Chapter Fifty-Nine Promotion

After several days of trekking, the imperial procession finally arrived at the palace.

The vermilion palace gates slowly opened, and Jiang Huan looked at the familiar palace walls through the gauze curtain of the carriage, feeling as uncomfortable as if she had swallowed a fly.

Sigh, how melancholy.

Those concubines always liked to do things that were one way in public and another in private, and she had to spend time dealing with them.

Although the "hidden arrows" from the imperial palace are probably about to turn her into a plug.

But she could still distinguish between the plug of freedom and the tormented frog.

"Your Majesty, we've arrived," Xiao Zhao whispered.

Jiang Huan took a deep breath and was immediately stunned by the scene before her as she stepped off the carriage.

All the concubines who had been left in the palace came out, dressed in their finest attire, and lined up at the palace gate to welcome the new emperor.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome you back to the palace!" The voices of beautiful women rose and fell.

It was even more beautiful than the flowers blooming in the Imperial Garden.

But in Jiang Huan's eyes, these were just walking schemers.

If you're not careful, it could end up like being pricked by a needle.

Jiang Huan paused slightly and silently took half a step back.

These palace concubines were all exquisitely made up, adorned with jewels and jade, and their perfumes were so strong they made people dizzy.

Huo Lin frowned slightly, his gaze fixed straight ahead, without even pausing in his tracks.

"Your Majesty~" a concubine dressed in a peach-colored palace gown called out sweetly, waving her embroidered handkerchief gently in her hand, "Your Majesty, I have specially prepared your favorite dishes..."

“Your Majesty,” another beautiful woman in blue stepped forward, not to be outdone, “I have learned a new piece of music…”

However, Huo Lin remained cold and stern, walking straight through them without even glancing at them.

Those outstretched, delicate hands hung awkwardly in mid-air, their carefully prepared words stuck in their throats.

The smiles on the faces of the concubines froze instantly, and they all showed expressions of disappointment.

【bother. 】

They all dress up like peacocks in the imperial garden, displaying their plumage every day, making a racket that hurts my eyes.

[With makeup so thick, her face looks like it's about to fall to the ground, and she still claims to be stunningly beautiful? Her eyes must be blinded too.]

[Stay away from me, or I'll chop you all up and stew you into peacock soup!]

Jiang Huan is still the best; she's so simple and elegant.

Jiang Huan clicked her tongue in surprise.

Huo Lin gets upset if he doesn't mention her every three sentences.

Wang Degui jogged to catch up and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is already waiting at Cining Palace."

Huo Lin frowned slightly, gave a faint "hmm," and strode towards the Cining Palace.

“Your Majesty, what is this…” one of the concubines couldn’t help but speak up.

Wang Degui quickly explained, "His Majesty should go and pay his respects to the Empress Dowager first. All the ladies, please return to your palaces and rest."

The concubines dispersed in disappointment, but before leaving, they couldn't help but cast envious or inquisitive glances at Jiang Huan.

Jiang Huan blinked. Why were they all looking at her? She hadn't done anything.

A concubine stepped forward, her face sharp and sarcastic, looking ready to make trouble.

Well, she didn't go looking for trouble, but her own cunning led her to her own grave.

Having survived two brushes with death, Jiang Huan was much calmer at this moment.

He reacted quickly, grabbing Xiao Zhao and running forward in small steps.

"We brought so much stuff back with us, we need to hurry back and unpack it."

Xiao Zhao didn't understand, but still responded.

Jiang Huan smiled sweetly, quickened her pace, and laughed her way out of the encirclement.

At the same time, Huo Lin entered the Cining Palace.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty." Huo Lin's bowing movements were meticulous, yet they conveyed a sense of distance.

The Empress Dowager did not respond immediately, but instead picked up her teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "Your Majesty must have had a long and arduous journey. I heard that you encountered danger on your way to the imperial palace, and I have been worried about you day and night."

Huo Linzhi stood up, his gaze calm.

"It is my fault for causing the Empress Dowager worry."

"I heard..." The Empress Dowager put down her teacup, the porcelain clinking together with a crisp sound, "that it was Consort Zhuang who saved the Emperor?"

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly froze.

"That is indeed true." Huo Lin's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.

