Chapter 368 Exceptionally Promoted to Imperial Noble Consort
Song Zhuran returned to Mingyue Palace, picked up the little figurine hidden in the wardrobe, and stabbed it hard with a needle. The little figurine had Jiang Wan Ning's name and birth date written on it.
On the table to the side was a row of small figures, including Pei Yanchuan, Song Zhuyi, and Shen Ruzhi.
“Sister Jiang, I never wanted to be your enemy, but you always have to disgust me. Aren’t you asking for death?” Song Zhuran muttered to herself. “I was just trying to be kind, wanting more people to help you serve the prince.”
"Aren't you always very helpful? I learned that from you."
"But why do you have to meddle in other people's business?" Song Zhuran poked her hard, twisting the long needle in her hand. "You just have to help Master take a concubine."
"Since you like to cause trouble so much, then I'll put in the extra effort."
After venting her anger, Song Zhuran gently placed the little figures in her hand and the items on the table into the box, as if they were her most treasured possessions. She then instructed the palace maid to put the box into the wardrobe.
Song Zhuran took a deep breath. The entire Bright Moon Palace had been replaced with her own people, and she no longer pretended to be innocent.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has arrived," a palace maid announced from outside.
A hint of impatience flashed in Song Zhuran's eyes. She was just about to go out when Xiao Yu arrived. "Light the incense."
"Yes." The maid put away the usual incense and lit another kind.
The first thing Xiao Yu did upon entering the room was to take a deep breath, looking completely at ease.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Consort Chun stepped forward and bowed.
Xiao Yu reached out and helped her up. "My beloved consort, please rise. There are no outsiders here. You need not be so formal when you see me in the future."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xiao Yu pulled Song Zhuran towards the bedside, saying, "I don't know why, but whenever I'm feeling upset or irritable, I feel much better when I come to Mingyue Palace, my beloved consort."
"It's only because Your Majesty favors me that I say such things. Could it be that my Bright Moon Palace is different from other palaces?" Consort Chun, Song Zhuran, said with a smile.
Xiao Yu shook his head, "I just think the fragrance of your Bright Moon Palace makes me feel very comfortable."
“Your Majesty,” a young palace maid interjected, “the Empress specially added calming ingredients to these spices. Her Majesty has been experiencing frequent convulsions lately, and these are prescriptions given by the imperial physician.”
"Your Majesty is exhausted every day, and this calming incense must have been effective."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu reached out and grasped Song Zhuran's hand. "My beloved concubine, what's wrong? Did you not sleep well?"
Consort Chun, Song Zhuran, said softly, "I just feel that I don't quite know how to handle these things. I always do good things but end up doing bad things, like this time."
Song Zhuran lowered her head in remorse as she spoke.
Xiao Yu patted Song Zhuran's hand. "This is not your fault."
"Alright, no need to overthink it. I was wondering why you reacted so strongly to the matter of the Prince Consort taking a concubine. It turns out it's because you're afraid you'll make another mistake regarding the Prince of Langya."
"I reprimanded you in front of them today, which can be considered a punishment."
Upon hearing that Chen Jie was to take a concubine, Song Zhuran felt a surge of anger. Xiao Yu lowered his head slightly and reached out to flick Song Zhuran's nose. "What? Are you still angry about what I said about you today?"
"I don't have any," Song Zhuran said in a muffled voice.
Xiao Yu pulled the person into his arms, "Alright, I'm going to promote you in rank."
Xiao Yu pondered for a moment, "Above the rank of Consort is Imperial Noble Consort. Logically speaking, an Imperial Noble Consort must have one thing in common: offspring."
As Xiao Yu spoke, he looked down at Song Zhuran's belly and reached out to touch it. "Speaking of which, I've been resting in Mingyue Palace all this time, so why haven't I seen any signs of pregnancy in your belly?"
Song Zhuran said shyly, "Your Majesty, having a child is a matter of fate. My sister is the same. It can only be said that my fate with Your Majesty's child has not yet arrived."
"This good thing can't be rushed. Maybe when His Majesty's important matters are settled, this opportunity will arrive."
Xiao Yu was pleased to hear this and laughed heartily, "Then I will make an exception and promote you to Imperial Noble Consort, with the same rank as the Empress."
"The Empress is currently pregnant and it is not suitable for her to manage the harem. Let her take good care of her pregnancy. I will entrust the power to manage the harem to you."
Upon hearing this, Song Zhuran stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, I thank you. I am willing to share the burden with my elder sister."
"Didn't I say that my beloved concubine doesn't need to kneel when there are no outsiders around?"
Song Zhuran stood up and smiled sweetly.
Xiao Yu stood up and opened his arms. "Alright, let's go to bed. I won't be leaving today."
Song Zhuran gently advised, "Your Majesty, Master Qingfeng has said that Your Majesty must sleep alone during this period and must not have any relations with men or women, otherwise all your previous efforts will be in vain."
Although Xiao Yu was displeased, he thought of his important matter of immortality and said, "Fine, I will endure it a little longer."
"Your Majesty would also like to stay, but I must consider Your Majesty's important matters and cannot be so insensible."
Xiao Yu said softly, "You are more sensible than any of the concubines in the harem."
"You are perfectly capable of holding this position of Imperial Noble Consort."
"In that case, you should get some rest as soon as possible."
"yes."
After Xiao Yu finished speaking, he turned to leave, but stopped abruptly at the door. He turned to look at the incense burner on the table and said, "Send some of this incense to my palace as well."
Song Zhuran's heart tightened; this spice must not be known to anyone else.
The young palace maid immediately understood, "Your Majesty, please forgive us, we just ran out of spices today, there's only a little left, and Her Highness just lit it."
Song Zhuran stepped forward and said, "I will have the Imperial Hospital prepare some for Your Majesty and send them over later."
Xiao Yu nodded in satisfaction.
No sooner had the person left than Song Zhuran ordered someone to pour out the spices and replace them with regular incense.
"Your Majesty, what about His Majesty..."
"Go and have our people from the Imperial Hospital prescribe some normal calming herbs for His Majesty. These kinds of spices must never be seen outside the Bright Moon Palace."
This spice is specially made; inhaling it too much can become addictive, causing hallucinations and a feeling that one's body is becoming younger and stronger, when in reality one's entire body is gradually being hollowed out.
In addition, the so-called 'elixirs' that Xiao Yu takes every day contain a certain amount of poison, so Xiao Yu's body can barely hold on until Song Zhuyi gives birth.
She takes the antidote daily, so the spices don't smell bad.
Song Zhuran is currently troubled by the matter of Chen Jie taking a concubine. It would be best for her master to refuse the offer himself. However, she can also imagine that although Xiao Yu is currently not involved in court affairs, he is still devoted to her master and Pei Yanchuan.
He definitely won't agree.
Song Zhuran's head was getting more and more so. "Come here and do something for me."
Suddenly, Song Zhuran thought of a way to deal with it, and said excitedly, "Jiang Wanning, you will regret your choice."
If another major event were to occur in the court, no one would care about the matter of arranging a concubine for the master; this matter could be delayed as long as possible.
If this drags on until Master settles his important matters, all of these people will die.
Song Zhuran couldn't stand any woman other than herself touching Chen Jie. The entire Prince Consort's mansion was full of men, with not a single woman among them.
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