A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Ascending to the Throne

Noble Concubine Shih desired a child, yearning to eliminate the mother and keep the son.

Yet, the Empress insisted on protecting Lady Shih.

As long as Lady Shih is alive, she remains the birth mother. Even if the child is a prince, with a birth mother of low status, the Emperor won’t be fond of him, and he won’t have much of a future...

The Empress was confident in her strategy.

One only had to look at Empress Dowager Zhen to understand the outcome. What use was the Emperor’s favor? Once the Late Emperor passed, she was nothing! Thus, as the true Empress, she was the one who held the power of life and death!

The more the Empress thought about it, the more content she felt.

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, she found an opportunity to discuss matters with the Emperor.

”Shouldn’t we consider elevating Lady Shih’s rank? After all... the child is innocent!”

The Empress was extremely cautious, frequently glancing at the Emperor’s dark expression. Zhao Junyao remained silent. The Empress continued, ”If the birth mother is so disregarded, the child will lack dignity... and most servants in the Harem are unreliable...”

Zhao Junyao glanced at the Empress and asked, ”What does the Empress mean by that?”

Delighted! The Empress quickly assumed a demeanor of ’I truly have the child’s best interest at heart’ and smiled. ”Why not raise her rank a little? If she safely gives birth in the future, we can elevate her rank again... Not to mention, for the child’s sake alone!”

Zhao Junyao picked up a cup and took a sip of tea, his forefinger and thumb pinching the cup so tightly his knuckles whitened. ”Let it be as you say!”

The Empress was overjoyed. ”Your concubine thanks Your Majesty on behalf of the Little Prince for your grace!”

Zhao Junyao put down the cup, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips. ”You certainly seem to show great consideration for that Lady Shih!”

The Empress’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly composed herself and spoke gently, ”This is all your concubine’s duty... After all, he is the Emperor’s child and will have to call me ’Empress Mother’ too!”

Zhao Junyao found it hard to continue listening and waved his hand dismissively. ”If the Empress has nothing else, she may leave. I have matters to attend to.”

”Yes!”

Walking out of the Imperial Study Room, autumn sunlight touched her face. The Empress looked utterly self-satisfied.

Clearly, the Emperor is on my side. So what if Noble Concubine Shih appears to have a child? The child’s birth mother is still alive, and with her lowly background, what can be done? In this light, Noble Concubine Shih’s fierce protection seems like a joke. You protect it so fiercely, but is it yours?

「...」

Indeed, by evening, the Benevolent Decree from Jiaofang Hall arrived: Lady Shih, for her merit in carrying the imperial heir, was promoted to Honored Lady Shih.

As the news spread, the Harem was in an uproar.

Consort Zheng Pin and Consort Yun Pin, hearing the news separately in their respective residences, both laughed aloud. ”This really is... in the end, making the wedding dress for someone else!”

When Consort Yun Pin received the news, she was having tea with Honored Lady Liang and Honored Lady Li. She feigned surprise, but her eyes brimmed with mirth. ”This is wonderful news! Sister Shih is pregnant; she deserves this promotion!”

Honored Lady Liang and Honored Lady Li exchanged glances, unsure how to respond. Both Honored Ladies had been selected this year and shared a side hall in Yaoyue Palace. After Lady Shih moved out, only Consort Yun Pin and the two Honored Ladies remained.

However, Consort Yun Pin was quite pleased. Out of sight, out of mind.

Seeing their silence, Consort Yun Pin laughed again. ”This is a cause for grand celebration! Cai Die, prepare a generous gift later to send to Sister Shih!”

”Yes!” Cai Die responded.

Then Consort Yun Pin gave further instructions, ”Tonight the moonlight is splendid, truly perfect. Yet, I feel I haven’t admired it enough... Cai Die, bring another plate of melon seeds, roasted peanuts, and salt-baked walnut kernels. Oh, and bring up the remaining jar of honey-dew wine from last time!”

Clearly, Consort Yun Pin was in high spirits. Honored Lady Liang and Honored Lady Li dared not oppose her. Nor could they simply sit idle, so they had no choice but to join Consort Yun Pin in her merriment, eating and drinking.

