Chapter 144: Grand Conferment
It was Yunqing.
That person was Yunqing.
Even Lan Wu was greatly shocked when she saw Yunqing step forward.
When it came to Consort Shu, everyone knew that her personal palace maid had served her for many years. Yunqing’s temperament was steady and composed, and to Consort Shu, Yunqing was not just an ordinary personal palace maid but also her assistant.
Thus, when she saw Yunqing step forward, Consort Shu’s body stiffened on the spot, unable to utter a single word. Even the sounds around her grew increasingly distant, gradually fading from her hearing.
“…In reply to Your Majesty…”
“Yes…”
“I beg Your Majesty to forgive my offense…”
Only after Yunqing had finished speaking what needed to be said did Consort Shu snap out of her daze.
With so many people accusing Consort Shu of crimes, even if she were truly innocent, she would gain no advantage. Moreover, Consort Shu was far from innocent.
“Whose person are you?” Consort Shu looked at Yunqing and asked only this.
Yunqing lowered her head and, upon hearing Consort Shu’s words, merely replied, “Your Highness overthinks. This servant only considered her own interests and is no one’s person.”
Such words might fool others, but how could they possibly deceive her?
Back when Yunqing first arrived at her palace, she had been wary. However, Yunqing’s abilities were truly outstanding, and her mind was meticulous, making her well-suited to work for her. Only after a year had passed did she gradually feel at ease allowing Yunqing to become her personal palace maid.
After all these years… whose person could Yunqing be?
If she could remain hidden and inactive for so many years, she could not possibly be Noble Consort Li’s person—that foolish woman. As for others… Consort Zeng?
Although Consort Zeng was now in the Cold Palace and could no longer stir up trouble, as the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Who knew if Yunqing’s presence by her side was a scheme orchestrated by Consort Zeng.
If it wasn’t Consort Zeng, then perhaps there was only one possibility left.
Thinking of this, Consort Shu gently raised her head and once again looked toward Chu Mingheng on the throne.
“Attendants, convey Our decree,” Chu Mingheng finally intended to bring an end to Consort Shu. His words seemed to flow without much deliberation. “Consort Shu of the Song clan, consumed by jealousy, cruel-hearted, abusing palace authority, harming imperial concubines, attempting to murder the imperial heir, and disturbing the peace of the rear palace—from this day forth, she is stripped of her authority to assist in managing the six palaces, demoted to Baolin, and confined to the Cold Palace.”
“Xiuyi Bai, though she intended to expose the crimes, her heart was not righteous. She is demoted to Jieyu.”
“Zhaoyi Wen…”
Chu Mingheng paused for a moment, as if considering, but soon made his decision.
“Since Zhaoyi Wen is ill, let her recuperate carefully in Hanlu Palace.”
Zhaoyi Wen’s expression changed slightly, understanding that His Majesty intended to place her under house arrest.
However, ordinary house arrests still had a time limit. When would she be able to leave the palace under this confinement?
Logically speaking, she could even be considered innocent, suffering unjustly. Yet now, His Majesty did not see it that way.
“This concubine receives the decree and offers thanks.”
Xiuyi Bai was the first to bow and express gratitude before retreating. When she returned to her seat, she deliberately reminded Zhaoyi Wen, preventing her from continuing to stand there in a daze.
Only then did Zhaoyi Wen step forward to bow.
Seeing that Consort Shu below showed no sign of movement, Chen Kangan coughed lightly to remind her, “Baolin Song, it is time to offer thanks.”
A mocking smile curled at the corner of Consort Shu’s lips. If she still failed to understand, she would truly be a fool.
His Majesty was clearing the way for his favored concubine, creating momentum for her.
Just as she was about to speak, someone at her side chose that moment to caution her: “Your Ladyship, you are not Consort Zeng. You still have the Song family behind you. If you wish to do anything or say anything, first consider whether the Song family will suffer because of you.”
The speaker was Yunqing. At this point, these were the only words she could say to Consort Shu.
