kingnovel Chapter 1211 Restoring the Four Concubines
Chapter 1211 Restoring the Four Concubines
Concubine Zhuang was sitting in front of the rosewood dressing table by the window, and someone was combing her long black hair.
The atmosphere in the hall was quiet, with only the subtle sound of a jade comb sliding through hair.
At this moment, there was a commotion of excitement outside the hall that was difficult to conceal.
Then, the palace door was gently pushed open, and Ruoli walked in quickly, with an irrepressible joy on her face, her voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
"Eunuch Li...Eunuch Li has arrived with an imperial decree! He's waiting in the main hall!"
The palace maids in the inner room were instantly cheered up, and all their eyes turned to Concubine Zhuang, with uncontrollable anticipation and surprise in their eyes!
Ever since the news spread that the Grand Tutor was returning to the throne, they speculated that the Empress's restoration to the throne was a foregone conclusion!
His Majesty's decree has finally arrived, and their Changchun Palace will be proud!
Concubine Zhuang picked up a plain jade hairpin on the dressing table and slowly stroked the cool jade with her fingertips.
After hearing Ruoli's report, her hand holding the hairpin did not pause at all. She just looked at the gentle and calm face reflected in the mirror, and the corners of her lips curved upwards very slightly.
Concubine Zhuang's voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by every palace servant. It was filled with a calmness that showed she was in control of the situation: "I understand. Please help me change my clothes."
Her reaction was calm, almost indifferent, in stark contrast to the palace people's ecstasy.
"Yes!"
Ruoli and Ruoji immediately understood and swiftly brought out a more solemn and luxurious palace dress.
The light purple brocade was embroidered with intricate lotus patterns in silver thread; the neckline and cuffs were trimmed with fine pearls.
They carefully helped Concubine Zhuang change, their movements filled with awe.
When Concubine Zhuang, supported by Ruoji and Ruoli, walked calmly into the main hall of Changchun Palace, Li Changde had been standing solemnly for a long time with his head bowed, holding the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand.
The palace maids serving in the hall held their breath, their palms sweating with excitement.
Li Changde's voice was calm and composed, carrying the dignity typical of a Grand Chamberlain: "Please accept my order, Empress Zhuang!"
Concubine Zhuang bowed according to etiquette, her posture dignified and elegant, impeccable.
Li Changde said in a clear voice: "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, decrees: Consort Zhuang of Changchun Palace, has a gentle disposition and is dignified and prudent. She has raised the Imperial Princess with unwavering kindness and tenderness; she has assisted in the management of the imperial palace and has diligently fulfilled her duties."
"Although she was demoted for a minor offense, she has deeply reflected on her mistakes and her moral integrity has become even more prominent. Now, considering her virtue, she is a role model for all the other concubines. I hereby restore her to the position of Liang Fei to honor her virtue. I decree this!"
The faces of the palace maids instantly lit up with ecstasy!
The Queen is finally back to her roots!!!
Changchun Palace has finally waited for this day!!!
Concubine Liang kowtowed deeply, her voice gentle and calm, yet filled with a hint of unconcealed joy: "Your Majesty, I bow to thank you for your great grace! Long live Your Majesty!"
Li Changde handed over the imperial edict. Concubine Liang raised her hands high and respectfully took the heavy bright yellow imperial edict.
When her fingertips touched the smooth brocade, a glimmer of understanding flashed across the depths of her eyes.
really.
Everything was just as she expected, exactly.
From the moment her father finally gave in and agreed to return to the court, Concubine Liang had anticipated this day.
The return of my father, a great scholar, is the anchor for Your Majesty to appease the upright and stabilize the court!
Her promotion in the harem was the most direct and respectable reward and comfort that His Majesty gave to the Zhuang family and her father.
Your Majesty only restored her to the position of Concubine Liang, instead of making her a Noble Concubine... The proper way of judging the situation just confirmed Concubine Liang's judgment.
His Majesty wanted to give the Zhuang family some respect, but he was unwilling to disrupt Concubine Chen's position as the most important person in the harem. He was even more unwilling to let the Zhuang family's power expand too much and threaten his absolute control over the court.
The position of the Four Concubines is both an affirmation and a boundary.
Concubine Liang slowly stood up and handed the imperial edict to Ruoli beside her, who was trembling slightly with excitement.
She adjusted the cuffs of her palace dress, her demeanor still gentle and calm, as if what she received was not an imperial edict symbolizing the restoration of her status, but just an ordinary reward.
Concubine Liang indicated that she was about to give him a reward, and nodded slightly to Li Changde, saying in a gentle and polite voice, "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Li."
"Your Majesty, Concubine Liang, you are embarrassing me."
Li Changde bowed in return, his attitude still respectful, but with a little more respect than usual: "Your servant congratulates the queen on her restoration!"
"Your Majesty has restored the honors of the four concubines to the Empress. This is truly a great grace!"
A warm and humble smile spread across Concubine Liang's lips, like a lotus flower enshrined before a Buddhist shrine. "This is all thanks to Your Majesty's great grace. I am deeply grateful."
Li Changde's smile deepened, and his tone became more friendly and natural: "Yes, Your Majesty is naturally concerned about Concubine Liang. But..."
At this point, he changed the subject lightly, as if he were chatting casually: "I serve in the Imperial Court and heard it all. His Majesty specifically mentioned that it was the Imperial Concubine Chen who, mindful of their sisterly love, took the initiative to speak well of her in front of His Majesty."
"The kindness of Concubine Chen is truly rare!"
The heater in the inner room was burning brightly, and the sandalwood floating in the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
The gentle and proper smile on Concubine Liang's face froze ever so slightly. This expression was almost impossible to grasp, revealing only a slight sense of unnaturalness.
It was as if a carefully painted mask was unexpectedly cracked with an almost invisible crack.
However, Concubine Liang's momentary loss of composure evaporated faster than the morning dew.
She twirled her Buddhist beads with her fingers and quickly resumed her steady rhythm, as if the momentary stagnation just now was just an illusion of light and shadow.
A warm smile filled Liang Fei's eyes again, and even more sincere gratitude than before.
She turned slightly towards the direction of Zhongcui Palace, her attitude respectful and earnest: "So that's how it is!"
"The Royal Concubine Chen treats me with such deep affection and loyalty!"
"This timely help will be engraved in my heart and will never be forgotten!"
"Please, Eunuch Li, please convey to me that once I feel better, I will personally go to Zhongcui Palace to thank Noble Consort Chen for her kindness!"
Concubine Liang expressed her gratitude sincerely and in a very humble manner.
Li Changde responded with a smile: "Don't worry, Concubine Liang, I will definitely pass on your message."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured and I will not disturb you any further."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Changde withdrew with the palace maid who announced the decree.
Concubine Liang still maintained that grateful look, and it took a long time before she slowly withdrew her gaze and looked back at the string of oily Buddhist beads.
She quietly increased the strength with which her fingertips twisted the beads, and her joints turned slightly white.
The charcoal fire in the stove crackled softly, sending out a few sparks that reflected in Concubine Liang's bottomless eyes and went out in an instant.
The moment the palace door closed, the ecstasy that had been suppressed in Changchun Palace for a long time burst out like a flood!
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"