Chapter 195: Promotion to Noble Consort
"The Empress said... we should consider it as accumulating blessings for the unborn royal heir. The more blessings we have, the more likely we are to be able to turn misfortune into good fortune and turn disaster into blessing no matter what happens in the future..."
This last sentence finally moved Emperor Yuan Yong.
Nanny An listened to what Dong Zhi said and relayed it to Xu Lanshan one by one. Xu Lanshan couldn't help but feel confused. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe no one was pushing her on purpose. It was really a chain of calculations, and those palace maids became pawns in the hands of others without knowing it.
If she really told this to Emperor Yuan Yong, he would definitely be furious and order a thorough investigation.
But how can it be so easy to check?
Twenty people will be taken away and treated indiscriminately. So many people are innocent.
If it wasn't because of her, what they encountered would have nothing to do with her, but if it was because of her... so many innocent people were involved, she couldn't feel at ease.
Since there was nothing wrong, she would just let it go for now and just be careful and vigilant. She didn't believe that anyone could hide for a lifetime.
Seeing that Emperor Yuan Yong's expression gradually eased a little, all the concubines secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
When the Emperor's face was covered with dark clouds, it was truly too terrifying...
The Queen also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Of course, she was unwilling to let Xu Lanshan do all the favors alone, so she hurriedly said with a smile: "Your Majesty, Sister Chen Fei is kind-hearted and what she said is absolutely right. These palace maids have been innocently implicated. Please show some mercy!"
Emperor Yuan Yong glanced at her and nodded, "The Concubine Chen is indeed kind-hearted. In that case, I will give her a lenient sentence! Ten lashes of the cane will be handed over to the Shanggong Bureau for further arrangements."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Even if they were innocently involved, they also have responsibilities, so it is naturally impossible for them to get away with it without any punishment.
Emperor Yuan Yong glanced at the concubines kneeling on the ground again, becoming increasingly upset. It was pointless to keep them around. "All of you, leave! Go back and stay put!"
How could the concubines dare to challenge the emperor? Going back to rest was better than kneeling here. They thanked him quickly and left one after another.
Xu Lanshan stayed here for two days before returning to Lianyi Palace in a sedan chair.
In fact, even if Xu Lanshan came back that day, she could have done it, because she knew her own body condition well. But Doctor Tang made that diagnosis, and she had to show weakness and pity to show the seriousness of the matter, so she stayed there obediently.
Not only did he stay, but he also had to whimper from time to time to express his grievances. Otherwise, wouldn't he be at a great disadvantage?
Emperor Yuan Yong had been accompanying her here for the past two days, and would come over after court. Upon hearing this, the empress sneered and said nothing else.
As soon as Xu Lanshan returned to Lianyi Palace, the imperial edict arrived, promoting Concubine Chen to Noble Concubine Chen and bestowing countless rewards.
The title of concubine is headed by "Gui" and although it is ranked next as "Guixianshude", the other three titles are actually not much different from the other words. Only Guifei is the head of the four concubines.
This time, Emperor Yuan Yong not only promoted Xu Lanshan, but also promoted Concubine Lin to Concubine Lin, Concubine Mei to Concubine Mei, Concubine Bai to Concubine Bai, Concubine Mo to Concubine Mo, and even Changzai Fang to Concubine Fang.
Naturally, the rewards received by the concubines were not comparable to those of Concubine Chen, not even half of them.
But after all, it was a promotion in status, which was still a great happy event. All those who were promoted were overjoyed, and the resentment and dissatisfaction they had towards Xu Lanshan because of the New Year's Eve palace banquet also disappeared.
If it weren't for the incident with Concubine Chen, how could the emperor have promoted them? This time, they were truly benefiting from Concubine Chen's influence.
Although she cannot be compared with Concubine Chen, who dares to compare with Concubine Chen's favor?
The Empress and the Concubine couldn't help feeling upset. It was okay for the Empress, after all, she was the Empress and the master of the six palaces. She could comfort herself by saying that she had no title to be given. But the Concubine was really upset.
The baby in Xu Lanshan's belly hasn't been born yet, but she has become the leader of the four concubines, surpassing her, the mother of the eldest prince!
There is clearly an Imperial Noble Consort above the Four Concubines, but the Emperor refuses to give her this position.
What exactly did the Emperor mean by this? Could it be that he suspected that she was responsible for the incident at the New Year's Eve banquet? That would be a huge injustice to her! That incident had nothing to do with her at all.
Concubine Shu was filled with frustration, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Suddenly, she sneered and said calmly, "I'm a little free these two days. Yingtong, go to Concubine Lin and tell her that I'm inviting her over for tea and a chat."
"Yes, your majesty." Although Yingtong didn't understand what her master wanted to do, she didn't dare to neglect her master's order and went there quickly.
Since Concubine Shu invited her, Concubine Lin did not dare to refuse. She hurriedly packed up and came with her palace maids.
"Your Highness greets Sister Shufei!" Concubine Lin entered the hall and greeted Shufei with a smile on her face. "Sister Shufei, you are in a good mood today. I am here to ask for your good tea!"
Concubine Shu smiled sarcastically. "Sister Concubine Shu?" She had just been given the title of Concubine Lin, and now she didn't even bother to greet me when she saw me, not even calling me Concubine Shu. This palace was truly a place where everything was clearly defined, with positions clearly laid out.
"I specially invited my sister here. I hope I didn't delay her at all."
"No, it's a blessing for me to be able to talk with my elder sister and relieve my boredom together."
"Ah, that's good! Otherwise I would feel really bad."
The two of them exchanged pleasantries with each other, and Concubine Shu smiled and said, "By the way, I have a few words to say to you, sister. I'd appreciate your listening."
Before Concubine Lin could speak, Yingtong, who was beside Concubine Shu, smiled and invited the two palace maids who came with Concubine Lin to sit in the duty room and have some tea.
Concubine Lin understood that Concubine Shu wanted to talk to her alone, so she nodded slightly to the two palace maids, Rufang and Rurui. The two smiled and agreed softly, then followed Yingtong out.
The palace maids and eunuchs serving Concubine Shu also withdrew, leaving only Nanny Xu behind.
Facing Concubine Shu's sharp gaze, which was a bit amusing but not smiling, Concubine Lin felt a little uneasy and secretly puzzled. She forced a smile and said, "Sister Shufei, what are you trying to say to me? It's so mysterious!"
"Oh!" Concubine Shu smiled and said leisurely, "It's not that it's mysterious or not. I just feel that things in this world are really hard to explain. What we see with our eyes may not be the whole picture, and it may even be the opposite. For example, Sister Lin Fei, who is more beautiful than a flower and looks weak and kind, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, who would have thought that she is actually so powerful?"
Concubine Lin's face changed. "Sister Shufei, what do you mean? Why don't I understand? If you are alright, I—"
"Why are you so anxious? I called you here, so I'm not teasing you! Don't you remember anything I did?"
"Sister Shufei, please stop joking with me. If you really have something to say, please speak frankly."
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