Chapter 218 The Emperor's Plan

"Oh, it's still lively here, Concubine Hua. Are we late?"

When Concubine Duan and Concubine Jing brought Wen Yi to Yiku Palace, they found that many people had already arrived there, including Chen Meizhuang, An Lingrong, and Yana.

"Sister is here, please sit down."

When Zhen Huan saw them, she quickly asked Song Zhi to bring them stools.

"Sister Huan, are you thinking about living here with the Imperial Concubine forever? Having someone to chat with all day long is really something we sisters envy. If the Imperial Concubine doesn't mind, we would all like to come here."

Concubine Jing was really envious of Zhen Huan who was living a happy life here. Now among all her sisters, she was the only one who didn't have a child. It would be a lie to say that she was not envious, but there was nothing she could do about it.

"Okay, if you don't mind, come on over. You're all always welcome here."

Nian Shilan, who happened to step into the house from outside, heard these words. Her face was full of smiles, and she was so satisfied with such a harmonious scene.

The court has been discussing the issue of appointing a queen these days. The emperor watched them arguing about this matter every day without stopping them. No one knew what he was thinking.

During the time when the queen was deposed, the emperor let Nian Shilan temporarily take charge of the harem affairs. Everyone in the harem had no objection to this arrangement. After all, Nian Shilan's position was already there. What's more, their relationship as sisters was even stronger, and they would no longer fight for these vain powers.

"My dear, it's time for you to take your medicine."

Just as everyone was chatting in the house, Liu Zhu walked in from outside.

"Liu Zhu, I'm well now. I really don't need to eat anymore."

Ever since she was poisoned last time, Zhen Huan has been under Liu Zhu's watchful eye to drink medicine on time every day. Now, whenever she mentions taking medicine, she feels a bitter taste in her mouth.

"My lady, you always say this, but Doctor Wei told you to drink it for a while longer."

Liu Zhu said this without stopping her hands, and quickly handed the bowl of medicine to Zhen Huan's mouth.

"Sister Huan, you're acting more and more like a child now. You even need Liu Zhu to feed you medicine. Aren't you afraid that Lingxi will laugh at you?"

Nian Shilan, who was sitting next to you, had her medication stopped by the imperial physician a few days ago because she recovered quickly. Now, looking at Zhen Huan's appearance, she couldn't help but tease you. It was this guy who made fun of her before.

"Sister Hua, you're not much better than me, humph!"

Zhen Huan knew that she couldn't avoid it, so she simply picked up the bowl from Liu Zhu's hand and drank it in one gulp. Then she immediately took a plum from the plate and put it into her mouth, trying to quickly cover up the astringent taste in her mouth.

When Liu Zhu left with the bowl, Zhen Huan looked at her figure and pondered for a while.

When she first knew that Liu Zhu and Wei Lin were interested in each other, she wanted to arrange their marriage. However, Liu Zhu knew that she was at a critical moment and was unwilling to distract her at that time.

Now that everything is over, Liu Zhu and Wei Lin's relationship is growing deeper and deeper, and it's time for her to make good preparations for her sister.

"Sister Huan, do you want to..."

Nian Shilan whispered something in Zhen Huan's ear and received a positive answer from the other party.

"That's good. Now that we have resolved these issues, we all hope that everyone around us will live happily. It's just that you might not be used to it after Liu Zhu gets married."

Liuzhu and Yuyan both grew up with Zhen Huan. After entering the palace, they always considered her in everything. There was a lot of affection between them. If both of them left, Zhen Huan would indeed feel reluctant for a while.

"As long as they are happy, that's all that matters. Besides, I still have you, my sister, here with me, as well as Sister Mei and Lingrong. With so many sisters by my side, I won't be lonely."

Zhen Huan knew that she would be trapped within these gorgeous walls for the rest of her life, and she didn't want Liu Zhu to be trapped here either. Now that she had found her own happiness, she would not stop it no matter how reluctant she was.

"Your Majesty, Eunuch Su is here."

Just then Songzhi led Su Peisheng in.

"Greetings to all the ladies."

"Eunuch Su, please stand up. I wonder if you have any instructions for the Emperor?"

"In reply to the Imperial Concubine, the Emperor is in the Yangxin Palace. Please go over and discuss some matters."

"I understand. I will go there later. Please wait for a moment, eunuch."

After Nian Shilan finished speaking, she greeted everyone and called Songzhi to help her with her makeup.

She has been focusing on comfort in her palace these days. Her sisters have gone from being surprised at first to being accustomed to her attire. However, it is always better to be formal when meeting the emperor.

Thinking about having to hang so many things on her head, Nian Shilan already began to feel her neck was tired.

In the Yangxin Palace, when Nian Shilan arrived, the emperor was sitting there carefully reviewing memorials, while the Fourth Prince was organizing scrolls on the other side.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May your Highness be blessed with good health and happiness."

"Get up."

"I wonder what the Emperor wants me to do? He looks a little tired. No matter how busy he is with state affairs, he should take care of his health."

The Emperor glanced at the Fourth Prince and said, "It's getting late. You should go back first."

"Yes, I will take my leave."

Before leaving, the Fourth Prince glanced at Nian Shilan. He might have seen some clues from what had happened during this period, but he didn't expect that Empress Xi was so broad-minded and willing to give up the position that others were fighting for.

However, both Empress Hua and Empress Xi treated him sincerely, so even though the Fourth Prince was a little confused, he didn't have any other thoughts.

"I asked you to come here today because I have something to tell you."

The emperor stepped forward, took Nian Shilan's hand, and sat with her on the couch.

"Ever since the Empress was deposed, the position of Empress has been vacant. The ministers in the court have been arguing about this endlessly. I think that deciding it as soon as possible will benefit both the former court and the harem."

The emperor has also been thinking a lot during this period. Now Nian Shilan has the highest position in the palace. The most important thing is that she has no children of her own. Even if the Fourth Prince is raised under her name, there will not be much mother-son affection, and the Nian family will not have much control over the affairs of the court in the future.

"Nian Shilan has been in the palace for so many years, and has always helped to manage the six palaces. Now she has managed the harem very harmoniously. I am very satisfied to make you the queen. I wonder what Shilan thinks?"

Nian Shilan quickly stood up and walked to the emperor, kneeling down to salute: "Your humble servant is terrified, I am content just to be by your side."

The emperor stepped forward and gently helped her up: "Shilan, there is no need to be modest. I have seen all your performance in these years. I will feel very comfortable having you help me manage the harem."

"In this way, I will definitely live up to the emperor's trust."

"Okay, I like this look. Then I will ask the Imperial Observatory to choose a suitable time for the ceremony of crowning the queen."

"Your Majesty, I would like to ask for a favor from Your Majesty."

"Oh, Se-ran, just say it."

"There hasn't been any happy events in the harem for a long time now. Why not take this opportunity to confer titles on the harem together? My sisters haven't had any promotions in a while."

This was something Nian Shilan had thought of before she came. Although Zhen Huan didn't care about the position of queen, she couldn't help but think about her sister. Since she had no intention of becoming queen, she would give her sister Huan this surprise.

"Okay, okay, Shilan is still thoughtful. The harem has indeed not been grandly sealed for a long time, so I will take this opportunity to make it lively."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."