Chapter 50

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Does Your Majesty wish to take this subject to the Qian Dian to meet the various sisters of the Huang Hou?"

On the first day the New Consort ascended to her position, she was to greet the various people of the Huang Hou with her new identity.

This was standard procedure; Shen Yao rose, letting Qiu Yue bring people to change her into the Red Palace Robe that only the Empress could wear.

The bright red color looked somewhat vulgar and aging; if it couldn't be carried off, it easily made one's complexion look poor.

But fortunately Shen Yao herself was not bad-looking, and with sufficient power and status to nourish her, she now looked even more dewy and vibrant than when she had first entered the palace; a single glance made people reluctant to look away.

Xiao Yanchen gazed fixedly at Shen Yao, then stroked his chin and thought for a moment, "We will send you there, but Front Court affairs are busy; We fear We cannot keep you company for long."

This was not that Xiao Yanchen did not want to back Shen Yao up; it was truly that time did not permit.

For this investiture ceremony to be completed perfectly, Xiao Yanchen had postponed quite a few Morning Court matters behind the scenes.

Those matters were now all written in memorials, stacked densely on the long table in the center of the Tai Ji Hall Study, waiting for Xiao Yanchen to return and handle them.

Xiao Yanchen could not continue to delay; otherwise the Front Court ministers would certainly continue to submit petitions urging him.

It would not do for Shen Yao's side to have no issues, while he turned around and indirectly dragged her down.

Shen Yao smiled and nodded, "Your Majesty is busy with affairs; this subject can manage here."

Besides, it was not as if she had never seen these Huang Hou consorts before; it was only that compared to her previous status as Noble Consort, she had now become the Empress.

Facing the open palm spread before her, Shen Yao placed her hand upon it.

Xiao Yanchen clenched his grip on Shen Yao's hand, and the two raised their steps, bypassing the palace attendants performing salutes, heading straight for the Qian Dian.

The New Consort's first appearance — not only did Shen Yao value it, but the consorts coming to pay their respects also attached great importance to it.

Every single one wore brand-new attire and appeared in the center of the Dian Dian; seeing Shen Yao emerge from the Inner Room, they hurriedly saluted and offered greetings.

"This concubine/subject pays respects to His Majesty and the Empress."

"Exempt from salute; be seated."

Because they did not know Xiao Yanchen would also appear, the crowd in the Dian Dian was first startled, then delighted; as they rose and moved about, some unavoidable commotion arose.

There were even bold ones who used their peripheral vision to constantly size up Xiao Yanchen, hoping to seize the chance to leave an impression on him, and thus lay groundwork for vying for favor in the future.

Shen Yao: ……

Shen Yao calmly watched the scene before her, feeling quite the delight of a melon-eating onlooker.

Anyway, regarding her husband being fought over, Shen Yao had no feeling whatsoever.

After all, her husband's identity was special; even if Shen Yao had the inclination, she could not think to monopolize the Huang Hou's favor — that would not be acting as Empress, but as a Demon Consort.

Hmph, a Demon Consort is no good reputation; Shen Yao felt that with her current strength, honestly continuing as Empress would give her a way out; why bother going off the beaten path?

As for these Huang Hou consorts wanting to vie for favor, let them each rely on their own abilities; we'll see who ultimately comes out on top and gains His Majesty's favor.

However, judging from the current situation, Xiao Yanchen's interest in them is not great.

After all, what woman has Xiao Yanchen not seen? Shen Yao completely opened the situation through offspring; others wanting to walk this path would find the difficulty very high.

Earlier, when Xiao Yanchen was in the Inner Room, he had said he had government affairs to handle.

So after briefly greeting everyone, he left immediately.

Of course, before leaving, Xiao Yanchen did not forget to whisper a few sweet words to Shen Yao, causing the others to look on with envy, deeply jealous of this colleague who was once the same as them but had now transformed into the master.

Shen Yao: ……

"This subject respectfully sees His Majesty off."

"This concubine/subject respectfully sees His Majesty off."

Xiao Yanchen's back disappeared into the Fengyi Palace Dian Dian; the others withdrew their gazes and gradually came back to their senses.

They had not forgotten that they came today to congratulate the Empress on her new joy; they were not here to cause the Empress displeasure for no reason and bring trouble upon themselves.

Clever ones had already switched mindsets, putting on smiling faces to congratulate the New Empress.

The others naturally would not be outdone; you say the Empress's complexion is excellent, I say the Empress is dignified and imposing.

The main theme was simply going with the flow; they can't win a fight, so what else can they do?

Shen Yao sat at the head, smiling as she listened to everyone's flattery, then waved her hand signaling for quiet.

"This Palace has a new joy; all you younger sisters share in the joy. These are a token of this Palace's intent; please do not disdain them, younger sisters."

Having spoken, Shen Yao signaled Qiu Yue beside her to raise her hand.

Qiu Yue raised both hands before her and clapped lightly; a group of palace attendants carrying trays entered from outside.

The palace attendants placed the trays before everyone, simultaneously displaying the items on the trays.

