Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 210 The Empress Chosen by Imperial Decree

Everyone present could see that Consort De was not in high spirits. Therefore, it was impossible for Consort De to be chosen as the Empress.

If it's neither Consort Hui nor Consort De, then who could it be?

"Did Your Majesty say that the Empress would be chosen from among the existing concubines in the harem?" Consort Tao pressed.

Consort De replied listlessly, "I didn't ask any further questions."

It's not her either way, so why should she ask?

So in Murong's heart, she was nothing, wasn't she? The so-called favor she received in the past could only fool those who didn't know the truth.

Before Murong ascended the throne, she certainly received all the good things imaginable. But upon closer examination, those were merely material possessions.

At that time, only she and Consort Ning lived in the Prince's residence. If it wasn't given to her, it would have been given to Consort Ning. She received more, but Consort Ning probably received quite a bit as well.

Everyone says she is Murong's ideal woman, but does she really deserve to be called that?
Consort De knew she was somewhat prone to being love-struck. When she was infatuated with Xie Zhijie, she used many methods to try and get his attention.

Now that she has become one of Murong's concubines, even though his harem is full of beauties, she, a transmigrated woman, easily accepts the reality of having to share a husband with other women.

When she didn't like him, she didn't care about anything. But after falling in love with him, she hoped that he would love her too.

When she suddenly realized that Murong didn't care about her, she felt like she had lost all her energy and spirit.

She had no more interest in dealing with the concubines and dismissed them, saying, "If you have any other questions, please ask His Majesty. I will not entertain you any further. Please leave."

Seeing Consort De's dejected appearance, everyone probably knew that she was in a bad mood.

Their sisterhood was all fake to begin with, and they should have been happy that Consort De was out of the picture.

But then I thought, if even Consort De can't become Empress, then they can forget about ever getting the position.

We're all pretty much the same; none of us are any better than the other.

When Consort Tao left Changqiu Palace, her mind was still racing. She felt there was something strange about the matter; the position of the Empress was so important, how could it be decided so easily?

Moreover, she only received notification that the list was finalized, but Consort De had also visited the Qianqing Palace and received His Majesty's confirmation.

That means it's true, but it couldn't be Consort De or Consort Hui. So who could it be?

Among the concubines in the harem, who else is qualified to be the empress?
Many of the other concubines were of low rank, and the only one who was worth mentioning was Consort Ning. Could it be Consort Ning? After all, Consort Ning was an elder and the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion. Back when she was with Murong, she was only a concubine.

As the legitimate daughter of Consort Ning's General's Mansion, she could easily become the principal wife of an unfavored prince.

If His Majesty were to appoint Consort Ning as Empress, it would be highly likely.

Among the concubines who went to Shou'an Palace to inquire about news today, Consort Ning was the only one not to be seen. Could it be that Consort Ning had already received word of the news and therefore did not want to get involved with them?
"Sister Fang, how about I go see Consort Ning? Perhaps Consort Ning has caught the Empress Dowager's eye this time, and she is the Empress's chosen one. If we get on good terms with Consort Ning beforehand, it will be beneficial to our future." Consort Tao had an idea in an instant.

The person who had just spoken seemed rather uninterested: "It's still uncertain who will become empress. It doesn't matter who becomes empress, I can't threaten anyone anyway. I'm too lazy to get involved, so I'm leaving."

Consort Tao couldn't force the issue, so she summoned Consort Xiao and Lady Wu and went to Jingren Palace, where Consort Ning resided. Jingren Palace was always quiet and secluded, and Consort Ning was usually low-key and rarely interacted with others.

Seeing Tao Zhaoyi and the others arrive, he was somewhat surprised: "What brings you sisters to my Jingren Palace for a short visit?"

"Sister, your words make us feel embarrassed," said Consort Tao, glancing at the furnishings of Jingren Palace.

She immediately noticed a vermilion, straight-mouthed, short-necked vase on the sandalwood table, filled with the latest blooms of periwinkle.

The periwinkle's vibrant colors, set against the crimson vase, make the colors appear even more magnificent, almost dazzlingly so.

"Does my sister also like periwinkles?" Consort Ning's voice startled Consort Tao from her thoughts.

Tao Zhaoyi glanced at the periwinkle a few more times, then shook her head and replied, "I don't really like it. I always feel that it's too flamboyant, even a bit gaudy."

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt that her words were somewhat ambiguous, so she added, "But the home furnishings here are too simple. If a bright color were added, it would immediately catch the eye."

Consort Ning smiled and said, "I simply like its name. Flowers don't bloom for a hundred days, but it is named 'Spring Every Day,' which is another kind of beautiful hope."

Looking at Consort Ning's gentle smile, Consort Tao thought about her background in a general's mansion. At first glance, upon hearing that Consort Ning was the legitimate daughter of a general, she assumed that Consort Ning was a fierce and capable daughter of a military family, skilled in martial arts.

In retrospect, she was naive.

She disliked many women in the harem, including Consort Hui and Consort De, but Consort Ning, true to her name, gave people a sense of tranquility and peace, and it was very comfortable to be with her.

She's just too low-key and doesn't have much of a presence.

Even when they stayed at Yangyun Pavilion together at Yiyuan last time, she didn't have much of an impression of Consort Ning.

To be honest, she would have felt resentful if any other concubine had become empress. But since Consort Ning had caught His Majesty's eye and ascended to the position of empress, she felt it was perfectly reasonable.

"Sister, you have such a kind nature; no wonder His Majesty values ​​you so highly." Consort Tao smiled and then changed the subject, "Are you aware that His Majesty is about to appoint an Empress?"

"This matter has spread far and wide, how could I not know? Is this why you've come, sister?" As Consort Ning spoke, Linglong served tea.

Consort Tao smiled and said, "No one in the harem can sit still, only you, sister, remain as immovable as a mountain. Did you receive some prior notice, sister?"

Consort Ning smiled upon hearing this: "Do I look like someone who is unmoved? I just feel that the matter is already settled, and there is no use in being anxious. Of course, I also care about who ascends to the position of Empress. If that person is easy to get along with, that's fine. But if they are not, I'm afraid there will be no peace in the harem. I just think that the person His Majesty and the Empress Dowager have chosen should not be too bad."

Consort Tao felt that Consort Ning's words were indeed true.

"Then, sister, guess who will rise to the top?" Consort Tao probed again.

Consort Ning shook her head without hesitation: "I couldn't have imagined it. Don't laugh at me, sister, but I did think about going to Shou'an Palace to ask, but I gave up in the end. Consort Hui is under house arrest. Currently, I am the highest-ranking person in the harem, so I should act more prudently."

Tao Zhaoyi felt that these must be Consort Ning's true feelings, and thus became even closer to Consort Ning.

“I only know that neither Consort De nor Consort Hui had a chance. One was confined to her quarters, and the other had personally inquired with His Majesty. I guess the only person His Majesty might appoint is you, sister.” As she said this, Consort Tao’s smile brightened. “If you become Empress, sister, don’t forget your younger sister.”