When Fang He exposed Consort Hui’s hypocrisy in the Imperial Garden, she noticed something off about Concubine Jing.
It wasn’t that Fang He was especially perceptive, but rather Concubine Jing’s almost glaringly bold gaze deliberately drew her attention.
That day, in a corner where no one could see, Concubine Jing leaned against the side of a rock garden blooming with winter jasmine, her smile radiant—completely different from how she had been during the New Year’s Eve palace banquet.
There was no trace of timidity or the feigned gentleness meant to deceive others; instead, there was a lively and playful spirit shining through.
When paying respects at Shoukang Palace, Concubine Jing always wore an expression full of interest in places unnoticed by others.
Fang He knew Concubine Jing would eventually come to her and had even mentioned it to Consort Yi.
Neither of them could tell if this Tong family woman intended to turn hostility into friendship or if she was a threat.
But Fang He was not intimidated by her.
If she could handle the Tong family woman when she was Consort Zhao, there was no reason to shy away now that she was Noble Consort.
Strategically, she looked down on her enemy, but tactically, she could not afford to be careless.
Fang He privately asked Gu Wenxing to investigate Concubine Jing’s background.
It had to be said, the eunuch Kangxi appointed was truly dedicated.
He not only managed the relationships within the Imperial Household Department and the harem with great order, but he also never made a fuss over any of her actions—only silently ensuring the tasks entrusted to him were done perfectly.
Investigating Concubine Jing was no exception.
The detailed report Gu Wenxing submitted left Consort Yi somewhat incredulous about the Tong family woman, yet Fang He detected subtle nuances.
Concubine Jing was uninterested in palace power struggles.
Instead, she preferred to avoid crowds and wandered frequently—especially around Qianqing Palace and Yangxin Hall—under the pretext of leisure strolls.
She was more interested in Changchun Garden and the seldom-visited Qingyuan Study, which, if Fang He remembered the guide’s introduction correctly, had been Kangxi’s residence in his later years.
Concubine Jing treated the Fourth Prince very well—so well that she played chess, debated strategy, and tutored him on his lessons.
However, as the Tong family’s eldest concubine’s illegitimate daughter, she had no reputation for talent while living at home.
Adding to that, Concubine Jing had once nearly drowned and almost died, leading Fang He to suspect she had met a fellow villager.
Three days after Kangxi left the palace, Concubine Jing stopped Fang He in the small garden of Ruijing Pavilion.
“Noble Consort Zhaoyuan, shall we make a bet?”
Fang He asked, “On what?”
“The first person to make a move against you will not be from the harem.”
Concubine Jing got straight to the point with her first sentence.
The previous dynasty could not easily interfere with the harem; if it wasn’t the harem itself, it had to be one of the princes… more precisely, the Crown Prince.
Though Fang He was cautious when dealing with Su Dongxi earlier, it was not surprising given the times that Concubine Jing noticed her.
She inwardly muttered: Could this suspicious fellow villager be a transmigrator as well?
She wasn’t even sure who would lose their temper first.
Despite some wariness toward this suspected fellow villager, she couldn’t help but ask.
“Why do you think so?”
Concubine Jing chuckled softly, “Throughout history, favor is but an illusion. What everyone really fights for is power. Wenxi is bound by her family and dares not act rashly—at most, she watches from the sidelines. The others don’t even have that privilege.”
“To rule is to embody great benevolence and great love. Great benevolence requires decisive action, and great love requires self-preservation. But your existence, your offspring, threaten his position. As long as he remembers what he has learned, he will not hesitate.”
The more Fang He listened, the more uneasy she felt.
She had served many powerful figures in hotels and was familiar with the calm and composed aura they exuded—but Concubine Jing’s felt somewhat weaker.
Moreover, no one in the later generations would explain how to be emperor so thoroughly.
Fang He had a vague feeling this wasn’t a fellow villager… more like a powerful figure such as Wu Zetian or Shangguan Wan’er.
Yet, Concubine Jing’s chaotic enthusiasm and friendliness lacked Kangxi’s commanding presence.
After much thought, she accepted the bet and smiled tentatively to test her.
“Since Concubine Jing trusts me, you don’t need to be so formal in the future. Just call me Guoguo.”
If Concubine Jing didn’t trust her, she would have gone to Yuqing Palace, not approached her directly.
Concubine Jing smiled, “Still call you Zhaoyuan, and you can call me Yan Niang.”
After being bestowed the title of Noble Consort, Fang He no longer lived in Yunya Guan nor went to Danningju, which had been renamed Zhongyu Yuan and given to the Crown Prince.
Jiayin Hall was renamed Zhaoyuan Hall and given to Fang He, making it convenient for her to shuttle between Zhaoyuan Hall and Chunhui Hall.
Once back in Zhaoyuan Hall, Fang He immediately instructed Gu Wenxing to fetch numerous ancient texts from Qingyuan Study to study.
She spent over two months on this, not stopping even after returning to the palace.
Few in history were so well-versed in the way of rulership.
The closest examples were Ban Zhao—courtesy name Huiban—who served Empress Dowager Deng, and Shangguan Wan’er—courtesy name Ziying—who served Wu Zetian.
None had a name related to “Zhao.”
Until now, Fang He realized Concubine Jing’s fondness and nostalgia for the character “Zhao.”
