Chapter 261: Imperial Concubine Rong

The imperial edict promoting the Pure Consort to Noble Consort was announced to the world.

If there was only one Noble Consort in the palace, she would typically be addressed simply as “Lady,” with her title omitted. But now, there were two Noble Consorts: Consort Jiang and Noble Princess Consort Rong.

In terms of seniority, even though they now shared the rank of Noble Consort, Noble Princess Consort Rong was the senior. She was entitled to the seat of honor on the left, taking precedence. Yet, word from within the palace was that the Emperor intended for Jiang to retain her title, or perhaps be granted a new one…

“Another one? She’s already had two title changes.”

“First, she was given a title for her ‘beauty,’ then another for her ‘radiance,’ and then she was made Pure Consort. What new flattering word has the Emperor dug up for her this time?”

“Well, we can rule out ‘Gentle,’ ‘Respectful,’ ‘Obedient,’ and ‘Graceful’!”

The officials from the Foreign Affairs Office roared with laughter.

Amid the laughter, there was also some surprise. Promotions for Concubines were no easy feat, and the higher the rank, the more difficult the ascent. Lu Ronghua had been a Rong Hua for nearly half her life, and the rank of the four senior concubines had long been vacant. “So, does this mean Consort Jiang has more of the Emperor’s favor?”

“The Rong Family committed a grave error. For their Noble Consort not to be implicated is already an act of immense favor and mercy. By the late Emperor’s precedent, a guilty, childless concubine would have been sent to the Cold Palace, or at best, placed under house arrest in her own palace until she died. With one’s fortune rising as the other’s falls, it’s truly hard to say who is more favored.”

One of them concluded, “But the one the Emperor trusts most has to be Consort Jiang. She’s probably even read the memorials we’ve submitted to the throne.”

At this, looks of displeasure crossed their faces.

A woman meddling in state affairs—how improper!

Over the years, many memorials criticizing the matter had been submitted, but the Emperor suppressed them all. And now Prince Xie, who currently had the Emperor’s ear more than anyone, happened to strongly approve of Consort Jiang assisting with governance in Qiankun Palace. He had even challenged them, asking, “Do you gentlemen truly feel you are inferior to an ‘ignorant woman’?”

His words made the more thin-skinned civil servants flush red to their necks in anger.

“Has Consort Jiang bewitched Prince Xie?”

“Who knows.”

In some circles, this sentiment even evolved into the rumor that the Jiang woman had bewitched both Xies, making them fall completely under her spell…

Prince Xie simply laughed it off.

‘They have no idea. If the Emperor hadn’t proven his policy of appointing people based on merit—using his great trust in Consort Jiang as evidence—I’d still be holed up in my Prince Mansion, playing the fool. I’m a grateful person; I won’t look down on Consort Jiang just because she’s a woman.’

So this time, with Jiang Xian’s promotion to Noble Consort, Prince Xie had his Princess Consort prepare congratulatory gifts early. They were brought into the Prince Mansion by the case-full, a clear sign of how seriously he took the matter.

…

「Jianzhang Palace.」

The concubines who had been assigned palace affairs came and went. Ma Ronghua arrived earliest. After receiving her duties, she didn’t dare linger, and the Empress, not asking her to stay, let her go.

Princess Consort Zhang was the second to arrive.

“Sometimes I think it would be better to follow Your Majesty’s example and stay out of worldly affairs.”

“How could you,” the Empress said, quickly dismissing the idea. “This is to build your seniority. You should be grateful.”

Princess Consort Zhang, ever the realist, replied, “The Noble Consort positions are filled. No matter how much seniority I accumulate, the only place it’ll be written is on my tombstone. Can one achieve historical renown by portioning out fruit to eunuchs and palace maids?”

‘Palace affairs,’ she mused, ‘are just like housework.’

‘You can’t stop for a single day. Do it well, and no one notices. Do it poorly, and you’re immediately held to account.’ Princess Consort Zhang wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about it. Before, when the carrot of a Noble Consort position was dangled in front of her, she still had some motivation.

The Empress considered this and had to agree. She consoled her, “If I were to pass away, the next Empress would be chosen from the two Noble Consorts. Wouldn’t that free up a Noble Consort position? You just work hard and do a good job. Even if it’s with my last breath, I will beg the Emperor to grant you this favor.”

“Your Majesty!”

Fu Jin cried out in alarm, hearing her mistress speak so flippantly, so inauspiciously, about her own death.

Just then, Noble Princess Consort Rong, who was being announced, happened to overhear. She smiled coolly. “Consort Xian, no need to be so anxious. A posthumous title is still a title, after all.”

Princess Consort Zhang: “…”

What could one say? After the fall of the Rong Family, it wasn’t for no reason that everyone ganged up on the Noble Consort. In a harem where women were expected to cultivate the virtues of gentleness, chastity, obedience, and grace, she had long ago chosen to be indiscriminately foul-mouthed to everyone, viewing them all with equal disdain.

Her sharp tongue wasn’t for any particular reason.

There was no special cause, no hidden sorrow. She simply did it for the fun of it.

The Empress snapped, “Noble Consort, watch your words.”

Noble Princess Consort Rong gave her a perfunctory curtsy. After being granted a seat, she said in a drippingly sarcastic tone, “Your Majesty is so very busy, you must have forgotten to call me Noble Princess Consort Rong. After all, I am not the only Noble Consort anymore.” She let out a dramatic sigh, her lovely eyes sweeping over Princess Consort Zhang as she added in a slow, deliberate voice, “I misspoke just now. I do hope Lady Xianfei won’t take offense.”