Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 42 - s: Wife Does Not Tolerate Concubine

Inside the Changchun Palace, Meng Qianqian met the Emperor’s biological mother, Consort Li.

Consort Li was dressed in a goose-yellow palace gown, with an eight-tailed pure gold phoenix hairpin adorning her hair. This attire brought her status just one step away from that of the Empress. freēwēbnovel.com

Meng Qianqian lowered her eyes and did not look directly at the Consort’s face. She knelt and bowed courteously along with Ban Xia.

Lu Luo couldn’t help but exclaim, "Noble Consort, you are so beautiful!"

She was not trying to flatter Consort Li; rather, she was genuinely awestruck by her beauty. Even after giving birth to a Princess and a young Emperor, the passing years had left barely a trace on her features.

She was stunning beyond words—a beauty capable of toppling cities and nations. To call her a vision descended from the heavens would not be an exaggeration.

Lin Wan’er, upon hearing Lu Luo’s comment, instinctively looked up to glance at Consort Li.

"How dare you!"

The female official beside Consort Li scolded sharply.

Lin Wan’er’s face turned pale. Lu Luo, not understanding what mistake she had made, was so frightened her face drained of color.

Eunuch Wang sighed inwardly. A girl from a general’s household at the border knew less about etiquette than a merchant’s daughter. Did they really think they could casually gaze upon the beauty of the Imperial Concubine?

Lin Wan’er sneaked a glance at Meng Qianqian, who remained calm and composed while kneeling, and quickly knelt down to perform her own obeisance.

With Meng Qianqian’s poised example leading, Lin Wan’er mimicked her gestures. However, no matter how closely she tried to replicate them, her actions always appeared slightly improper and clumsy.

It was strange—Meng Qianqian, despite being of merchant descent, exuded the bearing of a true noblewoman with every gesture and movement.

Consort Li’s inscrutable gaze swept over Meng Qianqian before settling on Lin Wan’er, whose etiquette left much to be desired. She smiled gently and said, "This palace may have grown up in a family of scholars, yet in my heart, I’ve always held the soldiers of Great Zhou who defend the nation and protect its people in the highest regard. When I was young, I disliked learning these cumbersome rituals myself. Lin Wan’er and Mrs. Lu, you may rise!"

She had intentionally placed Lin Wan’er ahead of Meng Qianqian, making no attempt to hide her favoritism in elevating Lin Wan’er through her words.

What use was flawless etiquette? In the Imperial Palace, what mattered wasn’t one’s manners but the favor shown by the Noble Consort.

Lin Wan’er suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

Meng Qianqian said, "Thank you, Noble Consort."

She folded her hands before her forehead and bowed again, only standing after Ban Xia helped her up.

Lin Wan’er was also aided up by Lu Luo.

"Be seated."

Consort Li smiled as she spoke.

Meng Qianqian unabashedly took her seat in the lower position.

Lin Wan’er went to sit beside her.

Lu Luo sneakily glanced at Ban Xia and promptly stood wherever Ban Xia chose to stand.

Consort Li smiled and said, "I summoned the two of you here today to discuss General Lu’s affairs. You are both virtuous wives of General Lu, and the General himself is deeply trusted by the Emperor. Hence, I shall not treat you as outsiders. General Lu has rendered outstanding service at the border, and upon his return to court, the Emperor conferred upon him the title of Third Rank Commander of the Northern Defense. Yet not long ago, the General was impeached by the Imperial Censor, demoted by one rank, and, it is said, received three hundred military lashes as punishment."

With that, Consort Li let out a long sigh. "Upon hearing this, this palace felt great unease. General Lu has fought enemies on the battlefield, safeguarding the lives of the common people. In terms of contributions, how many in this dynasty could compare? And yet, some people seek to exploit his household for undue criticism. To spare General Lu from future troubles stemming from his household, I wished to hear your thoughts."

Meng Qianqian remained silent.

Seeing her quiet, Lin Wan’er also lowered her gaze and held her tongue.

Consort Li said, "Miss Lin, as a descendant of a loyal and heroic family, your father and brothers once saved General Lu. On their deathbeds, they entrusted you to his care. General Lu, being a man of honor, shares a poignant story at the border with you. How about I make the decision today to grant you a formal title? What do you both think?"

Lin Wan’er’s eyes flickered, and she gestured in sign language.

Lu Luo quickly explained, "My mistress says, as you wish, Noble Consort!"

