The Emperor had already spoken the matter to such a degree — how could the Crown Prince possibly object?

Never mind that the Emperor had suffered a stroke and could not move. Even if he had only a single breath left, he was still the most powerful person in the world. The words of the Emperor were carved in gold and jade; there was absolutely no changing them.

Noble Consort Wei had only a single daughter, Princess An’ya, and only one family member in the form of her younger brother. She had almost no entanglement with the court whatsoever. Because of Wei Yan, the relationship between Noble Consort Wei and the Crown Prince’s residence had also grown increasingly close.

Having one more Empress Wei in the inner palace posed no threat whatsoever to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s thoughts moved swiftly. He smiled and replied: “Noble Consort Milady is gentle and gracious in temperament, measured and proper in conduct, and virtuous in character — worthy to be the mistress of all six palaces. Even if Imperial Father had not raised the matter, your son had been just about to bring it up myself.”

With the Crown Prince declaring his position, the Emperor’s brows and eyes relaxed: “Good. Issue the edict on my behalf.”

The Crown Prince immediately consented.

Noble Consort Wei expressed her gratitude with a face full of deep thankfulness, and earnestly requested: “Your Majesty’s gracious intentions, your servant is deeply grateful and can only humbly accept. Yet with so many affairs in the palace to attend to, there is no need to be extravagant or wasteful with this proclamation of the Empress. Let everything be simple and unadorned.”

The Emperor hesitated slightly, then sighed: “That only does you a disservice.”

“Having received such profound love from Your Majesty, your servant has already been given cause to be envied by every woman under heaven. How could I feel any disservice.” Noble Consort Wei’s lips held a smile, and her eyes held tears.

The Emperor was greatly pleased in his heart, and with great effort, took Noble Consort Wei’s hand in his.

The Crown Prince and Crown Grandson exchanged a glance. In both their minds, the same thought arose without prompting.

We had truly underestimated Noble Consort Wei in former days!

This art of reading people’s hearts, combined with a warmth and gentleness that seemed to have been born naturally in her — these were simply a woman’s most powerful weapons.

No wonder Noble Consort Wei, beginning as nothing more than a palace maid, had maintained her favor for so many years and climbed step by step to the highest position in the inner palace.

Ling Jingshu and Xinyun both stood to the side, taking in this entire scene. Unable to help themselves, they exchanged a glance, and each saw in the other’s eyes exhilaration and agitation.

From this day forward, Noble Consort Wei would be Empress Wei!

Though this day had been anticipated long before it arrived, now that it truly was here at last, the excitement still could not be suppressed!

From here on, this inner palace would be Noble Consort Wei’s world.

That very day, the Crown Prince issued the imperial edict of investiture on the Emperor’s behalf.

Upon hearing the news, officials throughout the court submitted memorials in congratulation.

The proclamation of an Empress was a weighty matter — yet when all was said and done, it was the Emperor’s private family affair. Whom the Emperor chose to favor, whom he wished to make his Empress, were entirely his own business.

This edict also stirred a wave of commotion throughout the inner palace. There was certainly no shortage of those harboring secret resentment and jealousy. Yet not one of them was foolish enough to let it show. Every one of them dressed in their finest and came to Lingbo Palace bearing generous gifts to offer congratulations.

What a pity — they all arrived to find the main guest absent.

Ling Jingshu received each of the visiting consorts with a smile: “Noble Consort Milady is still in Zichen Palace caring for the Emperor and cannot spare the time to return to Lingbo Palace. Please, do not take offense, Milady.”

Noble Lady Zhang smiled and said: “Lady Ling, the way of address should be changed now. The imperial edict has already been issued — it would no longer be proper to call her Noble Consort Milady.”

The other consorts chimed in readily to agree.

Ling Jingshu listened to the consorts speak their piece one after another, and once everyone had finished, she smiled and replied: “Not to conceal anything from the assembled Miladies — Noble Consort Milady specifically instructed this servant to wait until after the formal enthronement ceremony before changing the form of address. So as not to give others something to criticize, and invite reproach.”

“Noble Consort Milady is so thoughtful and thorough in her consideration.”

“Indeed. This composure and poise, unerturbed by sudden favor — it truly seems innate. We ought to take it as a model to learn from.”

