Chapter 133 New Characters 4

The coronation ceremony was held in Kunning Palace. Empress Lü Jiaying stayed in Kunning Palace for three days with the Emperor, and only returned to her own Yongshou Palace on the fourth day to receive the homage of the other concubines.

To give the Empress face, Yinzhen rushed to Yongshou Palace after the morning court session.

I thought that Consort Nian would not come since she had not yet recovered, but to my surprise, as soon as I entered the room I saw her sitting upright at the front. Her face was much more peaceful than usual, and her clothes were much simpler.

There weren't many people in the hall. On the left and right were Consort Nian and Consort Jing, followed by Consort Hui and Noble Lady Rou. All in all, there were only these five people left in the harem. They wouldn't have stood out if they were scattered, but today, their sparseness was particularly noticeable when they were gathered together.

Lu Jiaying looked down at the people below. Consort Nian held her teacup as if it were a rare treasure, studying it incessantly without looking up. Consort Jing remained as silent as ever. Consort Hui, needless to say, twisted her neck as if she were looking at some strange sight outside the window. The only one who seemed somewhat normal was Noble Lady Rou. Her eyes were bright and she was looking ahead with joy, but for some reason, she felt as if she wasn't looking at the Emperor, but at herself...

One or two seemed to have given up on the Emperor's favor, and couldn't help but sigh softly in their hearts—"I was just talking to my sisters about how the selection of concubines has been postponed for quite some time because the Emperor is busy. Now it seems that it is time to start organizing it again."

As Lü Jiaying spoke, she looked down at the crowd below and said, “There are only a few people in the palace now, how can they take good care of the Emperor? Moreover, Hongshi and Hongkai, who is by the Empress Dowager’s side, are of marriageable age, and it is time for several princes in the imperial clan to get married. I think it would be better to hold a grand ceremony and select concubines to give the Emperor more children.”

Everyone thought that Consort Nian would grit her teeth and crush her handkerchief upon hearing about the imperial concubine selection, but as everyone secretly observed her, she seemed not to hear at all, and continued to drink her tea with her head down.

Yinzhen waved his hand and said, "No need. I have never liked extravagance. Just do as I said before and select the wives of officials from among those who have contributed to the suppression of this rebellion. As for Hongshi and Hongkai, the Empress will organize a flower-viewing banquet and invite eligible housekeepers to the palace to have a look."

When Consort Jing heard about Hongshi's engagement, her eyes lit up. She thought to herself that if the Empress were to hold the event, she would definitely be able to go and participate in the selection process. At that time, she would have to choose a good consort for Hongshi.

Lü Jiaying understood the Emperor's meaning. The years of war on the border had drained the national treasury, with Nian Gengyao spending military funds like water. Furthermore, the Emperor had spent a considerable amount of money on the Empress's investiture ceremony to save face for the new Empress and the Crown Prince. Holding another selection of officials now would likely leave the treasury strained.

She was well-prepared to bring this up before the Emperor today. Lü Jiayingfeng turned around and took a few pages from Xuexin's hand. "Yes, Your Majesty is frugal, and I know that Your Majesty is frugal. I have also chosen daughters of suitable age from among the meritorious officials, as Your Majesty has said: Guarjia Wenyuan, daughter of Guarjia Emin, the Censor of the Censorate, and Li Su, sister of Li Bin, the Deputy Commander of the Xiaoji Camp. I ask Your Majesty to make a decision."

Instead of offering a choice, Yinzhen leaned against the soft pillows and asked, "What does the Empress think of these two?"

Lü Jiaying smiled and lowered her head – “The Li family is from the Han Banner, and the Guarjia family is from the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner. There are few Manchu Banner concubines in the palace, and not many Han Banner concubines either. I think it would be good to select them all to enter the palace, to make the palace more lively. It’s just that their ranks…”

Yinzhen himself had this idea, and listening to Lü Jiaying speak so eloquently, he couldn't help but nod in agreement—"Then let's do as the Empress wishes. Guarjia is a Manchu bannerman, so let's make her a Noble Lady. I will also bestow another title upon her. Li will be made a Consort. Send her away to teach the governesses the rules, and she will enter the palace in a month."

"Yes." Lü Jiaying nodded in agreement, then changed the subject and said, "There is another matter. During the imperial concubine selection when Your Majesty first ascended the throne, there is still one person in the harem who has not yet had the chance to see the Emperor. Since the selection of the harem is to be extended, Your Majesty cannot forget the old favorites."

