Chapter 065 The Empress Can Leave the Palace

Chapter 065 The Empress Can Leave the Palace

He Lanting had previously stayed in the palace, ostensibly residing in the side hall of Yangxin Hall, but in reality, she was staying within Yangxin Hall itself.

Now that she had an official title, she would openly receive the Emperor's favor today.

She wore a snow-white robe, her long hair still damp from a recent bath, making her face appear even smaller.

She walked to the arhat bed and saw the emperor reading a letter. She couldn't help but feel curious. "Someone wrote a letter to Your Majesty?"

If any other woman in the harem had asked, she would have been reprimanded by Emperor Chengde. But when it came to He Lanting, Emperor Chengde held her hand.

"It's a letter from General Jian He (courtesy name Liqiu) to the Empress. I had someone send a copy over."

General Jian He could be said to be the invincible god of war throughout Great Qi. His presence kept the troublemakers at bay and prevented foreign invaders from attacking. No wonder the emperor took him seriously.

He Lanting asked curiously, "What does it say?"

"He is going to visit his family's old residence and bring his grandfather and grandmother to the capital city."

He Lanting had met the Empress before. The Empress was rather plain-looking, and her father's position was not high; he was a Jizijian Jiyu. Back then, Jian Yunyao's circumstances were such that she could never have become a prince's consort. She married Emperor Chengde because of the current Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was once a Concubine Li in the previous emperor's court. She was originally a peasant girl from a humble background, sold into the palace as a servant, and favored by the previous emperor on a whim, resulting in Emperor Chengde. At that time, he was still the ninth prince.

The family who sold the Empress Dowager used the money to start a business, which grew significantly, eventually becoming a well-known medicinal herb merchant in the capital city.

Jian Yunyao had a twin brother whose health was poor since birth. When Jian Yunyao reached adulthood, his condition worsened rapidly, requiring a rare medicinal herb for survival.

Concubine Li, who was illiterate, heard that Jian Yunyao was the most talented woman in the capital. She arranged for her family to approach Jian Yunyao's parents, proposing that if Jian Yunyao married the ninth prince, they would provide the rare medicinal herb continuously for her elder brother.

Thus, Jian Yunyao married the ninth prince and later accompanied him to the border city.

Jian Yunyao truly had good fortune, having a brother who allowed her to marry the ninth prince.

Her brother's victories brought the ninth prince to the attention of the previous emperor, ultimately leading to his ascension to the throne as Emperor Chengde.

Because of Jian He's existence, Emperor Chengde respected and valued Jian Yunyao despite not loving her.

He Lanting was confident that she could become Concubine Chen or even a higher-ranking consort, and perhaps even Empress Dowager through her children. However, while Jian Yunyao was alive, she did not expect to become Empress.

Thinking about Jian Yunyao's situation, He Lanting said, "Since both elders from the Jian family will be in the capital, it's only right to let them meet her."

"Ting'er understands my heart," Emperor Chengde said with a smile. "When the time comes, we'll invite them into the palace to chat with the Empress."

"Ting'er has an idea," He Lanting said with a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling in the flickering candlelight.

"Your Majesty, why not grant the Empress a favor and allow her to leave the palace to reunite with her family?"

The emperor was slightly taken aback. He had never considered this. Emperor Chengde had no need to leave the palace for summer retreats and had never taken any woman out of the palace.

Allowing the Empress to visit her family? Emperor Chengde hesitated.

"This..."

He Lanting smiled and said, "Not allowing concubines to leave the palace is to prevent connections with the outer world. But the Empress has no children..." She leaned into the emperor's embrace. "I thought that if Your Majesty allows the Empress to leave the palace, she might treat me better out of gratitude."

Thinking about the Empress's lack of children and her generally non-threatening behavior, especially regarding He Lanting, Emperor Chengde felt that granting this favor might be a good idea. Besides, the two elders from the Jian family would not stay in the capital permanently, so this special treatment would only be temporary.

Emperor Chengde smiled and said, "Let's do as Ting'er suggests. Tell the Empress tomorrow."

He Lanting nodded with a smile.

Beauty is best appreciated under lamplight. Looking at He Lanting, Emperor Chengde found her as beautiful as a lotus emerging from clear water.

He closed the letter and gently stroked her cheek. "I always wanted to bring you into the palace. This is how I imagined it."

He Lanting had also imagined entering the palace, but not like this, without her son.

She sighed softly and rested her head against Emperor Chengde's chest. "I only have you now."

Emperor Chengde lifted her up, holding her close. Now that He Lanting was his consort, she no longer needed to take contraceptive medicine.

He kissed her tenderly, using the old term of endearment. "My lady, you will have another child with me."

/

The next day, He Lanting went to Luanfeng Palace, arriving deliberately late.

She heard that everyone had already gathered inside, and the newly appointed Concubine Chen entered slowly, supported by a maid.

She bowed to the Empress. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

All the ladies-in-waiting were curious about He Lanting. They expected her to be a celestial beauty, but found her less impressive than the recently favored Lady Yu. What stood out was her grace and poise, her slender waist swaying gently as she walked.

The Empress spoke. "Indeed, a beauty. A seat has been prepared for you. Please sit down."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I served His Majesty last night, so I arrived a bit late due to discomfort."

Just these few words revealed that the former Yongning Marquis' wife was not as gentle as she appeared.

Hearing this, Jian Yunyao felt a headache coming on. She disliked the constant competition among concubines for a man's affection.

But Emperor Chengde enjoyed beautiful women, and with many women in the harem, Jian Yunyao tried to avoid such scenes, yet still encountered them occasionally.

She addressed the group. "If you want to know how Concubine Chen gained favor, she is here. Ask directly. My head hurts, so I won't stay long. You can continue your conversation here."

This time, however, He Lanting stood up. "My position was granted by His Majesty. There's nothing more to say. I'm feeling unwell and wish to retire early."

Jian Yunyao frowned slightly, about to speak, when He Lanting added, "Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with you about General Jian He. May we speak privately?"

Jian Yunyao observed the varied expressions of the other consorts and said, "Concubine Chen is feeling unwell. Let's end it here today. When she has settled into her palace, you can visit her with any questions."

He Lanting's expression stiffened. She did not want any visitors, yet the other concubines had already responded affirmatively, and several of them exchanged glances. It was clear that once they left the queen's palace, they would discuss matters among themselves.

"Have some tea." Jian Yunyao sipped her own tea, knowing that even if she offered it to the other person, they would not drink it.

He Lanting merely touched her lips with the tea before speaking, "In the Yangxin Palace, I heard from His Majesty that General Jian is returning to the capital city. Congratulations, Your Majesty, and may you be blessed."

Jian Yunyao acknowledged with a nod. Although she too wished to see her family, she did not wish to share her joy with this Concubine Chen.

He Lanting paid no mind to the queen's coldness and spoke with a smile, "Originally, His Majesty thought that since Old Master Jian, Old Madam, and General Jian have arrived in the capital, they could be invited into the palace to meet with Your Majesty. However, I thought that if Your Majesty were an ordinary person, you would be able to return to your family home at this time."

Jian Yunyao, who had been indifferent, now looked serious.

He Lanting smiled slightly, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and may you be blessed. When your family arrives in the capital, you can meet with them at your residence."