Upon first seeing Ru Ge, Xiao Jingheng could not help but be reminded of the initial night he spent with Zhao Hua in his bedchamber many years ago.
The young lady had washed off the rouge and black makeup from her face, bearing no cosmetics, and appeared as pure and pristine as a lotus emerging from the water, possessing a beauty that captivated hearts.
To the extent that when he gazed at Ru Ge in a daze, his mind conjured up the intimate moments he had shared with Zhao Hua in the past.
After observing her for quite some time, Xiao Jingheng turned his head slightly and said in a low voice to Zhao Hua:
"Does Zhao'er think that Mrs. Nalan bears some resemblance to you?"
Zhao Hua gently caressed her porcelain-like skin and softly sang:
"Upon closer inspection, there does seem to be some similarity in her features. However, this concubine is nearly seven years older than her, after all, and cannot match the youthful radiance of a young lady."
"Nonsense," Xiao Jingheng said with a smile, gently stroking Zhao Hua's tender cheek with the back of his finger. "Zhao'er possesses unparalleled beauty that none can compare to. The fact that Mrs. Nalan bears some resemblance to Zhao'er is already her good fortune."
Zhao Hua shyly pushed away Xiao Jingheng's hand and chided him playfully:
"My lord... there are so many people watching us."
Seeing her blushing cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, Xiao Jingheng finally broke into a radiant smile and withdrew his hand.
At this moment, Xiao Yinzi leaned forward and whispered a reminder into Xiao Jingheng's ear:
"Your Majesty, this is the daughter of Lord Nalan Cuo."
On that day, during his secret conversation with Nalan Cuo, Xiao Jingheng had accepted his proposal and agreed to bestow Ru Ge as the principal wife to Xiao Jingyan during the selection of palace ladies.
However, at this moment, he found himself in a dilemma.
Initially, when he saw the portrait, he only thought Ru Ge bore a slight resemblance to Zhao Hua.
But upon seeing her in person today, he realized that they could very well pass for sisters.
If he were to bestow Ru Ge to Xiao Jingyan, then on the day of Xiao Jingyan's grand wedding, all the imperial kinsmen and nobles would witness her, and what would become of that?
Therefore, after carefully weighing the pros and cons, Xiao Jingheng had abandoned the idea of arranging this marriage.
Moreover, he had no intention of keeping Ru Ge by his side either.
For no matter how much she resembled Zhao Hua, she could never match her beauty.
But the selection of palace ladies by the emperor was never as simple as merely choosing favored women to serve him.
It also involved maintaining a balance in court politics.
Nalan Cuo was loyal, and he was willing to send his only daughter to the Anwang Mansion as a spy, but if Xiao Jingheng not only refused to bestow Ru Ge to Xiao Jingyan but also rejected her, it would inevitably dampen Nalan Cuo's enthusiasm.
After careful consideration, Xiao Jingheng said in a low voice to Zhao Hua:
"I originally did not intend to keep Mrs. Nalan's token, as she resembles Zhao'er, and I feared that having her in the palace would cause Zhao'er to overthink and damage our marital bond. However, Nalan Cuo has only this one daughter, and he has always been diligent and hardworking in serving me, so I cannot be too disrespectful to him..."
He observed Zhao Hua's expression and continued:
"If Zhao'er objects, I will only grant her a nominal position and have her relocated to a distant palace chamber, merely treating her as an idle person within the palace."
Upon hearing his words, Zhao Hua's emotions surfaced, and her expression immediately darkened as she coldly said:
"Of course this concubine objects."
Xiao Jingheng fell silent for a moment, intending to say something to soothe her, but then he saw Zhao Hua suddenly smile:
"This concubine objects to the fact that my lord would think this concubine is such a petty and narrow-minded person?"
Realizing that Zhao Hua was teasing him, Xiao Jingheng's expression finally relaxed, and he smiled too:
"Indeed, I have misjudged my wife's character."
