Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

After leaving Yihua Palace, Qing'an rushed back to the Emperor's court without stopping.

Upon entering the hall, one could see that the emperor had changed into casual clothes, finished his meal, and was sitting upright in the imperial study.

Qing'an took a deep breath and went into the study to report, "Your Majesty, the decree to promote Consort Chen has been issued."

Behind the imperial desk, the tall, imposing man gave a curt reply and casually asked, "Why are you back so late? Did something happen to her?"

After considering his words for a moment, Qing'an said, "Consort Chen has gone out for a while."

Pei Yan stopped writing and frowned.

They went out?

Before leaving, he clearly instructed me to take good care of my injuries and not to cause any trouble.

This is ignoring what he said.

Pei Yan's eyes turned cold, and he asked, "Where did she go?"

Qing'an lowered his head and replied, "I heard from the palace servants of Yihua Palace that Consort Chen seems to have gone to the Cold Palace."

Pei Yan couldn't help but look up at Qing An, "The Cold Palace?"

Qing An paused for a moment and said, "I don't know the specifics either. I just asked the maids when Consort Chen wasn't around, and that's what they told me."

Pei Yan put down his brush and pressed his throbbing brow.

The hall remained quiet for a while.

Qing'an mustered his courage and tentatively asked, "The information Your Majesty asked me to investigate last night has been found and written down in the memorial. Has Your Majesty reviewed it?"

Pei Yan's gaze fell on the note beside him, his face expressionless: "I've read it."

Qing'an asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, should I still take care of things at the Cold Palace?"

Pei Yan lowered his eyes, making it impossible to discern his emotions. He said in a deep voice, "No need. Let the Qi family fend for themselves."

Since the mastermind wasn't Qi, there was no need to pay her any attention, out of respect for her father.

Perhaps for Lady Qi, lingering in the cold palace like this was more painful than death.

"Yes," Qing'an replied, then asked in a low voice, "What should be done with Consort Zhu?"

This time, the man behind the long desk remained silent for a long time.

Qing'an dared not urge him, but simply lowered his head and waited quietly.

Only when her calves started to feel numb did she hear the man's cold, emotionless voice, "Keep an eye on her, don't move for now."

Before Qing An left, he saw the emperor's meaningful gaze.

He didn't dare linger and quickly retreated outside the hall.

Only after the palace doors were closed did the tense emotions gradually calm down.

Even after serving the emperor for more than ten years, he still couldn't fathom the emperor's deep thoughts.

This time, he originally thought the emperor would... but he never expected...

Enough, enough, let's stop trying to guess what the emperor is thinking.

It is truly like serving a tiger.

Qing'an repeatedly warned himself to speak less and act more cautiously, and not to make any rash remarks, so that his head could remain firmly in his neck.

In this state of fear and trepidation, Qing'an suddenly recalled an exceptionally beautiful face.

He thought that, not to mention the six palaces, even including the entire outer court, only this Consort Chen could be so unrestrained and composed in front of the emperor.

He truly enjoys unparalleled imperial favor.

*

at the same time.

When the concubines in the six palaces received the news, they were all in disbelief.

After the palace servants confirmed it several times, they finally believed it—His Majesty had promoted Consort Chen to the rank of Imperial Concubine.

In fact, after Consort Chen was poisoned, most of the concubines had a premonition that His Majesty would compensate Consort Chen.

But they never expected that the emperor's compensation would be a change in rank.

That's a second-rank imperial concubine position!

They just gave it away like that.

After confirming the news, the concubines in the six palaces were so shocked that they were speechless.

Since entering the palace, Lady Shen was first granted a high position, then promoted to the rank of princess, and given the title of Chen. Now she has been promoted to the rank of consort and has become Consort Chen.

And all of this happened in just six months.

It's too glorious, too smooth sailing.

Looking back at the imperial harems of the Jing Dynasty, there is no other empress with such honor.

She was no less than any of the legendary favored concubines of the previous dynasty.

The other concubines originally thought that with Empress Luo imprisoned, the three concubines' power would last for quite some time. They thought this balance could at least last for a few years.

However, in a single day, the political landscape of the harem shifted dramatically, and the situation changed once again.

Now it's not three consorts, it's four.

Consort Li, Consort Lan, Consort Hui, and Consort Chen each possessed power or had children, and each had their own strengths.

From now on, to them, Consort Chen will no longer be the Emperor's unapproachable cousin or the Emperor's favorite concubine, but will become the one who controls their life and death.

In an instant, the six palaces were thrown into turmoil.

In Weiyang Palace.

After smashing the entire tea set, Consort Li's emotions finally calmed down a little.

Her personal maid, Cixin, quickly helped her to sit on the couch and comforted her, "Your Highness, please calm down."

Consort Li's phoenix eyes were filled with resentment as she gritted her teeth and said, "How am I supposed to vent my anger?!"

She had thought that the palace power that Consort Lan had been stripped of would fall into her hands.

After all, Consort Hui is too inexperienced and has a son. If the prize were given to Consort Hui, wouldn't that be overstepping her bounds?

Although she hasn't received much favor in recent years, there's still some old affection between them.

His Majesty will not offend her too much.

So, ever since Consort Li returned to the palace that day, she has still been hoping for power in the palace.

Unexpectedly, what awaited them was the news of Consort Chen's promotion to the rank of Consort Chen and her taking control of the palace!

How could she possibly accept this?

Consort Li's chest heaved violently as she overturned the teacups on the small table, yelling, "Get out! All of you, get out of here!"

Ci Xin looked at the mess on the ground and sighed softly.

She gave a look, signaling the palace servants to leave.

After dismissing the palace servants, Cixin stepped forward and massaged Consort Li's temples. "The imperial decree has been issued, and the matter is settled. No matter how angry Your Highness is, it won't change anything. Getting angry will only harm your health."

That's what she said, but Consort Li couldn't swallow her anger.

She went to great lengths to drag Consort Lan down with her, only to end up benefiting someone else—it's infuriating.

Thinking further, she was originally the only one in the harem who was granted the title of Consort without having a child. But now, Consort Chen has also been granted the title of Consort without having a child.

It's really unpleasant to have your unique privilege broken.

Thinking of this, Consort Li's face turned ashen.

Ci Xin gently advised, "It's not just Her Majesty who's angry; all the concubines in the six palaces are green with envy and jealousy after hearing this news. Now, Consort Chen has become a thorn in their side. Even though Consort Chen has status and favor, there are always fools who aren't afraid of death. Let them fight it out first, and we'll observe the situation and act accordingly, won't we?"

Consort Li closed her eyes and remained silent.

Seeing that her anger had subsided somewhat, Ci Xin continued to persuade her, "Your Majesty, we have been in this palace for ten years. In these ten years, too many concubines have fallen, too many to count on one hand. Even now, the Empress has lost power. The wheel of fortune turns, and Consort Chen cannot keep laughing forever. We must be patient and wait for our opportunity."

After hearing these words, Consort Li slowly opened her eyes, a resolute glint in them. "I am not afraid to wait. I will reclaim all this palace power. And I will sit on that higher position."