeisance to Lady Xiu."
In Yao Hua Palace, Li Yuyu sat in the principal position, a smile almost stiff on her face, watching the concubines come to pay respects one by one.
Beauty Qing, Beauty Zhou, Noble Lady Jing, Noble Lady Zhao, and a few talented ladies whose surnames she hadn’t caught.
Li Yuyu called upon each one when an eunuch announced from outside:
"Chongyuan Lady arrives."
Beauty Qing’s eyes flickered, a look of surprise appearing underneath.
Zhang Chongyuan, Zhang Jiao Jiao, was the daughter of Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel. She was remarkably low-profile, residing in Shuijing Hall, a grand hall with no concubines sharing her dwelling.
Beauty Qing barely recalled her, having only seen her from afar at the palace entrance ceremony, overshadowed by Princess Consort De.
Even stranger, Zhang Chongyuan rarely left the Shuijing Hall once entered.
Inside Shuijing Hall, medicinal scents sometimes wafted through, deterring most, as Zhang Chongyuan took medicinal decoctions all year round.
It was known that Zhang Chongyuan wasn’t frail from childhood but fell into water accidentally, thereafter waking with poor health, unable to recall much, needing medicine to endure heat without discomfort.
Cold weather required medicine; otherwise, she easily caught cold, leading to fever.
Beauty Qing had investigated Shuijing Hall, uncovering only widely known facts.
She ceased directing her focus onto Zhang Chongyuan.
This hermit-like figure, almost severing ties with the entire harem, chose to emerge from Shuijing Hall on the day of Li Xiurong’s coronation and palace migration?