THE IMPERIAL CONSORT'S RISE TO POWER - CHAPTER 145

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Chapter 145


Because there was no Empress present for this palace banquet, Gu Han arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony early. By a twist of fate, she and Lu Yu missed each other.

When the imperial carriage arrived at Yihe Palace, Liu An ran back wiping cold sweat:

"Your Majesty, Her Ladyship has already headed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony."

Lu Yu gave a light "tsk." He checked the sky, noting it was only halfway past the hour of the Dragon (around 8:30 AM).

Usually a person who loved to linger in bed, she was so proactive today; it seemed her heart was not entirely at peace.

Lu Yu said nothing, nodding calmly:

"Let us go."

He had intended to pick Gu Han up personally to give her face, but since she didn't care for such things, he certainly wasn't going to send someone to drag her back just to make an entrance together.

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Gu Han was speaking with Ye Xiurong when a young eunuch hurried in. He leaned close to Gu Han and whispered a few words. A flash of surprise crossed Gu Han’s eyes, and a moment later, she pressed a hand to her forehead.

In all her years in the palace, she had never entered or left a banquet alongside the Emperor. Consequently, it hadn't even occurred to her to wait for him to pick her up.

The young eunuch had been sent by Jiu si specifically to tip her off. He had taken a shortcut, arriving just before the Emperor.

Seeing this, Ye Xiurong’s eyes flickered slightly as she asked:

"What is the matter, Your Ladyship?"

Gu Han appeared somewhat embarrassed: "The Emperor went to Yihe Palace to fetch me, but I've made him make the trip for nothing."

Ye Xiurong paused. The surrounding concubines felt a pang of bitterness in their hearts. To be personally picked up by the Emperor to attend a banquet was a treatment traditionally reserved for the Empress. No matter how much power Gu Han held over the harem, she was still only a First-Rank Consort. How could she be compared to an Empress?

Yet, no matter how sour they felt, the smiles on their faces only grew more radiant, and their words more flattering.

Ye Xiurong caught a glimpse of the quiet and low-profile Concubine Wei. She clicked her tongue inwardly. In the past, she thought the Emperor’s favor for Consort Shu (now Concubine Wei) was excessive, but looking at it now, the difference between sincerity and facade was clear as day.

With the same level of "favor," the Emperor worried about the slightest mishap befalling Consort Zhao, caring for her at every turn. Yet with Consort Shu, it was as if he deliberately drew everyone's attention to her. Back then, Consort Shu suffered much jealousy and hatred from the harem, but the Emperor never truly acted as her shield.

Comparing those years of favor to Consort Zhao, the former seemed merely like a slight preference.

Concubine Wei seemed completely unaware that Ye Xiurong was watching her. She kept her eyes lowered, sipping fruit wine from her cup. The wine served to the concubines was not intoxicating, but as it went down, Concubine Wei felt only a lingering bitterness on her tongue.





For the Mid-Autumn banquet, the Princes naturally attended as well. Once the Empress Dowager was seated, the little Prince was brought before her.

The movements of the crowd stiffened for a moment. Gu Han also looked over in shock; this was the first time the Empress Dowager had shown such public intimacy with any Prince. Although she only teased and played with the little Prince for a while, it was a treatment no other Prince had ever received.

From the corner of her eye, Gu Han saw the Eldest Prince. He was pursing his lips and looking over. Though small, he already carried an imperial bearing, his back ramrod straight. He had been taught well; no matter how his emotions surged, he only pressed his lips together tightly.

Nearly three years had passed, and the Eldest Prince was no longer that small child who would let his emotions explode and rush over to hit her.

True, back then he was the only imperial heir, and everything revolved around him. He didn't need to worry about anything, not even fighting for his father's affection, so he was naturally reckless.

But now, as the harem’s children grew in number, the Eldest Prince's position seemed precarious. How could he still act as he pleased? Moreover, with a maternal family like the Chen clan, his every move was scrutinized and constrained.

Gu Han lowered her eyes with an unreadable expression and took a light sip of wine.

It was then that Lu Yu arrived late. As soon as he was seated, Gu Han noticed him shoot her an annoyed look, making her feel a bit guilty.

With the death of the Empress followed by the demotion of Consort Shu, the harem concubines had been thoroughly frightened. Thus, no one dared to pull any stunts during this Mid-Autumn banquet. The event proceeded quietly until, suddenly, a musician below struck a wrong note.

