Emperor Qianlong truly did not expect that the Empress would want to be promoted to the rank of Consort Shu.
Consort Shu was already a Noble Consort, below the Empress, with only the rank of Imperial Noble Consort above her that she could be promoted to.
However, since the Empress is still alive and has not committed any misconduct, it is generally not customary to appoint an Imperial Noble Consort under such circumstances.
However, Fucha Anrong also had her own considerations. Consort Shu was the most senior among all the concubines and had given birth to a son and a daughter, thus making contributions to the royal family.
Moreover, Yonghuang had been kind to Yonglian, and she wanted to repay him. Her cousin had never been promoted since entering the palace, and it was only because of her that she had no further promotions to offer.
The Empress also knew that the Emperor, considering her feelings, would not take the initiative to promote her to the rank of Consort Shu unless she made the suggestion.
So after she expressed her thoughts, Qianlong agreed. Since the Empress requested it and had no objections, he would grant her wish.
Yunyi was unaware of all these matters. She was stunned when the imperial decree came down, announcing her promotion to Imperial Noble Consort.
In this world, she had to protect the Empress, so when Yunyi learned that she was a Noble Consort after entering the palace, she thought that she would never be promoted again.
She was already a Noble Consort, and with the Empress around, she couldn't possibly become an Imperial Noble Consort, so naturally she wouldn't be promoted further.
Unexpectedly, reality gave her a huge surprise; she was actually granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort.
Somewhat bewildered, Yunyi accepted the imperial decree and ran to Changchun Palace to find the Empress. It must have been the Empress who suggested this; Qianlong would never have done such a thing.
After Yunyi became Imperial Noble Consort, the positions of the two Noble Consorts became vacant. Consort Chun and Consort Jia became the two Noble Consorts because of their seniority and offspring.
As the concubines were promoted, the positions of Concubine and Imperial Concubine became vacant. The newly entered concubines vied for the emperor's favor, all in hopes of becoming the principal consort.
Emperor Qianlong thoroughly enjoyed this competition for favor. He was naturally lustful, and he happily became entangled in the chorus of beautiful women vying to please him.
After Yonglian got married and started working in the court, Emperor Qianlong was very satisfied with his son's abilities. With the intention of testing him, he gave him more and more authority in court affairs, allowing Yonglian to hone his skills.
The result of letting go was that he became increasingly unrestrained, which aroused even more jealousy and fierce competition among the concubines in the harem.
After a year of such absurdity, Emperor Qianlong issued an edict to make an eastern tour. Apart from Yonglian staying in the capital to oversee the country, Qianlong took many of his wives, concubines, and children out to have fun.
Yunyi was a little nervous. This year was the thirteenth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the year in history when Empress Xiaoxian passed away.
Although she had changed history and allowed Yonglian and Yongcong to live, she still couldn't help feeling a little nervous in this special year.
Fortunately, nothing went wrong along the way. The Empress was in good health, her son was highly regarded by her husband, and the concubines in the harem did not cause much trouble.
She was already at the age to be a grandmother. After Yonglian got married, he was looking forward to holding his grandson. He was very happy and in good health, so how could anything happen to him?
In contrast, Emperor Qianlong was in a very good mood, enjoying the scenery and being accompanied by beautiful women, living a very comfortable life.
After the eastern tour ended, several more beautiful young girls appeared in the palace, all of whom Emperor Qianlong had brought back from outside.
The journey was enjoyable. Upon returning, Emperor Qianlong carefully reviewed his son's duties. Yonglian was doing a good job in the capital, the court was functioning normally, and everything was fine.
Such a life was too wonderful. The following year, Emperor Qianlong issued another decree for a southern tour. This time, he wanted to travel south along the Grand Canal to see the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan.
It is said that the Jiangnan region has beautiful scenery and countless beautiful women. When the imperial ship arrived in Hangzhou, Emperor Qianlong disembarked there and stayed for a long time.
Yonglian still couldn't go out for a trip. He was left in the capital by Emperor Qianlong to oversee the country. However, it was good that his primary wife was pregnant, as she could stay and witness the birth of their child.
Because of Yonglian's two regentships, the court officials were well aware that this was for the sake of the emperor, their future superior, so they were all very respectful and dared not disobey the Second Prince.
The Empress did not go on this southern tour. The Seventh Prince fell ill, and the Empress was really worried about her son, so she stayed behind.
Furthermore, since it was her daughter-in-law's first pregnancy, she also had to stay and take care of her, in case something went wrong and there was no one to manage the situation.
Of all the high-ranking concubines, only Consort Yunyi holds the highest rank; the others are all newcomers with lower ranks.
Emperor Qianlong now visits the palaces of newlyweds more often, and only visits the high-ranking concubines occasionally, without keeping them overnight.
Upon arriving in Hangzhou, the local officials were extremely obsequious and presented him with many beautiful women.
Because the gifts were presented by officials with impeccable family backgrounds and identities, Emperor Qianlong accepted them.
Because of her innocent background, Yunyi didn't say anything and allowed Qianlong to accept these girls.
She even hoped that Emperor Qianlong would indulge in women and ruin his health, so that when Yonglian ascended the throne, her life would be more free.
According to Qing Dynasty custom, after the emperor's death, the concubines in the harem could leave the palace to live with their sons.
While Emperor Qianlong was alive, she was just a concubine with little freedom and could only stay in the palace.
When Emperor Qianlong passed away, she became the matriarch of the Prince's Mansion. Her sons and daughters-in-law dared not interfere with her. How wonderful her life must have been then.
So after offering only a few perfunctory words of advice, Yunyi let Qianlong do as he pleased.
Five years later, Yonglian was now a 24-year-old young man.
Since Emperor Qianlong conferred the title of Prince Duan upon Yonglian a few years ago, Yonglian's power has grown stronger and stronger over the years.
He was a young and strong man, while Qianlong was gradually getting old. The admiration he once had faded and was replaced by a trace of unfounded suspicion and apprehension.
In recent years, the way Emperor Qianlong looked at his son has become increasingly strange. He used to value him highly and teach him to do everything, big or small, but now he does so much less.
They didn't want to assign tasks to Yonglian, fearing that he would use this opportunity to make connections with ministers and build up his power.
Emperor Qianlong's mindset had changed. Like all emperors who were entering old age, he began to cling tightly to power.
Yunyi witnessed all of this and felt only irony; indeed, all these emperors were the same.
As a boy, Yonglian was the perfect successor in his heart, but as a young man, Yonglian became a rebellious son who coveted the throne. How ironic.
It's alright, though. Fortunately, Yunyi knew what would happen back then and gave Hongli a calming pill in advance. Otherwise, given Hongli's age, the dethronement of the crown prince during the Kangxi era would have happened this time.
After all, Emperor Qianlong had many sons, and many of them had grown up. If Yonglian fell, none of the princes could keep him in check.
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