kvmb Chapter 427 After the closure
Chapter 427 After the closure
The joint action of He Yuefei to investigate the spies of Qu State began quietly on this day.
This kind of thing cannot be done slowly, nor can it be done hastily.
After making all the arrangements, Fei Wan waited for the opportunity.
The imperial edict appointing Concubine Yue as empress was also officially announced to the world when the news came that the Duke of Zhenguo had sneaked into Sichuan and Shu on a fast horse, persuaded the commander of the empress dowager's reserve army without bloodshed, and brought the commander's entire family to the capital to be conferred a title of nobility.
Along with the decree to enthrone the empress, there was also a decree to enthrone the consort.
Concubine Qing was given the title "He", becoming Concubine Heqing.
Concubine Zhao was promoted to Concubine Zhao Guifei.
Concubine Kang was promoted to Concubine De.
Ying Ronghua was promoted to Princess Ying.
Ming Jieyushi was promoted to Ming Guipin.
Concubine Yu was promoted to Concubine Gui and given the title Jia.
Concubine Li was promoted to Jieyushi.
The other concubines in the palace were awarded double their monthly salary to celebrate the new queen.
Half a month after the decree was issued, the ceremony of conferring the title of Queen took place. On the same day, Fei Wan and the others also formally accepted the title.
Because the capital had just been in chaos, the ceremony was kept simple. Each official in the court was rewarded with a pot of imperial wine, and every family in the capital was given a wedding cake to reassure the people.
Although the reward was not much, the whole city was filled with joy. Ordinary people would never have the opportunity to eat the cakes bestowed by the emperor. This great favor from heaven inspired many families to set up tables and burn incense to welcome the wedding cakes, and many people also set off firecrackers on their own.
In the evening, a grand banquet was held in the newly renovated Fengyi Palace.
All the concubines in the palace attended the dinner and congratulated the new Queen Yan on entering the imperial palace.
Several fireworks exploded in the sky, brilliant and dazzling, flashing a pattern of hundreds of birds paying homage to the phoenix. Although fleeting, it was extremely beautiful, stunning all the concubines who looked up.
The emperor held Empress Yan's hand and unveiled the bright yellow silk for the newly added plaque in the central palace.
Fengming, the two big characters written in a vigorous and dancing style, were written by the emperor himself.
When the new queen moved in, the palace was renamed Fengyi Palace and became Fengming Palace.
"Long live His Majesty, and a thousand years to the Empress! The Empress has entered the Central Palace, and with all her splendor, she will live in perfect harmony with His Majesty. We, the sisters in the same palace, will diligently serve His Majesty and the Empress, and share His Majesty's grace!"
Yu Sujin, who was promoted to Concubine Jia, was the first to come forward to congratulate.
She was dressed festively and appropriately made up, looking very beautiful but not overwhelming, never stealing the spotlight from Empress Yan and the high-ranking officials. Her cheerful and cheerful demeanor caught the emperor's attention, who thought her very sensible and decent.
"Your sister is fine."
The emperor did not forget Fei Wan. He praised Yu Sujin, but he was praising Fei Wan.
Fei Wan was promoted to Imperial Concubine, and her makeup was a little more flamboyant than usual, but only slightly. Upon hearing this, she bowed and smiled, "Thanks to the guidance of Your Majesty and the Empress, my sister has indeed grown a lot since entering the palace. I bow to Your Majesty and the Empress."
Yu Sujin also followed Fei Wanfu.
The emperor looked at the two sisters and nodded in satisfaction. "The Yu family has produced a beautiful woman. Concubine Zhao, you have always been sensible. I am very relieved that you will continue to help the Queen manage the harem in the future."
"I respectfully obey your command. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust."
Fei Wan gladly accepted the appointment and did not refuse as she had done in the past.
At the dinner party where the empress was enthroned, the emperor deliberately praised her in public and granted her the power of assistant. To put it bluntly, it was a slap in the face of Empress Yan.
If Fei Wan and Empress Yan were just ordinary concubines, the emperor would have turned them into invisible enemies. In the future, they would clash over trivial matters, and their opposition would be truly established. The emperor could sit back and watch them fight like black-eyed chickens, enjoying the happiness of having two wives.
But Fei Wan has already made Queen Yan her own.
The emperor's provocation not only satisfied himself, but also Fei Wan and Queen Yan.
Queen Yan: Sister Zhao assists me in managing the harem and has truly become my right-hand man.
Fei Wan: From now on, I will be able to do whatever I want in the harem.
Concubine Shun was very tactful. Seeing this, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine Zhao has always been thoughtful and meticulous. With you here, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and be relieved of my assistant duties. I've been really struggling for a while now. From now on, the Empress and Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine Zhao will jointly manage the harem. Our palace will surely be peaceful!"
Concubine Kang, who had already been conferred the title of Defei, was a step slower to react than Concubine Shun. After hearing Concubine Shun's statement, she realized belatedly that she also had to say a few words.
So I agreed: "Yes, yes, I am also relieved of my duties! I can finally rehearse a few plays in my Lincui Palace and enjoy myself! From now on, if the Empress and Consort Zhao have any instructions, I will do my best. If not, I will close the door and enjoy my peace and quiet, without worrying about worldly affairs."
She didn't speak very politely, but everyone was used to it, and on such a happy occasion, Queen Yan didn't bother with her.
She smiled and said, "Okay, you rehearse the play well. Whenever I am free, I will come to your place to listen to the play."
"If Your Majesty likes it, we can perform a piece of opera here." Defei said that she just found an excellent Qingyi, and she could sing a piece for everyone to listen to.
The emperor was interested: "Then let's listen. However, one act is too long, so just sing a short section."
"Ok, Ok!"
De Fei was very happy and personally led people to prepare. She left happily, seeming happier than if she had been promoted to one of the four concubines.
Everyone admired the emperor's handwritten plaque for a while, praised it, and then returned to the main hall and took their seats.
The emperor sat at the main seat, with Empress Yan's table one level below his. Below that were the seats for Concubine Qing and Fei Wan, and below that were the concubines arranged in order.
The ceremony of enthroning the queen ended the ban on stringed instruments, singing and dancing that had been in place since the war. From that day on, people could sing and dance, and palace banquets were naturally allowed.
Before Concubine De's play began, singing girls and dancers took turns to perform.
The emperor watched with great interest.
This made the concubines feel a little uneasy.
Because the singing and dancing girls were all dressed rather lightly. It was already winter, and fortunately the palace had burned frost charcoal early to keep warm, otherwise one would have been worried about them getting cold.
The emperor has been devoting himself to state affairs for a long time.
During that period, only Fei Wan, Zhi Shu and a few others slept with him.
No one else caught him.
After the ceremony of enthroning the empress, the palace had a new mistress, and many of the concubines were looking forward to getting the green card system back in operation.
Although they may not like the emperor very much, it is not a good situation for them to survive in the palace without sleeping with the emperor for a long time.
But the emperor seemed to have no interest in the concubines in the palace. He didn't even glance at anyone, but he was interested in the singing girls and dancing girls...
Fortunately, Concubine De finally came.
She herself played a male role and led a very beautiful female role into the stage.
Queen Yan frowned the first time she saw the female actor.