When the imperial decree promoting Consort Shu to Imperial Noble Consort was issued, the reaction of the concubines in the six palaces was surprisingly calm.
Consort Yu, Geng, paused slightly in her teacup, then took a sip as if nothing had happened, and said to the maid beside her indifferently, "Go to the storeroom and select a few bolts of fine brocade, and prepare some nourishing medicinal herbs to send to Yanxi Palace to offer congratulations."
The palace maid cautiously looked up, only to see her mistress's eyes were indifferent, as if she had already expected this day.
Consort Yu gazed at the falling osmanthus blossoms outside the window, a hint of self-mockery rising in her heart.
From concubine to imperial consort, it only took a short year. Such a speed of promotion was unheard of, not only in this dynasty but also in the previous dynasty.
But now, she doesn't even have the energy to be jealous.
The Emperor's favor towards Lady Lin had long exceeded common sense, and even exceeded the scope of their comprehension.
If she were to be officially made empress one day, she would probably just numbly curtsy and say "Congratulations, Your Majesty."
When Consort Xi, of the Niohuru clan, heard the news, she was doing her hair in front of a bronze mirror. Her jade hairpin fell to the ground with a "crack" and shattered into two pieces.
She stared at her haggard face in the mirror and suddenly laughed: "Good, very good... My Hongli is eating chaff and wild vegetables in the imperial mausoleum, while she has risen to the top in one step!" Although she said this, her eyes were dead.
Since the Empress was deposed and Hongli was punished, she has been like a frightened bird, and now she doesn't even dare to openly express her hatred.
Consort Song was unusually calm. She slowly trimmed the potted plants and said to her trusted nanny, "Go and find my pair of jade bracelets, and add two boxes of pearls, and send them to Yanxi Palace together." The nanny hesitated, but she waved her hand and said, "In the current situation, staying alive is better than anything else."
Consort Qi was quite magnanimous, saying to her trusted nanny, "I have Hongshi, that's enough. The Emperor can favor whomever he wants. It's just a pity for those young concubines, who can't even see the Emperor." The nanny whispered in agreement, "Your Highness sees things clearly."
Meanwhile, outside Yanxi Palace, the auspicious seven-colored clouds had not yet dissipated, and red-crowned cranes continued to circle above the palace walls, prompting the palace servants to kneel down and pray for blessings.
The people of the capital spread the story with great fanfare, believing that auspicious omens had appeared from the sky and that something significant must be happening in the palace. Everyone was speculating wildly.
Outside Yanxi Palace, the congratulatory gifts had already piled up into a small mountain.
Gifts from the concubines, noblewomen, and wives of the imperial family arrived in an endless stream, as if in a silent act of submission.
The palace servants hurried in and out with their heads down, making their footsteps extremely quiet, for fear of disturbing the Imperial Concubine who had just given birth inside the palace.
---
The next day.
However, the scene in the imperial court was quite different.
The ministers barely mentioned the promotion of Consort Shu before eagerly shifting the topic to the potato and corn harvest.
Holding the memorial, Zhang Tingyu's voice trembled slightly with excitement: "Your Majesty, the potatoes planted on trial in the imperial estates outside the capital yielded 1,800 catties per mu, and the corn yielded 1,200 catties per mu. If this is promoted throughout the country, it can solve the century-long famine problem!"
The Vice Minister of War, Marsai, even knelt down and shouted, "Heaven blesses the Great Qing! This is an auspicious omen!" He was already quickly calculating in his mind that the troops stationed in the Northwest had been hampered by insufficient food supplies for many years. If they had these high-yield crops, why would they have to worry about the stability of the border?
Emperor Yongzheng sat upright on his dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials below. A slight smile played on his lips as he said, "This is all thanks to the Imperial Concubine." His seemingly casual remark sent a shiver down the spines of the entire court.
Those old ministers who had previously expressed reservations about Consort Shu's promotion now wisely kept quiet.
After all, what does it matter if she is made a concubine for solving the nationwide food shortage?
Only Wang Yueting, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, stood in the queue, his forehead beaded with sweat.
His hands clenched into fists hidden in his sleeves, his mind churning: the potatoes and corn were already a great achievement, but what was truly terrifying was the rice! Three harvests, and now it seemed there was still one more to be harvested... If this were to get out, it would surely cause an uproar!
He secretly glanced at the Emperor, only to see Yongzheng looking at him with a half-smile. Startled, he quickly lowered his head, his back already soaked with sweat.
———
Gifts from all sides poured into Yanxi Palace like a flowing river. Granny Li, holding two babies, couldn't stop smiling.
Chunlan and Xiahe were extremely busy, checking the gift list while directing the palace servants to categorize and register the gifts.
The hall was filled with brocade boxes, silks, and gold and jade ornaments, a dazzling array that left almost no room to stand.
Granny Li gently rocked the little princess in her arms and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what is the current procedure? How should these congratulatory gifts be handled?" Although her face was full of joy, there was a trace of worry in her eyes.
She, an old woman, was truly amazed by the speed at which her master had advanced in his career.
But the higher you climb, the more you fear that... it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark!
Lin Yun leaned against the bed, weak after childbirth, but in good spirits.
She gazed at the hall filled with congratulatory gifts, her expression calm: "I will follow His Majesty's arrangements." Her voice was soft yet firm.
She knew perfectly well how many of these gifts were genuine congratulations, and how many were tests or attempts to curry favor.
She is currently enjoying great popularity, and her every move is being watched. If she is not careful, she will give others something to criticize.
Rather than making decisions on your own, it's better to leave the decision-making power to the emperor; it's both worry-free and safe.
Granny Li nodded, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.
Although his master is young, he knows how to advance and retreat, and is neither arrogant nor impatient. No wonder he is so favored by the emperor.
As evening fell, Yongzheng arrived at Yanxi Palace under the twilight. As soon as he entered, his gaze fell on Lin Yun. Seeing that she looked alright, his tense expression relaxed slightly.
He walked to the edge of the bed and sat down, gently taking her hand in his: "How are you feeling today? Is it still in pain?"
Lin Yun smiled slightly and shook her head: "I am much better, just a little tired."
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