Fang He chuckled and frankly said to the Empress Dowager, “You think highly of me. I did quarrel with the Emperor before, but it was because I hated wasting the feelings of my sisters in the harem!”
Seeing the Empress Dowager’s half-smile, Fang He touched her nose.
“Please open the door first. The Emperor loves to eavesdrop. We can’t let him hear the blunt truth.”
Liu Momo suppressed a laugh and guarded the door outside.
Fang He then sat on the embroidered stool by the Empress Dowager’s feet and told her everything.
Heaven knows how long she had been holding it in.
Even with Cuiwei, she couldn’t vent like this, so it was a relief to gossip with someone.
“I know I can’t defeat the other consorts. I was forced to use some clumsy methods…” She winked at the Empress Dowager.
She wasn’t as logically sharp as Da Ningzi, but she knew she was much like Kangxi in temperament.
She simulated how Kangxi would truly understand what love and favor meant if she were him.
So from her second entry into the palace, she suppressed her nature bit by bit.
From feeling wronged to restraining herself, from sharp quarrels to softening her edge, letting Kangxi gradually notice she was no longer the woman he once liked, stirring his heart.
That incense burning before Qianqing Palace was to make Kangxi notice her despair.
The Concubine Jing matter was the best trigger to force Kangxi to see his heart clearly.
The Empress Dowager smiled at this and said, “You don’t resemble Wulinzhu at all. Auntie was right; you’re more suited to this palace.”
Fang He looked up at the Empress Dowager.
“Your Majesty, I am Fang He, not my great-grandmother. There are many smarter people and better ways to win the Emperor’s heart.”
“But I can only be myself and walk my own path. I always believed I wouldn’t fail because I love myself first, only then can I truly love others. Don’t you think so?”
The Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned.
She knew Fang He had noticed her distress after visiting Huangxin Village and was trying to persuade her in various ways.
She smiled and stroked Fang He’s head.
“Very good. I will take good care of myself so I can continue to support you and your daughter.”
After Fang He left Shoukang Palace with the Ninth Princess, Wuyunzhu brought a bowl of sweet milk tea made from Fang He’s prescription and a plate of snacks to the Empress Dowager.
“Please try it, Your Majesty. Imperial Consort Zhao said she tested it many times and had several palace maids try it, deciding this was the most palatable flavor.”
“There are some health herbs added too, so you can sleep better at night.”
Thinking of Fang He’s bold words earlier, Wuyunzhu shook her head with a smile.
“I don’t know if Imperial Consort Zhao is smart or foolish. She has an irresistible charm when trying to please people but underestimates the Emperor.”
The Empress Dowager took a piece of milk cake, drank some milk tea, sweet with no medicinal taste.
Although it wasn’t as smooth as Northern Mongolian milk tea, it had its own unique flavor.
Having not eaten properly for half a day, the Empress Dowager unconsciously finished the milk tea and half the plate of milk cake.
Hearing Wuyunzhu’s words, she laughed heartily.
“She’s clever in her simplicity. She’s not afraid of the Emperor finding out.”
Fang He’s method was indeed not smart.
There were a hundred better ways for a consort to maintain favor and subtly achieve her goals, but they all followed the traditional path of favored consorts.
With the Emperor’s intelligence, he would eventually understand Fang He’s ultimate aim, just from a different approach.
Only his attitude had changed, so his reaction to the same event wouldn’t be the same as before.
The Empress Dowager yawned, holding Wuyunzhu’s hand as they walked back to the bedchamber.
Wuyunzhu was still puzzled so she asked, “Even if you’re right, it’s gratifying to see, but doesn’t this make it harder to raise Imperial Consort Zhao’s status?”
The Empress Dowager smiled as she lay down and replied, “Do you think all the consorts in the palace scramble for the Emperor’s favor for no reason?
“If the Emperor is willing, the difference between a Consort and a Noble Consort is just a single word.”
The root of their conflict was already resolved.
No one could snatch that girl’s ladder to the heavens now.
Judging by Fang He’s boldness today and Consort Hui and Yinzhi’s retreat, it was clear.
She closed her eyes and continued, “But the filial period has passed. It’d be good if the girl got pregnant soon. After all, Noble Consort or Imperial Noble Consort sounds nicer, and I quite want to hear that girl call me ‘Mother.'”
***
Meanwhile, at the Nalan Mingzhu residence, Lady Jueluo was also discussing the matter.
The Crown Prince and the princes had been whipped in Qianqing Palace, news spreading quickly through the front and back palaces.
Mingzhu had already received the news.
He had been serving in the Southern Study but, after hearing the news, immediately feigned illness and went home.
A eunuch from Consort Hui’s palace came out to deliver a letter to the Nalan residence, and the Nalan clan leader also sent someone with a message.
