Chapter 257 World Ten (End)
Empress Dowager Zhong's gifts flowed like water into the palaces of the concubines. Each one passed through a dozen young eunuchs, carrying neatly gilded mahogany boxes before being presented to Sun Ruxuan. Empress Dowager Zhong repeatedly issued decrees praising Sun Ruxuan for her gentle and virtuous disposition, her respectful and courteous demeanor, and her ability to shoulder important responsibilities.
"Gentle and virtuous"—how could an ordinary concubine deserve such a prestigious title? Even a favored concubine like Lan Zhaoyuan was only cherished by His Majesty as "soft-tempered, yet resilient." Respectful and courteous, capable of great responsibility, within the harem, only the Crown Princess could use such lavish praise.
Empress Dowager Zhong's publicity spree was clearly visible to the court and harem. It was clear that Empress Dowager Zhong intended to make Sun Ruxuan empress, hence the grand ceremony, first with rewards and then with endless praise. Even before the official decree had been issued, Sun Ruxuan's impending empresshood was already a matter of tacit agreement.
Suddenly, the numerous concubines sharing Sun Ruxuan's palace received letters from their families, urging them to be close to her. These letters directly clarified the profound implications of Empress Dowager Zhong's actions. The matter of conferring the title of empress was of paramount importance to the harem. Empress Dowager Zhong hesitated to issue her decree, perhaps anticipating the upcoming sacrificial ceremony.
At that time, in front of many court officials, after Chu Boyu completes the sacrificial ceremony, he will loudly announce the matter of conferring the title of queen, thus demonstrating his importance to Sun Ruxuan.
The concubines thought to themselves: Everyone in the former and harems knew about this, which shows that there is no chance of turning around the issue of the queen.
The concubines had mixed feelings, but they all followed their family's instructions, brought a few plates of snacks, and took the opportunity of visiting to get close to Sun Ruxuan.
The concubines stopped in front of Sun Ruxuan's bedroom and heard the palace maid say with embarrassment that Sun Ruxuan had just rested. She always had the habit of taking a nap at noon, so it was obvious that the concubines had come at an untimely time.
All the concubines returned empty-handed, but when they were about to leave Sun Ruxuan's bedroom, they couldn't help but turn around and look.
But seeing the deep and secluded flowers and trees, obscuring the doors and windows, the beauties sighed that everyone has their own destiny.
Perhaps from the day when Sun Ruxuan was repeatedly favored by Chu Boyu's pet Mo Yu, they should have realized that Sun Ruxuan was blessed with endless good fortune.
The fighting was done by these scheming women, but they did not receive any sympathy from Chu Boyu.
With the favored Lan Zhaoyuan around, the concubines did not think that it was Chu Boyu who took the initiative to push for the empress.
According to their speculation, it was probably Empress Dowager Zhong who was interested, and Chu Boyu was a gentle person, so he had to accept it.
Since the day Sun Ruxuan entered the palace, compared with the busy ladies, she was too indifferent and even seemed lazy.
But the throne of queen, which everyone coveted, finally fell into the hands of Sun Ruxuan.
The concubines sighed in their hearts, not knowing whether to say "everyone has their own destiny" or to sigh about the mediocre fate of ordinary people. Faced with such good fortune, they could only envy.
The news that Chu Boyu was going to establish a queen soon spread into Zhilan Palace.
The palace maids serving in Zhilan Palace couldn't help but talk about it.
During these days, Chu Boyu had not stepped into Zhilan Palace, nor had he come to visit Baoshan.
Although the palace ladies were puzzled, they gradually began to feel relieved when they learned that Chu Boyu did not favor any of the beautiful girls, and simply thought that Chu Boyu was preoccupied with political affairs.
But now, after hearing the news of the queen's enthronement, the palace people began to make all kinds of speculations when they saw that Chu Boyu had never visited them.
