Chapter 124 Position
The first imperial concubine selection after Yinzhen ascended the throne ended just like that. Excluding those who were betrothed to members of the imperial family, only seven people were actually selected to enter the palace, including one from the Mongol Banner, two from the Manchu Banner, and four from the Han Banner.
Now that Yinzhen and Yixiu have a good relationship, all matters related to the selection of concubines are naturally left to her, the Empress. Empress Dowager Borjigit, who has become the Grand Empress Dowager, stays in Shou Kang Palace all year round and does not participate in affairs. The three-year mourning period is enough for Yixiu to take control of all matters in the harem.
In Jingren Palace, Yinzhen was having dinner with Yixiu. After taking a sip of the soup that Yixiu served him, Yinzhen couldn't help but sigh, "Xiao Yi's cooking skills have improved again."
"I'm glad Your Majesty is pleased." Yixiu smiled as she looked at Yinzhen. She loved this atmosphere, the two of them sitting intimately together, dining without anyone else in tow. They were like the most ordinary and harmonious couple in the world.
"Now that you are the Empress, you have to worry about the affairs of the inner palace all day long. Let the servants do the work in the kitchen, so as not to be too tired." Yinzhen put down the soup spoon and naturally took Yixiu's hand, full of tenderness.
"Although Yixiu is the Empress, she is also the Emperor's wife. As a wife, how could she feel tired serving her husband?" Yixiu held Yinzhen's hand back, her eyes full of affection for him.
"But as your husband, I also feel sorry for my wife, especially since you just finished the selection process."
Upon hearing the first half of Yinzhen's words, Yixiu was still very moved and immersed in the affection between husband and wife. However, when she heard him mention the words "selection of concubines," Yixiu suddenly woke up from her sweetness. There was a bitter taste in the sweetness and a trace of sourness, but she did not forget her duties as the empress.
Yixiu's smile seemed to widen a bit, but it also seemed to have lost some of its sincerity, as she transformed from a submissive wife into a dignified and generous empress.
"Speaking of the imperial concubine selection, I haven't even had a chance to congratulate Your Majesty on acquiring another beauty yet—"
"They are just one or two of average people with decent qualities, hardly worthy of being called beauties. And who can compare to Xiao Yi when it comes to beauties?"
"Your Majesty—" Yixiu couldn't help but blush, but her smile was undeniable. In fact, she had gradually discovered that in private, Yinzhen was not as cold as he appeared in public. He would occasionally joke around, revealing a carefree and lazy side, and he was also quite gentle and tolerant towards her.
Yixiu didn't see anything wrong with it, only believing that it was because her relationship with Yinzhen had deepened and that Yinzhen had feelings for her, so he gradually stopped hiding his feelings for her. Yixiu was very pleased with this unusual treatment.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to discuss with you. The ranks of the young ladies who have entered the palace have been decided. Do you have any questions, Your Majesty?"
Yixiu gestured to Jianqiu, who was serving nearby, to bring over the draft memorial and hand it to Yinzhen.
Seeing that Yinzhen had opened and was looking at it, Yixiu carefully explained from the side: "According to the old custom of Manchu-Mongol intermarriage, I have decided to appoint the Borjigit clan of the Mongol Banner and the Fuca clan of the Manchu Banner as Noble Ladies. Because Your Majesty intends to give important positions to Han officials, the Shen clan, which has the highest social standing among the Han Banner, has also been given the title of Noble Lady this time."
“Excellent. One noble person each from the Manchu, Mongol, and Han ethnic groups. The Empress has arranged it very well.” Yinzhen nodded, indicating his approval of Yixiu. He closed the memorial, smiled, and then said, “The ranks proposed by the Empress are all fine. The jewelry stand that was chosen during the palace selection was interesting, so let’s give it a title.”
Yixiu couldn't help but chuckle as she recalled the scene of the palace selection, knowing that Yinzhen was just indulging in a wicked sense of humor and didn't actually have any ill feelings towards Xia Dongchun.
"What are His Majesty's thoughts?"
"Her name is Xia Dongchun, so let's bestow upon her the title 'Autumn'."
As expected, Yinzhen's words confirmed Yixiu's suspicions. She nodded in agreement and, against her conscience, praised, "Your Majesty is wise."
The couple looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.
