Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1723 The Kindness Between the Imperial Noble Consort and the Shen Family (286 Million Reward

Consort Qin glanced at Lü Ying, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Pack your things."

"I am going to bid farewell to Consort Kang."

These days we are only temporarily residing in someone else's palace, so we must not neglect our proper etiquette.

Lü Ying nodded: "Yes."

Consort Kang had already heard the news from Caiju about the side palace.

Upon hearing the palace maid announce that Consort Qin had arrived, her eyes flickered, and she put down her medical book and sat up straight: "Please invite Consort Qin in."

"Yes."

Consort Qin stepped into the hall and bowed to Consort Kang: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. May Your Majesty be blessed with good fortune and peace!"

"No need to be polite, just sit down."

Consort Kang's gaze fell on Consort Qin's face, and she said with a smile, "Congratulations, sister, on being exonerated and having your rank restored! This is truly a joyous occasion!"

Consort Qin replied readily, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Kang."

"I have been staying at Chuxiu Palace these days, disturbing Your Majesty's peace and quiet."

Consort Kang smiled and said, "Not at all. It's fate that Consort Qin could come to my palace."

"I just didn't expect my sister to be going back so soon. It's clear that the Qin family is indeed a pillar of the nation, and His Majesty cherishes her greatly."

Consort Kang was also embroiled in palace intrigues and struggled for a long time before barely managing to stay afloat. The hardships she endured are beyond the comprehension of outsiders.

Consort Qin came from the illustrious Qin family. Once she was wronged, her family was able to react quickly and join forces with the Shen family to find out the truth.

He was reinstated so quickly, and he received just as much reward and appeasement.

The difference between them is like the difference between heaven and earth...

It would be a lie to say that Consort Kang felt no comparison or bitterness.

On the surface, Consort Kang's words seemed perfectly normal.

But Consort Qin was so perceptive that she still noticed the unease in her tone.

However, Consort Qin did not point it out. She picked up her teacup and used the rising steam to conceal the thoughts in her eyes, and said calmly, "It is all thanks to His Majesty's discerning eye and Minister Shen's righteous words."

After exchanging a few more casual words, Consort Qin rose to take her leave.

Consort Kang ordered Caiju to escort her out.

Only after Consort Qin's figure disappeared from sight did Consort Kang's smile slowly fade.

After a long while, she sighed softly.

The news of Consort Qin's reinstatement quickly spread throughout the palace.

The crowd was buzzing with discussion: "Have you heard? Consort Qin has become a palace mistress again, and His Majesty has bestowed upon her many fine gifts!"

"My God, how long has it been? The Qin family's actions are too fast!"

"It's not just fast. Think about those who were demoted in the palace. Which one of them didn't endure it for a long time? Some of them never rose again."

"Consort Qin is the first to return to her original rank so quickly!"

"Who can argue with that! She's the governor's legitimate daughter, her family has a strong background! If something happens, her family can immediately lend a hand. Unlike us, sigh..."

"I heard that Minister Shen and the Qin family worked together to investigate. The rumors were that the Xiongnu people in the north were behind it and had nothing to do with the Qin family, which is why His Majesty issued the decree."

"The Xiongnu? Wow... This is incredible!"

"However, it's quite an achievement that the Qin family was able to establish connections with Minister Shen. Minister Shen is currently His Majesty's most favored person!"

"That's why you say comparisons are odious. We're suffering here while they go back home with ease, receiving their rank and rewards just as much as they'd like."

"Those who laughed at Consort Qin before, are they feeling the sting of their faces now?"

"..."

Those who had secretly gloated now felt a complex mix of emotions, like they had swallowed a fly—unable to spit it out or swallow it down.

They could only force themselves to save face, or make sarcastic remarks about the Qin family's power. Or they would simply remain silent, but their hearts were heavy with resentment.

……

Inside a palace.

The palace maid hurried to Su Qing's side and said unwillingly, "Your Highness, Consort Qin has been reinstated, the news has spread far and wide..."

“We’ve put in so much effort and lost a lot of spies. We originally thought that even if we couldn’t touch the one in Yongshou Palace, it would be good if we could at least suppress Consort Qin and cut off the Qin family’s hopes in the harem.”

"Who would have thought... that she would return in such a grand manner after such a short time? The Qin family's actions are too swift!"

"Haven't we all worked for nothing? All those sacrifices have become a joke!"

Su Qing narrowed her eyes: "You came to the palace with me, how can you be so impatient?"

The palace maid paused, then lowered her head and said, "This servant just feels it's a pity..."

Su Qing's mood was also not good: "It was somewhat unexpected."

"The Qin family reacted quickly, even joining forces with the Shen family, and the Imperial Noble Consort also trusts Consort Qin."

"However... at least the sudden appearance of the Huns has attracted everyone's attention."

"Moreover, the Xiongnu people were also involved in this matter, so no one will suspect me."

The palace maid nodded and said, "That's true."

"Now everyone is focused on uncovering the Xiongnu's spies, and the traces of our previous actions have been covered up."

Su Qing said indifferently, "It's just going with the flow and using someone else's strength against them."

"The reinstatement of Consort Qin certainly made her proud. But after this incident, she also became a target in the harem, and countless people secretly envied her."

……

Upon returning to Yonghe Palace, Consort Qin rested briefly before changing into her palace attire for receiving guests.

Her hair was neatly styled in a bun, adorned with a translucent white jade hairpin. Her makeup was light, but her eyebrows were clearly defined, making her eyes appear even more calm.

"Go to Yongshou Palace to pay your respects to the Imperial Noble Consort."

Lü Ying was somewhat surprised, but she immediately agreed: "Yes."

The Imperial Noble Consort managed the inner palace, holding a position equivalent to that of a secondary empress. It was only natural that she would visit the palace to pay her respects after being reinstated.

Moreover, the Qin family's swift escape from this predicament was inseparable from the Shen family's assistance.

Lü Ying knew that the Empress's visit to Yongshou Palace was both to express her gratitude and to... make a statement.

Upon arriving at Yongshou Palace, a palace maid went in to announce their arrival.

Soon, Yuanbao came out to greet her personally: "This servant greets Consort Qin, may Your Highness be blessed with good fortune and peace!"

Consort Qin nodded slightly and followed Yuanbao inside.

Today, Shen Zhinian wore a palace dress embroidered with magnolia branches, her hair was loosely tied up, and a red gold and kingfisher feather phoenix tail hairpin was inserted diagonally, with a few bright pearls swaying and shining at her temples.

Consort Qin stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Highness, may Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

"Get up and sit down."

Shen Zhinian offered a slight gesture of support: "Consort Qin looks much better today."

Qiuyue served tea.

After taking her seat, Consort Qin looked calmly at Shen Zhinian and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

"Your Majesty, I have come here today specifically to express my gratitude."

"The Qin family has been wronged this time, and I have suffered misfortune. Fortunately, the Imperial Noble Consort is discerning and did not believe the rumors. Furthermore, Minister Shen spoke up for justice and provided strong assistance, which enabled me to clear my name as soon as possible."

"I will forever remember the kindness shown to the Imperial Noble Consort and the Shen family!"

Shen Zhinian said, "As the Empress in charge of the inner palace, I should be able to distinguish right from wrong. How can I doubt the loyalty of the descendants of the emperor based on a few baseless rumors?"

"Father and the other members of the Qin family are all just trying to share His Majesty's burdens, so Consort Qin need not worry too much."