0p0 Chapter 420 Dual Titles
Chapter 420 Dual Titles
The four of them discussed for a while and finally decided on the word "Rong".
To put righteousness before profit, to be favored and blessed with great wealth is called honor; to be blessed with the utmost grace and the greatest blessings is called honor. For An Lingrong, this is not just a title, but also a recognition and honor.
After resolving the title issue, they turned their attention to the arrangements for the promotion of the remaining concubines. After a detailed discussion, they finally finalized the list of promotions for each palace, and then everyone dispersed.
On the eighth day of the fifth lunar month, Emperor Yongzheng issued an imperial decree, appointing Consort Jing Feng Ruozhao as Noble Consort Jing, Consort Xin Lü Yingfeng as Consort Xin, Consort Mu Jingqiu as Consort Shun, and Consort Kang Yiyun as Noble Lady. Consort Wen An Lingrong was granted both titles, becoming Consort Wenrong, and enjoyed immense glory. Even those concubines who didn't receive promotions received generous rewards, which didn't engender much resentment.
The harem was shrouded in a joyful atmosphere. The concubines went to various palaces to offer congratulations, and the palace was filled with laughter and joy.
Shen Meizhuang took the opportunity to suggest to Yongzheng that a group of palace maids of marriageable age be released from the palace to marry freely. This would show the emperor's grace and also help to streamline the staff and save money.
Yongzheng naturally agreed.
Su Ye and Cai Xing are both among them.
The day before they left the palace, Shen Meizhuang had already instructed the kitchen to prepare a sumptuous meal. Once the food was served, Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong sat down, while Su Ye and Cai Xing, as usual, prepared to leave.
"Su Ye, Caixing." Shen Meizhuang called softly.
Hearing the call, the two hurried to their side, bowed respectfully and asked, "What are your orders, Madam?"
"Sit down." An Lingrong pointed to the stool beside her with a tone that did not allow for refusal.
"Your Majesty, we dare not!" Su Ye and Cai Xing said in unison.
After many years in the palace, they have long been accustomed to the order of hierarchy. Sitting at the same table with their master is really against the palace rules.
An Lingrong repeated it again, her tone more emphatically: "Sit down!"
"Your Majesty..." The two wanted to refuse.
"Don't make me say it for the third time." An Lingrong was angry, but there was a gentle smile in her eyes.
Su Ye and Cai Xing looked at each other and saw hesitation and uneasiness in each other's eyes, but they did not dare to disobey, so they had to sit down at the dining table carefully, leaning forward slightly, and sitting in a stiff posture.
Shen Meizhuang picked up the wine pot and poured them a glass of wine. Seeing this, the two of them immediately stood up stiffly, their voices trembling with a trace of trembling: "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
An Lingrong raised her wine glass, a smile on her face, but tears flickered in her eyes. "You will be leaving the palace tomorrow. You have devoted yourself to us over the years. My sister and I have seen it all and remember it in our hearts. We offer you a toast and wish you peace, happiness and success in your future."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. Thank you very much." Su Ye and Cai Xing's voices were choked with sobs, and their hands holding the wine glasses were trembling slightly.
The four cups touched each other gently, making a crisp sound.
After finishing the glass of wine, Shen Meizhuang picked up the two brocade boxes beside her and handed them to them: "This is your household registration certificate and waist badge sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I have stamped them with the imperial concubine's golden seal. Take it and go to the Jingzhao Yin Mansion to re-register your household. From now on, you will no longer be servants."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Ye and Cai Xing almost burst into tears.
An Lingrong moved closer to Su Ye, took her hand, her eyes filled with affection. "Su Ye, all these years, Sister and Sister Zhen were able to give birth safely, thanks to you. My good health is also thanks to you. I am very lucky to have you by my side. The best thing I have done in these years was bringing you back to the inn that day."
To be fair, Su Ye played an indispensable role in her current life after traveling through time. She even felt that Su Ye was her golden finger.
Su Ye raised her head slightly and met An Lingrong's eyes directly. A thin layer of mist had already formed in her eye sockets. Although she tried her best to restrain her voice, it still trembled slightly: "Your Majesty, you saved my life. This is what I should do."
An Lingrong's eyes welled up as she shook her head vigorously. "In my heart, you've never been a slave. You're my friend, my sister, someone I can completely rely on and trust. We've been through thick and thin together over the years, and I'll never forget this friendship."
Listening to her words, Su Ye's tears fell drop by drop onto the two people's tightly clasped hands.
Ever since she'd been with An Lingrong, she'd truly felt that she'd never been treated as a slave; from the beginning, she'd always been a person with her own independent personality. This respect and equality, especially precious in the strict hierarchy of the imperial palace, only deepened Su Ye's reluctance to part with An Lingrong.
She choked up and said, "Your Majesty, I have been lonely all my life. I have been without support since I was young and have been wandering around. It was not until I met you that I felt I had family. I have always regarded you as the most important person in the world. I really want to be with you, always by your side, but I dare not disappoint you or bury the medical skills you taught me. Even if I am no longer by your side in the future, this feeling will never change."
"Okay, okay!" An Lingrong wiped the tears from her eyes and continued, "I've already written to the head of the An family in Songyang County, registering you under my mother's name. From now on, you will be the daughter of the An family and my legitimate sister."
"Your Highness!" Su Ye's heart felt as if a huge wave of warmth surged through her upon hearing these words, and she could no longer control her emotions. She hugged An Lingrong tightly, tears pouring out like a broken dam, her voice choking with sobs, almost unable to speak: "Your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness... How could your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness..."
An Lingrong patted her back gently, her eyes filled with pity and tenderness. "Don't cry, from now on, we are a family. You don't have to call yourself 'slave' anymore, and you don't have to feel all alone anymore. You have me, the An family, all of us. Tomorrow our younger brother will be at the palace gate to take you home."
Su Ye listened to these words, all the emotions and reluctance intertwined together, choked with sobs and replied: "Okay!"
On the other side, Shen Meizhuang looked at Caixing with the same tenderness and said softly, "Caixing, I've already told my mother to prepare a dowry for you according to the standards of a young lady from the Shen family. My sister-in-law will personally arrange your marriage and will definitely not let you suffer any grievances."
When Cai Xing heard this, tears rolled down her cheeks like beads from a broken string: "Thank you, Madam!"
An Lingrong took a deep breath, trying to calm her excitement. Her voice gradually regained its composure, "My sister and I prepared something for you. It's a token of our appreciation."
As she spoke, she stood up and took out a booklet from the side, which contained the dowry prepared for them. Since the imperial gifts could not be taken out of the palace, they took the silver and had the craftsmen of the Imperial Household Department remake a lot of hairpins and rings. They also selected a lot of exquisite silk fabrics and added some gold, silver and jewelry, which was already very valuable.
Shen Meizhuang pointed to a property in the booklet and said gently, "This is a quadrangle courtyard, located south of Chongwenmen. The location is very good. I have had it transferred to you two. The courtyard has been decorated like a medical clinic. From now on, this will be where you practice your medical skills."
Her eyes were filled with anticipation as she continued, "As for the ten female doctors, they've learned a lot from you. I'll let them out of the palace as well. They can help you run this clinic well in the future."
Su Ye and Cai Xing nodded together and replied solemnly, "Yes."