Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 161 Promotion
That's quite generous.

Xie Jiu didn't react for a moment, staring blankly at Zhao Xingjin.

"What's wrong? So happy you can't speak? Hurry up and thank her." Zhao Xingjin looked at her amusedly.

These words brought Xie Jiu back to her senses, and she immediately smiled brightly, cupped Zhao Xingjin's face, and gave him a peck.

"I thank the emperor for his grace!"

This was the first time Zhao Xingjin had ever received such gratitude.

Feeling the soft touch of the woman's lips on his face, he felt inexplicably happy.

It felt like I'd eaten honey.

Putting aside other factors, Zhao Xingjin had to admit that he was growing to like Xie Jiu more and more.

Liking is not love; it's just simple liking, like a child liking a toy.

After all, talking about love with an emperor who has three palaces and six courtyards would be quite laughable; one can only say which one one they like the most.

"Alright, I'll promote you. There's one more thing I need to discuss with you."

Zhao Xingjin spoke softly.

Xie Jiu knew in her heart that it wouldn't be that simple, but she was prepared, so she just nodded obediently, "If Your Majesty says so, then so be it."

"I'm thinking that Wenxi is getting older and needs someone to properly educate and guide her. She likes you very much and gets along well with you. I also think you can teach her well. Therefore, I'm thinking that after you are promoted, you can raise Wenxi to live with you. Are you willing?"

After he said those words, Xie Jiu felt relieved.

Even if Zhao Xingjin hadn't brought it up, she would have had her own plans for the future. Now that the other party had brought it up, and Princess Wenxi was a good girl, and she and the princess did indeed have feelings for each other, so naturally she was willing.

but
"Your Majesty, I am willing to raise Princess Wenxi. However, the princess is growing up and still remembers her birth mother. The fact that Your Majesty posthumously honored Consort Xian with the title 'Xian' shows that she is an excellent person. I hope that Consort Xian will still be recorded as the princess's mother on her jade tablet, and that she will not be adopted into my name."

According to royal rules, if a prince or princess is properly raised, the child must be registered under the name of that concubine and considered her offspring, thus severing any connection with the birth mother. Xie Jiu did not want to do that.

Zhao Xingjin agreed with the suggestion and nodded, "Okay, then we'll do as you say."

The imperial decree promoting Xie Jiu was spread throughout the palace during breakfast.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly, but ultimately said nothing.

Now that the decree has been issued, there's no point in saying anything more.

Moreover, Zhao Xingjin's decision to have Xie Jiu raise Princess Wenxi is an attitude, a willingness to abandon the Xie family and protect Xie Jiu at present.

The Empress Dowager knew that Zhao Xingjin would not use the child as a bargaining chip, and that he would not abandon Princess Wenxi's future. This meant that Princess Wenxi would not be dragged down by Xie Jiu, and that Zhao Xingjin would not touch Xie Jiu at the moment. In fact, he would treat her very well.

Although it is unknown whether he did this to advance the Xie family's overall plan to flatter and destroy them, or whether he had genuinely developed feelings for Xie Jiu, the Empress Dowager knew that it was not advisable to interfere forcefully.

The best way to keep Zhao Xingjin at a rational and safe distance from Xie Jiu is to use a newcomer to attract his attention.

A talent show is a must.

However, there are very few people who can be as calm as the Empress Dowager.

Upon hearing the news of Xie Jiu's promotion early in the morning, the Empress was so angry that she overturned the table.

"She's already a concubine! She's only been with the Emperor for less than half a year!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. This must be because Consort Xie spoke up for His Majesty at the state banquet yesterday." Tingyun wanted to persuade her, but was interrupted by the Empress's cold laugh.

"What Consort Xie? She's Consort Jin now!"

The Empress gritted her teeth and uttered those two words, her eyes brimming with disgust and resentment.

"I was too indecisive after all, thinking I should take things slowly. I didn't expect her to be so cunning, coaxing the Emperor to send Wenxi to her to raise, and then getting herself a concubine title."

At this moment, the Empress was filled with remorse for not advising Zhao Xingjin earlier to let Consort Wei raise Princess Wenxi.

Compared to Xie Jiu, she could tolerate Wei Jieyu's promotion more, since Wei Jieyu was not favored.

Tingyun lowered her head. "Your Majesty, what should we do now?"

"What can we do? She's riding high right now; it would be foolish to provoke her," the Empress said irritably.

Tingyun pursed her lips. "What about the previous arrangements?"

When she asked this, the Empress's eyes flickered, then she sneered, "Since it's already been arranged, it will naturally be carried out. Just wait and see. The more smug she is now, the better we'll see how she manages to break this deadlock!"

After speaking, he took a deep breath, composed himself, and, as usual, put on his gentle smile before going outside to greet the people who had come to pay their respects.

“Consort Jin, now that Princess Wenxi is to be raised by you, you will have to put in a lot of effort. Also, now that you are a consort, it is not appropriate for you to live in Anqing Hall. I will have someone clean the main hall in a while, and you can move to the main hall of Ninghua Palace.”

After pausing, he continued, as if to comfort and reassure her.

“Although that used to be where Consort Yi lived, once she left, all the grudges and resentments dissipated. You have always been sensible and should understand this principle.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Jiu naturally understood that the Empress was deliberately trying to annoy her.

Immediately afterward, Consort Zhuang feigned fear and said, "Oh dear, this palace where someone has died is always unlucky. Consort Jin and that person didn't get along before, so it's best to have a Taoist priest from Baohua Palace perform a ritual to exorcise the evil spirits before moving in, so that you won't have a good night's sleep."

"Your Highness, Consort Zhuang, you may not know this, but whether Lady Zhang died in Luoying Palace or was murdered is none of my business. If she has any hatred, it is for the person who killed her. Besides, which palace in the palace has never seen a death? As far as I know, the favored concubine of the former Emperor Hui, Lady Qian, lived in Yanqing Palace. Later, she died young from illness."

Xie Jiu calmly picked up where Consort Zhuang left off, but seeing that Consort Zhuang was about to get angry, she immediately added...

"Besides, the Emperor is in the palace, and the Emperor's majesty is great. The palace is naturally protected by the dragon's aura. What demons and monsters would dare to cause trouble? If demons and monsters run rampant, it is a sign that the country is about to perish. Consort Zhuang, you don't need to worry. Our Great Jing is now very prosperous."

These words immediately silenced Consort Zhuang.

Otherwise, how should we respond? Should we say that Zhao Xingjin couldn't suppress the evil spirits? Wouldn't that mean Zhao Xingjin's dragon energy wasn't strong?

So he could only snort coldly and turn his head away in frustration.

Having resolved this matter, Xie Jiu smiled slightly and looked at the Empress, "Furthermore, I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness, but His Majesty has instructed me to move to Jingming Palace, and I have already asked Eunuch Yang to arrange for people to prepare."

These words successfully made the Empress's face freeze.

Jingming Palace is much closer to Zhao Xingjin's Chengming Hall, and the palace is more luxurious and spacious, making it a truly excellent location.

Unexpectedly, it was given to Xie Jiu.

After a long silence, the Empress finally managed to squeeze out a "Very well."

Xie Jiu smiled and said no more, but her splendid appearance had already been noticed by the concubines present.

But now, no one dares to provoke her anymore.

After leaving Weiyang Palace, Liu Cairen was summoned by Xie Jiu to keep her company.