Chapter 012

Chapter 012

"Yes, Your Highness, she has indeed woken up. The doctor said there is no major issue," Yujing replied, appearing genuinely happy for her mistress.

After all, this was the mistress's own sister. The elder sister would surely be pleased her younger sister had recovered.

However, Concubine Niohuru's mood was somewhat complicated.

She had been troubled by a matter earlier. The Niohuru family had previously sent Bayala to inform her about selecting a well-behaved and obedient girl from the clan to enter the palace and share her responsibilities.

At the time, she did not show it, but deep down, she was very displeased. This was essentially someone coming to share her emperor's favor.

The fact that she had been in the palace for many years without bearing a child had made the Niohuru family very anxious.

Even though Concubine Niohuru was uncomfortable with the idea, she had to consider its feasibility.

If she remained childless, she would only be a concubine in the future, far from the glory of being a Grand Empress Dowager. Once the new emperor ascended the throne, she would have no connection to him.

Currently, Kangxi did not have many heirs. If more heirs were born later, her position would not be among the top-ranking princes.

Yet, Concubine Niohuru still felt somewhat unwilling. Why should she raise another's child when she could bear her own?

Concubine Niohuru had no choice but to delay. Now, her sister Min Yi, who had been bedridden and unconscious, had suddenly woken up and immediately sent her the news.

Wasn't this a hint that Min Yi had awakened, and that the previously distant branch sisters were not as supportive, but her own sister could better support her?

This inevitably made Concubine Niohuru think: was her sister destined to enter the palace as a concubine?

Or should she wait a bit longer, until Kangxi issued the edict of enfeoffment, when the Niohuru family would reconsider their plans.

August, it was this month.

The closer it got to this time, the more restless Concubine Niohuru became.

She feared something might go wrong.

Although she currently managed palace affairs, her position was not entirely legitimate. She could not control the other concubines too overtly, as the Grand Empress Dowager was watching closely, especially after the children in the harem died one after another.

In the harem, it wasn't just Concubine Niohuru who was restless; Tong Jia Shi was also anxious, fearing that during this grand enfeoffment, the emperor might enfeoff Niohuru as the empress.

The offerings to the Qianqing Palace increased in frequency, as everyone was eager for a promotion.

Unfortunately, no one could gather any information. No one dared to inquire recklessly, as this was the first grand enfeoffment since the emperor's ascension.

While the palace was in turmoil, Kangxi remained the most composed. He watched coldly as the concubines in the harem began to secretly vie for favor.

Yet, he remained silent, making no move.

It wasn't until August 22nd that the edict was finally issued.

First, it was the Yikun Palace.

Everyone was watching to see what rank this person would receive.

The higher the rank, the sooner they would go to that palace.

Niohuru had already received the news and prepared in advance to receive the edict.

It was Liang Jiugong, Kangxi's personal attendant, who came to announce the edict.

Concubine Niohuru knelt down to receive the imperial edict with a mix of nervousness and excitement, listening intently as Liang Jiugong unrolled the edict and began to read.

"The Emperor, following the laws of heaven and earth, upholds the foundation of human relations through internal governance. We hereby confer upon you, Concubine Niohuru, daughter of Duke Ebilun, the title of Imperial Noble Consort.

Born into a distinguished lineage, raised in a noble household, your gentle and virtuous nature, along with your mastery of etiquette, exemplifies grace and propriety.

With this decree and the accompanying seal, we elevate you to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort.

May you shine within the inner court and bring forth blessings for the future. Assist Us in governance and contribute to the flourishing of harmony.

Thus it is decreed."

Upon hearing the words "Imperial Noble Consort," Concubine Niohuru nearly lost her composure. She was both shocked and overwhelmed by the news. How could it be Imperial Noble Consort? Not Empress?!

She almost blurted out, asking if there had been a mistake.

After finishing the edict, Liang Jiugong placed it in the hands of the newly appointed Imperial Noble Consort Niohuru and said with a smile, "This servant congratulates the Imperial Noble Consort."