What was consuming Chu Boyu's mind and energy wasn't the court affairs, but the arrangements for personally enthroning Sun Ruxuan as empress during the sacrificial ceremony.
Suddenly, the people in Zhilan Palace were restless. After Yinhua dealt with a few talkative palace maids, she walked into the inner hall and saw Baoshan with her eyelids slightly lowered, her eyes filled with loneliness. She held a cup of tea in her hand. But judging by the water marks, it seemed that she had not used it at all.
Yinhua walked forward, took the already cold cup of tea, and asked softly, "There's a new open space in the Imperial Garden. I heard they're going to imitate folk crafts and create an exquisite flower garden. Zhaoyuan, would you like to go and see it?"
Bao Shan raised her eyes slightly, her dark, round pupils gleaming with moisture. She nodded softly and said, "Then go."
The lake-blue dress was lightly wrapped around Baoshan's body, and a flowing snow-white silk ribbon hung around her slender waist.
There was sorrow in Baoshan's eyes, making the beauty look even more fragile.
Baoshan walked slowly to the imperial garden, and sure enough, there were dozens of craftsmen building a flower bed.
I don't know where these craftsmen found the colorful pebbles to lay on the outer layer of the flower bed. Between the gaps between the stones, they planted some slender flowers such as daisies and dandelions as decoration.
I heard that the craftsmen are planning to plant some rare varieties of orchids in this flower garden.
"Orchids are noble and have a delicate fragrance. This flower garden is located in a quiet place near a stream, making it the perfect place to grow orchids."
Baoshan opened her mouth and said softly, "I heard there is an orchid called Haoxue, which is white in color and looks like winter snow.
Although its scent is faint, once it is stained, it cannot be removed for more than three days. There is also a saying that goes, "Passing among a field of thousands of flowers, only the fragrance of white snow can be smelled."
The craftsman hurriedly said, "There is such a kind of orchid. If Your Majesty agrees, you can plant orchids in this flower garden.
In a few days, Lan Zhaoyuan will be able to see Haoxue again."
Baoshan then relaxed her dark brows, and a look of longing appeared on her porcelain-white face.
Suddenly, a sneering voice came from behind. Baoshan turned around and saw several beautiful girls, escorting Sun Ruxuan towards the flower garden.
The young lady who had just sneered had a frivolous look in her eyes. She was obviously trying to curry favor with Sun Ruxuan by denigrating and mocking the precious fan.
She casually bowed and, without waiting for Baoshan to speak, rose naturally. The young lady walked to the flowerbed, surveyed it for a long moment, and said, "Why plant orchids? In my opinion, orchids have only a reputation for purity, but in reality, they are treacherous. Your Majesty... even if you may be temporarily captivated by the orchid's appearance, you will eventually tire of it."
In the flower garden, don't plant orchids. Plant peonies instead. Their vibrant and luxuriant blooms are no more appealing than orchids that display a delicate and pitiful posture.
The craftsman didn't respond. He just glanced up at the treasured fan and then quickly looked away. "The matter of the flower garden still requires your Majesty's decision."
What the concubine said was tantamount to using flowers to mock the precious fan. What's the use of having the delicate appearance of an orchid? In the end, it still has to give way to the peony.
Sun Ruxuan opened her mouth slightly, but ultimately did not say anything to stop the concubine.
Sun Ruxuan thought about Sun Xiuzhuan's advice. She would soon become the master of the harem and could no longer avoid fighting for power in order to avoid trouble as she had done in the past.
Baoshan's face did not turn red as everyone had guessed because of the words of the concubine.
Her brows were relaxed, and her beautiful face showed no trace of anger. Baoshan slowly walked up to Sun Ruxuan and said, "You didn't seem to have performed any formalities just now."
Sun Ruxuan suddenly raised her head.
Yinhua said hurriedly: "Not only Sun Xiunu, but also these few people, none of them have performed according to the palace rules.