Consort Hui and the Eldest Prince had suffered such great humiliation.
As the most influential branch of the Nalan clan, Mingzhu could not ignore it.
Mingzhu had never met them.
When his grandfather died, the Nalan clan used the excuse that he belonged to the Yehe Nalan branch while theirs was a different branch, abandoning him like trash.
Since then, he hadn’t regarded the Nalan clan as kin.
Besides, he was of the Plain Yellow Banner, and Consort Hui was a Plain Yellow Banner bondservant.
Even if they shared an ancestor, a generation difference put them beyond the five degrees of mourning.
If not for the promising status of Eldest Prince’s eldest son, he wouldn’t have been called ‘cousin’ by Yinzhi.
When he fell from power, the Nalan clan didn’t even make a sound.
Now they suddenly remembered him?
Lady Jueluo laughed at her husband’s bluntness and tapped his head.
“You’re just afraid no one knows how clever you are.”
“It wouldn’t be too obvious. If we’re to plead for Eldest Prince, it must be done subtly before the Emperor.”
Nalan Mingzhu knew this well but sighed helplessly, “The Emperor always feared my involvement in the Crown Prince and Eldest Prince’s rivalry. Pushing me forward before was just to curb Suo’etu.”
“Every word I speak now is a reason for the Emperor to settle accounts with me later. Before, the mother and son seemed smart enough…”
One could only say, it’s not fearing people’s stupidity, but fearing harsh comparison.
With Imperial Consort Zhao around, there would be no future for Consort Hui’s rise.
Lady Jueluo had a thought.
“Isn’t Imperial Consort Zhao from a barren family? Even if, officially, the Zasu Huli clan has few people left, if Imperial Consort Zhao can have an Eldest Prince sooner…”
‘Hmm?’ Nalan Mingzhu’s eyes brightened as he suddenly sat up straight.
This plan was far more interesting than supporting Eldest Prince.
“The Emperor is in his prime, surely destined for longevity. When I pay respects at the palace later, I can subtly send some fertility prescriptions to Yanxi Palace under the pretext of apologizing for Consort Hui.”
Lady Jueluo nodded with a smile, “No need for you to remind me. I’ve already prepared it. This incident is a perfect chance. When I go to greet the Empress Dowager, I’ll deliver it.”
Nalan Mingzhu hadn’t wanted to get involved, but his headache stopped.
If he wanted to connect with Imperial Consort Zhao through Consort Hui, he couldn’t ignore this.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Madam. I’ll write the memorial now.”
Reactions inside and outside the palace were still under the surface.
At Yanxi Palace, preparations for the Nine Princess’s Zhuazhou ceremony were ongoing.
Although they would go to Qianqing Palace for the ceremony, Fang He felt it was still a birthday, albeit a day late, and didn’t want to upset her daughter. Everything else should be perfect.
Cuiwei wasn’t feeling well.
Fang He asked Fule to take her pulse and prescribed medicine so she could rest for a few days.
Fang He, Chunlai, and Xinhua, Xinzi were setting up a small flower room in the east wing palace where the Nine Princess stayed.
Although Nine Princess’s speech wasn’t fluent yet and she was a little foodie, her love for beauty was evident.
Every time she went to the flower room in Shoukang Palace, Nine Princess was especially happy, giggling happily when a bright flower was tucked behind her ear.
Earlier, the weather was cold and Fang He worried about the flowers dying and Nine Princess crying, but now it was getting warmer, so she wasn’t worried.
Just as she began working, Wei Zhu came over to call her.
“Master, Chief Eunuch Gu is here.”
Fang He turned in surprise, “Chief Eunuch Gu? What brings him here?”
She washed her hands and went to the side hall, seeing Gu Wenxing waiting under the corridor with a wooden box.
Seeing her, Gu Wenxing promptly bowed.
“Your humble servant greets Imperial Consort Zhao.”
Fang He stepped forward and offered a slight support.
“Chief Eunuch Gu, please rise. What wind blew you here?”
Gu Wenxing thought, probably an evil wind.
He bowed respectfully and said, “Imperial Consort Zhao, I have come to deliver the Emperor’s decree, requesting you to bring the Nine Princess to Qianqing Palace to attend the Emperor’s chamber.”
Fang He: “…..”
‘Which consort goes to attend the Emperor’s chamber with her daughter?’
Gu Wenxing explained, “Tomorrow morning is the Nine Princess’s Zhuazhou ceremony. Since it’s still cold at night and in the morning, the Emperor fears Nine Princess will catch a cold and has instructed that she sleep in the side hall.”
Fang He suppressed a smile.
Fine, as long as Master Kang isn’t afraid her daughter will cause trouble, she doesn’t mind.
She asked, “Is there a second matter?”
Gu Wenxing raised the box above his head and knelt.
