Chapter 32: The World Cannot Have It All (32)

Chapter 32: The World Cannot Have It All (32)

It turned out that Miss had really waited in vain all night!

"Miss, it was this servant's fault," Que'er said regretfully. If she hadn't encouraged Miss to seek out Master Wuchen, perhaps Miss wouldn't have suffered so much.

Hope followed by despair was the most painful of all.

"No, it wasn't your fault. If I hadn't gone, how could I have given up?" Zhen Shan chuckled bitterly. "Alright, Que'er, go tidy up. We'll be leaving here the day after tomorrow."

"Yes, Miss." Que'er replied, her voice filled with sorrow.

"Over the next two days, if it can't be avoided, say that I'm unwell and resting, and not seeing anyone."

"Understood, Miss."

...

In the afternoon, the imperial concubine Xian's court attire and accompanying palace servants were delivered to Zhen Shan. Apparently, Emperor had instructed De Yi to take care of it personally, bypassing the Empress altogether.

It was evident how highly the emperor esteemed this virtuous concubine.

Sigh, back when there was an engagement, they looked down on her, but now they cherish her desperately. Truly, it's only the unattainable that stirs desire.

The masses couldn't help but inwardly scoff with disrespect.

Of course, the empress, the concubines, and the influential ladies who had connections with the debonair emperor were seething with jealousy, itching to mar that enchanting face and strip her of her ability to entice His Majesty.

As for the Zhen family, who had produced both an empress and a virtuous concubine, neither Madam Zhu nor Zhen Wanjiang could genuinely revel in the insincere congratulations they received.

No need to mention Zhu's family. As for Zhen Wanjiang, he had never given her a second glance. Could a daughter who had risen above her station win his affection?

They might even harbor resentment towards him and seek revenge!

Yet, on the surface, Zhen Wanjiang had to put on an appearance of profound imperial favor and ancestral blessings, displaying boundless joy. At the very least, in front of outsiders, Zhen Shan and he were one.

Henceforth, just like Zhen Xin, Zhen Wanjiang would not be able to bear to see Zhen Shan living a good life!

Here, Zhen Shan gazed at the crimson imperial gown hanging before her. It was intricately embroidered with a soaring seven-tailed phoenix using vibrant golden threads, adorned with scattered pearls and shimmering tassels. The skirt, adorned with an abundance of blooming orchids, exuded both majesty and elegance.

"Noble Consort, this is the ceremonial robe that Empress Dowager wore when she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. Now that she has bestowed it upon you, it shows her deep affection and satisfaction with you," said Lady Cui, a Senior Lady-in-Waiting assigned to Zhen Shan's side, as if genuinely thrilled by the favor shown to her new mistress.

Zhen Shan smiled gently. "I am deeply grateful for Empress Dowager's generosity. I should pay my respects and express my gratitude in person."

Lady Cui replied, "Your Highness is thoughtful, but Empress Dowager has mentioned that you're still recovering and shouldn't be exposed to the wind. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future to thank her, won't there?"

Zhen Shan held her silk handkerchief, smiling slightly yet modestly. "In that case, I must trouble you, Lady Cui, to convey my gratitude to Empress Dowager. Tell her that Zhen Shan will visit in person once I have fully recovered to apologize and ask for her well-being."

"Your Highness, please rest assured," Lady Cui answered respectfully. "However, Your Highness, now that you've been elevated to the rank of Virtuous Consort, you should no longer refer to yourself as 'I' or use your maiden name."

"I will keep that in mind, thank you for reminding me, Lady Cui," Zhen Shan acknowledged.

"Lady Cui dares not take credit," Lady Cui humbly replied.

After Mother Cui left, Zhen Shan softened her demure and timid demeanor.

She could adapt to any situation and speak accordingly.

She could express her sorrow before Wuchen and Que'er, play hard-to-get in front of the Emperor, but before the Empress Dowager or the palace servants, she needed to maintain an appropriate level of innocence and surprise at the royal favor.

Otherwise, she'd be seen as cunning and disrespectful to imperial authority. Could the Empress Dowager tolerate a woman whose heart wasn't with her emperor son?

She wasn't complaining about her comfortable life!

The rules of survival in the palace were well-known to her. Now that she had yet to solidify her position, she couldn't afford to neglect her performance.

However, she was genuinely curious about what Wuchen had said to the Empress Dowager that made her, who initially disliked Zhen Shan, change her attitude so drastically and show such favor.

Ha, little monk had paved the way for her.

With the Empress Dowager's protection, even Empress Zhen Xin, if she had any intentions, would have to proceed cautiously.

Zhen Shan's eyes shimmered with a profound light, yet...

Little monk, by pushing me into the palace and into another man's embrace, you'll have to bear the pain and sorrow that comes with it in the future.

There is no such thing as a pill for regret.

...

In the blink of an eye, the day arrived for the emperor's grand return to the capital.

Compared to their departure, the return procession was just as grand. However, behind the queen's carriage, there was now an additional entourage, one that followed the protocol of an Imperial Noble Consort.

Zhen Xin's lips twitched with anger, but she maintained her composed and dignified demeanor, suppressing the turmoil within her.

Zhen Shan, that despicable woman!

"The Honorable Consort arrives!"

All eyes turned outward as they saw a group of attendants escorting a woman dressed in a vibrant red imperial robe ascending the steps of the Great Hall of the Buddha, heading towards them.

Time seemed to freeze upon her form, as she donned a scarlet phoenix robe, exuding elegance and majesty. Her peerless beauty could captivate a nation.

Blurring the vision of the crowd, did her allure pierce through someone's heart?

"I, your concubine, pay my respects to the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and the Empress."

The beauty bowed slightly, her gentle and melodious voice melting even the bones of those who heard it.

"Dear Concubine, rise quickly," Qin Yi's gaze was glued to her, hastily reaching out to help her up. He held onto her delicate hand tightly, displacing the Empress and offering his seat beside him to the beauty.

Empress: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Your Majesty, could you please tone it down a bit?

Your own mother is watching from the side.

Indeed, the Empress Dowager's brow was slightly furrowed. However, upon observing Zhen Shan's beauty, with her gentle and harmless expression, clear eyes, and impeccable manners, she felt reassured.

A concubine of the emperor, being a bit coquettish or beautiful, is not a major issue; she's not the empress, after all, with the responsibility of managing palace affairs and setting an example for the nation as a queen mother.

In conventional households, a wife is chosen for her virtue, while concubines are taken to bring joy to the husband.

As for the Empress, she ought to be magnanimous!

The Empress Dowager had completely forgotten how she had once eliminated or crippled those women who had vied for the emperor's favor with her!

However, the Empress Dowager herself had risen to her position as a favorite concubine. She had an inherent wariness and dislike for queens, be it the former empress who had once overshadowed her or her son's current empress.

Thus, being an Empress could be quite stifling at times. Zhen Shan didn't fancy this position; Concubine Yang was much more delightful!

In the end, the emperor was captivated by beauty, the empress dowager remained composed as always, while the queen was furious enough to seem as if her nose had been twisted with anger.

As for the nobles below, well, they knew nothing!

"How is your beloved concubine's health?"

"Grateful for Your Majesty's concern," Zhen Shan suppressed the sensation of greasiness on her hand, offering a delicate smile. "This concubine is much better now."

"That's good, that's good. When we return to the capital, I'll ensure you receive proper care for your health."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing that the beauty was no longer as fearful or resistant as she had been in the past few days, the emperor was deeply satisfied. With the confidence of a triumphant man, he waved his hand grandly. "Back to the palace!"