Chapter 84: Jin Wei Xi Jieyu
Before noon, Zhou Defu brought Xiao Heng's imperial edict to Jinxiu Pavilion.
Liu Yuetang, supported by Liu Zheng Wanqiu, stepped forward and was about to kneel down to receive the imperial edict when Zhou Defu hurriedly stopped her: "My lady, the emperor said you are not well yet, so you don't have to kneel."
So Liu Yuetang stood up to receive the order.
Zhou Defu raised his shrill, thin voice and said, "The Emperor has decreed that the beautiful lady Liu, who is well-mannered, diligent, docile, and virtuous, be promoted to the rank of Consort and granted the title 'Xi'."
The corners of Liu Yuetang's mouth twitched slightly.
Finally, her efforts were not in vain, and her tears last night were not in vain. Not only did she get promoted, but she also got the title of Yixi.
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace."
Zhou Defu smiled and said, "My lady, the emperor has more rewards for you."
After saying this, he stood aside and waved to the rows of palace maids.
As the two palace maids walked forward.
Zhou Defu said, "My lady, these are the maids that the Emperor personally selected for you. They all come from clean backgrounds and are efficient in their work."
Liu Yuetang glanced at the two palace maids, who seemed honest and dutiful.
"My lady, this is a reward from the Emperor."
Zhou Defu waved his hand, and the palace maids lined up in two rows and came forward holding jewelry.
They are: one hundred taels of gold, a pair of jade ruyi, ten jade pendants, five incense burners, five porcelain statues, two boxes of jewelry, four pieces of silk, five pounds of blood swallows, one Ganoderma lucidum, and a pair of ginseng.
Liu Yuetang's gaze lingered only on the gold.
There is no shortage of jewels in the palace, but for the sake of caution, servants cannot be rewarded.
This gold comes at the right time.
She smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace."
Looking at the luxurious and dazzling jewelry, Liu Yuetang knew it very well.
These were more like compensation or the emperor's guilt than rewards.
In Yiyuan Palace.
When Concubine Yu heard the news of Liu Yuetang's promotion, she put down the teacup in her hand heavily, and the green tea instantly flowed onto the table.
"I didn't expect her to be so lucky. The poison didn't kill her, and she was promoted and given a title."
When the title was mentioned, Concubine Yu's beautiful long eyebrows were tightly furrowed.
"What's your name, Xi? Yes, Xi, that's the title."
She looked at Rong Meiren: "What does this title mean? Is it good?"
Lady Rong pondered for a moment and said carefully, "Xi means bright and joyful, so it's certainly not as good as your jade."
Yu Fei raised her chin slightly: "How do you say that?"
Rong Meiren's eyes flickered slowly: "Jade, you can imagine that in the emperor's heart, your majesty is like a beautiful jade, pure, beautiful, and radiant."
Concubine Yu narrowed her long phoenix eyes, her expression sharp and beautiful: "Is that so? You forgot that my name contains the word 'Yu'."
Concubine Rong's heart trembled, and she quickly stood up and knelt humbly. "Among so many titles, the Emperor only gave the Empress the title of Jade. He naturally felt that the word 'Yu' in your name is very suitable. In the Emperor's heart, the Empress must be as beautiful as jade and pearls."
Seeing that Concubine Yu's expression had eased, she continued, "Your Majesty, Liu Mei is now..."
She paused, then awkwardly changed her words: "Xi Jieyu will not be able to bear children in the future. This is all due to the Emperor's temporary favor, but it won't last long. She is merely beautiful, but the Emperor's favor is like flowing water, and beauty fades easily. Without children, the mere title of Consort is a supreme honor. But it's different for you, Your Majesty. In the future, you will be able to bear children of your own, and not only will you become a Noble Consort, but even the title of Empress..."
She smiled knowingly, and the unspoken words spoke for themselves.
Concubine Yu raised her lips slightly as she fiddled with her brightly painted nails. "I never took her seriously. It would be easy to get rid of her. The most difficult ones to deal with are always Concubine Zhao and the Queen."
As the night deepened, the candlelight inside the palace walls gradually lit up.
Liu Yuetang leaned on the bed reading a book and looked out the window.
