lcionline Chapter 204 The Emperor's Favor
Chapter 204 The Emperor's Favor
However, no matter how courageous Concubine Meng was, she did not dare to act presumptuously in front of Empress Dowager Liu and could only kneel on the ground obediently.
She watched helplessly as Shen Zhinian was helped to sit down at the seat below Empress Dowager Liu.
Nanny Yuan shouted, "Please pay your respects, Concubine Meng!"
The so-called six solemn ceremonies are three kneelings and three bows.
Concubine Meng did not dare to be careless at all. She stood up and knelt down respectfully, repeating this process.
It's just that... she was clearly paying respects to the Empress Dowager, but Shen Zhinian was sitting there, and she actually felt like she was kneeling down to worship him...
This made Mengpin very angry, but she didn't dare to show it. She couldn't help but hate Shen Zhinian even more in her heart.
Finally, all the tedious rituals were over.
With the help of Chunying, Concubine Meng stood up and sat down.
Empress Dowager Liu said with a pleasant expression: "You two have been promoted to concubines, and you are pregnant with the heir. In the future, you must work together to serve the emperor and continue to have children for the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Shen Zhinian and Mengpin stood up and saluted at the same time: "Your Highness will obey the instructions of the Queen Mother!"
After this episode, Empress Dowager Liu bestowed rewards and let them leave, saying that she was tired.
After the two disappeared, Nanny Yuan stood behind Empress Dowager Liu and gently massaged her shoulders. "Empress Dowager, I think that Concubine Meng has a petty air. No wonder she comes from a small family. Even if she is pregnant with the heir and promoted by His Majesty, she is not up to the standard."
"It's Concubine Rou, on the other hand, who is well-dressed and knows how to act. Although she is not from a high-class family, her demeanor is far beyond that of Concubine Meng."
Empress Dowager Liu smiled sarcastically: "If Concubine Meng had not been pregnant with the emperor's heir, the emperor would have forgotten who she was. He promoted her because he was afraid that promoting Concubine Rou alone would be too conspicuous."
"She actually wants to compare herself to Concubine Rou. She has no idea what she is talking about!"
Nanny Yuan nodded and said, "Which concubine would not be trembling with fear when coming to the Cining Palace? But Concubine Rou is neither humble nor arrogant, and she is not like an ordinary concubine at all."
"From what I have seen, she is indeed a very capable person. She will definitely be able to clear the way for the Imperial Concubine!"
"It's just... I don't understand. If Your Majesty wants to use Concubine Rou, why would she deliberately try to please Concubine Meng?"
Empress Dowager Liu put down the teacup in her hand and said, "Although Concubine Meng is petty, she is pregnant with the heir to the throne and should not be underestimated. If Concubine Rou joins forces with her, who else in the palace can check and balance them?"
"I won't allow this to happen!"
Nanny Yuan said respectfully, "I understand."
The Empress Dowager has never relaxed her vigilance against Concubine Rou.
……
Shen Zhinian still sat in the sedan chair arranged by Empress Dowager Liu. When he arrived at Cining Gate, he changed into his own sedan chair.
Concubine Meng had been walking all the time. Although the distance was not far, she was still very indignant about the different treatment.
According to the rules, Shen Zhinian and Mengpin had to pay their respects to the emperor first, and then to Queen Jiang, before the whole process was completed.
But Xiao Huizi just came over to tell them that His Majesty is now with the Queen, so they can just go directly to Kunning Palace.
Madam Xiao walked to the side of the warm sedan chair and whispered, "Your Highness, although the Queen Mother's move is to win you over for the Imperial Concubine, it may not be without the intention of provoking you and Concubine Meng."
Shen Zhinian's slow voice came from inside: "I know. Our Queen Mother is a thousand-year-old fox that has become a spirit. A small action of hers contains many purposes."
"Since she wants me and Concubine Meng to be at odds, then I will do as she wishes."
Anyway, from the very beginning, Concubine Meng stood against her.
Soon, the two arrived at Kunning Palace.
Gao Yunhuai came in and reported: "Your Majesty, the Queen, Concubine Rou and Concubine Meng are already waiting outside."
This was the first time that His Majesty stepped into the gate of Kunning Palace since the last unpleasant meeting.
However, Queen Jiang understood that the emperor did not come to see her, but was sympathetic to Concubine Rou's injured foot and did not want her to make an extra trip to the Yangxin Palace.
Precisely because of this understanding, Queen Jiang's heart felt like it was in an ice cellar, freezing coldly.
She is obviously His Majesty's first wife, but His Majesty doesn't care about her, but favors a concubine...
No matter how bitter she felt in her heart, Queen Jiang had to show the magnanimity of a queen and let His Majesty see her virtue.
She smiled and said, "It's cold outside. My two sisters are pregnant. It would be bad if they caught a cold. Please invite them in!"
"Yes!"
After entering the inner room, Shen Zhinian and Mengpin saluted according to the rules: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live your Majesty!"
"See the Queen, she is a thousand years old!"
When she caught a glimpse of the bright yellow corner of the clothes, Mengpin's heart couldn't help but beat faster.
The only thing that made Queen Jiang feel happy was that no matter how favored Concubine Rou was, she was still just a concubine. On such a big day of promotion, she had to perform the ceremony of three bows and three kowtows to herself!
She sat upright on the phoenix throne, looking down at Shen Zhinian, a sneer in her heart, and was very much looking forward to it!
However, who would have known... the emperor said at this moment: "Princess Rou's foot injury has not healed yet, so please skip the complicated etiquette and take a seat."
Handan and Fuqiu immediately helped Shen Zhinian up, one on each side.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration."
Mengpin's smile froze on her face instantly.
Why is she always the only one who needs to be treated with respect? !
Queen Jiang's expression was also ugly for a moment, but she soon smiled again: "I also pity Concubine Rou, but the laws of our ancestors cannot be abolished. I'm afraid your majesty's action is inappropriate..."
Nangong Xuanyu glanced at her coldly: "My mother knew that Concubine Rou was not feeling well, so she exempted her from the Six Suspension Ceremony, but the Queen refused to give in. Do you think your rules and airs are greater than my mother's?"
Queen Jiang's heart sank, and she quickly bowed and apologized: "I dare not!"
"If you don't dare, then stop talking so much nonsense!"
Queen Jiang could hardly maintain her dignified smile, and her heart became more bitter...
Ever since the Suhe Pill incident, His Majesty has been increasingly disregarding her dignity...
Not only has she not been able to gain His Majesty’s true heart, but now she doesn’t even have His Majesty’s respect. What’s the point of her being the Queen?
Gao Yunhuai watched from the side, feeling extremely distressed, but there was nothing he could do.
It’s all the fault of that bitch Concubine Rou!
If she hadn't seduced His Majesty, how could the relationship between His Majesty and His Majesty have deteriorated to this extent? !
He lowered his head to hide the murderous intent that flashed across his eyes!
Concubine Meng endured the humiliation and performed the ceremony alone.
After the process was over, the emperor didn't want to stay here for a moment longer, so he stood up and said, "Everyone go back, don't disturb the queen from recuperating."
"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell..."
Queen Jiang's body shook, and a hint of sourness welled up in her eyes.
It was a lie that I didn't want to disturb her while she was recuperating, but the truth was that I didn't want to see her.
They were a young couple, and they ended up like this...