Who did not know that Ling Jingshu was the female official Noble Consort Wei trusted and held in the highest regard?

Speaking more words in praise of Noble Consort Wei in front of Ling Jingshu was always a good move. There was no telling when those words might reach Noble Consort Wei’s ears.

Ling Jingshu spent half a day exhausting herself in receiving all these people before finally seeing them off.

Of course, her gains were not small either.

The consorts who came to deliver gifts and offer congratulations could not see the main person, and so could only leave their gifts behind. There were no shortage of those wishing to curry favor, who had “incidentally” brought along some fine things to give to her as well.

The exchange of favors in the palace worked precisely this way. Not accepting was a rejection of others’ goodwill — accepting was the right thing to do. Ling Jingshu had genuinely come into a windfall.

Noble Consort Wei insisted on keeping everything simple, yet the ceremonies proper to an empress’s investiture were still indispensable.

The Ministry of Rites selected an auspicious day. The Imperial Household Department busied itself preparing the ceremonial robes, phoenix crown, and all the other items needed for the investiture ceremony.

Half a month later, Noble Consort Wei was formally proclaimed Empress.

Her name was officially recorded in the imperial clan’s jade register. From this day forward, she was the most honored woman in the Dazhou dynasty, living in the fullness of wealth and glory. Even after death, she would enter the imperial mausoleum and receive the eternal offerings of incense and worship.

For a woman of the inner palace, this was the greatest honor of a lifetime.

Empress Wei did not move to the Jiaofang Palace, which was the residence befitting only an empress. She continued to reside in Lingbo Palace.

Lingbo Palace had been thoroughly refurbished inside and out, with many costly and exquisite decorative objects placed throughout.

Empress Wei wore the phoenix robes reserved only for an empress. The brilliant scarlet red set off a bearing of noble elegance. Only the Empress in the palace was permitted to wear this true, undiluted red.

The assembled consorts sat on both sides according to their respective ranks, and in speaking to her found themselves showing a deference they had not needed to show before.

What of it, that she had been a commoner before entering the palace? What of it, that after entering the palace she had been nothing more than a palace maid? What of it, that she had no powerful family behind her?

Empress Wei had laughed last, and that made her the greatest victor of all.

Not one of them dared speak to her in a flippant tone any longer. Not one of them dared indulge in petty envy or jealousy in her presence. All they could do was bow their heads in submission and offer warm, flattering words.

Empress Wei’s temperament was much the same as it had ever been — soft-spoken, thoroughly approachable. She did not use her sudden change in status as license to hold herself above others and put them under pressure.

After the palace banquet, by palace custom, the Emperor should have stayed the night in the Empress’s bedchamber.

The Emperor’s situation was exceptional — never mind leaving his own bedchamber, even getting out of bed was impossible. And so, on this night, Empress Wei was destined to keep her rooms alone. She also became the first Empress in all of Dazhou’s history who had no Emperor to share her wedding night with.

“Your Majesty the Empress, shall I help you retire for the night?” That evening, it was Ling Jingshu’s turn to keep the night watch.

But Empress Wei replied with a faint smile: “There is no need. Come with me to Zichen Palace.”

What?

Ling Jingshu was taken aback, and reflexively glanced up at Empress Wei: “But today is the great celebration of Milady’s investiture. By rights, you should rest here in Lingbo Palace.”

Going to Zichen Palace meant there would be no possibility of sleep through the night — one would need to be on hand at all times to attend to the Emperor.

Empress Wei saw the look of astonishment on Ling Jingshu’s face, and could not help but give a slight smile: “Jingshu, how I came to be this Empress — you have seen it all with your own eyes. I had nothing at all, and it was only this gentle and attentive heart that won me everything I have today. If on this night of all nights I were to not go and tend to the Emperor — what would he think of me in his heart?”

Ling Jingshu was rendered speechless for a moment, and felt in her heart a sincere and wholehearted admiration for Empress Wei: “Milady is right.”

It was only at reaching this day that she truly, from the bottom of her heart, came to hold Empress Wei in genuine esteem.

With such overwhelming wealth and glory and splendor laid out before her, she could still maintain this measure of clarity and composure.

In this world, what woman could manage that?