Chapter 15: Your Majesty Fights All the Ministers Alone
His Majesty's imperial edict came unexpectedly, causing everyone below to explode in panic.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" An official immediately stood up to object. "History has always been about concubines entering the palace according to their family background and rank, starting from the lowest rank and working their way up. How can they rise to the top overnight? Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
The three concubines could no longer sit still. If they didn't speak up, wouldn't they be forced to let a newcomer of low birth dominate them in the future? She was the head of the four concubines, second only to the Empress in the rank of Imperial Concubine. How could His Majesty act so recklessly?
"Your Majesty, I know that Your Majesty likes this new sister. It would be fine if she were given the title of Talented Lady or Beauty Lady." The smile on Shu Fei's face froze, and she felt regretful. If she had known this would happen, she should have followed Xian Fei's suggestion and given her a Talented Lady title. Compared to the Imperial Concubine, a small Talented Lady title really wouldn't have much impact.
Xian Fei no longer argued with Shu Fei, and rarely agreed, "Yes, Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is the head of all concubines under the Empress. How can a merchant's daughter..."
Halfway through her speech, she suddenly realized that she had spoken without thinking and expressed her true thoughts, and then she shut up in disappointment.
His Majesty's expression grew increasingly cold. "How about a merchant's daughter? Could it be that the woman I admire is unworthy of a mere imperial concubine?"
Hearing the displeasure in His Majesty's tone, Concubine Shu glared at Concubine Xian fiercely. "This fool, how dare you openly disobey Your Majesty at this time? You're really causing more trouble."
Seeing that Chan Zhen beside him had her head down, and seemed to be still shocked by the imperial edict and unable to react, Chen Dingyao held her hand.
Zen Zhen felt the warmth in his hand, raised his head and looked at him somewhat at a loss.
She had originally thought the title of Imperial Concubine was just a joke from His Majesty, but she hadn't expected His Majesty to actually follow through and issue the imperial decree in front of so many people. Meeting His Majesty's firm and gentle gaze, her inner anxiety seemed to subside. His Majesty had taken on so much pressure for her; she couldn't just act like an ungrateful person and resist him again.
So, for the first time, Chan Zhen took the initiative to hold His Majesty's hand tightly. Since His Majesty was sincere to her, she couldn't let His Majesty's sincerity go to waste.
Sensing the softening in her heart, Chen Dingyao remained calm, but he gripped her a little tighter.
"As the ministers have said, a merchant's daughter is not worthy of the position of imperial concubine. What about the daughter of a marquis?"
Chen Dingyao did not intend to back down. Instead, he looked down at the people below with a smile on his face, adding fuel to the fire.
"My dear ministers, you are truly pillars of society, thinking of me. I had never considered this level before, but I am grateful for your help in clearing my doubts." He sighed slowly, "If you had first promoted the noble concubine's mother's family to the rank of marquis, and she had entered the palace as the daughter of a marquis, I believe she would have been able to take on the position of empress, and I wouldn't have to let my beloved woman down. Your ministers' kindness to me is truly precious. Guo Kai, pass on another decree from me."
"Your Majesty!" Everyone's expression changed again.
It is unprecedented to confer the title of Imperial Concubine upon entering the palace. Your Majesty actually wants to first promote that merchant's family to the rank of Marquis, and then directly confer the title of Empress on that woman as the daughter of the Marquis. Is Your Majesty crazy?
Chen Dingyao remained calm and composed: "What do you think, gentlemen?"
Everyone was in a dilemma, knowing that His Majesty had made up his mind and would not tolerate any further disobedience. They could either comply with His Majesty's will and grant the woman the title of Imperial Consort, or allow His Majesty to accept her as Empress, the daughter of a Marquis. The lesser of two evils, the former was the easier option.
But she is just a noble concubine. Maybe His Majesty is just temporarily obsessed with that woman and will forget about her when he wakes up. It is much easier to depose a noble concubine than to depose a queen.
