Chapter 83 Golden Robe

The singing attracted everyone's attention, and they all looked curiously towards the center of the lake.

"Though the singing is soft, it is gentle and melodious, truly possessing a unique charm." Since she lost her heart to the Emperor, Shen Meizhuang no longer cared about who was vying for favor or who was winning it. Now, she was truly admiring the woman in pink on the small boat swaying in the center of the lake.

"Her singing is truly outstanding. Even someone like me who doesn't understand music enjoys listening to her, let alone the Emperor. But I wonder why she covers her face with a veil?" Consort Jing commented with great interest, fanning herself with her fan.

Zhen Huan sat steadily, her eyes peering forward with a hint of curiosity—"The song sounds very familiar to me."

Cao Qinmo remained silent, staring intently at the last empty seat reserved for An Lingrong, her eyes filled with a profound meaning.

The Empress Dowager carefully observed the Emperor's expression. Seeing that he seemed to be engrossed in the song and ignoring the disapproving look from the Empress Dowager in the middle, she smiled with satisfaction and said, "Although the singing voice is still not quite there, it is already six or seven parts similar."

Looking at the beautiful scenery and the beautiful woman in front of him, Yinzhen could only vaguely see her shadow from a distance. Coupled with her similar singing voice, he felt as if Chun Yuan was singing softly in his ear. With a satisfied expression, he slowly opened his mouth and said, "It is already rare to be six or seven points similar. No one in the world can compare to Chun Yuan."

Upon hearing this, Yixiu's smug and confident smile froze for a moment. Her expression shifted between gentleness and embarrassment several times, as if she were having a fierce internal struggle. In the end, she looked at the people in the boat with a kind and benevolent smile.

Hongzhao naturally knew who the person was, but he couldn't quite understand how his butterfly effect had changed the plot. An Lingrong hadn't been discovered by the Empress about the witchcraft doll, and Baojuan had already been disposed of by her under the guise of the plague. An Lingrong had still ended up with the Empress.

After a few moments of thought, Hongzhao had some ideas. An Lingrong wanted to gain favor, and the Empress needed someone to speak for her in front of the Emperor. It was a win-win situation for both sides. Since the Empress didn't have any fatal weakness in her hands, she naturally wouldn't become a complete tool like in the original story.

As the small boat drew closer, the emperor couldn't wait to get off and stand on the shore.

“Young lady, please come up quickly after you finish singing. The Emperor has summoned you.” Su Peisheng stepped forward, cupped his hands to his face, and said loudly.

The closer the woman got, the more familiar she seemed to Yinzhen. He looked at the slender woman with a smile and a somewhat aggressive gaze—"If such a beauty is so lovely, why not take her into my arms sooner?"

Unlike others, he bent down and extended his hand to the pink-clad woman whose face was covered.

An Lingrong looked at the large, warm hand in front of her. Back in Consort Hua's palace, she had knelt so many times. Not only did they not personally help her up, but they were also incredibly stingy with even a simple "Rise."

She generously offered her hand, feeling the scorching heat covering it, and used the support to step onto the shore. The sudden disorientation of being off the swaying boat made her feel a little dizzy, and she tightened her grip on the hand that was helping her.

"Why don't you show the Emperor your true face?" The Empress stepped down and stood aside.

An Lingrong obediently tried to lift the pink Mu Li in front of her, but perhaps her movements were too gentle, and Yinzhen seemed rather impatient, so he suddenly lifted Mu Li away.

An Lingrong blushed shyly. This was her true nature in the Emperor's eyes. This expression did not make her seem petty at all; on the contrary, it added a touch of fresh charm.

"Your concubine, An Lingrong, greets Your Majesty."

She had once been favored, but within a few days, Nian Shilan had tormented and suppressed her. Therefore, when Yinzhen looked at her now, it was no different from looking at a new bride, with surprise in his eyes, "Didn't you... catch a cold? Now your singing voice sounds even better than before."

An Lingrong maintained her bowing posture, recalling her first meeting with the emperor. She slightly raised half of her face, her bright eyes looking up at the emperor with affection—"The Empress has sent people to take good care of me, and Consort Xian has also sent many good things. My cold has long since healed."

The Empress was displeased when she heard her mention Consort Xian. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I saw that Your Majesty was depressed all day long, so I came up with this desperate measure. I am stupid and cannot please Your Majesty. I only hope that these sisters can do it."

The Emperor merely nodded and glanced at her, his gaze not lingering on her for long. Without saying anything, he looked at An Lingrong kneeling to the side, reached out and pulled her up from the ground, then walked with his hands behind his back to his seat at the head of the table.

The people below all looked at the usually quiet Consort Rou with curious eyes. Only Zhen Huan looked unwell; she was stiff as a board and deliberately kept her neck straight so as not to look at the Emperor, who was laughing heartily at the head of the table, or at the two of them holding hands.

"Rong'er was promoted from the rank of Consort last year. Today, I will bestow upon her the title of Noble Lady. Rong'er has always been shy and gentle. The title I have chosen is truly fitting for you."

Yinzhen leaned back in his chair, looking down at the shyly smiling woman in front of him with the air of a superior.

An Lingrong responded obediently and cheerfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Even if Zhen Huan turned her head away, the voices kept coming and she couldn't ignore them. A look of disdain appeared on her face, but it disappeared in an instant, leaving only deep disappointment in her eyes.

She lost her child, and only she remembered it. The child's father, however, was easily attracted to a new lover, completely forgetting that their child had only been gone for a little over a month.

And her best friend, whom she considered a close friend, clearly had a voice that had been honed through hard work. Yet, she had quietly gained favor right under everyone's noses. She was truly cunning. Had she even come to visit her once during the time since her miscarriage? She was truly cunning.

"Do not waste your golden robes, but cherish your youthful days—"

Lost in thought, they heard the melodious singing start again. The group watched quietly as the emperor flirted with his new lover, but no one dared to say anything that would spoil the atmosphere.

When the song ended, Yinzhen once again took the person's hand and pulled her to sit down beside him. His eyes were almost glued to Lingrong's body. Such a similar voice... Chun Yuan had also sung this song.

"What a wonderful saying, 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may!' Well then, I will pluck you from the branches and make sure you are not left to grow lonely."

Hongzhao silently rubbed his forehead. "Dad, do you even remember that your three underage sons and two little daughters were all here? You dare say that, but we dare not hear it."

"Go and fetch the golden robe and bestow it upon Consort Rou," he said, looking up at Su Peisheng.

Below, Cao Qinmo's eyes darted around, and she smiled as she said, "It seems that only one of the Golden Thread Robes remains in the palace. There was another one that Consort Shu took with her when she left the palace. The Yue Maiden's New Makeup is a Wonderful Journey, Sister Rou, truly a song of water chestnuts is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

Everyone knows how precious the golden robe is, yet it was bestowed upon An Lingrong, which truly shows how much the Emperor favors her.

Seeing Zhen Huan's unnatural expression, Consort Jing asked with concern, "What's wrong, little sister? What are you thinking about?"

Zhen Huan was startled when she heard Consort Jing's question. She smiled wryly and said, "Ling Rong sang this song last year. She became the Emperor's favorite concubine with this song. Today, she sang it again without any shyness or nervousness. Today, she sang it lightly and gracefully. She is really very skilled."

Shen Meizhuang, who was standing next to her, didn't seem to think anything of it and nodded in agreement, "Well, Lingrong has finally gotten her revenge."

Despite saying this, Zhen Huan's heart remained unsettled. She blinked and turned her head away, no longer looking at anyone.