The concubine is extremely cautious

The bright moon hangs high.

A bonfire was set up on the Goose-releasing Platform in front of the Zijin Palace, roasting prey that had been hunted during the day, accompanied by exquisite snacks made by the accompanying imperial chef and jars of imperial jade wine brought from the palace.

A group of princes and ministers were in attendance.

The Imperial Guards arrived carrying a magnificent and solemn dragon chariot, and all the ministers knelt down in salute, "Your Highness!"

"Everyone, please stand up." Helian Qi, who had changed into a brand new dragon robe, walked out of the dragon chariot holding Ning Wanyin's hand.

Everyone was surprised when they saw this scene.

Riding in the same chariot with His Majesty, this Concubine Ning, who is said to be the most favored lady in the palace, is actually more favored than rumored.

Concubine Zhuang was very depressed and muttered quietly, "You vixen! Why are you showing off? I've sat on this before!"

She glanced at the emperor resentfully, and angrily picked up the wine glass on the table and took a big gulp.

The personal maid quickly reminded, "Your Majesty, His Majesty hasn't raised his glass yet?"

"The emperor won't bother with these things." Concubine Zhuang said, and poured herself another glass.

Before Ning Wanyin appeared, she was the most favored concubine in the six palaces.

The emperor had always indulged her temper. Whenever Concubine Zhuang had a dispute with other concubines, it was only the others who suffered.

Helian Qi took his seat and began singing and dancing.

Ning Wanyin sat back in her seat. She had dressed up carefully, changing into a new imperial-colored skirt and wearing her favorite butterfly hairpin.

It is really bright and beautiful, with a natural beauty.

Her every move was impeccable, except for the slight trembling of her calves hidden under her skirt.

tired.

The two of them were at the peak of their passion and they were in the bathtub, so how could they just be taking a simple bath?

"Lady Ning just said she was hungry. Give her this eight-treasure cake." Helian Qi gave the order while looking at the cake on the table.

The emperor, concubines, and court officials had different dietary requirements.

Of course, Ning Wanyin's table would not be without a dessert. But the emperor's concern for her showed her favoritism.

It immediately attracted everyone's attention, and everyone had different expressions.

Wang Degui presented the eight-treasure cake to Ning Wanyin.

Ning Wanyin stood up tremblingly and bowed respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

"Your Majesty, I want one too!" Concubine Zhuang glared at Ning Wanyin angrily.

Helian Qi laughed, "You don't like sweets, why do you want eight-treasure cake? Send a plate of roasted venison leg meat I hunted today to Concubine Zhuang."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I am deeply honored to be hunted by Your Majesty personally." Concubine Zhuang smiled happily and looked at Ning Wanyin provocatively.

The game I eat is hunted by Your Majesty himself.

Better than yours!

As soon as he finished speaking, Helian Qi ordered again, "Give a plate to each of the concubines, but don't give it to Lady Ning. She has always had a light diet and is not used to smoked or roasted food. Give her a bowl of stewed pheasant soup."

The emperor hunted a lot of game today, including a few pheasants, and the imperial chef removed the fishy smell and made chicken soup.

Ning Wanyin and the other concubines stood up and saluted.

Concubine Zhuang's smile froze on her face, and she looked unhappy.

Xue Zhaoyi and Cen Jieyu never cared about favors. The emperor gave them dishes to save their reputation, and as for those extra favors, it was irrelevant.

The most depressed and distressed person was Song Qingzhi. She had always eaten light food, but His Majesty could not remember her preferences, but could remember Ning Wanyin's taboos. How could she not be sad?

After a song and dance, three rounds of drinks were had.

Helian Qi suddenly looked at all the ministers and said, "Last month, the pagoda built by the Queen Mother to pray for the prosperity of the Great Yan State was completed. The host told me that the most important thing in praying is sincerity. If the person praying goes to the pagoda in person, fasts and chants for three years in seclusion, it can best demonstrate his sincerity."

Xue Zhaoyi's face changed slightly, and she immediately stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please allow me to inform you that my aunt is ill and is now recuperating. I am afraid it will be difficult for her to go up the mountain to pray in person."

