Chapter 30: Rewarding Her

The moon hung high in the sky.

A bonfire was lit on the platform in front of the Zijin Mountain Palace, roasting the freshly hunted game from the day, accompanied by exquisite snacks made by the imperial chefs, and a row of imperial jade wine from the palace.

A group of princes and ministers were seated and waiting.

The Imperial Guard carried a magnificent and solemn dragon sedan chair, and the officials all knelt down and bowed, “Greetings to Your Majesty!”

“Rise, all of you.” Helian Qi, wearing a brand new dragon robe, stepped out of the dragon sedan chair, holding Ning Wanyin’s hand.

Everyone was surprised to see this scene.

Riding in the same sedan chair with His Majesty, this Ning Meiren, who was rumored to be the most favored in the six palaces, was even more favored than the rumors.

Consort Zhuang was very unhappy, she muttered under her breath, “Vixen! What are you showing off for, I’ve also ridden in it before!”

Her gaze swept towards the Emperor resentfully, she picked up a wine cup from the table and took a big gulp.

Her personal maid quickly reminded her, “Your Highness, His Majesty hasn’t raised his cup yet.”

“The Emperor won’t mind these things with me.” Consort Zhuang said, pouring herself another cup.

Before Ning Wanyin appeared, she was the most favored concubine in the six palaces.

The Emperor had always indulged her temper. Whenever Consort Zhuang had a dispute with other concubines, it was always the others who suffered.

Helian Qi took his seat, and the music and dancing began.

Ning Wanyin returned to her seat, she was carefully dressed up, wearing a new peach-colored dress and a butterfly hair ornament.

She was truly beautiful and charming.

Every move was impeccable, only her calves, hidden under her skirt, were trembling slightly.

She was tired.

They were in the midst of their passion, in the bathhouse, how could it be just a simple bath?

“Ning Meiren was just complaining about being hungry, give her this eight-treasure cake.” Helian Qi looked at a cake on the table and ordered.

The Emperor, concubines, and officials had different levels of food.

Of course, there would be no shortage of snacks on Ning Wanyin’s table. But the Emperor’s concern highlighted his favoritism.

It immediately attracted everyone’s attention, their expressions varied.

Wang Degui presented the eight-treasure cake to Ning Wanyin.

Ning Wanyin stood up tremblingly, bowed respectfully, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, I want some too!” Consort Zhuang glared at Ning Wanyin angrily.

Helian Qi chuckled, “You don’t like sweets, why do you want eight-treasure cake. Send a plate of the roasted deer leg I hunted today to Consort Zhuang.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! I’m honored to have something hunted by Your Majesty himself.” Consort Zhuang immediately smiled brightly, her gaze provocatively towards Ning Wanyin.

I’m eating something hunted by His Majesty himself.

It’s better than yours!

As soon as she finished speaking, Helian Qi ordered again, “Give a plate to all the concubines, except Ning Meiren. She always eats lightly and can’t stand smoked food, send her a bowl of clear pheasant soup.”

The Emperor had hunted many animals today. Among them were a few pheasants, the imperial chef had removed the fishy smell and made chicken soup.

Ning Wanyin and the other concubines stood up and bowed together.

Consort Zhuang’s smile froze on her face, she was unhappy.

Lady Consort Xue and Lady Consort Cen never competed for favor. The Emperor gave them dishes, showing respect for them, as for the extra favors, they didn’t matter.

The most disheartened was Song Qingzhi. She always ate lightly, but His Majesty couldn’t remember her preferences, yet he could remember Ning Wanyin’s dislikes, how could she not be sad?

After a song and dance, and a few rounds of drinks.

Helian Qi suddenly looked at the officials and said, “Last month, the Empress Dowager completed the construction of the pagoda to pray for the prosperity of the Great Yan Dynasty. The abbot told me that the key to prayer is sincerity. If the person praying personally ascends the pagoda and practices seclusion, fasting, and chanting for three years, it will best demonstrate their sincerity.”

Lady Consort Xue’s face changed slightly, she immediately stood up and said, “Your Majesty, please allow me to explain, my aunt is suffering from illness and is currently recuperating, she may not be able to personally go to the mountain to pray.”

