dognovel Chapter 1361: Just Want to Continue to Survive Transparently
Chapter 1361: Just Want to Continue to Survive Transparently
The lights in each palace were turned on early.
Changchun Palace.
Concubine Zhuang was already sitting in front of the mirror.
Ruoji carefully combed her hair.
Little Caizi brought a set of solemn yet elegant auspicious clothes.
Concubine Zhuang still had that solemn, gentle smile on her face, but her fingers twirled the Buddhist beads a little faster than usual...
She looked at her beautiful face in the mirror, and a hint of bitterness flashed across the depths of her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
Today, she needed to kneel down and pay respect to the woman who was six or seven years younger than her in the most appropriate manner...
Ruo Ji gently reminded: "My Lady, it's almost time."
Concubine Zhuang slowly stood up, her tone devoid of emotion: "Let's go, don't miss the auspicious time."
……
In the quiet Yanxi Palace, Concubine Xian has also stood up.
Yu Mei picked out a moon-white palace dress with dark patterns for her. It was cool and elegant, just like Concubine Xian's usual style.
She asked softly, "Your Majesty, today is a grand occasion. Would you like to wear the jade hairpin that His Majesty gave you?"
The virtuous concubine looked at the transparent jade hairpin in the makeup box, shook her head, picked up a simple gold hairpin and handed it to her: "Today's protagonist is the Imperial Concubine. I should not be too eye-catching. An ordinary one will do."
"Yes."
The virtuous concubine looked calm, without any sign of unhappiness.
She has always stayed away from the struggles in the harem, but she has a different feeling for the Imperial Noble Consort who once gave her genuine care.
She straightened her sleeves and said calmly, yet with a subtle gentleness: "Let's go."
"The Imperial Concubine is worthy of this honor."
……
Chengqian Palace.
Xuanpin's face was filled with genuine joy.
She raised her little face and smiled at Zhu'er, "Today is the Imperial Concubine's big day. I am happier than anyone else!"
Zhu Er responded with a smile: "The Imperial Noble Consort will definitely be happy to see you."
A bright smile spread across Xuanpin's face. She was genuinely happy for Shen Zhinian and even felt proud of him.
……
Yikun Palace.
Concubine Dun was at a loss as to what to choose from the pile of gorgeous dresses.
Xiao Tianzi was rubbing his hands anxiously: "My Queen, please make a decision quickly, it will be too late if you delay any longer!"
"What are you rushing for?"
Concubine Dun glared at him unhappily, picked up a crabapple-red palace dress and put it down again.
The color is bright, but I'm afraid it will look frivolous next to the imperial concubine's bright yellow court dress.
She picked up another royal blue one, but found it too dull.
In the end, Concubine Dun gritted her teeth and chose a crimson-purple palace dress embroidered with marigolds. It was neither too ostentatious nor too eye-catching.
She faced the mirror, inserted a gorgeous hairpin into her bun, looked at herself in the mirror, her radiant glow was dazzling, yet she could not hide the hint of hostility between her brows, and snorted coldly.
She has to accept today's gift even if she can't.
But she remembered this tone!
……
Chuxiu Palace is much quieter.
Concubine Kang had already been dressed neatly, wearing a flawless light pink palace dress and a light application of makeup to hide some of her sad expression.
Caiju came in from outside and whispered, "My Lady, the sedan chair is ready."
Concubine Kang hummed softly, looking at the slightly bright sky outside the window, her expression a little dazed.
The Central Palace has no master. After today's official enthronement ceremony, the Imperial Noble Consort will be the actual mistress of the harem.
She touched the jade bracelet on her wrist, thinking about Baharguli wanting to see her, and felt complicated.
……
Jingren Palace is the palace of Concubine Tong, and it is quiet at the moment.
She was the emperor's first woman, with more seniority than all the high-ranking concubines, but because of her humble origin, almost no one remembered her for many years.
The personal maid, Shuangjiang, brought an indigo-colored palace dress and said, "Your Majesty, today is the great gift from the Imperial Noble Consort. Would you like to change into something brighter?"
The face in the mirror had long lost its freshness. Tongpin shook her head, her voice so soft that it was almost inaudible: "This is good, it is in accordance with the rules and it is not eye-catching."
"……Yes."
Another palace maid urged quietly, "Your Majesty, the time is almost up. Shouldn't we set off?"
Tongpin said "hmm" and stood up, tidying her meticulously trimmed temples.
She knew very well that when she went there today, she would be just the most inconspicuous person among the crowd of spectators, and no one would even look at her twice.
But the more this happened, the more she couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
Tongpin took a deep breath and instructed Shuangjiang: "Follow closely. Don't look around when you get there. Just follow the etiquette."
"The servant understands."
The master and servant blended into the team silently, like two specks of dust, disappearing in the gradually brightening light of the morning sky.
Even the low-ranking palace concubines who had not been seen for a long time had put on their makeup today and were ready to attend the grand occasions that they could hardly get close to on ordinary days.
There were more and more people walking on the palace road.
They are about to witness together how the Imperial Concubine, who is only one step away from the Phoenix Throne, accepts the worship of the six palaces!
Among the crowd who were bowing down, some were unwilling, some were relieved, and some were happy.
Some people just want to continue to survive transparently.
……
From the beginning of the Mao hour to the exact Mao hour.
There was a solemn atmosphere in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"clang--!!!"
A deep and long bell sound was heard.
The door of the Hall of Mental Cultivation was wide open, and eight eunuchs carried the imperial carriage on their shoulders, their steps steady and in unison.
Nangong Xuanyu sat on the imperial carriage, passed through the palace gates, and went straight to the back door of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The sedan chair lowered and the curtain opened.
The emperor stepped down from his carriage and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony through the back door without looking back.
He stepped onto the steps one by one, his steps steady and calm. The soles of his black boots made a slight but clear echo on the polished gold bricks.
The emperor turned around and sat down on the dragon throne.
"play music!!!"
Following a long shout from the ceremonial officer outside the hall, the musicians who had been waiting on the steps immediately began to play music.
The chime bells sound solemnly, the chime stones ring loudly, the guqin sounds melodiously, and the solemn and soothing music slowly flows out.
The music continued until the emperor was completely seated, then it gradually faded away, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
At this moment, at the steps of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Civil and military officials and royal family members had already stood in order on the east and west sides according to their ranks.
From the important cabinet ministers in purple robes and jade belts at the front, to the lowly officials in green robes at the back, everyone held their breath, their ranks neatly arranged, their spacing evenly spaced, and a cacophony of silence.
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze slowly swept across the dark crowd below the stairs. After confirming that everything was ready, he nodded very slightly.
The guards in front of the palace shouted loudly and drawn out: "Silence the whip——!!!"
Immediately, "Snap! Snap! Snap" three crisp and sharp whip sounds tore through the air, and the long whip made a bang in the air, like thunder, warning that absolute silence was coming!
All the officials trembled involuntarily and lowered their heads even lower.
Before the crack of the whip had died down, the Minister of Rites had already stepped out and said to all the officials, "Kneel!!!!"
All the officials on the east and west sides knelt down in unison.
"Kowtow!"
"Kowtow again..."
The ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows was performed according to the rules.
After the ceremony, all officials stood up again, bowed their heads and waited respectfully.