Chapter 277: Coronation Ceremony

"What does it matter?" Han Xinglan asked.

Rong Luoge twitched the corner of her mouth, then said, "The stakes are huge; by stirring up this hatred, the newly elevated consort will surely despise me to death."

Stealing all the spotlight from others— isn't that just stoking hatred?

Han Xinglan snorted, "They dare! If they do it like that, I'll see which one is willing to die."

Rong Luoge smiled, "I'm not afraid either; if you intend to do it that way, then go ahead."

After all, she's stirred up hatred many times before; she doesn't mind doing it once more.

The point is, this way all those people will serve to highlight her as Empress, and her weight as Empress will subtly increase.

This was Han Xinglan's intention, and she naturally could not betray it.

After the imperial decree was delivered to Jade Auspicious Palace, there was a long silence.

Su Ying appointed Virtuous Consort, Kang Hualu appointed Pure Consort, Fu Shuangshu became Lady Qiongzhang, Gou Jing became Shuyi, Ruan Shihua appointed Pure Rong…

Fu Shuangshu felt very conflicted; she and Kang Hualu sat opposite each other for a while, both sighing softly, surprised by this outcome.

Fu Shuangshu smiled at Kang Hualu, "Pure Consort, please look after me more in the future."

Kang Hualu replied irritably, "Don't tease me; if there aren't only a few consort positions, you wouldn't escape either."

Fu Shuangshu didn't mind; she was on good terms with Kang Hualu, and her family had already secured a place for her on the Empress's vessel upon entering the palace, so as long as she doesn't bring trouble on herself, her days in the harem should be fine.

Han Xinglan took Rong Luoge's hand, walked side by side with her, and sat upright on the throne to receive the officials' congratulations.

Rong Luoge's phoenix seat was naturally one rank below Han Xinglan's throne, but sitting there, looking down at the court officials, felt like this.

No wonder everyone wants to be Emperor; sitting here truly gives a thrill of having the world in one's hands.

The expressions of the senior ministers in the court were observed by Rong Luoge and noted in her heart; these men were both Han Xinglan's enemies and hers.

One day, in this court, only the Emperor's word will prevail, ensuring the realm's edicts are carried out, the people are harmonious, and the populace have clothing and food.

Although the road is still long, Han Xinglan presses forward against the wind without hesitation, and she will be his right and left arm, clearing thorns together with him.

Rong Luoge returned to the harem and had to receive the consorts' homage; this time she did not refuse. Fengyi Palace had already been repainted and renovated, and the interior was rearranged entirely according to Rong Luoge's preferences.

The harem's consorts were already waiting there; Rong Luoge, supporting Rong Xin's hand, stepped onto the steps and sat on the throne.

Now, besides the Empress, the harem is led by the Four Consorts; beneath them are the Two Madams, followed by the Nine Consorts and the consorts below them.

All the consorts wore formal attire and stepped forward to bow to the Empress.

"Consort, I pay my respects to the Empress, may the Empress enjoy boundless blessings and golden peace."

Rong Luoge looked at everyone and said, "Everyone stand up; sisters, please sit and speak."

Rong Luoge could clearly see that Xu Shuyuan and others were truly happy for her, see Song Hui's forced smile, see Su Ying's insincere grin, and also see the unease and anxiety of the other newly appointed consorts.

Indeed, at this moment, everyone's position in the harem has changed, and they need to readjust.

Rong Luoge, not thinking about the usual three fires of a new official, smiled at everyone and said, "I am a person who loves peace and do not like mobilizing everyone daily for greetings; from now on, on the first and fifteenth of each month, you may come to Fengyi Palace for greetings."

When she said that, everyone was naturally shocked; they had expected Empress Rong to be ostentatious now that she sat in the Empress's seat, but they didn't expect such modesty.

Consort Xu Xianfei was the first to speak, "Empress, your generosity and compassion for us consorts are deeply appreciated; we are extremely grateful for your kindness."

Madam Mu Thus we output: Mu Guang quickly echoed, "Sister Xianfei is right; the Empress's leniency toward us is truly a blessing for the consorts; thank you, Empress."

Consort Song Hui glared at the two sycophants, her face darkening, "The Empress could never be so kind!"

She had used this trick when she was in the Eastern Palace, depriving them of any chance to encounter His Majesty; now she uses it again, and Consort Song Hui is so angry she feels like vomiting blood.

She inhaled lightly, looked at the Empress and said, "We consorts are deeply grateful for your kindness, Empress, but the harem's rules cannot be altered so easily; please rescind your decree. If this spreads, we consorts may be labeled as disrespectful of rank."

Su Ying at first didn't understand why Consort Song Hui said that, but having contended with the Empress for so many years, she surely had insight; thinking so, she also spoke, "Indeed, Empress, we consorts dare not be disrespectful; greeting you is our duty. Because you are so generous, we should be even more observant of propriety."

Rong Luoge smiled without replying; Consort Xu Xianfei watched the Empress's expression, thought for a moment, then said to the two, "Empress, you handle the affairs of the Six Palaces daily and also tend to the young prince; you are already so busy, we cannot further disturb you; in my view, meeting on the first and fifteenth is just right."

"The young prince at this age indeed needs caretakers; Empress, you work hard. Moreover, your diligence makes you consider our daily greetings; we are willing to share your burdens and obey your commands," Madam Mu Thus we output: Mu Guang said.

Kang Hualu and Fu Shuangshu exchanged a glance; they had just entered the palace and were still unclear about what was happening, but they remembered their family's admonitions: only the Pure Consort had not yet spoken, and she thought before speaking, "I think Consort Xu Xianfei and Madam Mu Thus we output: Mu Guang make sense; we should follow the Empress's phoenix decree."

Kang Hualu's remark neither implied excessive familiarity with the Empress nor hostility toward Su Ying and the others; by saying "follow the phoenix decree," she affirmed the Empress's status and said nothing more.

However, precisely because of Kang Hualu's words, it pitted Consort Song Hui against Consort Su De, and she asked, "Are you rebelling against the Empress's phoenix decree?"

When she spoke, Ruan Shurong's mouth, which had just opened, snapped shut again, her brows slightly furrowed; this was only the first day, and she hadn't expected such a scene.

She now knows she is merely Shurong; whatever she says is of little use, she sighs inwardly and simply shuts her mouth.

It was just that she hadn't heard of this rumored Empress; even though she grew up in Zhuangzi, even if she once left, sitting on the Empress's throne is certainly no accident.

Rong Luoge glanced at Kang Hualu, pondering that the people Han Xinglan allied with seemed reliable; it seemed the Kang family had certainly informed Kang Hualu beforehand.