newbobooks Chapter 211 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 24
Chapter 211 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 24
The Emperor finally met with Yixiu. As soon as they met, the Emperor knew what Yixiu wanted to say, and he couldn't help but feel irritated. In comparison, Wen Yuan's thoughtfulness and understanding made him feel more at ease.
His gaze swept over the burning incense burner beside him, the rising smoke casting an inscrutable shadow over his expression.
He tentatively began, “I have just decided to bring Consort Wan back to the palace, and everyone in the harem seems to be jumping out to oppose me as if I have committed some heinous crime.”
Upon hearing this, Yixiu felt a pang of anxiety, but her face remained respectful as she gently advised, "Your Majesty is undertaking such a massive construction project just to bring back a deposed concubine to the palace. If this gets back to the court, I fear Your Majesty will be put in a difficult position."
At this time, news of Zhen Huan's pregnancy had not yet spread, nor dared it be. After all, only ten days had passed since her secret rendezvous with the Emperor at Ganlu Temple. How could she be pregnant so quickly? Therefore, Zhen Huan did not have many bargaining chips to return to the palace. Apart from her old feelings for the Emperor, she seemed to have nothing else. However, whether these feelings were real or not, no one could say for sure.
A resolute look flashed across the Emperor's face as he thought to himself: Just as Wen Yuan said, it would be better for Consort Wan to return to the palace as soon as possible. By the time the court finds out, it will be too late, and they will be helpless.
He said in a deep voice, "My mind is made up. However, the title '莞' is indeed inappropriate, so let's change it to '宣,' which means bright and noble. Arrange for her to return to the palace on the 20th of February, and the Imperial Household Department shall begin preparations immediately."
Zhen Huan was not pregnant, and the officials of the court did not put pressure on her. With the support of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor naturally did not have any rebellious thoughts and did not elevate Zhen Huan's status or grant her the identity of the Fourth Prince's birth mother.
Or rather, the Emperor didn't even think of the Fourth Prince. Although the Fourth and Fifth Princes had been brought back to the palace to study, with the clever, witty, and lovable Prince Hongxi around, the Emperor almost never thought of the Fourth Prince.
Seeing the Emperor's resolute attitude, Yixiu forced a smile and echoed, "Your Majesty, I think it's excellent."
After arranging Zhen Huan's return to the palace, the Emperor specially sent Su Peisheng to Ganlu Temple to convey his decree. The news Su Peisheng brought greatly surprised Zhen Huan.
She hadn't expected the Emperor to act so quickly. Before she could even report her pregnancy, the Emperor had already decided to bring her back to the palace. As a result, she had much less leverage.
"Your Majesty, everything in the palace has been arranged, and we will be able to bring you back soon. The Emperor has said that he will bestow upon you the title of Consort Xuan and have you reside in Yongshou Palace." Su Peisheng said with a beaming smile, his tone full of flattery.
Zhen Huan glanced at Su Peisheng, but her face did not show much joy. Returning to the palace meant that she could never turn back, and she did not expect the emperor to act so quickly, so fast that she was caught off guard.
"It's good that His Majesty has made the decision," Zhen Huan replied calmly, but her thoughts had already drifted back to the three years she spent with Yunli. Despite the many difficulties, she felt incredibly happy every time Yunli came to see her.
In Chuxiu Palace, Consort Xin looked displeased and said with a sarcastic tone, "I didn't expect Consort Wan to have such methods. She was out of the palace for so long and was still able to return."
Upon returning to the palace, the Emperor changed her title and specially renovated Yongshou Palace. Consort Xin felt resentful, as she had followed the Emperor for many years but was still only a Noble Lady, while Shuhe was almost twelve years old but the Emperor had never given her any respect.
In contrast, Wenyi and Longyue's adoptive mothers have both risen to the rank of imperial concubine, while she remains a minor noblewoman.
Wen Yuan glanced at Consort Xin and chuckled inwardly. It was ridiculous that Consort Xin blamed others for not being favored by the Emperor. The Chuxiu Palace had the most children and the Emperor visited the most often, yet Consort Xin failed to seize the opportunity. Who could she blame?
