pdf-ebookys Chapter 1248: Staying Up All Years (188 million votes plus additional content)
Chapter 1248: Staying Up All Years (188 million votes plus additional content)
In the deep palace where beauties abound and power is rife, this identity is not an asset, but a past that needs to be buried deeply.
If she dares to be proud of this, she will be digging her own grave!
Tongpin kowtowed respectfully, her posture humble and standard. The moment her forehead touched the ground, a tear silently fell on the gold brick.
It's not grievance, but relief.
She has long since let it go.
He had already recognized his position. He was just a passer-by in the emperor's life, a memory that had long been turned over.
It is a pleasant surprise that I can now be the master of a palace.
Tongpin slowly stood up, still habitually lowering her eyes, and retreated to her seat with a humble look, as if the trance and turbulent mood just now had never happened.
Only the hands under the wide sleeves unconsciously clenched the cuffs, and then slowly loosened them.
She has learned to put the past behind her and be a dutiful and silent concubine.
The decree regarding the six imperial concubines continued: "By the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, I hereby decree: Consort Zhang, Consort Yang, and Consort… who have diligently observed the palace rules and served diligently, shall be collectively promoted one level in rank as a token of Heaven's grace! This is decreed!"
All the maids in the palace became noble ladies.
They all agreed to become concubines.
Official girls were only palace maids who could serve in the emperor's bedchamber and were not even considered concubines, so they were not within the scope of the six palaces.
As the last decree was issued, the tense atmosphere in the hall finally relaxed completely, replaced by an irrepressible joy.
This was the first time since the emperor ascended the throne that he bestowed titles upon the six palaces, and the extent of his favor far exceeded everyone's expectations!
From the Imperial Noble Consort to the lowest-ranking concubine, no one is left out and everyone will be promoted!
The faces of those low-ranking ladies who could only sit at the edge and were almost forgotten were filled with incredible surprise.
Although it was only a small promotion, it was a real grace for those women who were struggling to survive in the deep palace and had no hope of promotion!
It means that they can get better shares, higher status, and even... a glimmer of opportunity in the future!
The entire harem was bathed in the emperor's grace. Voices of thanks, filled with excitement and sobs, echoed from every corner of the hall: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace! Long live Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
"Your Majesty, I bow to you in gratitude!"
"..."
Nangong Xuanyu sat upright on the throne, looking at the people in the harem below, a hint of satisfaction flashed across his deep eyes.
Tonight's closure is both a grace and a balance.
The collective promotion of everyone in the harem diluted the shock of conferring the title of Imperial Noble Consort on Nian Nian and also appeased people's hearts.
The hustle and bustle of the palace banquet finally came to an end, and the warm lights in Baohe Hall gradually went out, leaving only the faint sounds of palace servants clearing away cups and plates.
The royal family members and important civil and military officials took their leave in order, their figures blending into the deep night and the biting cold wind outside the hall.
As soon as Shen Maoxue stepped out of the high threshold of Baohua Hall, countless eager figures surrounded him in an instant, like bees and butterflies smelling the fragrance of flowers!
"Minister Shen! Congratulations!"
"Sir Shen, your daughter has been promoted to Imperial Noble Consort and is moving into Yongshou Palace. This is a great joyous event! The Shen family will soon be honored!"
"Congratulations, Lord Shen! The Imperial Noble Consort is known for her virtue and has won the Emperor's favor. She is truly a blessing to the Great Zhou and a blessing to the Shen family!"
"Brother Shen, please support me more in the future!"
"..."
Congratulations came like a tide.
Every face, familiar or unfamiliar, was filled with the most sincere smiles, and their eyes showed undisguised flattery, envy, and even awe.
The Imperial Noble Consort held the same rank as the Vice Empress, and was a foregone conclusion that she would be the future Empress. And Shen Maoxue, the Minister of Personnel, was now the future father-in-law of the Emperor!
One can imagine how prestigious his status and how powerful he was.
If it were someone else, they would probably have become arrogant after suddenly gaining such wealth and glory.
But at this moment, Shen Maoxue showed amazing composure.
He wore a smile that was neither overly warm nor distant, and in response to the congratulations pouring in from all sides, he bowed and responded to each one: "Thank you for your kindness, my Lords!"
"The Imperial Concubine is able to receive His Majesty's favor, all thanks to His Majesty's wisdom and benevolence. This official and the Shen family are filled with gratitude and will sacrifice themselves for the public good to repay His Majesty's grace!"
"Let's celebrate! Today is the grand ceremony of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Your Majesty's grace is bestowed upon all, and all the gentlemen are also blessed by heaven's grace. It is truly a blessing for the country!"
"Lord Wang, you are too kind! I, Shen, am only fulfilling my duty as a minister, helping Your Majesty and serving the country. I do not deserve the title of support!"
"..."
Shen Maoxue's response was flawless, his words modest and appropriate. He pointed out that the imperial concubine's favor came from the emperor, while also keeping himself and the Shen family in a very humble position.
This calm demeanor is as if his daughter's promotion to Imperial Noble Consort did not bring arrogance, but heavier responsibilities and self-reflection.
At the edge of the surging crowd, a tall figure in a purple official robe stood quietly.
Gu Jinxiao did not go forward to join in the fun, but just looked at Shen Maoxue, who was surrounded by stars like the moon in the center, from afar through the flying snowflakes and swaying figures.
His handsome face still had that calm expression, only his tightly pursed lips revealed a hint of his unspeakable feelings.
Shen Maoxue seemed to have sensed something, and his gaze passed through the layers of figures and met Gu Jinxiao from a distance.
He nodded slightly, his eyes calm and collected, as a greeting to his colleagues.
Gu Jinxiao also lowered his eyes and bowed silently in return.
After finally dealing with wave after wave of enthusiastic crowds, Shen Maoxue walked on the palace road, the biting cold wind lifting the hem of his official robe.
The huge honor did not make him intoxicated at all. Instead, Shen Maoxue's mind was extremely clear.
The more noble the status of the imperial concubine, the heavier the burden on her shoulders, and the more dangerous the open and secret attacks around her will be.
The honor of being the future father-in-law of the emperor is both a blessing and a sword hanging over one's head.
Shen Maoxue gathered his sleeves and straightened his back. His figure appeared extremely calm in the elongated light and shadow of the palace lanterns.
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
The emperor led the empress and the royal heirs to keep watch.
The air was filled with the fragrance of burning pine and cypress branches.
In the center of the temple, a huge gilded lamp tree stands, with a bronze lamp with an ancient shape and a flame as small as a bean on top.
This is the eternal lantern that symbolizes the longevity of the nation.
Nangong Xuanyu was wearing his usual dragon robe, with a solemn expression.
He held a slender golden fire starter in his hand and lit it with the candle in Li Changde's hand, his movements calm and focused.
Then, the emperor slowly extended the fire wand towards the wick of the eternal lamp.
A little orange flame jumped up and instantly ignited the special lamp oil in the wick, which was a mixture of rare oils and spices.
Warm and bright light, like newborn hope, poured out from the lamp, illuminating the gilded lamp tree with brilliance and casting a solemn halo on everyone's face.