Zhao Hua, emboldened by her favored status, spoke without restraint, playfully remarking:
"My lord has spoken correctly. Although this concubine cannot be considered a noble person, I am capable of understanding reason. There are many people in this world who resemble one another in appearance. I cannot deprive someone else of their future just because they happen to look like me.
In fact, if this concubine were to speak, since you intend to keep her token, granting her merely a nominal position is too low. Lord Nalan has managed the Imperial Clan Affairs for many years and has rendered great service and endured much hardship. Now that his only daughter has entered the palace, this concubine believes that at the very least, she should be granted the rank of a noble consort."
Zhao Hua's words were quite unexpected to Xiao Jingheng.
In the past, when the late Empress Jia Rui was alive, if he elevated the status of a new consort even slightly, she would lecture him by citing ancestral precedents.
On the surface, her words were meant for Xiao Jingheng's benefit,
But in reality, she was afraid that the new consort would overshadow her own prominence.
Yet now that Zhao Hua was the empress, her actions and words were completely different from those of Empress Jia Rui, acting as one with her husband and considering everything for his benefit.
Xiao Jingheng was touched and could not help but take Zhao Hua's hand, saying in a gentle and affectionate tone:
"Very well, from now on, whatever ranks or palace chambers are assigned to these selected ladies, it shall be as Zhao'er decides."
Zhao Hua nodded in agreement and added:
"I hear that Mrs. Nalan is quite renowned in the capital for her painting skills."
Xiao Jingheng said, "Nalan Cuo is indeed an ardent painter, and his daughter has been immersed in the art from a young age, so she too has acquired the skill."
Zhao Hua glanced at Ru Ge, who had been standing properly under the pavilion.
Unknown to her, Ru Ge had been paying respects for over an hour, and beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.
So Zhao Hua said to Xiao Jingheng, "Since we intend to keep her, my lord should not make Miss Nalan suffer too much."
Xiao Jingheng had been so preoccupied with his thoughts and conversation with Zhao Hua that he had completely overlooked Ru Ge.
Only when Zhao Hua reminded him did his gaze return to Ru Ge, and he asked:
"I hear you are well-versed in painting?"
Ru Ge respectfully replied, "In response to Your Majesty, this subject is merely a novice with superficial knowledge."
Xiao Jingheng smiled, "To be renowned as a talented lady in the capital despite only having superficial knowledge, if you further hone your skills, even the painters of the Ruyi Gallery would pale in comparison. The palace houses many famous artworks, and I happen to lack a knowledgeable interpreter by my side, so you shall remain here."
As soon as he finished speaking, the eunuch at the imperial court solemnly announced:
"Nalan Ruge, keep your token, and adorn the velvet flower."
The velvet flower symbolized glory and honor.
When a selected lady adorned the velvet flower, it signified that her future would be as glorious as brocade.
The ceremonial governess pinned an exquisite velvet plum blossom on Ru Ge's hair bun.
Seeing Ru Ge standing there dazed and stupefied, as if she had not yet regained her senses,
the governess smiled and gently reminded her:
"Dear lady, you must be overjoyed. This is in the imperial presence, so you should express your gratitude."
Still not fully comprehending the situation, Ru Ge felt her heart tremble upon hearing the words "express gratitude"...
She was perplexed and even wanted to ask Xiao Jingheng directly why he had changed his mind after promising her father to betroth her to Xiao Jingyan, only to instead take her into the imperial harem.
But she was also acutely aware that Xiao Jingheng was the emperor, and his imperial favor could not be defied. If she dared to speak disrespectfully against the imperial authority, her entire family would suffer the consequences.
The other selected ladies around her looked at Ru Ge with envious eyes.
She could only kneel down slowly, her voice trembling as she expressed gratitude for the imperial grace:
"This subject... thanks Your Majesties for your great kindness!"
Yet as she kowtowed, tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes...
[One more chapter today, as I had too many things to do this week. I'll try to make up for it, please bear with me!]