"Alright, Consort Wan—no, she's Consort Xuan now. Once she returns to the palace, the harem will likely be thrown into turmoil again." Wen Yuan said calmly, her tone tinged with a hint of mockery. She suddenly remembered that Princess Longyue was still being cared for by Consort Duan, and she was certain that Consort Duan would never allow Zhen Huan to raise Princess Longyue again.
Zhen Huan returned to the palace smoothly, but unfortunately she was not pregnant. Therefore, no full empress's ceremonial procession was arranged, nor was Prince Guo invited to receive her. Even the welcoming ceremony for the concubines in the harem was simplified.
Prince Guo has not yet returned to the capital, and his fate is unknown. Zhen Huan returned to the palace as a concubine. Without the Fourth Prince as her adopted son, she remained a member of the Han Chinese Banner Bordered Blue Banner.
Wen Yuan didn't care whether the other concubines were satisfied with this. As long as Zhen Huan didn't threaten her and the Sixth and Seventh Princes' positions, she was happy to watch the drama unfold no matter how much infighting took place in the harem.
As for An Lingrong, ever since she learned that Zhen Huan had returned to the palace, she had been feeling uneasy. For the past three years, she had been hoping to break free from the Empress's control and conceive a child. Unfortunately, the Empress was cunning and An Lingrong was in poor health, so her belly remained empty. All of this could only be done in secret.
Zhen Huan's return to the palace this time has a clear purpose—revenge.
However, she did not immediately clash with Yizheng upon her return. Instead, she acted humbly and politely. It wasn't until half a month later that she suddenly announced that she was one month pregnant, catching everyone in the harem off guard.
In Chuxiu Palace, Wen Yuan, as a favored concubine for many years and with two princes by her side, was no longer the unknown concubine she once was. She sat at the head of the table, with Consort Jing beside her and Noble Lady Xin below her. The two had come here for the sake of Zhen Huan's pregnancy, but Wen Yuan looked like she was watching a show, showing no anxiety whatsoever.
"Why aren't you worried, sister? Consort Xuan's return to the palace poses the greatest threat to you, yet you still have the mind to laugh." Consort Jing, Feng Ruozhao, couldn't help but retort to Wen Yuan.
"Yes, Your Majesty, if you ask me, Zhen Huan is truly capable, and so is the Empress. Why didn't she remember to eliminate her completely when she banished her to Ganlu Temple..." Consort Xin's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, her eyes filled with resentment.
"Alright, stop saying whatever comes to mind. Be careful, walls have ears. Besides, Consort Xuan is pregnant, and it's Her Majesty the Empress who's worried. We just need to watch the show." Wen Yuan smiled mockingly, her tone tinged with disdain.
The sound of children playing came from outside, and then Hongxi ran in.
Hongxi is four years old this year, five years old by the traditional Chinese age reckoning. Some time ago, the Emperor suggested that Hongxi go to the Imperial Study to study, but Wen Yuan declined on the grounds that the child was still too young. She asked the Imperial Household Department to prepare some books for Hongxi to read on his own. If he did not like to read, Wen Yuan would not force him, after all, there was still Hongxu.
To Wen Yuan's surprise, Hong Xi had his own goals. He had privately told her that he wanted to be emperor in the future, so she could go wherever she wanted. Since Hong Xi had such a grand ambition, Wen Yuan naturally wouldn't hold him back. She specially collected many books for him, all of which were treasures from her previous life. However, she always believed that while studying was important, it was also necessary to balance work and rest, and she would never force Hong Xi.
Hongxi was followed by Wenyi and Shuhe. Shuhe was already a big girl, introverted and dignified; while Wenyi was much more lively, chattering away with Hongxi.
"Look at you, where have you been causing trouble? You're almost a little mud monkey." Wen Yuan gently wiped Hongxi's little face with a handkerchief, her eyes full of doting affection.
"Mother, I want to see my little brother." Hongxi looked up with his little face, his voice full of anticipation.
"Alright, but he needs to change his clothes first. Jingfu, take the Sixth Prince down to change." Wen Yuan instructed, and Feng Ruozhao and Consort Xin also arranged for someone to take the two princesses to change.
Inside the room, Wen Yuan watched the children's departing figures, a slight smile playing on her lips. No matter how the political landscape of the harem changed, all she needed to do was hold onto her position and protect her children. As for the struggle between Zhen Huan and the Empress, she was happy to remain a bystander.