Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 942: Concubine Chen will definitely be the next queen

The process of conferring a title on a noble concubine, whether it is the preliminary preparations, the conferring ceremony, or the subsequent series of rules, is much more complicated than in previous times.

After the enthronement ceremony was completed, according to palace rules, Shen Zhinian had to go to the emperor's residence and perform the three kneeling and nine kowtows ceremony to thank God for his grace.

Then they went to the palaces of the Empress Dowager and the Queen respectively to perform the Six Grand Ceremony to show their respect.

The next day, Shen Zhinian would receive congratulations from the concubines and palace maids. Shen Zhinian would reward them with corresponding items to highlight the difference in status.

The Ministry of Rites needed to offer sacrifices to the Taimiao and Fengxian Hall in the name of the imperial concubine and report the canonization to the ancestors, symbolizing that she had officially obtained the royal recognition.

The sacrificial texts were written by the Hanlin Academy, and contained mostly words of prayer and loyalty.

Madam Xiao said to Shen Zhinian, "Madam, it's almost time. We have to hurry to the Yangxin Palace."

Shen Zhinian nodded slightly and walked out with the help of Handan and Fuqiu.

Fortunately, she now travels in a sedan chair in summer and a warm sedan chair in winter. Otherwise, Zhongcui Palace is so far away from the Yangxin Palace, and she would be exhausted walking there with such complicated clothes.

The grand ceremonial procession went all the way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The concubines and palace maids he met on the road all stopped to salute him, with an attitude of utmost respect.

Soon, Shen Zhinian's ceremonial procession arrived at the Yangxin Palace.

Li Changde had been waiting outside for a long time. When he saw Shen Zhinian, he immediately came up to her with a smile on his face: "Your servant greets Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine Chen. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"

"I am here to congratulate the queen!"

"Your Majesty is already waiting for you, please come in!"

Shen Zhinian, who was dressed in a gorgeous attire, nodded slightly and stepped into the Yangxin Palace.

Nangong Xuanyu's attire today was also very formal.

The emperor stood under the Panlong Pillar, his bright yellow dragon robe making his face look as if covered with a layer of gilded gold.

His sword-like eyebrows slanted into his temples, and the shadow cast by his brow bones was like a dark mountain. His deep eyes were filled with sharpness. Under his straight nose, his thin lips were pressed into a sharp straight line, and he seemed to exude an imposing aura without anger.

His complexion was slightly bronze, revealing the fortitude that comes from years of martial arts training and handling government affairs. The contours of his cheeks were as if carved by a knife or an axe, adding a bit of domineering aura, showing the proud demeanor of a king!

The moment Nangong Xuanyu's gaze fell on Shen Zhinian, the coldness in his eyes quickly disappeared, replaced by a hint of tenderness.

Even though he was used to seeing this face, Shen Zhinian still had to sigh that this man was really born with a good appearance! Especially the identity of an emperor, which added to his glory that ordinary people could not match.

She walked to the center of the hall, stood still, and knelt down to salute: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live your Majesty..."

Who knew that before Shen Zhinian could bow down, Nangong Xuanyu strode forward and personally helped her up: "No need to bow."

Shen Zhinian raised her charming eyes, looked at Nangong Xuanyu and said, "Your Majesty, this is against the rules..."

"I know that you have always doted on me, so it would be fine if you didn't let me perform the ceremony on weekdays. But today is the first time I come to formally pay my respects to you after the ceremony of conferring the title..."

Nangong Xuanyu held her hand and said gently, "I have already said that you, I and Ah Xu are a family of three. Since we are a family, why should we pay attention to those empty formalities?"

Hearing this, the palace servants in the hall, led by Li Changde, lowered their heads even lower.

They didn't see anything so unruly...

In the past, everyone would have been very surprised that Concubine Chen had such an important position in His Majesty's heart! It seems that the position of the Empress...

However, similar situations have happened too many times, and they have long been accustomed to it. They also tacitly agree in their hearts that Concubine Chen will definitely be the next queen, but the time has not come yet.

After all, compared with those concubines who have been serving His Majesty since the palace, the time she has been in the palace is still shorter.

Concubine Chen is not experienced enough and was promoted too quickly. If Your Majesty rashly issues such an order, it will definitely cause opposition from the ministers.

Li Changde thought, perhaps it was because of this that His Majesty was paving the way for Concubine Chen step by step.

Although it is important to follow the rules in the palace, the atmosphere has become so tense. If Shen Zhinian continues to shirk responsibility, it would seem that he is a little ignorant of the situation.

She gave Nangong Xuanyu a charming smile: "Then I would like to thank Your Majesty for your consideration."

"Ah."

Nangong Xuanyu habitually wanted to touch Shen Zhinian's hair, but saw the complicated imperial crown on her head, so he pinched her cheek and said softly: "Go to the Cining Palace to pay respect to the Queen Mother. When you are done, go back and have a good rest."

Shen Zhinian bowed and said, "I'll take my leave!"

Fortunately, there was no queen in the palace anymore, so she didn't need to go to Kunning Palace again. After leaving the Yangxin Palace, she sat on the sedan chair and went all the way to Cining Palace.

The people from Cining Palace had been waiting outside for a long time. When they saw Shen Zhinian coming, they all bowed politely: "Your servant/servant greets Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine Chen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health!"

Shen Zhinian waved his hand: "Everyone get up."

"Thank you, Imperial Concubine Chen!"

Nanny Yuan stepped forward and said, "My Lady Concubine Chen, the Empress Dowager is waiting for you. Please follow me."

Shen Zhinian nodded slightly and followed her.

Normally, such a formal audience should be held in the solemn main hall. However, Empress Dowager Liu was in a special situation, so Nanny Yuan could only take Shen Zhinian all the way to her bedroom.

As soon as he came in, Shen Zhinian smelled a strong smell of medicine.

She could hardly remember when was the last time she came to the Cining Palace.

It seems that there is a big gap between Empress Dowager Liu now and she was then.

Shen Zhinian put away her emotions and stepped forward to pay her respects: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager!"

Even though the two had already clashed many times, Empress Dowager Liu was still gentle when they met, as if she were a very loving elder: "Noble Concubine Chen, you are here."

Because she had been lying in bed for a long time, her voice sounded very weak.

Shen Zhinian then realized that Empress Dowager Liu's cheeks had become deeply sunken, and she looked sallow and listless. She was completely different from the noble appearance she had when they first met.

Somehow, seeing Empress Dowager Liu like this, Shen Zhinian suddenly remembered that when Jiang Shuren was still alive, she also looked terminally ill every time they went to Kunning Palace to pay a visit.

At this moment, Shen Zhinian couldn't help but feel a little doubtful.

In the previous life, Empress Dowager Liu was still alive and well until the fall of Duke Dingguo's Mansion. In consideration of their past mother-son relationship, the emperor did not kill her, but only imprisoned her in the Cining Palace.

In theory, Empress Dowager Liu should have been in good health. Even if she had been paralyzed by an accident in her lifetime, she shouldn't have become like this with so many imperial doctors taking care of her.

Is it possible...

Shen Zhinian suddenly remembered what Nangong Xuanyu said, that he would ask for some interest back for her...