Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1634 A Group Comes to Pay Respects to the Imperial Noble Consort (Bonus Chapter for 254 Mill

Consort Xian remained calm and said to Yu Mei, "...The Imperial Noble Consort is indeed insightful."

Consort Xuan clapped her hands and laughed, "I knew it! Imperial Noble Consort is the most composed!"

"That's perfect! Tomorrow we can just go and pay our respects, have some tea, and see how Consort Zhuang puts on this show!"

……

Changchun Palace.

Xiao Caizi whispered to Consort Zhuang, "Your Majesty, after Consort Xian and Consort Xuan left, people from their palaces quietly went towards Yongshou Palace, most likely to inform them of the situation."

Consort Zhuang said calmly, "I expected this long ago."

"Consort Xian is aloof and Consort Xuan is straightforward, but neither of them is foolish, and they are close to the Imperial Noble Consort. It would be abnormal if they didn't go to Yongshou Palace to inform her."

Xiao Caizi was somewhat puzzled: "Then why did Your Highness..."

"Should we invite them to Changchun Palace again?"

Consort Zhuang said with a half-smile, "I never intended to hide anything from the Imperial Noble Consort, nor did I ever plan to scheme against her in this matter."

"Do you think I really care whether those new concubines can win the Emperor's favor? Or do I really want to drag Consort Xian and Consort Xuan to Yongshou Palace to make a fool of myself?"

Xiao Caizi bowed his head: "This servant is foolish and ignorant, please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

Consort Zhuang's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "I just want to know why His Majesty has not entered the inner palace for so long."

"Is the one at Yongshou Palace truly still enjoying the Emperor's favor?"

She paused, a complex look flashing in her eyes: "Consort Mei has been in the palace for some time now, but her belly has not yet shown any signs of pregnancy. Although I am not in a hurry, the Zhuang family is eagerly awaiting her arrival."

"If Your Majesty is temporarily neglecting the inner palace due to political affairs, that is fine."

"I'm afraid..."

Something unexpected happened in the palace that she was unaware of, which affected His Majesty's attitude towards the entire harem.

However, Consort Zhuang could not directly ask the Imperial Noble Consort about these matters, nor could she probe the Emperor's intentions.

The only way to get a glimpse of the situation is to test the Imperial Noble Consort's reaction.

Xiao Caizi replied knowingly, "This servant understands."

……

Yongshou Palace.

Han Dan was serving Shen Zhinian bird's nest when she couldn't help but say, "...Your Highness, I feel that something is amiss with what the Imperial Concubine is doing."

"Why did she have to come at this time, under the guise of being a new bride, to pay her respects to Your Majesty? Could it be that she has discovered that you are pregnant?"

Shen Zhinian shook her head and said firmly, "Besides those of you who serve me closely, only Imperial Physician Tang knows about this pregnancy."

"Imperial Physician Tang's mouth is tighter than an oyster shell. Consort Zhuang's hands can't even reach into Yongshou Palace."

Lin Mama quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant keeps a close watch on things every day. I pay attention to everything the people in Yongshou Palace do when they come in and out, when they receive supplies, and when they talk. There is absolutely no possibility of any leaks!"

Fuqu nodded: "Although our palace expenses have increased, it's all under the pretext that the Fourth Prince is growing up or that the Empress needs more nourishment in winter and spring."

"The records from the Imperial Household Department are clear and there are no abnormalities. The records of the imperial physician's pulse diagnosis were also handled properly by Physician Tang."

Shen Zhinian nodded slightly.

She was not blindly confident.

Yongshou Palace was like an impregnable fortress, and Tang Luochuan was even more cautious. No matter how resourceful Consort Zhuang was, she would find it difficult to uncover this secret.

"Consort Zhuang's actions must be what Consort Xian and Consort Xuan said, because His Majesty has not entered the inner palace for a long time."

"The newlyweds couldn't wait any longer and came to Changchun Palace for help. She took the opportunity to sound out my opinion."