Han Xiunv, who had been furious just now, had bowed before she could speak to Lan Zhaoyuan, but she stood up straight away.
According to palace rules, those who disrespect their superiors should be severely punished."
Baoshan reached out her delicate hand and gently tucked the hair by her ear. Her crimson lips gently parted, her voice soft and delicate, revealing her frailty. "It's alright if you treat me disrespectfully. But the palace rules were established by His Majesty, and what you're doing... is disobeying His Majesty's rules. If this causes His Majesty more sorrow, it will be extremely unpleasant."
Hearing this, Sun Ruxuan leaned forward and called out, "Lan Zhaoyuan is fine."
When the others saw this, Sun Ruxuan had already lowered her head and quickly bowed in greeting.
Even Han Xiuniu, who had been shouting wantonly just now, bowed reluctantly.
The voices of "Lan Zhaoyuan is fine" came from the mouths of these beautiful girls.
Although they appeared respectful on the surface, they must have resented Baoshan in their hearts.
But Baoshan didn't care what the concubines thought, as long as they had to be respectful, that was enough.
Baoshan didn't ask them to stand up, so the women could only bend over, keeping their backs straight, looking precarious. Baoshan walked up to Han Xiunu and said softly, "Peony flowers are indeed pleasing to the eye. But you, it seems, only know how to appreciate beauty, but not how to judge people."
Han Xiunü stood there, not knowing what Baoshan meant by this.
After Bao Shan left gracefully, Han Xiunv immediately ran to Sun Ruxuan's side and said with gritted teeth, "Why are you so arrogant? In the future... she won't be able to hold the same prestige as a mere Zhaoyuan."
Since that day, Baoshan came back from the flower garden and has been bedridden due to catching a cold.
Baoshan was already very frail, and after taking the medicine for a few days, her slender figure looked even more pitiful. When Yinhua wanted to go look for Chu Boyu, she was stopped by Baoshan.
Baoshan said softly, "His Majesty is in urgent need of attention. Yinhua, please do not disturb him."
Yinhua was extremely angry. She watched the sacrificial ceremony getting closer. Chu Boyu didn't have any urgent matters at all. He was probably worried about how to make the queen a grand ceremony. That's why he had no time to care about Zhilan Palace.
Baoshan gently sat up, and Yinhua immediately stepped forward to support Baoshan's slightly staggering body. Baoshan's beautiful eyes trembled slightly, and she said slowly, "Bring me the petals I picked, and I'll make a cup of tea myself."
The fragrant petals were placed in Baoshan's hands. Her soft hands pinched the soft petals and gently played with them in the clear water. Then she placed them in a teapot filled with hot water. The petals immediately rolled up and floated on the water.
These are the petals that Baoshan picked for Chu Boyu. Now the tea has been brewed, but no one is enjoying it.
Baoshan lowered her eyelids slightly and told Yinhua to put the tea on the table. She pulled herself under the quilt and fell into a deep sleep. In her dream, Baoshan seemed to hear footsteps. Her brows furrowed, then quickly relaxed.
Chu Boyu came to Zhilan Palace late at night. He stroked the tea on the table, which had already lost all its warmth and was only ice-cold.
Chu Boyu poured out the tea and drank three cups in succession until only the petals stained with water remained in the teapot.
Chu Boyu lifted his foot and walked to the couch. He took off his boots, changed into his inner garments, and turned over to lie down beside Bao Shan.
Chu Boyu stretched out his hand and touched the temperature of Baoshan's forehead. It was slightly cool, probably because the coldness in his body had been eliminated.
Chu Boyu leaned over gently and pressed his thin lips against Baoshan's soft lips.
These days, without coming to Zhilan Palace, Chu Boyu suffered even more torment than the precious fan.
Chu Boyu could not sleep well every night. He always dreamed of the days when he was bullied in Shu City. He dreamed of Chu Boyu, with his frail figure standing in the bone-chilling cold wind, never knowing whether he could survive the next day.
