lcionline Chapter 122 Concubine Hua
Chapter 122 Concubine Hua
In late March, news came out that the emperor was about to promote Concubine Hua to a higher rank, and Zhen Huan was even more favored by the emperor. The emperor even put on Jiaoli makeup himself, which became popular inside and outside the palace for a while, and the ladies of the court rushed to imitate her.
The next day, all the palace members gathered in Jingren Palace to pay their respects.
"May the Queen be blessed with happiness and peace of mind."
"Everyone get up!"
Concubine Hua just bent down slightly and sat down on the seat immediately.
Everyone stood up and bowed to Concubine Hua, "May your Majesty Hua live long and healthy!"
Concubine Hua was a little surprised, but she accepted the greeting calmly and asked, "Stand up! Why are you sisters so polite today?"
The Queen on the Phoenix Throne said with a smile, "I heard that the Emperor wants to promote you. We are all sisters who serve the Emperor, so naturally we want to congratulate you in advance!"
Hua Fei raised her eyebrows proudly, "The Empress has always loved to understand the Emperor's feelings. I wonder what position the Emperor will give me?"
"Above the rank of Concubine is Noble Concubine, and above Noble Concubine is Imperial Noble Concubine. This is roughly what the Emperor thinks!"
"Your Majesty is wrong. Above the Imperial Concubine is the Empress!"
The Queen was so angry that she laughed and said, "Oh, sister, do you mean that you like my throne?"
Although the Nian family is now in its heyday, Hua Fei knows in her heart that with the empress dowager around, the position of the queen is unshakable. So although she is disrespectful to the queen, she has never thought of ascending the throne of queen.
Hua Fei chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, you are overthinking it. I have heard that the Imperial Noble Consort has a high status, equal to that of a Vice Empress. When Emperor Shunzhi's Imperial Noble Consort Dong'e was still alive, Empress Borjigit didn't even have a place to stand!"
The Queen was a little upset. "No matter how noble the Imperial Concubine is, she is only equal to the Empress Dowager. The Empress is still the Empress. You can have Imperial Concubines, but there is only one Mother of the Nation. If things are not done right, then the words will not flow. My sister is very intelligent and should know what it means to be content with her lot and to act appropriately!"
Seeing the Empress getting anxious, Concubine Hua became even more certain that the Emperor would promote her to Imperial Noble Consort. She smiled smugly and said, "I just made a few small talk, and the Empress gave her a grand speech. If you didn't know better, you'd think she was just like Empress Borjigit, who was so nervous at the mention of Imperial Noble Consort that she was facing a formidable enemy!"
The Queen acted like the mistress of the six palaces: "It is the Queen's duty to teach the concubines and regulate the palace. My sister, listen more now. After your promotion, you will be able to convince others with reason and virtue!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. When I am promoted in the future, I will definitely fulfill my duties and assist in managing the six palaces. Then Your Majesty can rest more!"
Seeing her arrogant expression, the Queen felt bitter in her heart, but she remained calm and said with concern, "Sister, you are worried about the affairs of the six palaces, so you must take good care of yourself. If you have a prince in the future, it will be double happiness!"
"Thank you for your concern, Empress. I am still young, unlike those old and faded concubines. I am not in a rush."
You said I can't have children, and I said you are too old.
The Queen continued, "My sister is right. Concubine Hui and Concubine Wan are both pregnant now. This is a happy event that has never happened in the palace before. Although you two are of lower rank, if you can safely give birth to an heir, the Emperor and I will surely reward you handsomely. However, rank is secondary. With a child, you will have someone to rely on in the future!"
This implies that although Hua Fei has a high position, she has no one to rely on because she has no children!
The two giants of the harem were bickering, and the concubines were watching with great interest. However, they didn't expect the conversation to fall on Zhen Huan. She could only stand up and express her gratitude, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Hua Fei's sharp eyes shot over, and Zhen Huan sighed in her heart, "You are sitting at home and the pot comes from the sky!"
Broken Yuxuan.
Fang Chunyi was chatting with Zhen Huan, "Sister, will the Emperor really promote Concubine Hua to Imperial Noble Concubine?"
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "How can we guess what the Emperor is thinking?"
Having said that, Zhen Huan was almost certain that the Emperor would not promote Concubine Hua to Imperial Noble Concubine, she would only be a Noble Concubine.
