Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

In Kunning Palace, Empress Xu had just seen Zhu Di off and was resting on a soft couch. A palace maid came in to announce, "Your Majesty, the wives of the Duke of Yingguo, the Duke of Chengguo, the Marquis of Wu'an... and several ministers' wives are waiting outside the hall, saying they want to pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Empress Xu was slightly taken aback, then smiled: "Greetings? They didn't come yesterday, they didn't come the day before, but today they're all here." She straightened her robes. "Let them in."

The palace doors swung open, and a group of ladies filed in, each dressed in their finest attire, their jewels gleaming dazzlingly in the candlelight. Leading the procession was the Duchess of Yingguo, followed by the Duchess of Chengguo, the Lady of Wu'an, and so on…

Everyone bowed in unison: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

Empress Xu raised her hand: "Rise, all of you. Please take a seat."

The ladies thanked the emperor and sat down on the embroidered stools. The palace maids brought tea, and the Duchess of Yingguo accepted it, first offering her congratulations: "Your Majesty the Empress is well? Your Majesty looks remarkably well."

Empress Xu smiled and nodded: "Thanks, I'm much better. I've been resting these past few days, and my spirits are gradually returning."

Lady Cheng echoed, "Your Majesty has a good constitution and is recovering quickly. I heard a few days ago that Your Majesty was unwell, and I was so worried at home that I couldn't sleep. I burned incense and prayed to Buddha every day, asking the Bodhisattva to bless Your Majesty's speedy recovery."

Empress Xu glanced at her and smiled faintly: "The Duchess of Cheng is very thoughtful."

Lady Wu'an added, "Indeed, so did I. I cried several times upon hearing the news of Her Majesty's serious illness."

The wives of the Marquis of Ningyang, the Marquis of Yangwu, and the Marquis of Anyuan all nodded, unable to utter a single word of concern, as if they felt unworthy to sit there. The wives of Zhao Hong and Fang Bin, sitting in the back, though unable to join the conversation, also nodded frequently.

Empress Xu leaned back on the soft couch, slowly sipping her tea, listening to their pleasantries. They chatted for about half an hour, from Empress Xu's complexion to the blooming osmanthus in Kunning Palace, from the osmanthus to the autumn weather, from the weather to the flowers and plants in their respective residences, and from the flowers and plants to the children's studies.

The ladies had all spoken until their throats were dry, so the Duchess of England finally put down her teacup, leaned forward, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have come today for two reasons: first, to pay my respects, and secondly..."

She paused, seemingly considering her words.

Empress Xu, holding her teacup, slightly raised her eyes: "Madam Duchess of Yingguo, please speak frankly."

The Duchess of England coughed and smiled apologetically, "I heard that His Highness Prince Rui is living alone in the Qianxi Fourth Palace, without anyone to serve him. I have a little granddaughter at home, who just turned five this year. She is quite pretty and has a well-behaved personality. I would like her to come to the palace to keep His Highness Prince Rui company, to serve him tea and water, and to attend to his writing and writing needs."

The Duchess of Cheng quickly replied, "The Duchess of Yingguo is right. I also have a young daughter at home, four years old this year. She is beautiful and has a sweet tongue. I would also like her to come to the palace to serve His Highness Prince Rui."

Not to be outdone, Lady Wu'an said, "Your Majesty, my youngest daughter is five years old this year. Although she is not as beautiful as the granddaughter of the Duke of Ying, she is gentle and never makes a fuss. It would be most suitable for her to accompany Prince Rui."

Lady Fang quickly replied, "I also have a young daughter at home, who is eight years old this year. Although she is a year older than His Highness Prince Rui, a girl who is a year older will be more caring. I would like her to serve His Highness Prince Rui."

Empress Xu took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and glanced at their faces. She thought to herself that these ladies were really interesting. Xi'er was only a few years old, and they were already thinking about stuffing people around him. They were still children at that age. Xi'er was a year older and would know how to take care of people.

