The emperor's sudden action naturally caught the attention of the Empress and Concubine Shu.
Concubine Shu paused while peeling grapes—was her fruit not sweet enough? His Majesty still had his mind on the kumquats peeled by someone else. She wiped her hands clean and leaned back into her chair, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Concubine Qi, who seemed at a loss about how to handle the plate of kumquats before her.
It appeared that during her recent seclusion, some changes had taken place in the palace. She had heard about Concubine Qi riding the imperial palanquin that day, but when news arrived the next day that the emperor had revoked Concubine Qi’s name from the summons list, she dismissed her as insignificant.
Yet tonight, despite Concubine Shu sitting beautifully by the emperor’s side, he still had eyes for Concubine Qi. Her expression darkened.
Meanwhile, the Empress raised an eyebrow. Knowing the emperor well, she found it unusual for him to act this way during a banquet. Moreover, she suspected that sending kumquats to Concubine Qi wasn’t a reward—but rather a form of… mischief?
The Empress hesitated to confirm her guess, for if true, it would make the emperor seem rather… childish.
She spoke up at the right moment, "Your Majesty, it is getting late. Shall we announce that matter?"
Jiang Yuan had been enjoying Qi Daiyu’s troubled expression, but at the Empress’s words, he reluctantly agreed. The music and dance had just concluded, and the hour was indeed late. "Proceed," he nodded.
The Empress raised her hand, and the musicians and dancers withdrew. Conversations and laughter gradually quieted.
Then, the Empress declared, "As we welcome the new year, it is fitting to seek auspicious blessings. His Majesty and I have decided to reward the imperial consorts for their service."
As soon as she finished, Quan Fuhai unfurled an imperial edict.
Everyone in the hall, except Jiang Yuan himself, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and Quan Fuhai, knelt to receive the decree.
"...Lady Qin of Qixiang Palace is elevated to the rank of Noble Consort, granted the title 'Zhuang,' and shall move into the main hall of Qixiang Palace! Three hundred taels of gold and six bolts of silk!"
"...Concubine Qi of Changchun Palace is elevated to the rank of Consort, granted the title 'Hui,' two hundred taels of gold, and four bolts of silk!"
"...Lady Miao of Jingren Palace is elevated to the rank of Concubine… Lady Cao is elevated to the rank of Beauty..."
Qi Daiyu hadn’t expected to be included in the promotions. She glanced up at the Empress, who smiled at her knowingly—this was gratitude for saving the Eldest Princess!
From Concubine to Consort, her monthly stipend would now be fifty taels of silver! And with the additional two hundred taels of gold, this was truly a bountiful year!
Qi Daiyu was delighted, though she paid little mind to the honorary title.
The newly promoted consorts stepped forward to express their gratitude.
Just as Qi Daiyu was about to kneel, she noticed the orange stains in her fingernails.
"..."
She faltered for a moment but quickly recovered, speeding up her movements to avoid embarrassment.
Jiang Yuan noticed her reaction and chuckled. "Rise!"
When Qi Daiyu returned to her seat and resumed struggling with the kumquats, his smile deepened.
Seizing the emperor’s good mood, the nobles who had been holding back all evening took the chance to present their New Year gifts, showering him with flattery. Some even boasted of composing odes on the spot—though Jiang Yuan knew full well these wine-soaked fools had their words prepared by scholars long before.
Still, he played along, selecting a few young men to bestow minor official titles upon. The recipients were overjoyed, believing their loyalty had been recognized—unaware that Jiang Yuan had already decided on them beforehand.
This was only the beginning. Tomorrow’s banquet for court officials would see more nobles’ sons granted positions.
Suppressing the influence of aristocratic families was no easy task. If he struck too harshly, they might unite against him.
A stick today, a carrot tomorrow—just the right balance.
Lost in political thoughts, the emperor paid no further attention to his consorts.
When Quan Fuhai returned with a plate of perfectly peeled kumquats—each segment plump and free of fibers—Jiang Yuan was momentarily surprised.
He glanced at Qi Daiyu’s seat, only to find it empty.
Quan Fuhai, ever observant, whispered, "Consort Hui must have gone to wash her hands." Those stained fingers—tsk, tsk.
"Hmm." Jiang Yuan nodded, popping a segment into his mouth. It was exceptionally sweet.
Qi Daiyu had indeed slipped out to wash up—and relieve herself. Between the food and drinks at the banquet, she had been holding it in for a while.
Coincidentally, Noble Consort Qin—now Noble Consort Zhuang—emerged as well, and the two walked together.
Only after the edict had been read did Qi Daiyu learn Noble Consort Zhuang’s full name: Qin Saizhu.
Qin Saizhu grinned. "Now I can openly use Qixiang Palace’s kitchen! The old one was cramped. Once I get a couple more cooks from the imperial kitchens, I’ll invite you over for a feast!"
As a Noble Consort, she now had authority over her palace, including its main kitchen.
Seeing her remain so casual despite her promotion, Qi Daiyu relaxed and asked about her earlier dispute with Concubine Miao.
Qin Saizhu gave a self-deprecating smile. "Nothing serious. We crossed paths earlier and exchanged words. My rank and favor surpass hers, so she couldn’t gain the upper hand. Still, she struck a nerve."
"But any sadness is gone now."
Concubine Miao might have been promoted to Concubine, but Qin Saizhu had risen to Noble Consort. Why dwell on the past?
Her plump cheeks dimpled with mischief, making Qi Daiyu itch to pinch them—which she did without thinking.
