northernbook Chapter 310 Consort Meng (A Sudden Promotion)
Chapter 310 Consort Meng (A Sudden Promotion)
Chapter 310 Consort Meng (A Sudden Promotion)
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, casting a ray of clear light.
The emperor strolled with Hua Yan along the cobblestone path, the gilded palace lanterns trailing behind them like fireflies, casting their shadows on each other, making them look like a fairy couple in a painting.
The lake shimmered in the distance, the moonlight like shattered silver, and Hua Yan couldn't help but stop and gaze at it.
Seeing the smile in her eyes, the Emperor's heart stirred slightly, and his voice softened unconsciously: "Shu'er missed the lake tour. Tomorrow, when we have some free time, I will accompany Shu'er on a boat trip on Yujin Lake."
Hua Yan glanced sideways, her slender fingers gently taking the Emperor's arm, her fingertips lingering on the dragon-patterned brocade, and said softly, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state, and I dare not trouble you with such trivial matters. Tomorrow, after paying my respects to the Empress in the morning, I will stroll around the garden nearby, which will be quite leisurely and carefree."
The Emperor gently stroked her soft hand with the jade thumb ring with dragon patterns, raising an eyebrow slightly and speaking with a hint of doting: "We'll take a break from all business at the temporary palace for the next two days. After we've finished boating on the lake, would you like to serve me with writing materials in the Imperial Study?"
Hua Yan turned her head, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, as if in thought. After a moment, she replied softly:
"The Imperial Study is a sacred place, and concubines are not allowed to enter without permission. In order to thank Your Majesty for accompanying me on the lake excursion, why don't you move to the Bilang Pavilion and allow me to mix cinnabar and arrange silk, and accompany Your Majesty in painting?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor chuckled softly and reached out to pull her into his arms.
He said gently, "It was my oversight. It's fine this way. I kept a roll of Chengxintang paper when I made my southern tour last year. I haven't touched painting since I ascended the throne. It's a good opportunity to paint a picture with Shuer."
Hua Yan secretly rubbed her face under the cover of night, and the tension in her heart eased a little.
Until he returned to Bilangxuan, the emperor was in a good mood. However, as soon as he stepped into the main hall and looked around the furnishings in the bedroom, his expression suddenly darkened.
"The Shanggong Bureau has a lot of nerve, daring to be so perfunctory."
Jingming was startled and, standing outside the door, hurriedly looked up to peek into the outer room.
All that could be seen were tables, chairs, tea tables, screens, bookshelves, elegant objects, incense burners, felt rugs, and vases—at first glance, nothing seemed amiss.
If we're talking about simplicity, it's just that the screen separating the inner room is made of rather ordinary materials. Looking further down from this screen, we discover that the felt carpet is not only somewhat old, but its patterns are also blurred and indistinct...
Jingming scratched his head and hurriedly replied, "...Your Majesty, please calm down. This servant will go to the Shanggong Bureau right away and have someone bring a new one first thing tomorrow morning."
Hua Yan had never cared much about material possessions, and was about to offer some words of comfort when Jing Ming said again, "Your Majesty, I just took a look. Although the furnishings and utensils in the outer room are somewhat old, their style is all in accordance with the rank of a Beauty..."
Green Willow frowned, looking at Jingming with a puzzled expression.
The Emperor seemed to laugh at these words, kicked Jingming, and said in a deep voice: "Issue my decree that, effective immediately, Consort Meng shall be promoted to the rank of Jieyu, a fourth-grade official, and all her rank and regulations shall be the same as those for a concubine."
Green Willow suddenly opened her eyes wide, her gaze towards Jingming filled with gratitude and admiration. After her initial surprise, she secretly pondered how to repay Jingming's immense favor.
Although Jingming was kicked out again, he had been by the emperor's side for more than ten years. When he saw a hint of a smile in the emperor's eyes, he knew that his words had fulfilled the emperor's wishes.
He knelt down, and as he looked up, he placed the whisk in his hand on his elbow, grinning as he asked for a reward:
"This servant obeys the decree. Congratulations, Consort Meng! It is truly Your Majesty's blessing that Your Majesty favors you so much."
Hua Yan was momentarily dazed. Was this... yet another sudden promotion?!
However, she naturally owed Jingming a debt of gratitude. Seeing the Emperor looking at her, she suppressed her inner turmoil, gracefully bowed, and pressed her forehead against the back of her clasped hands.
