Su Mingfeng was a fifth-rank official and not qualified to participate in the investiture ceremony, but Hongli, considering that he was the elder brother of Consort Chun, made a special exception and allowed him to participate.
Witnessing his sister being conferred the title of Imperial Concubine, Su Mingfeng was filled with mixed emotions. He was proud of his sister, but at the same time, he was worried that the higher she climbed, the more lonely she would feel, and that she would become a thorn in the side of others.
Hopefully, the emperor will protect her and prevent her from being harmed again.
Fu Qingyuan, who was then the First-Rank Imperial Guard Minister, witnessed this scene and his heart was inevitably stirred.
He was too far away to see Su Yushan's face clearly, but he could vaguely see the jewels and gold threads on her crown and robes glittering in the sunlight.
The emperor and she exchanged a smile; the emperor's heart was set on his empire, but his eyes were only on Su Yushan.
Fu Qing never imagined that Hongli would promote her to the rank of Imperial Concubine. Her status in Hongli's heart far exceeded Fu Qing's imagination. Such a life is something that many women can only envy. She must be very happy now.
Watching her enjoy wealth and praise, radiating brilliance, Fu Qing's lips curled up slightly, genuinely pleased for her. However, he noticed that the emperor's gaze seemed to be shifting towards him, so Fu Qing immediately withdrew his gaze and stood still in place.
Just as Fu Qing had expected, Hongli was indeed looking in his direction. Even though many years had passed, Hongli would still care when he occasionally thought about it.
Fortunately, Fu Qing was alert and withdrew his gaze in time, so Hongli did not suspect anything and continued to watch the ceremony.
The most embarrassed person at today's investiture ceremony was Consort Xian.
Consort Rong and Consort Chun were both promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, and even Consort Hai and Consort Chen were promoted to Noble Lady. Only Lan Rong was not promoted and remained Consort Xian.
Lan Rong felt frustrated, but she secretly told herself not to be discouraged. She had her fortune told, and the Taoist priest said that she had the destiny of a phoenix and that she would have great fortune after the age of thirty!
In other words, her good luck is yet to come! She doesn't need to rush; the one who laughs last is the true winner!
Thinking this way, Lan Rong felt somewhat comforted and stopped worrying about temporary gains and losses.
After the investiture ceremony, Su Yushan became a true Imperial Concubine.
Xi Lan knew that the emperor had no interest in her and had no intention of promoting her rank. She only got the title of Noble Lady because Yu Shan helped her obtain it.
Only when her rank is raised will her rations of charcoal and ice increase.
Xi Lan was deeply grateful for Yu Shan's thoughtfulness, which shows that good sisters are much more reliable than men.
However, Xi Lan was happy for Yu Shan that the Emperor was so devoted to her, and she only hoped that the Emperor would continue to be so devoted and never let Yu Shan down.
Gao Xiuwen knew that her position as a Noble Consort was secured for her by the Empress Dowager. She was extremely respectful to the Empress Dowager, but dared not clash with Su Yushan, simply because she did not want to offend the Emperor. Once the Emperor had a problem with her, even the Empress Dowager's protection would be useless.
Since Su Yushan and Lan Rong didn't get along, and Lan Rong didn't hold back, later when paying respects to the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace, she would occasionally make sarcastic remarks about Su Yushan. The Empress Dowager turned a blind eye and didn't pay much attention to her. Su Yushan used this to her advantage, turning the tables on Lan Rong and thus never suffered a loss.
During the first month of the third year of the Qianlong reign, there were many palace banquets. Su Yushan often attended these banquets and was very tired from socializing every day. The banquets only temporarily ended after the Lantern Festival.
On the morning of the twentieth day of the first lunar month, the concubines went to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. The snow had melted that day, and the weather was exceptionally cold. Although the Empress Dowager's palace was heated by an underfloor heating system, Su Yushan was still holding a cloisonné enamel hand warmer, so cold that she couldn't stretch her hands out.
Carrying a red copper hand warmer, Lan Rong asked, "Your Majesty, the Emperor's mourning period has ended. Shouldn't we hold the imperial concubine selection this year?"
The Empress Dowager smiled and replied, "The imperial concubine selection is held every three years, and this year is indeed the time. I have already instructed the Ministry of Revenue to arrange for the selection to begin in mid-February to enrich the Emperor's harem."
As she spoke the last sentence, the Empress Dowager's gaze seemingly unintentionally fell on Su Yushan.
Lan Rong glanced at Su Yushan, then chuckled behind her handkerchief, "There will be new concubines entering the palace, and we'll have a few more sisters. The palace will be much more lively, and Consort Chun will have to worry about it even more!"
Su Yushan had known the rules of the talent show all along. When she heard the news, she showed no emotion. She simply picked up her teacup, took a sip of the flower tea, and then slowly said:
"The Imperial Household Department should be the one to worry about this. They should prepare more allowances in the future. I'm just adding a few more teacups. It's nothing."
Lan Rong chuckled self-deprecatingly, "The Emperor doesn't like us old-timers. If a new lady enters the palace, who knows, she might catch the Emperor's eye? When that happens, you'd better learn from us, be more magnanimous, and don't get jealous!"
Su Yushan smiled slightly, looking indifferent, "Sister, you're overthinking it. I'd like to experience what it's like to be jealous, but unfortunately, the Emperor never gives me the chance."
Yu Ying thought to herself that Su Yushan was really confident, uttering such boastful words and showing no respect for her, the Empress. Although she was displeased, she smiled gently on the surface.
"Our Emperor dotes on Consort Chun. Even if new concubines are added to the harem, I don't think the Emperor will neglect Consort Chun."
The Empress's words were a veiled compliment, and Su Yushan was about to retort when the Empress Dowager spoke up, "The most taboo thing in the harem is having exclusive favor; it is nothing to be proud of."
To ease Hongli's worries, Su Yushan tried her best not to clash with the Empress Dowager, and replied in a gentle and pleasant manner:
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. I often advise His Majesty to bestow his favors equally among all his subjects, but His Majesty says he is too busy with state affairs and has no time to think about such things. Even when he goes to Jingren Palace, His Majesty is busy reading, and I am often overlooked!"
Who would believe that? Lan Rong sneered, "Then why don't we see the Emperor going to Xianfu Palace to read?"
"Isn't it because it's too far from the Hall of Mental Cultivation? His Majesty is too lazy to go there."
Gao Xiuwen found it amusing whenever she heard Su Yushan teasing Lan Rong. She thought to herself that this Consort Xian was really clueless and always liked to argue with Su Yushan. Fortunately, Su Yushan didn't take her seriously and didn't complain to Hongli. If she had, Consort Xian's days would have been unbearable!
Yunfang once asked Su Yushan why she didn't tell the Emperor what Consort Xian had said and let him punish her. Su Yushan just smiled indifferently.
"Life in this deep palace is too lonely. With so many women, it's easy for quarrels to break out. I won't bother with her over mere verbal disputes, but if Lan Rong dares to harbor any more malicious intentions, I will not let her off easily!"
That's true. Anyway, Lan Rong always loses to Yu Shan in arguments, so Yun Fang has nothing to worry about. Her only worry is the talent show.
"The imperial concubine selection is next month. Is His Majesty really going to choose new concubines for the palace?"
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