The Emperor grasped her slender shoulders with both hands, turning her body to face him directly. "Yue'er, look into my eyes..."
Jiang Xinyue's eyes glistened with tears as she obediently gazed into his deep, devoted eyes.
"I promise you, I will spend the rest of my life only with you. With you by my side, there is no room in my heart for anyone else. I have never been one to compromise myself, and now that I have you, I will certainly not compromise by doing what you imagine with other consorts. But Yue'er... I am the Emperor, and there are times when I have no choice. However, I swear to you, if I ever betray our love, may I die a terrible death. Does this reassure you?"
The Xuanwu Emperor had expected Jiang Xinyue to cover his mouth before he could finish his vow, as the previous Empress and Consort De had done.
To his surprise, she listened intently to the end, and even seemed to want more.
What? Did she think his vow wasn't dire enough?
But this frank, unpretentious Yue'er was just as adorable.
Jiang Xinyue finally smiled. "Your humble servant has a solution that could relieve Your Majesty's worries about balancing the court and the harem."
The Emperor had always known she was clever, so he leaned in to listen.
"Your Majesty said that you appear to favor the consorts whose fathers have rendered meritorious service, to show the court officials that you are not ungrateful and will reward them by treating their daughters well."
"Correct."
"But why should Your Majesty give them the upper hand?"
Jiang Xinyue blinked her bewitching eyes, her clear voice becoming almost persuasive. "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the ruler of all under heaven. The court officials receive salaries from the state and should dedicate themselves wholly to Your Majesty's service, even unto death. If they eat the Emperor's food, shouldn't they shoulder the Emperor's worries without conditions?"
"That may be so, but this is human nature. If I show no appreciation, they will find excuses to slack off next time."
He was the Emperor, but not an omnipotent god. He needed those officials for governance and didn't want to be a tyrannical ruler reviled for generations, so he had to seek balance.
"Your Majesty can take control of the situation!"
Jiang Xinyue wrapped her arms around the Xuanwu Emperor's neck and whispered in his ear, "From now on, if any consort wants to be promoted, let their fathers and brothers achieve results in governance. Without achievements, there can be no promotion. Isn't it better for Your Majesty to exchange ranks for the loyalty of court officials, rather than using your body?"
When a consort's father or brother renders service, besides rewarding them personally, their daughter or sister in the harem could be promoted. Even if the Emperor himself doesn't act, they would be quite pleased.
Except for those blinded by love, Jiang Xinyue didn't believe anyone could refuse an effortless promotion without having to curry favor with the Emperor.
Though somewhat underhanded, using their beloved daughters and sisters to pressure them into achieving results, hadn't they threatened the Emperor in the same way before?
Now the situation was simply reversed between the Emperor and them.
The Xuanwu Emperor's eyes lit up. Indeed!
The end result would be the same, but he would instantly become the one in control of the situation, making a significant difference in the process.
He kissed Jiang Xinyue's cheek. "I'll go make arrangements right away. You truly are my little lucky star."
Jiang Xinyue smiled. "It's just my possessiveness at work, coming up with such a clumsy solution. Your Majesty will need to refine it and address other potential issues to avoid future troubles."
The Xuanwu Emperor understood this himself. He stroked Jiang Xinyue's silky hair. "I'll come see you again tomorrow."
The Emperor returned to Chengqian Palace, staying only for half an incense stick's time before rushing to the Imperial Study. He ordered the eunuchs tidying the study to bring out the important policy decisions and results from the past year's memorials.
He selected the names of all officials who had achieved even the slightest merit during the year, then checked if they had daughters or sisters who had entered the palace as consorts.
Those with family members in the harem were all selected, and their ranks were promoted before the trip to the Qinzhou Imperial Villa for the summer retreat.
Furthermore, the Xuanwu Emperor instructed Tang Shiliang to spread word among the palace servants in Chengqian Palace that the Emperor hadn't raised the ranks of those noble ladies without reason, but because their fathers and brothers were capable and had rendered service to the Emperor. This was just a small reward.
The next day, Jiang Xinyue received the imperial edict of appointments from Wang Dequan and had Jiang Chuan read it aloud.
She put on an appearance of having worked hard for this: "I advised His Majesty to spread his favor evenly. If he wishes, he can visit any of you at any time. But with the recent passing of the Empress, His Majesty has become quite indifferent to such matters, and I can't push him too hard. I may not be able to secure His Majesty's favor for you, but I do have some say in your ranks."
In Chuxiu Palace, Cheng Nianhe received two promotions in one day, rising from a lowly court lady to a seventh-rank Jieyu.
Liu Xiaoxiao was also promoted to the seventh-rank title of Guiren.
Ye Qiang'er, coming from a humble background, was granted the minor seventh-rank title of Changzai by Jiang Xinyue's decision. The others whose families lacked influential fathers or brothers remained as minor court ladies in Chuxiu Palace.
This was enough.
These three women were already at odds with each other, maintaining a facade of harmony while scheming against one another. Let them fight to the death; there was no need for her to intervene.
Additionally, Consort Xiao from Shunan Palace was promoted to the minor sixth-rank title of Ronghua and allowed to move from Shunan Palace into the main hall of Zhong Cui Palace.
The demoted Consort Zhang was already residing in Zhong Cui Palace!
This main hall had originally been Consort Zhang's residence. Now, suddenly having another consort of the same rank move in would surely make her feel resentful and indignant.
There would be plenty of drama to watch in the coming days.
The Emperor was giving a promotion that was actually a demotion, helping Jiang Xinyue take revenge.
This was what Consort Xiao got for meddling and suggesting that Jiang Xinyue advise the Emperor to spread his favor evenly.
Now she hadn't received any blessings herself, but misfortune had certainly befallen her.
Zhong Cui Palace had long been like the Cold Palace. How could she possibly turn her fortunes around there?
Consort Zhang was not easy to get along with either.
Consort Xiao and her maid left Hexi Palace, only daring to vent their anger when they reached a secluded spot. "The Imperial Noble Consort is taking her personal revenge. She must resent me for helping Consort Yu oppose her before, so she deliberately had the Emperor move me to Zhong Cui Palace."
How could Zhong Cui Palace compare to Shunan Palace?
At least Consort Yu had given birth to the eldest princess, so the Emperor would visit three or four times a month. Wouldn't that have given her a better chance to regain favor?
Now she was stuck in that godforsaken Zhong Cui Palace, with the bitter Consort Zhang for company. The mere thought made life seem hopeless.
"Bang!"
As she walked forward, a "female ghost" suddenly sprang out from the bushes, covered in blood and flesh, disheveled and with an indistinguishable face.
"Ah—"
Her scream startled the "female ghost," who limped away, crawling and rolling as she fled.
