"It's getting late, and it would be troublesome for Consort Li to go back to the palace to dress up. I have a few newly made clothes here that I've never worn before. Consort Li is as beautiful as ever. If you don't mind, please choose two to wear for now. We'll wait for His Majesty to bestow some fabric so that I can make new clothes for you." As Lu Qingyan spoke, before Consort Li could refuse, she had someone quickly bring out the clothes.
These palace outfits were all newly tailored by her according to Zongzheng Shen's preferences. Consort Li originally wanted to refuse, but when she saw the clothes that the Emperor liked, she swallowed her words and half-heartedly allowed Lu Qingyan's people to serve her. After changing her clothes in the inner room, she combed her hair again and applied makeup. For a moment, she looked radiant and her beauty was indeed as good as ever.
After all, she resembled Consort Li and had given birth to two stunningly beautiful princesses. Her own natural features were not bad either; she simply hadn't dressed up before. Now, with makeup, even if she only had a 7 out of 10 face value, she would have become a 10 out of 10 beautiful.
This outfit was also prepared by Zongzheng Shen for Baili. Now, upon closer inspection, Consort Li and Baili today look exactly alike.
Lu Qingyan smiled and praised her a couple of times. The fennel beside her made Consort Li's cheeks flush red. Seeing that it was getting late, Lu Qingyan pulled Consort Li and called for a palanquin to head towards the palace where the banquet was being held.
By this time, the palace was already filled with court officials and their wives. When Empress Lu led the group out, everyone greeted each other. Just as the banquet was about to begin, almost all the concubines had arrived, and the eunuchs announced in a shrill voice, "His Majesty has arrived."
Everyone rose and bowed. Zongzheng Shen personally led Bai Li to come along. Lu Qingyan caught a glimpse of the slight sorrow on Bai Li's face and the spring-like look between her brows out of the corner of her eye, and couldn't help but coldly curl the corners of her mouth.
Consort Li, who had been kneeling beside her, suddenly raised her head and trembled violently as if struck by lightning.
"Rise, everyone." Zongzheng Shen's somewhat cold voice rang out. After everyone thanked him, they sat down again. Bai Li followed Zongzheng Shen to sit in the chief seat, appearing to have an even more noble status than Lu Qingyan, who should have been sitting side by side with the emperor.
This was the second time she had attended such a banquet, and many people did not recognize her. However, her face looked so much like someone that even the Empress Dowager at the head of the table was somewhat flustered.
Consort Li, standing beside Lu Qingyan, had pale lips. She stared at Bai Li for a long time, her eyes first showing shock, then disbelief, and finally biting her lip tightly, not daring to speak. But the color quickly faded from her face.
"Besides celebrating Prime Minister Jun's victory today, the most important thing I want to announce is that I will bestow the title of Imperial Noble Consort." Zongzheng Shen took Bai Li's slightly trembling little hand and announced this.
Upon hearing this, Jun Jiuxian, seated below, didn't even furrow his brow. Instead, a sinister glint appeared in his eyes as he stared at Bai Li on the stage for a long time. His handsome, expressionless face revealed a chilling murderous intent, making him look exactly like a betrayed subject.
Consort Li initially tried to hold back, but when she heard Zongzheng Shen say that Bai Li was to be conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort, she suddenly couldn't hold it in anymore, coughed twice, and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Ah!" someone exclaimed in surprise, only then realizing that Consort Li looked exactly like the Imperial Noble Consort beside the Emperor. This was...
"Emperor!" The Empress Dowager could no longer contain her anger.
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