The emperor just doesn't treat everyone equally, and it's none of my business!

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year in the tenth year of Yuanjing, the emperor issued an edict to confer titles on the six palaces.

Concubine Jin, Gu, was promoted to Noble Concubine and granted the title Chen.

Concubine Lan Su was promoted to Concubine Shu and given the title Lan.

Noble Concubine Zhou, surnamed Zhou, was promoted to Xiuyi.

Concubine Ning, surnamed Ning, was promoted to Xiuyuan.

Mingpin Chen was promoted to Jieyushi and given the title Ming.

When the news came out, the court and the harem were quite shocked. No one had expected that Gu Shijin, who did not have a prominent family background, could become a royal concubine all of a sudden.

"Your servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine. May Her Majesty the Emperor be blessed with good health and happiness. Congratulations." As soon as the eunuch who announced the decree left, the palace servants of Chenhua Palace knelt on the ground and congratulated her, each with a beaming face.

The higher the status of the master they serve, the easier their life will be in the harem. Of course, everyone is very happy. They are now palace servants in the imperial concubine's palace, and they can hold their heads higher when they go out in the future.

Gu Shijin was also in a good mood. She raised her hand and said, "Today, everyone in Chenhua Palace will be rewarded with three months' salary."

"Everyone, get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Concubine."

Gu Shijin herself was not too shocked about being named a noble concubine for two reasons.

First, Lu Junze had told her that he wanted to confer titles on the six harems at the beginning of this year, because this year was also the tenth year since the emperor ascended the throne, which was more meaningful. Second, it was the headgear and five-tailed phoenix hairpin that Lu Junze had given her. Gu Shijin didn't think that Lu Junze would give her something useless, so she had already guessed her position.

Imperial Noble Consort is usually appointed when there is no Queen, and only the position of Noble Consort is more suitable for Gu Shijin now.

However, even though he conferred titles on the six palaces, the emperor was still very restrained and only conferred titles on a few of the more obedient ones. As for Concubine Zhou, she was not very smart, so it would not be a big problem even if she was conferred the title of Xiuyi.

"Congratulations, mother." As soon as Gu Shijin entered the room, the third prince and the fourth prince came running over.

"Oh, my two little darlings, thank you." Gu Shijin kissed them both on the face.

Although Gu Shijin did not value power, she was still very happy that Lu Junze brought it to her. If possible, who would not want to climb higher?

Moreover, for Gu Shijin now, the higher her position, the better she can protect her children. She is not afraid of attracting hatred, because she has already attracted enough hatred anyway.

The ceremony of conferring the title to the six palaces was elaborate and grand, and lasted until dark.

Gu Shijin was the one with the highest rank among those who were promoted, so naturally she had the most things to do. She was exhausted after the whole ceremony, mainly because the royal attire and hair crown of a noble concubine were much more complicated and heavy than those of a consort.

"It hurts so much." Gu Shijin changed her clothes and hair accessories with the help of Xingzhu, and she immediately felt the pain in her back and waist. She had been wearing the same clothes for the whole day.

It's not easy to be a royal concubine.

"My queen, let me massage you." Xingyue said.

The third prince and the fourth prince had already fallen asleep, and Xingyue had nothing else to do, so she came over to serve Gu Shijin.

In fact, Xingzhu specifically asked her to come and wait. She knew that the Empress would be very tired after a day of work. Xingyue happened to be very good at massage, so she asked her to come and give the Empress a massage.

"Okay." Gu Shijin nodded.

If I don't press it properly, I don't know how painful it will be when I wake up tomorrow.

"Hurry up, the emperor will be here soon." Xingzhu said to Xingyue.

On such a good day as today, the Emperor will definitely choose one of the promoted concubines to sleep with him. There is no need to guess, the Emperor will definitely choose them.

Their queen not only has the highest position among those who were promoted, but is also the most favored one.

"I understand, Sister Xingzhu." Xingyue blinked and smiled.

Gu Shijin saw the little movements of the two and couldn't help but shook his head.

Xingzhu and Xingyue guessed correctly. Lu Junze was indeed on his way to Chenhua Palace, but was stopped halfway.

Lu Junze looked at the person in front of him, who was his mother's eunuch.

"You said that the Queen Mother asked me to come over?" Lu Junze asked. Today the Queen Mother only showed up once and then left. Why did she ask him to come over at this time?

"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch replied cautiously with his head lowered.

Lu Junze nodded: "Okay, let's go to Cining Palace."

Although Lu Junze did not have deep feelings for the Queen Mother, he still respected her enough. The Queen Mother had helped him a lot, and as long as it was not excessive, Lu Junze would give the Queen Mother face.

It was already late, but the Cining Palace was still brightly lit.

As soon as Lu Junze entered, he knew that today's matter was not simple. He winked at Su Deyuan, and Su Deyuan understood and retreated.

Inside the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager sat in the main seat and the Concubine Dowager sat below. This was not the most surprising thing. What was surprising was that there was a woman standing next to the Empress Dowager.

She was wearing a lavender palace dress, her jet-black hair casually tied into a bun, a tassel hanging in front of her forehead, her eyebrows and features were clear, her skin was as white as cream, her nose was small and straight, her lips were rosy and full, and her eyes were dark and sparkling, as if they could suck people in.

The woman looked to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, but her appearance was already stunningly beautiful, and her elegant and refined temperament made it impossible to take your eyes off her.

"Your son pays his respects to your mother." Lu Junze just glanced at the woman and looked away.

"Your Highness." The woman saluted when she saw Lu Junze.

"The emperor is here." The Queen Mother smiled and pointed to the seat next to her. "Your Majesty, please take a seat."

"Yes." Lu Junze sat down and said, "I wonder why Queen Mother asked me to come to the Cining Palace at this time?"

"Your Majesty." The Queen Mother glanced at the Emperor, then took the hand of the woman beside her and patted it, "This is my niece Feng Xi. I am old now and my energy is not as good as before. I really don't have the energy to take care of him."

Lu Junze understood that this was an attempt to fill his harem with people. Lu Junze immediately set his sights on the concubine.

Lu Junze knew the Queen Mother. If nothing had happened, the Queen Mother would not do such a thing.

"That's easy. Since she is your niece, mother, I will naturally take good care of her. Why don't you make her a county princess? I will give her a house in the capital and a few servants to take good care of her." Lu Junze said with a smile.

The Queen Mother smiled reluctantly and continued, "Your Majesty, you also know that I am old. When people get old, they miss their relatives. It is rare to have a niece, and I want to keep her in the palace."

This statement was made very clear, and it was almost as if he wanted to keep this person in Lu Junze's harem.

At this time, Su Deyuan came back. He walked to Lu Junze and said something in his ear. Then Lu Junze turned his gaze to Feng Xi.

"Since my mother has said so, I naturally have no objection. Then confer the title of Zhaoyi upon her and grant her the residence in Yonghe Palace."