Jade bracelets, gold hairpins, ear pendants, step-shake ornaments…

Shen Yao had Qiu Yue prepare different gifts for each person according to their individual characteristics.

These gifts had varied functions, but were uniformly grounded in the word "precious."

To avoid giving people cause for gossip, Shen Yao had expended no small effort.

But now seeing everyone's expressions, Shen Yao nodded in satisfaction; good, good — it seems the gifts sent were very much to their liking.

She did not expect to buy off these consorts with a few small favors.

Shen Yao only hoped they would be sensible, especially during this period of her new ascension, and keep quiet.

After the gifts were given, there was more "good news."

Shen Yao immediately announced that His Majesty would hold a Grand Investiture of the Six Palaces in half a month.

"All you younger sisters are veterans of the Huang Hou; taking this opportunity, let those who should be promoted be promoted, and share in the joy."

She did not emphasize that these were the result of her own efforts, but all the benefits the others received came from Shen Yao's investiture ceremony.

The wedding guests, stunned by the good news:... Wow

Where else could they fail to understand the Empress's veiled meaning? As long as they were obedient and well-behaved and caused no trouble, the Empress would continue to look after them.

Then why not give it a try?

The imperial consorts who had originally wanted to compete for favor changed their minds instantly; after all, compared to competing for the Emperor's favor, it was easier to curry favor with the Empress.

Voices of thanks rose and fell, all sincere gratitude toward Shen Yao.

Shen Yao smiled on her face and openly accepted this flattery from subordinates to a superior.

This was what she deserved; otherwise, once the Emperor spoke, it would surely be delayed for several years.

The greeting did not last long, because Shen Yao had just become Empress and had many things to do; greeting these consorts in the harem was merely the most insignificant of trivial matters.

She had Qiu Yue send the guests away, and Shen Yao returned to the inner room to begin processing the household accounts sent by the Imperial Household Department.

Feudal society had no such thing as wedding leave; she had become Empress yesterday and had to work today.

She resignedly opened the first page of the accounts, but before Shen Yao could read the recorded content, Qiu Yue, who had seen the guests out, returned.

"Your Majesty, for this Grand Investiture of the Six Palaces, how should Shuyi, who is confined in Cuiwei Palace, be arranged? Is she also promoted one rank like the others?"

Wouldn't that be a bit problematic? After all, it was the Emperor who issued the decree to confine her, and the matter of Noble Consort Zhou back then caused a huge uproar.

Shuyi... Shuyi was one of those in the know, while the party involved, Zhao Yunyue, had long been a corpse in the grave.

Qiu Yue scratched her head; she had originally thought to ask about this later, but just now she remembered that the Imperial Household Department had been busy recently, and if they did not arrange it early, the corresponding auspicious robes could not be made in time, and then it would still be the matter of Fengyi Palace.

Since the Grand Investiture of the Six Palaces was proposed by her own mistress, if the follow-up was not handled well, the error would surely be recorded on her own mistress's head.

Shen Yao looked at Qiu Yue in surprise; if Qiu Yue had not suddenly mentioned Shuyi, Shen Yao would have forgotten that there was such a person in the harem.

Indeed, Shuyi had been confined for more than two years, ignored in Cuiwei Palace.

For this Grand Investiture of the Six Palaces, the Emperor's decree was to invest the entire harem; although Shuyi of Cuiwei Palace was confined, she was essentially still an imperial consort of the Emperor, and strictly speaking by the rules, she could be invested.

But everything has exceptions.

Shen Yao touched her chin, pondered for a moment, and gave Qiu Yue an answer: "First have Shuyi's auspicious robe made; this palace will find an opportunity to ask the Emperor."

This matter should be worried about by the Emperor; who made him the one who confined her.

Let go? Looking at the outcome of Zhou Ningyan and Zhao Yunyue both passing away, it definitely could not be; presumably, after a long time, the Emperor would relax surveillance on Shuyi.

After all, she was a woman who had shared several years of affection; Xiao Yanchen could not be heartless forever.

Besides, Shuyi's maternal clan, the Qian clan, had already been wiped out along with the Zheng family back then.

Now Shuyi had no maternal clan left, a person confined in Cuiwei Palace with no one to rely on; if Xiao Yanchen went so far as to exterminate her completely, he would truly have no good reputation.

After figuring out these twists and turns in her mind, Shen Yao could probably guess Xiao Yanchen's plan for dealing with Shuyi.

Sigh.

Indeed, managing the harem was troublesome; either considering this or worrying about that.

No wonder those in power were not very happy all day; if it were someone else, they would also have to be able to be happy.

She made a hand gesture for Qiu Yue to go busy herself, and Shen Yao lowered her head to bury herself in the accounts in her hands.

Busy like this, by the time Shen Yao reacted, the sky outside had already turned dark.

Mm, is it this late?

Shen Yao blanked out for a moment, put down the pen and ink in her hand, and then reached out to rub her sore shoulders and wrists.

Qiu Yue had already prepared the late dinner and at the same time informed Shen Yao that the Emperor would come later.