The young Chu Boyu and the present Chu Boyu standing face to face.
Chu Boyu stretched out his hand and touched little Chu Boyu, causing the bones in his palm to ache.
Little Chu Boyu opened his large, lifeless eyes, stared at Chu Boyu for a long time, and suddenly said, "I thought that life would be easier when I grow up.
But after seeing you, I feel that the difficult situation has not improved."
"Chu Boyu."
Little Chu Boyu called out in a hoarse voice.
"Finding food is becoming increasingly difficult. This winter is exceptionally cold, and I'm afraid I won't be able to endure it. I'm not a person of strong character.
Chu Boyu, since you're having a hard time, why don't you leave with me?
As he said this, little Chu Boyu's dull eyes suddenly lit up.
This glory made Chu Boyu nod in agreement.
But in the end, Chu Boyu still shook his head firmly, rejecting the idea of giving up everything: "I can't."
Little Chu Boyu tilted his head, his eyes full of confusion: "Why?"
Is there anything in this world worth your nostalgia?
Little Chu Boyu seemed to be lost in thought, and suddenly said, "Oh, I understand. You can't bear to give up your present basic needs. Judging from your luxurious clothes, you must be living a very good life. You have food to eat and clothes to wear, unlike me..."
Chu Boyu frowned and denied it, "No, it's not because of these."
Little Chu Boyu stopped talking and looked up at him.
Chu Boyu said slowly: "I still have Baoshan. Yes, I still have her. Baoshan has a weak personality. If I leave, who can she rely on with her soft personality?
I am worried about Baoshan. I feel uneasy about leaving her to anyone. I can only let myself be Baoshan's support."
Little Chu Boyu looked at Chu Boyu quietly, and suddenly grinned.
Little Chu Boyu suddenly disappeared, and Chu Boyu woke up from his dream.
There was silence and no one around him, and a feeling of loneliness filled Chu Boyu's heart.
He was eager to see the treasured fan, but when Chu Boyu reached the palace gate, he suddenly stopped.
This is how Chu Boyu survived every day.
Until today, everything has been arranged properly, and Chu Boyu could have waited until tomorrow to visit the precious fan.
But Chu Boyu couldn't wait any longer, so he hurried to see her.
Chu Boyu stretched out his arms and held the soft body in his arms.
Baoshan seemed even more docile and well-behaved in her sleep, and she clung to Chu Boyu wholeheartedly.
Seeing this, Chu Boyu's heart softened. He leaned close to Baoshan's ear and whispered softly, "The flower tea is delicious. No one else can brew it like this except you."
The next day, Baoshan woke up and felt warm all over, as if he was fully recovered.
Baoshan glanced at the empty space beside him and suddenly asked, "Did anyone come to Zhilan Palace last night?"
Yinhua shook her head: "No."
Baoshan lowered her eyelids, and her long, black eyelashes cast a shadow on her fair cheeks.
On the day of the sacrifice, Baoshan changed into a moon-white palace dress, appearing gentle and charming, and not stealing the limelight from the future queen.
As for what kind of hairpins and rings to use for her hair, Yinhua was hesitant.
Baoshan's slender fingers swept through the dazzling array of hairpins and rings, and finally chose a peony hairpin inlaid with pearls.
It is elegant and luxurious, unlike Baoshan's usual delicate attire.
But Yinhua looked calm as usual, and she pinned the peony hairpin inlaid with pearls in Baoshan's hair.
According to Yinhua, although Sun Ruxuan was going to be crowned queen, it had not been announced yet. There was nothing wrong with wearing a peony hairpin inlaid with pearls with the precious fan.
The sacrifice was held as usual.
Chu Boyu was dressed in bright yellow sacrificial clothing, his brows were tense, his steps were steady, showing the style of an emperor.
When Chu Boyu passed by Bao Shan, he paused, then returned to normal in an instant.
