Chapter 40

This was all so wrong—absolutely wrong—that it was Ning Zhaorou, the young lady of the Hou Mansion, who was to enter the palace, not the An girl from the Minister’s household as had been said before.

The consorts stared down at the bowed An Yunwei.

An Yunwei hadn’t quite registered what was happening. By the time those few words above were finished, it was already decided by the Empress Dowager that Ning Zhaorou would enter the palace.

What was laughable was that, except for the Empress Dowager and the Princess Royal, it seemed no one else noticed.

And what about Ning Zhaorou herself? Did she not realize?

The gentle smile on An Yunwei’s face faded slightly, but she didn’t look at Ning Zhaorou, as if those words had nothing to do with her.

“Empress Dowager favors the gentle young ladies, but we do not agree,” said Consort Shu, the first to make a playful remark. She stepped forward and took Ning Zhaorou’s hand, carefully inspecting it without any hint of malice. “But His Majesty has not taken a new consort for a long time. Now that the Empress Dowager wishes to grant Ning Zhaorou to His Majesty, what do you think His Majesty will say…?”

His Majesty would hardly agree so easily.

Even though An Yunwei’s situation had been known in the palace for some time, His Majesty never gave a clear decree, let alone accept a new consort chosen by the Empress Dowager on his own.

Seeing Consort Shu speak first, Consort Liang forced a smile and said, “Yes, Your Majesty, this has never been brought before His Majesty. If His Majesty does not like her, wouldn’t that only trouble Ning Zhaorou?”

The Empress Dowager’s face, which had been bright moments ago, now showed a few signs of displeasure. She said coldly, “I am merely giving the emperor a consort. You are just unhappy inside. What right do you have to oppose me?”

“We dare not…” The consorts immediately knelt.

“Fine, if you all say so, then summon the emperor here and see if he agrees.” The Empress Dowager ordered a palace maid to fetch the emperor.

Ning Zhaorou stood beside the Empress Dowager, looking somewhat lost but obedient enough. She answered honestly whatever the Empress Dowager asked.

The palace maid soon returned, and it was nearly noon—time for the emperor to arrive.

Yin Mingyu entered the hall dressed in a black dragon robe. His tall figure stepped over the threshold, the embroidered gold patterns on his robe radiating a majestic dignity. His handsome face and amber-clear eyes made him seem somewhat aloof at this moment. He wore a golden crown, his black hair tied up, with a golden belt at his waist, from which hung a jade pendant.

Everyone in the hall stood as one, their salutations echoing throughout the chamber.

Yin Mingyu walked directly to the throne, raised his sharp eyebrows slightly, and said, “You may rise.”

Ning Zhaorou straightened slightly and stood beside the Empress Dowager. When everyone was standing, the Empress Dowager gently pulled her wrist forward until she stood before the emperor.

Yin Mingyu’s expression was indifferent as he casually sized up the young lady standing before him, then tilted his head and asked, “Mother, what is the meaning of this?”

This was clearly a scene everyone knew well—a performance. Yet the emperor acted as if he did not recognize Ning Zhaorou at all.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, “I see this girl is obedient and pleasing. She is not yet married, so I thought to bring her into the palace as a consort for you. What do you think?”

Yin Mingyu remained silent for a moment.

The consorts around him all held their breath, fearing he might accept.

Ning Zhaorou kept her face lowered. From his angle, he could see her uneasy, trembling eyelashes and those rosy lips he had kissed countless times.

“Today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Why are you bringing a consort to your son on this day?”

The Empress Dowager said nothing more to him. “Since it is my birthday banquet, you ought to fulfill my wish.”

“As Your Majesty says, your son will comply.”

Ning Zhaorou’s fingers trembled slightly. She instinctively looked up and met Yin Mingyu’s gaze. The rising heat in his eyes seemed to burn her completely. Realizing it late, she quickly avoided his stare, her fingers brushing the hem of her dress as she gently rubbed it.

So — His Majesty agreed.

Everyone’s hearts sank, as if falling endlessly. Especially Consort Liang, who looked at Ning Zhaorou’s figure with disgust, as if she had swallowed a worm alive.

What was this? The woman who previously bullied her daughter and caused a fuss now was to enter the palace as His Majesty’s consort? Her daughter would have to call this woman “Your Highness”?

The Empress Dowager clapped her hands and laughed lightly.

“Yao Yu Palace was recently cleaned and is just now free for her to live in. But as for her rank…”

The Empress Dowager paused, seemingly considering what rank would suit Ning Zhaorou.

The legitimate daughter of the Hou Mansion—by reputation, that was something, but that was mainly because of the merits of the Ning family ancestors that the current Anping Marquis inherited his title. The Marquis himself was not outstanding and rather clueless. His rank would certainly be downgraded eventually. Moreover, the emperor usually appointed people based on ability rather than status, so Ning Zhaorou’s status wasn’t much of an advantage.

Consort Shu, hearing the Empress Dowager mention Yao Yu Palace, instinctively covered her surprised expression with a handkerchief. She had heard earlier that Yao Yu Palace was meant for the Minister’s eldest daughter. This mistaken mix-up had actually all gone to Ning Zhaorou’s benefit.

“Replying to the Empress Dowager, my Jingyi Palace’s secondary hall is still empty. Why not let Miss Ning come live with me? As a newcomer, she surely is unfamiliar with the palace. I can give her some guidance.” Consort Li kindly suggested.

Going to the secondary hall of Jingyi Palace? A palace could only have one main occupant. That would imply Ning Zhaorou’s rank was below that of a consort.

Besides Consort Liang, who lived in a palace alongside other consorts, Consort Li and Consort Shu’s palaces were still empty. Seeing Consort Li speak up, Consort Shu eagerly added her agreement.

Currently, there were only three consorts in the palace; none of the lower-ranked consorts spoke up.

The Empress Dowager ignored their chatter and looked at Yin Mingyu with a smile. “Emperor, since this is your consort, you decide.”

Yin Mingyu calmly took the cue. He gestured for Ning Zhaorou to lift her head and look at him. Slightly nodding, his gaze deepened as he asked her, “What is your name?”

Ning Zhaorou knelt and raised her head, her clear and tranquil eyes rippling slightly. “Your servant Ning Zhaorou greets Your Majesty.”

She saw her own reflection in Yin Mingyu’s eyes. He gently stretched out his hand and spoke softly, “Zhao means ‘bright,’ the character from the sun and moon. Since it carries such a good meaning, I hereby grant you the title of Consort Zhao and bestow upon you the residence of Yao Yu Palace.”

“Your servant… thanks Your Majesty for your grace.” Ning Zhaorou felt as if in a dream as she bowed and thanked him for the imperial favor. Seeing his hand extended towards her, she carefully placed her right hand atop his, her fingertips brushing his palm, sending a faint tingling sensation.

Yin Mingyu closed his palm over hers, helping her up from the floor with a faint smile on his face. When no one else noticed, his fingers gently hooked hers.