Chapter 157 The Grand Conferment? You guys were just incidental.

As dusk settled, the palace lanterns shone brightly inside the main hall of Yongshou Palace.

Jiang Nan, supported by Chunlan's hand, slowly walked out of the back hall, her skirt trailing on the ground, silently displaying the majesty of the Empress.

As she calmly settled into the phoenix chair, her gaze swept over the scene indifferently.

Consort Niohuru then led all the concubines to rise in unison, bow and pay their respects.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years and be well."

Jiang Nan calmly swept her gaze across the area below and gently raised her hand.

"Get up, everyone, sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone took their seats as instructed, their posture respectful.

In the past two years, Emperor Kangxi has not held a large-scale selection of imperial concubines.

However, in order to maintain balance in the court, many daughters of meritorious officials and nobles were sent into the palace one after another.

There are many more new faces in the hall than a few years ago.

The most eye-catching among them was Guo Luoluo, who had a bright and beautiful face and a slender figure.

Jiang Nan knew that this was Consort Yi, who was known in history for her fiery temper and favored status.

Although she is now only a concubine, her imposing presence is already faintly visible.

On the other side, a woman from a collateral branch of the Hesheli family sat quietly, her head bowed and eyes downcast.

Since it was the Sony family after all, Emperor Kangxi still gave them face and allowed the Hesheli family to select another woman to enter the palace.

It seems she will be the future Consort Xi, whose presence is not very noticeable.

Jiang Nan was too lazy to match the other faces one by one.

She composed herself, cleared her throat, and her voice reached everyone's ears clearly.

"I have something to inform you. I will be moving to Kunning Palace soon. You will all be to pay your respects at Kunning Palace three days from now."

A very slight commotion immediately arose below.

The relocation of the palace signifies a subtle shift in the power structure of the palace.

Jiang Nan took in everyone's expressions and continued speaking calmly.

"The reason I vacated Yongshou Palace is because His Majesty has made arrangements. His Majesty intends to bestow titles upon the six palaces to legitimize their status and reassure the people."

Upon hearing this, the senior concubines, such as those from the Nara clan, the Majia clan, the Wang clan, the Dong clan, and the Li clan, were all in awe.

His eyes instantly blazed with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation, and he unconsciously sat up straight.

Jiang Nan watched as they almost couldn't sit still.

He gave a slight chuckle, his tone tinged with a hint of teasing.

"Please be patient. This grand conferment is not something that can be accomplished overnight. I estimate that it will have to wait until next spring."

Seeing the puzzled looks on everyone's faces, she didn't keep them in suspense and explained directly.

"Why? It's because the Emperor wants to wait for his cousin to enter the palace. When he bestows the title of Imperial Concubine upon her, he will also bestow the titles of all of you who are due for promotion in a grand and solemn manner."

Consort Niohuru spoke at the opportune moment, her tone calm and composed.

"Is Your Highness referring to the princess from Tong Guowei's family?"

Jiang Nan turned to Niu Kulu and nodded.

"That's right. She will be entering the palace soon."

He abruptly changed the subject, regaining his usual languid demeanor while exuding an undeniable air of authority.

"I've said it before: in this harem, vying for favor and promotion depends on one's own abilities. As long as one stays within the bounds and doesn't cross the line, I'm happy to see it happen. As for who will be granted the title of Consort this time, it's still undecided. Naturally, those who have children will have more confidence. So..."

Her gaze swept meaningfully over those young and beautiful faces.

"While there's still a year left, you should all use your own abilities. Try to get closer to the Emperor; if you can conceive a child, that would be your greatest asset. I don't think I need to say more about these principles, do I?"

She paused briefly and asked.

"Is there anything else you wish to report today?"

At this moment, the most beautiful woman, Guo Luoluo, stood up, bowed gracefully, and spoke with a voice as clear as a nightingale's song.

"Your Majesty, I have a request."

Jiang Nan secretly admired her every time he saw her.

She was indeed beautiful, with exquisite features and a graceful figure; no wonder she is remembered in history.

Men, even emperors, are ultimately slaves to sight.

She didn't show it on her face, only saying it calmly.

"speak."

Guo Luoluo was respectful and articulate.

