Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 374 The Entire Palace is Promoted

How is it that the Emperor, always cold-hearted and indifferent before others, becomes so smooth-tongued when he’s with her?

At times, Lin Wanyi even wonders, just how many faces does this Emperor have?

How can it change so easily?

The joyful news of rank promotions spread quickly throughout the palace.

Meanwhile, Princess Consort Yi openly shared her responsibility to oversee the Mid-Autumn Festival preparations in the palace.

As for the other concubines, whether they can understand her intentions depends on their own insight.

With these thoughts, she stopped inquiring further, focusing solely on her Investiture Ceremony.

When the news reached the Empress Dowager’s Palace, Consort Qian was fanning Princess Ming Ruo who was reading.

In the past, it seemed unnoticed, but now they appeared quite harmonious.

Princess Ming Ruo’s illness is a heart ailment.

If not for Consort Qian’s meticulous care, she might not have recovered so swiftly.

After experiencing the incident with the Fourth Prince, Consort Qian had no more extravagant hopes.

Therefore, she was truly sincere in taking care of Princess Ming Ruo.

While Ming Ruo still resides in the Empress Dowager’s Palace, her relationship with Consort Qian is much stronger than before.

"Promoted to noble concubine? Is this news really true?"

Consort Qian was utterly astonished, never expecting she could still have the chance for promotion.

Perhaps it’s due to being dormant for so long that she reacted this way.

"Madam, this was decreed by the Emperor’s own words, and it’s not just you being promoted; the entire palace has received advancements."

Thus, the visitor explained the whole situation.

Everything seemed fine, except for the slight shock regarding Princess Consort Yi being promoted to Imperial Concubine.

She had thought that Lin Wanyi would be revered in the harem hereafter, yet unexpectedly, the ultimate winner is Princess Consort Yi.

Remembering how she gave birth half a month apart with her, her Third Prince is now nearly seven years old while her own child never even saw a day’s sunlight, an inexplicable ache stirs within her heart.

Beside her, Ming Ruo, observing her expression, couldn’t help but recall her own mother.

She had contended with Princess Consort Yi for years, ultimately meeting a tragic end.

Yet Princess Consort Yi ascended to this esteemed position; indeed, fate has a mind of its own.

The pair shared in their sorrow, shedding tears together.

A moment of venting, yet also deepened feelings.

Meanwhile, Consort Mu who learned of her promotion couldn’t feel joy.

Stuck in between, neither high nor low, it seemed utterly dull to speak of.

Considering Lady Jinxiu’s background and status, she could leap two ranks to be Changzai.

Why should she only rise by one rank?

Ultimately, isn’t it merely a matter of choosing sides?

Recalling how she stood with Princess Consort Ying, a wave of regret washed over her.

She just had to wait until arriving at the traveling palace to devise a plan.

As for Lady Jinxiu, she should now be respectfully addressed as He Changzai.

Truly unexpected.

Just a few days prior, she was scolded by Princess Consort Yi, but now she’s turned the tables to become Changzai!

Though among the palace figures, her status is the lowest.

But compared to the name Lady Jinxiu, she much prefers He Changzai!

"He Changzai, He Changzai! It truly sounds pleasant!"

Every time she mentions the name within the palace, she can’t help but feel a sense of pride.

She has a temperament akin to a flower planted in a pot.

If others nurture her attentively, she naturally flourishes with vitality.

But should others leave her exposed under the sun, she wilts rapidly.

Relying on herself alone, she cannot survive.

After the promotion, she felt more at ease.

Thus, one day, as the sun was setting, she wandered around the palace aimlessly.

So many sights previously unnoticed now seemed pleasing.

Unexpectedly, she stumbled upon an unexpected visitor.

"Servant Shen Canghai greets He Changzai, paying respects to Changzai."

Upon hearing the voice, He Changzai frowned, sensing a faint familiarity.

When that person lifted their head and peeled off the beard on their face, He Changzai was utterly shocked.

"It’s you! It’s actually you!"

Startled, she immediately wanted to escape, but Shen Canghai blocked her path.

Then he whispered.

"Has the lady forgotten the bygone matters?"

He Changzai suppressed the fear within her heart, immediately retorted.

"What should I be afraid of? It’s all wishful thinking from your Shen Family anyways. I never agreed, nor did my father. You think old matters will harm me? Stop dreaming! I’m not afraid, not afraid!"

Although He Changzai lowered her voice, her meaning was unmistakably clear.

Her momentum didn’t falter, leaving Shen Canghai to endure quietly.

Before arriving, he expected no good outcome.

Yet he hadn’t anticipated being dismissed so thoroughly, hence he let out a bitter laugh.

"The past, all of it just illusions?"

"Who shared any past with you? I’m now a concubine of the Emperor, and what of you, a mere guard? Planning to be the egg striking the stone, are you? I advise you to bury that thought! Get out of the palace immediately, and never appear before me again!"

Finished, lifting her skirt, she dashed back to the palace.

Fearing Shen Canghai might pursue her, she ran all the way back.

Then secured the door tightly, calming her nerves.

"It’s fine, it’s fine, my He Family never made any promises, so I’m not afraid of his pursuit."

Reassuring herself repeatedly, yet deep down still deeply worried.

How could he become a guard within the palace!

She underestimated the Shen Family’s capabilities indeed, how great a price they must have paid!

So she squinted her eyes, fearing her newly acquired rank of Changzai would be lost due to entanglement.

Thus, her heart hardened.

"You better not interfere with my affairs, or don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

The resolute glint in her eye sent shivers down the spine.

Three days later, the Emperor took the Empress Dowager, Lin Wanyi, the children, and Consort Qian, He Changzai to the traveling palace.

He Changzai originally planned to stay in the palace with Imperial Concubine Yi, but due to Shen Canghai’s appearance, she found various excuses to go to the traveling palace.

This unknowingly exacerbated Imperial Concubine Yi’s dislike toward He Changzai.

Not even considering who helped her promote, and immediately wanting to climb higher? Truly an idiot.

But before she could act, Consort Mu approached.

She sincerely intended to stay in the palace to serve Imperial Concubine Yi.

Such an attitude indeed caught Imperial Concubine Yi’s attention.

"So, you’re abandoning Princess Consort Ying to align with this palace? You’re thinking too highly of yourself."

Since entering the room, Consort Mu remained kneeling.

Her demeanor was respectful and courteous, putting herself extremely low.

No matter what Imperial Concubine Yi said, she accepted it humbly.

But hearing this, she suddenly raised her head.