Palace Fighting Naive Concubines’ Ascent to Power
Chapter 125: Far-reaching Considerations (Explosive updates at midnight tonight!)

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Far-reaching Considerations (Explosive updates at midnight tonight!)

At the court assembly, after the official affairs were discussed, the Emperor’s mind was no longer there; the remaining ministers expressed their difficulties and loyalty.

The Emperor grew impatient. He had sent Zhang Qing to issue the decree, and by now it should be almost done. He was eager to know how his Little Concubine would feel and react upon hearing the news—there was no time to listen to all this drivel.

His promotion of the Little Concubine from Daying to Beauty was the result of careful consideration:

First, the side hall of Canglan Court was too small and no longer suitable for her current living situation, especially if there were to be a prince or princess in the future. While he was reluctant to have his Little Concubine move to a side hall of another palace, he thought on it again and again and decided that bestowing the Main Hall of Canglan Court was most appropriate, and residing in the Main Hall naturally required at least the rank of a Beauty;

Second, the number of palace maids, eunuchs, and nannies allotted to each rank was fixed, and his Little Concubine was severely understaffed. Moreover, they had asked Nanny Qi to come out this time—promoting her to too low a rank would be very inappropriate.

Rather than arranging for her personnel and residence to exceed standards in the future, which would expose her to criticism, it was better to make everything right in one step now, with all the pressure falling on him.

Moreover, his Little Concubine was now carrying the dragon’s seed, but it was not yet time to make it public. They would wait until the fetus was secure. Although this might cause some controversy in the court and harem now, they would suppress it for the moment. When the time was ripe to announce it, he figured no one would dare to object.

Seated at the head, the Emperor silently pondered; he could hardly wait to visit his Little Concubine at Canglan Court.

Finally, while listening to a minister prattle on pledging loyalty, the Emperor could no longer bear it and scolded, "You eat your fill all day long and now groan without sickness; better you go work the fields and experience a bit of the common people’s hardships. Dismiss the court!"

The meaning was that they were so full they had nothing better to do than spout these pointless words; they might as well go farm!

The minister’s voice came to an abrupt halt, his face ashen. He was clearly praising His Majesty, while incidentally pledging loyalty; how had it suddenly come to this?

Others looked on with pity at the minister whose flattery and loyalty had backfired, thinking that His Majesty never entertained such sycophancy, although usually he could tolerate one or two phrases of flattery.

This minister, recently promoted, was unfamiliar with the rules. Today he spoke too much, no wonder he had annoyed His Majesty. He would do well to reflect more while farming in the future.

Meanwhile, the officials from the Ministry of War felt relieved. These pedantic scholars knew nothing but nitpicking words and squabbling; they were all exhausted from listening.

Just now, when the minister was praising His Majesty, they felt their skin crawl. These literati could really spin a yarn, suggesting even a hen laying an egg in the folks’ homes was due to His Majesty’s grace—wasn’t that nonsense?

After scolding, the Emperor left without paying attention to the crowd’s reaction, rushing away.

His Little Concubine was much more endearing and practical than these slick talkers; every time she complimented someone, she hit the nail on the head.

Think about what his people praise him for? Handsome looks, a graceful presence, manly vigor—wasn’t each one true?

After hearing those old slicksters babble so much, spouting nothing but empty words and even wasting time, he wondered how his Little Concubine was doing now. Was she happy? Did she miss him?

...

Compared to the tranquility of Star Palace and Canglan Court, the entire harem was in an uproar. The imperial decree was like a huge stone thrown into a lake, creating waves in the harem.

Many of the concubines couldn’t believe the news when they received it, asking repeatedly if it was true. Only after confirming that it was officially announced did they have to accept it.

Some concubines even approached madness upon hearing the news, babbling incoherently, saying things like "How could this be, did His Majesty make a mistake?" until a palace attendant covered their mouth, bringing them back to their senses.

They could never have imagined that His Majesty, who is always so particular about rules and rewards and punishments, would suddenly promote a Little Daying. And not just by one rank, but directly from Daying to Beauty, an occurrence not seen in the annals of His Majesty’s harem. Such a scene could only have been possible during the reign of the Late Emperor, couldn’t it?

This girl from Canglan Court, no, she should now be addressed as Beauty Lian, by what virtue and ability did she deserve such a grand promotion? Why her?

Because she was unjustly imprisoned due to Lady Li, was this His Majesty’s compensation for her?

If that were truly the case, they also wished to be falsely accused. To be released from prison one day and promoted the next, wouldn’t that be great!

Why didn’t Beauty Li falsely accuse and frame them back then? Otherwise, they would have been the ones promoted!

The hearts of the concubines were filled with mixed feelings—some were envious, some were jealous, some made sarcastic remarks; there were all kinds present.

No sooner had one beauty been dealt with than another had arrived, yet this beauty was entirely different from the former. Anyone with eyes could see that this newly arrived beauty was probably quite exceptional, perhaps she had even gained imperial favor...

While many concubines were filled with jealousy, Xu Zhaoyi in Huaying Hall merely laughed heartily upon hearing the news and even uttered the rebellious words, "The Emperor has finally seen the light." She instructed people to prepare gifts for another day and decided not to join in on the excitement for the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, Huaqing Palace was unusually quiet, showing no reaction whatsoever, not even sending the customary congratulatory gifts to put up appearances, which was not at all like the Noble Consort’s style.

Inside Canglan Court.

Lian Hua held the imperial decree in her hands, looking at it again and again. Those were the words that His Majesty himself had penned to praise her. She read and smiled, her eyes squinting with joy, her mouth barely able to close, her whole being radiating happiness.

The phase when Xiao Jizi’s head was heated was now past, and even he had calmed down, yet the master still remained excited—ah, it was truly exasperating.

Xiao Jizi shook his head with a smile for the twentieth time.

He was very happy for his master. From now on, no one would dare look down on her. When he went out with her, others would have to think twice before dealing with him.

Not long ago, Steward Zhang had sent word that His Majesty might come to Canglan Court for lunch after leaving court, so they needed to prepare early.

Usually, they would prepare lunch based on the master’s preferences, but it couldn’t be the same today.

He also needed to go help Xiao Qing.

Stepping outside to the Side Hall, he saw Xiao Linzi idling around, unsure of what to do. Xiao Jizi felt a surge of irritation, walked over, and slapped him on the shoulder, saying, "What are you standing around for? Go chop some firewood!"

"Oh, right, right away, Brother Xiao Ji." Xiao Linzi had been at a loss all morning, not knowing what to do. Now, hearing Brother Xiao Ji assigning him a task, he hurriedly agreed to do it.

During Steward Zhang’s decree announcement, he overheard Master Lian’s murmured words and felt a pang in his heart. He thought Master Lian had taken him in because she had seen something good in him. He had never expected this—it was so disheartening...

Later, when he saw Xiao Qing and Brother Ji getting busy, everyone doing their part, he finally understood Master Lian’s words. He truly was of no use and couldn’t help but feel dejected, standing listlessly in the middle of the courtyard, unsure of what to do.

Now that Brother Ji had given him a task, he felt relieved, thinking that Brother Ji was really good to him, not neglecting him. He finally felt a bit useful; surely this meant he wasn’t freeloading, right?

Canglan Court suddenly became a hive of activity.