Firstly, the Imperial Noble Consort was the most powerful of all concubines, second only to the Empress, and possessed the authority to handle all matters within the six harems. If the Empress fell out of favor, the Imperial Noble Consort would essentially be her successor, and the Empress Dowager would certainly not allow that to happen. Secondly, Nian Gengyao was currently a powerful figure in the previous dynasty. If Hua Fei was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, everyone else in the court would follow Nian Gengyao's lead, and no one would dare to impeach him!
"Alas, Concubine Hua has never liked us. If she becomes the Imperial Noble Consort, our lives will be even more difficult!" Fang Chunyi was depressed.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Did you put on powder again today? You smell so good!" Zhen Huan smelled the scent on her body and felt indescribably uncomfortable.
Fang Chunyi smiled and nodded, "Yes, it's something that Nanny just made. Would you like to try it, sister?"
Zhen Huan suppressed the nausea that was rolling over her. "I'm pregnant now, I can't smell the scent of powder!"
This was like trying to drive someone away, but Fang Chunyi didn't seem to understand and asked innocently, "Sister, is there really a child in your belly?"
Speaking of the child, Zhen Huan's spirits brightened a little. "Yes, but he's still a very small child. He hasn't even grown his hands and feet yet!"
"It's so small!" Fang Chunyi touched Zhen Huan's belly curiously.
As soon as she got close, the smell of her body went straight into Zhen Huan's nose. Zhen Huan could no longer control herself. She waved to Jin Xi to bring a spittoon and turned sideways to vomit.
Seeing that she was in pain, Fang Chunyi hurried to rub her back. Zhen Huan could only say, "Chun'er, I feel a little uncomfortable and want to rest. You go back first and come back for snacks another day!"
Fang Chunyi nodded and skipped away!
"Jinxi, open the window for ventilation!"
The window opened, and the wind blew away the fragrance in the hall, and Zhen Huan felt a little more comfortable.
"Is Rong'er recovered from her illness?" Zhen Huan asked.
Jin Xi replied, "I went to see the young lady yesterday. Her cough has not healed yet. The imperial physician has told her not to be exposed to the wind. She cannot come to visit the queen, so I asked this maid to take good care of her."
Two days later, the queen suddenly had a headache at night, and all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau were invited by Nian Gengyao to go to the Nian Mansion to treat Madam Nian. The mother of a country was tortured by the illness for a whole night, and the imperial physicians were sent back early the next morning.
Someone in the previous dynasty immediately impeached Nian Gengyao for his tyranny and rebellion on this grounds. However, Yongzheng set up Nian Gengyao as a model of a "good husband". For a time, no one in the previous dynasty or the harem dared to speak out anymore.
On March 26, Yongzheng officially issued an edict, appointing Song Zhu, the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace, as the chief envoy and Santai, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, as the deputy envoy, to confer the title of Imperial Concubine Hua Nian Shilan as the Imperial Concubine.
The inscription reads: "I have arisen from the Imperial Court, and have entrusted you with the duty of assisting and assisting. To assist in spreading the teachings of the Queen, and to promote the virtuous and prudent. To examine the ancient laws, and to uphold the order of rank. Your Consort, surnamed Nian, is of a noble family, of great reputation, endowed with a gentle and kind character, and dignified in conduct. You have observed the precepts of history, diligently practiced frugality, and exemplified the virtues of the scepters, following the example of the scepters. I have received the gracious instruction of the Empress Dowager, and have bestowed upon you the title of Imperial Consort. You have been truly respectful, inheriting the new blessings of the Emperor, and have continued to bring great prosperity to the land forever. Respectfully."
The Emperor places great importance on the education and governance of the harem, requiring the reliance and assistance of others. To promote the virtues of women in the palace and serve as role models, she must possess virtuous and prudent qualities. According to traditional rules and regulations, she must elevate her status and position. Lady Nian, blessed by heaven, was born into a distinguished family, renowned for her virtues. She possesses a gentle character, modest and dignified. She frequently cites classic texts and admonishes the Emperor, demanding diligence, frugality, and adherence to standard norms. By the Empress Dowager's decree, she is formally appointed Imperial Consort. It is hoped that Lady Nian will always maintain a respectful heart, continue to uphold the fine traditions of her family, diligently manage the household, and with a dignified and virtuous demeanor, bring further blessings and honor to the imperial family, ensuring that this honor will endure for a long time.
Nian Shilan's imperial crown was the same style as the empress's, featuring a three-tiered golden top and seven phoenix branches, but the gold used was three ounces less. During the promotion ceremony, Yongzheng ordered the princesses, princesses, and other women to pay their respects to Imperial Concubine Hua, a privilege reserved for the empress.
The Imperial Noble Concubine's dream was shattered, and Concubine Hua got very angry.