bookcurios Chapter 1244 Only the Grand Princess can make her angry to the point of breaking
Chapter 1244 Only the Grand Princess can make her angry to the point of breaking
Concubine Zhuang was given the power to assist in managing the six palaces? Very good.
Shen Zhinian lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on his neatly trimmed nails that were lightly painted with nail polish.
She will not be disappointed or angry about it.
She will only see more clearly what she holds in her hands and what she still needs to get.
The position of Imperial Noble Consort is the cornerstone, but what really allows one to gain a foothold in the deep palace and even influence the previous dynasty is real power!
What if she could give away some of the power to assist the six palaces? What she wanted was to firmly control more and more core power in her hands!
The Imperial Household Department, the Ministry of Punishment, and even...the final say in the upbringing of princes and princesses.
These are the areas that Shen Zhinian needs to seize and consolidate step by step in the next step.
Concubine Zhuang had been given the power to assist in the management of the six harems, which seemed to be a glorious situation. Shen Zhinian could also push her out in the open and help her share the trivial tasks. Even... she would become a target for both open and hidden attacks.
And as the imperial concubine, she can take this opportunity to free up her hands and take control of the real vital points bit by bit.
The corners of Shen Zhinian's lips curled up slightly, then disappeared in an instant.
She raised her eyes and calmly swept her gaze over the people below who had different thoughts. Her eyes were filled with a clear mind that saw through everything and an unshakable ambition.
Favors may change, but checks and balances remain.
And she, Shen Zhinian, is no longer the woman who tied her fate to the emperor's favor.
She will use her own way to firmly grasp the power she wants!
Imperial Concubine Zhuang's demeanor remained impeccably gentle and dignified, as she bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, your humble servant, Zhuang, thanks you for your great grace! Long live Your Majesty!"
However, when she stood up, the joy that had risen in her heart because her father had returned to court and she had finally been promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine seemed to fade away...
"Noble Consort" sounds noble, but it's like a chasm between her and the title of "Imperial Noble Consort"...
Above the Noble Concubine is the Imperial Noble Concubine, and above the Imperial Noble Concubine is the Queen!
She was still an insurmountable distance away from that position.
What made Concubine Zhuang feel even more uncomfortable was...
When Shen was a noble concubine, His Majesty broke the ancestral rules and made an exception to bestow upon her the unique and meaningful title of "Chen". What an honor it was!
And she became a noble concubine, but only had a cold surname in front of her...
Although neither she nor the Imperial Noble Consort has a title now, the nature of the two is completely different.
There is a fundamental difference between wanting something but not having it and not needing it...
Concubine Zhuang felt a chill in her heart, but her gentle smile remained flawless. Only her fingertips, slightly white from the pressure on the armrest, betrayed a hint of suppressed emotion.
She sat down slowly, her wide sleeves falling to hide any abnormality.
"Yun'er congratulates mother!"
The clear and cheerful voice of the princess came from beside him.
The little girl's face lit up with pure joy, happy about her promotion.
Just as Concubine Zhuang was about to smile at the eldest princess, she heard the eldest princess continue in a childish, innocent voice, "That's great! The Empress Dowager and Mother have both been promoted! Yun'er is also happy for the Empress Dowager!"
The expression on Concubine Zhuang's face froze instantly.
She could even feel a few vague gazes sweeping over her, with a hint of indescribable amusement.
The daughter of Concubine Zhuang was actually happy for the Imperial Concubine who outshined her?!
It's ridiculous...
Concubine Zhuang closed her eyes...
The daughter she had raised so carefully was now innocently expressing her congratulations to the Imperial Concubine in front of everyone.
This is simply the greatest irony and betrayal to her as the mother!
Concubine Zhuang almost used up all her strength to barely maintain the shaky gentleness on her face.
Her hand on the armrest suddenly clenched the Buddhist beads in her sleeve. Then she lowered her eyelashes, her thick eyelashes trembling violently, covering the coldness that suddenly surged in her eyes and the anger that was about to burst out.
Concubine Zhuang had been a Buddhist since her teenage years, and had long since cultivated a mindset as calm as water. Only the eldest princess could repeatedly, with the most innocent words, infuriate her to the point of breaking her composure!
She took a deep breath, forced herself to turn and look at the eldest princess, and forced a stiff smile: "Really? Mother is also very happy for the Royal Concubine!"
Concubine Zhuang could not say anything more.
It seemed that if I exaggerated the princess even a little more, her perfect mask would be completely shattered...
Looking at the stiff smile on Concubine Zhuang's face, the eldest princess was stunned.
Why does she feel...that her mother doesn't seem very happy?
The smile on the eldest princess's face froze. She looked at Concubine Zhuang in confusion and helplessness, wondering if she had said something wrong.
The reason my mother was reinstated as Consort Liang was because the Empress Dowager spoke up for her. So, it's probably true that she likes the Empress Dowager...
Li Changde's voice continued to echo through the palace: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Consort Xue Yuchi, born into a family of honor, possesses a chaste and tranquil nature. She has served diligently and conscientiously since her inauguration. She has raised the Second Princess with commendable kindness, is gentle, respectful, and frugal, and has refrained from quarreling or disturbing others. She is a role model for the other concubines."
"I hereby promote her to the title of Virtuous Consort, ranking first among the Four Consorts, to assist the Imperial Noble Consort in managing palace affairs. I decree this!"
After this decree was issued, a subtle discussion filled with understanding and agreement was heard in the hall.
The virtuous concubine Yuchi Yunshu lived up to her name. Unfazed by praise or criticism, she leisurely watched the flowers bloom and fall in the courtyard; unconcerned about coming or staying, she casually followed the clouds in the sky.
Very calm and indifferent.
She came from a military family, and her elder brother and younger brother sacrificed their lives for the country, and their loyalty is still fresh in people's hearts.
The virtuous concubine has been serving Your Majesty since the Qian Palace and has extensive experience.
After entering the palace, she was neither as dazzling as the Imperial Noble Consort nor as graceful as the Zhuang Noble Consort. She was always like a plum blossom in the snow, cold and self-possessed, not fighting or competing.
The second princess, who was raised by him, was even more gentle and lovely.
She was promoted to the position of the virtuous concubine, the first of the four concubines. She was well-deserved in terms of her family background, qualifications, temperament, and the contribution she made in raising the imperial heir.
This decree is reasonable and no one can say a word about it.
The virtuous concubine was still wearing a simple and elegant palace dress today, with only silver patterns embroidered on the neckline and cuffs, which made her temperament even more noble and pure, as cold as the moon.
Her posture was calm, as if the surrounding clamor had no bearing on her. Her movements were fluid, and she carried a natural air of elegance and grace as she bowed deeply.
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace! Long live Your Majesty!"
The virtuous concubine's voice was clear and melodious, like the sound of jade stones striking each other. There was not much ecstasy in her voice at the promotion, only the usual calmness.
This indifference to fame and fortune formed a sharp contrast with the loss that Concubine Zhuang had just tried so hard to hide.
After Concubine Xian returned to her seat, the Second Princess timidly and tenderly said in a childish voice, with unconcealed joy: "Mother..."
The one and a half year old girl did not understand the dignity of being the head of the four concubines. She only knew that her mother had a more honorable title, and she was sincerely happy.
The cold eyes of Concubine Xian finally melted away as soon as she saw her daughter, and were tinged with a faint but real warmth.