无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, “Let Gucheng accompany me.”

Logically, this is the Imperial Palace’s backyard, where ordinary men cannot enter and exit at will.

But even in the harem, there needs to be guards.

As the only guard of the Princess Consort, Gucheng has the same privileges as the Imperial Army and can move freely within the harem.

With Gucheng around, Huang Ying felt relieved.

“Should I inform the Crown Prince?” Huang Ying asked again.

“Where is he?”

“After lunch, His Highness went out. This servant is not sure of His Highness’s whereabouts.”

Those who followed Li Hongyuan were Sanli and two other young eunuchs.

Jiang Ning said, “Being a Crown Prince is indeed different. He just moved in and is already so busy. I’m afraid I won’t see him much in the future.”

Huang Ying smiled and said, “All beginnings are difficult. At first, there will always be a lot of things to prepare. Once the busy times are over, His Highness will definitely spend more time with you. You haven’t been to Prosperity Palace, I’ll accompany you there.”

“Concubine Xian resides in Prosperity Palace?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Ning was admiring the scenery of the East Palace when she suddenly asked, “Huang Ying, what would happen if I don’t go to Concubine Xian’s place?”

“Probably… you would be accused of not following the elders.”

“Alright, let’s go there.”

After all, she had just moved into the East Palace and needed to be a good child for a few days.

Since she was free anyway.

On the way, Jiang Ning asked Huang Ying, “How many concubines are there in this harem?”

Huang Ying laughed, “This servant can’t say for sure. Although I have been in the harem for several years, new people enter almost every year. By my estimation, there must be more than a hundred of them.”

“Quite a number, it seems that the harem is quite spacious.”

“Besides those high-ranking concubines with status, the lower-ranked ones can’t possibly occupy a place all to themselves. Some of them live together with three or four others.”

“Really, they are after all the Emperor’s women, living like that must be quite stifling.”

“Or why do you think they all fight for the Emperor’s favor? Only by winning his love can they get better food, clothing, and expenses.”

“Over a hundred women, even if he changes one every day, it would take three to four months to go through them all.”

“How could he have one per day? The Emperor’s health must also be taken into account. In this harem, Concubine Jin is the most favored, spending seven or eight days a month with her. Others get much less. Some young concubines who entered the palace at the age of fifteen or sixteen, have grown old without even seeing the Emperor’s face, which is not uncommon.”

“That’s too miserable.”

“Once you enter the palace gate, it’s as deep as the sea.” Huang Ying held her hand, “Are you tired? Let Gucheng bring the wheelchair.”

Although Gucheng’s shadow was not visible, he must be around.

Jiang Ning raised her head and smiled, “It’s okay, I’ve been sitting all afternoon, it’s a good time for a walk.”

It was April, with warm weather and butterflies flying everywhere.

Walking in the palace was quite comfortable.

As one of the Four Concubines, Concubine Xian was a concubine the Emperor took when he was still a prince. Apart from the Empress, she has the oldest status.

She’s also old in age.

But she was quite beautiful when she was young. Although she has aged, her former beauty is still noticeable.

The Prosperity Palace was decorated very simply, completely different from the splendid Splendid Palace.

There were peach trees planted in the courtyard, with blossoms in full bloom.

Concubine Xian was sitting on a swing under the peach tree.

If one ignored her somewhat old face, it would be a quite picturesque scene.

When the palace maid saw Jiang Ning, she whispered, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort is here..”