lcionline Chapter 1632 The newlyweds are eager to win favor, what does it have to do with her? (252 million re
Chapter 1632 The newlyweds are eager to win favor, what does it have to do with her? (252 million re
The group agreed that the next morning they would first go to Changchun Palace to pay their respects to the Imperial Concubine, and then act according to the circumstances.
The next day, Changchun Palace.
Consort Zhuang had just finished her breakfast.
Xiao Caizi entered and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Consort Wei of Tingzhu Pavilion, Consort Tang of Shuixi Pavilion, Consort Jiang of Lingyan Pavilion... several young ladies are requesting an audience outside, saying they have come to pay their respects to Your Majesty."
Consort Zhuang raised her eyes: "Oh? So neatly arranged? Please invite them to the main hall."
"Yes."
Consort Zhuang rose, took Ruoji's hand, and walked slowly toward the main hall.
Her face remained gentle, but her mind was racing.
Consort Zhuang had already guessed seven or eight parts of why these newcomers had come together.
Inside the main hall, eight or nine young concubines stood according to their rank. When they saw Consort Zhuang come out, they all curtsied and said, "These concubines greet Your Highness, may Your Highness be blessed with good fortune and peace!"
Their voices were clear and crisp, with the fresh energy that only newcomers possess.
"Sisters, get up and sit down."
Consort Zhuang took her seat at the head of the table first, her gentle gaze sweeping over the carefully made-up faces below. She smiled and asked, "What a wonderful day it is that you sisters have all come together? You've certainly made Changchun Palace lively."
Consort Wei spoke first, respectfully saying, "Your Highness, it's not a special day."
"Since entering the palace, we concubines have been deeply grateful for the care and attention of the Noble Consort. We have not been able to pay our respects to Your Highness for a long time, and we feel uneasy about it. Therefore, we have arranged to come here together. We hope that Your Highness will not be offended."
Consort Zhuang nodded with a smile, signaling the palace maids to serve tea: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, ladies."
Consort Tang, being impatient, couldn't wait for further pleasantries. Seeing Consort Wei hesitate after finishing her polite words, she couldn't help but interject, "Your Highness, actually... actually, we concubines have come today not only to pay our respects, but also because we have some worries and would like to ask Your Highness for guidance..."
Consort Zhuang asked with concern, "Sister Tang is so innocent and charming, what is troubling you?"
Consort Tang glanced at Consort Wei and Consort Jiang, and mustered her courage to say, "We have heard that His Majesty has been busy with state affairs lately and has not set foot in the inner palace for a long time."
"As Your Majesty's concubines, we are already ashamed that we cannot share Your Majesty's burdens. Now, we are even unable to serve you properly, and we are truly filled with fear and unease..."
“If this continues, we concubines are afraid that we will fail the Emperor’s grace, and we are also afraid that the harem will become too deserted, which is not a sign of the prosperity of the royal family.”
She finished speaking in one breath, her face turning slightly red, whether from excitement or nervousness, it was hard to tell.
Jiang Changzai added gently and gracefully at the right time: "What Sister Tang said is also what we concubines think."
"Your Majesty's health is a matter of national importance, and the favors bestowed upon the harem are also a matter of the continuation of the imperial line. We concubines are of lowly status and dare not speak rashly. However, seeing Your Majesty's diligence and dedication to your duties, we are both impressed and worried."
"I wonder...I wonder if Your Highness has any good plan that can both understand His Majesty's wishes and alleviate some of the worries in the harem?"
This was said in a much more tactful and elegant way than what Consort Tang said.
They weren't vying for the emperor's favor, but rather concerned about his health and the future of their offspring.
The other nobles, attendants, and concubines echoed this sentiment, their faces showing worry and anticipation.
Consort Zhuang listened quietly, her prayer beads slowly turning in her hand.
Since His Majesty had not visited the inner palace for a long time, she naturally noticed it earlier than these new concubines and found it even more suspicious.
No matter how busy the court is, His Majesty wouldn't be so busy that he doesn't even have time to step into the inner palace.
