boyutpedia Chapter 269 Cen Xi is Conferred the Title of Imperial Concubine
Chapter 269 Cen Xi is Conferred the Title of Imperial Concubine
Needless to say, the other civil and military officials had never seen such a strange scene before, and even the women they brought with them were stunned.
The moment the fairy landed, a peach appeared in her hand. Holding the peach with both hands, she walked barefoot to the Empress Dowager and knelt respectfully: "Wishing Your Majesty a long and healthy life!"
A burst of enthusiastic applause rang out, and everyone snapped out of their daze from the scene just now. Emperor Xing'an looked at the barefoot fairy who walked in front of him and couldn't help but stand up from his dragon throne.
He stepped down and took the peach from the woman's hand, his voice filled with joy: "Take off your veil and let me see you."
The Queen saw this and her alarm bells went off immediately; she knew something was wrong.
As soon as Feng Chenyi's "Celebrating Birthday in Yaochi" painting was unveiled, dancers performed a birthday dance, imitating the fairies in the painting, captivating everyone present.
Emperor Xing'an's current demeanor suggests that he truly regards this woman as a fairy who has come to offer her congratulations.
"Your Majesty!" The Empress hurriedly stood up to stop her. Since the deaths of Consort Chen and Consort Su, the harem had become her domain. If such a young and beautiful woman were to enter the harem, her status would plummet!
"Your Majesty," the Empress stepped forward and took the hand that Emperor Xing'an had reached out to admire her beauty, and continued, "She is just a lowly dancer, she is not worthy to be near you, Your Majesty."
After the Empress finished speaking, she was about to order the palace maid to leave when Emperor Xing'an shook off her hand and ripped off the dancer's veil.
The moment the veil was torn off, Zhai Yun saw Emperor Xing'an's eyes light up. He looked the dancer up and down, a greedy look in his eyes—the kind of greed an emperor has for a woman who is about to become his.
Emperor Xing'an asked leisurely, "What's your name?"
The dancer answered softly, neither humble nor arrogant, "This servant is Cen Xi, and I am new to the music troupe."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xing'an's lust intensified. Her background was impeccable, and she was stunningly beautiful—just what he desired!
The Empress tried to stop him, but Emperor Xing'an rebuked her, saying, "Empress! I want to take a concubine; when did it become your place to interfere?"
The Empress was so frightened by the rebuke that her legs went weak. If the Crown Prince hadn't caught her in time, she would have been sitting on the ground by now. The Fifth Prince had always been Emperor Xing'an's favorite, but this time, the Fifth Prince's commotion did not deter Emperor Xing'an's interest.
The Fifth Prince was sent back by Emperor Xing'an.
Looking at the situation before him, the Imperial Uncle Bu slowly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this woman is a fairy who came to deliver blessings on behalf of the Empress Dowager. If you forcibly take her into the harem, it may shorten the Empress Dowager's lifespan."
As soon as Bu Guojiu spoke, many ministers in the court voiced their support.
Emperor Xing'an understood Bu Guojiu's thoughts perfectly. His eyes turned slightly cold as he asked Cen Xi, "I will not force you. Would you be willing to enter the palace as a concubine and become my woman?"
Cen Xi was taken aback at first, then glanced at the opposing ministers, and dared not speak.
Emperor Xing'an stepped forward to support him: "Speak boldly, don't be afraid of them!"
The emperor's brother-in-law and even the opposing ministers were stunned by this scene; they had been so eager for the woman to refuse Emperor Xing'an's offer.
"Your Majesty, I am willing." Cen Xi curtsied and answered in a charming voice.
Cen Xi's answer made Emperor Xing'an laugh heartily, while the Imperial Uncle Bu and a group of ministers turned pale. They looked at the Empress Dowager and sat back down helplessly.
The Empress Dowager looked at Emperor Xing'an's infatuated expression and could only shake her head helplessly without saying a word.
Emperor Xing'an immediately bestowed the title of Consort upon Cen Xi. If the birthday banquet hadn't been still ongoing, Zhai Yun would have been eager to take the beauty for himself.
Cen Xi was taken away, but the banquet continued. However, Emperor Xing'an's mind was no longer on the banquet. The Empress looked at Emperor Xing'an's absent-minded appearance and her eyes burned with anger.
Seeing that the time was right, Lu Tian'er ran directly to the dragon throne and knelt down. At this moment, Emperor Xing'an was very happy, and he was sure that her plan would succeed. This trick was taught to her by her aunt, the Empress.
Seeing Lu Tian'er kneel out, the Empress suppressed her anger. A concubine without children was not a threat; Prince Rui was her real concern!
As soon as Lu Tian'er knelt down, she burst into tears, "Your Majesty, I beg you to do justice for me!"
Emperor Xing'an was somewhat displeased when he saw Lu Tian'er suddenly appear. It was really inappropriate for her to be crying and wailing on such a joyous occasion.
"Speak, what is it?" Emperor Xing'an asked impatiently.
Having received permission, Lu Tian'er stopped crying and placed her hand on her lower abdomen as she spoke softly: "Before Prince Rui moved out of the Prince Rui's residence, he had a one-night stand with me. After I returned home, I discovered that I was pregnant. My father and I went to Prince Rui's house to beg him to let me return, but he refused. I have no other choice but to ask Your Majesty to grant me this favor!"
Zhai Yun noticed Yi Gege's furrowed brows. Of the two people present, only they knew perfectly well that Lu Tian'er was going to great lengths to return to the Prince Rui's mansion.
Emperor Xing'an's sharp, wolf-like gaze shot towards Feng Chenyi, his expression furious: "Prince Rui, is this true?"
Feng Chenyi stood up and bowed: "Father, I did not know that when I moved out of the Prince Rui's residence, I could not bear to see Miss Lu suffer with me, so I wrote a letter of divorce. Now that the letter of divorce has been issued, there is no reason for Miss Lu to return to the Prince Rui's residence."
Feng Chenyi kept calling her Miss Lu, and Zhai Yun saw that Marquis Lu's face had turned a deep purplish-red. Marquis Lu was afraid that Prince Rui would reveal that he and his daughter had accepted the letter of divorce in order to protect their dowry.
He quickly got up and knelt down, tearfully pleading, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I only discovered my daughter's pregnancy after bringing her back home. If I had known then, I would have given up all my wealth to prevent Tian'er from suffering any injustice!"
Lu Tian'er cried out, "Your Majesty, please do me justice! I am pregnant now. If Prince Rui refuses to let me return, how can I face the world? Waaah..."
Listening to their aggrieved complaints, the court officials immediately rebuked Feng Chenyi, saying that Feng Chenyi was not only audacious and reckless, killing court officials indiscriminately, but now his irresponsible behavior had truly disgraced the emperor!
Zhai Yun stood up, wanting to defend Feng Chenyi, but Feng Chenyi spoke up himself: "Father, I was forced into it that day. Yunyi Manor came to collect a debt and took a fancy to Miss Lu's dowry, I... I..."
On that day, the gate of Prince Rui's mansion was surrounded by people, and the details of the incident were already well known throughout the court and the public.
The Crown Prince and the Empress sat quietly to the side watching the commotion. The Empress always had a meaningful smile on her face as she listened to Feng Chenyi recount the events of that day.
The Empress spoke up at the opportune moment: "Although Prince Rui was forced into it that day, Miss Lu was already pregnant. Did Prince Rui intend to force her to her death?"
No matter how reluctant Feng Chenyi appeared to be to talk about it, half the court officials were accusing him of being irresponsible regarding Lu Tian'er's pregnancy.