area51novel Chapter 198 I'm tired of saying jealous things.
Chapter 198 I'm tired of saying jealous things.
When the news reached the palace, the emperor and his entourage were on their way to Youzhou. As planned, the meeting was to take place on the vast grasslands north of Beiting.
Early in the morning, everyone had arrived at the Queen's palace.
An imperial envoy arrived at Qianyuan Palace to deliver the imperial decree, and all the empresses and concubines knelt down to receive it.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, in order to assist you in your imperial endeavors, rely on the guidance and instruction of virtuous women within the palace. Therefore, I have chosen a virtuous and talented woman, and thus, in accordance with established precedents, bestow upon you, Lady Shen, intelligent and wise from a young age, virtuous and chaste. You, the Consort of Gui River, have served me faithfully through hardship and diligently served the nation. My ascension to the throne is truly due to your support. Therefore, by Your Majesty's decree, you are hereby established as Imperial Noble Consort, with the title Chen Yuan, and bestowed with the imperial seal and edict. May you continue to diligently serve day and night, bringing prosperity to the nation, ensuring harmony and auspiciousness, and upholding the principles of chastity and virtue. Respectfully Your Majesty!"
"He helped me through my difficulties and worked diligently for the country. My ascension to the throne was thanks to his assistance." It was like a slap in the face to the Empress. The Emperor actually used this method to proclaim Shen Shixi's merits to the world.
From now on, what prestige will she have as empress?
These few words surpass all the beautiful words used in the edicts of emperors bestowing titles upon their empresses throughout history, and this edict itself was not without its own praise.
The other concubines were also stunned by the beating. When they came to their senses, they were already tired of saying things they were jealous of Shen Shixi.
Consort De certainly wanted to see the Empress unhappy, but she also didn't want to see Shen Shixi so smug.
So she asked, "Throughout history, we have only heard of Consorts, never Imperial Noble Consorts. Now that the Great Zhou Dynasty has produced an Imperial Noble Consort, I wonder if His Majesty has made any explicit provisions regarding her treatment according to the established rites?"
The imperial envoy announced, "His Majesty has decreed to the Imperial Household Department and all ministries that the Imperial Noble Consort's rites and treatment shall be the same as those of the Empress, and she shall be authorized to manage the affairs of the six palaces."
Although the word "may" was added, it also shows that the emperor knew Shen Shixi was unwilling to get involved. Whether she wanted to manage things or not was her business, but he gave her this power.
The title is not an official title. Since ancient times, only emperors, empresses and empress dowagers have been qualified to receive titles. The Imperial Noble Consort can manage the affairs of the six palaces and is on equal footing with the empress.
The empress's face turned deathly pale.
The reason for not saying that the rites were equivalent to those of the Empress was to preserve the dignity of the Empress's position, rather than to give Pei herself a proper status.
Fortunately, Consort De was aiming for the position of Empress, so this matter was actually quite welcome.
She laughed, "Ever since our Imperial Noble Consort entered the palace, all the other concubines, except for a few who are close to her, have had their ranks rise and fall repeatedly. Our Emperor truly listens to her every word!"
Consort Qiong said, "Why does Consort De have to make such a sensational claim? From what you're saying, it seems that the Emperor listens to the Imperial Noble Consort completely? If this gets out, how will the court and the public view the Emperor?"
In the palace, which of the promotions and demotions of imperial concubines was related to the Imperial Noble Consort? Did the Imperial Noble Consort grab their hands and instruct them to harm others?
Consort De was very displeased. "Look how anxious my sister is. I was just joking."
Consort Qiong said, "It's fine for others to joke, but you can't joke like that, sister. Don't forget, if it weren't for the Imperial Noble Consort, how would Prince Min have had the opportunity to be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum!"
Who knows where they'll end up being thrown?
Consort De dared not refute these words.
She was furious, like a pufferfish, but had nothing to say.
The Empress said, "Alright, sisters, there's no need to be upset about this. The day she was conferred the title of Consort was also the birthday of the Imperial Noble Consort. I suppose the Emperor promoted her to the rank of Consort just to make her happy."
"His Majesty is currently enduring hardships outdoors, so it's best to maintain harmony within the harem. Otherwise, if His Majesty is preoccupied with the affairs of you ladies while he's away, it would be my fault."
These words contain multiple meanings; no one is stupid, so how could they not understand them?
But no matter what, the Imperial Noble Consort was no ordinary concubine.
"Your Majesty the Empress is right!"
Seeing everyone bowing respectfully, the Empress finally felt a little relieved.
