Chapter 43: Promotion to Chongyi
The Queen Mother saw that Xiao Chenglan's expression softened.
No wonder, she always felt that it was strange that the emperor did not favor the newcomer and went to Jia Jieyu's palace again and again.
She thought that Concubine Jia was deliberately seducing her and using some shameful means, but it turned out that the emperor was using her as a shield.
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xue's hostility towards Jiang Yingli decreased a little.
She couldn't help but sneer in her heart. As expected, all the so-called favor was just empty talk. This Concubine Jia was just a chess piece. How could she think she could win the emperor's true heart? What a foolish dream.
Once Su Xiuyi came out and gained favor, she, the chess piece, would become a useless discarded piece.
Empress Dowager Xue resumed her dignified and loving demeanor. "It's good that the Emperor is thinking of Su Xiuyi and the Su family. You've visited Zhaohua Palace several times, and since you don't have any intention of favoring Concubine Jia, that's understandable. I'm just worried about our offspring. It's good that the Emperor understands this, and I won't say anything more."
Xiao Chenglan smiled faintly and replied, "Yes, I know that Queen Mother is thinking about the country and the people. So I will not bother you today. I will take my leave."
Empress Dowager Xue nodded, "Well, the Emperor can go and take care of his government affairs."
When he turned around, a hint of coldness suddenly flashed from the depths of Xiao Chenglan's eyes, but the faint smile on his face did not diminish in the slightest.
After Xiao Chenglan left, the Queen Mother was still thinking carefully about what he had just said.
The emperor actually considered Su Xiuyi so carefully?
Could it be that he really likes her very much?
Empress Dowager Xue couldn't help but think of the time when Xiao Chenglan stayed outside Qixiang Palace for half an hour and wrote a poem for Su Xiuyi. The worry between her brows gradually emerged again.
No, Ning'er hasn't entered the palace yet, how can we let others win the emperor's favor first?
Su Xiuyi can only be favored, not the most favored.
Otherwise, there is no guarantee that the emperor would not have the idea of establishing a queen.
Given the status of the Su family, if Su Xiuyi was really crowned as the queen, the Su family would do their utmost to ensure that she remained firmly in the position of queen, and no one else would have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Unless they become enemies with the Su family and unite with the aristocratic families to defeat the Su family, this would be equivalent to destroying the aristocratic family alliance, which would not be worth the loss.
From this perspective, having Concubine Jia to share the favor is actually a good thing.
After all, even if Concubine Jia was favored by the emperor, it would be impossible for her to be made empress. She came from a merchant family, and even the Song family would probably oppose this matter.
Furthermore, even if Concubine Jia is favored, there is no need to be afraid. After all, she has no power behind her and can be easily eliminated at any time.
Therefore, it is also a good idea to let Concubine Jia share Su Xiuyi's favor.
Empress Dowager Xue's thoughts turned for a while, and she glanced sideways at Nanny Xia behind her.
"How is Lady Liang?"
Nanny Xia bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, Lady Liang's people sent someone to report that her face has healed, but the bruises on her knees and hips will probably take another two weeks to heal."
Empress Dowager Xue frowned slightly. "Never mind. There's still time. You should go to her palace in person, give her some gifts, and remind her to heal her wounds well and not cause any more trouble."
When Su Xiuyi's house arrest is over, if her momentum of gaining favor becomes too strong, she will find a way to get Lady Liang to share her favor.
At this moment, Zhaohua Palace.
"My lady, Qiuxia and I have just counted the palace rules a hundred times, not one more and not one less. My lady, please feel free to send her to the Wanshou Palace."
Jiang Yingli took a deep breath and said, "Okay, let's go."
What is coming will come, and she will go to see the Queen Mother alone.
Jiang Yingli walked all the way to Wanshou Palace in a panic.
Inside the hall, the Queen Mother was still fiddling with her Buddhist beads.
Jiang Yingli bowed and saluted, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, may you be blessed with good health."
"Get up."
Eh?
Asking her to get up so soon?
Jiang Yingli was very surprised.
She stood up and glanced at Lian Qiao who was holding the palace rules beside her.
"I have copied the palace rules given by the Empress Dowager a hundred times. I have memorized the details. I thank the Empress Dowager for her teachings."
The Queen Mother glanced at Jiang Yingli.
Ever since she started to be wary of Su Xiuyi, she has become much more pleasing to Jiang Yingli.
"You are truly repentant. What I said before was for the sake of the heir to the throne of Daye, not just you. I think you understand my painstaking efforts."
Eh?
Jiang Yingli was a little stunned.
What exactly did His Majesty say to the Queen Mother? There is such a huge difference in attitude.
"The Empress Dowager is devoted to Daye, and I understand."
"Well, you can't influence the emperor's decision to stay or go, so just fulfill your duties as a concubine."