Yet these words were indeed effective, pulling Consort Shu’s tense thoughts back from the brink.
She had truly been on the verge of saying something she shouldn’t, ready to throw caution to the wind. Having already been demoted to Song Baolin and confined to the Cold Palace, what did she care about life or death? But Yunqing’s words struck her heart heavily—indeed, she was not Consort Zeng. While that vast family was already ruined, she still had the Song family. Her own death would be enough; there was no need to drag the entire Song clan to their doom.
Weighing the priorities, she reached a decision in an instant.
Song Baolin pressed her forehead heavily to the ground, kowtowing to admit her guilt and accepting the decree with gratitude.
Soon, someone led her away.
Only Imperial Physician Qi remained in the hall.
“Since your medical skills are lacking, you are hereby expelled from the palace.”
“This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for sparing my life.” Imperial Physician Qi slowly let out a sigh of relief and hastily withdrew.
This entire day had truly been ‘eventful,’ with one incident after another.
The imperial concubines exchanged glances. Now, all three consorts had been demoted, with two of them even confined to the Cold Palace, leaving only Noble Consort Li.
But there was more than one noble consort in the palace; there was also Wu Guipin in Qǐ Wén Hall, and Jia Pin in Changying Hall.
Yet, to whom would the authority to assist in managing the six palaces fall?
Lan Wu seemed to have an inkling of something and couldn’t help but turn her gaze toward Chu Mingheng, tilting her head slightly as if in puzzlement.
Surely it wouldn’t be given to her?
Chu Mingheng also noticed her gaze and did not avoid it. Faced with Lan Wu’s curiosity, he merely nonchalantly tapped her palm lightly with his finger beneath the table.
“Chen Kangan, announce the decree,” he said.
Chen Kangan acknowledged the order and stepped forward, holding an imperial edict in his hand, and began to read it aloud.
This was an edict for a grand conferral of titles upon the imperial harem.
In the five years since Chu Mingheng ascended the throne, such grand conferrals had occurred only twice; this was the second time.
One by one, the imperial concubines unconsciously straightened their postures, unable to wait for Chen Kangan to finish reading, each wishing they could step forward and see if their names were written on the edict.
“…Promote Wu Guipin to Consort Zhuang, Zhaorong Yun to Pin Yun, Yue Zhaorong to consort rank, bestowing the honorary title ‘Liang,’ Mu Xiurong to Mu Zhaorong…”
After this edict was read, Chen Kangan looked up with a smile.
The concubines who had received promotions carefully stepped forward, kneeling to express their gratitude, while also feeling puzzled—this edict made no mention of Zhen Zhaorong.
Even Mu Xiurong had been promoted; there was no reason Zhen Zhaorong would not receive a promotion… she was so favored.
Lan Wu herself was not worried in the slightest; Chu Mingheng would naturally give her the best.
Sure enough, after the other concubines had accepted the decree and expressed their gratitude, Chen Kangan produced another edict. First, he bowed to Lan Wu and said, “Your Ladyship, His Majesty has instructed that you need only listen and receive the decree; there is no need to kneel.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned their eyes to Lan Wu, thinking to themselves, “As expected.”
Chen Kangan proclaimed the decree:
“By the decree of the Emperor, who receives the Mandate of Heaven. We proclaim that Zhaorong Chu Lanwu, whose nature is respectful and astute, whose gentleness manifests in her character, who is gracious, harmonious, and clear in reason, diligent without laxity, virtuous and talented, dignified and elegant in conduct, is hereby conferred the title of Guifei. She is bestowed with the golden register and seal, granted the honorary title ‘Zhenjia,’ conferred the imperial surname, and granted the authority to assist in managing the six palaces. So it is decreed.”
Guifei.
Lan Wu felt her throat somewhat dry and hoarse, watching as the imperial edict was rolled up and handed toward her direction.
Taking a deep breath, Lan Wu rose to kneel and receive the edict.
But before she could fully kneel, a hand encircled her waist and lifted her up. The edict was taken by another person and placed securely into her palm.
It was Chu Mingheng.