"Oh? What is the Empress referring to?" Yinzhen never imagined that there would still be a hidden gem in his harem after so many years, and for a moment he couldn't remember who it was.

Lü Jiaying knew this was how it would be. She was currently in her position, with children and an incredibly secure status; whether or not she took in new concubines was of no concern to her. Since that was the case, why not be magnanimous and preserve her reputation as a virtuous empress?

She smiled broadly and said, "It's Consort Borjigit. She's always been a very composed person, so it's no wonder the Emperor didn't remember her."

Most of the forty-nine tribes of Mongolia share the surname Borjigit, but their clans are quite different. Although this Borjigit's surname sounds illustrious, she is not from the Khorchin tribe, but from the more distant Ujumchin tribe. This is why she was only given the rank of Noble Lady when she entered the palace, and was immediately forgotten by the emperor.

Upon hearing her say this, Yinzhen suddenly remembered that there really was such a thing. But he really couldn't remember what this Borjigit Consort looked like at all—"Hmm, it really is. I would have forgotten if the Empress hadn't mentioned it. I have always said that the Manchus and Mongols are one family. She has really been wronged in this matter. So I will... bestow a title upon her."

Yinzhen pondered for a moment—"Over the years, she has never stood out or caused trouble in the palace, remaining quiet and virtuous. Even the Empress praised her for her composure. She is worthy of the title 'Zhen' (meaning chaste), so she shall be Consort Zhen."

“Great!” Lü Jiaying smiled as if she had taken a concubine as a gift herself. “Then I will take advantage of the Emperor’s reward to add some auspiciousness to the gift for Consort Zhen, so as to add to the joy.”

Seeing her happy expression, Yinzhen couldn't help but smile, thinking to himself that he had really made the right choice in bestowing the title of Empress. However, after bestowing the title of Noble Lady Zhen, he suddenly thought of someone else. He had been so busy these past few days that he hadn't been able to visit her.

After thinking for a moment, Yinzhen continued, "Speaking of which, I have another matter that I need the Empress to handle. There is a horse-training maid in the Hundred Horse Garden named Ye Lanyi. I intend to grant her a favor. The Empress can take charge of the matter and directly bestow upon her the title of Lady-in-Waiting, without having to start as a palace maid."

The selection of other women into the palace was understandable; it was normal for daughters of Manchu and Mongol military officers to be chosen. But the horse trainers from the Hundred Horse Garden...

She was a palace maid in Yimei Garden before, and now she's a palace maid in Baijun Garden. Does the Emperor really like this type?

Lu Jiaying gritted her teeth inwardly, not because of the palace maids, but because she thought to herself, "I knew you didn't have the time to accompany your daughter to horseback riding lessons every day! Now you've finally shown your true colors!"

Regardless of her thoughts, she readily agreed, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly handle it properly. In this way, the palace will suddenly have four more sisters, making it much more lively."

Out of the corner of her eye, Lu Jiaying noticed An Lingrong's somewhat forlorn expression. After a moment's thought, she understood what was going on. After all, An Lingrong had served the Emperor for several years, and now that a new concubine had entered the palace and was now on equal footing with her, Lu Jiaying, being sensitive, naturally felt uncomfortable. Seeing this, Lu Jiaying pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Your Majesty, I dare to offer another suggestion. Now that a new concubine has entered the palace, we old concubines shouldn't be left only to watch longingly." Lü Jiaying spoke in her usual joking tone, gently guiding the Emperor's gaze downwards—"Sister Rou has served Your Majesty for many years, and has held the position of Noble Lady for quite some time. Your Majesty, please don't be stingy in treating our Sister Rou unfairly."

When An Lingrong heard the Empress mention her, she hurriedly stood up at a loss. "This concubine...this concubine..." She couldn't think of what to say for a moment and stammered like a frightened little rabbit.

Lu Jiaying's words, coupled with An Lingrong's natural reaction, amused Yinzhen. He smiled at the person in front of him and waved his hand generously, "Rong'er is quiet, humble, and the most simple and lovely. It's time for your rank to be changed. Let's choose a day and promote you to the rank of Consort Rou!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!" She immediately knelt down to pay her respects, and secretly raised her eyes, which were full of affection, to look ahead.

But why did Lü Jiaying feel that An Lingrong wasn't looking at the Emperor, but rather... herself?