The rituals were complex, and after all the steps were completed, Bao Shan felt her legs weaken. After the ceremony, the empress was announced. Empress Dowager Zhong had been casual, but when the senior palace maid beside her hurried over and whispered a few words to her, her expression changed drastically.
Empress Dowager Zhong opened her eyes wide and looked at Chu Boyu in disbelief.
Her palms hung by her legs, tightened and loosened, and finally fell down weakly.
Chu Boyu stood tall and graceful on a high platform, with fifty-six white marble steps under his feet.
The sunlight shines on the white marble steps, reflecting a bright light.
The head eunuch unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict and read aloud: "Without a leader in the harem, the rules will inevitably be broken. The harem is a crucial place and cannot be left without a leader for even a single day.
Today, there is a virtuous and kind girl who handles things in a proper manner and has the demeanor of a mother of the nation..."
The maiden standing next to Sun Ruxuan began to whisper in envy, "With so many words of praise, it's clear that His Majesty has put a lot of thought into Ruxuan."
Sun Ruxuan's originally calm mood couldn't help but ripple. She raised her head and looked at the handsome Chu Boyu on the high platform.
"The name Zhaoyuan is not enough to match her character. Now, in accordance with the emperor's will, I specially confer the title of Baoshan on her and make her the master of the harem. She is both the empress and my wife, and we will work together to support each other and achieve great things."
The whole room was in uproar.
A look of surprise appeared on Sun Ruxuan's usually calm face. This was different from what Empress Dowager Zhong said.
It was clear that Empress Dowager Zhong promised to give the title of empress to Sun Ruxuan, so how could she openly exchange it for a treasured fan?
Sun Ruxuan subconsciously sought help from Empress Dowager Zhong. But Empress Dowager Zhong had no time to care for Sun Ruxuan. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if she was worried about something.
The ladies-in-waiting were already clamoring. Han, the former rude lady, was especially disturbed. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, fearing that Bao Shan would torture her after becoming empress.
The head eunuch continued to read the decree: "...There are many beautiful women in the palace, all of them in their prime years. Youth is fleeting, and I cannot bear to see this happen. I hereby permit all of them to abandon their status as beautiful women, return home, and marry."
After saying this, Chu Boyu didn't care about the shocked expressions of the court officials and the beauties. He walked towards the treasured fan and placed his broad palm in front of it.
Baoshan's watery eyes trembled slightly: "Your Majesty..."
The soft and tender hand was held in Chu Boyu's palm. The two stood on the high platform together, accepting the continuous congratulations from the ministers.
Because Chu Boyu had dismissed the concubines, the women packed up and returned home to marry. It was her father, Sun Xiuzhuan, who came to fetch Sun Ruxuan. Sun Xiuzhuan looked exhausted, suggesting a mistake in his empress appointment, which had left him with considerable stamina. This had led to much criticism for Sun Xiuzhuan, and his future career as an official was likely to be even more difficult and bumpy.
Sun Xiuzhuan watched Sun Ruxuan turn around and look back at the palace gate, and sighed softly, "Don't let your imagination run wild."
Sun Ruxuan had no choice but to look away angrily and get on the carriage.
Without the status of a concubine, Sun Ruxuan would not even be qualified to enter the palace for the rest of her life.
Returning home and living a simple life was what Sun Ruxuan had wanted, but now that she had truly achieved it, she couldn't even pull up the corners of her mouth when she tried to smile.
Han Xiuniu was extremely happy when she heard the news that she could go home.
Since she was not in the palace, Baoshan, even as the queen, could not punish her at will.
Moreover, Han Xiunü has a good family background. If she finds a good husband, she can live happily for the rest of her life.
But when Han Xiunü returned home, she found that her parents were full of sorrow and did not mention the marriage at all.
Han Xiuniu was confused and asked once, but was scolded by her family.
"You have done wrong things in the palace, so how can you expect to have a good marriage?
