Chapter 70 Enthronement

Chapter 70: Imperial Conferment

Since the New Year, A Wu had been paying close attention to the empress. She noticed that the empress now lived a secluded life, though she still managed the affairs of the inner palace, her efforts had grown lax, and her energy had diminished. Once, when A Wu made a special visit to pay respects, the empress looked pale and weary, hardly speaking a word.

The Jingxi Emperor seemed busier than before. On several occasions when he visited Langhua Palace, his expression was unusually solemn.

A Wu had her suspicions but knew she shouldn't pry. The inner palace must not interfere with state affairs. That day in the imperial study when the emperor had opened his heart to her was an exception. Unless he spoke first, she dared not ask too much.

She felt a lingering worry, fearing the empress might make a desperate move, or that Lu Yunjian, if pushed too far, might drag her into trouble. But as she touched her growing belly, she reassured herself—at least during her pregnancy, she was safe.

So... for now, she would set aside her concerns, focus on nurturing the child, and keep a cautious eye on the empress’s movements.

Now, A Wu was surrounded by numerous female palace officials and medical attendants. Every day, female physicians attended to her, and imperial doctors came to check her pulse. One day, after checking her pulse, the imperial doctor’s expression turned particularly serious.

After consulting with several other imperial doctors, they hurried to report to the Jingxi Emperor.

It was said that the emperor was in the middle of receiving envoys from foreign states when he heard the news. He excused himself from the envoys and rushed to Langhua Palace.

A Wu was astonished. The Jingxi Emperor examined her closely, his expression tender and cautious. "Are you feeling well?"

"What ails me?" A Wu replied.

The emperor held her shoulders and solemnly told her, "The imperial doctors say you are carrying twins."

What?

A Wu was surprised, but then she remembered her brothers. "I have three elder brothers, and the second and third are twins!"

The Jingxi Emperor nodded. "That explains it. It seems you’ve inherited this from your mother."

Though usually composed and unflappable, even he had trouble maintaining his composure now.

There was excitement and anticipation, but even more so, worry and caution. After all, carrying twins was more taxing on a woman’s body than a single child, and the imperial doctors would need to be especially attentive.

He held her close, speaking softly and reassuringly as he outlined the arrangements—top imperial physicians would be assigned to stand by, ready at any moment, and he had already ordered the doctors to study all recorded cases of royal twins in history.

His meticulous, almost anxious preparations strangely comforted A Wu.

She smiled and touched his angular features. "Your Majesty, you’re behaving as though we're at war. You’re scaring me."

Tilting her head, she teased, "Being too serious makes you age faster. You’re already older than me—what if you grow old too soon?"

The Jingxi Emperor paused, then laughed.

His eyes lowered slightly, his thin lips curving into a smile as he took her hand and brushed his lips against it. "Then what can we do? When I grow old, A Wu will have to stay by my side. You can’t disdain me."

A Wu wrinkled her nose. "I will disdain you! So you can’t grow old!"

The emperor leaned close, his voice low and coaxing, tinged with a hint of pleading. "A Wu, be kind. Don’t disdain me."

His words were like a warm spring breeze, warming her heart.

Blushing, A Wu bit her lip and deliberately lifted her chin, giving him a playful side-eye. "Then call me 'elder sister.' If you do, I won’t disdain you when you’re old."

The Jingxi Emperor’s expression froze for a moment before he lightly bit her ear in playful punishment. "See how indulgent I've been with you."

A Wu giggled and pushed him away, tickled silly: “No, don’t bully me, or I’ll tell the Empress Dowager!”

The Jingxi Emperor held her firmly, kissing her again as A Wu wriggled and laughed.

Amid their playful banter, a palace eunuch arrived to announce that the foreign envoys were about to depart.

With some reluctance, they settled down. The Jingxi Emperor straightened his robes, preparing to leave: “Let Lady Hui and Lady Zhao Yi keep you company for now. I’ve already sent word to the Empress Dowager—she’ll be overjoyed when she hears.”

A Wu: “I will!”

Just as the Jingxi Emperor was about to depart, he paused at the threshold and added, “Listen to the female palace officials in all matters, understand?”

A Wu: “I will!”

