A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1274 - 1272: Noble Consort Luo

At this moment, the most jealous and malicious glances in the world pierced through Luo Manman like sharp blades.

However, sitting beside the Emperor on the dragon throne, Luo Manman, who was smiling elegantly, paid no attention to these.

As long as she had the Emperor’s favor, what did those women in the harem count for?

Even the Empress, what could she do to her?

...

The New Year passed in a hurry.

Even if the harem was in turmoil, even if the Empress was at a loss, even if the Ministry of Internal Affairs was in chaos.

The year still passed by custom.

The Lantern Festival was much like the New Year.

Although not as grand, the situation in the harem was no better.

Still, there were waves and jealousy, forming alliances, arguments, and disputes without a day of peace.

But none of this mattered.

The most important thing was... the Noble Consort’s investiture ceremony was approaching, and the Emperor had decreed it to be grand!

The date was set for the eighteenth day of the first month, just after the Lantern Festival.

Compared to ordinary concubines, the Noble Consort’s investiture ceremony was much more elaborate.

Not only did the Royal Clan have to participate throughout, but even the Ministry of Rites had to record the event.

Offering sacrifices to the heavens and ancestors, performing the grand rituals of heaven and earth, and participating in ancestral temple sacrifices.

The Noble Consort’s ceremony retained nine-tenths of the protocols a proper Empress should have.

Only a small portion was missing, but this did not matter.

The slight lack in ceremony could be compensated by the Emperor’s genuine affection, which seemed quite fitting.

Luo Manman thought fervently.

When the eighteenth day of the first month finally arrived.

The Ninghe Grand Hall was lavishly decorated, with colorful floral arrangements adorning the tall steps, and every corner gleaming as if new.

This scene clearly showed that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had mobilized everyone, working tirelessly day and night.

All of this demonstrated how much the Emperor valued it.

Without needing to see it herself, merely listening to Xiao Ge’s exaggerated description, Luo Manman curved her lips upwards.

"What is this? I am the Noble Consort, isn’t this to be expected?"

"After all, I was the first to accompany the Emperor!"

"This position now is what I deserve, and our Emperor is indeed a person who cherishes old relationships!"

Xiao Ge panted with excitement, his chest rising and falling.

"Your servant congratulates you, my lady!"

Luo Manman waved her hand dismissively.

"Rise, I merely took back what was originally mine, there’s nothing to congratulate!"

"Wait until the day I defeat the Empress and ascend to the throne as the primary consort—that will be when you need to congratulate me!"

Xiao Ge beamed with joy.

"Yes! My lady!"

"I’ve heard that the current Empress’s origin isn’t high, she just climbed up step by step by relying on the Emperor’s favor!"

"Everything she has now, including her family, was raised up by the Emperor alone!"

"It’s said... the Empress’s father is still just a County Magistrate even now!"

Luo Manman listened with a face full of mockery.

"Humph!"

"A County Magistrate’s daughter can become Empress? The Emperor truly isn’t afraid of being laughed at!"

"Even my father has now been promoted to a sixth-rank Landlord!"

"It seems... I really have a chance to contend with the Empress?"

Xiao Ge’s eyebrows danced with excitement.

"Naturally!"

As she spoke, she personally helped to have the hair styled by the Senior Palace Maid for her mistress.

Luo Manman smiled confidently and said no more.

Half a Shi Chen later.

The newly dressed Luo Manman appeared before the mirror.

The woman in the mirror, though no longer young, possessed a joy and allure in her eyes and brows, making her extraordinarily beautiful today.

Her high, coiled hair adorned with an illustrious and complex Phoenix Crown, the delicate powder covered all traces of fine lines, and her refined makeup accentuated her features even further.

The rose-red phoenix crown and red robe embroidered with blue phoenixes draped elegantly, accentuating her shapely figure in a more alluring manner.

She gently caressed her still smooth skin, her face blooming with the most beautiful smile.

"Xiao Ge? How do I look today?"

Xiao Ge’s face lit up with joy.

"Your Grace looks extremely beautiful today!"

"How do I compare to those young girls who just entered the palace?" Luo Manman asked again.

Without even thinking, Xiao Ge flattered with ease.

"Those young girls, chirping away and understanding nothing, still your Grace, with such elegance, generosity, unwavering devotion, beauty, and radiance, is more favored by the Emperor!"

Noble Consort Luo gave a contented smile.

"Good!"

"Xiao Ge, you’ve been with me for so long, so loyal to me!"

"When I become the Noble Consort, you’ll be my First-Rank Senior Palace Maid!"

Xiao Ge was so excited, her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her throat.

She immediately knelt down to express her gratitude.

"Thank you, Noble Consort, for your high regard. Such great kindness and virtue, I have no way to repay but to face all dangers for your Grace, with no hesitation!"

"Enough, enough!"

Luo Manman gently waved her hand.

"Rise!"

"It’s almost time, we should be going!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Ge bent down to smooth the enlarged skirt for her mistress, and they walked out one after another.

At this moment, a Sister came to report that the auspicious time had arrived.

Luo Manman smiled slightly and boarded the sedan chair with Xiao Ge, heading towards Ninghe Hall.

In Ninghe Hall.

Zhao Junyao and Xia Ruqing sat side by side on the high platform.

On both sides were officials from the Ministry of Rites and members of the Royal Clan, creating an extremely solemn atmosphere.

In her phoenix crown and red robe, Luo Manman held the hand of a palace maid and entered through the door.

The long phoenix robe dragged on the ground, accentuating her dignified and graceful movements.

She walked slowly, her eyes filled with affection, gazing fervently at the Emperor upon the throne, step by step.

As for the Empress, she had already automatically filtered her out.

Ha, that position would eventually be hers, wouldn’t it?!

At this very moment, she never imagined.

This day would be the pinnacle of her life.

This day would be the start of her tragic fate.

This day would mark the beginning of the consequences for her actions.

She did not know, she could never know how miserable she would be after this day.

She would never be able to know.

...

The ten-jin Phoenix Crown atop her neck was not light at all.

By the end of the day, Luo Manman felt as though her neck was no longer her own.

Still, she did not wish to remove it.

Even when Xiao Ge put it away in the box, she eagerly took it out to place on her bedside.

She delicately caressed each jewel, every inch of gold on it.

In her eyes was sentiment, was desire, was long-repressed ambition.

After so many years.

She had been dreaming of this day for so many years.

Today, this wish had finally come true.

She could finally stand beside him openly, with status, with position.

No one would ever dare to bully her, to drive her away again.

She had finally obtained all of this.

"Your Grace, it’s getting late. Tomorrow you still need to pay respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress!"

Xiao Ge reminded her softly.

Luo Manman awoke from her reverie.

"Empress Dowager..."

"Paying respects to the Empress Dowager!"

She clenched her fists quietly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.