The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

This has stirred up a hornet's nest.

Having finally dealt with the traitors and purged the court, it should be time to expand the harem and continue the lineage. Why then are they being dismissed instead?

The ministers knelt on the ground, tears streaming down their faces, and pleaded with the emperor, saying things like "the emperor has no private affairs," "the harem is the foundation of the country," and "the offspring are related to the state."

His spittle almost flew onto the dragon throne.

Xie Ling's reasoning was that ever since he witnessed Consort Li's affair with Prince Gong, and even the secret pregnancy, he had been deeply saddened and still felt like he was being cuckolded, making it difficult for him to trust the concubines in the harem.

Neither of them had ever been favored, and their dismissal and return home did not prevent them from remarrying.

The ministers couldn't help but think to themselves: After all, the matter of Consort Li was a minority; how could every concubine have an affair?

Moreover, if we're talking about childhood friendship, Consort Qi and Prince Gong were childhood sweethearts, so why doesn't Your Majesty care?

This double standard is far too obvious.

What worried the ministers the most was the issue of having an heir.

If Consort Qi had a son or daughter, that would be fine, but she has been in the palace for almost three years and there is no sign of pregnancy. Who knows if she can give birth?

If that doesn't work, the Great Qian Dynasty cannot be allowed to die out.

If there were other concubines in the harem, at least there would be alternatives. But if His Majesty dismisses them, wouldn't all the hopes be placed on Consort Qi's pregnancy?

As a result, the previous dynasty launched a protracted tug-of-war.

During the court assembly, the officials spoke passionately, and after the assembly, they chased after the emperor to the study to confront him, each with their own set of arguments, repeating the same things over and over again.

In reality, it all boils down to one thing – Your Majesty, please think it over! Your Majesty, please think it over! Your Majesty, please reconsider!

Among them, the old Duke of Xingguo was the most persistent, weeping uncontrollably despite his advanced age.

When he first sent Cui Zhiyin to the palace, the Duke of Xingguo had actually hoped that she would be favored. The palace was full of beauties, but his Cui family daughter was no less beautiful.

But as time went on, the Duke of Xingguo completely gave up. His Majesty was determined to uphold the "chaste man's archway," and he couldn't see any better girls.

Therefore, whether or not he was favored, the Duke of Xingguo did not care at all.

However, if the harem were dismissed, Cui Zhiyin would have to leave the palace and return to her residence. Her eye ailment was congenital and worsened year by year. Without the precious medicinal herbs and imperial physicians in the palace, she feared she would become completely blind within a few years.

The old Duke of Xingguo knelt before the door of the imperial study, tears streaming down his face, begging the emperor to rescind his decree.

He doesn't care about others, as long as his granddaughter is left.

Anyway, she didn't have much of a presence in the harem, so she didn't interfere with His Majesty and Empress's affection.

Marquis Jianning also joined the group immediately.

His daughter also suffered from a heart ailment. She lived comfortably in the palace, with imperial physicians taking her pulse daily and a constant supply of medicine.

If I were to leave the palace, that ailment might flare up at any time.

The old Marquis stood beside the Duke of Xingguo, one on each side, like two door gods blocking the entrance to the Imperial Study, leaving Li Degui speechless.

In the end, you two are just trying to take advantage of His Majesty, aren't you?

……

In fact, not only the previous dynasty, but Yue Mingzhu herself also did not want to leave the palace.

She didn't care who His Majesty favored, but the palace had all kinds of delicacies, like braised pork knuckle and braised pork belly. Once she returned home, she would never be able to eat the palace's rare delicacies again.

Furthermore, since entering the palace, she has been unsupervised and has become too indulgent. She is now much fatter than when she first entered the palace, and she will likely be ridiculed by her relatives when she returns home.

Life was never as comfortable as it is now.

"Your Highness, no... Your Majesty the Empress," Yue Mingzhu, who had been suffering from insomnia for most of the night, finally mustered up the courage to go to Yaotang Palace despite her dark circles under her eyes.

The imperial edict announced to the world that Qi Yitang was now the empress. She was only waiting for the grand wedding ceremony, the investiture ceremony, and the announcement to Heaven and Earth at the Imperial Ancestral Temple before she could wear the empress's robes and the most prestigious "Nine Dragons and Four Phoenixes Crown".

Seeing Yue Mingzhu crying, Qi Yitang was somewhat surprised, "What's wrong?"

She had a decent impression of Yue Mingzhu; she was young, had a round face, and bright, almond-shaped eyes that were always smiling.