The Empress Dowager suddenly smiled, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothed out.

"Consort Zhuang is indeed a blessed person, but..."

She then changed the subject, saying, "The emperor has been favoring only one woman lately, which has inevitably neglected the other concubines."

Huo Lin stood with his hands behind his back, his face cold and stern.

"Your Majesty is overthinking it."

"Unnecessary worries?" The Empress Dowager's voice suddenly rose. "The concubines in the harem come to Cining Palace every day to cry and complain that they can't even see the Emperor! Is the Emperor aware of this?"

"Your subject is busy with official duties."

"What a busy schedule!" The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the table, the jade bracelet on her wrist striking the table with a jarring sound. "That Consort Zhuang is certainly a frequent visitor!"

Huo Lin's eyes darkened, and his jawline tightened.

"Is Your Majesty questioning your son?"

The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned by his icy gaze, and her momentum softened slightly.

"I am merely reminding the Emperor that it is the right principle to bestow favors equally upon all, as for the Lin family..."

"It's the Lin family again." Huo Lin sneered. "How much benefit did Mother receive from the Lin family to speak up for them like this?"

"Insolence!" The Empress Dowager's expression changed drastically. "I am doing this for the sake of the country! The Lin family holds significant military power..."

"So you can use that to blackmail me?" Huo Lin's voice wasn't loud, but every word was as cold as ice. "The evidence is conclusive that Consort Jia murdered a palace concubine. If it weren't for the Lin family's contributions, I would have deposed her long ago!"

The Empress Dowager was stunned by the murderous intent in his words and was speechless for a moment.

The hall fell into a deathly silence; even the sound of incense ash falling from the incense burner could be clearly heard.

After a long while, the Empress Dowager slumped back into her chair, her voice hoarse: "The Emperor has grown up, and I can no longer control him."

Huo Lin's expression remained cold: "Mother, please rest in peace and enjoy your old age. As for matters of the inner palace, I will make my own decisions."

At this point, the true intentions have been revealed.

Huo Lin bowed coldly, and without waiting for the Empress Dowager's response, he turned and left.

Thinking of Consort Jia, Huo Lin felt a tightness in his chest.

With all the evidence in order, he could avenge Jiang Huan with just a single command.

However, the political situation was complicated, and the Lin family could not be eliminated for the time being.

In the end, the arrogant remained arrogant, and Jiang Huan was the one who felt most wronged.

The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became, and his brows furrowed deeply.

"Issue the decree." Huo Lin suddenly spoke, his voice cold, "Consort Zhuang, née Jiang, is gentle and virtuous, and is hereby promoted to Consort Zhuang."

Upon hearing this, Wang Degui immediately agreed: "This old servant will take care of it right away."

Meanwhile, inside the Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan was busy setting up her own little world.

"Place this pot of wild chrysanthemums on the windowsill, yes, right there." She directed the palace maids to arrange the items brought back from the imperial palace.

Several pots of wildflowers were placed by the window, a strangely shaped stone sat on the desk, and an exquisite bamboo wind chime hung above the bed, making a crisp sound as a breeze blew by.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid these wildflowers won't survive," Xiao Zhao said with some worry.

Jiang Huan smiled and said, "It's alright, I'll live as many days as I can."

She gently stroked the petals of a small wild chrysanthemum.

"Life at the palace was so wonderful, I really don't want to leave."

Just then, a eunuch's shrill voice suddenly came from outside.

"Imperial edict arrives—"

Jiang Huan immediately came out to receive the imperial decree, and the eunuch delivering the decree announced it loudly.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Zhuang, née Jiang, is gentle and virtuous, and greatly pleases me. She is hereby promoted to the rank of Consort Zhuang. This is my decree."

"Your Majesty, I accept the decree and thank you for your grace."

Jiang Huan received the imperial edict, still somewhat dazed.

While it's not impossible to guess, isn't this happening way too fast?

It's as if they couldn't wait to offer some compensation.

Could it be that he was annoyed by the smell of those concubines?

Xiao Zhao didn't think as complicatedly as Jiang Huan did; she only knew that her mistress's future was incredibly bright!

She excitedly grabbed Jiang Huan's hand: "Your Highness! You are now a concubine!"