Chapter 290: Favored in the Inner Palace (1)

The midday sun shone with such blinding intensity that it made one's eyes swim, yet at this moment, Qingfeng's mind was remarkably clear. She kept her head slightly bowed, allowing Yan Hongtian to lead her along. His pace was not fast, but every step he took landed heavily on the ground. Though their hands were clasped, both were ice-cold. The pressure in his palm made Qingfeng feel a sting, though not enough to bruise her; she could vividly sense the chilling, icy rage radiating from Yan Hongtian.

The two returned to Qingfeng Hall in silence. Qingfeng had expected Yan Hongtian to interrogate her about today's events and had been calculating in her mind how to exonerate herself. However, the moment they reached the entrance, Yan Hongtian abruptly released her hand. He did not say a single word, did not even look her in the eye, and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment."

Why did she call out to him? To speak up for Zhen Zhen? She could barely protect herself, and she wasn't that noble. To say she didn't want him to bestow the title of consort upon her? Wasn't competing for favor and power to avoid being bullied exactly what she had been plotting for? In truth, the moment the words left her lips, Qingfeng regretted them, but it was too late now. Yan Hongtian's black eyes, colder and more profound than ever, were already locked onto her.

A slight chill ran down Qingfeng's spine. Secretly taking a deep breath, she raised her voice and said, "This concubine has something to show the Emperor." Yan Hongtian's expression was grim, yet he turned and entered Qingfeng Hall.

"Go and get the painting." Qingfeng hurriedly instructed Fuling, but she did not stop her own pace, following closely behind Yan Hongtian into the room. She knew he was not to be trifled with at this moment.

"Yes." Fuling dared not delay, retrieved the mounted scroll, and hurried back to the inner chamber. Inside the room, the Emperor sat upright in the seat of honor, and her mistress stood quietly to the side. Fuling naturally dared not look directly at the Imperial countenance, but the oppressive aura was already making it difficult for her to breathe.

"Open it."

Hearing Qingfeng's words, Fuling hurriedly opened the scroll in her hands. Because the mounted scroll was over a person's height and more than a zhang long, Fuling struggled to hold it. Gao Jin stepped forward to help her pull one side of the scroll, slowly unfurling it before Yan Hongtian.

"You painted this?" The low, deep question held no hint of pleasure or anger. Qingfeng secretly observed Yan Hongtian's expression and replied in a low voice, "Yes."

Yan Hongtian did not ask her anything else, his black eyes coldly scanning the painting before him, his face expressionless.

The moment the scroll was unfurled, Gao Jin couldn't help but take a glance, secretly marveling in his heart. He had long heard that the Qing sisters were proficient in all the arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and that Qingfeng's calligraphy and paintings were worth a thousand pieces of gold. He believed Qingfeng's work must be a masterpiece, but he had guessed that a woman's painting would likely be of flowers, birds, insects, or fish. He had not expected to see a magnificent and expansive landscape of towering peaks and ridges. Amidst the ethereal clouds and mist, the majestic mountains stretched for ten thousand li, like azure dragons in the clouds or divine flood dragons in the sea. Under the wash of ink, the misty clouds between the mountains seemed as if they might drift off the paper at any moment. The unrestrained brushwork, the casual application of ink, and the majestic aura did not look at all like the work of a young woman. Qingfeng truly lived up to her reputation. The Emperor would surely like this painting.

Qingfeng had always been confident in her painting. Seeing Yan Hongtian staring at the scroll for a long time without speaking, she did not feel nervous and asked in a low voice, "What does the Emperor think?"

"Good." Yan Hongtian tossed out a single word. Though he offered no particular praise, his expression was clearly more relaxed.

Qingfeng thought for a moment before saying, "This concubine also likes it very much, especially these layers of miasma. The mountains are always there; how much one can see depends on how much miasma is in one's eyes." Qingfeng spoke neither lightly nor heavily. Yan Hongtian's expression remained unchanged, while Gao Jin secretly thought, *This is bad. *

"Do you think I have been blinded by miasma?" Yan Hongtian seemed to still be admiring the painting, but his casual question was laced with a chilling aura. Qingfeng's heart tightened, but she did not intend to fall silent. "The Emperor would naturally not be obstructed by mere miasma. This concubine is merely worried that the living creatures in the mountains are blinded by the miasma and cannot see where the heavens truly are." Qingfeng knew that saying this today was undoubtedly pulling whiskers from a tiger's mouth, but she couldn't help but say it. It wasn't to plead for Zhen Zhen, nor to squeeze out the Empress, but simply because of that trace of restlessness—or perhaps... resentment—in her heart that she herself couldn't quite fathom.

"Then, can you see clearly where the heavens are?" Yan Hongtian suddenly stood up, his cold, deep gaze falling directly upon her. It lacked its usual sinister edge, yet it pierced her heart like a sharp blade. He did not grab her hand or choke her neck as he had before, yet Qingfeng felt as if she were nailed to the ground, unable to move or speak.

"It would be best if you used your cleverness in the right place." The low, cold words sounded like both a warning and a reminder. Not until Yan Hongtian had left the courtyard did Qingfeng recover from her trance. She stumbled slightly; the moment she had met his gaze just now, she had almost thought she would stop breathing.

Fuling hurried over to support Qingfeng. Her mistress's palms were covered in sweat, and her face was a pale, sickly green. Fuling said anxiously, "Mistress, sit down quickly."

After catching her breath for a long time, Qingfeng replied softly, "I'm fine." Yan Hongtian's cold expression today was more heart-wrenching than any of his previous outbursts. In the morning, he had been reassuring; at noon, he had been disappointing; and now, he was confusing and terrifying. She began to feel that she truly did not understand this man at all.

