Chapter 273: Volume 1 Chapter 273 Seizing Power

Although the coronation ceremony for the Empress has not yet been formally held, the Empress's golden seal has already been delivered to Yuzhao Gong. When she entered Funing Palace, the palace attendants immediately bowed and said, "We pay our respects, Empress."

Rong Luoge gave a slight nod, lifted her foot, and walked straight into the main hall of Funing Palace. Funing Palace was no different to her than usual, but now that she held the title of Empress, facing the Empress Dowager again, she indeed felt confident.

Otherwise, why does everyone want to become Empress?

Because the Empress is the ruler of the Six Palaces.

If the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had a deep mother‑son bond, the Empress's authority would likely be stripped repeatedly, but the Empress Dowager's relationship with the Emperor is rather distant. When Rong Luoge was Noble Consort, she was not afraid of the Empress Dowager, let alone now that she has become Empress.

Yan Yin hurried out of the sleeping hall, and upon seeing the Empress, she bowed and said, "I, your servant, pay my respects, Empress."

Rong Luoge stopped in her tracks and said, "Aunt Yan Yin, no need for formalities. Rise. I have heard that the Empress Dowager has fainted, and I came especially to visit. How is the Empress Dowager now?"

Yan Yin's face flushed with anxiety. The Empress Dowager fainted in shock and anger because Noble Consort Rong became Empress Rong, but she could not say that, so she saved face for the Empress Dowager: "The Empress Dowager is much better now; these past days she has been worrying over the selection ceremony, and the overthinking caused her fainting. Empress, rest assured, the Imperial Physician has taken her pulse and she is fine."

Rong Luoge listened to Yan Yin's words, sighed lightly and said, "Originally the selection matters should have been handled by me, but I am currently in confinement, which caused the Empress Dowager to be overburdened. I did not expect the Empress Dowager to become so exhausted; how can I explain this to His Majesty? I will first go to visit the Empress Dowager, then report my guilt to you."

Yan Yin's heart trembled, and she immediately said, "Empress, the Empress Dowager is still sleeping; it is not appropriate for visitors now."

Rong Luoge's stepping foot withdrew again, and looking at Yan Yin's worried face she asked, "Is the Empress Dowager truly fine? Since the Imperial Physician has examined her, why hasn't she awakened yet?"

"The Imperial Physician said the Empress Dowager is over‑exerted and needs proper rest; once she sleeps well she will naturally wake up," Yan Yin hurriedly replied.

Rong Luoge sighed lightly, "Had I known that the selection matters would cause the Empress Dowager such hardship, I should not have let her take over in the first place; it is all my fault. Now that the Empress Dowager has fallen ill from exhaustion, I feel deeply guilty and uneasy. Aunt Yan Yin, when the Empress Dowager recovers, please tell her to rest and recuperate properly. I will arrange the selection matters appropriately and will not let the Empress Dowager suffer again."

Yan Yin was shocked; the Empress was about to seize the selection authority from the Empress Dowager, yet she had previously claimed that the Empress Dowager fainted because of the selection. To now deny that would be biting her own words.

While she was racking her brain to cover up for the Empress Dowager, the Empress had already turned and left decisively.

Yan Yin hurriedly caught up, "Empress…"

Rong Luoge stopped, looked at Yan Yin and said, "Aunt Yan Yin, I know you have always worried about the Empress Dowager's health. Rest assured, this time I will not let the Empress Dowager be burdened again; just focus on proper convalescence. No matter what precious medicines the Empress Dowager needs, you can obtain them from the Imperial Hospital, and if anything is still lacking, Aunt Yan Yin can come to Yuzhao Gong to find me."

Yan Yin saw that the Empress's words, both overt and hidden, were entirely about the Empress Dowager's health, and realized the Empress intended to seize power completely, leaving no room for compromise.

Yan Yin's complexion turned pale; knowing she could not stop it, she could only watch helplessly as the Empress strode away.

Indeed, Noble Consort Rong being elevated to Empress should have been a cause for great joy, but the Empress Dowager's shocked fainting made anyone feel uneasy.

The Empress does harbor some resentment.

Yan Yin worried, how should she explain this to the Empress Dowager?

She feared that once the Empress Dowager learned of it, she would faint again!

After returning to Yuzhao Gong, Rong Luoge immediately ordered Rong Xin and Que Cai to take over the selection matters, one to Yurui Palace and the other to Madam Zhen Shen's side. Additionally, Rong Luoge sent Xuan Hui to summon Xu Shuyuan.

After finishing these tasks, she finally had time to hold her son; the little fellow's tiny arms and legs were especially strong, often kicking off his swaddle, and he could not be left alone for a moment.

Rong Luoge held him, and he kicked her foot through the swaddle; she laughed and said, "When you grow up, I'll spank your butt."

Kangkang cooed and babbled, as if responding, and Rong Luoge felt even happier.

Xu Shuyuan arrived quickly, entered and bowed, "Concubine Xu pays her respects to the Empress, congratulations, congratulations."

Who in the harem would be happiest that Noble Consort Rong has become Empress?

Undoubtedly it would be Xu Shuyuan; she is a direct follower of the Empress, and the more stable the Empress, the happier she is.

"Sit," Rong Luoge said with a smile, looking at Xu Shuyuan. "I called you over because I have a task for you."

Xu Shuyuan pursed her lips and smiled, "Is it about the selection matters, Empress?"

Rong Luoge gave a slight nod.

After hearing the news of the Empress Dowager's fainting, Xu Shuyuan realized in her own Guanju Palace that things were not good. Noble Consort Rong may seem easy‑going, but she never backs down when faced with a problem.

She had just ascended to the Empress's position, and the Empress Dowager fainted; if this got out, what would happen?

"Just give me your orders, Empress," Xu Shuyuan said immediately.

"The Empress Dowager fainted from overexertion due to the selection matters. Since I have already left confinement, I naturally cannot let the Empress Dowager continue to worry; otherwise I would be an unfilial daughter‑in‑law. I have taken over the selection matters, and you should now go to Yurui Palace to oversee the overall situation."

Xu Shuyuan knew the Empress was formidable, but did not expect the Empress to be this powerful!

This is a direct seizure of the Empress Dowager's authority, and she was thrilled. Previously, the Empress Dowager would deliberately have her and Madam Zhen Shen check each other, and because she served the Empress, the Empress Dowager often gave her trouble. Now she finally can hold her head high.

"The Empress's filial devotion moves me deeply, Concubine. As you said, the Empress Dowager is advanced in years and cannot endure labor; I am willing to serve the Empress and the Empress Dowager wholeheartedly," Xu Shuyuan immediately stood and declared, "I will go to Yurui Palace at once."

Rong Luoge nodded with satisfaction; Xu Shuyuan indeed acted in a way that won her favor. "After you go to Yurui Palace, you must clearly explain the Empress Dowager's current health condition to all the selected girls so they need not worry. The selection matters should proceed as usual, still following the rules the Empress Dowager previously established."

Xu Shuyuan understood the Empress's meaning—that this was a trap for Madam Zhen Shen—and immediately said, "Empress, rest assured, Concubine will arrange everything perfectly."

Rong Luoge nodded, looked at Xu Shuyuan and said, "If Miss Su is to visit the Empress Dowager, you must not hinder her; you must escort her there yourself and then bring her back properly."

Xu Shuyuan was stunned; the Empress intended to personally supervise Su Ying and the Empress Dowager, so that the aunt and niece could not whisper to each other?