They look like New Year's picture dolls, and they're quite cute.

Whenever there's a delicious snack, Qi Yitang always has someone send her a portion.

Yue Mingzhu was grateful and would come to pay her respects to Qi Yitang every few days. Last time, she even gave her a birthday gift.

It's a little trinket I made myself. My skills are a bit clumsy, but my heart is truly sincere.

Yue Mingzhu knelt on Qi Yitang's lap, her chubby cheeks still bearing the red marks left by the pillow. "Your Majesty, I know perfectly well that His Majesty only loves you... but I do not wish to leave the palace. Please, I beg you, speak to His Majesty on my behalf."

"At worst, I'll just not eat it anymore... and eat less pork knuckle. I can even move it far away, so it won't be in your or His Majesty's way!"

Qi Yitang thought she had been bullied by someone, and that she had to start dealing with palace affairs as soon as she became empress.

As a result, this is it?

Can't you be a little more ambitious? Besides, you only came to the palace to eat braised pork knuckle. Aren't there braised pork knuckles to eat outside the palace?

Xie Ling had already mentioned the matter of dismissing the harem to Qi Yitang.

If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's interference, they would never have been able to enter the palace.

In fact, Qi Yitang didn't care. They had been in the palace for quite some time. Apart from Qin Lianyue, who was very active, the others were quiet and inconspicuous, and they were just there to recuperate.

Even Bai Ruichu, who had previously fawned over Qin Lianyue and exchanged a few words with her, eventually gave up.

Whether she becomes empress or imperial concubine, it doesn't really affect her.

When Yue Mingzhu brought it up today, Qi Yitang pondered for a moment and thought it best to gather everyone in the harem together and ask for their opinions.

"Ahem, well," Qi Yitang adjusted her sleeves, trying to appear dignified and composed, "I summoned you all here today to ask you all what your thoughts are regarding the disbandment of the harem."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruichu froze.

In order to curry favor with Qin Lianyue, she often verbally belittled Qi Yitang and secretly treated her coldly.

Now that the Qin family has fallen and Qi Yitang has been made empress, the other concubines had no grudges against Qi Yitang.

Only her...

Bai Ruichu knew perfectly well that if surgery were to be performed, she would be the first one to be taken.

Seeing that everyone was bowing their heads and not speaking, like students in a classroom afraid of being called on by the teacher, Qi Yitang softened her tone, "You don't need to worry too much. We've known each other for a while now. Even if you leave the palace, His Majesty won't treat you badly. The world outside is vast and open, and you might even be more at ease."

Still no one answered.

Just as Qi Yitang was about to randomly select someone, Bai Ruichu suddenly knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to leave the palace."

Qi Yitang raised an eyebrow in surprise. She had considered that Cui Zhiyin might hesitate, and that Yue Mingzhu might be reluctant to part with her...

Unexpectedly, Bai Ruichu was the first to say she wanted to leave.

Back when Qin Lianyue was around, Bai Ruichu was extremely attentive, calling her "Sister Qin" more affectionately than a real sister. Now that her backer has fallen, she's quite sensible and understanding.

On second thought, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Bai Ruichu's father was a general under Qin Zhenxiong. Although he was not a confidant and did not participate in the rebellion, he was still somewhat involved. His demotion afterward was already a mercy.

Bai Ruichu had been living in fear and trembling in the palace these past few days, probably because she was afraid of being punished later. Rather than enduring the anxiety every day, she decided to take a step back first and at least save face.

Looking at her trembling back as she lay on the ground, Qi Yitang sighed softly. In the inner palace, one often had no choice in what one did.

It's all about survival.

Besides, their past squabbles were nothing more than minor arguments and petty squabbles, hardly anything serious.

"Alright, I'll grant your wish. I'll reward you with gold, silver, land, and houses according to the palace's regulations. This way, we can part on good terms."

Bai Ruichu kowtowed deeply, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress, for your grace."

Yue Mingzhu had already said she didn't want to leave. Cui Zhiyin and Tan Yuanshuang, who were left, hadn't expressed their opinions. Qi Yitang guessed that they might be undecided, so she told them to go back and think about it, and she would give her an answer in a couple of days.

After everyone expressed their gratitude and left, Qi Yitang left Tan Yuanshuang behind alone.

She was always quiet and never made enemies. Like a heart orchid transplanted to a corner, she bloomed without competing or vying for attention.

"Consort Xian, I can leave the others as they are, but I'd like to ask you alone: ​​do you also not wish to leave the palace?"