Chapter 377: Chapter 377

Since he had agreed, Yinreng was quite straightforward about it. The very next day after returning, he promptly gave his approval.

Before their departure to the Hot Springs Traveling Palace after the New Year, residences suitable for the various Grand Imperial Consorts had already been fully arranged at the various princely mansions.

Suddenly receiving this tremendous good news, the group of Grand Imperial Consorts, who had rarely gathered together out of boredom to play cards, couldn't help but be stunned.

"After all, it's Her Majesty the Empress Dowager whose words carry real weight!"

Consort Rong couldn't help but sigh.

Earlier, several Beile princes led by Yinzhi had also made attempts, but unfortunately, those efforts ultimately came to nothing.

Because of previous incidents, none of the brothers dared to truly offer too much advice, fearing they might accidentally step on this particular landmine.

"It's not entirely unexpected," Consort De said with a faint expression. "Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has treated the Empress Dowager with nothing but thorough consideration in every aspect..."

The several Grand Imperial Consorts exchanged glances. After the overwhelming joy passed, recalling the scene from that day, complex emotions that were hard to describe appeared on their faces.

Perhaps none of them had ever imagined that after all these years of fighting among themselves—for their families, or for their sons—the position of Empress Dowager would ultimately land on the head of a woman they initially didn't pay much attention to, even thinking she had no future.

A daughter of a convicted official, Consort Chen, Imperial Noble Consort, Imperial Noble Consort, Empress... for decades she had overshadowed everyone in the rear palace.

And what they saw that day:

"Who would have thought that after all these years, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager still retains her youthful beauty. At first glance, she looks like an immortal from the clouds..."

She appeared to be at most in her twenties, probably not even thirty yet!

Lady Majia couldn't help but feel moved in her heart.

This was more than just good maintenance; what was important was that indescribable, pure and peerless aura about her, which in her view shone even more brilliantly than the finest white jade.

Occasionally, even they as women would be stunned for a moment when looking at her, let alone others!

Considering how the current Emperor visited to pay respects almost daily after ascending the throne, outsiders all said His Majesty valued filial piety just like the Late Emperor. But how could they, as experienced veterans, truly have no suspicions at all?

Facing such a great beauty who seemed to gather all the spiritual essence of heaven and earth every single day—could nothing really happen?

Of course, no one dared to actually voice these words. Involving the Empress Dowager of the nation and the Emperor, no matter how many suspicions they had, they could only keep them in their hearts.

Moreover, the Empress Dowager had managed the palace for decades, and now she even held the Phoenix Seal in her hands. Even if something were truly happening, it would absolutely never show the slightest hint.

For example, now, pretending not to catch the implied meaning in the other's words, Consort Yi quickly laughed, her tone as straightforward and cheerful as always:

"Of course! Sister Empress Dowager has held high position for decades—what good things in this world hasn't she used? Plus, she has a temperament where nothing weighs on her mind. It's only natural that she maintains her appearance so well."

Of course, what was important was that she had no children. In Consort Yi's view, no matter how good the conditions in the palace were, women always lose some of their vital energy when giving birth.

Besides, after having children, you have to worry about them every single day—how could you possibly be carefree?

Tsk, if it were possible, she'd want to stuff that troublesome Ninth Prince back in...

Of course, saying this didn't prevent Consort Yi from being driven mad by the Ninth Prince every day, yet still having to grit her teeth and clean up his messes.

"Yes, indeed nothing weighs on her mind..." someone else at the table sighed.

Even after the Late Emperor passed away, this one seemed to grieve, but then everything appeared to continue without the slightest change.

Recalling the many exceptions the Late Emperor made earlier for her, and the various behaviors of the current Emperor since his accession, plus the fact that the Third Prince's noble rank still hadn't been promoted, Consort Rong's eyes couldn't help but show some complexity:

"Ah, such an ice-hearted, snow-souled peerless beauty... I wonder if she was actually fortunate or unfortunate for the Late Emperor..."

