The Emperor knew, of course, that the Empress Dowager was not happy to hear it, but he was unwilling to say what the Empress Dowager was happy to hear.
When a mother and son meet, they shouldn't talk too much, otherwise neither of them will feel comfortable.
This time was no different; they could only part on bad terms and go back to find solace in each other's company.
The Emperor didn't care how the Empress Dowager sought him out; instead, he summoned his new favorite, Consort Lin.
Yes, in such a short time, Lin has already been promoted from a low-ranking official to a noble lady.
Although she doesn't have a formal title yet and lives in Qixiang Palace, which was just vacated by Consort Jia, she has been the one who has appeared in front of the Emperor the most recently. If this trend continues, it won't be long before Lady Lin becomes a proper mistress of the harem.
Everyone watched coldly as the Emperor grew tired of the old and welcomed the new. In this atmosphere, Chen Yuwei safely gave birth to her child in Yikun Palace.
She was a little princess, thin and small, and didn't look very healthy, but she had a very loud voice.
The child was not favored by Hongli at birth, mainly because he was not a prince. Historically, royal men have always favored sons over daughters, and Hongli was an exception among them.
Chen Yuwei was not surprised, and she didn't even care about Hongli's attitude.
But things took an unexpected turn. As Chen Yuwei's youngest daughter grew up, her face looked more and more like Hongli's. Especially during the full moon banquet, Hongli couldn't bear to let go of her. Even the Empress Dowager said that she looked exactly like Hongli.
Chen Yuwei: ...Oh my god! How is a girl who looks like Hongli going to get married in the future? Hongli's long and narrow face and phoenix eyes, which are unique to the Aisin Gioro family, are so awkward.
Chen Yuwei couldn't help but complain wildly, while Hongli, while entangled with his new love, didn't forget to come to Yikun Palace to play with his little darling. Even Chen Yuwei's return to favor after giving birth seemed so natural.
Chen Yuwei herself hadn't expected to receive this treatment, but it was quite good. The good luck brought by her little girl was something she accepted with a smile, even though Hongli named her Wuyunzhu (Black Cloud Pearl).
"Your Majesty, Consort Xian has already sent someone to deliver the palace affairs to you."
"I glanced at it briefly and the accounts all matched up," she said. "There was no deliberate attempt to withhold payment."
Because Chen Yuwei was pregnant, gave birth, and had a full-service postpartum care arrangement, she had absolutely no involvement in the Empress's coffin returning to the palace and other related events.
Consort Xian, Consort Hui, and Consort Ning were in charge of the entire process, and even now, Chen Yuwei can only handle a small part of the palace affairs.
Nodding with an "Mmm," Chen Yuwei, holding the babbling Wuyunzhu in her arms, said with a smile, "Pick out the ones you can decide to arrange first."
As for the rest, I'll handle them when I have time. There are priorities, so don't keep the servants in the underworld waiting anxiously.
Xia He couldn't help but laugh after hearing this, knowing that her mistress meant no harm and was just deliberately mentioning Consort Hui.
Who made the conflict between Consort Hui and the Imperial Household Department so well-known throughout the harem?
Consort Hui disrespected the Imperial Household Department, so the department secretly tried to trip her up.
This caused Consort Hui to be unable to carry out her palace affairs, resulting in some unnecessary turmoil.
Now everyone laughs at Consort Hui for overestimating herself, after all, she was the first person to be directly accused by servants in front of the Emperor. She set a precedent in the entire harem, showing that even lowly servants could do such things.
I heard that the Empress Dowager was very angry about this, and even though the Emperor and Consort Hui went to see her several times, they couldn't cheer her up.
In the end, Consort Hui's side naturally won, and the servants who filed the complaint were all thrown into the Shenxing Division to be punished.
As a servant, she dared to provoke her master with her lowly status. Even if Consort Hui was wrong, she would not be held responsible.
However, this incident still damaged Consort Hui's reputation within the Imperial Household Department and even the entire harem.
Nowadays, everyone just listens to what Consort Hui says with a "uh-huh" and "yeah," but it's impossible for them to carry it out on time.
They keep dragging things out, dragging them out without any solution. That's where the saying "the servant can't wait any longer" comes from.
"Don't worry, my lady, I will make sure you understand," Xia He said, then turned around and took the black cloud pearl from Chen Yuwei's arms, carefully placing it in the wet nurse's hands.
With the weight gone, Chen Yuwei felt her arms instantly feel much lighter.
She slightly flexed her wrist. "Have the Imperial Household Department prepared all the auspicious clothing?"
Xia He nodded, "It'll be in time for the investiture ceremony in July."
Chen Yuwei sighed, "There are only a few days left. The Emperor is putting me on the hot seat."
Who would have thought that the Imperial Noble Consort the Emperor intended to bestow would be Chen Yuwei?
Historically, it should have been Consort Xian, of the Hui-fa-na-la clan. Then, three years later, the Imperial Noble Consort was promoted to Empress, and Consort Hui-fa-na-la smoothly succeeded to the throne as Empress.
However, things have changed now. Consort Xian remains a Consort, while Consort Hui has been promoted to Consort.
For the others, there were few changes in the rank of Consort, a few Concubines became Consorts, and some Noble Ladies, Attendants, and Ladies-in-Waiting were promoted one rank to share the joy.
'Could I be promoted to Empress in three years? The obstacles are immense.'
Chen Yuwei touched her cheek, realizing that this matter was not simple.
The main issue was the power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and she was dragged into it again.
Of course, as a concubine, Chen Yuwei was inherently inferior to these two.
The Emperor offered her the position of Imperial Noble Consort, could Chen Yuwei refuse?
Let's take it one step at a time, but it's highly unlikely that an heir will be appointed in the next few years.
With her already established position as an imperial concubine, what's the point of having an empress?
On the first day of the seventh month, Consort Shu, née Chen, was granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort and put in charge of the affairs of the six palaces.
The imperial edict further stated: Consort Hui, Consort Wei, Noble Lady Balin, and Noble Lady Lin serve the palace with diligence and virtuous conduct.
Consort Hui was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Wei was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, and Noble Lady Balin and Noble Lady Lin were promoted to Consort.
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