**************

News of A Wu’s twin pregnancy spread quickly. It was said the Empress Dowager was beside herself with joy, rushing to Langhua Palace to see A Wu in person, pouring advice into her ears, which A Wu dutifully accepted.

The Empress Dowager issued strict orders to the imperial physicians, the imperial kitchens, and all attendants—this was a royal blessing, two heirs at once! No carelessness could be tolerated. Any negligence would be met with dire consequences.

Her precious grandchildren must be safeguarded at all costs—no mishaps allowed.

The Empress Dowager lavished A Wu with gifts—restoratives and fine foods, and a gleaming jade bangle, declaring, “This bangle will protect you, warding off misfortune.”

She then personally fastened it around A Wu’s wrist.

A Wu felt the Empress Dowager’s gaze brimming with such adoration, it was as if she wanted to put her on a pedestal.

After the Lantern Festival, A Wu occasionally stayed at Fengtian Palace. At first, the ladies of the court bristled, though they could only sigh inwardly.

Now, every soul in the palace knew—after fifteen years of silence, the imperial harem was finally expecting, and the Imperial Noble Consort carried twins! No use envying; no point in jealousy. She’d simply been blessed.

The Emperor was overjoyed; the Empress Dowager spent her days offering prayers of thanks. What could the other consorts do but offer flattery?

Soon, they came to terms with it. While the Imperial Noble Consort’s rise rankled, she was undeniably beautiful—who wouldn’t want to cherish such a beauty?

Besides, she had luck on her side. After only a few months at court, she was already with child—and twins at that! No wonder the Emperor adored her, and the Empress Dowager doted on her.

Looking around, some sisters were prettier, more talented, or sharper—yet none had won heaven’s favor thus. They were all still waiting.

Once they made their peace, they settled down, even considering whether to curry favor with the Imperial Noble Consort, whose future seemed boundless.

Others counted on their fingers, anticipating the Emperor’s inevitable amnesty and rewards once the Imperial Noble Consort delivered. Wouldn’t they benefit too?

Amid such hopeful gazes, A Wu’s days grew ever more comfortable. At Fengtian Palace, the Emperor tended to her every whim; back at Langhua Palace, the consorts flocked to amuse her.

The Jingxi Emperor even commissioned a jade pixiu charm for her to wear, claiming it would safeguard her.

By the third month of her pregnancy, A Wu was officially invested as Imperial Noble Consort. Spring blossomed, the weather serene—a perfect season.

For the ceremony, the Jingxi Emperor left no detail unattended.

Her investiture documents were prepared by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works, submitted to the Grand Secretariat, and ceremoniously petitioned by the Ministry of Rites. Grand Secretaries and the Minister served as envoys, with dignified vice-ministers and academicians as deputies. The day before, offerings were made at the ancestral temple.

On the day of investiture, before dawn, A Wu rose to dress in the ceremonial regalia of an imperial noble consort, her makeup solemn and regal. Under a ceremonial canopy, she proceeded to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

There, officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial had arranged the ritual tablets, while guards of honor waited outside the Grand Secretariat.

Though the rituals made her head spin, A Wu was guided at every step by protocol officers and female palace officials. She needed only to follow their cues.

Given her pregnancy, everyone saw to her comfort at every turn, attending to her needs with extra patience and care.

Soon came the formal investiture ceremony. Under the escort of the Imperial Procession Guard and accompanied by guiding female palace officials, A Wu, dressed in her ceremonial investiture robes, stepped forward and knelt facing north. With the accompaniment of officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and palace eunuchs, she listened as the chief and deputy envoys of the investiture read the edict, conferred the title, and presented her with the gilded silver investiture scroll and the seal of authority, which was adorned with auspicious clouds, dragons, and phoenixes.

After receiving the scroll, A Wu performed the ceremonial six solemn bows, three kneelings, and three prostrations. Once the rites were completed, the palace eunuchs withdrew, and A Wu, guided by the ceremonial female palace officials, proceeded to the Empress Dowager’s quarters to pay her respects.

Upon seeing A Wu, the Empress Dowager beamed with joy. After fifteen or sixteen years without news from the imperial harem, she was now blessed with a twin blessing—a double joy that had her laughing in her dreams every night!

