Chapter 284 The Queen's Ambition
Qide Hall.
The inside of the palace was already a completely different world.
Countless coiled dragon candles as thick as a child's arm illuminated the hall as bright as day, and the warm light flowed on the shiny golden brick floor.
The sounds of stringed instruments and wind instruments are melodious and pleasant, the chimes are clear and melodious, and the sheng and xiao are harmonious.
The air is filled with the aroma of delicious food, the rich aroma of wine, and the fragrance of precious cosmetics.
Civil and military officials, royal family nobles and other officials sat in order behind their respective desks.
The house is filled with pearls and jades, and the clothes are fragrant and the hair is beautiful.
The brocade robe, jade belt, phoenix coronet and bridal robe complement each other, and hidden meanings are hidden in the low voices and laughter.
The eunuch on duty suddenly pierced through the music with a loud and clear cry:
"The Emperor has arrived—The Imperial Concubine has arrived—The Eldest Prince, the Third Prince, and the Little Princess have arrived—!"
The hall suddenly became quiet, and you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone stood up, bowed their heads, and moved in unison.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Imperial Concubine!"
The roar of the mountains shook the night of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.
Yan Shixu held Miaomiao in his arms and held Wen Lier's hand as he walked into the hall with steady steps.
His black dragon robe glowed with a deep and noble dark light under the illumination of countless candles. The emperor's majesty, without any deliberate display, was like a deep abyss and a towering mountain, enveloping the entire venue.
Wen Li'er, who was standing beside him, was wearing a golden and red palace dress that looked like a blazing sunset on the snowy field, making her skin look whiter than snow and her appearance more stunning.
She lowered her eyes slightly, walked calmly, and had a gentle smile at the corner of her lips that was just right.
This posture of walking side by side, this intimate picture of the emperor and his empress sharing glory and honor, was like a red-hot iron, burning the heart of Xie Zhenrong who was sitting on the imperial steps and in the phoenix throne.
Xie Zhenrong wore a formal red gown with gold embroidery and a pattern of birds paying homage to the phoenix, which symbolized her status as the empress and was the most solemn of all.
She wore a golden crown with nine phoenixes holding oriental pearls, and her makeup was meticulously done, with every inch of her face striving to be dignified, majestic, and perfect.
However, when she saw that the emperor did not even glance at her, but instead brought that bitch and her three bastards into the palace in such a high-profile manner, Xie Zhenrong felt a fishy and sweet taste suddenly rising up her throat!
She dug her fingertips into her palms, and the sharp pain barely suppressed the resentment and humiliation that was about to tear her chest apart and burst out!
Below the imperial steps, several old clan members with white hair and beards looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise and strong disapproval.
It is against etiquette for the emperor to attend the New Year's Eve banquet with the imperial concubine, let alone for them to enter as a "family" in such a high-profile manner. Where does this put the empress?
This Wen family is really a foxy woman who seduces her master and becomes arrogant because of her favor!
The old Ming King twisted his snow-white beard, frowned, and spoke in a churning voice, as if he was about to denounce this presumptuous act.
However, his cloudy old eyes swept over the emperor's upright figure and the three healthy and lively children beside the imperial concubine.
Then I thought about my old age and the fact that I only have a few years left to live.
Forget it, why bother to offend His Majesty over such a thing and bring disaster to future generations?
In the end, he just sighed deeply and swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
The most respected old Ming King remained silent, and the other clan members looked at each other, not daring to speak.
Unfortunately, neither the Grand Empress Dowager nor the Queen Mother attended the state banquet today.
I heard that the Empress Dowager caught a cold two days ago, and the imperial physician advised her to rest and not go out in the cold.
The Empress Dowager was filial and did not want the Grand Empress Dowager to stay alone in the Cining Palace on such a day when the whole palace was reunited, so she went to accompany the Grand Empress Dowager and attend the banquet in the future.
Without these two elders who could control the situation and maintain etiquette, the atmosphere in the hall became more subtle.
Some ministers who were quick-witted and good at guessing the emperor's intentions didn't care whether the Grand Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother came or not.
They secretly speculated on the emperor's intentions: the Imperial Noble Consort was so favored, the Pepper Chamber was so exclusive, the First Prince was intelligent and strong, and the Third Prince looked extraordinary and had the appearance of a dragon...
Is your Majesty's action today sending a signal that the eldest son will be crowned as the heir apparent instead of the legitimate heir?
When they looked at the Queen again, their eyes couldn't help but be more inquiring and distant.
Other civil officials who strictly abided by etiquette and believed in orthodoxy were sitting on pins and needles, with sweat oozing from their foreheads. They were deeply worried about the scene of "favoring concubines and ignoring wives" and the obvious act of usurpation.
But they dared not speak out and could only exchange worried glances.
The upright generals did not think so much. They just felt that the Imperial Concubine was radiant today, and the little princes and princesses were also cute and lovable.
His Majesty the Emperor walks with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, looks energetic, and is smiling while holding the little princess. This is a blessing for the country!
Since the last Meixiang Pavilion riot, there are still four concubines left in the harem who have not lost their innocence: Chen Zhaoyi, Cui Xiuyuan, Chang Jieyu, and Yun Jieyu.
During this period, the four of them were like frightened birds, hiding in their own palaces under the pretext of illness, trembling with fear as they waited for the emperor's decision on how to deal with them.
They knew very well that if one person in the family committed a serious crime, the whole family would be disgraced. The fact that they were not executed or banished to the cold palace was already a great favor from the emperor and a pardon outside the law.
They thought that the best outcome for themselves was to be like the despised Lin Xiuyi and Lin Fujia, stripped of their positions, moved to Jingxin Temple, and spend the rest of their lives in seclusion, unable to leave without a purpose.
However, during this period, the Emperor had not dealt with them. This unresolved silence, like a blunt knife cutting flesh, caused them, in their despair, to involuntarily harbor a trace of unwarranted hope...
Could it be... is it possible... that the Emperor still has some feelings for them?
Perhaps... not minding them staying in the palace is just a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks?
But at this moment, seeing the emperor and his concubine walking hand in hand, their children around their knees, and shining brightly into the hall, the pitiful fantasies in their hearts instantly vanished like bubbles.
Envy, jealousy, bitterness, fear...all kinds of emotions intertwined and surging.
The favor of the Imperial Concubine is a fantasy that they cannot achieve in their entire lives.
The emperor only has the imperial concubine in his heart and eyes, so how can he give anyone else a place?
They lowered their heads, hiding the bitterness and resignation in their eyes.
Maybe... after this year, there should be a final conclusion as to where they will go in the future.
Undercurrents surged in the hall, and countless eyes wandered back and forth between the Imperial Concubine and the Queen.
The air was filled with a suffocating and dangerous atmosphere of impending storm.
Beneath the surface of peace and prosperity lies a turbulent sea.
Yan Shixu held Miaomiao in his arms, and walked to the imperial steps with Wen Lier and the children.
He then turned his gaze towards the Phoenix Throne, his tone still gentle.
"The Queen."
Xie Zhenrong stood up and performed an impeccable palace etiquette, even trying hard to force a gentle smile on her face.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."
However, beneath her lowered eyes, there was a deep hatred that was surging with poison.
It’s almost time, Yan Shixu, you forced me to do it!
After tonight, I will be the Queen Mother, ruling the country from behind the scenes and holding the empire in my hands!
You, then go to heaven and play the zither and harp with your Wen Lier!
She glanced at Wen Li'er and those annoying children inconspicuously, and sneered poisonously in her heart.
And I will definitely treat the evil offspring you leave behind well!
"No need to be polite."
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