"Of course I can't let my mother pray for blessings while she's sick, so I decided to pick a person with great fortune to go to the pagoda to pray for blessings on my mother's behalf." Helian Qi took the second half of the sentence slowly and looked at Ning Wanyin:

"I heard that your grandmother is devoted to Buddhism. With a granddaughter like you who is good in every way, she must be a blessed person. Let your grandmother go to the pagoda to pray for the Queen Mother."

Everyone's eyes fell on Ning Wanyin, and then they all looked at Shou Anbo's seat.

Originally, Shou Anbo might not be able to attend such an occasion. There were some seats available for the nobles, but with so many people, the Ning family could not get a seat.

Ning Wanyin became the emperor's favorite concubine, so it was the Ning family's turn this year.

At this time, it was Old Lady Ning and Cheng who were sitting on the seats. There was no extra seat for Ning Ziyin, and since she had just been driven out by the emperor, Old Lady Ning did not dare to let her come out and get in the emperor's way.

Madam Ning never expected the emperor to suddenly mention her. She was stunned for a moment before she reacted. She trembled as she stepped out of the line, saluted, and knelt down:

"Your Majesty, I am so kind to you. I am… I am…"

Asking her to go to a pagoda to observe seclusion and fast for three years, isn't that just locking her up in the mountains for three years?

"Madam Ning, you just need to express your gratitude for His Majesty's decree!" Wang Degui reminded her with a cough.

Old Madam Ning was filled with anger. It must be that bitch Ning Wanyin who whispered in the emperor's ear!

But there is no right to refuse the emperor's edict.

"Thank you!" Old Madam Ning had no choice but to grit her teeth and agree.

After Helian Qi finished making the arrangements, he looked at Duke Xue and asked, "Duke, what do you think of my arrangements?"

"Your Majesty's filial piety is evident, and Your Majesty is wise!" Duke Xue followed the good advice as if it were a common custom.

Otherwise, should we let the Queen Mother go in person? Of course, we should praise the Emperor for his wisdom.

When Xue Zhaoyi saw this scene, she also realized that the emperor had no intention of driving the queen mother out, and the Xue family would never let the queen mother be driven out...

The emperor just used this as an excuse to drive away the old lady from the Ning family.

And the Ning family can only express their honor.

Isn’t it a great grace from heaven to pray on behalf of the Empress Dowager?

"Madam Ning prayed for the Queen Mother and took the trouble to do so. The Ning family also took good care of me, and Shou Anbo was also loyal to me. I am very pleased that your Ning family is full of loyalty and kindness." Helian Qi continued:

"Pass on my decree, grant the Ning family a plaque of 'loyalty and kindness', and grant the wife of the Earl of Shou'an the title of a second-class lady."

First-class duke, second-class marquis, third-class earl.

Cheng's rank remained that of a third-class countess, but she enjoyed the treatment of a marquis's wife.

(There are two types of canonization for women in the Great Yan Dynasty: one is the husband's title, and the other is the husband's official position.)

Ning Wanyin was startled, looked at Helian Qi in surprise, stood up and saluted, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Cheng and Old Lady Ning also bowed and thanked him quickly, but one of them was full of surprise, while the other's smile was very forced.

Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin and saw the surprise on her face, and was in a very good mood.

……

After the night banquet.

Ning Wanyin took a shower and changed into pajamas.

Lian Rui was tidying up Ning Wanyin's hair and said happily, "Master, His Majesty treats you so well! He sent the old lady to the mountain to vent your anger. He also promoted the old lady to the status of a noble lady and rewarded the Ning family. Who wouldn't envy the Ning family now?"

"I didn't expect that His Majesty would do these..." Ning Wanyin leaned back in the bathtub, a little surprised.

She just wanted the emperor to be more compassionate to her. She really didn't expect His Majesty to interfere in the Ning family's affairs, rewarding one and demoting the other...

She now understood why the women in the harem knew that falling in love with the emperor was a painful thing.

There will be more people who will follow.

When the emperor wants to be good to you, he can give you so much.

but……

In the final analysis, all of this was given by the imperial power.

Imperial power is the most fascinating thing in the world.