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

Chapter 240

The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was as lively as ever.

This year, thanks to the addition of the fifth prince and the resolution of several major issues at the beginning of the year, things have gone smoothly, and Zhao Xingjin is in a good mood.

He drank several cups of wine with the ministers at the banquet.

The Empress sat beside him, smiling radiantly and dignified. Seeing Zhao Xingjin's high spirits, she seized the opportunity to speak.

"This year has been blessed with favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. Consort Chen is due to give birth after the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Fifth Prince is growing up healthy and strong. I am truly delighted to see this, and I am confident that the upcoming autumn examinations will be able to attract many talented individuals for Your Majesty."

What she said made sense. In front of outsiders, Zhao Xingjin always gave the Empress face, so he responded with a smile.

“Yes, a bountiful harvest and peace for the people is a blessing for the Great Jing Dynasty, a blessing from Heaven,” Zhao Xingjin said loudly. He then looked at Consort Sun and said, “The banquet will last a long time. The Fifth Prince is still young. If he is tired, let the wet nurse take him back to rest early so as not to disturb the child.”

Consort Sun nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty, I just noticed that the child is sleepy and was about to take him away."

"Okay, go ahead." Zhao Xingjin waved his hand.

Soon, Consort Sun arranged for someone to take the Fifth Prince away.

The Empress looked at her and praised, "Consort Sun is very meticulous and has taken excellent care of the Fifth Prince. The child is strong and lively, which shows that she has put in a lot of effort. Your Majesty, I think that Consort Sun has been serving Your Majesty for quite some time and has always been sensible and well-mannered. Now that a new lady has entered the palace, I think it is time to promote the senior concubines in the palace."

Indeed, Guo Rongning, who lived in the Summer Palace with Consort Sun, was a Consort upon entering the palace.

There's no problem with this suggestion.

Therefore, Zhao Xingjin immediately agreed. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Then let's make Lady Sun a beauty and bestow upon her the title of Liang."

"My lady, why don't you quickly express your gratitude?" the Empress reminded her with a smile.

Overjoyed, Madam Sun immediately stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"

After she finished thanking them, Chen Meiren, who was standing beside her, was also deeply moved.

Thinking that she and Lady Sun entered the palace in the same batch, and that she was now pregnant, she wondered if she could also be promoted.
Unexpectedly, after Zhao Xingjin promoted Consort Liang, he stopped mentioning others, and the Empress did not ask for favors for Consort Chen.

This was something Consort Chen could have foreseen. After all, she was now the daughter of a disgraced official, and without this pregnancy, her life would probably be even more difficult. Nevertheless, she still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Moreover, Consort Chen vaguely sensed that Consort Liang's presence beside the Empress posed a threat to her.

However, no one noticed her emotions at the moment; everyone was congratulating Liang Meiren on her promotion.

After the banquet, Zhao Xingjin went to Weiyang Palace.

On such a major holiday, the Empress must be given face.

Since the concubines had no reason to compete, the society was very harmonious.

Xie Jiu did not ride in a sedan chair, but walked back to Jingming Palace. Princess Wenxi had already been sent back because she was sleepy. Qingfang carried a lantern and Chunrong waved a fan. The three of them walked back slowly.

"It's not easy being a Liang Meiren (a concubine of high rank). She's already had a child, but she's still just a Meiren. I wonder when she'll be able to reach the rank of Pin (a concubine of the highest rank)." Qingfang sighed.

Chunrong's face also showed a hint of sympathy. "Yes, but that's always been the case in the palace. Some people who don't receive the emperor's favor will never reach a high position in their entire lives. I've heard from the old people in the palace that many of the concubines in the former emperor's harem had children, but they were only Baolin (a low-ranking concubine). When the children grew up and got married, sometimes they could be given the rank of Pin (another low-ranking concubine) for the sake of face. If they were unfortunate, they would remain in a lowly position until their death." In the palace, it is common for beautiful women to have short lives and little fortune.

Xie Jiu lowered his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Today the Empress spoke up for Consort Liang. It's highly likely that Consort Liang will rely on the Empress, which is not a good prospect for her."

What does the Empress lack, and what does she want?
The princes will secure their positions as the phoenix and eventually the crown prince.

“Given Liang’s temperament, if the Empress were to drag her into this struggle, she would likely suffer greatly,” Chunrong frowned.

Through their interactions over this period, it became clear that Sun was a simple-minded person who was easily deceived.

Qingfang frowned. "Never mind, if she sides with the Empress, we'll have to be extra careful in the future, especially since she has a child. If something happens to the imperial heir, no one can afford to take responsibility."

That makes sense.

Xie Jiu nodded and looked up at the bright moon in the sky.

"However, I think that Consort Chen will be disappointed after giving birth to this child. The Empress used to want to have a prince through her womb, but her family has run into trouble and they have become criminals. The future crown prince cannot have such a stain. That is probably why the Empress has become close to Consort Liang."

The two maids were clearly not prepared for this, and they were stunned when they heard this.

Indeed, when Consort Liang was pregnant before, the Empress did not care at all, and even used the fetus in her womb to set a trap. But now, she has suddenly become very warm towards her.

If you say there's no problem, who would believe you?
But, unfortunately, the beautiful woman believed it.

She didn't feel anything wrong with the Empress's sudden kindness towards her; she just thought that she would probably have to do some things for the Empress in the future. Little did she know that the child she valued most was the Empress's target.

Whether the mother will be removed and the child kept, or some other method will be used, remains to be seen.

"Should we remind the Empress about this? After all, she has a prince she can support, which is not good for us," Chunrong said.

Xie Jiu chuckled lightly, "What's the rush? The Emperor has only been on the throne for a little over two years and is still so young. Planning so early might not be able to keep up with the changes. Besides, I don't think the Emperor can't see through the Empress's thoughts. If he could, what do you think the Emperor would think?"

“Your Majesty surely wouldn’t like it if others started plotting against his throne so quickly,” Qingfang replied.

Xie Jiu blinked, not replying, but that was enough to confirm her suspicions.

Meanwhile, in Weiyang Palace, the Empress was discussing the Fifth Prince with Zhao Xingjin.

“Your Majesty, you previously promised Consort Liang that she would be allowed to raise the Fifth Prince herself until he was six months old. The time is almost up. Last time, the Fifth Prince accidentally fell off the bed, and Consort Liang cried and blamed herself. I know that it was not her fault, but her love for her son is truly touching. Consort Liang begged me to let the Fifth Prince stay by her side a little longer, but I naturally cannot make that decision.”

Zhao Xingjin had just finished bathing and was already somewhat tired. When he heard the Empress mention this matter, he spoke indifferently.

"So what do you mean? Tell me."

After he asked the question, the Empress frowned slightly, as if she was somewhat embarrassed. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly.

"Your Majesty, I think that the rule that those below the rank of Consort cannot raise their children themselves is not without reason. The birth mother is of low rank and may lack vision, knowledge, and even upbringing. The imperial offspring should not be neglected in their upbringing. Therefore, they may be raised by a high-ranking Consort or by a special person in the palace. However, I think that there is always room for human feelings outside of the rules. The Fifth Prince is only half a year old and was almost injured due to the carelessness of the servants. Perhaps it would be better to let Consort Liang raise him until he is one year old and then make further arrangements?"