Consort Yi watched Concubine Xi and a few noblewomen approaching Concubine Jing to inquire about the news, then sat beside Fang He. Â
“What do you think of her?”
Fang He lazily pinched a small plate of fried peanuts she had secretly brought in and popped one into her mouth.
“She looks decent. Not as pretty as the Noble Consort, not as bold as the Second Lady of Tongjia, but she has a reassuring aura, doesn’t seem like trouble.”
What she didn’t say was that Concubine Jing’s speech was somewhat like Fule’s—except Fule concealed her temperament, speaking quietly but decisively.
Concubine Jing… had a gentle voice laced with subtle hooks.
The tendril-like softness of her nature was natural and seamless.
Seemingly harmless, a tendril flower can drain the nutrients of a great tree until it dies without revealing itself.
In other words, the women of the Tongjia clan were all more capable than men, and this was another hidden ruthless type!
Consort Yi caught the implication and smiled lightly.
“You’ve served the Emperor longer and know more secrets. Many Han Army Banner consorts in Shizong’s harem had this temperament. Usually soft and obedient, when the Emperor needed them, they were well-read and charming. When the Emperor wasn’t paying attention, they never competed openly, endured bullying, and never became annoying.” Â
Fang He raised her eyebrows slightly and replied, “So they live like puppets?” Â
“But the moment you show any weakness, they seize the chance. Their scheming and decisiveness will make you regret underestimating them.”
Shizong’s first Empress was deposed because she injured two Han Army Banner consorts, and Shizong took the opportunity to make a fuss.
The early death of Prince Rong, born to Honored Consort Dong’e, also had the involvement of those Han Army Banner consorts.
It wasn’t that they were wrong; Shizong’s bias was too blatant and harmed everyone’s interests.
There was too much collusion. Â
In this dynasty, besides Uya-shi, Consort Yi only recognized Concubine Jing as having such temperament.
At least Uya-shi was from the Manchu Banner, backed by the Ba Yi Shi Jia, but she was not as naturally gentle as Concubine Jing.
True or not, Consort Yi’s intuition told her they should be wary.
Fang He thought otherwise and pondered, “You mean as long as we don’t show weakness, they’re just paper tigers?”
Consort Yi picked up a peanut and popped it into her mouth, eyes showing disdain.
“Of course. People who have lived in the cracks since childhood don’t harbor much jealousy and usually don’t like to fight for the spotlight. As long as she’s not stupid, she won’t make the first move—at most, she’ll act opportunistically.” Â
She disliked Uya-shi and liked this temperament even less.
Consort Yi believed life should be lived freely—laugh when you want, curse when you want, and even if bound by rules, live as best you can within them.
Wearing a mask for too long makes one forget their true nature, and such a life was pitiful.
Fang He smiled and said, “I trust your judgment, so let her be. Changing a Tongjia woman into the palace would be troublesome. Tongjia probably wouldn’t tolerate consecutive provocations. If we end up discarding Concubine Jing too, who knows what Tong Guogang and Tong Guowei might do. She’s becoming closer to Kangxi, and she likes to leave some room to maneuver.” Â
As for what Concubine Jing might do, it didn’t matter.
Her temperament was very consistent with how she presented herself—gentle as water, without temper, somewhat meek and passive.
Under Xi and a few noblewomen’s increasingly pointed questions, Concubine Jing could only reveal why she accompanied the Emperor.
“Tong Guogong returned to report on the northern Mongol campaign. When he learned his daughter had entered the palace, he asked the Emperor for a meeting so father and daughter could exchange a few words.”
Cui Wei had already inquired with Li Dequan and told Fang He and Consort Yi before Xi and the others returned to their seats.
After escorting the Empress Dowager into Moonlight Gate, Tong Guogong was about to leave the palace, but Concubine Jing, having seen the imperial carriage, didn’t dare leave alone and waited, only entering together later.
Consort Yi snorted, “That’s quite a coincidence. They say Tong Guogong only knows how to fight wars, but young Tong Guogong is cunning. Looks like these two brothers are just as capable.”
Fang He smiled at Kangxi, who happened to glance her way.
She raised her cup with a smile, and Kangxi, unaware of the subtle tension in the hall, drank happily.
This made Fang He smile and shake her head.
In Kangxi’s eyes, favoring her alone was the greatest blessing, not to mention he often coaxed her softly, as if he’d given her the whole world.
Such humiliations, in Kangxi’s view, probably didn’t count for much.
It was like in later times, when a boyfriend had only one girlfriend, was filial and kind, yet still failed to understand what girls really cared about.
So these two still had a long way to go…
Fang He shivered, thinking of the two days she’d just lain down. Â
Forget it, no need to rush.
Love is a slow dance. Â
While Fang He spoke with Consort Yi, the maids around them, including Yingtao and Cui Wei, listened discreetly to the surrounding chatter.
The information Cui Wei gathered matched what Xi and the others heard.