Besides, you've implicated my family. Our family's situation is already difficult..."
Not only Han Xiu Nu, but all the concubines who followed Sun Ruxuan closely and bullied Bao Shan in the palace that day were punished.
Chu Boyu knew that some punishments did not require beating people to pieces, but they could make people feel more unbearable than physical pain.
When Empress Dowager Zhong saw General Zhong again, she immediately checked to see if he had suffered any injuries.
General Zhong shook his head, his face tense. Chu Boyu hadn't hurt him. He had simply found someone to replace him and restricted his freedom.
General Zhong remembered what Chu Boyu had said in front of him, and he stretched out his hand to stop Empress Dowager Zhong from questioning Chu Boyu.
"younger sister."
"Isn't this what we want?"
A few years ago, they brought Chu Boyu into the palace and taught him the first lesson of being an emperor, which was to be ruthless.
Now, Chu Boyu has surpassed his master. He is not only cruel to his enemies, but also to those close to him, and even to himself.
He has become a qualified emperor, so what can General Zhong say about Chu Boyu? After all, this is what General Zhong taught him personally.
Empress Dowager Zhong finally lost her strength and no longer planned to look for Chu Boyu.
The flower beds in the imperial garden were built, and according to Chu Boyu's instructions, the craftsmen planted peonies in them.
The flowers sway in the wind, each one blooming richly and generously, with bright colors and a strong fragrance.
As for the rare and exquisite orchid Haoxue, it was placed in a wooden basin and sent to the queen's bedroom.
Yinhua ordered the care of the flowers in the empress's palace. Although still young, Yinhua was often addressed as "Auntie." Even the eunuchs serving Chu Boyu had to show some respect.
Yinhua said in a clear voice, "Put the Haoxue in the inner hall. The Queen loves this flower the most. Be careful not to break it."
Although this is the queen's bedroom, there are only busy palace maids here, and no trace of the precious fan.
At this time, Chu Boyu should have left the morning court long ago.
But at this time, Chu Boyu was still sitting on the dragon throne.
In his arms, curled up was a delicate beauty.
Chu Boyu placed the precious fan on the cold dragon throne. Made of pure gold, the throne exuded opulence and splendor, reflecting against her jade-white skin, as if coating it with a thin layer of golden light.
Baoshan's cheeks flushed, and her beautiful eyes looked timidly towards the palace door—
It was casually open, with no intention of concealing the scenery inside.
Baoshan was sitting on the dragon throne again. Her misty eyes looked down and the scene of Chu Boyu attending court here emerged in front of her.
She was in a trance for a moment, as if she was being stared at by so many ministers and doing such a shameful thing. How could Baoshan not feel ashamed and angry?
The red quilt was fluttering, but there was no red quilt available, so the bright yellow court robe could only be used as a brocade quilt to cover herself.
The slender, straight fingers left marks of varying depths on Chu Boyu's broad back.
Beads of sweat covered Chu Boyu's forehead, and his body and mind were in agony.
The beauty called his name softly, sometimes "Your Majesty", and after a while it became "Husband". Chu Boyu coaxed Baoshan to call him "Boyu".
Their hair was tangled together, their black and black hair overlapping each other.
Chu Boyu was lost in thought, wondering how he was going to separate the tangled strands of hair. Asking Bao Shan to do it was definitely not going to work. Bao Shan was clumsy, and she would always tear some of the hair apart, which made Chu Boyu feel distressed.
It seems that the one who finally separated the two people could only be Chu Boyu.
Thinking of this, Chu Boyu felt happy and thought to himself: The precious fan really can't leave him. If the precious fan left him, he wouldn't be able to do even the smallest thing well, and his eyes would surely be filled with tears.
But after the joy, Chu Boyu had to endure sweat.
He couldn't help but sigh: It's the hardest to accept the favor of a beautiful woman.
Chu Boyu tightened his waist, which was as thin as a hand, and felt the painful pleasure.
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