She gazed at A Wu kindly and said, "Now that you are with child, the essential rites cannot be omitted, but those that can be spared should be minimized. Mind the little ones in your belly."

A Wu pressed her lips together, lowered her eyes, and replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant will be exceedingly cautious."

After paying respects to the Empress Dowager, it was time to bow before the Emperor and the Empress. However, since the Empress was currently pleading illness, A Wu only needed to bow before the Jingxi Emperor.

Once again, she meticulously performed the six solemn bows, three kneelings, and three prostrations. As she did so, she could keenly sense the eyes of every noblewoman present fixed upon her.

And the Jingxi Emperor never took his eyes off her, watching her tenderly with a smile.

Once the prostration was complete, the Emperor stepped forward and said, "Rise, Imperial Noble Consort."

Now that she was the Emperor’s Imperial Noble Consort, she held both the formal title and the rank. If the Empress remained indisposed, the Imperial Noble Consort would be qualified to manage the imperial harem on his behalf and even accompany him to major court ceremonies.

At this moment, both felt a mix of emotions in their hearts.

Before, though they had seemed like husband and wife, they had not truly been so. Now, there was a sense of standing together as husband and wife.

With the grand ceremony concluded, the musicians of the Imperial Music Bureau began playing. Next came the formal greetings from the ladies of the inner and outer courts to the newly invested Imperial Noble Consort, followed by the banquet.

The guiding female palace officials solemnly placed A Wu’s investiture scroll and seal of authority on the incense table for all to admire.

At this moment, the eyes of every noblewoman present fell upon the scroll—an honor beyond the reach of most. Beside the scroll lay a red-lacquered sandalwood casket carved with coiling dragons, inside which rested the golden seal, inscribed with seal script characters and adorned with auspicious clouds, dragons, and phoenixes.

A Wu faintly heard gasps and murmurs of astonishment from the crowd, though they quickly subsided.

Uncomprehending, she shot a questioning look at the Jingxi Emperor.

But the Emperor acted as though nothing had happened, taking her arm to escort her to her seat.

A Wu thanked him once again before taking her place.

Then came the prostration ceremony, beginning with the bows from the imperial consorts—Consort Kang, Consort Hui, Zhao Yi, and others.

Needless to say, Consort Kang was unwilling, her movements stiff and awkward as she knelt. She was older than A Wu, had served longer, and had even borne the Emperor a daughter. Yet here she was, brought to this point—how could she not resent it?

The Jingxi Emperor noticed this but remained expressionless as he watched. In the imperial harem, decorum was law. His chosen favorite would not be questioned by a mere consort.

That Consort Kang dared to display her displeasure so openly was, in the Emperor’s eyes, unforgivable.

Over the years, he had tolerated much from this consort who had borne him a daughter, granting her the title of Consort Kang only out of consideration for their child.

As for the other consorts, none raised objections. In the harem, the most important virtues were obedience, adherence to protocol, and recognizing the winds had shifted unmistakably—this young noble would gather three thousand favors unto herself.

Thus, they all knelt willingly, each addressing her as "Imperial Noble Consort."

With an impassive expression, the Jingxi Emperor ordered lavish rewards for all. Every one of them received gifts, and they thanked him—though not without privately reflecting that this man, who had seldom been so extravagantly generous in the past, now splurged without restraint for his cherished consort.

Anyone who dares object, the Emperor is sitting right there to ensure your complete submission.

Next, it was the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and De Ning's turn to offer the ceremonial bow to A Wu.

At this point, even A Wu felt a bit strange. Setting aside their past conflicts, just their high status alone made it improper for them to bow to her.

She still wasn’t used to her new status as the Imperial Noble Consort.

A Wu once again looked to the Jingxi Emperor for help, and he gave her a reassuring glance.

She felt a little reassured.

First, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess bowed to A Wu and served tea.

The Crown Princess was now seven months pregnant, due to give birth in a few months. Her swollen belly protruded, causing her to walk unsteadily, requiring the support of her maids.

Clearly, this was difficult—and utterly humiliating—for her.

As the wife of the Crown Prince, bowing and serving tea to the Emperor’s Imperial Noble Consort wasn’t unusual—except it was A Wu.

