Chapter 390 Conferred the Title of Consort of Tang
The palace maids outside were making so much noise that they couldn't be stopped. It was so sudden that even Granny Wang didn't dare to throw the maids out, because her mistress was the Crown Prince's favorite.
Jiang Fenghua gave Xie Shang a push. Remembering what Granny Wang had said during the day, she knew which palace had sent the maids outside.
"Is Consort Zhu seriously ill? Your Highness, why don't you go and see her?" Jiang Fenghua asked.
The next moment, Xie Shang said in a deep voice, "Tell her to stop shouting. I'll be there shortly."
"Yes." A disrespectful voice came from outside.
Xie Shang got up and dressed, but Jiang Fenghua stayed in bed, refusing to get up and serve him, her beautiful eyes fixed on his face.
Xie Shang offered to explain, "I'll be right back. Ruan Ruan, go to sleep first. Zhu Liangdi's health has been poor ever since her miscarriage, and she often suffers from abdominal pain. I should go and check on her."
"I'll have the imperial physician examine her carefully tomorrow, so she doesn't develop a chronic illness that will be difficult to treat later," she said with concern.
"Alright," Xie Shang said.
As soon as Xie Shang left, Granny Wang slipped in. Seeing Jiang Fenghua's flushed face and her clothes half-open, she immediately understood.
Granny Wang said, "The Crown Princess didn't know to keep her here, letting her get away with it. I'm so angry."
Jiang Fenghua's eyes turned slightly cold. "What's there to be angry about? His Highness said that she seems to be suffering from some serious illness, so naturally we have to go and comfort her."
"It would be better if she really died of illness, but unfortunately she was faking it," said Granny Wang.
"Alright, Granny, you should go and rest early too! It's so late, we can talk about it tomorrow." Xie Shang spoils the Zhu family, but she won't spoil Zhu Zhenzhen. Just wait and see!
That night, Xie Shang did not return. It was probably because Consort Zhu was seriously ill, and he stayed at Yuling Palace to accompany her as she recovered.
Jiang Fenghua slept well yesterday, so she got up early today.
Early in the morning, she went to Kunning Palace to pay her respects to the Empress.
When the Empress heard that Jiang Fenghua was waiting outside the palace, she also got up to dress up. In fact, Empress Cheng would go to the Qianqing Palace to have breakfast with the Emperor every morning.
Upon seeing Empress Cheng, Jiang Fenghua bowed respectfully, saying, "Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities! Please sit down," said Empress Cheng. Jiang Fenghua is now a favorite of the Emperor, and the Emperor praises her. So even if Empress Cheng wanted to act like a mother-in-law, she had to consider Jiang Fenghua's current status and position first.
"Thank you, Mother." Jiang Fenghua slowly sat down and said, "Your daughter-in-law has brought you some folk pastries. Please try them and see if you like them."
Granny Wang personally presented the food box to the table.
Cheng Huang took a bite and praised, "It is indeed soft, chewy, and refreshing, sweet but not cloying."
"I'm glad Mother is happy." Jiang Fenghua greeted her, then added, "I have another matter to ask for Mother's opinion on. This year, I'd like to make His Highness the Crown Prince's birthday banquet more grand. What's your opinion, Mother?"
Xie Shang had never held a grand birthday banquet before, so Empress Cheng was naturally pleased that her son's birthday banquet was being taken seriously. "Let's do it as Ruan Ruan wishes! The Crown Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty can't have a shabby birthday celebration. Last year we didn't celebrate much, so it's not unreasonable to have a big celebration this year. It'll be a good opportunity for the palace to have some fun, and maybe the Emperor's illness will be cured."
“My daughter-in-law thinks so too,” Jiang Fenghua agreed. “It just so happens that it’s also Yan’er and Hongyou’s first birthday that day. It’s a triple celebration, so we must make it a lively and joyous occasion.”
When the young imperial grandson was mentioned, Empress Cheng was naturally delighted. "Once the concubines give birth to imperial heirs one after another, the Eastern Palace will be truly lively. With children, there will be something to look forward to and hope for."
“Yes, I have already asked Granny Wang to arrange for the ladies to serve me in bed. There are still several ladies in the Eastern Palace who have not yet served me. His Highness has recently shown some favoritism towards certain ladies,” Jiang Fenghua said. “I have another matter to make up my mind about. I would like to ask Mother for your guidance.”
"What is it?" Jiang Fenghua's attitude of reporting everything made Empress Cheng feel very important, which she liked.
"Both Consort Tang and Consort Gao of the Eastern Palace are pregnant at the same time. I originally thought that there was still one concubine position left in the Eastern Palace, and whoever gave birth to the imperial heir first would get the position. However, now that Consort Zhu is deeply favored by His Highness, I don't know whether I should give the position of concubine to Consort Zhu..."
Empress Cheng said in a deep voice, "Based on rank and the contributions the ladies have made to the royal family, who should sit in this position, Zhu Zhenzhen or Tang Qianran?"
Jiang Fenghua said respectfully, "Both Zhu Liangdi and Tang Liangdi are of the second rank. However, they entered the palace at the same time. In terms of contributions, Tang Liangdi is naturally superior. After all, she is about to add an imperial heir to the royal family. She deserves the position of concubine."
Jiang Fenghua thought: The Zhu family's plan to get the position of concubine is going to fail. Empress Cheng will definitely not give the position of concubine to a woman who cannot have children. She has long supported Tang Qianran, and the Tang family has made many offerings to Empress Cheng. Empress Cheng will definitely give the position of concubine to her.
Let the Empress be the villain!
Sure enough, the imperial decree from the Empress conferring the title of Crown Prince's concubine on Tang Qianran was delivered to Consort Tang's palace that afternoon.
Tang Qianran's belly was already showing, and the position of concubine falling into her lap was like a windfall.
So she gave the servant who delivered the imperial decree a generous reward.
People are in high spirits when they have good news. Tang Qianran was made a concubine, so she naturally wanted to show it off everywhere.
On this day, the Crown Princess came to Chenxi Palace to pay her respects again. After Consort Tang and Consort Song sat on equal footing, their animosity was on their faces, and neither was willing to give way to the other.
Zhu Zhenzhen couldn't stand their smug attitude. Relying on her favor, she didn't take the two concubines seriously. The daughter of a censor had even forgotten the proper etiquette regarding rank and status in the Eastern Palace.
She swayed her slender waist and walked away. Tang Qianran, supported by a palace maid, blocked her way. She coughed lightly and said, "Consort Zhu."
Finally, Zhu Zhenzhen still said unwillingly, "This concubine greets Consort Tang."
Tang Qianran had been used as a pawn by Zhu Zhenzhen, and she remembered it. "Please, Miss Zhu, no need for formalities!"
She added, "I've heard that Consort Zhu has been unwell lately, with the imperial physicians constantly making trips to Yuling Palace. Could it be that Consort Zhu is experiencing morning sickness without realizing it?"
When someone stepped on her sore spot, Zhu Zhenzhen clenched her fingers in anger. Hatred rose from the bottom of her heart. Looking at the lotus pond next to her, she wanted to push Tang Qianran, who was six months pregnant, into the pond. She didn't know if she could save the baby if she fell in.
She gave a wink to her trusted maid, Tang Qianran, who was already on guard. Immediately, the maid stepped in front of her and said, "What are you doing? Do you want to harm Consort Tang? Consort Tang's belly is very precious. If Her Majesty the Empress finds out that someone is trying to harm the imperial heir, you'll be in big trouble."
Startled by this, Zhu Zhenzhen's confidants dared not act recklessly and quickly retreated to the side.
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