Thinking of this, she suddenly smiled. The smile wasn't big, but it made everyone present feel a chill, wondering what the Empress meant.

Seeing her smile, the Duchess of England asked cautiously, "Your Highness, what do you think...?"

Empress Xu waved her hand: "Don't be in such a hurry." She paused, "Prince Rui is only seven years old this year, and he does indeed lack a few close servants. But I must ask His Highness Rui's opinion. If he is willing, I will naturally have no reason to refuse. But if he is not willing, I cannot force him."

The ladies nodded in agreement, saying, "Your Majesty is right."

"Furthermore," Empress Xu changed the subject, speaking slowly, "serving Prince Rui is a serious matter, not something anyone can just decide to do. I have to choose carefully. They must have good character, a presentable appearance, and be compatible with Prince Rui. Just saying it is good is not enough."

The Duchess of England quickly replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, my granddaughter's character is absolutely impeccable. I will bring her to the palace another day so Your Majesty can see her for yourself."

Lady Chengguo added, "My youngest daughter is the same. I'll bring her to pay her respects to Your Majesty another day."

The wives of the Marquis of Wu'an, the Marquis of Ningyang, the Marquis of Yangwu, and the Marquis of Anyuan, along with the wives of Zhao Hong and Fang Bin, all spoke up, saying they would bring their daughters to pay their respects to the Empress another day. Empress Xu listened to their chatter, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.

"Alright, alright, I understand." Empress Xu raised her hand to stop them. "Go back now. I'll have someone summon you another day."

The ladies then rose, bowed, and filed out. Outside the Kunning Palace, the Duchess of Yingguo led the way, her steps unhurried, a slight smile playing on her lips. The Duchess of Chengguo caught up, lowering her voice, "Sister, what do you think Her Majesty the Empress means? Does she agree or disagree?"

The Duchess of England glanced at her and said slowly, "Her Majesty the Queen said she will choose. Then let's see whose daughter can catch Her Majesty's eye."

She paused, then smiled, "My little granddaughter is as beautiful as a painting, I have no trouble finding her a husband."

The Duchess of Cheng pursed her lips and didn't reply. The Lady of the Marquis of Wu'an caught up from behind and said with a smile, "My two elder sisters, you both have daughters and granddaughters, but I don't. However, my niece from my maternal family is no less beautiful than any other."

Lady Ningyang, the wife of the Marquis, chimed in, "Everyone, stop arguing. Her Majesty the Empress said she wants to choose. Let's see whose daughter is the luckiest."

As they talked, they left the palace gates and boarded their respective carriages.

Inside the carriage, the Duchess of England leaned against the wall, eyes closed, a smile playing on her lips. She was calculating in her mind: Prince Rui was seven this year, and her granddaughter was five—two years apart, just right. If she could secure this marriage, the Zhang family's position in the court would be even more secure. More importantly, this divine connection—if she could bear a son or daughter…

Lady Wu'an sat in the carriage, looking at the street scene outside the window. She thought that her daughter was only four years old and probably couldn't compare to the other children. But she couldn't bear to give up. His Highness Prince Rui was a god among men. If her daughter could get in touch with him, what would happen in the future...? She shook her head, not daring to think any further.

Lady Zhao Hong and Lady Fang Bin sat in the same carriage, neither of them speaking. The carriage swayed slowly towards the mansion, and neither lady looked too pleased.

Empress Xu leaned back on the soft couch as a palace maid brought in freshly brewed tea. She took a sip and sighed softly. The maid cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, do you really intend to send the daughters of those noble ladies into the palace to serve Prince Rui?"

Empress Xu put down her teacup, remained silent for a moment, and slowly said, "His Highness Prince Rui does indeed lack a few close attendants. But I know very well what these ladies are up to."

She paused for a moment, then said, "But I can't stop them all. These are the wives of important officials in the court; we still have to give them the respect they deserve."

The palace maid nodded, not daring to ask any more questions.