novelraw Chapter 160 Consort Yuan
Chapter 160 Consort Yuan
The cicadas begin to sing outside the eaves, and the first pink and white lotus blossoms open in the pond; it is the summer solstice.
The Yaohua Palace has introduced lotus flowers. The green lotus leaves stand tall and graceful, and the pink buds are about to bloom. The palace servants are adding soil and water to the lotus plants in the pond.
"Imperial edict arrives—"
Li Fuquan held the bright yellow imperial edict in his hands, followed by palace servants carrying loads of rewards.
"Consort Yuan, receive the imperial decree—"
Song Shuangning led a group of palace women to receive the imperial decree.
Li Fuquan unfurled the imperial edict and spoke in a clear, resonant voice: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Zheng, with her pure heart, upright conduct, gentle manners, virtuous character, and tender nature, has won my heart. I hereby promote you to the rank of Virtuous Consort and bestow upon you a golden book and golden seal. This is my decree."
Two of the four positions of virtuous and wise consorts in the palace have already been filled, leaving only the virtuous and wise ones.
Xiao Yan considered this matter carefully. Although the title "Consort Hui" was good, he felt it was not as fitting as the title "Virtuous".
The only drawback of the character "贤" is that it was previously used by the Su family.
But on second thought, it is precisely because of the contrast between the two that Song Shuangning's gentleness, virtue, and upright character are highlighted, far surpassing that of the previous one.
More importantly, Xiao Yan hoped that a hundred years from now, history would record her as a virtuous figure, rather than as someone associated with infamy.
Thus, the imperial decree conferring the title of Consort Xian was finalized.
After the imperial edict was read, Song Shuangning bowed and expressed her gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you."
Only when she held the imperial edict in her palm did Song Shuangning truly grasp the reality of being conferred the title of imperial concubine.
Li Fuquan, all smiles, bowed and cupped his hands, saying, "This servant congratulates Consort Yuanxian on her newfound honor."
The title of Virtuous Consort already placed her among the Four Consorts, and with the addition of the honorary title, her status in the harem rose even higher.
Holding the imperial edict, Song Shuangning smiled gently and had someone hand her some silver.
Li Fuquan was shocked when he received it; Consort Yuan Xian was so generous, it was equivalent to three months of his salary.
"Steward Li, you've gone to a lot of trouble. In the future, if the Emperor makes any moves or issues any orders, I'll trouble you to keep me informed," Song Shuangning said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will do his utmost."
Looking at the crowd below, Song Shuangning smiled and said, "Everyone will be rewarded today. From now on, the salaries of everyone in Yaohua Palace will be doubled."
The palace servants cheered and kowtowed in unison, expressing their gratitude with utmost respect.
As the sun began to set outside the palace, Tingyu, worried that she might get tired from standing for too long, helped her into the inner palace to rest.
Tinglu promptly instructed people to count all the rewards in the courtyard and then move them to the storeroom for registration.
This registration process took a whole afternoon.
Song Shuangning had finished her dinner when Tinglu returned.
"Why has it taken so long to register for the rewards?"
Tinglu replied with a smile, "His Majesty dotes on Your Highness and has bestowed so many gifts that they fill half the storeroom. It took this servant and several eunuchs an entire afternoon to finally sort them out."
There are a hundred bolts of Suzhou embroidery, Yun brocade, Hangzhou silk, and Shu brocade alone, all of which are top-quality materials for tribute, not to mention brocade with gold thread and Song brocade.
Pearls, gemstones, and other precious stones are all in one box.
In addition, there were several boxes of jewelry such as hairpins and necklaces.
In short, it has everything you could need.
It is said that most of these rewards came from the emperor's private treasury.
Song Shuangning couldn't help but sigh, still remembering that when she first entered the palace, she had a small wish: to fill her little nest with good things. Now, that wish had actually come true.
Even when I'm asleep, I'll wake up laughing.
She then had some fine brocade selected and sent to Consort Shao, Consort Xu, and Consort Qiu.
