sbdcsierra Chapter 1256 Kneel down and bow, 3 bows and 9 kowtows
Chapter 1256 Kneel down and bow, 3 bows and 9 kowtows
Concubine Tong watched silently as the palace servants carried the gifts over, her expression calm.
The other nobles, maids-in-waiting and concubines were also extremely cautious, fearing that they would make mistakes in such an important matter.
Concubine Chun stroked her towering pregnant belly, and Yingxiang opened the prepared silver-gilt longevity box, revealing the tempting colorful candied fruits inside.
She pointed to the fine silk beside her and said, "My lady, it has been prepared according to the rules, not a single bit has been overstepped."
Concubine Chun nodded impatiently.
The eastern side hall of Zhongcui Palace had long been used as a ceremonial room.
Yuanbao, dressed in a brand new eunuch's uniform, stood upright under the eaves, his eyes as sharp as torches as he scanned the eunuchs from various palaces who were entering one after another carrying gifts.
The young eunuchs stood on both sides, either summoning or leading people to their seats. Everything was in order.
Inside the palace.
Handan sat behind the desk, spread out the brocade book, and prepared to take notes.
Fuqiu occasionally came over to take a look, and when she saw that everything was in order, she nodded slightly.
It was noon, and the morning light was dim.
At the white marble steps outside the Zhongcui Palace, the concubines were standing in order of their rank.
Concubine Zhuang stood at the front with a solemn expression.
Following them in order were Concubine Xian, Concubine Xuan, Concubine Kang, Concubine Dun, and Concubine Tong.
Noble people often stand at the back.
I just promoted the six palaces and everyone was promoted to a higher level, but the concubines in the harem no longer agreed.
The red and gold-inlaid gate of Zhongcui Palace slowly opened, and Xiao Mingzi's clear yet majestic voice rang out: "Ladies from all palaces, please come in—"
Concubine Zhuang moved first.
The virtuous concubine and others followed closely behind.
They were in groups of three, three feet apart, walking slowly, with the hem of their court robes motionless.
The lower-ranking palace concubines followed behind and walked in one after another, like ripples on still water, silent but orderly.
The hall was filled with the aroma of incense.
Shen Zhinian sat upright on the throne at the top, her golden palace dress making her look majestic.
The concubines stood solemnly according to their ranks.
Concubine Zhuang stood in the middle of the first row.
Concubine Xian stood behind Concubine Zhuang.
Concubine Xuan, Concubine Kang and Concubine Dun were on both sides.
Concubine Tong stood behind Concubine Dun.
The nobles and maids squatted silently on the edge of the carpet, with lowered brows and submissive eyes.
Xiao Mingzi sang again: "Bye--!!!"
All the concubines in the hall bowed down.
Concubine Zhuang lowered her eyes, her exquisite court crown tilted forward slightly, her hands were placed on the ground, her forehead lightly touched the back of her hands, her posture was impeccable.
Even though she was already a noble concubine and had much more seniority than Shen Zhinian, she could only kneel down and bow three times and kowtow nine times!
Concubine Dun knelt behind Concubine Xian. She caught a glimpse of Concubine Zhuang's meticulous demeanor from the corner of her eye and sneered in her heart.
She didn't believe that there was no disturbance under Concubine Zhuang's gentle appearance.
"knock--!!!"
Everyone kowtowed in unison, their movements in unison, and they chorused, "Your humble servants congratulate the Imperial Noble Consort on her promotion. May you be blessed with good health and the Emperor's unending favor!"
Kneel down three times, then stand up and bow again.
After the ceremony, only the faint sound of breathing could be heard in the hall.
The concubines lowered their heads and stood quietly, waiting for instructions from Shen Zhinian on the throne.
Shen Zhinian raised his fingertips slightly, and his white jade-like knuckles clasped the edge of the cup, making a slight gesture.
Xiao Mingzi beside him immediately said in a loud voice: "Please take a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine!"
The atmosphere in the hall was slightly relaxed.
Concubine Zhuang, Concubine Xian, Concubine Xuan, Concubine Kang and Concubine Dun sat in order on the rosewood chairs on both sides of the throne.
Concubine Tong sat on an embroidered cushion at the back, her posture still straight.
