klisemfg Chapter 35 Chu Tianheng should be dealt with as soon as possible.
Chapter 35 Chu Tianheng should be dealt with as soon as possible.
The news that the Emperor had stayed overnight at Diecui Pavilion had reached the ears of all the concubines in the harem last night. Although they were seething with resentment, there was nothing they could do. But this morning, Chu Qingyin's promotion to the rank of Noble Consort broke through the already fierce jealousy of the concubines.
The one who was most annoyed was Lu Mingzhu.
"I heard that Consort Lu threw a tantrum in the palace, smashed all the vases in her own palace, and even ran to the side hall to give the Second Miss a severe scolding!"
As soon as Xianglan received the news from outside, she immediately ran to tell Chu Qingyin, "Hmph, let her be so arrogant yesterday. Now that you, Master, have been promoted, she has had her salary deducted and has been punished by copying a hundred times. Let's see how arrogant she will be in the future."
Chu Qingyin gave a faint smile: "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. As the saying goes, the first bird to stick its head out gets shot. With her impatience, she is destined to stumble."
A pampered young lady like Lu Mingzhu, who grew up spoiled at home, is not suited to wade into the murky waters of the imperial harem.
Chu Qingyin slowly brushed a stray hair behind her ear and asked, "What were the reactions of the other concubines in the palace?"
Xianglan said, "Although the other concubines did not react as dramatically as Consort Lu, they must have been indignant as well. I heard the palace maids and eunuchs outside talking about how you were the first concubine to serve the emperor after the death of the former Noble Consort. Everyone is speculating whether you are going to replace the Noble Consort."
"Let them guess," Chu Qingyin said calmly. "We'll just focus on doing our own thing."
Just then, a palace maid entered and reported, "Your Majesty, the rewards from the Shanggong Bureau have arrived!"
Chu Qingyin nodded slightly, stood up and looked outside. She saw several eunuchs carrying large and small boxes into the room, containing jewelry, silks and satins, and precious medicinal herbs.
"Your Highness, these are the rewards for your promotion and your allowance. Please take a look at them," the leading eunuch said respectfully.
Chu Qingyin chuckled, "Thank you for your help."
He then gestured to Qiuzhu and Xianglan to take inventory of the items in the large and small boxes.
If the imperial harem is likened to the officialdom, the higher the rank, the better the treatment. For example, the gold and silver jewelry, incense and silk in front of us are of a much higher quality than those of a fifth-rank concubine.
When she was a concubine in her previous life, whenever foreign countries presented tribute, Pei Yuanling would always give her the best items first. Her Lizheng Palace was filled with countless rare treasures, exotic flowers and herbs.
After the eunuchs left, Chu Qingyin looked at the room full of gifts, gently stroked a piece of exquisitely embroidered Shu brocade, and memories of her past life surfaced in her mind.
Back then, she was overjoyed every time she received a reward, believing that she was the most important person in the emperor's heart.
But what was the result...?
"Your Majesty, you don't seem very happy?" Xianglan asked cautiously.
Chu Qingyin snapped out of her reverie and forced a smile: "No, I was just thinking about how to express my gratitude."
Upon hearing this, Xianglan nodded hurriedly: "Yes, yes, His Majesty has promoted you to a higher rank and sent you so many gifts, you should also show your appreciation."
Chu Qingyin pondered for a moment and said, "Xianglan, go to the Imperial Clothing Bureau and get some of the best shoe material. I want to make a pair of boots for the Emperor."
Xianglan was somewhat surprised: "Your Highness, are you going to make it yourself?"
Chu Qingyin nodded: "Your Majesty is rich and powerful, what treasures haven't you seen? I can only do some embroidery work within my ability to express my gratitude."
Xianglan responded and left. Before long, she returned with the finest shoe material and needles and thread from the Imperial Clothing Bureau.
When the little girl handed the winnowing basket to Chu Qingyin, she said with a smile, "The ladies in the Shangfu Bureau were very welcoming to me. As soon as they heard that you had ordered it, they immediately went to get these for me. They even treated me to osmanthus cake when I left."