The consorts’ initial excitement waned, but some took the opportunity to deliberately speak before Fang He during the toasts.
Concubine Duan and Concubine Tong approached with raised cups.
Concubine Tong spoke more tactfully, “I heard Imperial Consort Zhao quarreled with the Emperor. If she had come to soften the atmosphere early in Qianqing Palace, perhaps she would have had the honor to attend the Empress Dowager and Emperor together.”
Concubine Duan smiled brightly, “Concubine Jing is Tong Guogong’s daughter. With her father’s merit on the frontier, even if the Emperor hadn’t quarreled with Imperial Consort Zhao, he would still show some respect to Concubine Jing. These things, you just get used to them, right Imperial Consort Zhao?”
“Mm… drinking without eating will make one drunk, right? Have you eaten?” Fang He raised her teacup with a smile.
Concubine Tong stayed silent cautiously, while Concubine Duan laughed softly, “Don’t worry, our Manchu ladies can hold their liquor quite well.”
“Oh, then you must be full. I just tasted a bit, tsk, the Imperial Kitchen put too much salt.” Fang He raised her cup indifferently and clinked it with theirs.
“Then I’ll leave it to you. Drink up.”
The two were startled.
Consort Yi couldn’t help but cover her mouth to laugh as Concubine Duan and Concubine Tong realized Fang He was saying they ate too much salt and looked a bit pale.
They didn’t dare cause a scene and sulkily carried their cups away.
Later, Consort Hui and Consort Rong gathered Concubine Duan and the others, chatting happily with Concubine Jing.
At Fang He’s side, only Consort Yi, Concubine Jing, and Concubine An remained.
They could tell Fang He wasn’t in high spirits, speaking little and seeming somewhat lonely.
Kangxi was already drawn into conversation with Fuquan and Changning, drinking while commemorating the Grand Empress Dowager.
The imperial relatives cheered, bringing the Crown Prince and the newly honored Da Ago along, and even pulled Yinzhi to act as referee, drinking behind Kangxi and the two princes, paying no attention to the ladies’ side.
The younger princes—Yintang pulling Yinqi, Yin’e pulling Yinsi—crowded into the gathering to join the fun.
Even younger Yin Tao and Yin Xiang sat quietly in a corner, talking under the watch of the eldest and second princesses.
Only Yinzhen, who was observing filial mourning, sat alone in quiet solitude.
Catching Fang He’s inadvertent glance, he was briefly startled, then stood, respectfully bowed, and drained his tea.
Before his mother’s death, she had instructed him to keep his distance from the Tongjia family and not trust them too much.
If Tongjia ever made a serious mistake, he should help them only when absolutely necessary.
He remembered after giving these instructions, his mother held the phoenix hairpin Father had given her over ten years ago, was lost in thought for a while, then told him to befriend Imperial Consort Zhao.
“Don’t mind her deeds toward Uya-shi and Tongjia. Uya-shi was a shameful mother, Tongjia brought trouble on themselves. Since entering the palace, she’s never harmed anyone actively and has an open nature. Your Father likes her, so be close to her. If trouble comes, someone will be there to help you.”
“But don’t fawn over her… be kinder to Ninth Princess, she’s your sister. Treat her like you do Eighth Prince. Take good care of her, and Imperial Consort Zhao will remember your kindness.”
Yinzhen didn’t hate Imperial Consort Zhao; he felt sorry and awkward about his birth mother’s fate, but more relieved.
From the moment his birth mother used him to harm his mother’s daughter, he resolved that Imperial Noble Consort was the only mother he owed.
But out of filial piety, he could do nothing.
He even changed the jade disc so that if Uya-shi were still in the palace, he’d have to suppress his disgust and perform filial duties.
In this sense, Imperial Consort Zhao had pulled him from the mire, and he felt a complicated gratitude that made him gulp down the hot tea painfully.
But when he put down the cup, his expression twisted briefly before he forced himself to keep a neutral face, clenching his fists tightly.
Fang He couldn’t help but laugh, downing her cooled tea in one gulp, then teasingly showed her empty cup to Yinzhen.
Perhaps because Uya-shi was gone and he changed the jade disc, the pitiable “Yong Xiaosi” from her stories didn’t end up as the historical legend said.
Because Kangxi was “moody,” Yinzhen forced himself to become the cold-faced “Yama King,” more like a school heartthrob in a modern drama.
He glanced around, cleared his throat twice, then sat back down expressionlessly.
One hand rested on the table, the other on his lap, his eyes lowered as he put on the mourning mask, refusing to look toward Fang He’s side.
Only his ears blushed fiercely.
This scene also caught Concubine Jing’s quiet gaze.
A faint, subtle smile flickered in her eyes.
Her “nephew” was quite interesting—not as harsh and unfeeling as the novels said.
Such a pity his status was fixed; otherwise, in a few years, he’d be prime material for a favored companion.
“Why are you staring?” Concubine An looked puzzled.
“You just toasted with Fourth Prince?”
