Meanwhile, in Chonghua Palace, several people were discussing matters concerning official ranks, while the person in charge of making decisions was handling government affairs in Yangxin Hall.
After Hongli finished reading the last memorial in his hand, he looked at the already darkening sky outside and sighed softly.
Since ascending the throne, Hongli had been busy with political affairs and had not returned to Chonghua Palace for a long time. Hongli withdrew his gaze from the distance.
Seeing that Hongli had finished dealing with state affairs, the eunuch Li Kun, who was serving him, quickly stepped forward to offer him a cup of tea and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, you have not yet appointed any concubines in the harem."
Seeing that Hongli had no intention of bestowing titles in the past few days, Mingyu worried that he was too busy with state affairs to think about it. So, after Gao and Jin arrived, she sent someone to instruct Li Kun, who served Hongli closely, to remind him about the bestowal of titles when Hongli had some free time.
Upon hearing Li Kun's words, Hongli began to consider the matter of establishing concubines in the harem. Originally, Hongli would have weighed the matter for several more days, but before Lanqin left, she had told Hongli about the harem.
Although Hongli was quite skilled in imperial arts and would have no problem dealing with those senior officials in the court, the inner palace was, after all, a battlefield without gunpowder. Lanqin was afraid that Hongli might not be able to handle it, so she gave him some pointers.
Lanqin didn't want Hongli to be troubled by the trivial matters of the harem when he first ascended the throne. Besides, the peace and tranquility of the harem was also related to the interests of the court.
Lanqin meant that Mingyu should naturally be the Empress, then Xueying should be made a Consort, Gao should be made a Concubine, Su should be made a Concubine, and the others should be Noble Ladies.
As Hongli's primary consort and the mother of his only child, Mingyu was naturally to be made empress. Gao, Su, and Xueying had also served Hongli for a long time. Although none of them had children, they could not be neglected. Moreover, Gao's family was quite influential in the court, so their status was naturally high.
Although Xueying had no family support, Lanqin could see that Hongli had feelings for her. Moreover, Lanqin could not let Mingyu monopolize the harem, so she naturally had to support someone to counterbalance Mingyu, so that the harem could be more stable.
Following Lanqin's instructions, Hongli told his personal eunuch Li Kun, "Go and summon Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Rites. I want to discuss the matter of bestowing titles and rewards upon the concubines."
After Hongli succeeded to the throne, the court naturally wanted to bring in some fresh blood. Hongli also supported some young and promising officials. The old Minister of Rites had just resigned, so Hongli appointed Minister Zhao to take office.
Not long after Li Kun left, he led Minister Zhao to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
Hongli waved his hand to signal him to stand up, "I summoned you here for the matter of establishing the imperial concubines."
On the way here, Li Kun had already revealed to Minister Zhao the reason why Hongli had summoned him. So Minister Zhao nodded and asked, "Yes, may I ask what the ranks of each of the ladies are?"
"Empress Fucha, Consort Xian of Ulanara, Consort Gao, Consort Mao of Su, Noble Lady Yu of Ketri, Noble Lady Jia of Jin, and Consort Wan of Chen."
"Go back and prepare for the reward."
Minister Zhao respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys the decree. I will return to the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the promotion and conferment of titles upon the empresses and concubines."
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