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She struggled to contain the jealousy in her heart, forcing a smile back on her face, yet that smile was slightly twisted.

She said, "So Sister Lian is with child, what joyful news, this Consort..."

As she spoke, she glanced upward only to see His Majesty looking at her displeased.

She suddenly couldn’t continue speaking, feeling a warmth around her eyes, and a sense of grievance welled up in her heart. She just wanted to congratulate Beauty Lian, that’s all. Why was His Majesty looking at her like that...

The Emperor disliked that the Noble Consort’s words had ruined his mood to admire the Little Concubine, and he looked at the Noble Consort who had spoken, his gaze cold.

Noble Consort Xue’s words seemed to cover all bases, but there wasn’t a hint of sincerity, utterly fake.

Today, he did not wish to hear such deceitful flattery, especially since the edict was to be read in honor of Xu Rongying. Was she really going to interrupt and offer her congratulations to his Little Concubine?

His Little Concubine was not good at speaking; she didn’t have it in her to deal with such formalities.

Moreover, he had no patience for such talk from these people.

He impatiently said to Zhang Qing, "Why haven’t you announced the decree yet?"

Everyone realized what was happening and quickly knelt down to receive the decree.

Lian Hua awkwardly moved to the side, glancing upward to see the Emperor staring straight at her. Unable to help herself, she pouted but then quickly replaced it with a smile, her eyes twinkling like stars.

She turned her head back again, her gaze lowered, standing properly, and a different kind of happiness bloomed in her heart.

Upon hearing the order, Zhang Qing hurriedly unfolded the imperial edict, reading aloud: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the family of Lady Xu has made distinguished contributions.

Zhaoyi Xu has served in the imperial harem for a long time, handling internal affairs with grace and earning great esteem in the Jiaoyu Palace.

Her virtue brightens the Lan Ye... Hence, with this seal, she is bestowed the title of Consort De, let this be known! "

"Thank you for the immense grace, long live, long live, long live the Emperor," Xu Zhaoyi loudly expressed her gratitude, taking the imperial edict with both hands.

Lian Hua looked up toward Xu Zhaoyi, a small surprise in her voice: "Sister..."

Sister had been promoted to consort, a promotion! She felt sincerely happy for her, even happier than when she herself had been conferred the title of Beauty, her eyes squinting with joy.

The Emperor watched her every move, and seeing this, he raised an eyebrow. This ungrateful girl was so happy that she seemed more overjoyed than if she had found some silver. He felt a sourness in his heart.

While just moments ago she hadn’t seemed so delighted, the promotion of Xu Rongying had made her inexplicably happy, truly an ungrateful girl!

All in the hall had risen to their feet, with the Noble Consort leading the congratulations for the newly titled Consort De, filling the hall with rising and falling voices of congratulations:

"Congratulations to Consort De."

"Congratulations, congratulations..."

Although the concubines felt a complex mix of emotions, they had no choice but to put on a brave face and offer their congratulations.

Especially Noble Consort Xue, who today had been hit by one blow after another - first Liu Lingyi came to curse her, then His Majesty publicly announced Beauty Lian’s pregnancy, and now Xu Rongying was elevated to concubine rank.

Xu Rongying was beyond her control, and though they had been on friendly terms in the past, now that she had been promoted to consort and was on good terms with Beauty Lian, the threat to Noble Consort Xue increased manifold, filling her with even greater dread.

Once everyone had retaken their seats, Lian Hua stretched out her hand and quietly tugged at Consort Xu De’s sleeve, excitedly looking at her with a joyful smile in her eyes, whispering, "Congratulations, Sister."

Consort Xu De looked at Lian Hua’s cute expression, feeling a itch in her hand, and even though a fiery gaze bore down on her from above, she couldn’t resist lifting her hand to pinch Lian Hua’s cheek, smiling, "Thank you, little sister."

