sbdcsierra Chapter 1246: A tribute from the Western Regions, could have such luck
Chapter 1246: A tribute from the Western Regions, could have such luck
Concubine Kang didn't understand. They were allies, so why did the Imperial Noble Concubine treat them so differently?
Is it simply because Concubine Xuan surrendered earlier and more thoroughly?
Concubine Kang still maintained a gentle smile on her face, but her smile lacked some genuine joy and was filled with a hint of indescribable loss.
Li Changde's voice continued, announcing the final imperial decree for the promotion of a concubine to the public: "By the grace of Heaven and the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Concubine Wang, who raised the Emperor's third son with a heart of compassion and sincerity, and who donated her own blood to cure his illness, has deeply comforted my heart. I hereby promote her to the rank of Concubine Dun. This is my decree!"
When the decree was issued, Concubine Dun bowed down to express her gratitude.
Her thin figure looked particularly frail beneath the heavy brocade fur coat. As she saluted, the fine bandage around her wrist was faintly visible, making her look even more haggard.
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace! Long live Your Majesty!"
Concubine Dun's voice was hoarse and trembling. It wasn't as excited as Concubine Xuan's, nor as dignified as Concubine Kang's. Instead, it was filled with an inexplicable complexity...
She finally ascended to the throne of a concubine, which should have been a cause for celebration. However, the joy in her heart eventually faded.
Because... the decree to make her a concubine fell on the last one.
Although Concubine Xuan and Concubine Kang were both concubines who raised princes like her, she was raising the eldest prince!
In terms of noble status, can the Fifth and Sixth Princes compare with the Third Prince?!
In terms of achievements, she cut her wrists to draw blood as a medicine inducer, in exchange for the favor of His Majesty and the title of "Dun".
Why was her promotion ranked behind those two women?
This subtle sequence made Concubine Dun, who should have been happy, feel a bit depressed instead...
She suppressed the emotion, her face still showing that sickly yet resolute look, but a hint of gloom flashed deep in her eyes.
"Are you feeling better, my dear?"
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze fell on Concubine Dun's withered face and the wound on her wrist. His voice was a little warmer than usual: "I see that you have lost some weight compared to before."
The emperor's sudden concern made Concubine Dun look up suddenly, and a layer of mist instantly welled up in her eyes.
She didn't expect that His Majesty would specifically ask about her health in public.
This attention made her heart tremble more than any reward.
Concubine Dun's voice was choked with sobs, and she was almost crying: "Your Majesty, I am much better now. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"
At this moment, she even felt that all the grievances and pains she had suffered before were worth it.
However, when Concubine Dun was moved, her eyes accidentally caught sight of the elegant figure at the top of the table—
Today's Imperial Concubine!
She sat in the seat closest to His Majesty, the pearl necklace around her neck radiating a warm glow under the palace lanterns.
Concubine Dun lowered her eyes and clenched her teeth.
If it weren't for the Imperial Concubine's secret plot, how could he have become so sick and emaciated?!
How did he become like this, neither human nor ghost?!
The scar on her wrist still hurts slightly, reminding Concubine Dun all the time of those days when her life was worse than death!
But what could she say?
Without evidence or witnesses, accusing the Imperial Concubine based on speculation is tantamount to seeking death!
The imperial concubine today is no longer the person whom she could manipulate at will.
Concubine Dun bit her lower lip hard and swallowed back all the resentment and grievances in her heart.
She lowered her head to hide the hatred surging in her eyes, revealing only a section of her pale and slender neck, making her look even more fragile and pitiful.
"I will take good care of myself and live up to your majesty's kindness."
Nangong Xuanyu nodded slightly, as if he was very satisfied with Concubine Dun's obedience, and then his eyes shifted elsewhere.
Concubine Dun slowly returned to her seat, her nails already digging deep into her palms beneath her wide sleeves.
She looked at her skinny wrist, where there was a hideous wound beneath the thin cloth wrapped around it.
This was what she left behind to save Ajing, and it was also an opportunity for her to regain the attention of His Majesty.
Princess Khatun knew that in the deep palace, this little bit of grace and pity was far from enough.
What she wants is far more than just a position as a concubine!
The promotion to the position of concubine has been finalized, but everyone's eyes are still on Li Changde, waiting for the next decree.
This concerns the fate of the low-ranking lords.
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze swept calmly across the rows of clan members and lingered briefly on the gentle and smiling face of Prince Jin.
His eyes were deep and difficult to read, as if it was just a casual glance.
Then, the emperor's eyes fell on Ba Ying's daughter Gao Long's pregnant belly.
This woman, and the seemingly gentle and harmless eighth brother behind her...
A hint of coldness flashed in Nangong Xuanyu's eyes.
Ba agreed, which might be the key to unlocking some secrets.
Receiving the emperor's eye signal, Li Changde unfolded a new decree, his voice ringing out clearly: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Promise Baharguli, pregnant with the royal heir, to rest and nurture the baby, which is a sign of respect. In recognition of her meritorious pregnancy, her status as a noble lady is restored, and the title 'Chun' is restored. This is decreed!"
"Mrs. Chun?!"
This decree instantly caused an uproar in the hall!
Especially those concubines of low status, they could hardly control the shock and jealousy on their faces!
They originally thought that even if Ba agreed to be promoted to a permanent lord through the luck of the ceremony today, so what?
A concubine, after giving birth to a prince, can at best be a noble lady.
A nobleman is not qualified to personally raise the royal heir.
At that time, the child would definitely be given to a high-ranking concubine to raise.
And she, Baharguli, a foreign tribute who had lost her child and was not favored, could only be squeezed and flattened by others!
But who could have imagined that His Majesty would directly restore her status as a noble lady and even return her title to her?!
This means that as long as she gives birth to the child safely, no matter whether it is a prince or a princess, according to the palace rules, she can be immediately promoted to the position of concubine, become the head of a palace, and have the qualifications to raise the child personally!
Your Majesty is so generous and respectful to this foreign tribute who used snow silkworm molt to frame the Imperial Concubine? So respectful?
You know, if she hadn't had a golden ticket of immunity from death in her belly, she would have deserved to be sentenced to death for the crime of framing the Imperial Noble Consort!
Now, not only has she not been liquidated, but she has even used her pregnancy to climb back to her position as a noble and even restored her title?!
This favor... is a bit too much!
Could it be that Your Majesty still has some feelings for this exotic beauty?
As expected... the woman carrying the dragon heir is, after all, a little different in His Majesty's heart...
All kinds of speculations and jealousy were churning in the hearts of the low-ranking concubines.
The look they gave Concubine Chun was filled with undisguised jealousy and resentment.
A tribute from the Western Regions could have such good fortune!
Not only them, but even Concubine Chun herself was completely stunned.