"Lady Yan of the Guanghan Palace, hailing from a noble family and maintaining a chaste and quiet demeanor, is hereby promoted to the Fifth - Rank Minor Attendant and granted the title 'Precious'! So it is decreed!"
The palace fell silent in an instant. The concubines looked at each other in disbelief.
Had they misheard or misunderstood?
The title "Precious"? As in the precious treasure?
Concubine Zhu's face darkened. As a Third - Rank Concubine, her position was only achieved because of her father's great contributions to the court.
Yan Qingshu had no children and was a lowly concubine - born daughter. How could she deserve this!
Concubine Xian, who shared the same thought, felt her face beneath the veil almost contort with anger. This slut had taken advantage of her month - long seclusion to seduce the Emperor and won his special favor.
Now this title was like a slap in her face!
Even when she, who was highly favored, was promoted to a concubine, the Emperor hadn't given her a special title but had simply used the fixed title for the Four Concubines.
She had thought the Emperor would grant her the title "Divine and Virtuous Concubine," but instead, it was just the ordinary word "Virtuous."
Now, what she didn't have, this slut Yan Qingshu was about to possess?!
Not to mention, the word "Precious" meant being regarded as a treasure!
Overwhelmed with anger, Concubine Xian couldn't stop trembling. Who on earth had poisoned the Chuanwu Powder! Why didn't it just kill this slut!
While Concubine Xian was seething with rage, the Empress was also stunned.
"Precious..."
"Regarded as a treasure..."
Did the Emperor dote on her so much...
The Empress lowered her head, a bitter smile on her lips.
It didn't matter. As long as they had no children, no matter how favored they were, they couldn't threaten her position.
She could always remain on the phoenix throne.
"As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, there will be a grand promotion in the harem. Those below the rank of Lady will be promoted."
Seeing that they were silent, Di Yunjian spoke again. His deep voice echoed in everyone's ears.
The concubines below the rank of Lady were secretly delighted.
After announcing the imperial edict, Di Yunjian was about to leave for the side hall to see Yan Qingshu.
Just as he was about to go, the Empress called him.
She whispered, "Your Majesty, isn't the title of Minor Attendant Precious a bit inappropriate?"
Di Yunjian stopped and looked at her.
"Previously, without a title or promotion, there were already continuous troubles for Minor Attendant Precious in the palace. If this title is bestowed, I'm afraid..." the Empress hesitated.
She admitted that this time she couldn't suppress her emotions.
"Afraid of what?" Di Yunjian asked.
"Afraid that the troubles targeting Minor Attendant Precious will intensify..." The Empress didn't dare to look him in the eye.
Di Yunjian lowered his eyes and then said, "I trust her."
He had given this title after careful consideration.
He had witnessed Shu'er's strong thirst for knowledge, and he knew that Shu'er couldn't really rely on him as a dodder flower forever.
If possible, he was willing to let Shu'er rely on him, and let her decision - making and self - preservation be touched by a bit of the emperor's majesty.
He wanted her to become the person she wanted to be.
However, she needed time to grow slowly.
Wasn't she already growing?
Even if she wanted to rely on him as a dodder flower, as an emperor who held power over the world, how couldn't he protect her?
Even Di Yunjian himself didn't know what kind of feelings he had for Yan Qingshu. He just wanted to give her the best and make her braver.
But when it came to the feelings of love between a man and a woman, Di Yunjian didn't dare to admit it...
He was the emperor. How could he hang his heart on one person?
It was just that Yan Qingshu suited his taste, and he was more than willing to hold her in the palm of his hand. Finding a reason for himself made Di Yunjian feel more at ease.
He waved his sleeve and left. His tall and imposing figure disappeared from the concubines' sight.
The Empress stared at his back and murmured with a bitter look on her lips.
Your Majesty, I always thought you were cold - hearted. Even though Concubine Xian was highly favored, I knew you didn't love her.
