jdhmnovel Chapter 208 Huanhuan is promoted to Consort Xi
Chapter 208 Huanhuan is promoted to Consort Xi
The Emperor walked out of the side hall, his face stern: "I will thoroughly investigate this matter and will not tolerate anyone!"
Zhen Huan hurried forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this incident was extremely dangerous. Fortunately, Your Majesty's great fortune has enabled us to avert this danger."
Concubine Hua also said: "Your Majesty, these traitors dared to assassinate us at a palace banquet. Their crimes are extremely heinous and must be severely punished!"
An Lingrong echoed, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid we won't have peace in this palace for the rest of our lives unless we eradicate the forces behind this."
The Emperor nodded slightly and looked at Zhen Huan with a hint of approval in his eyes: "Huan Huan, you remained calm in this time of danger and have performed meritorious service in protecting the Emperor. I will definitely reward you handsomely."
Zhen Huan responded respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have only done my duty and do not dare to take credit for it. I only hope that Your Majesty can quickly uncover the mastermind behind this and restore peace to the harem."
A few days later, the emperor, in a rage, launched a massive investigation into officials involved in the conspiracy. For a time, panic ensued throughout the court, with many officials dismissed and their property confiscated.
Zhen Huan was not idle in the palace either. She discussed with An Lingrong and Hua Fei how to further consolidate her position in the palace to prevent any more evil people from causing trouble.
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, after this incident, the Emperor has become more reliant on you. This is a good opportunity."
Zhen Huan shook her head gently: "Lingrong, in this palace, favor is like flowing water. It may be there today, but it may be gone tomorrow. We can't just rely on the emperor's temporary favor. We must have our own foundation."
Concubine Hua nodded in agreement. "Huan'er is right. We must find a way to ensure that the Emperor's reward to you is not just jewelry, but something that can actually elevate your status."
As he was speaking, Su Peisheng came forward to announce the decree: "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Concubine Xi is gentle and virtuous, intelligent and courageous, and has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Emperor at the palace banquet. She is hereby promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine Xi, and will assist in the management of the six palaces. This is my decree!"
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan was delighted, but she still knelt respectfully to receive the order: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. Long live the Emperor!"
An Lingrong smiled and said, "Huan'er, congratulations on becoming Consort Xi! This is what everyone wants!"
Zhen Huan stood up and said to An Lingrong and Concubine Hua, "This is both an honor and a responsibility. I will do my best to live up to the Emperor's trust."
Concubine Hua jokingly said, "Noble Concubine Xi, I'm afraid that in the future this palace will have to follow your lead, but please don't forget us sisters."
Zhen Huan scolded her, "Sister, what are you talking about? I, Zhen Huan, can be where I am today thanks to your support and companionship. It is our unity as sisters that is most important."
Since Zhen Huan was named Consort Xi, there has been an endless stream of people coming to curry favor with her. However, Zhen Huan knows that most of these people are just trying to curry favor with the powerful and should not be trusted.
One day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were taking a walk in the imperial garden.
An Lingrong looked at the awe-filled eyes of the palace maids and eunuchs around her and said softly, "Huan'er, you are now Consort Xi. The atmosphere in this palace is completely different."
Zhen Huan sighed, "Lingrong, behind this seemingly glorious scene lies endless calculations and vigilance. I must be even more cautious and not give anyone any handle."
An Lingrong nodded. "I understand. However, since you are now assisting in the management of the six palaces, you can rectify some of the chaos in the palace, such as those eunuchs and palace maids who are embezzling money, as well as some of the bad habits among the palaces."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "That's a good idea. But since I'm new to this, I need to slowly explore the situation. I can't rush into anything, or I might offend too many people."
At this time, Concubine Hua hurried over and said, "Noble Concubine Xi, I heard that the Queen has some complaints about your promotion. You'd better be careful."
Zhen Huan frowned slightly. "The Queen? She's always been against us. Now that I've promoted her to Consort Xi, she's naturally unwilling to accept it. However, as long as she doesn't take the initiative to provoke me, I don't want to conflict with her."
Hua Fei said, "If you don't want to clash with her, she might not let you go. We have to think of a response plan in advance."
Zhen Huan looked at Concubine Hua and An Lingrong and said firmly, "No matter what the Queen does, the three of us, working together, will be able to handle anything. As Concubine Xi, I must contribute to the peace of this harem, even if the road ahead is full of thorns."
Afterwards, Zhen Huan began to assist in the management of the six palaces. She first summoned the concubines from each palace, and persuaded them with both reason and emotion, hoping that everyone could live in harmony and share the emperor's worries together.
At a gathering of concubines, Zhen Huan said, "Sisters, we are all in the same harem. Although there is competition, we should also consider the overall situation. Now that the palace has just experienced turmoil, we should work together to restore the peace of the past."
Some concubines nodded in agreement, while others looked at each other, each with their own thoughts.
Zhen Huan knew that the reform of the palace would not happen overnight, but she was confident that with her wisdom and the support of An Lingrong and Hua Fei, she could slowly change the atmosphere of the harem, walk her own path in this crisis-ridden palace, move towards a higher peak of power, and write her own legendary chapter. However, along the way, unknown challenges and conspiracies still follow her, waiting for them to resolve one by one.