After the morning meeting, Pan Zhiheng stayed in the Empress's palace to keep the Empress company.
Previously, Su Fuying would always stay in Fengyi Palace to keep the Empress company, but since she became pregnant, she has never stayed there again, and the Empress did not seem to mind.
Pan Zhiheng said, "I've long heard that when the Emperor was vying for the throne, the Imperial Noble Consort liked to meddle. That's not a good thing. Why would the Emperor announce the edict to the world along with the edict?"
The Empress said, "We have shared many years of affection, and His Majesty is a man of deep feelings. How could he just give it up? In the end, the harem still depends on having offspring. You are still young, so you should hurry up after His Majesty returns."
Pan Zhiheng knelt down and said, "I should obey the Empress's decree, but I am not talented and not beautiful. Now that I live in Consort De's palace, I have to obey Consort De's orders in everything. I am really not up to the task."
She dreamed of leaving Consort De's palace.
The Empress said, "Consort De is weak after giving birth, and the Fourth Prince has just been born. I'm afraid there may be some shortcomings in her care. I'm sure Consort De will be extremely grateful for your constant help in looking after her."
Pan Zhiheng understood immediately, was overjoyed, and went back happily.
After everyone left, the Empress slumped down, leaning against her nanny's lap. "Nanny," she said, "tell me, how many more days do you think I can hold this position?"
Granny Qu felt a pang of pity. "Your Highness, don't be afraid. It's alright. If the Emperor had such intentions, Shen would not be the Imperial Noble Consort today."
The Empress understood immediately. "Yes, she'll be a Noble Consort. They wouldn't create a Noble Consort position for her out of thin air. The Emperor still follows the rules."
But Granny Qu understood perfectly well that the Emperor's actions were also a way of forcing the Pei family. She just didn't know what the Pei family's intentions were.
The Empress hadn't considered this possibility and was heartbroken. "Father is the prime minister, is he just going to stand by and watch me be humiliated without offering any help? If it were my sister who was in this situation, I don't believe Father would have stood idly by!"
Granny Qu hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please don't say such things. If only the Master had a way, the Princess wouldn't be in this situation..."
Yes, her sister even lost her life.
Lady Gao of the Pei family had only just heard the imperial edict conferring the title of Imperial Noble Consort, and in her anger, she swept the cups and saucers off the table, exclaiming, "The Emperor is simply going too far!"
Shen Shixi was unaware of these things. After leaving Bingzhou, the emperor and his ministers headed to the next military governorship. On June 28, they arrived in Youzhou. It was here that General Lin Junji of the Right Guard fought against Beisha. After winning the battle, he temporarily stayed in the area as the military governor of Fanyang.
The allocation will be made after the emperor's northern tour.
At this time, Lin Junji led his son and soldiers to welcome the emperor and his ministers. Because there were so many people, the emperor did not enter the city, but instead set up camp outside the city and received the generals of Youzhou in his own tent.
Many of the people here were acquaintances of Li Yuanke, so the conversation flowed smoothly. Lin Junji and the others naturally inquired about the Emperor's battle with Beisha.
"I heard that the Wolf King of Beisha was injured, and that it was thanks to Your Majesty. He also said that he must avenge this arrow wound. Your Majesty was already quite skilled in the army back then. I never expected that after so many years, Your Majesty would still have such skills even in the deep palace. We are full of admiration for you," said Lin Junji.
The emperor laughed and said, "Using my powerful crossbows, even the weakest soldier in the army can shoot more than five hundred paces. This is not due to my own ability, but to the power of the crossbows!"
Many people have heard of the sniper crossbow and, naturally, want to see it for themselves.
Li Yuanke didn't hide anything and had several powerful crossbows brought over so that the soldiers here could see them.
After traveling for several days, Shen Shixi asked for hot water and washed up properly. Just as she finished dressing, Lin Guiyou arrived.
"Shi Xi, want to go horseback riding?"
"No, I'm exhausted, I need to rest. Your father and brother are here, aren't you going to see them?"
"Anyway, they're all here, so it doesn't matter when we meet. I'm going to go for a horse ride. Come on, come with me!" Lin Guiyou pulled Shen Shixi along.
Just then, the emperor entered, and Lin Guiyou immediately knelt down to pay her respects. Li Yuanke said, "Go and see your father!"
"Yes!" Lin Guiyou left resentfully, her gaze lingering on Shen Shixi. The Emperor was so annoying; she had finally found an opportunity to get close to Shen Shixi.