While such congratulations would have been joyous for anyone else, for Niohuru, it was a bittersweet moment. Anyone who knew her would understand the disappointment of being elevated to Imperial Noble Consort instead of Empress.

But with so many people watching, and Liang Jiugong being a trusted eunuch of Kangxi, she had to force a smile of gratitude and say, "Your servant, Niohuru, thanks the Emperor for his great favor."

She signaled Yujing to hand over the prepared tea money, which Liang Jiugong accepted with a smile, pretending not to notice the stiff smile of the new Imperial Noble Consort. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he left to report back.

Indeed, everyone had expected the Emperor to appoint an Empress, and rumors had been swirling both in the court and the harem. But it turned out that the Emperor had no intention of appointing an Empress.

Although the title of Imperial Noble Consort was just one step below Empress, the gap between them was like an insurmountable chasm.

The Imperial Noble Consort was essentially a deputy Empress, and if an Empress were appointed, there would be no Imperial Noble Consort.

By appointing an Imperial Noble Consort, the Emperor had made it clear that he had no intention of appointing an Empress.

Liang Jiugong could easily sense the immense disappointment and frustration in the heart of the Imperial Noble Consort.

Now Imperial Noble Consort Niohuru, though her promotion should have been a joyous occasion, felt as if a monster was raging inside her, threatening to consume her sanity with its fury.

Yet she had to put on a happy face, handing out rewards to the maids, before excusing herself, saying she wanted to savor the moment alone.

The maids, oblivious to her inner turmoil, were thrilled with their rewards. Since the Imperial Noble Consort often preferred solitude, they respectfully left her in peace.

Only after everyone had left did Niohuru pick up the bright yellow edict, reading it word by word, her gaze lingering on the title "Imperial Noble Consort" for a long time, her eyes almost crazed.

Her hands trembled as she clutched the edict, wanting to tear it apart, but she restrained herself. After a while, unable to contain her frustration, she flung the edict onto the bed, as if punching cotton, finding no relief for her anger and shock.

The Imperial Noble Consort might seem like the highest position in the harem, seemingly close to the throne of Empress, but in reality, sitting in the position of Imperial Noble Consort, the path to becoming Empress was now out of reach!

Tong Jia had been Imperial Noble Consort for a full eight years!

After eight years as Imperial Noble Consort, she had only been Empress for a single day before her death. What about her?!

While the people of Yikun Palace were seething with anger and shock, the atmosphere in Jingren Palace was genuinely joyful.

Tong Jia had been appointed as Noble Consort. Although Niohuru had been elevated to Imperial Noble Consort, surpassing her, the thought of Niohuru's current inability to smile brought Tong Jia great satisfaction.

That woman had always been so pretentious, acting as if she were already Empress while managing the harem affairs, which had disgusted Tong Jia. Now that Niohuru hadn't become Empress, Tong Jia was thoroughly pleased.

If Niohuru had truly become Empress, it would have been intolerable. After all, she was the Emperor's cousin. Hmph, now that Tong Jia was Noble Consort, who knows what the future holds?

Soon, the concubines in the imperial harem found out that there was now an Imperial Noble Consort and a Consort in the harem. The fact that the Niohuru Imperial Noble Consort was not made Empress breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the position of Empress remained vacant, their ambitions would not cease.

As for Tong Jia Shi being appointed as the Consort, it made them green with envy. That woman from the Tong family was simply fortunate, unlike them.

She hadn't been in the palace long before she was quickly promoted to Consort during the grand conferment. Meanwhile, the veterans who had entered the palace earlier had been stuck at the ranks of Ladies and Attendants for so long.

But they also understood that it was because Tong Jia Shi was related to the Emperor. The Tong family was the Emperor's maternal family, making them cousins.

Just this fact alone ensured that Tong Jia Shi's rank would not be low!

You just can't compare people.

The Niohuru family also quickly received the news that their member in the palace had been appointed as the Imperial Noble Consort. After much thought, they mused, "Imperial Noble Consort..."

Though they smiled and accepted congratulations, deep down, they were still disappointed. They were so close, just a little more and it would have been...