The moment her fingers touched Qin Saizhu’s skin, both froze.
Then Qin Saizhu burst into laughter, growing more amused by the second.
Her reaction only deepened Qi Daiyu’s embarrassment.
Blushing, Qi Daiyu mumbled, "Perhaps I’ve had too much wine…"
This only made Qin Saizhu laugh harder.
The banquet lasted until late. Guests departed, and the consorts returned to their quarters.
The emperor invited the Empress and Concubine Shu to join the Empress Dowager in celebrating the New Year at Cining Palace, while the others observed the tradition in their own residences.
Back at Yanqing Residence, Qi Daiyu was greeted by her servants, led by Putao, all offering congratulations.
"Greetings to Consort Hui! May your fortunes rise with each passing year!"
Their cheerful voices lifted her spirits further. "Everyone shall be rewarded!" she declared. "A joyous New Year to all!"
Just then, Quan Fuhai arrived.
Qi Daiyu tensed—why would the emperor send him at this hour? Surely he didn’t plan to stay the night here on New Year’s Eve!
But Quan Fuhai merely presented a tray. "Consort Hui, His Majesty sent this for you."
Oh? A reward?
The rewards for the promotion to Consort Hui were already plentiful—two hundred taels of gold and four bolts of satin were explicitly mentioned in the imperial decree, along with other unlisted gifts like tables, chairs, vases, and screens. There were also intangible benefits, such as increased daily food and charcoal allowances.
Yet, the Emperor still sent her additional gifts.
Qi Daiyu couldn’t help but ask, "Is this just for me, or do the other consorts receive gifts as well?"
If everyone got something, it would be nothing special. But if this was meant solely for her, it would be downright alarming.
Quan Fuhai smiled. "Each palace has received carefully selected gifts from His Majesty." However, for the Yanqing Residence, the Emperor had specifically instructed him to deliver them personally.
Relieved, Qi Daiyu lifted the red cloth covering the tray.
On it lay eight kumquats, each the size of a baby’s fist—but these were made entirely of gold!
Qi Daiyu’s jaw dropped. "Peeling kumquats and getting gold kumquats in return? Such good fortune?"
Now, she couldn’t care less whether the Emperor’s request for her to peel oranges earlier had been mere mischief or held some hidden meaning. None of that mattered! If rewards like this came every time, she’d happily peel oranges every single day!
With a radiant smile, she said sincerely, "Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty. Tell him this concubine truly adores this gift and wishes him boundless joy, prosperity, and everlasting health!"
Quan Fuhai: "…"
At this point, he realized he could no longer understand not only the Emperor but also Consort Hui.
Hadn’t the Emperor’s gift of "gold" kumquats been meant as a sarcastic jab?
If it had been Concubine Miao, she might have burst into tears or even thrown a tantrum after nearly being humiliated at the banquet. So why was Consort Hui so delighted?
Baffled, Quan Fuhai took his leave.
Meanwhile, Qi Daiyu couldn’t stop admiring the golden kumquats, grinning from ear to ear. These were solid gold! At modern gold prices, imagine how much money she could exchange them for!
Before today, she had felt a growing sense of crisis after the incident with Lady Ma. Surviving in the harem without connections or favor was far too difficult—she needed either a powerful backer or the Emperor’s affection.
Originally, Qi Daiyu had planned to approach the Empress, having just saved the Eldest Princess. It seemed the perfect time to declare her change of heart. With the Empress as her patron, she could occasionally "strive" a little to secure her safety—neither fully slacking off nor overexerting herself.
But who could have guessed the Empress would be so generous, directly promoting her from fifth-rank Concubine Qi to fourth-rank Consort Hui?
With her status and benefits elevated, plus tonight’s unexpected windfall, Qi Daiyu’s motivation to "work hard" instantly deflated like a popped bubble.
If she could lounge comfortably, why bother standing upright?
As for ambition… she’d think about it later.
Meanwhile, in the Cining Palace.
Due to the New Year’s Eve vigil, both the Eldest Prince and the Second Princess were present, though they had dozed off in the side hall, too young to stay awake.
Strangely, the Eldest Princess had not only missed the banquet but was also absent from the gathering at the Empress Dowager’s palace.
The Empress had explained that the Eldest Princess was still recovering and couldn’t be brought out, so the Empress Dowager reluctantly dropped the matter.
Listening to Concubine Shu and the Empress Dowager chatter about the Eldest Prince’s antics, the Empress’s heart ached.
Imperial Physician Chang had warned that Princess Lingyi’s epilepsy remained unstable, with seizures likely to strike at any moment. That was why she had no choice but to confine her daughter to the Kunning Palace.
While the palace reveled in celebration, her Lingyi was all alone.
Jiang Yuan, uninterested in the conversation, excused himself when he spotted Quan Fuhai’s return. "Well?"
He was eager to hear Qi Daiyu’s reaction.
Quan Fuhai hesitated, unsure how to phrase it.
"…Consort Hui was… pleased."
"Pleased?" Jiang Yuan frowned. He had made her peel those oranges, nearly embarrassing her, then sent "gold" kumquats to mock her. If she truly disliked him, shouldn’t she be furious?
"Describe her reaction in detail."
Quan Fuhai recounted everything, down to the gleam in Consort Hui’s eyes when she first saw the golden kumquats.
Jiang Yuan, sharp as ever, instantly grasped what Quan Fuhai couldn’t comprehend.
And it only fueled his anger. That woman wasn’t just two-faced—she was greedy!