That same lowly A Wu who had once knelt before her, that low-born A Wu, was now her stepmother—a formally recognized, titled stepmother.

The Crown Princess seethed, her face tight with tension, but she had no choice but to choke back her feelings, step forward, and carefully bow before offering the teacup to A Wu.

From beginning to end, she kept her eyes down the entire time.

She didn’t dare, couldn’t stomach it, and had no idea how.

When A Wu took the tea, she could clearly feel the Crown Princess’s trembling hands.

She spoke up: "The Crown Princess is with child—there’s no need for such ceremony. Please, sit down quickly."

As she said this, she took out the bracelet the Jingxi Emperor had prepared in advance and had a palace maid present it to the Crown Princess.

With a smile, she added: "A modest gift—I hope the Crown Princess finds it acceptable."

The Crown Princess had no choice but to accept, though her face flushed crimson with humiliation.

If she had accepted A Wu back then, A Wu would have remained a concubine forever, forever beneath her. It should have been her, high and mighty, handing over a bracelet—valuable or not—and saying, "Wear it if you like."

Yet now, she had to receive A Wu’s reward!

The onlookers found the whole scene ridiculous, yet also deeply poignant.

A Crown Princess was naturally noble, while a former lowly bedchamber maid with no status, confined to a separate residence to serve a man—the contrast in their fates was stark.

And now, one was serving tea to the other.

Who would’ve imagined this?

The Crown Princess could also sense the gazes around her. She nearly cried but knew she absolutely must not—she had to force a smile instead.

After the Crown Princess came De Ning. Everyone watched closely to see if De Ning would bow to the Imperial Noble Consort.

A Wu also had her doubts—De Ning’s temperament didn’t seem the type to bow to her.

Sure enough, when it was De Ning’s turn, she outright stood up and, in front of all the consorts, demanded: "Imperial Father, the Imperial Noble Consort is merely a consort, not the Empress, nor even an Imperial Concubine. Why does she possess a golden seal?"

In Great Hui, according to tradition, when imperial consorts were conferred titles, the empress received a golden seal and a golden edict, while those below the Imperial Noble Consort only received the edict without the golden seal. Yet now, the Jingxi Emperor had actually bestowed a golden seal upon A Wu!

This broke with ancestral customs!

The golden seal was not something just anyone could obtain. Only the empress and the Imperial Noble Consort were entitled to it, while noble consorts were not. Even among the imperial relatives, only princes enfeoffed as kings were granted golden edicts and seals. As for heirs inheriting princely titles, they received only the golden edict, while the golden seal had to be passed down from their fathers. Thus, golden seals were rare and difficult to acquire.

Yet the emperor had actually granted A Wu a golden seal!

Even Princess Duan and the Princess of Jing, who were present, had not obtained golden seals—they could only use the seals passed down from their princely husbands!

Only when De Ning spoke did A Wu realize something was amiss.

The Jingxi Emperor listened without surprise, his gaze coolly resting on his daughter.

Under her father’s gaze, De Ning lifted her chin.

Yet the Jingxi Emperor smiled warmly. "De Ning, what did you just say? I didn’t quite hear. Repeat it."

By the time the last word fell, his calm tone carried an unmistakable authority.

De Ning drew a shaky breath. "Father, when I studied *Admonitions for Women* as a child, I learned that harem consorts are meant only to serve and attend to the emperor. If the sovereign’s favor becomes excessive, they become arrogant and disrupt the proper hierarchy..."

The Jingxi Emperor’s smile faded, his amber eyes turning cold.

Under that gaze, De Ning’s voice gradually weakened.

She did not dare challenge her father’s imperial authority, and the courage she had mustered vanished instantly.

Tears welled in her eyes under her father’s evident displeasure.

The Jingxi Emperor raised a brow slightly and asked lightly, "De Ning, when you studied *Admonitions for Women*, did you only grasp the surface?"

De Ning froze, then turned crimson.

The text contained a chapter on serving one’s parents. By questioning her father now, she showed a lack of filial piety; by challenging the emperor, she showed disloyalty.

The Jingxi Emperor withdrew his gaze, ignoring De Ning, and order was restored in the hall. The conferment ceremony proceeded smoothly, and De Ning was quietly ushered out by a palace attendant.