"Did the Emperor say anything else?"

Logically speaking, during the first three days of marriage he would come early, but Xiao Yanchen not only did not come early, but even delayed his return time.

If she had not known that Xiao Yanchen had poured out his true feelings to her last night, Shen Yao would have suspected that Xiao Yanchen was dissatisfied with her and deliberately gave her no face.

Qiu Yue shook her head; she only mentioned that the news was sent by Wei Zhu's people, saying that several ministers at court had not yet left Taiji Hall, and as for what the ministers said, Wei Zhu had professional ethics and could not reveal it casually.

"Have the small kitchen prepare some nourishing and invigorating soup; the Emperor probably won't dine when he comes."

She ate first herself; since Xiao Yanchen was off work yet, Shen Yao did not need to deliberately wait for this busy person.

She reminded Qiu Yue not to forget the small kitchen matter, and Shen Yao happily used this sumptuous meal to reward her stomach, then took a hot bath to wash away the fatigue of the whole day.

Comfortable~

Changing into a set of yellow sleepwear, Shen Yao half-squinted her eyes and lay on her side in the bedchamber, with Qiu Yue beside her constantly wiping her hair with a towel.

After finishing wiping, Qiu Yue did not forget to use a wooden comb to comb out Shen Yao's hair, trying to make it dry faster, and also took out sandalwood cream to apply for maintenance.

"This palace has been busy recently and has neglected Xiao Jin and the others; have people watch them more closely on ordinary days."

"Also, having just ascended the Empress Position, there must be many people waiting to catch this palace's handle."

"If someone deliberately says nonsense in Xiao Jin and the others' ears, it cannot be easily let go; remember to strictly punish without slack."

Shen Yao opened her eyes and at the same time waved her hand to indicate Qiu Yue could let go.

Qiu Yue, seeing this, stepped back and nodded to accept what Shen Yao had instructed.

Shen Yao, who had already stood up, had a calm complexion; her loose black hair slanted over her shoulders, and after taking the wooden comb, she combed it a bit at a time herself.

Just as she was about to say something more to Qiu Yue, suddenly there was a noise at the doorway.

It was the Emperor!

She gestured for Qiu Yue to help her down from the couch; as Shen Yao went out, she pondered that the Emperor's coming time today was too late, it was the time for going to bed; could it be that the front court affairs were so busy that Xiao Yanchen had to work overtime? Truly unscientific.

Muttering in her mouth, Shen Yao's face was full of concern, and she bumped into Xiao Yanchen who had just entered the door.

Perhaps he had hurried on the road; although the weather was already warm, Xiao Yanchen's whole body still carried a trace of coldness.

"Slow down a bit, why such haste?"

Xiao Yanchen lowered his head and met Shen Yao's eyes full of concern.

The words on the tip of his tongue suddenly stopped; Xiao Yanchen shook his head with a face full of pampering, and without waiting for Shen Yao to say anything, he embraced her and brought her back to the bedchamber.

"The Emperor returned so late; Subject was worried," Shen Yao said, and she and Xiao Yanchen sat back down in the bedchamber.

"There are some matters on Morning Court that need handling; I will be busy for several more days."

"Yao'er, I may have to wrong you for a while; I should have kept you more company."

Xiao Yanchen felt some apology; he had not expected trouble to suddenly arise on Morning Court.

Left with no choice, Xiao Yanchen could only work overtime every day discussing countermeasures with the court officials.

Although nothing had yet been discussed for the time being, the matter arose too suddenly, and delaying even one day would bring trouble.

Hearing Xiao Yanchen's words, Shen Yao was thoughtful and did not ask further about state affairs; smiling, she had Qiu Yue bring up the soup the small kitchen had long prepared, saying, "Your Majesty probably did not have Late Dinner; try it and see how the taste is?"

For Xiao Yanchen, Three Meals were normal, and there was no such thing as a late-night snack.

Shen Yao did not want to disrupt Xiao Yanchen's habit, only having Qiu Yue prepare soup and some easily digestible pastries and food to eat.

Just right, it suited Xiao Yanchen's taste; Xiao Yanchen ate quickly, and in passing washed up and changed into the quilt Shen Yao had carefully prepared for him.

The young couple said little more, hurried to bed and slept; as for love words and sweet words, both sides were currently too busy with work (state affairs) to attend to these for the time being.

For several days straight, Fengyi Palace and Taiji Hall were busy to the point of not touching the ground.

It should have been a good opportunity to cultivate feelings, but both of them had turned it into a workday routine.

Finding an opportunity, Shen Yao finally asked about the outcome concerning Imperial Consort Shu.

It differed little from what was expected; Xiao Yanchen ultimately let Imperial Consort Shu go, defaulting to Imperial Consort Shu among those imperial consorts being promoted in rank.

However, the crime Imperial Consort Shu committed was serious, so she still could not leave Cuiwei Palace and continued under imprisonment.

Shen Yao:... Fine, then send a letter at that time; as long as etiquette is observed.