"Your Majesty, the Xianfu Palace where I currently reside is in a rather remote location, making it inconvenient to travel to and from it. I humbly request Your Majesty's grace to allow me to move to another palace."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan immediately understood.

The future Imperial Consort Niohuru was stationed in Yikun Palace.

As a newly promoted concubine, Lady Guoluo was originally arranged to go elsewhere.

I never expected it to be in such a remote place as Xianfu Palace.

This girl is quite clever; she knows that living near the Qianqing Palace will make it easier for her to gain the Emperor's favor.

She asked calmly.

Where do you want to move to?

Guo Luoluo was clearly prepared and replied immediately.

"I see that there are still vacancies in the Chuxiu Palace, and the position is suitable. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."

Chuxiu Palace? It is indeed quite close to the emperor's bedroom.

Jiang Nan had no intention of making things difficult for her, and she didn't care.

"Approved. Go to the Imperial Household Department to report back later, and then you can move there."

A bright smile immediately bloomed on Guo Luoluo's face, and she gave a deep bow.

"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

"Get up."

Jiang Nan's gaze swept across the entire room.

"Is there anything else? If not, then everyone may leave."

All the concubines responded in unison.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave."

They then left the hall in order, but their steps seemed more hurried than when they came, each with their own thoughts.

Jiang Nan called out to Niohuru, who was about to leave, a genuine smile on her face.

"Sister, please wait. Come with me to the side hall to see that mischievous boy. He will be entering the Imperial Study tomorrow. It won't be so easy to manipulate him during the day anymore."

A hint of gentleness appeared on Niohuru's cold and beautiful face as she nodded in agreement.

Naturally, Ma Jia, who was quietly following beside him, walked with Jiang Nan towards the side hall.

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Upon entering the side hall.

The empressial demeanor that Jiang Nan had been wearing vanished instantly, replaced by a pure auntie smile, as she called out loudly.

"Erhe, quickly see who Mother brought!"

The little boy, who was lying on the soft couch flipping through a picture book, heard the sound and jumped up, his big, dark eyes instantly lighting up.

A big smile spread across her face as she answered crisply.

"Mother!"

He's like a little cannonball.

She came running over and buried her head in Jiang Nan's open arms, nuzzling her cheek affectionately.

Jiang Nan smiled and hugged him, her tone full of doting affection.

"Look, your Lady Niohuru has come to see you."

Erhe then crawled out of Jiang Nan's arms and turned to Niohuru, whose eyes curved into crescent moons.

He stood up and bowed respectfully with his hands clasped in a proper manner, his voice still childish.

"Your subject greets Empress Niohuru!"

He was clearly very close to this aloof yet kind lady.

The moment Niohuru saw Erhe, her eyes lit up with a genuine and gentle smile, as if spring snow had just melted.

She bent slightly, reached out to offer a helping hand, and spoke softly.

"Get up quickly. Erhe is becoming more and more sensible."

As he spoke, he took out an exquisite nine-linked ring from his sleeve and handed it to him.

"I heard from your mother that you will be going to the Imperial Study tomorrow. Here, you can take this and play with it. When you get tired of studying, take it out to relax and calm your mind."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Erkh happily accepted it and began to play with it with great affection.

Looking at his happy little face, Niohuru's eyes softened even more, and she couldn't help but reach out her hand.

She touched the little tuft of hair on his head very lightly and quickly.

Jiang Nan watched with a smile and waved to her son.

"And you, Ma Jia, are here too."

Erhe then turned to Majia and bowed obediently in the same manner.

"Greetings to Empress Ma Jia."

Ma Jia dared not accept the formal greeting, and quickly stepped aside to avoid it, her face beaming with smiles as she repeatedly said...

"Young master, please don't be so polite, you're making me feel uncomfortable."

She looked at Erhe's healthy and lively appearance.

Envy, even a hint of barely perceptible bitterness, welled up uncontrollably in his eyes.

She unconsciously raised her hand and gently stroked her still flat stomach.

Thinking of my own Chengrui, who died young, if he had grown up safely, he would probably be enjoying the same kind of happiness with his parents by his side...

The moment this thought arose, my heart felt as if it were being pricked by a needle, a slight stinging pain.

She quickly lowered her eyes, concealing the emotions surging within her, silently suppressing this longing and bitterness deep in her heart.

Jiang Nan saw Ma Jia's envy and sadness and understood.