She loved the meaning behind the character and missed the person it represented.
Suddenly, Fang He remembered Concubine Jing did not hesitate to spend the Tong family’s silver to build a small Liubei Pond in Huifang Villa, specifically to entertain visiting concubines during summer.
After all, Ban Zhao wasn’t the type to do such things.
Such behavior matched only Shangguan Zhaorong, who once served Wu Zhaoyi and was also known for welcoming guests into her inner circle.
At that moment, hearing Fang He’s words laced with hidden killing intent, Concubine Jing’s breath caught slightly, and a fierce light flashed in her eyes as she bowed lower.
Concubine Jing thought she was growing ever fonder of this Noble Consort Zhaoyuan.
Bowing deeply, she was even more interesting than those princesses who once stirred up storms.
No wonder she seemed to have stepped out from those magical storybooks.
Perhaps the hope of roaming freely beneath the vast sky could truly be entrusted to Fang He.
“The day the one from Yuqing Palace makes a move, I guarantee everyone who can be there, will be there.”
She smiled warmly at Fang He, “Yan Niang will be waiting to see the Noble Consort’s grand performance.”
***
Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed, and before Chongyang arrived, news from the front reached the palace.
On the night of the full moon during Mid-Autumn, the Qing army achieved a great victory over the Junghar forces at the ‘Camel City,’ killing over ten thousand Junghar soldiers and forcing Gualdan to flee northward.
This sounded the horn for a counterattack.
It was the first major victory since the Emperor personally led the campaign.
The Crown Prince soon issued a proclamation to the capital, sparking cheers and praise both inside and outside the Forbidden City.
The palace’s concubines became livelier as well.
Noble Consort Wenxi, upon learning that this was the left flank led by Prince Yu that earned the merit—and that Faka was right beside Prince Yu—felt her health improve from joy.
Soon, Noble Consort Wenxi, under the pretense of the upcoming Chongyang Festival, planned to hold a flower-viewing banquet, inviting the harem to enjoy the blossoms in the Imperial Garden.
The invitation that reached Fang He was delivered by Consort Yi.
“I heard it was Concubine Jing from Chengqian Palace who suggested this. Since you didn’t enjoy the flower viewing in the Imperial Garden last time, she recommended Noble Consort Wenxi move the banquet from Yongshou Palace to the Imperial Garden.”
Consort Yi casually tossed the invitation onto a low table.
“Consort Hui acts as if nothing’s wrong. I feel there’s something fishy about this banquet. You’d better not go.”
Although Fang He was already three months pregnant, this pregnancy’s symptoms were far worse than before.
Just because the baby was secure didn’t mean she wouldn’t be targeted.
Fang He merely smiled and handed the invitation to Fule.
When Fule returned it, Fang He took it and saw the banquet was set for two days later, stirring her interest.
“It just happens to be the day the Peace Pulse will be taken. Noble Consort Wenxi is cautious; she won’t give people a reason to gossip. There will definitely be Imperial Medical Institute staff present, so it should be safe.”
Consort Yi frowned, “If the Imperial Physicians were reliable, I wouldn’t have had trouble giving birth to Yin. No matter how careful you are, if someone with ill intent sneaks something harmful near you, it’s impossible to be completely safe.”
“Hmm, as you said, it’s impossible to be fully guarded.”
Fang He pushed over a freshly brewed honeysuckle tea and smiled.
“There’s the saying: ‘There are thieves for a thousand days, but no one guards against them for a thousand days.’ I still have over half a year before delivery. Do you think hiding in Yanxi Palace is truly safe?”
Consort Yi’s heart suddenly skipped a few beats.
“You’re saying… you want to… make an example?”
Fang He laughed but didn’t explain further, covering the smile at her lips with the tea cup.
“Making an example doesn’t help much; there will always be those who take desperate measures. If I want to rest easy… naturally, I have to deal with both the monkeys and the chickens, so they won’t dare cause trouble again.”
“Well?”
Consort Yi leaned in, unable to hide her tension as she asked.
Fang He clicked her tongue softly and said with a smile, “Some secrets can’t be revealed. Just wait and see.”
***
After angering Consort Yi, who came with good intentions to warn her, Fang He immediately summoned Gu Wenxing and Li Dequan.
“The day after tomorrow’s operation—are all preparations ready?”
Li Dequan hesitated and said nothing.
Gu Wenxing lowered his gaze and softly replied, “My lady, Nanny Su said if you send someone to invite her, she will bring everything you need.”
“My men have been arranged according to your orders. The Empress Dowager will not appear that day, and the Office of Punishment and Investigation has reserved the space.”
Fang He nodded in satisfaction but didn’t rush, gently caressing her still-flat belly as she smiled at Li Dequan.
Li Dequan mustered his courage and whispered, “Mistress, everyone else is fine, but do you really want to drag the Crown Prince into this? If the Empress Dowager doesn’t show up, he is the most honored person in the palace. Are we about to cause a catastrophe?”
He cautiously suggested, “Should we ask the Emperor first?”
“He won’t lay a hand on me, so why would I drag him into this for no reason?” Fang He patiently and gently explained.
“Besides, the Emperor is worried about the warfront. Is it right to bother him with such trivial matters? Have you calculated how long it will take to receive a reply? If anything happens to the baby in my womb, who will be responsible?”
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