Does this mean that her sign will not be removed and she will not be allowed to persuade His Majesty to treat everyone equally?
The Queen Mother looked at Jiang Yingli, paused, and continued, "However, since the Emperor often visits your palace, you should take good care of yourself and strive to conceive an heir as soon as possible. Don't think that the Emperor's presence only means love and having children, and that this is your duty!"
Jiang Yingli agreed awkwardly.
After saying a few more words, the Queen Mother let Jiang Yingli go.
Jiang Yingli, who thought she was about to face a bloody storm, was still confused when she walked out of Wanshou Palace safely.
When she arrived, she'd thought of eight hundred reasons why the Queen Mother might be mad at her. Her handwriting was too ugly, she was missing a palace rule, or the Emperor had stayed the night at her place.
As a result... the Queen Mother not only did not attack her, but instead asked her to recuperate and get pregnant with the heir as soon as possible?
It seems that Your Majesty's ability to convince people with reason is unprecedented and unparalleled.
Empress Dowager Xue looked at Concubine Jia and the palace maids walking away, her eyes full of calculation.
She was wrong before, but now it seems that Concubine Jia is the one she should bet on.
If Concubine Jia was pregnant with the heir of the emperor's family, she would have plenty of ways to snatch the child away. No, maybe there was no need to snatch the child away at all. She could just have someone train him to be close to her, the imperial grandmother.
When Ning'er enters the palace, she can take the child away from the mother and raise him under Ning'er's name.
Jiang Yingli was completely unaware of the Queen Mother's plans. She only knew that His Majesty had been having an affair with her recently and was still very careful to avoid having children.
Moreover, ever since the Queen Mother's attitude suddenly changed that day, Your Majesty has been visiting her Zhaohua Palace more frequently.
In the past, it was three days for her and one day for Song Zhaoyi. Now it is four days for her and one day for Song Zhaoyi.
One day, when Jiang Yingli stood up from the couch, her whole body limp, Qiuxia and Lianqiao both congratulated her with a smile.
Qiuxia helped Jiang Yingli to her feet while saying, "Congratulations, young lady!"
Lian Qiao quickly corrected herself, "What's the meaning of 'young master'? Now I should call her 'empress'!"
Jiang Yingli saw the happy expressions on their faces and heard the title of "Empress" and had a guess in her mind.
Sure enough, the next second she heard Lian Qiao, who couldn't hide her emotions, say quickly, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has already issued an edict, conferring the title of Chongyi on you, and also bestowing upon you the title 'Zhao'!"
Not only was he promoted, but he was also given a new title?
Moreover, His Majesty personally taught her how to write the word "Zhao". He did not ask her to copy the calligraphy herself, but taught her step by step.
His Majesty also told her that this word, which encompasses the meanings of brightness, light, hope, etc., is an excellent word.
In the past, she didn't want to be a target because of her high position. But now, His Majesty visits Zhaohua Palace every night. Even the dumbest people know that she is favored. It is useless to suppress her position, so Jiang Yingli is happy about her promotion.
After she had packed up, she left the palace to receive the order.
In addition to the imperial edict, His Majesty also bestowed many rewards, including two boxes of pearls of excellent quality, which Jiang Yingli liked the most.
After receiving the imperial edict, Jiang Yingli held it and looked at it for a long time, pointing her fingertips at the words on it, tracing over them one by one, touching them carefully.
These were all written by His Majesty himself, praising her!
In Changqing Palace, Fu Wanquan bowed and reported the words conveyed by the eunuch who announced the decree.
"Empress Chongyi was very happy. She held the imperial edict and looked at it again and again, touched it again and again. Her face was beaming. She must have been thinking of Your Majesty in her heart."
Xiao Chenglan curled his lips slightly, then glanced at Fu Wanquan calmly, "Next time, you must report the truth. Don't exaggerate or slander me, or you will deceive the emperor."
Fu Wanquan patted his lips and said, "Yes, I know I was wrong. I am a smooth talker, but Your Majesty has pure ears and will never be deceived by my slanderous words."
Xiao Chenglan ignored him and continued reviewing the memorials.
Fu Wanquan looked at His Majesty's brows, which had obviously relaxed a lot, and smiled secretly.
It is quite difficult to guess your Majesty's intentions, but when it comes to the matter of Zhao Chongyi, the Emperor's intentions can be guessed accurately.
What slander? Your Majesty obviously loves to listen to it.
Besides, who can easily bewitch His Majesty? Isn’t it only Empress Chongyi?
He said it again next time.
Soon, Fulin hurried into the hall and reported:
"Your Majesty, Dr. Zhang from the Imperial Medical Bureau wishes to see you."
Xiao Chenglan raised his eyes slightly.
"Xuan."
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