If it were just one wrong note, it could have been smoothed over quickly. But this musician clearly had poor nerves; as they grew anxious, the music became grating to the ear.

Ye Xiurong’s brow furrowed immediately.

The expression in Gu Han’s eyes also grew cold. The hall fell silent for a moment. Although the lively atmosphere was quickly restored, it was clearly forced.

Suddenly, someone called out loudly:

"I have long heard that the young lady of the Lin family possesses peerless talent. I wonder if she could perform a piece today to wish the Emperor and the Empress Dowager good health?"

Gu Han narrowed her eyes imperceptibly. Generally, daughters of noble families would not easily play instruments in public, as it was considered the work of entertainers. There were only a few exceptions: performing for an elder's birthday, or, as in this case, performing for superiors under the guise of a blessing.

In these situations, the performer wouldn't be looked down upon; rather, it would spread their fame.

Gu Han and Ye Xiurong exchanged a look, their smiles cold. Neither was a fool; there were no such coincidences in this palace. A musician without a certain level of skill wouldn't be allowed at such an event. To strike a wrong note and be unable to recover meant they didn't deserve to be a court musician.

The fact that someone immediately suggested the Lin daughter perform only proved that this was a set-up.

Ye Xiurong was also fuming. She was in full charge of this banquet. To try and step over her and Consort Zhao to gain favor—was this Lin daughter truly capable of carrying such "blessings"?!

Gu Han lowered her eyelids. She picked up her slightly cooled wine and took a sip before speaking calmly:

"Which one is the young lady of the Lin family?"

A woman soon stepped out from the crowd. Her steps were light, dressed in fine silks, her waist so slender it could be held in one hand. Even through the hazy light, her grace was evident. She bowed respectfully, dropping her neck in a way that exuded a gentle, submissive air.

"This humble girl pays respects to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Ladies of the palace."

Lu Yu glanced at Gu Han, unsure of what she intended, but he felt an inevitable surge of annoyance. Not a single day of peace in this harem! Finally, the concubines were behaving, but now the court officials couldn't wait to stick their hands into his inner palace affairs.

Lu Yu only gave the so-called Lin daughter a single look. She was indeed graceful, but which woman in his harem wasn't handpicked? Did these officials think him a faint-hearted ruler who acted only on lust?!

Lu Yu watched the scene coldly without a word. It was Gu Han who broke the silence:

"Today is Mid-Autumn; there is no need for such formality. A mistake occurred at the banquet today, and I fear I will be blamed by the Emperor later. I just heard someone praise your peerless talent, and I find you quite pleasing to the eye as well. If you are prepared, would you be willing to perform a piece? It would be helping me turn the tide of this situation."

As soon as she finished, Ye Xiurong shot her a look.

These words were extremely clever. By saying the banquet had an error and she feared the Emperor’s blame, Gu Han avoided any mention of punishment while her words dripped with the Emperor's favor and intimacy toward her.

Furthermore, by saying "if you are prepared," she pushed the Lin daughter into a dilemma. If the girl dared to accept, it would look as if she had come today with an ulterior motive. Especially the phrase "turn the tide"—it put the girl on a pedestal; if she performed poorly, the loss of face would be monumental.

Yet, the Lin girl had no choice but to accept; otherwise, this entire scheme would be for nothing.

Ye Xiurong relaxed. Because Consort Zhao had taken all the blame upon herself, she wasn't blaming Ye Xiurong for the musical error. Thus, Ye Xiurong could simply sit back and enjoy the show. She looked at the Lin daughter with a cold gaze.

Trying to use me as a stepping stone? Don't be afraid of falling into the water!

The Lin girl eventually played the zither. The praise had not been empty words; she indeed possessed excellent skill, her music lingering in the air long after she finished. Many people remained dazed.

When the Lin girl looked over with a sigh of relief, Gu Han lightly nudged Lu Yu and said softly:

"Your Majesty, I like her music."

Lu Yu looked at her, took her hand in his, and nodded coldly:

"You have always been picky. Since you like it, her fame is not unearned. Someone, bring rewards."

Aside from that, he said nothing more.

The Lin girl seemed to have no other intentions either; after bowing, she respectfully withdrew.

Throughout the Mid-Autumn banquet, no other incidents occurred. Just as the banquet was about to end, the Emperor suddenly made a major move—promotions for the harem.