This action nearly set the Emperor, who was looking on, ablaze with anger; only he had the right to pinch his Little Concubine’s cheeks – what was Xu Rongying thinking!

Lian Hua grasped Consort Xu De’s hand, shyly pulling away. There were so many people watching, and she felt very embarrassed.

Seeing this, the Emperor finally felt a bit better. It seemed his Little Concubine was unwilling, and Xu Rongying was quite presumptuous. He would need to warn her later.

At this moment, the hall was somewhat quiet; Noble Consort Xue, usually lively, felt too weary to speak much today.

Moreover, she feared saying something else that might displease His Majesty; such an incident had occurred earlier, and she did not wish for a second.

Everyone could sense that the Emperor’s gaze was consistently directed toward Lian Hua, sparing not a single glance for anyone else, which left them feeling sour and bitter. Could it be that, in the future, Beauty Lian would be the sole focus of His Majesty’s eyes?

They could not help but speculate why His Majesty had promoted Consort Xu De. Was it merely because she was close to Beauty Lian?

If they, too, did as she had done, would they possibly...

With the two individuals at the top end of the room silent, those below were unsure which way the wind was blowing, adding to the room’s oppressive atmosphere.

Lian Hua, after finishing her congratulations to Consort Xu De, finally turned her attention back to the room. Looking around, she noticed an unusual somberness, especially since the Emperor’s arrival had ended the music and dancing.

Thinking of the dancing, she instinctively glanced at the Dancing Girl, who, along with the Musicians, had already retreated to either side of the hall’s entrance, as if they were not there at all.

She had wanted to continue watching the performance from before. Now that His Majesty was present, no one would be more appropriate to resume the dance than him. If she wanted to watch, it would depend on His Majesty.

With this thought, she could not help but look eagerly upward, only to see the Emperor squinting his eyes, staring intently at the Dancing Girl with an inscrutable expression.

Her heart skipped a beat with worry that His Majesty might be considering...

Turning his head back towards Lian Hua, the Emperor smiled gently at her and softly uttered a few words, "Let the people of the Music Bureau withdraw."

One Xu Rongying was enough; these scandalously dressed Dancing Girls vying for her attention were unthinkable.

The little ingrate has only now realized she should come begging to him, with that pitiful look, too late.

Ha, the little ingrate!

"Your Majesty!" Lian Hua suddenly stood up, her eyes wide as she called out to the Emperor, forgetting the presence of many others.

Ah, why dismiss the Dancing Girls so suddenly? She had not had her fill of watching them!

As she had guessed, it seemed as though His Majesty was intentionally opposing her, showing no enjoyment at all!

As these thoughts crossed her mind, they showed plainly on her face as she looked up with a huff.

Everyone turned to look at Lian Hua, puzzled by her strong reaction to His Majesty dismissing the Performers.

The Emperor leaned back casually in his chair, his face flushed with a slight smile, and gently asked, "What brings this from My Beloved Consort?"

Lian Hua was inwardly fuming and about to speak impulsively when Consort Xu De tugged at her.

She suddenly came to her senses and quickly scanned the hall, seeing all eyes upon her. She immediately backed down.

Behind closed doors, it didn’t matter how much she quarreled with His Majesty, but with so many onlookers, it was a different matter.

His Majesty was openly toying with her, doing it on purpose, and she was powerless against it.

Lian Hua’s face turned crimson, her mouth mumbling incoherently, with words she wanted to say but couldn’t, leaving her unsure of what to say at all.

The Emperor took pleasure in watching her like this and repeated the question, "What does My Beloved Consort wish to say to Me?"

His Little Concubine looked so amusing in this state; truly, she was irresistibly endearing.

Xu Zhaoyi arched an eyebrow towards the head of the room, observing the Emperor’s smug behavior. Tsk, he was openly flirting with her sister, quite the distasteful hobby.

Yet, the matter between the two was beyond her control, so she lowered her head to drink her tea, adopting an ’out of sight, out of mind’ approach.