(Royal consort Hui above)
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A young maid entered the royal chambers with a tray with a bowl of water and a towel, for the new consort to wash.
“Your Highness, are you awake?”
The maid dressed in yellow uniform, questioned after seeing her master rising from bed.
“Yes,bring me the water to wash my face.”
The new consort answered in a low, gentle voice.
The maid did what she was asked and took the tray after her master was done washing.
“Oh, I almost forgot. There’s a beautiful lotus pond just a few minutes away from here, does your highness wish to take a look after the morning meeting?”
Consort Xiao thought for a second before answering his dowry maid.
“Hm, It would make time pass faster.”
Yaozu answered in a gentle but firm voice.
Then, Meihui began to help her master get ready to give his greeting to the empress dowager.
When it came to makeup, Yaozu refused to put anything on his face but his dowry maid didn’t let him without a little lip tint.
“Your Highness, you should wear at least lip tint. Even if you are a man, you’re still the emperor’s consort.”
Consort Xiao gave in after Meihui didn’t seem to leave him be, and went to the empress dowager’s palace.
*****
The Palace of Accumulated Purity is far away from the Palace of Eternal Harmony and it took around 30 minutes to reach.
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”
The young maid announced with a calm expression.
Yaozu got out of the carriage and walked towards the empress dowager’s hall.
When the two maids that were guarding the hall saw the new consort come, they immediately announced the empress dowager.
“His Highness, consort Xiao has arrived.”
After a while, a calm voice responded shortly.
“Let him enter.”
Yaozu entered the hall gracefully and went before the empress dowager.
“May the empress dowager live a thousand years and one thousand more.”
Consort Xiao knelt before his mother-in-law with his head held low.
The imperial mother analyzed him thoughtfully before letting him stand.
“You may rise.”
Yaozu rose from the ground and stood on his feet before the empress dowager with his head still held low.
“Thank you, your highness.”
The empress dowager discussed with her son about the new consort.
She wasn’t too pleased with her son having a male consort, because he can’t help expand the royal family. But her son craved for a change,so she gave in.
But from what her son told her, it seemed like the prime minister wished his son to have the empress title.
It might seem to be a stupid thing because an empress without an heir doesn’t have much of a stable position but an heir can be easily arranged as well.The prime minister isn’t stupid.
However,this young man in front of her, didn’t look ambitious at all…Quite the opposite.He seems like he doesn’t want anything to do with anyone, more precisely.
Her son mentioned that it’s most likely a misunderstanding,but she wants to be certain whether the prime minister has become truly greedy or he was just worrying about his son.
“The prime minister really has a beautiful son.I was a little worried but it seems my worries were useless.”,The empress dowager smiled at the consort in front of her.
Yaozu understood what the empress dowager was hinting at and remained silent.
“I heard you were bedridden some months ago,you should take more care of your health since you have a weak body.”,The empress dowager said with a worried expression.
“This one will bury your highness’s advice in mind.”,Yaozu said in a low voice
“You shall cultivate your health,I don’t want my new in-law to fall sick so soon upon entering the palace.Don’t worry about anything else.This imperial mother will excuse from the harem meetings as well.”,The empress dowager smiled gently.
“Since you were the emperor’s study partner when you were younger,you must know the rules and etiquette throughly,don’t you?”,The empress dowager asked with slightly raised eyebrows.
“Yes, your majesty,I am very acquainted with the rules and etiquette.,Yaozu said softly at his mother-in-law.
“That might be so, but you’re not familiar with the harem rules or male consorts etiquette, are you?”, The empress dowager gestured towards a chair close to her.
“Indeed, this one isn’t very acknowledgeable of those rules and etiquette.”,Yaozu lowered his head slightly.
“That can be arranged.”,the empress dowager said before mentioning to an older maid.
“Momo Wan will be in charge with teaching you the rules and etiquette for male consorts.”
Yaozu wonders why the empress dowager didn’t send the momo to the Xiao mansion before he entered the palace,but the empress dowager probably wants to analyse him.
“I will not disappoint your majesty and Momo Wan.”,Yaozu bowed gracefully
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