"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your favor. The position of Consort is not something I dare to hope for. I only wish to burn incense and pray day and night for Your Majesty's good health and the eternal stability of our country."
The Emperor's brows immediately relaxed, and his black dragon-patterned sleeve brushed against her lowered neck as he gently helped her to her feet.
"Stand up and speak. When I promoted you to the rank of Consort, I intended to bestow a title upon you. However, since you are of low birth, even if I wanted to show you affection, I was afraid that you would be subject to criticism. Therefore, I gave up on the idea for the time being."
This time, as for the promotion to Consort Jin, I will also reserve the title for now. Once we have our child, I will bestow upon Shu'er the highest honors.
These words were spoken with such sincerity that Hua Yan's heart trembled slightly, and a blush rose on her cheeks, making her even more beautiful and charming.
The Emperor smiled slightly and personally removed her hairpins and jewelry.
Green Willow's smiling eyes curved into crescents, unable to contain her joy as she wanted to share it with Winter Melon. Jingming coughed lightly and reminded her, "My little Green Willow, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and help your master with his bathing!"
......
On the other side, Qu Qingge was wide awake. After washing up, she put on a moon-white nightgown and leaned against the carved window, gazing absently at a peony in the outer room.
When Ruixue came in, she turned around and asked softly, "...Was anyone aware of that palace maid from before?"
Ruixue replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty need not worry. Consort Chun did not notice anything. Afterwards, Xingyu, who was by the Empress's side, investigated and concluded that it was just an accident."
Qu Qingge sighed softly, her tone tinged with regret: "Ruixue, we rushed things a bit."
She paused, then said, "There are two volumes of the works of Li Hanlin from the previous dynasty in the trunk. You can fetch them tomorrow, and I will personally deliver them to Consort Chun."
Ruixue exclaimed, “These two rare books were obtained with great difficulty by Your Highness. How can you give them away so easily? Besides, no one knows that we made them. In my opinion, Your Highness’s talent is exceptional. Even if Consort Chun were here, she might not be able to surpass you.”
Qu Qingge's gaze was cold as she rebuked, "You're not listening to me anymore?"
Ruixue lowered her head and dared not speak. Reluctantly, she turned and went to the outer room, where she quickly returned with two thin booklets.
Qu Qingge closed her eyes, and the unintentional glance Meng Meiren gave her at the banquet floated into her mind, as if she could see through everything about her, making her tremble with fear.
She reached out and took the booklet, her fingertips trembling slightly. After flipping through it one last time, she instructed Ruixue to find a brocade box and reluctantly placed the booklet inside.
Inside Consort Mei's palace.
After serving Consort Mei until she had rested, Granny Yu dragged her heavy steps back to the tea room to sit for a while. As she poked at the charcoal fire, she recalled the young woman she had met that day.
Mrs. Zhou's eyes always gave her a sense of déjà vu.
Having spent more than ten years in the slave quarters, Granny Yu's memories of the past had become increasingly blurred due to the hard work and worry she had put in. She thought for a long time, but still couldn't remember where she had seen it before.
Madam Zhou was Consort Meng's maternal aunt, and this matter should have been reported to her master, but she did not mention it.
Looking at the glowing red charcoal fire in front of her, Granny Yu's thoughts drifted back to the eldest daughter who had died young.
She recalled how the Second Miss (Consort Mei) always seemed somewhat uneasy when the eldest young lady was mentioned. At first, she thought it was because the Second Miss was too heartbroken, but today, when Consort Meng mentioned how the eldest young lady had sought out renowned doctors and meticulously cared for the Second Miss, she clearly felt the Second Miss's body stiffen slightly. ... (Chapter 302)
The young lady was both beautiful and talented, and at the age of thirteen, she was already the most outstanding woman in the capital. She and the emperor were true childhood sweethearts.
Granny Yu vaguely remembered that when the Emperor was still the Ninth Prince, he often visited the Duke's Mansion and liked to spend time with the eldest daughter the most. Although the two were a few years apart, they always managed to get together. The Duke was happy to see this and did not stop them.
Even though the second young lady was bedridden at that time, whenever the Emperor came...
Granny Yu suddenly raised her head, and a hint of doubt finally appeared on her slightly aged face.
She gazed at the charcoal fire, a vague unease creeping into her heart.