The queen sat for a while, then stood up and left the Zichen Palace.
After coming out, Jin Mei couldn't help but comment, "This Liu is really scheming. She's almost three months pregnant, and she kept it a secret. Now, with her background, she can be canonized as a Zhaoyi. Your Majesty, I'm really worried. What if she gives birth to a prince? Wouldn't she be made a concubine immediately?"
The Queen pursed her lips and smiled slightly: "I am the Queen, and all the children born to the concubines in the harem are my children."
Jin Mei thought for a moment and smiled, "Yes, your Majesty is right."
The news of Liu's pregnancy soon spread throughout the entire East Palace like a spring breeze. At that time, Gao was leaning on the couch drinking pregnancy medicine.
When the palace maid came to report, she was so angry that she threw the bowl in her hand away.
"This bitch is so lucky, she's pregnant again so soon!"
The pregnancy medicine was scattered all over the floor, and the bitter smell of the medicine slowly spread in the air just like Gao's heart. Shu Qing hurriedly signaled the palace maid at the door to come forward and clean it up.
He knelt before Gao and advised, "Master, don't be angry. Liu's status is there. Even if she gave birth to a golden ingot, the throne would never be hers. Besides, there's still the Crown Princess above. Why are you so anxious?"
"Of course I don't understand what you're saying." Gao's hand caressed her lower abdomen, her nose gradually turning sour. "To be honest, even though Liu and Xia are from humble backgrounds, I actually envy them. Ultimately, it's because I'm unlucky that I can't even have a child."
"Master, don't be discouraged. Doctor Fang said that as long as you take the medicine on time, you will definitely be able to conceive a dragon fetus. It's not good for your health to be so depressed. Besides, I am also worried. The emperor has been on the throne for so long, and the decree of enthronement should be issued soon."
Speaking of the title, Gao smiled proudly, "My father is the Duke of Fuguo. I was already a Liangdi before the emperor ascended the throne. Apart from me, who else is qualified to sit on the throne of the Imperial Noble Consort?"
Shu Qing agreed with a smile, "Master is absolutely right."
The medicine had already been spilled by her. Gao hurriedly urged Shuqing, "Go to the kitchen and make another bowl. We can't let this medicine run out."
"Hey, I'll go right away."
After noon, Fu Qianyu was lying on the porch basking in the sun after lunch.
Peirong was counting on her fingers, over and over again. Lingyun brought her some honey tea and laughed at her, "Why have you been mumbling so much these days? What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking, our emperor has been on the throne for so many days, the decree of enthronement should be issued soon."
Ling Yun handed the honey tea to Fu Xiyu and smiled lightly, "I heard that the emperor has just ascended the throne and has a lot of things to do. The emperor has given full authority to the Empress to determine the status of the concubines. I estimate it will only take a few days."
Peirong sighed softly, "This servant is really curious. What rank will the Empress give to the master? Consort? Zhaoyi? At least a concubine, right?"
Fu Qianyu was quite calm. "Whatever it is, it is useless to worry."
"That's what the master said."
The master and his servants were talking when they looked up and saw Haining walk in with a joyful look on his face. "Master, Eunuch Zhu Yu is here."
Seeing this, Fu Qianyu hurriedly stood up and tidied her appearance.
Zhu Yu came in with a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand. When he saw Fu Qianyu, he quickly bowed and said respectfully, "Your servant greets the Empress."
The word "Empress" scared everyone in the courtyard.
According to the rules, only those above the rank of concubine can be respectfully addressed as "Empress". Since Zhu Yu dared to address Fu Qianyu like that, it was likely that the rank given by the emperor would not be too low.
"Eunuch Zhu, please don't be polite."
Zhu Yu stood up and said loudly, "The imperial edict has arrived."
Fu Qianyu held her breath, bowed her head and knelt down, and the people in the yard followed suit and knelt behind her.
"The Emperor, by the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Fu Xiyu, of quiet beauty, gentleness, dignity, virtue, and wisdom, is known for her steadfastness, decency, and courtesy. Following the Empress Dowager's benevolent order, I hereby confer the title of Fourth Rank Zhaoyi upon her, granting her the title Yi, and placing her in Huayang Palace. I decree this!"
Fu Qianyu took the imperial edict with both hands: "I thank the Lord for his grace."
Zhu Yu smiled widely: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty."
Fu Qianyu smiled slightly and quickly gestured to Lingyun to give the reward money to Zhu Yu, "Thank you for your help, eunuch."
"You're welcome. The Emperor has ordered that you pack up your things immediately and move to Huayang Palace."
"I understand. Take care, sir."
After seeing Zhu Yu off, everyone knelt down and congratulated Fu Qianyu, "Congratulations, Empress Zhaoyi, may you live a thousand years and live a long and happy life."
Fu Qianyu originally thought that it was good enough that Zhao Yuancheng could give her the position of concubine, but she didn't expect that it was the position of Zhaoyi and she was also given a title.
"Everyone, get up." Fu Xiyu handed the imperial edict to Lingyun, "Put it away carefully. You and Baozan will pack up your things later. Don't forget to give them money."
"Yes, I've made note of it."
Fu Qianyu called Xiao Guizi over again and said, "Go and find out what positions the emperor has given to other people."
"Yes, I will go there immediately."
Since Zhao Yuancheng ascended the throne, the things in Yunyan Pavilion had been almost packed up. It was an hour later when Xiao Guizi came back after finding out the news.
"Your Majesty, I have already inquired about everything. Gao Liangdi has been promoted to Consort Li and lives in Yongfu Palace. Liu Liangyuan has been promoted to Zhaoyi but without a title and lives in Qiulan Palace. As for Xia, she has only been given the title of Jieyu and lives in Yufuxuan, a side hall in Mingde Palace. However, for some reason, the moment the eunuch who announced the decree left, there was a commotion in Zhaohui Palace."
Peirong was puzzled. "She's already been promoted to Imperial Concubine. What else is she making a fuss about?"
"Zhao Hui Palace is tight-lipped. This servant has not been able to find out the specific reason."
Fu Qianyu smiled calmly, "I understand. You can go down first."
It was almost midnight when they moved into Huayang Palace. Huayang Palace was the former residence of the late emperor's concubine Rong. The late emperor's favorite concubine was Rong when he was alive.
Therefore, Huayang Palace is the most luxurious palace except Fengyi Palace.
Peirong supported Fu Qianyu as they stood at the palace gate, looking at the lifelike murals on the eaves. She sighed, "I heard that Huayang Palace is the best palace among the twelve eastern and western palaces. Even Yongfu Palace, where the imperial concubine lives, can't compare to it. It shows that the emperor really loves the empress."
Fu Qianyu just smiled faintly and didn't say anything. When she walked into the main hall, Lingyun and others hurried out to greet her.
"I was worried that Your Majesty would not be able to sleep after changing places, so I lit some benzoin in advance. The hot water is already prepared. Your Majesty is tired today, so why not take a bath and change clothes early?"
Fu Qianyu was very satisfied with Lingyun's compliance and asked casually, "Do you know which palace the emperor went to rest tonight?"
"I just received word that the Emperor went to Fengyi Palace tonight."
"knew."
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