It would be one thing if Lin Jieyu were promoted to the rank of Consort, but the important thing is that the Emperor himself bestowed the title upon her, which shows how much the Emperor values Lin Jieyu.
Having a title and not having one makes a significant difference. For example, among the current concubines, apart from Consort Chang, none of them have a title.
Consort Chang's rank plummeted after she made a serious mistake, and now no one in the palace dares to mention her.
As a result, Consort Lin suddenly became the head of all the concubines.
Huo Qinghe only received the news when it reached Yanxi Palace. From afar, she could hear Consort Zhou smashing pots and bowls in the main hall.
Without a doubt, Consort Cao, who is pregnant at the time, is probably in the same situation as Consort Zhou.
Huo Qinghe herself didn't react much, but the maids below couldn't help but complain.
Green Cloud was the quickest to speak: "I heard that Consort Lin was just a maidservant serving the Emperor when she was still a prince, but now she's risen to the rank of a third-grade concubine. It's truly..."
Greenery was a man of few words: "That's only what His Majesty likes. What's the point of us talking about this?"
Green Cloud propped her chin on her hand and said, "I'm just feeling sorry for our lady. Since she came back last time, she hasn't been favored by the Emperor for ten days."
Several maids were talking under the eaves. Green Heart was embroidering a purse. When she heard Green Cloud's words, she glanced inside and said, "Keep your voice down. Be careful, the mistress inside might hear you. It hasn't been long. The mistress is so composed. We servants should be composed too."
Green Locust didn't reply, but nodded after Green Heart finished speaking: "That's right, with your mouth, how long has it been since Golden Cup's fate?"
Upon hearing this, Lüyun instinctively fell silent. She raised her hand and slapped her face: "I'm just worried about our lady. It hasn't been long, and those people in the Imperial Kitchen have already started fawning over the powerful and bullying the weak. Seeing that Consort Yi is under house arrest, the food they've been giving her these past two days has become increasingly perfunctory."
That's what made Green Cloud angry; they could tolerate being wronged.
However, their wives had just finished their periods and were still weak, so they couldn't eat those cold and greasy foods.
Seeing her wife unable to eat and becoming haggard and thin, she felt as if her heart was being fried in oil.
"Look at you, if you really want to stand up for your wife, then go and clean her pipa. She'll be playing it later."
Green Cloud then stood up: "I'm the most meticulous about this, I'll do it."
Huo Qinghe, being inside, naturally overheard most of what the maids were saying. She was deep in thought when Granny Wang brought in the sweet water.
The sound of Granny Wang putting down the sweet water startled her, and she called out to Granny Wang.
"Please wait, Granny. You are an old servant in the palace. I wanted to ask you about Consort Lin."
Since no formal investiture ceremony had been held, it was appropriate for Huo Qinghe to address Lin Jieyu as such.
Granny Wang stopped.
She hesitated, "Your Highness has stumped me. Although I have been in the palace for a long time, I did not serve Your Majesty when you were still a prince, so I don't know much about the old days there. I only vaguely heard that Consort Lin served Your Majesty from a young age. What I do know is that Consort Lin did not serve Your Majesty when you were still a prince, but was brought into the harem after Your Majesty ascended the throne. There seem to be some secrets involved, secrets that only those who were there when you were still a prince would know."
Consort Lin was brought into the harem after the Emperor ascended the throne.
Huo Qinghe pressed further, "What was Lin Jieyu's original rank?"
Granny Wang certainly remembered this.
"Baolin".
The rank of Baolin, a sixth-grade official, is indeed quite high.
After all, the highest rank among the newcomers entering the palace this time is only a sixth-rank noblewoman.
Over the years, Consort Lin rose from the sixth rank to the fourth rank, which shows how much the Emperor favored her.
"In that case, it is quite reasonable for the Emperor to promote Lin Jieyu to a higher rank. After all, Lin Jieyu has served the Emperor for many years."
Therefore, it is clear that Lin Jieyu held a very high position in the Emperor's eyes.
"Don't be discouraged, my lady. Consort Lin is someone you've known for many years, and you're also familiar with her in the Emperor's court," Wang Mama comforted her.
Huo Qinghe smiled in response: "I understand what you mean, Granny. Do you have any acquaintances in the Emperor's court?"
Granny Wang hesitated for a moment: "When I was in the Imperial Household Department, I did help a few junior eunuchs. Now one of them has become quite successful and is already serving in front of the Emperor. However, he is only a second-class eunuch in front of the Emperor. He is not the most favored one."
Huo Qinghe had already noticed this when she heard Wang Mama say it earlier, and now that Wang Mama had finished speaking, she naturally looked at her meaningfully.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Granny Wang. Just have Green Locust allocate the necessary funds from the account to you. I don't need anyone else to say anything for me right now."
Human relationships are best used when they are most needed.
Furthermore, the Emperor is currently very fond of Consort Lin, so even if you take the initiative to approach her, you might not necessarily get the desired result.
Let's wait and see what happens at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet in a while.
I heard that the Emperor will also be there that day.
Huo Qinghe originally thought that Lin Jieyu's promotion was the reason for her to be forgotten by the Emperor until after the Empress Dowager's birthday. Later, she heard that several other former officials had also been promoted to different ranks. She originally thought that she would be forgotten by the Emperor until after the Empress Dowager's birthday.
Unexpectedly, on the sixteenth day, the six palaces learned of Consort Lin's promotion, and that night the Emperor stayed in the Funing Palace.
The following evening, Miao Xi, who was serving the emperor, came to invite Huo Qinghe to the Funing Palace.
Huo Qinghe usually dresses simply in her Yanliang Pavilion, but this is just right for her now.
She didn't bother with much dressing up and followed Miao Xi to the Funing Palace.
This is not a matter of choosing a concubine; there is no phoenix and luan carriage for spring's favor.
However, considering that Yanxi Palace was in a remote location, the emperor still bestowed a sedan chair upon it.
It's perfect to ride in a sedan chair now; it'll get stuffy in July and August.
They entered the Funing Palace smoothly and steadily. Huo Qinghe got off the sedan chair and went inside.
As soon as she entered the Funing Palace, she saw the Emperor, dressed in casual clothes, waving to her from afar.
“Come and take a look. This is a agapanthus plant that was sent from Suzhou, and some other things as well.”
It turns out that the emperor had summoned Huo Qinghe to see the lotus flowers.
It's probably because Huo Qinghe sent lotus flowers last time, but lotus flowers and water lilies are not the same kind, and I don't know why the Emperor thought of her.
However, she still greeted him with a smile: "Then this concubine has been enlightened by Your Majesty's favor."
Huo Qinghe had not seen many varieties of lotus, and when she got closer, she was immediately struck by their beauty.
The Hundred-Seed Lotus is much larger than ordinary lotus flowers.
"I remember that the ancient book 'The Mirror of Flowers' says, 'The lotus of a hundred seeds, which produces a hundred children.' Today I have truly witnessed its beauty."
"You even looked at that? But that agapanthus is not my favorite."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com