After that day, the inner palace was not peaceful, but Yan Hongtian did not come to Qingfeng Hall again, and no one came to cause trouble. Qingfeng spent a few days in peace. Perhaps because of her pregnancy, Qingfeng had been very sleepy lately; it was nearly noon before she finally woke up.

"Mistress, Mistress!"

As Qingfeng was eating the bird's nest porridge Fuling had just brought, Lan'er's joyful shouts came from outside. Lan'er's delicate figure ran in like a gust of wind. Seeing her panting for breath with flushed pink cheeks, Qingfeng couldn't help but laugh. "Where did this sparrow come from, chirping so early in the morning?"

Seeing that Qingfeng was in a good mood today, Lan'er grew bolder and laughed, "Lan'er is not a sparrow; I am a magpie! I've come specifically to bring you good news, Mistress."

Qingfeng smiled slightly and asked casually, "What has made you so happy?"

"This servant heard from the people at Ganyang Hall that the Imperial decree for bestowing the title of consort has already been drafted. The decree will be announced before all the officials at this morning's court session, naming you as Consort Qing. The Imperial Household Department is busy preparing the rewards; I expect they will be here to announce the decree shortly!"

Qingfeng's hand, holding the spoon, paused. She had calmed down and thought about it these past few days. Yan Hongtian's insistence on announcing the title at the Empress's residence was, first, to balance the forces in the inner palace, and second, to intimidate and humiliate the Xin clan behind the Empress. Given this, making her a consort was inevitable for Yan Hongtian. She had only heard news of opposition to her title in the past few days and had thought the matter would be delayed until after the celebration. It seemed she had underestimated Yan Hongtian. The corners of her mouth lifted, and Qingfeng smiled. "That truly is good news. Fuling, reward this little magpie who brought the news."

"Thank you, Mistress!" Lan'er beamed. It wasn't because of the reward money; her own mistress was so favored and had now been named a consort. If she gave birth to a prince in the future, even the Empress would likely have to yield three points to her mistress. She would finally be able to hold her head high in this palace.

"The Imperial decree has arrived." Just as they were laughing, a shout mixed with the sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears. Lan'er excitedly ran out the door, and Fuling helped Qingfeng out of the inner chamber.

In the main hall, Wang Lixin was already waiting outside. Seeing Qingfeng emerge, he said loudly, "Qingfeng, receive the decree."

Fuling helped Qingfeng kneel halfway on the ground. Wang Lixin hurriedly stepped forward holding the Imperial decree and read, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Qingfeng is virtuous and capable, her demeanor is dignified and generous, and she is truly a model for the inner palace. Now that she carries the Imperial seed, she is hereby named Consort Qing, ranking at the head of the Four Consorts. Bestowed: fifty bolts of brocade, fifty bolts of silk, five hundred taels of gold, four pairs of jade Ruyi, four pairs of jasper bracelets, two pairs of gold hairpins, two pieces of red coral, and ten servants. Thus it is decreed."

Head of the Four Consorts? Consort Shu had passed away, and Consort Hui had been deposed; now, only she, the newly titled "Consort Qing," remained. Yan Hongtian had certainly set her up as a prominent target. "I thank the Emperor for his great grace." With a graceful bow, Qingfeng accepted the golden Imperial decree and slowly stood up. She had barely steadied herself when Wang Lixin immediately knelt on both knees, performed a grand kowtow, and shouted loudly, "This servant pays his respects to Consort Qing. May the Consort live for a thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand years." Behind him followed ten young palace maids, all obediently lowering their heads. The trays they held were filled with various Imperial treasures. They also hurriedly knelt and shouted in unison, "May the Consort live for a thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand years!"

"May the Consort live for a thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand years!" The palace maids and eunuchs who originally served Qingfeng also joined in the chorus. For a moment, the servants of Qingfeng Hall were kneeling all over the floor. The repeated shouts of "ten thousand years" made Qingfeng frown slightly. She replied languidly, "You may all rise. Fuling, give the rewards."

"Yes." Fuling handed a large bag of silver to Lan'er, signaling her to take it out and distribute it among the servants. Lan'er took it with a grin. The new palace maids set down the items they were holding one by one and quietly retreated.

The last palace maid to leave suddenly looked up and winked at Fuling as she passed. Fuling was stunned for a moment. Was she... Lanzhi from the laundry bureau?

Once everyone had retreated, Wang Lixin stepped forward and said softly, "The Emperor says he will come to dine tonight."

Qingfeng glanced at him. Fuling understandingly took a stack of gold leaves from her waist and gently tucked them into Wang Lixin's hand. Wang Lixin was startled. "I dare not, I dare not. In the future, if the Consort's palace lacks anything, just send someone to tell this servant, and I will certainly prepare it properly for you." When Qingfeng had first entered the palace, he had called her an ugly monster. This time, when he came to announce the decree, his heart had been hanging in his throat. With her current status, she could crush him with a flick of her finger. As long as the Consort didn't make things difficult for him, he would be burning incense to thank the gods; how could he dare to accept her reward!

Qingfeng chuckled and said, "In the future, I will have many occasions to trouble you, Eunuch." Her laughter was very light, but Wang Lixin trembled all over. He feared that if he didn't accept it today, he would truly offend her. After hesitating for a moment, Wang Lixin reached out and took the gold leaves from Fuling's hand, replying respectfully, "Thank you for the reward, Consort." Qingfeng said nothing more and waved her hand slightly. Wang Lixin retreated.

The main hall was not small, but it was now packed full of silk, satin, gold, and jade. Looking at the room filled with glittering treasures, Qingfeng felt an inexplicable sense of irritation. As she walked toward the inner chamber, she said, "Fuling, have someone move all these things away immediately."

(End of chapter)