Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1368: The ghost of Liu Shiqing is back (176 million reward points added)

Before he finished speaking, the curtain of the palace door moved, and a small figure walked in timidly with head lowered. Who else could it be but the eldest princess?

Concubine Zhuang's heart fell back into her chest, and was then filled with anger and fear.

She stood up and walked forward quickly, grabbing the eldest princess' wrist with unconsciously strong force, and said sternly: "Yun'er, where have you been?! It's the middle of the night, are you going to scare your mother to death?!"

The eldest princess felt pain in her wrist, but she didn't dare to break free. She lowered her head and her heart was pounding.

She could never say that she went to the cold palace to see Empress Chun.

In a desperate situation, the eldest princess cried out, "Yun'er... Yun'er dreamed of mother... I missed mother so much, so... I followed mother's shadow and went out..."

The "mother concubine" she mentioned naturally refers to her biological mother Liu Shiqing.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the palace servants felt an inexplicable chill.

Everyone looked at each other, with a look of surprise and uncertainty in their eyes.

Could it be that... Liu Shiqing's ghost has returned?

Concubine Zhuang believed in Buddhism and was most respectful of ghosts and gods.

When she heard the eldest princess' words, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

When Liu Shiqing was alive, he really treated the eldest princess like a treasure, and Yongshou Palace was filled with laughter and joy at that time.

And after raising the princess...

Thinking of all that neglect and exploitation, Concubine Zhuang couldn't help but feel a little guilty...

Could it be... Could it be that it is really Liu Shiqing's soul, who knew about the grievances suffered by his daughter and came to the door because of his ghost?

This thought sent chills down Concubine Zhuang's spine...

But she forced herself to remain calm and refused to show any sign in front of the palace people.

Concubine Zhuang loosened her hand and spoke in a deliberately gentle tone, "Silly child, you must be in a nightmare."

"Don't do this again in the future. If you catch a cold or get hurt, it will make Mother sad. Go back and rest quickly."

Seeing that Concubine Zhuang did not ask any further questions, the eldest princess nodded as if she had been pardoned, and hurriedly retreated with her nanny.

After the eldest princess left, the gentle look on Concubine Zhuang's face instantly faded, leaving only a subtle uneasiness.

She pondered for a moment, then instructed Ruoji, "Go get those yellow talismans from the small Buddhist temple and stick them up on the corridor outside the Grand Princess's bedroom. And... and stick one on the door of this palace, too..."

Ruo Ji's eyes moved slightly, and he lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Madam."

She didn't ask anything, just turned around and walked out.

The candlelight in the hall flickered, illuminating Concubine Zhuang's face.

She picked up the Buddhist beads on the table and twirled them, trying to dispel the chill in her heart caused by the ghost talk.

……

Concubine Kang returned to Chuxiu Palace in silence with Caiju.

She took off her cloak, and in the warm light of the palace lanterns, the forced calmness on her face finally shattered, revealing a solemnity that was difficult to conceal.

Caiju helped Concubine Kang sit down and handed her a cup of warm soothing tea.

Seeing Concubine Kang's furrowed brows, she spoke worriedly, "Your Majesty, ever since you came out of the cold palace, you've been so worried..."

"What happened? Did Ba Shi give you a hard time?"

Concubine Kang took the teacup, looked at the dancing lanterns and sighed softly, her voice filled with confusion and bitterness: "Cai Ju, back then, my mother's family was framed, and I was walking on thin ice in the palace, almost... doomed."

"At that time, I understood that if I had no favor, no power, and no influence in the deep palace, I would be at the mercy of others."

"So since then, I have been very careful and have made some friends, hoping to gain more power to protect myself."

"I made friends with Baharguli because I thought she was favored by the Emperor. But now it seems... was this a wrong move?"

Caiju was completely bewildered and even more puzzled: "Since the Queen regrets it, then just ignore Baharguli."

"She is now a criminal. Your Majesty has drawn a clear line between herself and you. No one can accuse you of wrongdoing. Why should you continue to be entangled with her and add to your troubles?"

Concubine Kang opened her mouth, the words "but she has something on me" rolled on the tip of her tongue, but she finally swallowed it back.

This is a serious matter, the fewer people who know about it the better.

Concubine Kang closed her eyes tiredly, rubbed her brows, and waved her hands weakly: "Forget it, maybe I am overthinking it."

"It's okay, I'm just a little tired, you can go down and rest first."

Seeing that Concubine Kang was unwilling to say more, Cai Ju, although full of doubts, did not dare to ask any more questions and could only respond respectfully, "Yes."

"I'll take my leave, and your Majesty should go to bed early."

The palace door closed gently, leaving the room in silence for Concubine Kang.

She sat alone under the lamp, Baharguli's threatening whispers echoing in her ears again and again.

The secret that I thought I had long since buried has become a sharp weapon in the hands of others...

The trip to the cold palace not only failed to get rid of the trouble, but dragged himself into a deeper quagmire.

What should we do in the future?

……

Yongshou Palace.

Hu Zhongcai bowed his head and stood in the hall, reporting carefully to Shen Zhinian, who was sitting in the main seat: "...Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine, your enthronement ceremony has been completed, and everything is going smoothly."

"Next, it's time to confer titles on Consort Zhuang and the other ladies."

He paused briefly, glancing at Shen Zhinian's expression before continuing, "Your Majesty's point is that the war on the border is still ongoing, and the national treasury must be used with caution. Frugality should be prioritized in all matters."

"Therefore... the conferment ceremonies for the Imperial Concubine, along with the Xian Concubine, Xuan Concubine, Kang Concubine, Dun Concubine, and Tong Concubine, are to be held together."

Shen Zhinian raised her eyes, her gaze calm and unwavering: "Since it is your majesty's holy will and you are considerate of the difficulties facing our nation, I naturally have no objection."

"Everything should be done according to the rules."

"The Imperial Concubine is wise."

Hu Zhongcai breathed a sigh of relief, quickly flattered him, and then reported some details.

"...The Ministry of Rites is already drafting the specific ceremonial procedures, and the Imperial Noble Consort will need to review and approve them."

"The Guangchusi will also expedite the preparation of the ladies' auspicious attire, imperial seals, and other items. We absolutely dare not delay the preparation."

Shen Zhinian nodded slightly: "Well, you should coordinate properly with the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Grain and Grain, and make sure there are no mistakes."

"The slave obeys the order!"

Hu Zhongcai responded respectfully, and when he saw that Shen Zhinian had no other instructions, he bowed and left Yongshou Palace.

The news quickly spread throughout the six palaces.

When everyone heard that the enthronement ceremony for Concubine Zhuang and other concubines would be held together, they were surprised at first, but after thinking about it carefully, they felt that it made sense.

The war on the border is at a stalemate, and Your Majesty has even issued war IOUs. At this critical juncture, if you still lavishly lavishly on enthroning the harem, it will inevitably give people a reason to criticize you.

……

Yanxi Palace.

When Concubine Xian heard the news brought back by Yu Mei, her expression did not change. She just said "hmm" lightly and continued to trim a pot of orchid on the table with her head down.

For her, all those empty formalities were a burden and she would avoid them if possible.

Now this arrangement is exactly what she wants, and it gives her some peace and quiet.

The virtuous concubine even felt that it would be best if even the merger ceremony could be omitted.