Since Lady Zhou’s incident, these Honored Ladies had become much more subdued. At the very least, they no longer flocked to curry favor with the Empress.

Consort Zheng Pin’s Xihuai Palace housed even more people: two Honored Ladies and several unfavored Ladies. When they had nothing to do, they would gather to chat and laugh, alleviating their boredom.

After they dispersed, Hong Yun attended to Consort Zheng Pin as she washed up and prepared for bed. Consort Zheng Pin still felt a sense of relief.

I originally thought Lady Shih would be in trouble, firmly in Noble Concubine Shih’s grasp. I didn’t expect it would be Noble Concubine Shih who’d end up unfortunate!

Hong Yun smiled. ”The fortunes in this Harem rise and fall. Who can truly predict them?”

Consort Zheng Pin breathed a long sigh of relief. ”Indeed. Let’s just wait and see...”

「...」

「Inside Xifu Palace」

Noble Concubine Shih was so furious she actually laughed. ”This must be the Empress’s scheme again! She just can’t stand to see me have this child! And she wants to elevate *her*? A mere Lady, is she even worthy?”

She entered the Harem solely to bear this child for me. Once the child is born, her mission will be complete, and she can die. If I can’t kill her directly, her dying from an ’illness’ is certainly an option. But now... how can I make my move?

Ying Yue thought for a moment, then stepped forward to advise quietly, ”Your Highness, childbirth is fraught with risks. Even if she has a title, difficult labor is always a possibility, and then...”

Noble Concubine Shih’s gaze gradually cleared. ”You mean...”

Ying Yue nodded.

Noble Concubine Shih’s eyes suddenly lit up. ”Excellent idea! I’ll just ensure she’s well-fed and well-cared for. If she then suffers a difficult labor, no one can point a finger at me!”

With that, a cold smile touched the corners of her lips.

「...」

Lady Shih knelt on the ground, receiving the Benevolent Decree from the Empress. ”This servant thanks Her Majesty the Empress!” She kowtowed before rising.

Yu Lan smiled, reaching out to offer a hand. ”Please rise quickly, Honored Lady!”

Lady Shih smiled back. ”Thank you, Lady Yu Lan. Zhaoer...”

Zhaoer, at her side, quickly went to fetch a purse.

Yu Lan smiled again. ”You are too kind, Honored Lady. Please sit. I must return to report to Her Majesty the Empress.”

”Then I won’t detain you further,” Lady Shih replied.

Just then, Zhaoer returned with the purse.

”Quickly, escort Lady Yu Lan out!” Lady Shih instructed.

”Yes!” Zhaoer acknowledged.

「...」

「At the Empress Dowager’s residence,」 she had already sworn not to meddle in Harem affairs. Upon receiving the news, she truly did not inquire or comment.

When Sister Qing saw this, she felt a sense of relief. As the saying goes, ’Descendants will have their own fortunes’; worrying excessively isn’t beneficial. The Empress Dowager finally seems to understand. If the Empress Dowager truly doesn’t intervene in this matter, perhaps the relationship between mother and son might improve somewhat.

「The next day, after the morning court session,」

Zhao Junyao hesitated for a moment but still made his way to Ningshou Palace.

After he sat down, the Empress Dowager’s smile remained as warm as ever, as if nothing untoward had occurred.

But Zhao Junyao felt it was all an act. So false he found it hard to believe, so false that he couldn’t even bring himself to drink the tea he held in his hand.

After sitting for a while, seeing it was about time, Zhao Junyao rose. ”I have matters to attend to, Mother. Please... take care of your health.”

The Empress Dowager also stood, as if to see him off. ”State affairs are burdensome. My Imperial Son, you too must take care of your health!”

Zhao Junyao said nothing further and strode out.

The Empress Dowager watched his retreating figure and sighed. Was I... wrong? This current situation is entirely of my own making. Yet, I don’t feel particularly happy about it. The Shih Family gained no advantage, Noble Concubine Shih received no benefit, and Lady Shih even incurred the Emperor’s displeasure!