"Hey, have you heard? The Emperor's favorite Consort Wei recently is someone who used to serve in Empress Xiaoxian's palace."
"I knew it! How could a second-class palace maid in the Imperial Noble Consort's palace suddenly become the Emperor's concubine? Palace maids usually start as 'daying' (a low-ranking concubine), yet she was promoted one rank higher than her."
"That's right, that's right. I used to think that the Emperor granted her the title of Changzai because of the Imperial Noble Consort, but now it seems that it was because of Empress Xiaoxian."
"I really envy her for serving in Changchun Palace. If we had also served Empress Xiaoxian, would we be the ones who are now Consorts?"
Yunyi stood at the corner of the Imperial Garden, listening to the palace maids in front of her discussing Wei Shuyan's affairs, and felt very calm.
She guessed that this message must have been released by Niohuru, firstly to warn Wei Shuyan, and secondly to strike at her.
Don't think that just because you've become a concubine with the same rank as the Empress Dowager, the Emperor's favorite is still Empress Xiaoxian.
If it were the original owner of this body, she would definitely be angry and disappointed, but Yunyi doesn't like Qianlong and knows that this is intentional, so she doesn't react much.
But Rong Xin, who was standing next to Yun Yi, was different. She was a little angry. "Your Highness, these little palace maids are too unruly. How can they gossip about the concubines and mistresses? This servant will go right away..."
"Forget it! Rong Xin, there's no need to go. Just tell the steward of the Imperial Garden to handle it. You don't need to go yourself. I'm tired too. Let's go back to the palace."
Rong Xin opened her mouth as if to say something, but seeing her master's expression, she didn't want to say anything more. "Yes, this servant obeys."
As expected of Consort Ling of Emperor Qianlong, Wei Shuyan was favored as soon as she became a concubine, surpassing the previously most favored Consort Chun, Consort Jia and Consort Shu, and becoming the most favored concubine in the harem.
In just six months, Wei Shuyan was promoted from Changzai to Guiren, and she was almost promoted to Pin. It was only after the Empress Dowager's persuasion that Qianlong gave up the idea.
Given Wei's low social status and limited experience, it would be inappropriate to elevate her to the rank of concubine, placing her on equal footing with other senior members.
After half a year, Niohuru finally finished her confinement period and was able to move around freely. When she learned that Wei had not been promoted to the rank of concubine, she was initially relieved, but then she became unhappy.
Although she had leverage over the Wei family, she still hoped that the Wei family would gain favor and work for her.
But watching her climb higher and higher, Niohuru felt unbalanced and extremely conflicted.
That evening, she secretly summoned Wei Shi over and gave her the same old advice, telling Wei Shi to be obedient and not to have any strange thoughts.
"Don't forget what you did back then. Without me, you wouldn't have the good life you have today. Now that you're His Majesty's concubine, it's all thanks to my efforts. So you'd better be obedient, or what will you do if I tell anyone about those things!"
These words were so familiar that she was tired of hearing them. Ever since she made a mistake and it was found out by Niohuru, who was then Consort Shen, Niohuru had been using her to spy on the Empress's palace.
After Empress Xiaoxian passed away, she arranged for me to enter the master's palace. Now she even made herself the emperor's concubine to fight against the master. What a fool's dream.
Wei Shuyan was inwardly disdainful, but on the surface she still looked worried and afraid that her secret would be exposed.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will certainly obey your orders."
Wei referred to herself as "Your Majesty" and herself as "this servant" in her words. This fearful yet respectful demeanor greatly pleased Niohuru.
After she finished speaking, she gave a few instructions and then sent Madam Wei back.
In the sixteenth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the mourning period for Empress Xiaoxian ended, and the Emperor finally issued an edict to confer the title of Empress upon Imperial Noble Consort Nara.
Everything about the empress's investiture had been prepared by the Imperial Household Department several years ago, and now that the imperial edict has been issued, the Imperial Household Department is not flustered at all.
The coronation ceremony was scheduled for half a month later. Emperor Qianlong appointed Fuheng, the younger brother of Empress Xiaoxian, as the chief envoy for the coronation. This showed his trust in and promotion of the original empress's family, and also demonstrated his affirmation and affection for the new empress.
Fuheng was not only the younger brother of Empress Yuan, but also a minister in the court with military merits. His wife was a close friend of Empress Nara, with whom he had a close relationship.
Emperor Qianlong's selection of Fuheng as the chief envoy for the investiture of the empress was a decision made after much deliberation.
Standing rightfully beside Emperor Qianlong, receiving the obeisance of the ministers and concubines below, Yunyi was filled with excitement.
Indeed, power is dazzling; no wonder all the women in the harem want to be empress—it feels so good.
After a long day, Yunyi returned to her Chengqian Palace, where Rongxin served her a bath to wash away her fatigue.
But what Rong Xin brought over was not a nightgown, but a bright red wedding dress.
Upon entering the inner room, the interior had also changed.
The bed curtains were bright red, and the bed was covered with longans, peanuts, and red dates. In addition, dragon and phoenix wedding candles were burning on the cabinet by the wall.
All of this represents Emperor Qianlong's wishes.
Rong Xin was helped to sit down by the bed by her master, who then took the red veil and placed it over Yun Yi's head, obscuring her beautiful face.
When Emperor Qianlong entered the inner room with excitement, joy, and anticipation, he saw Empress Nara sitting quietly by the bed.
This scene is so similar to the scene when Empress Nara married me back then, only now the environment has changed, my status has changed, and my clothes have changed.
He walked over and lifted the red veil, and upon seeing it, he froze.
Nara was already very beautiful, and now, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, with her red lips and white teeth, and a shy expression, she was incredibly alluring with every smile and frown.
Emperor Qianlong gently embraced Lady Nara and whispered in Yunyi's ear, "This is our wedding night. Do you like it, my wife?"
Although she was speechless, Yunyi pretended to be very moved and hugged Qianlong, her cheeks blushing.
Emperor Qianlong lamented that Empress Nara was already very beautiful in her light red wedding dress, but he could not see her in bright red.
Now that Nara has become Empress and his wife, he can rightfully wear bright red, finally fulfilling his wish.
A moment of passion is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Emperor Qianlong was already infatuated, and when he saw the beautiful Nara, he naturally couldn't resist.
Furthermore, since Lady Nara has been recuperating for several years, he thought the two of them should be able to have children soon.
If Yunyi knew what Qianlong was thinking, she would definitely nod and say yes.
She had just taken the Dragon and Phoenix Pills, and after tonight she would be able to conceive successfully. Emperor Qianlong's wish for a son, a legitimate heir, would then be fulfilled.
A month and a half later, news spread through the palace that the Empress of Chengqian Palace was finally pregnant.
Everyone in the palace was shocked. Seventeen years had passed since the late emperor betrothed the empress to the emperor, who was then Prince Bao. Everyone thought she was probably infertile.
They could hardly believe that the Empress was pregnant at the age of over thirty.
However, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor then bestowed gifts upon the Empress, instructing her to take good care of herself during her pregnancy.
This forced the concubines in the harem to believe that the Empress was indeed pregnant.
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