Emperor Mingyang never considered deposing the empress; his marriage to Tao Rong was merely a warning to the empress.
If the empress has not committed any major offenses, she should not be easily deposed.
The Empress was furious when she learned of this at Fengqi Palace, but Tao Rong was now at Prince Chen's residence, so no matter how far her influence reached, it couldn't extend to Prince Chen's residence.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Emperor Mingyang did this.
However, the palace maid beside her was quite open-minded. Emperor Mingyang would not have only one woman. Even if Tao Rong was not there, there would be others. Why care so much?
Besides, the Empress's position is unshakeable; she has plenty of ways to deal with a concubine while holding the Phoenix Seal.
Flowers don't bloom for a hundred days; who knows how long Tao Rong's favor will last?
Hearing the maid's explanation, the Empress's anger subsided slightly, but she also understood. The Emperor had indeed developed feelings for that commoner. This feeling was entirely different from his attitude towards Qin Su and the other concubines.
This gave her a serious sense of crisis.
However, since the emperor had already noticed her previous attack on Tao Rong, it wouldn't be easy for her to make another move.
Qin Su received a letter from Yang County, saying that Wang Manzhu's business was growing bigger and bigger, and she had now gone to Quegu to do horse business.
Quegu is rich in horse and mineral resources. It is located north of Da'an and is mostly inhabited by nomadic tribes. It has a relatively good relationship with Da'an.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
Two days later, the imperial edict was issued, promoting Xue Huai'an to the position of Vice Censor-in-Chief, a fifth-rank official.
Although this official position in the vast city of Tokyo may not seem high, a fifth-rank official is already considered a high-ranking official, and he can make more connections with people.
Everything was as Qin Su had expected. In his previous life, Xue Huai'an had also served as the Censor-in-Chief. After being promoted to this position, he befriended Kang Lin, and the two were known as the "Two Gentlemen of the Capital".
With Qin Su and Yu Shuo pushing him forward, he has embarked on the same path he took in his previous life.
If Yu Shuo weren't by her side, Qin Su might still be worried and afraid of repeating the same mistakes. But now that everything is going according to plan, she's not afraid anymore. Instead, she's looking forward to Xue Huai'an's fate of falling into the abyss after his plan is exposed.
In early July, a secret imperial edict was delivered to the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence, and Tao Rong became the second daughter of the Qin Su sisters.
In mid-September, the imperial edict conferring the title of Consort Rong was issued, and she was named Consort Rong.
It is not difficult to see the meaning of the secret imperial edict issued in early July.
Emperor Mingyang was paving the way for Tao Rong. Otherwise, Tao Rong, who came from a poor background, would not even have been able to be made a concubine. Now that she has the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion as her backer, she can naturally be made a concubine.
Qin Su couldn't help but admire Tao Rong's abilities; no one else could have persuaded Emperor Mingyang to do so much for her.
Emperor Mingyang was a man who valued rules very much and would not make exceptions under normal circumstances.
Tao Rong happened to be the person who made him make an exception for her.
In this life, she witnessed firsthand how Tao Rong brought Emperor Mingyang under her control, and she was glad that she had intercepted Xue Huai'an, an extremely useful pawn.
Otherwise, Tao Rong would definitely cause them a lot of trouble.
At the end of September, Tao Rong was able to take revenge. Her enemy was sentenced to be executed in the autumn, while the prefect of Xishan was implicated and demoted two ranks.
Qin Su knew that Tao Rong must have pleaded for her, otherwise, given Tao Rong's current rank, the prefect of Xishan would at least be exiled.
In early October, Tao Rong held a banquet in the palace and specially invited Qin Su and Lady Li, the wife of the Duke of Cheng.
On the surface, Qin Su was invited because she was her older sister, while Li Shi... was just following the crowd; as the mother of a fifth-rank official, she could barely qualify.
Qin Su is in her late pregnancy and hardly ever goes out now.
Today, she entered the palace accompanied by several guards. Not only did Lian Tao come with her, but even Chongyang was sent over, as they were truly afraid that something might happen to her.
She arrived early, claiming that Consort Rong was not used to living in the palace and wanted Qin Su to come to the capital to keep her company.
Qin Su naturally wouldn't refuse.
Tao Rong lived in Shangchun Palace, which was said to be a name specially changed by Emperor Mingyang. He said that the names of the palaces of the four concubines were really boring, so he changed the name to "Shangchun Palace".
Tao Rong is truly favored; she is practically the most popular person around.
Her favor naturally hindered many people's progress, and there were already some discontent voices in the court. But who was Emperor Mingyang? He had always had a smooth life, so how could he be intimidated by the voices of a few officials?
Moreover, their impeachment of Tao Rong was mostly driven by personal motives.
When Qin Su saw Tao Rong, who was now Consort Rong, she was slightly taken aback.
Although she was dressed in fine clothes and adorned with jewels, she was not as ostentatious and extravagant as she had been in her previous life; instead, she was extremely reserved.
She was different from most of the concubines in the palace, but that was true in her previous life as well. There were few women who could be so extravagantly beautiful, after all, not everyone could control them.
She was still a concubine, not as high as in her previous life.
"Why don't you sit down now that you're here, sister?" Tao Rong got off the soft couch and personally helped Qin Su up. Her movements were gentle and affectionate, as if she truly regarded Qin Su as her own sister.
However, everyone in the capital knew that she was not the biological daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyi, so how much of this intimacy was genuine and how much was fake?
Qin Su didn't refuse her, but when they got close, she whispered, "Aren't you worried about being discovered by spies?"
Qin Su knew that Xue Huai'an had spies in the palace, but she didn't know where these spies were located.
Tao Rong must have someone by her side; she is an important pawn in Xue Huai'an's game.
Tao Rong smiled and said gently to Qin Su, "Don't worry, we're all on the same side."
Qin Su was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at the people and servants in the hall.
Are they all on our side?
Tao Rong is that capable?
"Go and prepare osmanthus tea."
"You may all leave."
Tao Rong was worried that Qin Su still wouldn't believe her, so she dismissed the palace servants.
"You're quite impressive," Qin Su said inexplicably, offering a compliment.
Tao Rong placed a soft pillow behind Qin Su's back, wedging it around her waist.
As the pregnancy progresses, sitting becomes less comfortable.
"If I'm not strong enough, how can I repay my sister?" She called her sister, but there wasn't much intimacy between them. This title was probably just to bring them closer.
Perhaps being showered with honor can truly boost a person's confidence; Tao Rong is indeed extremely beautiful right now. This beauty radiates from within, nourished by inner strength.
Her confidence stemmed from Emperor Mingyang, but it also came from herself.
A man's affection is fleeting, but Tao Rong believes she has the ability to keep a man's affection for her.
"Besides, the harem is not as idyllic as the rumors suggest. How can you protect yourself if you're not shrewd? Since you've already chosen this path, live it to the fullest and don't let others laugh at you."
Qin Su believes that she and Tao Rong are not the same kind of people.
If she didn't carry the burden of hatred, a carefree and joyful life would be most suitable for her.
Qin Su has never valued power that much.
She wasn't saying Tao Rong was bad; it was just that they had different aspirations.
What is the purpose of this banquet you have prepared today?
After being served osmanthus tea, Tao Rong smiled and said, "I have two purposes. First, to let these people in the capital know of my existence; second... it has something to do with you, sister."
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