ebookland Chapter 410 High Position
Chapter 410 High Position
After the enthronement ceremony, Zhen Huan became the highest-ranking imperial concubine in the harem.
The Imperial Household Department had been busy for days. They meticulously redecorated Yongshou Palace, following the style of the former Jingren Palace. They had installed new, luxurious furnishings, and the placement of tables, chairs, and decorative accents were all carefully selected to highlight the Imperial Noble Consort's exalted status. This would become the place where the concubines would pay their respects daily.
Zhen Huan was dressed in auspicious attire and sat in the main seat at the top with great grace. Her posture was straight and her expression showed both the calmness after going through hardships and the majesty of her current high position and power.
The concubines filed in according to their rank. Once inside, they squatted in unison and shouted in unison: "Greetings to the Imperial Concubine. May the Imperial Concubine be blessed with good health and happiness."
The sounds rose and fell, echoing in the main hall of Yongshou Palace for a long time.
Zhen Huan stood up and walked over to Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao, who were sitting in the front row. She reached out her hands and gently helped them up, her voice soft and intimate. "Sister Mei, Sister Jingfei, there's no need to be so polite. Please take a seat."
Her eyes were full of sincerity and care; the sisterhood of the past had never changed because of their status.
Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao smiled at each other, their eyes filled with relief and emotion, and then sat down on the seats beside them.
Immediately afterwards, Zhen Huan walked gracefully to An Lingrong's side, stretched out her hands and gently held her hands, applying a little force.
An Lingrong understood what she meant, and stood up straight with the help of her strength. A bright smile broke out on her face, and she threw her a wink.
Zhen Huan pursed her lips slightly, suppressed her smile, stretched out her finger and lightly tapped her, as if scolding her for being naughty, but also with a bit of doting.
Then, Zhen Huan turned her gaze to Concubine Duan and said gently, "Sister Concubine Duan, please stand up."
After she finished speaking, she did not wait for Concubine Duan's response, but turned around and sat back in the main seat at the top.
The other concubines continued to perform the ceremony respectfully.
Zhen Huan then said slowly, "Sisters, please stand up and sit down!"
Everyone then took their seats, and for a moment, the hall was filled with the subtle sounds of fluttering clothes.
Zhen Huan sat at the top, her eyes slowly sweeping over every concubine in the hall. Her expression was calm, yet with a hint of unfathomable majesty.
She raised her hand slightly, and immediately a maid came forward to serve her tea and snacks.
Zhen Huan took a sip of tea and said, "Today is the day I confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort. I am very pleased that you sisters can come. In the harem, sisterly harmony is the most important thing. I hope you can all work together in the future to share the emperor's worries."
"This concubine will follow the instructions of the Imperial Noble Consort."
The concubines all bowed their heads and responded with respectful expressions, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
"Sisters, there's no need to be so polite. I've prepared some gifts. I hope you won't mind, Jinxi."
Jin Xi behind him took half a step forward and clapped her hands. A moment later, several palace maids waiting outside the hall walked into the hall in uniform steps, holding trays lightly.
They came to each concubine in an orderly manner, stopped gently, bowed slightly, and presented the tray forward.
The maid behind the concubines hurried forward, took the tray with both hands, opened the lid, and then carefully held it in front of their master.
An Lingrong looked at the tray in front of her and saw a white jade pendant with a mandarin duck and lotus pattern lying quietly on it.
She reached out and picked it up. As she touched it, she felt a warm feeling from her fingertips. The jade pendant was carved with great precision. A pair of mandarin ducks were lifelike, lying on the lotus. They held the lotus branch in their mouths, and the lotus branches were intertwined and symmetrical, just like a loving couple, performing their lingering love in this jade.
An Lingrong turned her gaze and looked towards Shen Meizhuang.
Shen Meizhuang was seen holding a phoenix-shaped hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and red agate. In the sunlight, the kingfisher feathers glowed with a faint blue light, while the red agate resembled a cluster of burning flames, dazzling the eyes. The phoenix head was sleekly shaped, and every detail exuded luxury and refinement.
An Lingrong glanced at the other concubines and saw that they all looked beaming, their eyes gleaming with surprise and satisfaction. It seemed that the gifts Zhen Huan had carefully prepared must have pleased everyone.
Feng Ruozhao stroked the jade bracelet in her hand and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you have truly taken great pains this time. I truly feel unworthy of such a precious and exquisite gift."
Zhen Huan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a perfectly gentle smile. She said softly, "Sister Jingfei, what are you talking about? These are just some small gifts to express my feelings. As long as I can make you sisters smile, my efforts will not be in vain."
Concubine Duan sat quietly to the side, her gaze slowly falling on the exquisitely opened box before her. Inside, a pair of coral pearl earrings shone brightly and dazzlingly. She narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression indifferent, "After all, the Imperial Concubine is highly valued by the Emperor. These earrings, with their warm color and round, full body, are truly a rare treasure!"
Although these words were full of praise, they also had a hint of sourness.
Zhen Huan's smile continued, "Sister Duan Fei, please stop teasing me. You have served the Emperor the longest. You have seen all the rare treasures in the palace. In fact, based on seniority and knowledge, the position of Imperial Noble Consort should have been yours. But the Emperor felt sorry for you as you grew older and were frail, and he was afraid that the tedious affairs would burden you, so he asked me to take over the position temporarily. I envy the Emperor's love and care for you from the bottom of my heart!"
Her words were gentle, but they contained a sharp edge. She responded to Concubine Duan's jealousy and also secretly said that she was old.
When Qi Yuebin heard this, the smile on his face froze for a moment, and a hint of imperceptible displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he quickly returned to his calm demeanor.
She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Your Highness, what you said really humiliates me. I'm just a quiet person living in the harem. How could I possibly have the ability to sit on the throne of the Royal Highness? The Royal Highness is in her prime and deeply favored by the Emperor. From now on, the harem will have to rely on you for your hard work. I, this concubine, can only wait to live a stable life under your protection."
Although there was a hint of politeness in his words, the subtle smell of tension was clearly heard by everyone present.
"You're welcome, sister!"
Zhen Huan didn't want to argue with her on this happy day, so she just casually responded and looked at An Lingrong with a look of intimacy in her eyes. She asked softly, "Rong'er, do you like the things I gave you?"
An Lingrong curled her lips, revealing her perfect eight teeth, and said in a gentle voice, "I love it very much. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness! This gift is obviously carefully selected by Your Majesty. I will treasure it very much."
"I'm glad you like it." Zhen Huan nodded, then looked at everyone and said, "Although I am an Imperial Noble Consort, I know that matters in the harem are complicated and require the concerted efforts of all my sisters to manage them properly. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to Yongshou Palace and find me. I will do my best to help you."
Upon hearing this, the concubines all stood up and saluted, saying in unison: "Thank you for your concern, Imperial Noble Consort. We will do our best to live up to your high expectations."
Zhen Huan nodded slightly, motioning everyone to sit down. She turned her gaze to Shen Meizhuang and said softly, "Sister Mei, there have been so many things going on in the palace lately, and I'm sorry for the hard work. Although I hold this position, I still need you to take care of all the palace affairs, big and small."
Shen Meizhuang smiled slightly and replied respectfully, "It is my duty to share the worries of the Imperial Concubine. I dare not complain about the hardship."
A trace of relief flashed in Zhen Huan's eyes, and then she looked at Feng Ruozhao and said, "Sister Jingfei has always been calm and composed, and I am very relieved. I will need you to take care of the trivial matters in the palace in the future."
Feng Ruozhao stood up and saluted, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, your words are too kind. I will do my best to live up to your trust."