As night deepened, Ah Liu led two palace maids, carrying palace lanterns, and gracefully approached.
"This servant greets Your Highness, Consort Xian. Congratulations, Your Highness."
Song Shuangning smiled in surprise: "Ah Liu? That's unusual today. Why are you here? Is there something important?"
A-Liu replied, "Your Majesty, His Majesty specifically instructed me to bring this dress here, so that Your Majesty can change into it and then come with me to a certain place."
When Song Shuangning looked at her, she saw that she was wearing a simple and elegant folk dress.
The Emperor is taking her out of the palace.
Not only her clothes, but also those for listening to the rain and dew.
The three of them, master and servants, were overjoyed at the thought of leaving the palace.
After changing their clothes, Song Shuangning and the other two followed A Liu to the palace gate. In the darkness of the night, a low-key carriage was quietly parked, hidden in the shadows.
"Your Majesty, please." Li Fuquan, who had been waiting by the side, bowed respectfully upon seeing her, his face full of a respectful smile.
Song Shuangning lifted her skirt and tiptoed onto the carriage, where she saw Xiao Yan leaning against a soft pillow, flipping through an ancient book.
Xiao Yan looked up and gazed at her: "This outfit suits you very well."
Song Shuangning sat down next to him, her fingertips gently tugging at her sleeve: "Why did Your Majesty suddenly decide to take me out of the palace? You didn't even let me know a word of it."
Xiao Yan closed the book, reached out and ruffled her hair. "If I had told you earlier, what kind of surprise would it have been?"
"This is the second gift for your promotion to the rank of Virtuous Consort."
Song Shuangning's eyes flickered slightly, and she took his arm and gently pressed her cheek against his shoulder.
"Your Majesty, I really like this gift."
The carriage curtains were lowered, isolating it from the hustle and bustle outside the palace. The wheels rolled through the streets and alleys, finally coming to a slow stop at that familiar, quiet alley.
They first went to the Zhenbei Marquis's residence, where everyone had already received the news and was overjoyed, bustling around to welcome them.
The most excited person was none other than Madam Zheng.
Song Shuangning called out sweetly, "Grandma."
"Eh."
"No, Your Highness, Consort Xian."
Song Shuangning retorted, "Is Grandmother going to distance herself from Shuangning?"
Madam Zheng came forward and held her hand tightly, saying, "Hearing that you are pregnant, your grandmother has been so happy that she hasn't slept for several nights."
"Look, I made some clothes and shoes for the little prince and princess myself when I had nothing else to do."
Looking at the clothes for those small, exquisite children, Song Shuangning thought of her family whom she had always neglected, and her eyes welled up with tears.
"Grandmother, it's still early, you don't need to work so hard."
Madam Zheng sighed, "Perhaps it's because I'm getting old, but I keep dreaming about your grandfather these past few days. Your grandmother is old, and I don't know how much longer these old bones can hold on. While I can still hold a needle and thread, I want to do more for you, even if it's just small things like sewing and mending. It will make me feel at ease."
Song Shuangning felt a lump in her throat and choked back tears as she buried her head in Old Madam Zheng's shoulder. "Grandmother, may you live a long and healthy life."
"Good." Old Madam Zheng patted her back with satisfaction. "Grandmother still wants to watch the little prince or princess grow up."
Song Shuangning wiped away her tears and looked around: "Where's Yueyao? I can't see her."
"Oh, Yueyao left a letter a few days ago saying she wanted to go out for a few days to relax. It's good that she wants to go out; it's better than staying cooped up in the manor."
"Oh, right."
Madam Zheng suddenly gripped Song Shuangning's hand tightly, her tone tinged with lingering fear and solemnity: "Your father investigated the recent calamity in the uterus in private for a long time, but who would have thought that the forces involved were so deeply entrenched and far more complex than they appeared on the surface."
"Shuang Ning, you must be extra wary of one person from now on."
"Consort De".