Chapter 53 - The Morning Court

"The royal highness is delegating me to come and find you, my royal highness," Zhang is bowing to Ni Qing as soon as she approaches him.

"Did I miss something as you refer me with a different title?" Ni Qing is curious to ask him about the way he is addressing her with the royal highness. Apparently, Ni Qing is already conferred with the title of royal consort which is one step down from the Empress. She is the only legal consort inside the harem of Jin Yu. No one knows about it except Jin Yu, prime minister, and the minister of rite under the prime minister.

"No… you are the legal wife of the royal highness of the emperor, so it will correct if I refer your name as royal highness," Zhang is answering her question.

At the same time, Xiao Nie who still in pain after got smack to the floor is bringing the news about the marriage of General Lin Yue to Ni Shi in her hand. She handed the letter while rubbing her bottom part who still in pain. Zhang is feeling guilty and help to rub her back. Xiao Nie is hitting him due to anger.

Ni Qing reads the news sent by Mr Zhao and squeeze the paper on her hand. She looks away to understand the position. At least, she will not feel so guilty to get pick up by her husband and enters the Palace.

"I think this is the time to go back to capital," Ni Qing is smiling and walks back to their house to prepare their departure.

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In the court, the ministers are fighting because they hear the rumour about the fire ghost inside the Palace and the new Empress. It has been a boring morning session for Jin Yu as they talk only about their personal interest.

"Your highness… do you hear about the issue regarding the appearance of the ghost spirit in the palace in the night," one of the ministers is informing the emperor who is busy reading all the report on his throne.

"Your highness, how about you appointed one of your concubines to be your empress?" Lord Chu is suggesting to his emperor.

"right… the position is empty, and the mourning period is finished. It will not look good for the empress seat to be empty," one of the ministers who support Lord Chu is supporting his friend request.

"it is more important to investigate the fire spirit appearance. How about if our ancestor is angry?" The other ministers are rebuking Lord Chu issues for choosing the new emperor. At the moment, the duty of the empress is with Chu Yi until she become the new empress. She got to do all the duty to manage the harem as the senior concubine compare all of the girl inside the palace.

Jin Yu cannot contain his anger to hear about their unimportant thing inside the meeting, he smashes a paper holder to the table. Everyone knows his temperament and stop talking.

"I am going to marry and make her my royal consort. She will learn about the Palace and she might be the next empress. I am building her a Palace on the outer ring of the palace with my personal money. My edict is ready, and I am waiting for her to enter the palace for our marriage consummate. Minister of astrology, can you give me a good date for consummate our marriage so she can bear the crown prince?" Jin Yu is stirring the commotion about Ni Qing position.

"Your highness… you cannot appoint someone unknown to become the next empress and you cannot waste the money for build a new palace. How about our starving people," one of the supporters of Lord Chu is making a plea while kneeling on the floor. His action is followed by another ministers who is supporting Lord Chu.

Prime Minister and his supporters are smiling sinisterly to see Lord Chu action inside the court room. They are the main supporter of the emperor. Lin Yue is one of the supporters of the emperor, but he is not keen with the politic. He is standing next to Ni Sheng and Lord Ni include Li Tzu on the middle of line. They are not making any commotion and in the morning meeting court only as listener and analysing the situation. They can see the people who is friend and foe inside this court. It was not easy in the beginning but after a while, it become a habit. Lord Ni and Li Tzu even sleep while standing during the court when they are arguing for their won best interest.

"hey… how is marriage life treating you, my friend?" Ni Sheng is engaging into small talk with his friend while his father and uncle Li are sleeping on their feet as usual.

"I do not know. It has been three weeks that I live in the barrack with Wang Bo," Lin Yue is answering him coldly.

"Are you still angry with me for hiding my sister location?" Ni Sheng is looking at his best friend cold face. Ni Sheng is finding his best friend changes his expression after his marriage. He was always happy but after the marriage to Ni Shi, he seems change into gloomy and sad expression.

"where do you hide her? I send Wang Bo to all her favourite place and he cannot find her," Lin Yue is turning around to face Ni Sheng.

"Why? What do you need from her? She is hurting enough, and it will not include the humiliation from your wife. You know Ni Shi hate my sister to the bone," Ni Sheng is telling his friend the truth.

"I need to explain everything directly to her. I owe her my life," Lin Yue is turning around and tell him.

"By not disturbing her at the moment. You already help her to recuperate and heal, my friend," Ni Sheng is smiling lightly to see his anxious face.