But what's so good about Yan Qingshu?
I... just don't understand...
The Empress lowered her eyes to hide the bitterness in them, and a glint of darkness flashed across her eyes.
Even if no one had conceived in the past three years, she had to plan ahead. With Yan Qingshu being so highly favored, who could be sure if she would get pregnant?
Moreover, there was still Concubine Xian eyeing her covetously.
The concubines in the palace looked at each other. The concubines below the rank of Lady temporarily forgot the shock brought by the title.
Only Concubine Xian couldn't come to her senses for a long time.
Staring at the top - most seat, Concubine Xian's eyes were gloomy.
Yan Qingshu couldn't be allowed to live any longer.
There were plenty of women in the family who could bear children. They didn't need Yan Qingshu.
Once she was dead, she could choose another obedient and malleable younger sister from the family.
In the side hall.
Tang Yinmian had been staying by Yan Qingshu's side. Seeing her eyes tightly closed, her heart couldn't help but be lifted.
The noise from the main hall could be heard here. When she heard Chief Eunuch Li's shrill voice, Tang Yinmian was stunned.
She looked at the unconscious girl on the couch.
"Precious," such a precious word.
Not only was she promoted to Minor Attendant, the highest rank among the Fifth - Rank attendants, but with the title, she could even be considered on the verge of the Fourth - Rank Consort position.
"Congratulations, my lady, on your promotion to Lady," the maid beside her whispered to congratulate her.
"What?" Tang Yinmian came back to her senses.
"Lady, His Majesty just said that those below the rank of Lady would be promoted. You're a Lady now," the maid whispered in her ear, her voice filled with joy.
Tang Yinmian nodded. Her worried eyes fell on Yan Qingshu.
The real promotion was hers...
She must have benefited from her.
Tang Yinmian curled her fingers slightly and then relaxed them naturally.
The imperial physician was applying acupuncture beside her. Yan Qingshu's eyes were tightly closed.
Her consciousness was talking to the system.
【Congratulations, Host, on your promotion to Minor Attendant. The mall panel has been expanded. Please check it out.】
The system's cold mechanical voice sounded.
Yan Qingshu opened the glowing mall panel. Seeing the new pills in the mall, she couldn't help but laugh with joy.
The Auspicious Pill, the Intelligent Infant Pill, and the Infatuation Pill.
【Host, the Auspicious Pill can cause a great change in the celestial phenomenon and turn it into an auspicious omen. The Intelligent Infant Pill can make a baby open his mind in advance and become a child prodigy. As for the Infatuation Pill, within five days, the user will unconditionally favor you and trust you.】
The system's mechanical voice introduced the effects of these pills.
Yan Qingshu's eyes fell on the Auspicious Pill. As soon as the child was born, she could use this pill to cause an auspicious omen.
By then, her child would be born in accordance with the will of heaven. The Emperor would attach great importance to him. Who would dare to harm him?!
Moreover, she didn't expect the Emperor to directly promote her to Minor Attendant, skipping three or four ranks and becoming the highest among the Fifth - Rank attendants.
With this title, once she gave birth to a child, the Fourth - Rank Consort position of Zhaoyi would surely be hers!
Yan Qingshu accepted it all and put the pills into her inventory.
Soon, she began to worry.
The Emperor's title for her could be seen as a sign of favor, but it could also be seen as a blatant way to attract hatred.
She guessed that Concubine Xian would also press on her step by step.
But it didn't matter. Now Concubine Xian had already been accused of poisoning and harming a concubine. She had just heard that Yingqiao had been sent to the palace prison.
She guessed that Concubine Xian wouldn't have the mood to deal with her in the next few days.
After the child was made public, Concubine Xian would be even less likely to do anything to her.
Just as Yan Qingshu was making plans in her mind,
she heard the sound of Zhu Yao and the others saluting.
The Emperor was here!
She quickly withdrew from the system and prepared to act.