No one in the court or among the people mentioned the farce that Consort De had caused that day. The enthronement ceremony and the empress conferment ceremony were held as scheduled and were successfully completed.

The first year of the Yongzheng reign, which belonged to Yinzhen, officially began.

"Your Majesty, isn't it beautiful?"

Yu Xue looked excitedly at the results of her morning's work, while Yi Hua felt as if she had a jewelry display stand on her head. Although it was very beautiful, she dared not move at all.

"Yu Xue, is it really necessary to be so grand?" This is no different from the day of the coronation ceremony, it's too heavy.

"Your Majesty, hold on! This is the first time the Empress has paid her respects to the Emperor; we cannot let anyone outdo us."

Yi Hua reached out and touched the pearl earrings on her ears. Putting everything else aside, these earrings were her new favorites; they were simply too beautiful.

As Li Shi looked around the furnishings in Yikun Palace, she felt a pang of jealousy. She turned around and was about to tell the Imperial Household Department to redecorate her Yongshou Palace.

Lady Nian's delicate pink attire was particularly striking; she had managed to contact Nian Gengyao before entering the palace.

Nian Gengyao was very worried about Nian Sisi's situation, but he remained optimistic: "Sisi, things are different after entering the palace than in the Prince's mansion. The Emperor is now the Son of Heaven, and the Empress is getting old. Prince Honghui's original intelligence is now an obstacle for him. The Emperor likes his son to be intelligent, but he is also wary of his son being too intelligent."

"You are in your prime now, young and healthy. If you could give birth to a prince, that would be even more remarkable."

"Sisi, your second brother will support you. As long as your second brother is capable and holds a stable position, you will have a place in the harem. Similarly, as long as you are important to the emperor, your second brother will be able to stand firm in the court."

"Go and curry favor with the Empress first. If she can introduce you, it will be natural and easy for you to gain favor."

Nian Sisi was somewhat frustrated: "The Fujin has said no more than ten words to my sister over the years. She is very aloof and rarely pays attention to us princesses except for Li Shi."

Nian Gengyao thought for a moment and said, "Then why not try to please Lady Li? She has children and can also meet the Emperor."

Nian Sisi's expression was as ugly as if she had eaten shit. If she had a choice, she would never fawn over Li Shi.

Nian Gengyao sighed: "A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. For the sake of the long term, Sisi, I'm sorry to trouble you."

As Nian Sisi racked her brains about how to get close to the Empress, she heard footsteps coming from the inner room. Everyone stood up and waited for Yi Hua to take her seat in the main seat before bowing deeply: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"

"Rise!" Yi Hua's eyes lit up as she looked at the newly transformed concubines. Not to mention those dressed up like Li and Nian, even the little-known Geng had flowers in her hair, looking delicate and charming.

"My dear sisters, you've all moved into the new courtyard. I wonder if you're all settling in well? If you need anything, please tell the Imperial Household Department. Don't hold back." Yi Hua gestured for everyone to drink tea and have some snacks.

Consort Li, also known as Consort Qi, spoke up: "Your Majesty the Empress is so generous. The furniture in my quarters is a bit old and doesn't look very nice."

"It's no big deal, you can go and talk to the Imperial Household Department yourself." It's just a matter of changing a set of furniture, Yi Hua nodded in agreement.

After being granted the title of Noble Lady, Nian Sisi said, "Your Majesty, there is a stage in the palace where my sister Consort Yu and I live that has not yet been abandoned. I had it repaired these past few days. Why don't you come over and listen to a play to pass the time?"

Yi Hua glanced at Consort Yu's ugly face and knew that this was Nian's doing: "It has not been more than a hundred days since the late emperor passed away, and the emperor is still eating vegetarian food. Let's wait for a while. After the mourning period, we will invite the best troupe to perform for three days and three nights."

"Your Majesty, I have misspoke. Please punish me." Lady Nian's face paled slightly; she had indeed forgotten about the mourning period.

"It's alright, Consort Wu, you and Consort Mao stay here and don't disturb her meditation." Yi Hua instructed Consort Wu, who was not one to stay at home.

Consort Mao was from the Song family. She was brought to the palace by Yinzhen because she plotted to harm a child. As for the other woman, Niohuru, who was infected with the disease, she was simply reported dead. She did not enter the palace or receive any posthumous title, as if she had never existed.

Ultimately, Yinzhen still felt pity for the woman who had borne him children; he just didn't know whether Song Shi herself wanted physical relief or to endure this torment.

Consort Wu, dressed in emerald green, was a pleasant sight to behold, and she rose to respond.

Yi Hua said a few more polite words, then waved her hand and dismissed everyone.

Firstly, because her head was too heavy, she needed to protect her hair. Secondly, Liu Liu had been quite clingy lately, partly because they hadn't seen each other for a month, and she wanted to spend some quality time with her daughter.

As for the little wolf, let's not even mention it.

Just as Yi Hua changed into a comfortable hairstyle, she heard Yu Ling come to report: "Your Majesty, Consort Nian requests an audience."

Liu Liu was practicing calligraphy in her study at the moment. Yi Hua thought for a moment and decided to meet her. She needed to figure out what was going on in her life.

Nian Sisi held a long, rectangular box in her hand: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Your Majesty, while tidying up my things these past few days, I discovered a genuine work of Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy that I had brought from home. I've heard that the princess has practiced Yan's style since childhood, and I was thinking of giving it to the princess for her enjoyment."

Yi Hua opened it and glanced at it. She didn't doubt the authenticity of the calligraphy and painting, but since gifts are always given with an ulterior motive, she said: "It is indeed a genuine work by Yan Zhenqing. Second Princess only wrote it for fun and didn't even grasp the essence. This must be your favorite item. You should take it back and treasure it carefully."

"It's a blessing for this calligraphy and painting to have caught the princess's eye." Nian Sisi was very determined to give the gift. Yi Hua had it put away, thinking that she could just give her something else as a reward later.

"Consort Yu is a good person, so you can rest assured with her in charge." Yi Hua nudged her, telling her not to overstep her bounds.

"Yes." Nian Sisi understood and continued, "Your Majesty, my embroidery skills are quite good. How about I add a screen to your bedside?"

"There's no need for you to do this. The people in the embroidery workshop are all eager to do it. You should go back and rest." Yi Hua began to shoo her away.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens." Nian Sisi understood that with Yi Hua's personality, it would be almost impossible for her to request a private audience again, so she didn't beat around the bush and directly expressed her thoughts.

“Consort Nian is overthinking it. Although I have just ascended to the position of Empress, I am still capable of managing the affairs of the inner palace,” Yi Hua continued. “Those in positions of authority should govern accordingly. Consort Nian has overstepped her bounds.”

"Your Majesty, I dare not!" Seeing Yi Hua drinking tea, Nian Sisi dared not delay any longer and could only leave, turning back every few steps.

She walked back from Yikun Palace, her gaze shifting uncertainly as she passed Yongshou Palace. Finally, she let out a long sigh and rubbed her temples.

"Take out the purple jade bracelet that my second brother sent; I need it tomorrow," Consort Nian instructed Xiao Die.

Xiaodie looked at her mistress with some worry. She understood that her mistress was going to follow the path of the Li family, but the Li family was unpredictable. Xiaodie was full of worries about her mistress's future.