Eunuch Jiao glanced at Chu Xingyun and had no choice but to go in and report.
A moment later, he emerged, and as Wang Xiting had said, Emperor Ye Yao allowed Chu Xingyun to enter and speak.
Chu Xingyun did not feel happy; her expression was even more somber than before.
"If there's nothing else, this sister will take her leave," Wang Xiting said, then walked away with her head held high and chest out.
Whether intentionally or not, her gait was somewhat awkward, as if she were unwell.
Chu Xingyun gritted her teeth, a surge of annoyance rising in her heart.
However, having been in the palace for so many years, she had long since mastered the art of concealing her emotions, showing no outward signs of her distress.
The study door opened.
Chu Xingyun walked in.
Eunuch Jiao remained outside guarding the door, not following her in.
Inside the study, only Emperor Ye Yao was present.
The room, with its windows closed and the heating turned up high, still held a lingering, decadent atmosphere.
Emperor Ye Yao sat on the dragon throne, the items on his desk in disarray.
Though he was dressed, his clothes were somewhat rumpled. The usually heroic face was now softened by a hint of desire, a softness tinged with a touch of decadence.
However, Chu Xingyun did not notice this subtle decadence, or perhaps, in such a scene, she wouldn't have paid attention even if she had.
She was more concerned with other matters: "Your Majesty, the imperial physicians say your body cannot be overexerted. You should pay more attention to your dragon body."
Emperor Ye Yao straightened his posture slightly, slowly tidying the scattered memorials on the desk. "I know my body well. Speak if you have something to say."
Seeing his somewhat cold attitude towards her, unlike before, Chu Xingyun knew her favor had been significantly divided with Wang Xiting, and her heart grew more resentful.
Yet, she managed to suppress it, saying softly, "I heard Your Majesty has already conferred the title of Consort upon Sister Wang?"
Emperor Ye Yao looked up at her, then continued his actions. "You must have heard the decree I issued."
"It is precisely because I heard it that I have come to discuss it with Your Majesty. This concubine feels that if Your Majesty favors Sister Wang, granting her the status of 'Noble Lady' would suffice. Directly conferring the title of Consort is perhaps not in accordance with propriety."
Actually, under normal circumstances, newcomers to the palace must start from the lowest rank of Lady. Directly conferring the title of Noble Lady was also a breach of ancestral regulations.
However, seeing Chu Xingyun's demeanor earlier, it was clear the Emperor doted on her greatly, so she could not afford to be too concerned.
Having her as a Noble Lady, on par with herself, was better than having her surpass her.
Emperor Ye Yao paused his tidying, looked up at Chu Xingyun, and said, "You believe I should not promote her to Consort? Did you not recommend her along with Consort Qin?"
Chu Xingyun's body stiffened.
Had Consort Qin mentioned her recommendation?
Damn it, she had indeed underestimated that woman!
"Yes, it was this concubine who recommended her, but at the time, I only wished to please Your Majesty. If it ultimately leads to Your Majesty breaking palace rules and being gossiped about, then it is this concubine's fault."
Emperor Ye Yao finished arranging the last document, placed one hand on the table, and his face, shedding its earlier desire, now bore an expression of boundless authority.
"Gossiped about? Who dares to gossip about me?"
In his youth, he had made mistakes precisely because he cared too much about others' opinions. Now, the opinions of others were of no importance to him.
Chu Xingyun was startled by his sharp reprimand and quickly knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This concubine is merely worried for you and has no other intentions."
Emperor Ye Yao looked at her with a heavy gaze. Seeing her face turn slightly pale, he softened his tone and waved his hand. "Never mind. You may rise. I am not blaming you."
Chu Xingyun breathed a sigh of relief and stood up.
Emperor Ye Yao continued, "What you said has some merit. If only she were conferred the title of Consort, it would indeed be criticized and cause discontent in the harem. Since that is the case, let those with seniority in the palace also be conferred the title of Consort."
Chu Xingyun's movement of rising halted, and she looked up in astonishment. "What did Your Majesty say?"
Emperor Ye Yao casually picked up a memorial, as if arranging 'what to eat today' with simple ease.
"I will issue the decree now. You and Consort Qin have the longest seniority in the palace, so you will both be exceptionally promoted to Consort."
"The matter of Duke Ying has concluded. Since the Duke Ying's estate has also been rebuilt, Consort Liang should no longer suffer injustice. Let her resume her title as Consort, with her emoluments as usual; she must not be mistreated."
When he mentioned 'Consort Liang,' his tone was very calm. He didn't even mention letting Liu Lanxue out of the cold palace, as if he were merely speaking of Consort Liang to avoid being criticized as 'heartless,' with no intention of showing her favor again.
It was precisely this that made Chu Xingyun's face turn even paler.
Was conferring the title of Consort a small matter?
If conferring the title of Consort was so easy, why had she toiled in the palace for so many years, even giving birth to a prince, yet remained only a Noble Lady?
But now, the Emperor was conferring the title of Consort upon all the sisters in the harem just to make the matter of 'conferring the title of Consort upon Wang Xiting' appear less conspicuous!
This was no longer a matter of favor!
"Your Majesty, this concubine feels..."
"Enough. I still have memorials to read. You may return first. The matter of conferring titles should be expedited, and you and Consort Qin will handle it together." Emperor Ye Yao interrupted her.
Chu Xingyun clenched her fists tightly.
She had followed the Emperor for so many years, believing she understood him well. Today's events made her feel that the Emperor she usually saw was merely the tip of the iceberg.
They say emperors are heartless, but when an emperor truly favors someone, it is to an extent that shakes the heavens and earth.
"Yes." Chu Xingyun took a deep breath and uttered a single word before retreating.
She no longer wished to persuade, nor did she need to.
The Emperor had even uttered the words 'Consort Qin,' indicating his mind was made up, and the matter was set in stone, requiring no further discussion.
The study door opened and then closed.
A cool breeze swirled around the room before exiting, dissipating much of the decadent atmosphere.
Even the air felt cooler.
Emperor Ye Yao was left alone in the room.
Emperor Ye Yao put down the memorial and pulled out a painting from beneath a pile of documents, opening it.
The painting depicted a woman, with only her form and no facial features.
Emperor Ye Yao stroked the painting repeatedly, his gaze gradually softening, though this tenderness was mingled with boundless bitterness.
"Xue'er, you should be able to accept those things now."
Resuming her title as Consort and receiving her emoluments is only proper. You shouldn't refuse anymore, right?
News of the conferral of titles spread rapidly through the harem. The collective promotion to Consort was an unprecedented event.
While everyone in the palace discussed the matter, Wang Xiting also became an object of envy.
To receive such favor from His Majesty was truly a blessing from a past life. If things continued this way, Wang Xiting might very well become the new Empress.
Such rumors quietly spread throughout the harem.
Chu Xingyun, after closing the door to her own palace, angrily smashed several items, and a sense of apprehension towards Wang Xiting began to grow.