“Your servant wishes to resign as Chief Eunuch of the Jing Shi Fang, to serve Your Highness personally. Please accept my sincerity.”
If the first statement made everyone chuckle, this one stunned all the palace maids, eunuchs, and even the entire Yanxi Palace.
Wei Zhu looked at Fang He eagerly.
With Chief Eunuch Gu here, what would he do?
But knowing Chief Eunuch Gu’s abilities, if the Master took over palace affairs with Gu stationed here, there’d be no fear of the Imperial Household Department’s tricks.
Wei Zhu clenched his teeth and smiled uncontrollably, stepping forward.
“Congratulations, Master. Congratulations, Master. With Chief Eunuch Gu as Yanxi Palace’s Chief Eunuch, your humble servant is willing to serve him wholeheartedly!”
Fang He didn’t respond immediately.
She took the box, opened it, glanced inside, then slammed it shut so quickly even Chunlai didn’t see what was inside.
She was silent for a long moment, unwilling to believe her eyes, then reopened it.
Inside was the green head card with the Emperor’s name ‘Jin Ye’ inscribed, perfectly intact.
What was this?
The Emperor gave the green head card to Chief Eunuch Gu first and then to her?
This relationship… she needed to sort it out.
“Is this the Emperor’s meaning?” She smiled faintly, her eyes subtle as she asked.
Chief Eunuch Gu said no, “Your servant is old and should retire in a few years. Hearing that Imperial Consort Zhao has many estates now, I thought to serve you for a few years and help the Master a little.”
“Your servant thought that when I could no longer serve, I would shamelessly beg the Master to grant me a retirement place, so I specially petitioned the Emperor, who granted me this. The Master will understand at once.”
Fang He understood.
Kangxi assigned Gu Wenxing the green head card, and Gu Wenxing understood the Emperor’s intention and took the initiative to resign without the Emperor’s order.
This was a tacit understanding between master and disciple.
Kangxi gave Gu Wenxing this to show Fang He that Gu had his trust.
So the shameless tasks could be left to Gu, and helping her manage palace affairs would be no problem.
She gestured for Wei Zhu to help Gu Wenxing up and asked cautiously, “But if you’re no longer in the imperial presence, what about Jing Shi Fang?”
“Qiao Cheng has been in the outer treasury for years, known for being steady and has saved the Emperor before. I have recommended him to take over as Chief Eunuch of Jing Shi Fang.”
Gu Wenxing answered calmly and glanced at Wei Zhu with a smile.
“If I come to Yanxi Palace, I won’t let Wei Zhu suffer. The outer treasury job looks good.”
“Good!”
Wei Zhu’s eyes brightened.
If his godfather took the post in the outer treasury, and he went there, wouldn’t that make him the next in line…?
He grinned and smiled at Fang He.
“Your humble servant will follow your orders. Wherever I go, I’ll ensure the Master’s and Master’s husband’s affairs are handled well.”
Fang He didn’t immediately answer.
After some thought, she said, “Let’s go to Qianqing Palace first. I need to think about this matter.”
When Fang He arrived at Qianqing Palace, she was still holding the wooden box.
Nine Princess had already fallen asleep, attended by Chunlai and Xinke, and was taken directly to the side hall.
Fang He entered Zhaoren Hall and saw Kangxi still reviewing memorials, seemingly unaware of her arrival, not even looking up.
She secretly chuckled, ‘it seemed His Majesty was once again feeling shy?’
“Ah!” Fang He softly exclaimed, suddenly supporting herself on the side of the antique cabinet.
Kangxi immediately looked up.
Seeing Fang He smile mischievously at him, Kangxi helplessly tapped her forehead from a distance.
“Naughty!”
Fang He laughed and squeezed into Kangxi’s arms with the box, even more mischievous.
“You delivered yourself into my arms. Of course, I’d want the Emperor’s company tonight, so I had to get your attention!”
Kangxi smiled ambiguously, pulling her closer.
“Oh? No Little Yezi tonight?”
“Mm…” Fang He replied, “The Emperor is displaying great might in Qianqing Palace, making me so nervous. I only want to imitate those demons in the novels fighting with fire and ice to show you some dazzling power.”
Kangxi hadn’t heard of the story but just hearing “fight” made his phoenix eyes darken.
He hugged her tighter.
“How many novels have you read in Jiangnan, hmm?” Kangxi lowered his head and bit her lip.
“Tonight, just one trick won’t be enough!”
Fang He: “…..”
‘Racing to bed, huh?’
Would this experienced driver back down?
Not a chance!
She quickly slipped out of Kangxi’s arms, serious and nodding.
“Then wait for me to eat three bowls of rice first!”
Kangxi:”…..”
This bastard wants to starve himself so he won’t have to attend the chamber!