Gu Han had been promoted to the rank of Consort during the Empress’s mourning period, so she had guessed there would be promotions today. However, she never expected that she would be included!

When she knelt to give thanks, she couldn't help but look at Lu Yu in a daze, her shock plain on her face. Even after holding the imperial decree, she still felt as if she were in a dream.

Noble Consort.( Guifei)

The head of the four primary consorts. Above her remained only the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort.

But with no Empress in the palace, her position as Noble Consort was essentially that of a "Deputy Empress." When she first heard Liu An announce her promotion to Noble Consort, she was in disbelief. But as she heard the rest, she began to understand why the Emperor had done it.

Because the Emperor had promoted Ye Xiurong across multiple ranks to a First-Rank Consort(fei) Junior Rank 2, and Concubine Zhou had similarly jumped ranks to a Third-Rank Xiurong.

In the context of these two jumping ranks, her own single-rank promotion didn't seem quite so conspicuous. Many others were promoted as well, but the former Consort Shu and Consort De—now Concubine Wei and Concubine Chen—received no mention at all.

Many people's hearts wavered. Amidst such massive promotions, the Emperor hadn't even considered Concubine Wei or Concubine Chen. It seemed he was truly tired of them.





After the banquet ended, Lu Yu said he had matters to attend to and left hurriedly with Liu An. Consort Ye (formerly Ye Xiurong) looked at Gu Han as if she wanted to say something, but Gu Han cut her off:

"It is late. Consort Ye has worked hard for several days; why not return and rest? We can discuss anything tomorrow."

Consort Ye forced a difficult smile.

By tomorrow, everything would have settled; whatever she said would be too late. Thus, she didn't listen. Instead, she rubbed her forehead with a bitter smile and bowed respectfully:

"I have yet to congratulate Your Ladyship on your promotion to Noble Consort."

Gu Han had not lost her title, so from now on, everyone in the palace would have to address her as Noble Consort Zhao. Having entered the palace only three years ago, she had already attained a status others could only dream of.

Gu Han paused, knowing she couldn't brush Consort Ye off today. At this moment, she envied the Emperor; with one phrase about "imperial business," no one dared to stop him.

"Your Ladyship knows that the Second Prince is in poor health. I am devoted to caring for him; as for other matters, I am truly lacking in energy."

Consort Ye was very smart, so she had guessed why she had been promoted. Gaining power was good, but Concubine Wei had only been demoted; she had been favored for years, and no one knew what cards she still held.

Furthermore, now that Mid-Autumn was over, the next imperial selection (selection of new concubines) was imminent next year.

She truly did not want to be dragged into these muddy waters.

Author's Note:

Kunning Palace: Empress

Yi'an Palace: Consort Shu

Xianleng Palace: Imperial Consort De

Zhaoyang Palace → Main Hall: Xiuyi He

Zhaoyang Palace → Side Hall: Rong Baolin

Yihe Palace → Changchun Pavilion: Female Lead

Rongcui Hall: Beauty Miao

Cuizhu Pavilion: Beauty Lin

Changning Courtyard: Zhou Meiren

Hanleng Palace → (Main Hall transferred to Side Hall): Talented Lady Yuan

Also appearing: Noble Lady Lin, Liu Baolin

Here are the ranks of imperial consorts:

- Empress (皇后 Huánghoù) — Head of the Imperial Harem

- Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃 Huáng Guìfēi) — Rank 1

- Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, Worthy Consort (贵妃、淑妃、德妃、贤妃 Guìfēi, Shūfēi, Défēi, Xiánfēi)** — Senior Rank 1 (The Four Consorts, with Noble Consort as the highest)

- Consort (妃 Fēi) — Junior Rank 2

- Bright Deportment, Bright Countenance (昭仪、昭容 Zhāoyí, Zhāoróng) — Senior Rank 3

- Cultivated Deportment, Cultivated Countenance (修仪、修容 Xiūyí, Xiūróng) — Junior Rank 3

- Noble Lady (贵嫔 Guìpín) — Senior Rank 4

- Imperial Concubine (嫔 Pín) — Junior Rank 4

- Beauty (美人 Měirén) — Senior Rank 5

- Talented Lady (才人 Cáirén) — Junior Rank 5

- Precious Grove (宝林 Bǎolín) — Senior Rank 6

- Imperial Woman (御女 Yùnǚ) — Junior Rank 6

- Palace Maid (宫女子 Gōngnǚzǐ) — Senior Rank 7

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