Han Dan snorted, "I knew it. The Imperial Concubine's kindness towards the newcomer must be for a reason."

"But...is His Majesty truly so busy with state affairs lately that he has no time to even set foot in the inner palace..."

Fuqu also looked at Shen Zhinian.

His Majesty has indeed not visited Yongshou Palace for a long time.

Shen Zhinian understood that while being busy with political affairs was true, she knew the more important reason, but she couldn't tell Handan and Fuqu.

The affair between Lady Chu and Consort Feng was like two thorns stuck in the emperor's heart.

Until this matter is thoroughly investigated, the emperor will not be in the mood to favor his concubines.

Shen Zhinian calmly said, "His Majesty is the ruler of a country. How can we possibly fathom the burdens on his shoulders?"

"I cannot inquire into matters of the previous dynasty. If Consort Zhuang wishes to test us, then let her come. We will meet force with force and water with water."

Fuqu replied, "Yes."

Shen Zhinian said, "Tell the kitchen to prepare some refreshing and delicious tea and snacks. Also, prepare some red date and longan tea, which is what Consort Xuan likes to drink."

Fuqu replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Shen Zhinian then looked at Handan: "Be more careful tomorrow, and keep an eye on Axu with Granny Lin, so he doesn't run around."

Han Dan and Granny Lin replied in unison, "Yes."

With everything arranged, Shen Zhinian patted her lower abdomen.

In early March in Beijing, although the temperature was gradually warming up, people were still wearing relatively thick clothes. Shen Zhinian was only a little over three months pregnant and was no longer experiencing morning sickness, so she didn't need to worry about being noticed.

……

The following morning, a rather impressive procession of imperial concubines set off from Changchun Palace and headed towards Yongshou Palace.

Leading the group was Consort Zhuang.

The processions of Consort Xian and Consort Xuan were somewhat less elaborate.

Following behind were Consort Mei, and eight or nine newly arrived Noble Ladies, Attendants, and Ladies-in-Waiting.

They were all dressed smartly and appropriately, and although they dared not be too flashy, they still put in a lot of effort.

Upon seeing this commotion from afar, Xiao Mingzi hurriedly went inside to inform them.

After having breakfast, Shen Zhinian was watching the Fourth Prince play the Nine Linked Rings game in the warm pavilion.

Upon hearing Xiaomingzi's report, she gently patted the Fourth Prince's little hand: "Good boy, let your wet nurse take you to play with that little wooden horse that your father gave you last time."

The wet nurse quickly stepped forward and coaxed the fourth prince to the side hall.

Shen Zhinian straightened her sleeves and said to Fuqu, "Please, all of you sisters, go to the main hall."

"Yes."

The main hall of Yongshou Palace is spacious and bright.

Shen Zhinian slowly walked out of the warm pavilion.

Today she wore an apricot-yellow palace dress, with a silver fox fur vest over it. Her hair was simply tied up in a bun, adorned only with a single jade hairpin. Her makeup was light, and her skin was smooth and radiant.

The newlyweds almost instinctively held their breath.

Since entering the palace, although they had seen the beauty of the Imperial Noble Consort, they had always been at a distance, her figure indistinct and unclear.

This is the first time I've been able to pay my respects to the Imperial Noble Consort so intimately, as I am today.

Once you see it, you can't take your eyes off it, and your heart is filled with a storm of emotions!

The Imperial Noble Consort's eyebrows were naturally dark, her lips naturally red, and her skin was as smooth and delicate as jade. Her slightly upturned fox-like eyes, which should have been alluring, appeared deep and peaceful due to the composure within them, exuding an air of authority without anger!

She simply stood there, without deliberately striking any pose, yet her innate noble bearing emanated effortlessly, inspiring awe and a sense of inferiority in those around her.

Lady Wei was composed and meticulous; at this moment, I could only admire her.

She remembered her mother saying that true beauty lies in one's bone structure, but even more so in one's demeanor.