Especially the Yongshou Palace area...
Although His Majesty did not visit often before, he would go once or twice a month to see the Fourth Prince and talk with the Imperial Noble Consort.
But recently, His Majesty has even stopped going to Yongshou Palace.
Could it be that the Imperial Noble Consort's favor has taken a turn for the worse?
This thought stirred something within Consort Zhuang.
If that's the case, then it's something she'd like to see.
The Imperial Noble Consort is too powerful, possessing everything from family background and offspring to imperial favor, making everyone in the harem feel suffocated. If she could share some of the imperial favor, it would be a good thing for both herself and the Zhuang family.
After the newlyweds finished speaking, Consort Zhuang put down her teacup and sighed softly.
This sigh made everyone's hearts jump.
"I understand my sisters' worries."
Consort Zhuang said understandingly, "Your Majesty is the ruler of the country, shouldering the responsibility of the nation. It is inevitable that there will be times when you neglect one thing for another. Recently, the affairs of the court have been complicated, and Your Majesty has been working hard day and night."
"However... His Majesty's actions have their own profound meaning. The concubines in the harem should prioritize understanding His Majesty's intentions; this is the fundamental principle."
"If one becomes restless and agitated due to personal selfishness, it may disturb His Majesty's peace and tranquility."
With a few words, he gently tapped these palace concubines.
The newlyweds' expressions changed slightly, and they lowered their heads somewhat uneasily.
Consort Zhuang softened her tone: "However... my sisters have only been in the palace for a short time, and they are full of enthusiasm and eager to share the emperor's burdens. Their hearts are truly pitiful. Moreover, it is only right that the harem is harmonious and that the emperor's favor is distributed equally."
"However... although I hold the rank of Noble Consort, I am well aware that in matters of the inner palace, the wishes of the Imperial Noble Consort are of utmost importance. If I were to go and speak to the Imperial Noble Consort alone about this matter, it would probably not be appropriate."
At this point, Consort Zhuang's gaze swept over everyone: "How about this, I will send someone to invite my two younger sisters, Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, who assist in managing the six palaces, to come over and discuss this together."
"Once they have all arrived, we will go together to Yongshou Palace to pay our respects to the Imperial Noble Consort and also to inform her of our sisters' concern."
"This shows both solemnity and conformity to the rules."
"Her Imperial Noble Consort is always reasonable and kind. She will surely understand your intentions and offer appropriate advice to His Majesty."
His words were perfectly reasonable, and he himself was not at all at risk.
Hearing this, the newlyweds, though feeling that there would still be many twists and turns, finally saw hope. Their faces showed gratitude, and they all stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
"Your Highness is benevolent and compassionate, and we concubines are deeply grateful!"
Consort Zhuang accepted the greeting with a smile, offered a few words of gentle comfort, and then told them to go back and wait for news.
After the group of beautiful women took their leave, Changchun Palace returned to its quiet state.
Ruoji stepped forward and asked, "Does Your Highness really intend to disturb the Imperial Noble Consort for this matter?"
Consort Zhuang's lips curved into a faint smile: "His Majesty has not visited the inner palace for a long time, and the reason is unclear. As for Yongshou Palace... I should also go and investigate the situation."
These newcomers are just the right excuse.
"Go and invite Consort Xian and Consort Xuan."
Ruoji bowed and said, "Yes."
Yanxi Palace.
Upon hearing Yu Mei's report, Consort Xian's cold voice betrayed no emotion: "...Whether His Majesty enters the inner palace or not is His Majesty's own decision. The concubines in the inner palace should uphold chastity and self-discipline; how can they be agitated by personal desires and gather to petition?"
"This matter is not for me to participate in."
She has always been aloof, dislikes arguing with others, and is unwilling to get involved in disputes.
With His Majesty not coming, she was happy to have some peace and quiet, which would allow her to spend more time with her daughter, or read books and practice calligraphy.
What does it matter to her that the newlyweds are so eager to win her favor?