"Imperial edict has arrived!"
On the morning of August 16th, the imperial edict arrived. The matter had occurred an hour earlier. Grand Tutor and Minister of Personnel, Gonglongkodo, was appointed chief envoy, and Imperial Guard, Ma Wu, deputy envoy, was appointed deputy envoy. They carried the imperial seal and edict to establish Niohuru as Empress.
Half an hour ago, the Emperor appointed Song Zhu, a Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall, as the chief envoy, and San Tai, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, as the deputy envoy. They were to carry out the imperial decree and confer the title of Imperial Concubine upon Lady Tongjia.
Now that the gates of Yongshou Palace are open, Niu Niu, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, has been appointed as the chief envoy, and Jiang Tingxi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, as the deputy envoy. They have brought the imperial edict with their imperial credentials. However, the concubines will receive their titles and seals in their respective palaces and listen to the imperial edict. Once the Empress enters the central palace, they will formally perform the three bows and nine kowtows ceremony.
"I, the Emperor, believe that the teachings of the palace begin with the setting of solemnity and dignity, and that the rites and titles bestowed upon you are truly the result of your meritorious service. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you this imperial decree to glorify this noble tradition. Lady Suo Zhuolun is exceptionally virtuous and kind, possessing a refined and dignified bearing, and is prudent and virtuous in her conduct. Her gentle and peaceful nature is a testament to her virtuous character, and her respectful and cautious conduct has established a virtuous reputation within the palace. I have received the benevolent decree of the Empress Dowager, and hereby confer upon you the title of Consort Wan. May you be gentle, respectful, and humble in the face of this auspicious decree, so that you may forever enjoy the blessings of the Emperor. Respectfully yours."
"Your Majesty, I accept the decree and thank you for your great kindness."
Wanyi carefully knelt down, and everyone looked at her intently, afraid that something might go wrong and cause trouble. Even if Wanyi did something slightly off, they would turn a blind eye, as long as Wanyi was safe. After all, they were much more lenient with a pregnant woman.
After the ceremony, Wanyi entered the main hall of Yongshou Palace with the careful assistance of Granny Kong.
"Little Deng, go and find out the ranks of the concubines in the palace. Later, Hongxiu will prepare a gift list and send out all the gifts. We'll move into the main hall this afternoon."
Dressed in court attire, Wanyi sat dignified in the main seat, her mind racing. She had finally come up. Wuya Shi didn't seem so difficult to deal with after all! What was she thinking in her previous life!
"Yes, this servant congratulates Consort Wan! May Consort Wan enjoy boundless blessings and peace!" Hongxiu gave a teasing bow and then left.
"I'm in a good mood today, so bestow them all upon me. Also, promote all the maids who should be promoted! Assign Tianxiang to the kitchen!" She didn't really want to see her, lest it affect her mood.
"Yes, I understand. Let's wait for Xiao Dengzi to come back with the news first." Granny Kong was also very happy. After all, being able to hold a position in a palace was very different from being a concubine in a side hall.
Little Dengzi didn't have to wait long for Wanyi and the others before he returned with the news. Now that he was the head eunuch of Yongshou Palace, he naturally had to be efficient in his work.
"Empress Niohuru, Consort Tongjia, Consort Wan Suozhuolun, Consort An Li, Consort Jing Wangjia, Consort Duan Dong, Consort Rong Majia, Consort Hui Yehenara, Consort Yi Guoluo, Consort Xi Hesheli, Consort Chun Borjigit, Noble Lady Bu Zhaojia, Noble Lady Li Ulanara, Attendant Wulanara, Attendant Shi, Attendant Zhang, Attendant Daijia, Lady Wang, Lady Wanliuha, Lady Irgen Gioro." Xiao Dengzi finished speaking in one breath, still a little out of breath.
"Ninth Consort?"
When Xiao Dengzi mentioned the concubines, Wan Yi counted them. She thought that she would bring down Wuya and take her place as a concubine. She never expected that the number of concubines could be expanded to nine. She was deluded.
"Yes, Your Highness is the head of the Nine Consorts, her rank is comparable to that of a Consort." Below the Noble Consort is his own mistress, Consort Wan, who is the most respected. Little Deng grinned foolishly.
"Your Highness, ha, I was still one step behind. Since Consort Bu can also raise the princess, let's take the Second Princess back to Consort Bu's place!"
In her opinion, it was because of Consort Bu and Consort Zhaojia that she missed the position of Empress, and she was even asked to help raise a princess who only knew how to cry all day long. She shouldn't even think about it.
“But Your Highness, if we show indifference towards the Second Princess, the Emperor might be displeased.”
Granny Tong disagreed, saying, "Although she is a princess, she is still Kangxi's child! When the Emperor arrives, Consort Tong Jia can make a good impression and it won't be difficult for her to adopt another prince."
"Just wait for the Emperor to come and then bring her over. Wouldn't it be better for the mother and daughter to spend more time together?" Consort Tongjia didn't like children at all, since they weren't her own.
"Yes." Granny Tong waved for Youbai to go and make the arrangements.
"How is Wuya doing?" She wanted to know if that bitch was dead yet; it had been so many days!
"Your Majesty, Lady Wuya is already paralyzed in bed, so our people haven't taken any action. Right now, she's suffering a fate worse than death! You can rest assured!" Although Granny Tong hadn't found out who did it, she guessed it was Consort Yi, Lady Guoluo.
"Very well, I'll spare her life!"
Actually, there was another reason why Consort Tongjia went to help Lady Wuya: Lady Wuya had brought out a secret formula for conceiving a child, which was said to be a secret medicine from the previous dynasty. However, she dared not use it for the time being and had already handed it over to her family for secret testing.
"Your Majesty is merciful. If it were anyone else, I don't know how many times Wuya would have died." Granny Tong sighed softly. She knew that the old Consort Tong was probably about to return.
September arrived at a leisurely pace, bringing with it the investiture ceremony for Empress Niohuru.
At the grand ceremony, everyone from the imperial court and the inner palace wore court attire to witness the event. The much-anticipated Empress Niohuru walked solemnly and gracefully down the red carpet to the sound of drums. She knelt before the emperor, promising him that she would "fulfill her duties and manage the inner palace properly." The magnificent investiture ceremony shocked the hearts of countless concubines, ministers, and palace ladies, and also inspired the concubines in the inner palace to vow in their hearts that they would definitely rise to a high position and become the person everyone admired.
The next morning, all the concubines in the harem got up early, as it was time to pay their respects to the emperor every day from this day forward.
"I'm used to getting up late, but I'm not used to it now. If it weren't for this sedan chair, I wouldn't know what to do!" The Empress has already moved into Kunning Palace, so Wanyi's Yongshou Palace is neither too far nor too close, but she's used to sleeping in!
"Your Highness can request leave, but today is the first day. It would be best to go and pay your respects to show respect." Granny Kong was afraid that Wanyi wouldn't be able to get up, so she woke her up very early.
"I understand. Tell them to be careful." Wanyi stroked her slightly protruding belly, but in her heart she was thinking about how to deal with the concubines later.
"Why hasn't our Consort Wan arrived yet! Have you forgotten?" Consort An, Li Shi, was the most indignant. She was clearly more senior than Consort Wan, yet Consort Wan was being presented in front of her. How could she not accept it?
"It's still early. Consort An must be eager to see Consort Wan. Once Consort Wan arrives, I will tell her the truth." Consort Yi, of the Guo Luo Luo clan, is currently allied with Consort Wan, and since Consort Wan is not here, she will naturally help her.
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