Chapter 162: Guifei
When the palace maids entered the hall and saw both of their masters already up, they found it quite unusual. But then they heard the mistress say she wanted to help His Majesty put on his court attire, and they were momentarily speechless—did the mistress even know how to put it on?
Although Lan Wu’s memory wasn’t particularly sharp, putting on clothes wasn’t difficult for her.
The palace maids stood to the side holding trays, watching Lan Wu’s movements carefully, afraid she might make a mistake somewhere.
Yet the person in question was perfectly at ease, extending her arms when told to extend them and crouching down when told to crouch. Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought Lan Wu was the emperor.
After fastening the belt, Lan Wu looked at Chu Mingheng’s figure, smiled, and then picked up the jade pendant nearby to attach it to his belt.
“All done, Your Majesty. You should go have breakfast now.”
“You’ll join me,” Chu Mingheng said.
“No, I want to sleep a little longer. Your Majesty, go ahead by yourself.”
When Lan Wu said she wouldn’t go, she meant it. However, she didn’t accompany Chu Mingheng for breakfast but leaned against the screen where he could see her. When the time finally came, Chu Mingheng was ready to leave.
This was, after all, the first court session after the New Year’s Eve banquet. Who knew how lively the court would be today?
Chu Mingheng had been emperor for so many years; surely he could handle it himself.
Thinking this, Lan Wu turned back and collapsed onto the bed, falling into a peaceful sleep once more.
The most urgent matter had now been resolved, and the investiture ceremony two days later meant little to her.
Two days later, the sky cleared and the snow melted. As expected, all the imperial concubines in the rear palace gathered at Yilan Hall.
Although this investiture ceremony had been arranged hastily, it was by no means simple or lacking. After all, this was His Majesty’s favored consort—how could she be treated with anything less than grandeur?
Many of them were visiting Yilan Hall for the first time, and today, without exception, they all had to bow to this Guifei.
As the appointed time approached, the ceremonial officials stopped outside the palace gates. From there, the female officials entered the gates holding the ceremonial scepter and the imperial edict, announcing the decree and presenting the golden book and golden seal to the Guifei.
Lan Wu stood at the foot of the steps. Hearing the female official call for the kneeling ritual, she slowly knelt on the cushion.
After three kneels and three bows, Lan Wu raised her hands and received the golden book and golden seal handed to her by the female official, then slowly rose to her feet.
“The ceremony is concluded—” the female official announced loudly. “All imperial concubines, bow.”
With these words, the concubines waiting outside the hall had no choice but to kneel and perform the grand bow respectfully.
Lan Wu called for them to rise and, following tradition, said a few words before dismissing everyone.
After leaving Yilan Hall, Noble Consort Li walked ahead, eager to put as much distance as possible between herself and Lan Wu—out of sight, out of mind.
Liang Fei walked alongside Mu Zhaorong, both watching as Noble Consort Li’s procession moved farther away.
Even Mu Zhaorong couldn’t help but remark, “How unpredictable life is.”
Who could have imagined today’s outcome? In the beginning, Noble Consort Li had tried to use Lan Wu to gain favor and power. Now, the favor and authority she had coveted belonged to Lan Wu. The thought alone was enough to make one furious.
“Sister, should we go into the hall to see Guifei?” Mu Zhaorong thought for a moment before turning to ask Liang Fei.
They had wanted to visit a few days earlier, but Lan Wu had been busy learning the rituals. Moreover, His Majesty often stayed at Yilan Hall, so they hadn’t wanted to disturb her. Today, with the investiture ceremony finally over, they thought Lan Wu might have some free time and had waited here for her.
Before Liang Fei could respond, a voice came from behind them.
“Is Consort Liang and Mu Zhaorong going to see Guifei? What a coincidence, I also have some matters to discuss with Guifei first.”
The newcomer was Consort Zhuang, formerly known as Wu Guipin.
Having long resided in the rear palace, Wu Guipin was more familiar with palace affairs than Consort Liang, who had risen from the rank of Zhaorong. In recent days, as Lan Wu had not yet undergone the formal investiture ceremony, palace affairs had been managed by her and Consort Liang.
Consort Liang and Mu Zhaorong turned to see Consort Zhuang. Upon hearing these words, Mu Zhaorong spoke up: “In that case, perhaps the two consorts should first see Guifei to discuss official matters. This humble concubine will take her leave.”
Consort Liang and Consort Zhuang looked at her and nodded slightly.
Lan Wu had just sat down to rest for a while, having someone remove the lavish hair ornaments from her bun, when she heard someone outside the hall announce that Consort Zhuang and Consort Liang were requesting an audience.
It took her a moment to register the new title. She ordered them to be received in the main hall first.
“Quickly… don’t take them all off, I still have to meet people.” Lan Wu raised her hand slightly to stop them, protecting a few gold hairpins and swaying ornaments. Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, she rose with some satisfaction.
It made sense for Consort Liang to come see her, but why would Consort Zhuang come?
When Lan Wu arrived in the main hall, she saw the two women sitting peacefully on either side below.
Seeing her arrival, both rose and performed the proper greeting: “This humble concubine pays respects to Guifei. May Guifei enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
“Please rise.” Though young, Lan Wu had never made mistakes on important occasions. She sat down and looked at them.
To be precise, she first glanced at Consort Zhuang, as they were hardly acquainted. Before this, their meetings had been pitifully few, and now that they met, she truly didn’t know what to say.
Before she could speak, Consort Zhuang smiled first and said: “Today’s visit is to properly hand over the palace affairs previously entrusted to this humble concubine to Your Ladyship. Now that Your Ladyship has undergone the investiture ceremony, these palace matters should rightfully be handled by you.”
Palace authority was like a sweet cake—everyone wanted a bite. But if mishandled, it could become poison, as evidenced by the fates of Consort Rou and Consort Shu who were sent to the Cold Palace.
“That is as it should be. This humble concubine came today with the same purpose.” On the other side, Consort Liang also nodded and said softly.
They were both perceptive. Even if they didn’t know why His Majesty had promoted them to consort rank, following Lan Wu’s wishes was always important.
Palace affairs…
Lan Wu felt troubled. It wasn’t that she dared not take on these responsibilities, but she would soon be leaving the palace for Changyong Mountain. Though the imperial decree hadn’t been issued yet, it was likely within the next few days. At that time, palace affairs would still need to be handled by these two. Wouldn’t transferring them to her now just create more complications?
“For now, palace affairs should continue to be handled by you both.” Lan Wu’s words unexpectedly declined the palace authority that had come to her, leaving both women momentarily speechless.
Consort Liang glanced at Consort Zhuang and couldn’t help but ask softly: “Does Your Ladyship have any concerns? Currently, the Inner Court Administration organizes each palace’s affairs according to need. Your Ladyship wouldn’t find it difficult to manage.”
Lan Wu truly had no such concerns, but it wasn’t appropriate to say so directly. She simply pressed her forehead and sighed, “It’s not really about concerns or not. It’s just that my health hasn’t been well these past few days. I summoned the Imperial Physician the day before yesterday, and he said I must avoid worry and need quiet rest. That’s why I thought of letting you continue managing the palace affairs.”
After speaking, she added, “Of course, if the palace affairs are too complicated and you can’t handle them, then I shouldn’t force you. It’s just…”
Before she could finish, both of them understood her implied meaning and naturally dared not let her worry about these matters. “Your Highness, rest assured. If Your Highness is unwell, we should naturally consider Your Highness’s well-being. It won’t be too late for Your Highness to resume managing palace affairs once your health has recovered.”
“That’s very good,” Lan Wu smiled.