Seeing that she was genuinely concerned, Consort Yi couldn't help but laugh:

"Sister Rong, that's quite amusing. With someone like Sister Empress Dowager, even if she were ice-hearted and snow-souled, do you really think any man in this world could actually bring himself to let her go?"

Look at this—she's actually feeling sorry for the Late Emperor now! In Guo Luoluo's view, even if they started over again, knowing the beauty had no heart for him, would the Late Emperor have been willing to release her?

How could that be possible?

Besides, leaving that aside, how much genuine feeling did the Late Emperor himself have? Such a breathtakingly beautiful woman—even she as a woman felt pity for her—yet when he pushed her out as a pawn in earlier years, didn't he hesitate at all?

If it weren't for that one being extremely intelligent, anyone else probably wouldn't have been able to keep their life...

And with that, still hoping to win the beauty's affection?

"Alright, alright!" Pushing the playing cards in her hand casually, Consort Yi soon said cheerfully:

"Why think so much about it? Once we leave the palace, after all these years, we sisters have finally endured through to the other side..."

Guo Luoluo's words carried a sigh.

At our age, isn't it better to peacefully enjoy life at our sons' residences? Why think about all this?

Thinking that she would soon be reunited with her son, Consort Rong quickly had her attention diverted and was no longer willing to dwell on these palace disputes.

No matter what, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has shown more kindness than anything else toward us...

As for whether it's unfair to the Late Emperor, that's not something we can interfere with.

In early March, when An Ning's party returned from the Traveling Palace, it was time for several Grand Imperial Consorts to leave the palace. However, An Ning didn't see them off personally at that time, only sending Chun Lan and others to deliver congratulatory gifts.

She was even less aware of these people's complex thoughts.

But even if she knew, it wouldn't matter. As the saying goes, the position of Empress can be abolished or treated coldly. But as the Empress Dowager of the nation, even the Emperor must show respect on the surface.

Even if Yinreng were to move against her, he could only do so secretly. But before that happens, who acts faster remains to be seen.

Rumors? Even if someone really guesses something, who would dare speak out? A charge of slandering the imperial family could ruin an entire family's future.

Just like now, with this status, seeing the new Emperor visit so diligently every day, no matter how much people might gossip privately, on the surface they can only praise "how truly filial the Emperor is."

"Hehe, but honestly speaking, host, your beauty in this lifetime is truly beyond criticism!"

Looking at her , even the system felt somewhat intoxicated. No wonder that scoundrel emperor was so possessive everywhere!

Looking at the person in the mirror, An Ning couldn't help but chuckle lightly. The original body's foundation was one aspect, but her own later enhancements were another.

There was no other way. With the original body's starting position, if she had been even slightly less beautiful, her journey upward over the years would have encountered additional obstacles.

Noble daughters from prominent families, especially during the Qing Dynasty's strictly hierarchical period—first the Niohuru clan, then the Tongjiashi clan—not to mention these women themselves, even their families wouldn't be willing to see a woman of humble origins placed above their own ladies.

Wouldn't that be a slap in the face?

Yet Kangxi was someone who cared intensely about face and valued these things.

This was also why in earlier years, she dared to act boldly and even confront people without worrying about being discarded.

It wasn't that she expected Kangxi to have much conscience.

But when elevating someone without background but with intelligence to a high position, only by being absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful would those outsiders' first reaction not be that their families had been insulted, or that the Emperor was deliberately disrespecting them by promoting such a person to slap them in the face.

Instead, they would understand as fellow appreciators.

After all, who doesn't love beauty?

And their expectations of her would continuously lower.

For such a "seductive consort" who was considered enough to disrupt the court, being well-behaved without promoting her maternal family, without causing chaos in the court, and without children—was already quite good enough.

As for other consequences caused by this...

Another day, seeing that this person was still exploring technical issues at such a late hour, after a series of slightly hurried light pants, An Ning suddenly reached out and pushed him:

"The mourning period has already passed, yet there are still no children born in the palace. Aren't you really worried about the gossip outside?"