Chapter 701: Chapter 701: Serving in the Bedroom

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, no one preferred to spoil the festive mood.

Regardless of any usual disagreements, they were cast aside as they sipped tea and exchanged pleasantries, and the Phoenix Blessing Palace exuded an air of peace and merriment.

The children quickly grew restless and dashed outside to play.

Jiang Ning felt uneasy.

After all, this was not the East Palace.

Seeing her repeatedly eyeing the outdoors with worry for the children, Huang Ying reassured her, “Chunlai and Xiaoman are with them, and Gucheng as well. Don’t worry, Master.”

That was a fair point.

Xiaoman was straightforward and strong. She did not hesitate to protect the young Princes from anyone.

In her heart, within this palace, aside from Jiang Ning, even the words of the Crown Prince had no significant weight.

Although Gucheng was formidable, he wasn’t what one might call a “typical person”. He saw his sole duty as ensuring Jiang Ning’s safety.

As for the others, he couldn’t care less.

Just as Jiang Ning was planning to bid the Empress goodbye, the Emperor’s Imperial Edict arrived.

The Empress, together with the other concubines, knelt to receive the Imperial Decree.

The proclamation was mainly for Princess Zhenming and Jin Man.

As Jiang Ning expected, the Emperor directly bestowed Princess Zhenming with the title of the Imperial Concubine with a moniker resonating “grace”, probably in honor of her elegance and nobility.

He also granted her an exclusive palace as residence and a generous reward of palace maids and objects.

As for Jin Man’s coronation, it was rather casual. It merely praised her rare beauty and made her a consort of the Crown Prince, without any further perks.

The Empress congratulated Princess Zhenming with a smile, presenting her a pair of golden hairpins as a reward.

The concubines took turns to pay their respects.

Princess Zhenming wore a mild and gentle smile, and expressed her gratitude for the edict.

Jin Man too expressed her gratitude.

Observing the two of them, everyone present felt rather poignant.

In all fairness, Jin Man possessed greater beauty, but her social standing was still inferior to Princess Zhenming’s nobility.

It confused everyone how Princess Zhenming willingly became the Emperor’s concubine, choosing not to follow the Crown Prince.

Granted, the Emperor was the Son of Heaven, but he was also of considerable age.

Every young lady during the prime of her life had romantic elusions.

The Crown Prince, young and handsome as he was, should have been the object of her desire.

These were the thoughts that crossed everyone’s minds, yet none dared to give voice to them.

Concubine Yu came over and chatted with Jiang Ning. She saw Jin Man sitting quietly with her head hung down and chuckled, “Jin Liangyuan’s beauty is second only to the Princess Consort in the palace.”

Jin Man looked up at her, not recognizing her and unsure of how to respond.

Jiang Ning introduced her: “This is Concubine Yu.”

Jin Man hastily greeted, “Glad to meet you, Concubine Yu.”

“Please have a seat.”

Ever since Concubine Yu openly allied herself with the Princess Consort, she had become somewhat estranged from the wives aligned with the Empress. But she didn’t care.

She was different from the others. She had the Sixth Imperial Prince by her side. As long as she raised her child well and sided with the East Palace, her future stability was assured.

Pointing at Princess Zhenming’s direction, Concubine Yu stealthily chuckled, “I’m most perplexed by her. What was she thinking? Isn’t following the Crown Prince a better option?”

“What’s done is done, words no longer serve any purpose.” Jiang Ning replied, unruffled.

“True, she’s already shared the Emperor’s bed, the matters settled.”

“Shared his bed?” Jiang Ning looked up.

“Didn’t the Princess Consort hear?” Concubine Yu stifled a quiet laugh, “She was sent to the Crystal Frost Hall for the Emperor’s company last night. Otherwise, why would her coronation be so swift?”

Jiang Ning glanced at Princess Zhenming.

She sat with her hands on her knees, her head bowed, portraying a gentle composure.

Among the colourful crowd, she did not stand out particularly, yet her slightly melancholic, delicate temperament was very appealing.