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

Chapter 1369: No Intention to Disrespect Her Majesty

Chengqian Palace.

Concubine Xuan gently plucked the mother-of-pearl and rosewood five-stringed pipa that she treasured like a treasure. Listening to Zhu'er's slightly dissatisfied report, she smiled with an open mind.

"...Zhu'er, don't say that."

Concubine Xuan spoke in a clear voice: "You know best what my background is."

"My parents were both commoners. If it weren't for the difficult circumstances that led to them being sold into the royal palace, and if it weren't for the chance that they won the favor of Your Majesty, how could we have the good fortune we have today?"

"Being able to be conferred the title of consort is already a blessing from heaven. This is probably the last conferring ceremony for me."

She paused, her fingertips gently plucking a string, producing a clear, melodious sound. She spoke calmly, "Although organizing this event alongside other ladies lacks the dignity of being the only one, I do feel a little lost."

"But think about it, there's a war going on on the border right now, and even His Majesty has issued a war IOU. It's clear the treasury is in a difficult situation."

"Sister Imperial Noble Consort is so noble. Although the enthronement ceremony was grand, it was not extravagant at all. Every detail showed her concern for the country."

"We concubines can't help the former dynasty with its worries. If we still don't know how to be frugal with the expenses of the harem, wouldn't we be really ignorant?"

Concubine Xuan looked up at Zhu'er, her eyes filled with clear sincerity: "I can understand this arrangement."

"As long as His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine remember us, what difference does it make whether the ceremony is held separately or together?"

Seeing that Concubine Xuan was so open-minded, Zhu'er's aggrieved thoughts faded away and she nodded, saying, "Your Majesty is right. It was I who was overthinking it."

Compared with Concubine Xuan's open-mindedness, another concubine, Tong, who was also about to be conferred a title, made almost no noise.

When the news reached her, she just listened to the palace maid's report silently, nodded calmly to indicate that she understood, and said nothing else.

Tongpin had long been accustomed to being forgotten in the harem. Now this simplification and merger did not cause her any ripples.

Even many low-ranking palace concubines would be stunned for a moment when they first heard the name Tongpin, before they could remember that there was such a queen in the palace who had a lot of experience but no sense of presence.

However, not everyone is as open-minded as Concubine Xian and Concubine Xuan, or as indifferent as Concubine Tong.

The atmosphere inside Chuxiu Palace was much more depressing.

Ever since the fifth prince was born and was predicted by the imperial physician not to live past the age of twenty, Concubine Kang has developed the habit of studying medicine, hoping to find a way to prolong the fifth prince's life.

At this moment, Concubine Kang was sitting under the window. Although she was holding a medical book in her hand, her eyes were not on the pages.

Caiju carefully told the news she had obtained, then held her breath and dared not say any more.

The room was eerily quiet...

After a long time, Concubine Kang moved very slightly.

Caiju saw that the empress's lips, which always looked pale and delicate, were bitten tightly by her pearly teeth, leaving a row of clear marks.

Her eyes, which were usually filled with gentleness and melancholy, were now filled with an unconcealable loss and a trace of deeply suppressed sadness.

Caiju felt a pang of sadness when she saw this.

No one knew better than her how much the Queen secretly expected from this enthronement ceremony.

Since the decree of promotion was issued, although the empress did not make a big announcement, she secretly practiced her demeanor for the ceremony in front of the bronze mirror countless times.

The Empress even discussed with her privately what style and color of hair accessories should be used to make her look more elegant and dignified.

That should have been a glorious moment that belonged exclusively to Her Majesty, a recognition that Her Majesty deserved for her gentleness and obedience, as well as for her contribution in raising the Fifth Prince.

But now, the only one has become one of them.

On the day of the enthronement ceremony, the most prominent figure would naturally be the highest-ranking Imperial Concubine, while the other concubines would merely serve as a foil for the ceremony. Who would truly pay attention to their own Empress?

Caiju opened her mouth, wanting to say something to comfort her, but she didn't know where to start.

At this moment, Concubine Kang suddenly spoke, her voice deliberately calm, but a little deeper than usual: "...Caiju, have you found out?"

"Is this His Majesty's intention, or... the Imperial Noble Consort's?"

Caiju was stunned. She felt that the Queen's question was a bit strange, as if she had a hidden meaning.

She didn't dare to think too deeply and quickly said, "Your Majesty, I've inquired about it. The decree was issued by His Majesty, saying that he was sympathetic to the difficult state affairs."

"However...when General Manager Hu from the Imperial Household Department went to Yongshou Palace to report, the Imperial Noble Consort also nodded and did not raise any objections."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Kang's eyelashes trembled slightly.

She didn't ask any more questions, nor did she complain. She just replied very softly, "...I understand."

Concubine Kang returned her gaze to the medical book in her hand, as if the momentary loss of composure just now had never happened.

But Caiju clearly saw that the empress's other hand, placed on her knee, gently pinched the soft fabric of the dress.

This silent forbearance made Caiju feel more sad and uneasy than crying bitterly.

She always felt that the Queen was hiding too much, and this had become even more so since she returned from the cold palace that night.

But if the queen doesn't say anything, what can she, a servant, do?

Concubine Kang did not express any opinion on the enthronement ceremony, but just sat quietly.

It was not until the night was deep and Caiju was helping her to rest that she realized that she had not even turned a page of the medical book...

This night, many people are destined to have trouble sleeping.

……

Inside Changchun Palace, candlelight flickered.

Concubine Zhuang was twirling the Buddhist beads in her hand, and after listening to Xiao Caizi's detailed report, she paused imperceptibly.

She raised her eyes, her eyes filled with pure confusion: "Oh?"

"Since the national treasury is strained by the war on the border, frugality is the right thing to do. I will naturally save money."

"only……"

Concubine Zhuang paused and sighed faintly, "The Imperial Concubine's enthronement ceremony was so grand and magnificent, it's still fresh in our memory. Why do we have to combine the two here?"

"The difference is a bit obvious..."

Seeing Concubine Zhuang's expression, Little Caizi thought she was upset because His Majesty treated her differently, so he quickly bowed and comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't think so!"

"The Imperial Noble Consort holds the same rank as the Vice Empress. The enthronement ceremony concerns the dignity and prestige of the royal family, so the regulations are naturally different. There is absolutely no reason to be frugal."

"Your Majesty made this arrangement simply because he values ​​the status of the Imperial Concubine. It is absolutely not an intention to disrespect the Empress! Your Majesty must be thinking of the Empress in his heart."

Concubine Zhuang listened to Xiao Caizi's anxious consolation, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips.

She slowly shook her head, her tone becoming increasingly gentle and tolerant, even carrying a hint of compassion for all living beings: "When have I ever said that Your Majesty was disrespectful? How could I not understand the reasoning behind this?"

"I understand your majesty's difficulties and considerations, so I naturally won't harbor any resentment."