Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 955: Chapter 866: Unwilling to Be a Slave 86

Nangong Shuangshuang did not intend to completely heal Lady Jing’s scars. Of course, it’s not that Nangong Shuangshuang couldn’t do it, but rather that a burn wound that doesn’t grow excessively in this era is already a miracle.

If there were no scars at all, it would be too much, and the scars on Lady Jing’s body could constantly remind the Emperor of what she sacrificed for him.

Lady Jing’s wounds took a full three months to heal completely. The burned areas were darkened and slightly raised, resembling a dark birthmark, which looked quite unsightly. Now, in the height of summer, these scars are especially noticeable after wearing some light summer clothes.

Because Lady Jing was credited with saving the Emperor’s life, once her wounds healed completely, the Emperor directly promoted her to Noble Consort, the first of the First Rank Four Concubines. In fact, the Emperor wanted to make her an Imperial Concubine, but doing so would make his intentions too obvious.

The Emperor is currently mobilizing against the Northwest Tribes, and until the war concludes, he cannot make Lady Jing an Imperial Concubine. As for further ambitions, the position the Emperor truly desires to confer cannot be hinted at even slightly.

Although the Emperor is calm and rational, with keen insight into state affairs and the harem, he is still the late Emperor’s son. In his character, there is an inherited capriciousness from the late Emperor. For example, having developed the desire to place Lady Jing in the most honorable position in the harem, he is determined to do so.

He does not consider the unworthiness of Lady Jing’s family. If necessary, he would bestow a noble title upon his father-in-law, Gao Yan, so that her status would suffice. In any case, he has decided that the position will belong to Lady Jing, regardless of how future ministers coveting the throne protest; he will not change his mind.

Of course, the Emperor is not as foolish or absurd as the late Emperor; his capriciousness is not without reason. Meticulously thought-out, he desires to place Lady Jing in that position, with the greatest advantage being that, although her family is lacking, she risked her life to save the Emperor.

For this reason alone, no matter how much the ministers oppose it, as long as he insists, they cannot convince him by attacking Lady Jing. Additionally, due to his military campaign in the Northwest, he cannot immediately elevate Lady Jing to that position. Hence, the Emperor first promoted her to Noble Consort.

Upon becoming Noble Consort, the former title of ’Jing’ could no longer be used. The titles of Noble, Virtuous, Wise, and Kind are exclusive to First Rank Concubines. When Lady Jing had no title, she was known as Gao Gao Pin. Now that she has become a Noble Consort, she is known as Princess Consort Gao.

Before bestowing the title of Noble Consort, Nangong Shuangshuang summoned the best female painter in the palace to transform the scars on Princess Consort Gao’s body into a beautiful painting of peach blossoms.

A peach blossom tree occupied half of Princess Consort Gao’s back. The raised areas were painted as branches, the dark areas as peach blossoms, covering all the scars. The scars on her neck and face were transformed into a branch of peach blossom extending outward diagonally.

Once this peach blossom painting was completed, the beauty of Lady Jing, marred by scars, not only returned to its original splendor but became even more enchanting.

To express his deep affection for his beloved concubine Gao Yilan, the Emperor not only held a grand ceremony for her elevation but also personally presided over it, ordering all noblewomen to attend the Noble Consort’s investiture ceremony. This was an honor no concubine except the Empress had ever received, and no one questioned its legitimacy.

As Princess Consort Gao walked gracefully in her noble consort attire with exquisite makeup, step by step, the Emperor was evidently entranced!

The concubines beside her looked at Princess Consort Gao, who had once been disfigured but now, through skillful artistry, had all her scars concealed, appearing even more beautiful. Their hearts were filled with jealousy.

Princess Consort Gao saved the Emperor, immediately capturing his heart. Within the harem and among the ministers of the previous dynasty, no one doubted Princess Consort Gao’s genuine feelings for the Emperor. The life-and-death crisis brought on by her injuries was not fabricated.

Initially, the concubines of the harem thought that even if Princess Consort Gao saved the Emperor and entered his heart, what did it matter? Not to mention the severe injuries and the uncertainty of survival, even if she did survive, with such terrifying burn scars, who could continue to face her?

To an Emperor accustomed to beauties, no matter his initial sentiment, there would surely come a day he could not face her. Therefore, although Lady Jing was ennobled as Princess Consort Gao, and the Emperor lavished her with unprecedented favor, the concubines of the harem felt no jealousy.

They believed that the future Princess Consort Gao would merely be a respected figurehead with a high status, no longer a threat to them.

Who would have guessed that upon truly seeing Princess Consort Gao, they found her even more beautiful. As she moved, peach blossoms bloomed on her fair and delicate cheeks, exuding boundless charm.

The concubines were envious, but the noblewomen were amazed. It was well-known that burn scars were the ugliest because they are difficult to heal. During the healing process, they continually scab and break, oozing pus and scabbing again, resulting in extremely disfigured skin post-healing.

But Nangong Shuangshuang managed to make the scars on Princess Consort Gao’s face nearly completely smooth, astounding everyone. Without smooth scars, Princess Consort Gao could not have used the peach blossom pattern to cover them.

From the start to the end of the ceremony, Noble Consort’s investiture lasted nearly half a day. After wearing an extremely heavy ceremonial robe, by the time the ceremony concluded and they returned to Yingyue Palace, Princess Consort Gao’s feet were sore from exhaustion. Combined with the heavy attire and hot weather, her sweat soaked through her innermost garments.

It wasn’t just Princess Consort Gao who was exhausted; Nangong Shuangshuang, who accompanied her throughout the entire process, was equally tired. Now also holding a position of importance with a status akin to a minister, Nangong Shuangshuang, who oversaw the entire investiture, wore a heavy and elaborate female official’s attire.

Nangong Shuangshuang, who usually preferred simple clothing, found the heavy official attire, with its neck-pressing ornaments, nearly unbearable. By the end, she appeared more disheveled than Princess Consort Gao.

Accompanying Princess Consort Gao back to Yingyue Palace, Nangong Shuangshuang collapsed, forgetting the respect she maintained in front of Princess Consort Gao, and sat down in a chair, frantically removing her head ornaments. Her neck hurt, her scalp ached from the weight of the ornaments, and she felt utterly uncomfortable, overwhelmed by the heat.

Princess Consort Gao, sitting on one side, mirrored Nangong Shuangshuang’s actions. A few little palace maids, led by Lan Ying, bustled around them, undressing them and removing ornaments.

Unfortunately, both wore layer upon layer of clothing, and it was unclear how many layers of belts had to be untied; it wasn’t something that could be resolved immediately.

For the first time, Princess Consort Gao saw Nangong Shuangshuang, who had always been incredibly wise, poised, and dignified in her presence, in such a disheveled state. She immediately burst into gleeful laughter, continuously teasing Nangong Shuangshuang.