Later, soon, Chu Huashang had a chance to use her skills - the Empress Dowager made things difficult for Shen Yunrong. The Emperor was aware of the Empress Dowager's actions, and he naturally would not depose Shen Yunrong to make the Empress Dowager happy.

  However, he now promoted Chu Huashang as Ronghua.

  The Empress, Rong Fei and Xiang Fei formed a tripod situation, which became loose due to Rong Fei's demotion.

  One corner is short, and the other two corners will inevitably be affected.

  The emperor's goal is to get Chu Huashang involved with these three people. Chu Huashang is the best choice, as the Chu family has a high social status but not so high that they can control the imperial court; while the previous candidates like Zhao Shuyuan have high ranks but come from ordinary families and are also too old to be favored concubines. As for what result the emperor wants to achieve? Is it to get Chu Huashang to help Shen Zhaoyuan or directly confront the empress?

  Chu Huashang should be grateful, from now on she can rise to prominence. But she should also cry bitterly, if the Chu family rises another level, in the emperor's heart she would be similar to Empress Sheng and others, naturally she wouldn't be able to give birth.

  Lin Wan thought of what Empress Dowager had said to Chu Huashang half a month ago - whether born to the first wife or not, whether born to the concubine or not.

  In order to bring down Chu Huaxin, Lin Wan actively sought out Chu Huashang. However, it cannot be denied that the Empress Dowager's push and stir gave Chu Huashang the courage to take a risk.

  Chu Huashang not only replaced Chu Huaxin, but also went further than her.

  Don't underestimate this person.

  For Lin Wan, if it weren't for Shen Zhaojun's matter, she should have been the one to be conferred as Ronghua by now. Chu Huashang is just a pawn, while she has become "a trustworthy person".

  The person who should have been favored in the six palaces was originally herself, but now, Chu Huashang will surpass her.

  It's hard to say whether it's good luck or bad luck at this point.

  Having Chu Huashang as a shield may not be a bad thing. Chu Huashang moved to kill, but it was also because of Sheng Chong's favor.

  Chu Huashang knelt for a long time before verbally thanking him. She said: "The concubine is ashamed to receive the emperor's grace."

  She doesn't look happy.

  She got up and glanced at Lin Yuan.

  Yao Fusheng stepped forward and congratulated the two consorts, smiling: "From now on, Ronghua will have to prepare for her investiture ceremony. Please help Ronghua prepare well."

  Tuoba Hong ordered: "Since the position of Empress is vacant, let Zhen Ronghua move to the main palace for now."

  ***

  Lin Wan and Chu Huashang's promotion to the imperial court was quickly announced to the six palaces. Countless congratulations and jealousies flooded into the main hall of Xianfu Palace, even the newly promoted Hui Guiyi was almost overlooked.

  According to Liu Jieyu's straightforward words, it was originally thought that Chu Shi had been implicated by her sister. Now, however, she seems to be even more promising. Tian Ronghua has no great merit but can be promoted beyond rank and become the main mistress of the palace, and also received the imperial favor with the title of Tian Ronghua in charge of Xianfu Palace. It's like only Empress Sheng had such a precedent back then.

  As for Hui Guiren - originally a person of great favor, this time she was granted an additional title by the Empress Dowager's recognition, but it wasn't anything significant.

  However, Wen Pin and Xu Ronghua, who served the Empress Dowager together, were somewhat pitiful. Although the Empress Dowager and the Emperor also bestowed upon them not a few silks and satins as rewards, those external things were nothing compared to their actual status.

  The elegant and refined Tian Ronghua was selected for the imperial edict ceremony three days later. Due to her low status, there wasn't much to prepare, and the Empress only gave a single order to the Shang Yi Bureau. Even so, Tian Ronghua was the first among her batch of talented women to receive an imperial edict.

  The imperial seal represents not only honor, but also a difference in status. In the palace, only concubines with ranks above Ronghua are considered to be true consorts, and have entered the imperial family tree. The rest of the lower-ranking ones, according to the ancestral teachings, are just the emperor's playthings, "serving the lord". At the same time, concubines above Ronghua are called "master" or "noble lady", while those below can only be called "young master". Being able to ride a sedan chair and having the qualification to raise children after giving birth also starts from Ronghua.

  Just as the Xianfu Palace was bustling, the second imperial edict was transmitted to the already crowded Yongsou Palace. It was an edict granting Shen Zhaoyuan and the Crown Prince - "The prince is the only son, his body bears great hope, he will be appointed King of Zhao on this day, and move into the Qianxi Wusuo residence".

  The first imperial edict was merely about the promotion of palace ladies, but the second imperial edict involved an imperial son.

  The crowded concubines in Xianfu Palace were stunned when they heard the imperial decree.

  The emperor had never established a crown prince, but finally enfeoffed the eldest son as king... The eldest son was not yet seven years old. Throughout history, only imperial sons who were extremely favored by their fathers could receive such grace at a young age.

  In the silence, it was unclear who let out a soft "ah" and whispered: "Your Majesty values the Crown Prince so much..." Immediately afterwards, thinking that the prince's affairs were not to be discussed lightly, the voice stopped abruptly.

  The hall had been silent for a long time. Originally, this kind of imperial edict was something to be congratulated on, but the other party was the Crown Prince, and according to ancestral rules, the empresses were not allowed to get entangled with the princes, so everyone couldn't say "Congratulations to the Crown Prince on his enthronement". Usually in such matters, people should congratulate the prince's mother according to etiquette, but the situation now is not that simple...

