The Female Psychology PHD Got Time Travelled To The Royal Harem

Chapter 38

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Jiang Xinyue, a woman of virtuous conduct, knowledgeable and wise, respectful and filial. We hereby consult you, Jiang Xinyue, who has long supported the inner affairs, conducted yourself with propriety and embodied the spirit of a noble family. We are greatly pleased. We now confer upon you the title of [Consort Zhen] as a sign of Our imperial favor. May you cherish this grace, conduct yourself with propriety and filial piety. This is Our command."

Guiyi, Guirong, and Guiyuan were all titles for consorts of the fourth rank.

Previously, Consort Wan held this position, but now Jiang Xinyue had attained it, while Consort Wan had been demoted by two ranks, falling behind her.

From Lady Jiang to Consort Zhen, then Zhen Fangyi, and now leaping several ranks to be named Consort Zhen, she had achieved this promotion in merely half a year.

This was a pace of advancement that ordinary consorts might never achieve in their entire lives.

Even Concubine Li, who had risen from a humble talent to Consort Li, had taken three years.

Now, everyone was still in disbelief, feeling that this title was something Jiang Xinyue had won with her life, nothing to be envious of.

But if they thought about it carefully, they would be alarmed. It seemed that every time Jiang Xinyue was wronged, she would advance two ranks.

When her life was in peril, she leaped four ranks, a truly terrifying prospect.

"Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace."

When Jiang Xinyue rose from the ground, tears streamed down her face, a mix of the anguish of clearing her name, the joy of being able to see the Emperor again, and the release of the suffering she had endured.

Wang Dequan could not help but feel heartache when he saw this, and said, "Quick, don't cry anymore, Consort Zhen. His Majesty has sent attendants from the Bureau of Palace Affairs to assist you in dressing and freshening up. The entire imperial palace now awaits at the gates of the Palace of Exile to welcome you back to the Hexi Palace!"

This was an immense honor. Never before had any consort been regarded so highly by the Emperor, not even the Empress or Concubine Li.

From this day forth, no one would dare look down upon Consort Zhen, nor would anyone consider her a mere substitute for another.

She now had the capital to rival Concubine Li's charm.

Two imperial chefs were still lamenting that they would not learn the wondrous dish called "fried chicken," when Consort Zhen turned and said, "Move all of these things to the Hexi Palace later. I wish to treat His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress to fried chicken."

Oh my, how delightful! Fried chicken, beer, and handsome men – she had it all.

Outside the Palace of Exile—

The Emperor and Empress stood under the eaves, sheltered from the snow, with hand warmers tucked in their sleeves, surrounded by a throng of palace attendants, not feeling the cold.

Concubine Li, Consort De, and Consort Liang were high-ranking consorts, each attended to by their own servants. Though they could not stand alongside the imperial couple, they had palace maids holding umbrellas for them, protecting them from the snow.

Only the lower-ranked consorts who had fallen out of favor suffered, standing in the freezing snow and watching the Emperor heap all his affections upon another woman, unable to voice any grievance.

The goose feather snow showed no signs of abating. The Empress looked back and said, "Your Majesty, perhaps they should take shelter in the gallery?"

The Xuanwu Emperor observed the carefully made-up consorts, their appearances ruined by the melting snow soaking their makeup and hair, looking like ghosts.