The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

Chapter 313: Consecration Ceremony 3

After the court session, Yongzheng also came to Jingren Palace.

"I thank the Emperor and Empress very much. Please accept my great gift!"

An Lingrong knelt on the ground and performed the ritual of kneeling three times and bowing three times.

Yongzheng smiled gently: "Su Peisheng, quickly help Concubine Wen up!"

"Yes!" Su Peisheng responded quickly, with a bright smile on his face. He quickly stepped forward and carefully helped An Lingrong to her feet, whispering, "Empress Wen, be careful."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" An Lingrong used the force to stand up, then smiled at Su Peisheng.

"Yes!" Yongzheng nodded. "You are now a concubine. I have issued an edict to confer the title of Third Rank Imperial Consort on your mother."

"On behalf of my mother, I would like to thank the emperor for his grace." After saying this, An Lingrong bowed again.

"Okay, I know you are weak, sit down!"

An Lingrong sat below Feng Ruozhao as instructed. She sat elegantly, with her hands folded in front of her knees and her head slightly lowered, looking dignified and proper as a concubine should.

The Empress sat upright on the throne, her eyes stern yet revealing a hint of admonition. She spoke slowly, "Concubine Wen, from now on you must strictly abide by the palace rules, be careful with your words and actions, and serve the Emperor wholeheartedly. You must not make even the slightest mistake, so as not to disappoint the Emperor's love and respect!"

"Yes, I will follow the Queen's instructions." An Lingrong stood up and answered respectfully.

The Queen sat at the head of the table, her eyes seemingly lingering on An Lingrong, but her heart was as clear as a mirror. By now, she had fought An Lingrong many times and knew her temperament thoroughly. She knew that An Lingrong's outward gentleness and submissiveness were nothing but a carefully disguised facade.

Her eyes flickered for a moment, so fast that it was difficult to catch, and then she regained her usual dignified and graceful appearance, and spoke again: "You and Concubine Hui and Concubine Xi entered the palace on the same day. They are both pregnant with heirs. You should also work hard. When you have children in the future, you will be honored as a mother by having children. Only then will your position as a concubine be legitimate, and others will naturally not dare to say anything!"

The combination of having no children, a humble family background, and a short time in service did not hinder her path to advancement. Looking at the people below her, the queen felt a growing sense of crisis.

"The minister and concubine follow the order."

An Lingrong answered neither humbly nor arrogantly. On such a happy day, she was not prepared to care about the sarcasm in the Queen's words.

Yongzheng also keenly grasped the deep meaning behind the Empress' words. He raised his eyes slightly, his expression calm, "Although Concubine Wen has no children yet, she is thoughtful and considerate, and she understands my wishes. When she served me, she was truly devoted and caring. For all these reasons, she is well-deserved to be a Concubine. Moreover, the Empress Dowager is not feeling well now, and this happy event will bring her a speedy recovery."

The Queen immediately put on a kind and generous expression: "Your Majesty is right!"

Yongzheng no longer paid attention to the empress and asked, "Is the palace banquet ready?"

Feng Ruozhao replied, "Your Majesty, everything is ready!"

"Okay, let's go!"

After the banquet, Yongzheng and An Lingrong returned to the Yanx Palace together.

Yongzheng entered the palace and casually wandered around the hall, taking in the decorations. He then spoke, "Your palace is quite well-renovated. It's exquisitely elegant and full of charm, befitting your current position as a concubine. It's obvious that Concubine Hui truly cherishes you."

An Lingrong rolled her eyes silently. Do I need you to tell me that?

But she smiled brightly and personally brought a cup of tea to him. "I will always remember the care that Concubine Hui has given me. However, without the grace and protection of Your Majesty, I would not be able to reach my current position. I am deeply grateful to Your Majesty."

"Yeah." Yongzheng nodded with satisfaction, then looked at An Lingrong.

At today's banquet, An Lingrong drank a few glasses of wine. At this moment, her fair cheeks seemed to be dyed by the most beautiful peach blossoms in spring, with an intoxicating blush spreading from her pink earlobes to her small chin, adding a bit of cuteness and charm to her already delicate face.

Her pair of clear and bright eyes were now gazing at Yongzheng with undisguised admiration. As she blinked, her long eyelashes trembled slightly like butterfly wings, and the ripples in her eyes were like autumn water brushed by a breeze, rippling layer upon layer of charming ripples. The pure and ardent admiration in them seemed to overflow without reservation.

Yongzheng raised his hand and rubbed her cheek affectionately. "When I was selecting the concubines, I was attracted by your clear eyes. Now, looking at you again, you are just as you were when I first saw you. Five years have passed, and your appearance has not changed at all."

An Lingrong's hair stood on end at his sudden affection. Although she felt some resistance in her heart, she didn't dare show it on her face. She could only force a smile, slightly turned sideways, and inconspicuously distanced herself from him. She said, "Your Majesty will protect me from the wind and rain. I only need to be beautiful!"

Yongzheng chuckled at her playful and slightly flattering words, then shook his head helplessly and said, "You little girl, when you say nice things, they're really nice, but when you say things that make me angry, they're really annoying!"

An Lingrong blinked her lively eyes, tilted her head slightly, a sly smile on her face, and said, "Because I know that the emperor is a wise ruler who cares about the world, and is kind and generous. Even if I occasionally offend and make the emperor angry, the emperor will definitely remember our old friendship and will not punish me severely."

"I've been with you for so long that I understand your personality. It's fine on ordinary days, but once it involves someone or something you care about, you become a completely different person. You're incredibly stubborn and won't give in, determined to determine who's right and who's wrong."

"Then Your Majesty, do you think my character is good or bad?"

Yongzheng looked at her deeply, with a hint of approval in his eyes, and said loudly: "Loyalty and loyalty are rare qualities in this palace. Your temperament is naturally excellent."

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty."

Listening to her gentle and graceful voice, Yongzheng was a little distracted. He took her hand and walked towards the bedroom: "Okay, you are tired today, let's go to bed early!"

"Then I will help Your Majesty change his clothes." An Lingrong stretched out her hand and helped Yongzheng take off his outer clothes and put them on the hanger beside him.

Yongzheng watched her movements and said leisurely, "Actually, the Queen said something right today."

An Lingrong paused, raised her eyes, and asked, "What did you say?"

"It's time for you to have a child of your own!" Yongzheng's voice was low and carried a hint of expectation.

An Lingrong froze, a subtle hint of impatience flashing across her face. Then she lowered her eyes, "Your Majesty... the heir to the throne was destined by heaven. I, your concubine, am not blessed."

"Although it's destined by heaven, it's also in our hands, isn't it?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."