The noble ladies and maids still stood with their heads bowed.
The palace maids stepped forward, knelt on one knee, raised the teacups above their eyebrows, and presented them to the ladies.
The concubines took it, raised the teacup to their eyebrows, nodded slightly to greet the Imperial Noble Consort, and then took a sip according to etiquette.
Shen Zhinian's eyes slowly swept over the people below him, and his voice was calm, yet with dignity: "Is everyone in the palace doing well these days?"
Imperial Concubine Zhuang suppressed all her emotions and stood up first, lowering her head and eyes. She spoke in a gentle voice, "Thank you for your inquiry, Imperial Concubine. Everything is fine in Changchun Palace. I, your concubine, will serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly and will not slack off."
The virtuous concubine then stood up, her clear voice as usual: "I am well in the palace, and thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Concubine Xuan stood up a little hurriedly, but fortunately her wide sleeves covered her appearance. She smiled and said, "My dear sister, the Imperial Concubine, I know everything is going well in the palace. I will always do my duty."
Concubine Kang and the others also stood up and responded one after another, mostly with words like "peace in the palace" and "honesty in performing duties." Their words were polite and flawless.
Shen Zhinian listened quietly, his gaze lingering for a moment on Concubine Dun's pale yet forcedly calm face, then he looked away indifferently.
With a slight nod from her head, Fuqiu led two palace maids carrying trays forward.
Xiao Mingzi said, "Noble Concubine Zhuang served diligently and diligently, so she was awarded a pair of Dongzhu earrings."
The earrings on the white jade tray are round and shiny, and are rare treasures even in the palace.
Concubine Zhuang did not feel very happy.
If she was the one who sat on the throne of Imperial Noble Consort, she should have bestowed it on others instead of accepting rewards from others here.
Although she was thinking this in her heart, Concubine Zhuang did not show it on her face. She stood up, bowed deeply, and took it with both hands: "Your Highness, I thank you for your gift!"
Her voice was steady, without any ripples, and only her drooping eyelashes hid all her thoughts.
"The virtuous concubine gave me a pair of filigree gold hairpins."
When the virtuous concubine thanked him, her expression was as calm and calm as usual.
"Empress Xuan, Empress Kang, and Empress Dun, each receive a piece of cloud brocade."
Three pieces of brocade quilts with different colors and gold weave were presented one after another.
Concubine Xuan looked at Shen Zhinian with a smile in her eyes.
Concubine Kang is very polite.
Concubine Dun did not show any abnormality.
"Give Concubine Tong a silver ruyi."
The silver Ruyi was quite heavy, and Concubine Tong kowtowed as she took it with a respectful attitude.
"All the nobles, the constant here, give me a fragrant bag."
The exquisite embroidered sachet exudes a light herbal fragrance.
The ladies of low status knelt down to express their gratitude, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
After this episode, the hall fell silent again.
Shen Zhinian glanced calmly at the people below and raised his hand slightly.
Xiao Mingzi immediately sang: "Thank you --!!!"
All the concubines performed the ritual of kneeling once and kowtowed three times according to the rules, and their voices of thanks were in unison.
After the ceremony, everyone stood up in order: "Your servants/concubines take their leave!"
Then, led by Concubine Zhuang, they kept a strict distance and quietly filed out from the west gate.
No one lost their pace, and no one whispered to each other.
It was not until they left Zhongcui Palace and felt the biting cold wind blowing in their faces that everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The pressure around the Imperial Concubine... is getting stronger and stronger, she is worthy of being the future queen!
Concubine Zhuang stood in front of the white marble steps, and everyone had to bow to her before leaving.
She nodded slightly in return, her face calm, and was the first to board the sedan chair.
The other concubines were also supported by the palace maids and quietly got on the sedan chair and left.
The pearl curtain in the main hall of Zhongcui Palace rang softly, and a figure left and returned.
Concubine Xuan held Zhu'er's hand and turned back hurriedly.
When the palace maids in Zhongcui Palace saw that it was her, they all smiled and lowered their heads, and no one tried to stop her.
Handan was closing the brocade book she had just recorded and handing it to the young eunuch to be sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for filing.