Concubine Jing, who embarrassed Fang He, was still Fourth Prince’s aunt.
How did Imperial Consort Zhao think about this? Â
Fang He chuckled, “Second Lady of Tongjia is the same. I got her to leave, yet Fourth Prince can still cheerfully toast me. How could I be petty?”
Who knew how the wheel of history would turn?
This young man was still the idol of Prince Daning—one of Fang He’s last anchors to her original world. Â
It wasn’t a bad thing to get closer to such an invisible powerhouse without jeopardizing herself.
Before Concubine An could say more, the Empress Dowager stood up, and Fang He quickly followed suit.
“Sisters, she’s doing the first day [of mourning], I can’t wait for the fifteenth. I’m going ahead—drink slowly!”
Her scalp nearly tore off; if she didn’t leave now, she might lose her mind!
Consort Yi and the others: “…”
What is this matriarch up to now?! Â
Cui Wei was startled by her mistress and hurried after her.
Before she could steady Fang He, she saw her mistress reach out to support the Empress Dowager.
“Your Majesty must be tired. Since you couldn’t go to Shoukang Palace to welcome, I didn’t even have the appetite for dinner. Please allow me to escort you back.”
She stepped close and whispered, “This outfit is so heavy, if I sit any longer, you’ll have to carry me out. Do grant me this kindness!”
The Empress Dowager laughed; her own robes were even heavier than Fang He’s.
This girl almost toppled her when she helped her up—fortunately, Wuyunzhu was strong.
She tapped Fang He’s forehead, “You’re so delicate. Why don’t you go tell the Emperor?”
Except for the Empress Dowager, anyone leaving Qianqing Palace early without Kangxi’s permission would be considered highly disrespectful.
Fang He glanced toward the nobleman surrounded by imperial relatives, only half visible.
She snorted, “Ignoring my dignity, letting me be gossiped about all night—do you want me to quarrel with the Emperor or break the rules?”
Empress Dowager: “… Let’s go.”
The New Year was lively enough; no need for quarrels to unsettle the harem.
Consort Hui and the others watched Fang He sidle up to the Empress Dowager, coquettishly whisper a few words, then leave Qianqing Palace with her without notifying anyone.
They were quite surprised.
Consort Hui: “She just left like that? Isn’t she afraid the Emperor will punish her for great disrespect?”
Consort Rong chuckled, “At this point, it won’t matter much. She’s smart—while the Empress Dowager is around, Kangxi won’t fuss.”
Concubine Duan rolled her eyes and smiled at Concubine Jing, “What you say is right. Jing just entered the palace, and the Emperor still dotes on her. He doesn’t have time to pay attention to her yet!”
Concubine Jing hurriedly waved her hands, looking even more awkward.
“I, I haven’t even served in the bedchamber. I’m not worthy…”
Consort Hui and the others chatted with Concubine Jing most of the evening, getting a sense of her character.
Regardless of whether her nature was genuine or not, she dared not compete.
Not competing meant opportunity was theirs.
The mourning period would soon end.
After midnight, the Crown Prince and Da Ago were already asleep.
Even a few younger brothers were out cold, including the referee.
Kangxi and the others hadn’t finished drinking, but the Noble Consort had already taken the consorts and ladies-in-waiting to disperse.
Back at Chengqing Palace, Concubine Jing’s Nanny Wu eagerly approached.
“Master, I heard Imperial Consort Zhao left early with the Empress Dowager and Emperor without notice after escorting the Empress Dowager into the hall. This is our chance!”
“If Imperial Consort Zhao has such confidence, it must be granted by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. She’s a clever person; daring to do this means a good opportunity. Nanny Wu won’t say more.”
Concubine Jing’s expression was unreadable.
She changed clothes and leaned calmly at the dressing table, having her hair redone.
Nanny Wu presented a small wooden box holding jewelry and pushed it toward Concubine Jing.
“The side consort instructed me that if the time is right, I should give this to you.”
She looked at the box with no hint of emotion.
“What is this?”
“She’s incompetent. Before the Second Lady of Tongjia was sent away from the capital, she left a letter. Though things went wrong there, it was because someone betrayed her, not her own fault.”
After Nanny Wu took the comb from a maid and sent the maid out, she lowered her voice.
“The key step was to sow discord between the Emperor and Imperial Consort Zhao after she entered the palace, so that she would fall out of favor and be demoted. The Second Lady had already planned this.”
“This letter was personally delivered by the Second Master to the old master, and this is also the meaning of the old master and the side consort. So this plan must work. You must seize the opportunity!”
Concubine Jing stood, her back hidden from Nanny Wu’s view.
She walked toward the bed, her playful expression illuminated clearly by the candlelight on the side table, yet completely concealed…
“I see… then bring it here for me to see. This lifesaver of mine, what exactly is the trick?”
She wanted to weigh her options—whether to climb Kangxi’s big tree or respect Tongjia’s tradition of eating their own and seeing the outside world.