Chapter 0077: Promotion

Chapter 0077: Promotion

Zhang Xiaoyi's people, deceived by him, truly believed that the imperial concubine was responsible.

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks.

Whether they believed it or not, it was clear that the matter had been settled.

"If so, then the Noble Consort sister is wronged," Consort De smiled.

"His Majesty punished her for disrespecting the Empress, forming factions, and poor leadership," Consort Lan also smiled. "His Majesty is wise, there must still be some mysteries in this matter."

"Sisters should be cautious with their words. I have my faults, but His Majesty and the Empress did not say this matter involved me, so it does not," the Noble Consort said through clenched teeth.

"Yes, Noble Consort sister, please calm down. Whatever you say is, of course, right," Consort Lan replied with a smile, showing little remorse.

The Noble Consort tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand and said nothing more.

She knew well that, having lost her title, her influence as the Noble Consort was even less compelling.

She would have to be more cautious in her daily life.

In fact, many were puzzled. Could servants dare to cause such trouble just because they were punished by their master?

This was a crime punishable by the extermination of the entire family.

Because of this matter, countless people would die. Even if the Emperor did not implicate their families, they themselves would not survive.

In Zhang Xiaoyi's quarters, only one maid, Xunhua, was left. She was strongly requested by Zhang Xiaoyi to stay and not sent to the internal justice department.

Otherwise, none of her close attendants would have been spared.

At Zhang Xiaoyi's bedside, Xunhua knelt: "I will forever remember your great kindness, Xiaoyi. I will serve you wholeheartedly and never be negligent."

"Get up. You have been serving me since I entered the palace. Over the past year, you have been devoted. I can see that you are smart. From now on, let's live well together," Zhang Xiaoyi smiled.

She was significantly weakened, indeed having injured her health, but it wasn't as severe as it could have been. Compared to Wu Cairen, Zhang Xiaoyi was faring better.

A rest of about half a year should suffice for her recovery.

The Third Prince, born prematurely, was small, but there weren’t any major issues.

Xunhua got up and carefully tucked her in with a blanket.

Xunhua was indeed clever, but it was a pity that she was only a palace maid.

She knew well that Zhang Xiaoyi was not simple. Apart from unwavering loyalty, what else could she offer?

Now that the matter had been settled, with Zhang Xiaoyi having birthed a prince, she was entitled to a promotion.

Soon, the imperial edict arrived.

Zhang Xiaoyi was promoted to the rank of Cairen, and it wasn’t just her.

In Le An Palace, the edict was received for Qiong Xiaoyi’s promotion to Cairen as well. The reason given was her considerate nature towards her siblings...

Yun Li felt a tinge of surprise upon receiving the edict but quickly understood the rationale.

Indeed, her fortunes and those of the Noble Consort were inversely related.

As the Noble Consort lost her title, she was promoted by one rank.

The messenger, Li Mu, arrived with a cheerful demeanor: "Congratulations to the new Cairen."

"Thank you. Zhu Ding, bring some rewards for Li Gonggong," Yun Li said with a smile.

Li Mu thanked the new Cairen, thinking to himself that he hadn’t paid much attention to her before. Now, in just one year, she had risen from an imperial woman to the rank of Cairen.

Indeed, a Cairen is only a sixth-rank official, not really a significant master.

But it's only been a year, and now she serves in the imperial bedchamber. If one day she conceives, climbing up to the rank of Noble Consort wouldn’t be surprising.

Except for those who were promoted after serving in the imperial bedchamber.

Those who were promoted quickly include Jing Cairen for pregnancy, and both Zhang Cairen and Wu Cairen for giving birth.

Isn't it extraordinary that Qiong Cairen reached this rank without bearing a child?

Truly remarkable!

The Qi family.

The Marquis of Dongchang and his wife sat in the study, silent for a long time.

"It’s not appropriate to visit Her Majesty now," the Marquis of Dongchang sighed.

"She must have been framed. How could her title be stripped so suddenly... And now, that little upstart has become a Cairen," Lady Jiang said through gritted teeth.

"Hold your tongue, be more cautious with your words in the future. She is also a daughter of the Qi family," the Marquis of Dongchang cautioned.

"What are you saying, my lord? Isn’t our own daughter more important than her?" Lady Jiang retorted sharply.

"Don’t I know that? But look, from the time in the Eastern Palace, all these years... the Noble Consort, yes, she had a high rank, but without children and favor, it all amounts to nothing. Those favored by the late Emperor, if childless, what's the status of their families now?"

"If Qiong Cairen can rise and bear a son or a daughter, that would be the Qi family’s hope. Now it seems, our sixth daughter is quite capable," the Marquis of Dongchang sighed.

Initially, they raised Qi Qingluan with the aim of her becoming the Crown Princess.

But they never expected that in the end, the Xie family would reap the benefits.

This led to the child becoming a concubine. Once fallen behind, it's impossible to catch up.

"The Emperor's favor towards the Xie family might well be because he fears the Qi family's daughters outshining the Xie family."

"With no chance at the Empress position, and the Noble Consort having never been favored nor having children, now that Qi Yun Li is clearly doing well, as the head of the Qi family, should I really act against her?"

"Don’t overthink it. Not only do you have daughters, but you also have sons. The fourth son's family is just so-so. Even if Qiong Cairen is capable, she can't break away from the Qi family. Next time you visit the palace, advise the Empress. Sisterly support might turn things around."

Lady Jiang took a deep breath, nodding reluctantly.

But what else could be done now? The Noble Consort couldn’t afford more trouble.

"I'll go pay respects to the old lady. Now that it's warmer, I'll send some fabrics to the fourth son's family for her to make clothes."

The Marquis of Dongchang patted her hand, "You’re enduring a lot for the family’s sake. Don’t worry, I understand."

Lady Jiang's eyes reddened, she nodded and fell silent.

In the harem, even understanding that Yun Li's promotion was due to the Noble Consort losing her title, people were reluctant to accept it.

Indeed, her promotion was too rapid and conspicuous.

Called to Zhengyang Palace, Yun Li curtsied joyfully: "Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace. I am now a Cairen."

Emperor He Jingli waved a hand, "Qiong Cairen... Hmm, it doesn’t sound nice. I should promote you to a Beauty. But promoting you again now would only harm you."

Yun Li chuckled and playfully tugged at his sleeve: "Your Majesty, you're too bad, teasing me with such promises! Are you trying to make me work harder, hinting that I might become a Beauty? Then, I'll be working like a little donkey grinding at the mill."

Emperor He Jingli genuinely laughed, his remark having been a simple expression of sentiment.

"You’re quite astute," he said, pinching her cheek.

"Hmph, Your Majesty is the one who’s bad. Is it me who’s cunning? Clearly, it’s Your Majesty," Yun Li huffed, letting go of his sleeve.

"About that recent matter, Your Majesty knew it wasn’t the Noble Consort’s doing, yet insisted I speak up. I'm just a minor figure, huh," Yun Li half-scolded, half-angrily.

Her brows furrowed, looking genuinely displeased.

Emperor He Jingli's lips curled into a smile, "Is Yun’er angry now? Isn’t your promotion enough to make up for it?"

"I just wanted to see if Yun’er, as a woman of the harem, possesses good character," Emperor He Jingli said.