Chapter 130: Her hidden agenda (1/2)
The next day, Jiangxi palace, the Imperial Palace.
Jianxi Palace and Xincheng like the Emperor and Empress were two halves as a pair. They were designed to embody the true aspects of the divine union between the Emperor and Empress. They were not just similar in design but were a walking distance away from each other.
Jianxi palace like Xincheng Palace was the Empress's official palace. Separated from Xincheng by a garden and pond, Jiangxi palace has housed many generations of Empresses starting from the founding dynasty. It was a self-sufficient palace with every modern amenities, due to the frequent reconstruction carried out before every new Empress moves in.
In the same courtyard, just behind the Palace was a smaller palace. Where the Empress children were housed at a younger age until they moved into their palace and a private residence.
Jiangxi Palace was a smaller version of Xincheng Palace but unlike the Emperor's palace that never allowed visitors and lacked an audience hall. Jianxi Palace's audience hall was in full use, it was where the Imperial Consort's paid respect to the Empress.
The Empress's audience hall unlike the Emperor's audience hall which had formal arrangements was more informal. It was smaller in size and was designed like a Main room/ Living room. At the center of the room, on an elevated stage was the Empress's Phoenix throne.
A long slim red carpet ran from the Phoenix throne to the wide doors on the bare marble floor, a few steps away from the red carpet was low backed wooden cushioned seats facing each other. On both walls of the hall were two calligraphy paintings and four landscape paintings.
The audience hall was the side room of Jiangxi palace. It also served as the needing room for the Empress to attend to officials and Envoys. As well as other visitors, such as the members of the royal family and members of the noble class.
when attending to guests of the opposite sex without blood relations (mostly Envoys), a screen was placed in front of the Phoenix throne to keep her out of close contact.
Imperial Consorts paid respect to the Empress as often as four days a week. However, the next day after a consort was favoured by the Emperor, the consort was expected to pay respects to the Empress and other high ranking Consorts. The consort could be exempted by the Emperor the next day but most people chose to obey these protocols.
Imperial Consorts Shi after years of favour got conceded and failed to observe this protocol. The next day after getting favoured, she usually made excuses and never arrived with the other imperial concubines to pay respects to the Empress. She usually made excuses and even when she came, she was always late.