Cining Palace.
Hearing that the Emperor would come to Cining Palace to dine with the Empress Dowager, Princess Consort De purposely changed into an exquisite palace attire, hoping for an opportunity to be alone with the Emperor after the meal, but she waited and waited only to hear that the Emperor had gone to Luaxin Pavilion.
Princess Consort De forced herself to suppress her jealousy and had just finished attending to the Empress Dowager's meal when she saw Shen Quan coming to deliver a decree.
"Concubine?" Princess Consort De exclaimed in disbelief.
"In response to Princess Consort De, yes," Shen Quan answered respectfully.
The Empress Dowager was lounging on the Imperial Concubine's Couch lined with soft cushions. Hearing this, she did not seem as shocked as Princess Consort De, her ageless face displaying the same smile as usual: "I remember, Li Meiren was demoted to Noble early on."
"There is a two-rank difference between Noble and Concubine. Since the founding of the Dasheng Dynasty, there has been no precedent of jumping two ranks at once. It would be better to restore Li Meiren's rank first, and after some time, find an excuse to promote her to Concubine."
"Empress Dowager!" Princess Consort De was anxious upon hearing that the Empress Dowager did not oppose elevating Li Yuyu.
Concubine is indeed of the fourth rank, and although there is only a one-rank difference from Beauty, the fourth rank can independently manage a palace chamber, and in the future, she can raise her own children if she has offspring.
The harem has few concubines, and among the palace consorts of fourth rank and above, there are only her and Zhang Chongyuan.
Zhang Chongyuan is frail and drinks medicine incessantly, thus not a concern, but Li Yuyu is different; she was forcibly kept in the palace against her wishes by the Emperor.
Since the Emperor ascended the throne, the number of times he has visited the harem can be counted on one hand. Except for greeting the Empress Dowager, he only goes to Luaxin Pavilion to see Li Yuyu.
Now, they are still in the mourning period. Once it's over, isn't Li Yuyu the most likely one to first conceive an imperial offspring? If she gives birth to the Imperial Eldest Son, given the Emperor's favor towards Li Yuyu, her prospect of rising above Princess Consort De is imminent, and possibly even that vacant Empress position could become hers.
Princess Consort De twisted the cloth in her hand, anxious and restless.
"In reply to the Empress Dowager," Shen Quan bowed his head respectfully: "When the Emperor demoted Lady Li, it was said in a fit of anger. Now the decree to promote Li Meiren to Concubine Li has already been issued."
Princess Consort De was so shocked she almost stood up from her chair.
The Empress Dowager was slightly surprised, but she would not criticize Yan Xiu's actions: "Since that's the case, then congratulations to Concubine Li. Summon someone."
It was only after Shen Quan left that Princess Consort De spoke indignant: "Aunt, Li Meiren has repeatedly violated palace rules, and a demotion with confinement was already lenient. Now not only is she not punished, but her rank is elevated. If all the harem concubines follow her example, how am I to manage?"
"Princess Consort De, she is now Concubine Li," the Empress Dowager reminded.
"Aunt!" Princess Consort De was infuriated.
Is now the time to correct a title?
The Empress Dowager sighed and spoke earnestly: "Man'er, your instability is why I cannot fully entrust you with the power to manage the harem. A mere Concubine, the Emperor favors her, he wishes to give, then he gives. You must understand which position it is that you desire."
"Aunt, I..." Princess Consort De pursed her lips, her youthful and beautiful face full of grievances: "The Emperor does not like me, no matter what I do, the Emperor has never smiled at me, nor has he ever come to Yikun Palace to see me on his own accord."
"Man'er, the women in the harem, have all passed through like this. You are the Empress Dowager's niece, different from the other concubines in the harem. If you are confined by immediate affections, then in the end you can only be Princess Consort De."
Princess Consort De shivered in realization—indeed, the Empress position and love cannot coexist.
Having thought it through, Princess Consort De stood and bowed respectfully to the Empress Dowager: "I acknowledge my mistake, I will properly arrange the affairs of Concubine Li's promotion."