As she left the hall, De Ning covered her mouth in distress, choking back her sobs.

Yet the Jingxi Emperor never once glanced at her.

In the emperor’s icy disregard, everyone realized clearly—Great Hui’s imperial harem had indeed changed.

—Had Fang Yue been present, he would have mused that his earlier intuition had been correct.

From the moment the young mistress stepped down from the emperor’s carriage with a smile that day in Nanqiong, a shift had begun—one that would reshape Great Hui’s imperial harem, or perhaps even the court’s future.

Soon, the ceremony ended, and the banquet began, accompanied by music and performances. However, as A Wu was pregnant, overly boisterous activities were avoided, and only soft melodies were selected.

The imperial consorts came forward one after another to offer congratulations, but by then, A Wu was weary.

The Jingxi Emperor asked considerately, "Weary? If so, you may retreat to rest."

A Wu nodded hurriedly. "I am rather weary."

The Jingxi Emperor said, "Very well. I’ll walk you back."

Since the emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort withdrew first, the guests rose to see them off. The banquet continued, temporarily hosted by Consort Zhuang.

On the way back, A Wu was supposed to ride in her own carriage, but the Jingxi Emperor insisted on her riding with him.

A Wu: "Wouldn’t this go against palace rules?"

The Jingxi Emperor took hold of her wrist and turned his head to look at her: "Noble Consort Ning, according to the harem regulations, you may accompany me on the imperial dragon carriage."

A Wu paused briefly, then smiled: "Alright."

She had forgotten she was already a noble consort!

The two of them boarded the carriage, and once inside, she was genuinely tired and leaned against the Jingxi Emperor.

The Jingxi Emperor gently held her hand with his long fingers: "Did De Ning ruin your good mood today?"

A Wu remained silent for a while before replying: "What if I said no—would you believe me?"

The Jingxi Emperor smiled: "That’s good then."

A Wu struggled to put her feelings into words. She knew De Ning was standing up for Consort Kang’s grievances, and behind that was her rapid ascent, her shortcut that had directly overshadowed Consort Kang.

This meant she had now become someone Princess De Ning resented.

Who was Princess De Ning? A princess of the highest pedigree, heaven’s favored child.

And she? The one they called "not fit for polite company."

She still remembered kneeling at the Crown Princess’s doorstep upon receiving the imperial decree, the noblewoman who’d swept past her with a scornful laugh.

In her eyes, that had been someone far beyond her reach, someone she would forever envy.

Now, that very person was seething with resentment toward what she had gained.

In that sense, she had succeeded.

But she didn’t harbor much hostility toward Princess De Ning—just a temperamental child. Even if directed at her, she could understand.

So she took little satisfaction, only detached calm.

In truth, if Princess De Ning hadn’t stood up for her mother, there would have been no real conflict between them. A daughter and a concubine—how could they even be compared?

Moreover, through this incident, A Wu finally understood why the Jingxi Emperor had been gradual in promoting her. Rising too fast would only draw criticism, and though authority could suppress it, discontent would linger.

The Jingxi Emperor spoke: "There’s something I want to ask you."

A Wu: "Hmm?"

The Jingxi Emperor: "I remember once giving you a collection of small trinkets—intricately carved jade pieces. I haven’t seen you wear them since."

A Wu was surprised: "Ah..."

She hadn’t thought he would notice.

The Jingxi Emperor turned his head, his tea-colored eyes gentle but insistent: "Did De Ning say something?"

A Wu: "W-well, not exactly..."

She didn’t want to make things worse for the girl—after all, she was his own daughter.

The Jingxi Emperor looked at her, his gaze sharpening slightly: "I want the truth."

A Wu: "...Princess De Ning mentioned this matter, but she didn’t say much. A Wu doesn’t mind, so she didn’t think it necessary to bring it up."

After she finished speaking, the Jingxi Emperor remained silent, silently gazing at her.

A Wu sensed it and looked up, falling into those tea-colored eyes.

She gazed at him dazedly: "Your Majesty..."

The Jingxi Emperor leaned slightly closer, his long fingers gently tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear before whispering softly, "Why didn’t you tell us?"