Consort De had noticed earlier that Xie Chenghui's clothes were very similar to Jiang Xinyue's, but she didn't dare to say anything seemingly ambiguous in front of the Emperor.
Consort Yu was also foolish, as she hadn't noticed it.
Now, seeing the Emperor's robe, Consort Yu finally realized why Xie Chenghui's clothes looked so similar to Jiang Xinyue's... as if they were a married couple.
What was the Emperor implying?
Consort Yu touched her hair and said, "I didn't pay attention earlier. Did Noble Consort Jiang see how nice Painter Xie's clothes were and go back to change into something similar?"
This morning, when paying respects to the late Empress in Taihe Hall, Jiang Xinyue wasn't wearing these clothes.
"Painter Xie?" Jiang Xinyue looked confused. "This is the first time I've seen him. How could I have seen his clothes and gone back to change?"
"Noble Consort Jiang, you're being a bit dishonest," Consort Yu said with a cold laugh. "Painter Xie was painting in Taihe Hall this morning, and you were there. How can you say it's the first time you've seen him? Unless Noble Consort has some feelings for Painter Xie..."
"That's enough!" Jiang Xinyue shot her a sharp glance, causing Consort Yu to choke on her unfinished words.
Jiang Xinyue continued in a solemn tone, "The late Empress treated you well when she was alive, protecting you time and time again. Is this how you mourn her? Having the mood to care about what clothes some painter is wearing during her funeral rites? Think about it, why did the Empress entrust the Fifth Prince to me instead of you?"
It's because you're stupid and brainless, always being used as a pawn by Consort De.
Consort Yu patted her ears, wondering if she was hearing things. Did Noble Consort Jiang just insult her?
"You..."
"If you don't want to hear me speak, then get out!" The Xuanwu Emperor's words couldn't possibly have been directed at his beloved Noble Consort Jiang, so they must have been shouted at Consort Yu.
She pouted, her eyes reddening, clearly dissatisfied with the Emperor's blatant favoritism.
Jiang Xinyue truly couldn't understand Consort Yu's thought process.
She picked fights every time, got rebuffed every time, and yet became more determined with each setback.
How could someone hit a wall, get bloodied, and still not turn back?
Was she part donkey? So stubborn.
The Xuanwu Emperor ignored Consort Yu's aggrieved expression and asked coldly, "Did you bring the golden book as I ordered?"
Consort Yu didn't dare say she hadn't. She beckoned, and immediately a palace maid came forward, handing the golden book to Wang Dequan, who then presented it to the Emperor.
The Xuanwu Emperor took it and set it aside, then said in a gentle tone, "Yue'er, did you bring the phoenix seal?"
Jiang Xinyue glanced at Xi Que, who came forward and placed the box containing the phoenix seal next to the golden book.
The Xuanwu Emperor opened it and looked, seeing the phoenix seal lying "quietly" inside.
Consort De remained silent, her face seemingly calm, but internally, she was in turmoil.
The Emperor had brought the phoenix seal and golden book to Chengqian Palace and summoned the three of them. Could it be... that he was going to announce the new Empress?
Impossible!
Determining the Empress was such a significant matter that the Emperor would need to consult with the court officials. She and Consort Yu were superior to Jiang Xinyue in every aspect. How could the Emperor risk facing remonstrations from the entire court just to make his favorite Noble Consort Jiang the Empress?
Her fingers gripped the armrest, turning white.
The Xuanwu Emperor didn't keep them in suspense and directly ordered Wang Dequan, "Proclaim the decree."
Consort De and Consort Yu lowered their heads and knelt, preparing to hear Wang Dequan read the imperial edict.
Jiang Xinyue also stepped back two paces, ready to kneel, but the Xuanwu Emperor grabbed her arm. "Your knee still has an old injury, and you've already knelt for so long this morning. There's no need to kneel again."
So she stood with the Emperor while Wang Dequan stood to the side to read the edict, making it look as if Consort De and Consort Yu were kneeling to both the Emperor and Jiang Xinyue.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Noble Consort Jiang is of gentle nature and conducts herself with virtue and caution. She fulfills her duties in the palace with respect and prudence, showing reverence to superiors and kindness to inferiors. She maintains the etiquette and education of the inner palace with grace, setting an example for the six palaces. She is truly capable of assisting in internal affairs and comforting Our heart. Today, We hereby bestow upon her the title of Imperial Noble Consort, with a rank equal to that of the Deputy Empress. We hope that henceforth, you will be devoted to palace affairs, maintain your noble character, manage the six palaces, and be of one heart with Us. We specially confer upon you the golden book and golden seal. This is Our imperial will."
All those grandiose words, but the most important parts were probably "comforting Our heart" and "be of one heart with Us"!
The Emperor had called Consort De and Consort Yu here today to announce the edict conferring the title of Imperial Noble Consort on Jiang Xinyue, and also to warn them to assist Jiang Xinyue and not to engage in any underhanded schemes behind her back.
Because Jiang Xinyue's support was the Emperor himself.
Although the Emperor didn't want Jiang Xinyue to kneel, she still bent her knees slightly and received the edict from Wang Dequan, saying, "This subject accepts the edict and thanks Your Majesty for the great honor."
Consort De rose gracefully, a gentle smile on her lips. "Congratulations to Imperial Noble Consort Jiang, and congratulations to Your Majesty for having such a fine woman as your Imperial Noble Consort. This is good, now Sister Consort Yu won't have to feel estranged from me over the late Empress's golden book. Since Imperial Noble Consort Jiang's rank is equal to that of the Deputy Empress, both the phoenix seal and the late Empress's golden book should be in her keeping. Don't you agree, Sister Consort Yu?"
Since neither the phoenix seal nor the golden book was in her possession, rather than letting Consort Yu, who was still lower in rank than herself, use them as tools to humiliate her, it was better to let Jiang Xinyue, the Imperial Noble Consort, have complete control.
This way, at least they would have a common enemy, and the foolish Consort Yu could still serve as her vanguard.
Consort Yu's dissatisfaction was almost palpable. She glared at Jiang Xinyue as if she wanted to flay her alive. "Your Majesty, Noble Consort Jiang has only been in the palace for barely two years. Originally, when you made her the head of the four consorts, there was already considerable discontent among the palace concubines. Now, she has neither borne children for the royal family nor achieved any great merit, yet you are breaking protocol to promote her to Imperial Noble Consort. Your Majesty, this move may cause upheaval in both the court and the inner palace. Please reconsider your decision."
Jiang Xinyue was only eighteen years old, and at eighteen, she was already an Imperial Noble Consort. If she were to be promoted further, there would be nowhere left to go except... becoming the Empress, right?
Consort Yu seemed to have realized this point and said with a grief-stricken face, "The late Empress's body is not yet cold. How can Your Majesty... how can you make Noble Consort Jiang the Imperial Noble Consort so quickly?"
The Xuanwu Emperor stared at Consort Yu without a word until she lowered her head. Then he said to Wang Dequan, "Give it to her to see. This will stop her from constantly bringing up the Empress and disturbing the peace of the deceased."
Wang Dequan took another secret edict from the tray held by Tang Shiliang and handed it directly to Consort Yu. "My lady, please."
The secret edict turned out to be written by the Empress on her deathbed. In it, she implored the Emperor to confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Jiang Xinyue, asking her to fulfill the duties of the Empress and to return the authority of the palace when a new Empress was appointed in the future.
Everyone knew that once Jiang Xinyue took control of the inner palace, even if there were to be a new Empress in the future, she might not necessarily be a match for Jiang Xinyue.
The Empress had considered everything for Jiang Xinyue, hoping only that she would protect the Fifth Prince.