  The eldest son of the emperor was not only demoted to a king but also moved out of the palace. The separation of Shen Zhaoyuan and her child is not a happy event, no matter how you put it.

  Although there was a rule that princes would enter the school at the age of five, at least in the palace, their mothers could visit them frequently. But Qian Xi Wu was far away from the Jinluan Hall, and the concubines were not allowed to set foot... With this edict, Shen Zhaoyuan almost had no chance to meet her child!

  Now all the concubines in the house were puzzled. They didn't know whether the emperor's move was a promotion or a demotion. Originally, being named as the crown prince was already a great honor for Shen Zhaoyuan, but now she was separated from the crown prince. But if the emperor really wanted to demote Shen Zhaoyuan, he could have simply stripped her of her status as the birth mother of the crown prince.

  Everyone was guessing in their hearts about the emperor's attitude towards Shen Zhaoyuan.

  These consorts no longer want to stay in Xianfu Palace for long. Compared to Chu Huashang, they are more concerned about Shen Zhaoyuan, who once controlled the harem and turned it upside down.

  The eunuch who was running errands came out of the Xianfu Palace and ran to the palace at the back. Informing the six palaces was a troublesome task, as all twelve palaces had to be visited, and because it was an imperial edict, it couldn't be casually pushed onto the lower-ranking eunuchs... Working in front of the emperor had its perks, but it wasn't easy either...

  After a while, the intention finally reached Chang Le Palace. Listening to Mother Zhai finishing speaking in front of Empress Dowager, Xu Ronghua who was accompanying Empress Dowager playing Go felt her heart lifted up.

  Shen Zhaoyuan, Shen Zhaoyuan! What does this mean, Your Majesty? Is the reward for the Crown Prince meant to revive Shen Zhaoyuan or is it just because of the importance of the Crown Prince...

  Compared to others' complicated thoughts, Xu Ronghua's mind was simply turbulent. Her fingers trembled involuntarily, and the black chess piece she was holding fell with a "ding" sound.

  The Empress Dowager frowned.

  Xu Ronghua hastily knelt down to apologize. The Empress Dowager waved her hand and ordered her to withdraw.

  She let out a sigh of relief, fortunately not being blamed by the Empress Dowager. But what was going on with Shen Zhaoyuan's side? These days she had been staying in the Yongshou Palace, looking very down and out, now the eldest son of the Emperor had been made king, would she sooner or later take back her position as Consort Rong?

  At first, I thought Shen Yunrong would be given the death penalty or demoted to a cold palace, but the poisoning case was dropped, and the Emperor even left her with the high position of Ninth Imperial Concubine. Xu Ronghua was already worried, and now he saw signs that Shen's imperial concubine position was being restored.

  How did things end up like this...

  She thought about it while nervously backing down.

  At the same time Xu Ronghua was dismissed, Empress Dowager summoned Lin Wan to enter. After Lin Wan paid her respects and took a seat, Empress Dowager looked at her with a satisfied smile: "It's still most comfortable for you to serve me."

  Lin Yan glanced at the chessboard in front of her, seeing that the black pieces were placed clumsily, and knew that Xu Ronghua had just intentionally hidden his skills to please the Empress Dowager. Playing chess with the Empress Dowager was not an easy task, she didn't like losing, but even more so, she didn't like others letting her win. Lin Yan's Go skills were learned after crossing over, and when she understood the Empress Dowager's thoughts, she deliberately learned to be careless, limiting her level to a moderate position.

  Later, she played two rounds with the Empress Dowager, who indeed liked her and said that Lin Wan had won her heart.

  Actually, this elderly woman has many weaknesses. Once you grasp her childish personality, it's easy to deal with her.

  Lin Wan put away the remaining chess pieces in front of her and rearranged them into a new layout. The Empress Dowager still held onto the white piece.

  Neither of them is very good at chess, and their game isn't going well either. They chat idly as they play.

  The empress in front of her was also a BOSS, but she was much easier to get along with than Tuoba Hong. As they spent more time together, Lin Wan gradually spoke more in front of the empress.

  "The concubine has yet to thank the Empress Dowager for her kindness. The concubine hasn't done much, but received imperial favor and was promoted to Guifei, it's a bit embarrassing..."

  The Empress Dowager was not one for idle chatter, but her expression was relaxed: "You serve the Emperor with a sincere heart, and naturally you can bear the noble ritual."

  "The Empress Dowager and the Emperor are too good to the concubines." Lin Yan's words were more naive than sincere.

  The empress dowager listened and wanted to smile. If there was anything imperfect about the child in front of her, it was that she was not mature enough - probably due to her humble origins. In a small family with few concubines, the family members were harmonious and friendly, growing up in an environment without disputes over interests, which was ultimately different from those high-ranking noblewomen.

  Lin is a clever and spiritual girl, yet she falls in love with the emperor... It's not just that she loves him, but she also loves him without any reserve, completely surrendering herself. As her own carefully chosen tool, if only it could be more perfect, how wonderful would it be? A woman who hands over her soul to a man will eventually fall... I really worry about her, worrying that she won't be able to reach the expected height or fulfill her own wishes.

  But it's also good this way, people who are too careful and cautious can be unsettling to use... The Empress Dowager's mood lifted once again. Even if Lin Shi doesn't work out, there are other suitable candidates in the palace.

  "If others had half of your virtues, it would be good." The empress dowager said with some emotion.