Seeing her naivety, Chu Qingyin hesitated for a moment before calmly pouring cold water on her: "This palace has always been a place of currying favor with the powerful and flattering the weak. Now that Diecui Pavilion is a popular place, they are naturally very polite to you. If I lose power one day, you can see if they will still be so enthusiastic."
Xianglan exclaimed in surprise.
Chu Qingyin continued to pour cold water on him without any politeness: "Also, don't eat random things outside in the future, or you'll get poisoned and I won't have anyone to complain to."
Xianglan's eyes widened in horror: "This...this can't be true."
Chu Qingyin gave a cold laugh. "In this palace, you only need to trust me."
Having said that, he didn't say anything more, picked up his needle and thread and insoles, and began to sew them with great concentration.
Seeing her so serious expression, the palace maids couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Master has really gone to great lengths."
"Yes, to make boots for the Emperor by hand, that's a truly heartfelt gesture."
"No wonder the Emperor dotes on his master so much; his master is indeed extraordinary."
As Chu Qingyin listened to these discussions, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. She knew that her actions would soon spread throughout the entire harem.
What would the concubines think? Would they also try to follow suit?
**
Inside the Golden Palace, the morning court session was in progress.
The emperor, dressed in a crimson dragon-patterned robe, sat on the dragon throne, but his mind was elsewhere.
He didn't know what was wrong with him, but ever since he left Diecui Pavilion this morning, the image of Consort Qiao sleeping soundly in his arms last night kept appearing in his mind.
The way she wrapped her arms around his waist, and the familiar scent of roses in her hair, were exactly like those of the late imperial concubine.
He knew he shouldn't confuse Qiao Qingyin with the Imperial Concubine, but the feeling was all too familiar. So familiar that when she rolled into his arms in the middle of the night, he couldn't bear to push her away.
Moreover, since the death of the imperial concubine, he has never had a good night's sleep.
But last night, holding that petite and soft body in his arms, he surprisingly didn't have any nightmares for the first time in a long time, and slept soundly until dawn.
That Qiao Qingyin is a hundred times more effective than the calming soup prescribed by the Imperial Hospital.
"Your Majesty, the case of General Chu Tianheng..."
The Imperial Censor in the hall, holding his imperial tablet, asked cautiously, "Is Your Majesty unwell? You seem rather listless."
Pei Yuanling then came to his senses, forced himself to concentrate, cleared his throat, and said in a deep voice, "Continue."
The Imperial Censor then bowed respectfully and continued his report: "Your Majesty, several days have passed regarding the case of General Chu Tianheng's treason. We believe it is time to make a final judgment."
When Chu Tianheng, his former brother-in-law, was mentioned, Pei Yuanling frowned slightly.
He simply couldn't believe that this general, who had once made great contributions to Daqing, would stoop to the level of treason.
"Your Majesty, Chu Tianheng has not only met secretly with the Northern Di envoys on multiple occasions, but a secret passage for hiding weapons was also discovered in the Chu State Duke's mansion. The evidence is conclusive. Why is Your Majesty still hesitant to make a decision?"
The Imperial Censor looked displeased and bowed deeply, saying, "I urge Your Majesty to handle this matter impartially and give the people of the world an explanation as soon as possible!"
Pei Yuanling pursed his thin lips, about to speak, when another minister stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I believe that Chu Tianheng should be dealt with as soon as possible. He has held a high position for a long time and has a great reputation in the army. If he is not dealt with in time, it may affect the morale of the army."
The other ministers echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, Chu Tianheng's crimes are irrefutable, and he should be executed immediately as a warning to others!"
Pei Yuanling listened to the ministers' advice, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
Chu Tianheng can be said to be the only close relative of the Imperial Concubine in this world. If he really punishes Chu Tianheng, the Imperial Concubine will probably not forgive him even in the afterlife.
Just then, a deep, cold voice rang out in the hall: "Your Majesty, I have an objection."