After considering the pros and cons, the minister who had previously objected lowered his head and said, "I obey your order and pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine."
One person relaxed first, and then the others stopped hesitating and stood up to bow.
"Your Highness, we pay our respects to the Imperial Concubine!"
The ministers of the previous dynasty had already accepted His Majesty's order, and no matter how much the concubines in the harem protested, it was useless. The three concubines still refused to yield, and the concubines of middle and lower rank behind them had already given up the struggle.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine!"
Chen Dingyao looked at the three concubines who still refused to bow their heads and said in a cold voice, "I left the palace for a southern tour and ordered the three princes, Prince Yu, Prince Jin, and Prince Zhuang, to jointly supervise the country. After returning, I have not yet inspected the results. The fourth and fifth princes are not young anymore. It is time for them to leave the palace and establish their own residences to help me share some of the government affairs."
Hearing that His Majesty meant to promote other princes, the three concubines finally came to their senses.
Yes, once His Majesty has made a decision, no one will challenge it. It's pointless for them to continue to stalemate, relying on their status. Instead, it will have a negative impact on the princes of the previous dynasty. She's just a concubine, so what? The princes under their wing are all grown up. Even if His Majesty favors that woman, even if she gives birth to a prince in the future, she will be much older than the other princes. It's too late for her.
At this moment, Concubine Shu felt a little relieved. Fortunately, the woman was young and entered the palace late. If she had come a dozen years earlier, there would be no place for such old people in the harem.
De Fei has always been very sensible of current affairs. After she figured it out, she looked at Chan Zhen with an immediately warm gaze. "I would like to congratulate Your Majesty on the arrival of another beautiful woman. I just don't know where your sister, the imperial concubine, will have her palace arranged. I will order the palace maids to clean it up tomorrow and welcome her to move in."
Xian Fei also smiled and said, "I wonder what Your Majesty thinks of Fanghua Palace? My sister has just entered the palace and is not familiar with many places here. Fanghua Palace is closer to my palace, so it will be more convenient for me to take care of my sister."
Only Concubine Shu did not speak, but she also did not say anything in rebuttal.
Seeing that everyone had accepted Chan Zhen's identity, Chen Dingyao felt extremely happy. As expected, without the burden of being the Prince of Jin's concubine, the opposition within the court wasn't as fierce as it had been in his previous life. He could finally embrace Chan Zhen openly, finally make her completely his own.
"I have already arranged a place for the Imperial Concubine. Before the enthronement ceremony, the Imperial Concubine will temporarily live with me in the Purple Palace. After the enthronement ceremony is completed, she will move into the Fengwu Palace."
The concubines felt sad when they heard this. Fengwu Palace had been locked since the death of the previous queen. The newcomer had to be given the highest title of noble concubine as soon as she entered the palace, and had to move into Fengwu Palace, which only the queen could live in. His Majesty was really too partial.
It was originally a welcoming banquet, but after His Majesty's decree came down, everyone lost interest in enjoying the singing and dancing, and the banquet was no longer as lively as before.
Chan Zhen sat beside His Majesty, silently eating the dishes His Majesty brought him. Suddenly, he felt a strong and uncomfortable gaze. Just as he was about to raise his head, the gaze disappeared.
She looked around and saw many people looking at her curiously, but no one's gaze made her feel uncomfortable like before.
Is this an illusion? She thought, frowning.
"Zenzhen?" His Majesty raised his glass to her with a gentle smile on his face.
Zen Zhen came to his senses and stopped thinking about it. He also picked up the wine glass on the table and toasted him: "Your Majesty, please."
His Majesty seemed to have made special arrangements. The wine on her table tasted very light, but had a strong fruity aroma. It was very refreshing and not intoxicating when drunk.
Chen Dingyao raised his wine glass and drank it all, but his eyes reflected in the cup were gloomy.
Before Chan Zhen had even completed his enthronement ceremony, some people in the harem were already getting restless.
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