Just as Yixiu thought it was over and was about to send someone to take the memorial away, she heard Yinzhen speak again: "Let's give a title to that Zhen Huan, who has a slender waist like a fairy in the Chu Palace."
Yi Xiu raised an eyebrow, feeling a physical revulsion at the thought of that face, which bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Rou Ze's. The smile on her lips faded considerably, and she tentatively asked, "What are Your Majesty's thoughts? Or should the Imperial Household Department draft a title for you to consider?"
"No need for such trouble. I've made up my mind. I'll give it the character '莞' (Wan)."
Yixiu's brow twitched, and she asked, "I seem to recall a line in Tang poetry about springtime: 'The willow branches are lush and yellow, and the flowers are drooping in a misty haze'..."
"Not the Wan, but the Wan as in a gentle smile."
Seeing Yinzhen's enthusiastic expression, Yixiu swallowed her words. Although it wasn't the exact "Wan," it was still a homophone, and she didn't believe the Emperor would forget that Rouze's title was also "Wan."
Consort Wan, who came from a mansion, and Consort Wan, who was newly selected through the imperial concubine selection, were seven parts similar. When these two met, the situation was as bad as Yixiu could have imagined.
Seeing that Yinzhen's gesture seemed as casual as bestowing a title upon Xia Dongchun, Yixiu lowered her eyes and said nothing more. In truth, it was different; she knew this very well.
Long ago, Yixiu noticed Yinzhen's strange behavior towards Rouze. Or rather, Yinzhen had never hidden it from her.
If Yixiu was a little nervous when Rouze was initially favored, she had already calmed down by the time Nian Shilan entered the household and it didn't affect Rouze's "lasting prosperity".
Rouze was deeply infatuated and had no doubt about her own affection. But as an observer and as Yinzhen's wife, Yixiu could clearly see that Yinzhen treated Rouze not like a favorite concubine, but as a useful and interesting object. His affection for Rouze was superficial.
On the surface, Rouze's days of serving the emperor were second only to Nian Shilan. But in terms of sincerity, even if Yixiu was unwilling to believe it, she had to admit that Yinzhen's feelings for Rouze were not even one-tenth of what he felt for Nian Shilan.
Otherwise, Rouze wouldn't have only received the rank of Noble Lady. Now, even her title is being contested by newcomers.
Rouze looked somewhat pitiful, but Yixiu didn't feel sorry for her. The fact that she didn't add fuel to the fire showed her great composure and magnanimity. Now that her position was secure, she didn't care what the Emperor actually thought of Rouze.
However, she was filled with anticipation for her first greeting after entering the palace.
...
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhen Huan, the eldest daughter of Zhen Yuandao, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, is hereby granted the title of a sixth-rank Imperial Concubine, with the courtesy name Wan, and shall enter the palace on the fifteenth day of the ninth month. This is the imperial decree!"
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty."
At the Zhen residence, the entire family knelt on the ground to receive the imperial decree. Upon hearing that Zhen Huan had been granted the title of Consort and a new honorary title, everyone couldn't help but smile.
"Please rise, everyone," the young eunuch who delivered the imperial edict closed it and handed it to Zhen Yuandao, then pointed to the nanny beside him and introduced, "Lord Zhen, this is Aunt Fangruo, who teaches etiquette in the palace..."
Meanwhile, the Zhen family was busy cultivating a good relationship with Aunt Fangruo, while An Lingrong, waiting anxiously in the small courtyard of the post station, was also restless. Not long after leaving the palace for the imperial concubine selection, Zhen Huan had actually sent someone to invite her to stay at her residence. However, because she was not familiar with Zhen Huan and her current place was safe enough, the wary An Lingrong did not agree.
But now she somewhat regrets it, because she lives so far away. Although Aunt Xiao had found out that the imperial envoy had left the palace to deliver a decree, it was still not her turn, and her heart could not find peace.
Finally, as An Lingrong waited anxiously, the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree arrived at the post station.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: An Bihuai, daughter of An Lingrong, the Assistant Magistrate of Songyang County, is hereby granted the title of a seventh-rank concubine and shall enter the palace on the fifteenth day of the ninth month. This is the imperial decree!"
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty." Supported by Consort Xiao, An Lingrong accepted the imperial edict of investiture with trembling hands, clutching it tightly, her eyes reddening with emotion. She, An Lingrong, was determined to change her family's fate...
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