Consort Li smiled as she looked toward Meng Qianqian. "Mrs. Lu, I assume you have no objection either?"

Meng Qianqian asked, "May I inquire what title the Noble Consort intends to confer upon Miss Lin? A concubine of noble rank, an elevated concubine, or a lower-class concubine?"

Consort Li’s smile froze. "Naturally, a secondary wife!"

Meng Qianqian responded, "A secondary wife holds equal standing to the main wife. Noble Consort, are you arranging this marriage?"

Consort Li replied, "And if I am?"

Rising to her feet, Meng Qianqian replied calmly, "If the Noble Consort wishes to bestow concubines, as many ’Miss Lins’ as you like would suffice. However, only the Emperor and Empress have the authority to arrange such a union. If Miss Lin seeks to become my husband’s secondary wife, it must either be with my consent and a formal proposal or by a decree directly from the Emperor and Empress!"

Consort Li slammed her palm onto the table. "How audacious! Who gave you the nerve to speak to this palace in such a manner?"

Meng Qianqian’s words had undoubtedly struck a nerve in Consort Li. The thing she hated most was being reminded that she was not the Empress!

Consort Li’s tone turned icy. "The Empress has no heirs, and the current Emperor is my son. Do you think I can’t procure a decree of marriage?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "Then please request the Emperor to issue a decree."

Consort Li fumed, "You—"

Preposterous! How could the Emperor issue such a decree? Wouldn’t that invite the scorn of the entire court?

Consort Li glared coldly at Meng Qianqian. "The plum blossoms in this palace are now in bloom. They were personally planted for me by the Supreme Emperor when I was conferred my title. Ying Yue!"

"At your service."

"Take Mrs. Lu to appreciate the blossoms—on her knees!"

"Understood."

Meng Qianqian knelt on the cold, hard bluestone ground.

Ban Xia knelt alongside her.

Consort Li, holding a warm hand stove close to her chest, reclined leisurely on the Imperial Concubine’s Couch, idly examining the rouge-stained tips of her nails. "Leave the door open so this palace can also enjoy the scent of the blossoms."

The open hall let in an unrelenting blast of the frigid December wind.

Before long, heavy snow began to fall, covering Meng Qianqian’s hair, shoulders, and even the edges of her brows inch by inch. Snowflakes settled on her long eyelashes in no time.

Ban Xia wept in silent grief, heartbroken to see her mistress endure yet another punishment after barely recovering from the last time she was left out in the rain.

Meng Qianqian knelt in the snow, her back straight as a pin and her demeanor unyielding, as steadfast as pine and bamboo.

Consort Li scoffed coldly. "Let me see how long she can hold out!"

At the tooth shop.

Tan’er, having collected the finalized ledger, was preparing to return to the Lu Family Estate. As she opened the door and saw the swirling blizzard, she exclaimed, "It’s snowing! Such heavy snow!"

Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement, and she was about to dash out to play in the snow when a delicate hand firmly grabbed her and pulled her into the backyard.

"Tan’er, what do you think you’re doing?"

Tan’er asked, hands on her hips.

"Shh, keep your voice down!" The woman tugged her behind a pillar and peeked at the group of people passing by the front hall. "Go out through the back door, and make sure you don’t run into those people!"

"What people?" Tan’er asked.

The woman replied, "People from the Wan Hua Pavilion!"

Tan’er frowned. "That bunch of cowards? I’ll beat them up!"

The woman covered her mouth. "The Wan Hua Pavilion people want to buy you. If Madam Zhichun finds out you’ve been sold to someone else, none of us at the tooth shop will have an easy time. It’s hard enough for us sisters to leave this life behind. Just do me a favor and take the back exit!"

Tan’er, more susceptible to kindness than force, removed the woman’s hand. "Fine."

Upon returning to the Lu Family Estate, Tan’er heard from Nanny Li that Meng Qianqian had entered the palace. Without hesitation, she turned to leave. "I’m going to find Sister!"

"Hey, Tan’er, come back—"

But Tan’er was already gone.

Nanny Li sighed. "This girl."

The coachman Wu had been called away by Steward Liu for other errands, leaving Tan’er without a carriage.

"Do you even know where the palace is?"

"How do you plan to get to the palace?"

"Have you ever been to the palace before?"

Braving the heavy snow, Tan’er constantly approached people for directions, enduring countless scornful looks and deceptions before finally reaching the palace gates.

She bent down, leaning forward on her knees, gasping for breath. "I’m exhausted, absolutely exhausted!"