“Of course, I can’t let my mother pray while she’s sick, so I’ve decided to choose someone with deep blessings to pray for my mother at the pagoda.” Helian Qi continued calmly, his gaze falling on Ning Wanyin, “I heard that your grandmother is devoted to Buddhism, and you are such a virtuous granddaughter, she must be a blessed person. Let your grandmother go to the pagoda to pray for the Empress Dowager.”

Everyone’s gaze fell on Ning Wanyin, then they all looked towards the Marquis of Shou’an’s seat.

Normally, the Marquis of Shou’an wouldn’t necessarily be able to attend this kind of occasion. Noble families had some seats, but there were so many people, the Ning family wouldn’t be able to get one.

Ning Wanyin became the Emperor’s favorite concubine, so the Ning family got a seat this year.

The old lady Ning and Cheng Shi were sitting in the seats. There was no extra seat for Ning Zi Yin, and she had just been kicked out by the Emperor, the old lady Ning didn’t dare to let her come out and be an eyesore to the Emperor.

The old lady Ning never expected the Emperor to suddenly mention her, she was stunned for a moment before she realized, she trembled and stood up to bow and kneel, “Your Majesty’s kindness, I… I…”

She was asked to go to the pagoda and practice seclusion, fasting, and chanting for three years, wasn’t this just confining her to the mountain for three years?

“Old lady Ning, you just need to thank His Majesty for his decree!” Wang Degui coughed and reminded her.

The old lady Ning was full of anger, it must be that bitch Ning Wanyin, she must have been whispering in the Emperor’s ear!

But the Emperor’s decree, how could she refuse?

“I thank Your Majesty!” The old lady Ning could only grit her teeth and agree.

After Helian Qi finished his arrangements, he looked at Duke Xue, “Duke, what do you think of my arrangement?”

“Your Majesty’s filial piety is evident, Your Majesty is wise!” Duke Xue agreed readily and bowed.

Would he let the Empress Dowager go personally? Of course, he had to praise the Emperor’s wisdom.

Lady Consort Xue also realized this, the Emperor never intended to send the Empress Dowager away, and the Xue family wouldn’t let the Empress Dowager be sent away…

The Emperor was just using this as an excuse to send that old lady Ning away.

And the Ning family could only express their gratitude.

Praying for the Empress Dowager, wasn’t that a great favor?

“Old lady Ning will pray for the Empress Dowager, she won’t shirk her responsibility. Ning Shi also takes good care of me, the Marquis of Shou’an is also loyal to me, your Ning family is full of loyalty and virtue, I am very comforted.” Helian Qi continued, “Pass my decree, bestow the ‘Loyal and Virtuous’ plaque on the Ning family, and bestow the title of Second-Rank Lady on the Countess of Shou’an.”

First-Rank Duke, Second-Rank Marquis, Third-Rank Baron.

Cheng Shi’s rank was still Third-Rank Countess, but she enjoyed the treatment of a Marquis’ wife.

(In the Great Yan Dynasty, there were two types of titles for ladies, one based on their husband’s title, and the other based on their husband’s official position.)

Ning Wanyin was stunned, she looked at Helian Qi in surprise, stood up and bowed, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

Cheng Shi and the old lady Ning also quickly bowed and thanked him. However, one was full of joy, while the other’s smile was very strained.

Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin, seeing the joy on her face, he was in a good mood.

…

After the night banquet.

Ning Wanyin bathed and changed into her nightgown.

Lianrui was combing Ning Wanyin’s hair, she said happily, “Mistress, His Majesty is so good to you! He sent the old lady to the mountain, giving you a chance to vent your anger. He also promoted Lady’s rank, rewarded the Ning family, now everyone envies the Ning family.”

“I didn’t expect His Majesty to do all this…” Ning Wanyin leaned against the bathtub, slightly surprised.

She just wanted the Emperor to pity her a little more. She didn’t expect that His Majesty would interfere in the Ning family’s affairs, rewarding and punishing them…

She now understood why the women in the palace, knowing that falling in love with the Emperor was a painful thing,

would still flock to him.

When the Emperor wants to be good to you, he can give you so much.

But…

All this was ultimately given by the imperial power.

Imperial power, that’s the most fascinating thing in the world.