Wan Qiu thought she was waiting for Xiao Heng, so she stepped forward and said, "My lady, the emperor will be here later."
Liu Yuetang put the book aside and said, "I have something to ask you to do."
Seeing this, Liu Zheng quickly retreated and stood guard at the door.
Wan Qiu stepped forward and said, "My Lady, what do you want me to do?"
Liu Yuetang waved her forward and whispered softly in her ear.
After hearing this, Wan Qiu was stunned for a moment, then slowly regained her composure and said seriously, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely take care of this matter."
Liu Yuetang nodded: "I trust you to do the work."
She picked up the book beside her with a calm expression, but her eyes fell on the jade-white hands.
From the day she entered the palace, she had no intention of keeping her hands clean.
Regardless of whether Danju succeeded in drugging her, betrayal is still betrayal.
We can't be lenient with her just because she didn't kill herself.
This is the deep palace, no different from other places.
You can be lucky for a while but not for a lifetime.
Therefore, she cannot be soft-hearted.
The warm yellow candlelight flickered, slowly reflecting on Liu Yuetang's peaceful face, as if it was covered with a layer of warm light.
It was a warm and quiet scene, but Xiao Heng could see through the sadness and sorrow beneath her face.
He moved forward slowly and silently.
A dark shadow fell on the page of the book, and Liu Yuetang slowly raised her head.
I saw Xiao Heng looking at me with a faint smile. Although there was fatigue between his brows, there was undisguised tenderness in his eyes.
Liu Yuetang forced a smile: "The Emperor is here."
Xiao Heng held her hand and felt relieved when he felt the warmth in her palm.
"Are you feeling unwell today?"
Liu Yuetang put her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chest, "I'm much better now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiao Heng knew she was referring to the matter of status, and reached out to stroke her smooth hair.
"Do you like the title I gave you?"
Liu Yuetang nodded gently: "I like it, it sounds very nice."
Xiao Heng's eyes curved, and he said softly, "The title I gave you couldn't have been given just to sound nice."
Liu Yuetang raised her head and looked at him, seeing him raise the corners of his mouth and slowly recite: "Happy and peaceful, forever happy and worry-free."
"I only hope that Tang'er can always be bright and bright, live a life without worries, and be safe and happy."
Liu Yuetang's eyes gradually turned red, and she hugged him tightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiao Heng's thin lips moved slightly, and his eyes revealed deep guilt.
This status and position was all he could offer her as compensation.
That night, Xiao Heng and Liu Yuetang could not sleep.
Xiao Heng suddenly remembered what Liu Ming said today:
"Your Majesty, Lady Liu left home at a young age, and I was unable to accompany her growing up, rarely offering her any affection. This has caused her to become sensitive and fragile. Every time I think of this, I feel guilty and uneasy. I beg Your Majesty to consider my devotion to the court and show Lady Liu a little more care. I will be deeply grateful and will always remember your great grace."
Then, Xiao Heng said, "Your father was also a little sad when he found out about you."
Liu Yuetang's long eyelashes trembled slightly.
There may be some sincerity in this, but more of it is about portraying his image as a kind father.
"I heard that your elder sister is getting married, and her husband is this year's top scholar."
Liu Yuetang smiled faintly, and Liu Yueyao finally got what she wanted.
She must be very "happy".
"I know that person, he..."
"My lady, this is bad..."
Liu Zheng's anxious voice interrupted Liu Yuetang's words.
"Come in and talk."
Liu Zheng reported through the beaded curtain: "Your Majesty, the young lady."
"Danju, she's dead."
Liu Yuetang was horrified and immediately sat up in fear: "What happened? How could she die?"
"She...she was strangled to death." Liu Zheng's trembling voice was also filled with fear.
Liu Yuetang's body softened, like a frightened bird, and trembled slightly.
Xiao Heng quickly embraced her and shouted, "She's just a palace maid, just deal with her."
"Yes." Liu Zheng retreated in a hurry.
Liu Yuetang clutched Xiao Heng's clothes tightly, raised her head and sobbed, "Your Majesty... Although she made a mistake, her crime does not deserve death. Who... Who wants to kill her?"
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