The emperor's refusal was so decisive, leaving no room for negotiation, that the empress dowager retorted sharply, "If you don't agree, then I won't agree to you holding the investiture ceremony!"
As he expected, the Empress Dowager always found ways to create obstacles. The imperial edict required the Empress Dowager's seal, but the investiture ceremony itself did not. Therefore, Hongli was not worried.
"I will arrange the ceremony; there is no need for the Empress Dowager to handle it."
In the past, her son would consider her feelings and compromise with her, but now that the emperor is fearless, is she, as his mother, no longer able to control him?
The Empress Dowager felt utterly humiliated and, in a fit of anger, immediately threatened, "Emperor! If you insist on going your own way, I will not attend the investiture ceremony!"
According to custom, the Empress Dowager should attend such an important occasion. If she does not appear, it is clear that she has objections to the matter.
However, the Empress Dowager's dislike for Yu Shan was nothing new, and Hongli had grown accustomed to it. He no longer hoped that the Empress Dowager would change her attitude towards Yu Shan, so whether she attended or not seemed to be of little importance.
"If Your Majesty is unwell, you need not attend the ceremony."
The Empress Dowager used this as a threat, but to her surprise, Hongli didn't care and refused to say anything nice to her. The Empress Dowager, filled with shame and indignation, pointed her finger and scolded him angrily.
"Fine! Fine! I won't attend. I want to see what people will say about an investiture ceremony without the Empress Dowager's presence!"
Hongli and Yushan have been constantly talked about and questioned along the way. If he cared about everyone's opinions, how could he have persisted until now?
Having already come to terms with it, Hongli smiled indifferently, "Do as you please, Your Majesty, I will never force you."
After saying this, he turned away arrogantly, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain.
The plan failed, and the Empress Dowager was furious. She refused to take charge of the matter, so Hongli personally came to oversee it. He took time out of his busy schedule to inquire about the matter, and everything arranged by the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites had to be approved by Hongli.
To avoid upsetting Yu Shan, Hongli did not tell her about these things. Su Yu Shan remained unaware of the situation until the day of the investiture ceremony, when she changed her clothes.
The crown and robes of the Imperial Noble Consort are almost identical to those of the Noble Consort, the only difference being the color of the auspicious robes, which are changed from golden yellow to bright yellow.
That bright yellow is the most noble color in the world, and it is the color that so many people yearn for.
Hongli had been looking forward to this for a long time, and finally his wish came true. He saw Yushan wearing a bright yellow auspicious robe with his own eyes, fulfilling his long-cherished wish!
Today is a joyous day. Mother has been officially conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort. All the children are happy for their mother. Rongyu couldn't help but sigh, "My mother looks so beautiful in her Imperial Noble Consort's auspicious robes!"
This was a position that Hongli had worked hard to secure for her, so Su Yushan naturally cherished it. She thought today would go smoothly, but when she arrived at the Baohe Hall, she discovered that the Empress was ill and the Empress Dowager was not present.
Hongli knew that the Empress Dowager was not coming, but what was the Empress making a fuss about?
Her confinement has been lifted. As the empress, she must attend such occasions. Why should she quarrel with him in such a setting?
Hongli's face turned ashen, and he immediately ordered, "Someone, go to Changchun Palace and fetch the Empress!"
She must attend the occasions that are required to her; Hongli will not allow her to act willfully and recklessly.
Su Yushan's promotion to Imperial Noble Consort was already a blow to the Empress's dignity, so it was only natural that the Empress was unwilling to attend. Therefore, she felt there was no need to force the Empress to come.
"If the Empress doesn't come, fine. If it's not a sincere blessing, I don't care."
"Even if it's not her true feeling, she has to witness this moment. I want the Empress to see just how high and mighty she is, the woman they, her servants, are trying to harm!"
Hongli insisted on inviting the Empress over, and even Su Yushan couldn't dissuade him.
When Wang Jinbao went to Changchun Palace to deliver a message, Yu Ying was lying in her tent. She sent Granny Tan to report that the Empress had a fever and was feeling unwell, so she was unable to attend.
Wang Jinbao didn't leave either. Holding his whisk, he stood there and earnestly advised:
“Normally it’s fine whatever, but today is the big day of the Imperial Noble Consort’s investiture. All the princes and ministers will be there. There are rumors that the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort are not on good terms. If the Empress doesn’t go, wouldn’t that confirm the rumors? It would make us a laughing stock.”
Hearing his words, Yu Ying, who was in the West Warm Pavilion, felt a tightness in her chest and could not find relief. She struggled to sit up, her eyes red with grief, indignation, and resentment.
"Whether my relationship with Lady Su is harmonious or not, who in the palace doesn't know? Since His Majesty intends to bestow the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Lady Su, then let me be as good as dead! I am already so ill, yet His Majesty still tortures me in every way. How cruel!"
The masters in the palace are constantly vying for power, and the servants must be discerning. Those with shallow eyes will fawn over the powerful and trample on the weak, while those with sharp eyes must leave room for maneuver and never mock the master who has lost favor. If the other master gains favor one day, wouldn't the servant be in deep trouble?
Wang Jinbao didn't want to close his own path, so he wouldn't mock the Empress at this time, but only smiled obsequiously:
"Your Majesty, I know you feel wronged, but the Emperor's will is hard to defy! You must put the greater good first. If you don't go, the Emperor will blame me, and I'll be in a difficult position. Please have pity on me, change my clothes and get ready, and go to the Hall of Preserving Harmony!"
Hongli had never considered her feelings, so why should she care about his and Su Yushan's reputation? The grievances and resentments accumulated over the years made Yuying feel more and more upset, and she stubbornly refused to compromise.
The Empress has just been released from confinement. If she is confined again for disobeying the Emperor's will, her days will be filled with darkness once more!
Granny Qin was also worried that the emperor would punish her, so she kindly advised her, "Your Majesty, why don't you insist on going to the Hall of Preserving Harmony? The investiture ceremony will be quick, at most an hour."
If you insist on your absence, and the Emperor becomes displeased, he may take his anger out on those officials from the Fucha family who hold office at court. What then would be the best course of action?
In the past, Yu Ying would have had some reservations, but this time, she really felt that Hongli had gone too far!
She no longer wanted to worry about the so-called family, because she knew that although Hongli was confused about matters of the harem, he was quite wise in political affairs and would not mistreat her brothers because of her.
More importantly, the Empress Dowager was not present today, which gave Yu Ying even more confidence. She once again refused to attend, citing serious illness as the reason.
Hongli insisted that the Empress must come, but he did not care about the Empress Dowager and did not send anyone to invite her. However, Gao Xiuwen believed that the Empress Dowager was an elder and should be given a way out, so she decided to go to Cining Palace in person to invite the Empress Dowager over.
Hongli stopped her from interfering, and Gao Xiuwen sighed helplessly before turning to discuss the matter with Su Yushan.
"Today is a joyous day for your investiture ceremony, and we should prioritize harmony. After all, the Empress Dowager is the Emperor's mother and your mother-in-law. If things get too tense, everyone will lose face. Why don't you let me give it a try?"
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