Aunt Shuangxi, with her hands hanging at her sides, stepped forward and bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, everything is as usual, and there has been no disturbance."

Yin Rong nodded, her expression gradually relaxing. Seeing that it was getting late outside, she gave up the idea of ​​going to check.

Aunt Shuangxi thought about how the little prince was at such a mischievous age and felt a little worried. She whispered, "Your Majesty, the little prince is so naughty and mischievous. If he stays in the palace for too long, he will probably be discovered sooner or later. Should we find another place?"

"Change the location?" Yin Rong sneered. In her opinion, there was no place safer than under her own nose. If this were sent out of the palace, the truth would be impossible to conceal.

Aunt Shuangxi realized she had misspoke and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, it's just that these days, Consort Jin has been going to the Cold Palace quite often, and I was worried that she might notice something."

Upon hearing this, Yin Rong's expression immediately turned cold.

"Are they all dead people?" she sneered. "The child is making a fuss, can't you give him some calming medicine? The Dowager Consort Jin always goes there, what can you do about it?"

She felt somewhat annoyed by the servants' incompetence.

"Well, this matter can't be kept secret for long anyway."

Aunt Shuangxi felt a pang in her heart. Could it be that the Empress Dowager had made up her mind to help the young prince ascend the throne as soon as possible?

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she lowered her head even further. This was something that could have far-reaching consequences. If the Empress Dowager won, all would be well, but if she lost, she herself would not survive!

As autumn arrives, wild geese begin their southward migration, the grass and trees turn yellow, but Beijing remains blessed with clear skies and bright sunshine.

The next morning, Shen Mingzhuang woke up on the dragon bed.

Last night's indulgence on the imperial bed left her exhausted. She finally understood why Jiang Wang said she couldn't take it anymore. She had only read some erotic descriptions in books before, but none of them were as profound as experiencing them firsthand.

She can recall the scene from last night as soon as she closes her eyes. Fortunately, her body is flexible and resilient; otherwise, she might not have been able to withstand that storm.

She realized she had actually spent the night with Jiang Wang in the Imperial Study. Just thinking about it made her blush. She was about to get up when she heard the voice of a maid outside. Upon closer listening, she realized it was Man Huan's voice.

Shen Mingzhuang blushed and quickly burrowed into the quilt. Man Huan came in and saw that her young mistress's clothes and bodice were scattered on the bright yellow floral carpet. She immediately understood what had happened.

"Miss!" Manhuan rushed forward with a worried expression. As soon as she lifted the blanket and saw the ambiguous marks on her young mistress's body, her eyes reddened. "Miss, what happened..."

The young girl clearly didn't know what intimacy between men and women meant; she only thought she had been bullied. But she didn't consider that in this palace, who else but the Emperor could bully her?

"I'm fine, please help me change."

Shen Mingzhuang blushed and urged Man Huan softly.

After saying that, he remembered something and asked again, "Did His Majesty summon you?"

Manhuan nodded, "His Majesty said that Miss needs someone to serve her, so I came immediately."

"Miss, where did your undergarment go?" Manhuan exclaimed in surprise, looking at her mistress with some confusion.

Shen Mingzhuang immediately remembered that Jiang Wang had said last night that his undergarment had been soiled. Could it have been taken away?

Her face flushed red, and she hurriedly said, "Bring me a new one."

Women's personal items need to be changed frequently, and private items such as bellybands and underwear should not be known to outsiders. Manhuan and her maids usually do needlework in the room when they have nothing to do. They keep extra menstrual pads and bellybands on hand.

Man Huan searched twice more, but it was indeed gone. She had no choice but to run back to get it. When she went out, she ran into Jiang Wang, who was summoning several ministers to discuss matters in the Imperial Study. Her hurried appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.

"Where did this little palace maid come from? How did she get out of the side hall where His Majesty rests?"

Manhuan blushed under the emperor's gaze, fearing he would be punished.

"Go do your thing."

To her surprise, Jiang Wang not only did not punish her, but also gently told her to go quickly.

Man Huan immediately came to her senses and ran out in full view of everyone.

How could Shen Bochun not recognize that this was Shen Mingzhuang's maid from Cuixuan Residence? He just couldn't remember her name, but with his sharp eyes, he was certain he wouldn't be mistaken.

Does that mean Shen Mingzhuang is in the side hall?

Has His Majesty already allowed Shen Mingzhuang to sleep with him?

The thought flashed through his mind, and Jiang Wang spoke calmly, "I summoned several civil officials today to devise a suitable title for the daughter of the Shen family. After much thought, I feel that ordinary titles are too vulgar, and Consort Shu and Consort Xian are too common."

After he finished speaking, all the civil officials looked at each other in bewilderment. Was he going to directly bestow the title of imperial concubine upon her?

This is simply unheard of!

Lord Pei broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. His son had just gone to the Shen family to propose marriage, and in just a few days, the woman had already been made a concubine. His Majesty was openly showing favor to Shen Mingzhuang.

He wanted to offer some advice that was against etiquette, but considering that he was currently in the eye of the storm, he knew that saying certain things might lead people to misunderstand his ulterior motives, so he decided to lay low for the time being.

But Shen Bochun himself stepped forward and asked, "Is His Majesty going to bestow the title of Imperial Concubine?"

Jiang Wang grunted in response, his tone implying that she had better not interfere in the matter, carrying a subtle warning.

Shen Bochun's scalp tightened, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Your Majesty, you are aware of the current situation in the court. Consort Song has only held the rank of Consort since entering the palace. If Your Majesty were to immediately promote Mingzhuang to the rank of Imperial Concubine, I'm afraid it would not be convincing to the people."

Jiang Wang said expressionlessly, "You are anxious about the royal offspring when I don't hold a selection of concubines, but you still have something to say when I confer titles on concubines. It is clear that no matter what you do, there will always be someone who will jump out to oppose you. My mind is made up on this matter, my dear minister, there is no need to persuade me any further."

Shen Bochun was no fool either; upon hearing this, he immediately agreed and withdrew. Jiang Wang thought for a moment and then said, "There's no need to come up with a title; let's just call her Consort Ming."

Ming means vast and bright, and it is usually not used in titles unless there is a major reason. Shen Bochun was stunned. He had already spoken against the wind, and he could not offend the emperor again. After thinking for a moment, he swallowed the words he wanted to say.

Jiang Wang called out "Minister Pei" with a half-smile, and Minister Pei immediately stepped forward, bowed his head, and obeyed.

"You are the most knowledgeable in etiquette, and your handwriting is excellent. You shall draft the imperial edict for this imperial concubine conferment."

These words weighed heavily on Minister Pei's ears! He hurriedly agreed.

Everyone watched, but no one dared to say anything.

Upon learning that Jiang Wang had directly bestowed the title of Mingfei upon the Shen family woman, Yin Rong abruptly stood up and smashed the teacup on the table onto the ground.

He's really something; that slap really caught me completely off guard.

Just as his anger was still simmering, he heard the maid's announcement: "His Majesty and... Consort Ming have come to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager!"