She didn’t believe such coincidences existed.
Individually, the imperial kitchens, sweeping, and laundry-any two of these would hardly be enough to determine her drinking habits.
But combined, with someone delivering meals, someone watching the comings and goings, and someone able to sniff the clothes, it became much easier.
Now, the question was how to lure Consort De willingly into the trap…
“Your Highness, Consort Yi and Noble Consort An have arrived,” Chunlai suddenly announced.
Fang He leisurely replaced the small clothing patterns she had been sketching underneath with a blank sheet.
Only when Consort Yi and Noble Consort An ascended the steps did she pretend to hurriedly fold them, tuck them into her sleeve, and rise to greet them.
“This concubine pays respects to Consort Yi,” she curtsied, then exchanged a casual greeting with Noble Consort An, smiling politely.
“Have you also come to admire the flowers? It just rained, the lotuses are blooming beautifully, and a fresh batch of azaleas and hibiscus has been planted. Quite a pleasing sight, don’t you think?”
After Noble Consort An exchanged greetings with Fang He, Consort Yi subtly glanced at Fang He’s belly before taking her seat with a smile.
She cut straight to the point.
“I’m not here for the flowers. I happened to run into Noble Consort An and thought to bring her along as a witness. I’ve come to apologize to Consort Zhao on my sister’s behalf.”
Fang He was visibly surprised, and even Noble Consort An couldn’t hide her widened eyes.
Everyone in the palace knew Consort Yi was the most fiery and outspoken.
Fang He had even personally witnessed Consort Yi dismiss Qiaowen with just a few words.
Never had she imagined hearing an apology from her lips.
Amused by their stunned expressions, Consort Yi laughed.
“Do you really think I’m so arrogant that I’d never admit my faults?”
She spoke candidly.
“Even if I was like that before, times have changed. It’s better to resolve grievances than to hold onto them. If only for the sake of the Empress Dowager and Little Fifth, I must make amends to Consort Zhao.”
Noble Consort An quietly played the role of an observer, lowering her head to examine the teacup Chunlai had served.
Fang He sipped her tea, now understanding Consort Yi’s purpose.
The Empress Dowager had openly sided with her, and Consort Yi knew about the slight mentorship bond between Fang He and the Fifth Prince.
She truly had no wish to antagonize Consort Yi.
But she wasn’t sure whether the lifelong favor of Noble Lady Guoluoluo could outweigh that small connection.
After all, Consort Yi was now highly regarded by the Empress Dowager.
As long as the Fifth Prince didn’t make any grave mistakes, the Empress Dowager would never deliberately slight Consort Yi.
With a smile, Fang He raised her head.
“Since Consort Yi has spoken so sincerely, I’m not one to hold grudges. Let’s consider the past water under the bridge. We’re all sisters, after all…”
Consort Yi burst into laughter, cutting her off.
“Oh, please. Even if I didn’t know you, I know how people in the palace are. ‘Sisters’? That’s just a nauseating pretense.”
Since she had come to sincerely apologize, she didn’t mention anything about sisterhood from the start.
She admitted frankly, “My sister has a difficult temperament. If it weren’t for our father insisting she enter the palace in my place to bear an heir, I would never have allowed her to become a concubine.”
“Now that she’s lost imperial favor… perhaps it’s for the best. At least she’ll behave and won’t drag Yierha down or cause trouble for Little Five, Little Nine, and Little Eleven to clean up after her.”
“Let me be perfectly honest with you-had she not taken advantage of Yinci’s illness to act out, even if I couldn’t stop her from self destruction, I would have warned you immediately.”
Her bluntness left Fang He at a loss for words.
She didn’t believe in genuine affection within the palace walls, nor was Consort Yi the type to develop sudden sisterly feelings.
Cutting straight to the point, Fang He asked, “Then this concubine fails to understand—is Consort Yi’s sincerity today solely because of the Empress Dowager and the Fifth Prince?”
“You must realize they’re also the reasons I’ve avoided conflict with you.”
The Empress Dowager had been kind to her, and she intended to return the favor by not putting her in a difficult position between herself and the Fifth Prince.
Even if Consort Yi caused trouble, she’d have to show restraint rather than deal with her as harshly as she would others.
Listening to their thinly veiled sparring, Consort An’s throat went dry, and she quickly sipped tea to steady herself.
Consort Yi seemed pleased by Fang He’s directness and nodded.
“Indeed, there’s more to it. Judging by Consort Zhao’s current favor… I imagine Little Five will soon have brothers, no?”
“We may not be sisters, but our children share blood ties that run deeper than bone.”
“Little Five is simple-minded, Little Nine doesn’t seem particularly bright either. Yinci is cleverer, but… burdened by being my son. I’ve failed him.”
Consort Yi’s eyes reddened slightly.
“Rather than saying I don’t wish to feud with you, it’s more accurate to say I don’t want our children at odds. Not just now, but in the future… surely harmony makes for better prospects?”
If the Crown Prince ascended the throne or turmoil arose, the last people she wanted as enemies were Fang He and her children.
An alliance would be ideal.
Having her doubts resolved, Fang He nodded decisively.
“Very well. As long as the Fourth Princess stops harassing me and Lady Guoluoluo refrains from further foolishness, this matter ends here. I’ll never mention it again.”
Relieved, Consort Yi smiled more warmly and offered pointed advice:
“The Changchun Garden isn’t overly warm. If… perhaps limit your tea intake. If you crave the flavor, honeysuckle dew would serve better.”
Noticing the eased tension, Consort An dared to speak up while eyeing Fang He’s abdomen.
“Consort Zhao, are you sewing clothes for the little prince? Consort Jing has many lovely embroidery patterns. Shall I fetch some for you?”
Quickly adding, as if fearing misunderstanding, “After you return to Cloud Cliff Residence, of course.”
Fang He realized they’d mistaken her for being pregnant.
Just as she opened her mouth to explain, Chunlai whispered urgently—
“Madam, Consort De has arrived.”
Fang He raised an eyebrow.
These women had noses sharp enough to follow the slightest scent.
Although Emperor Kangxi claimed to dote on her, their relationship was actually fraught with frequent quarrels and conflicts.
In terms of true favor, it had only been evident for the past month or two.
Moreover, with both the Empress Dowager and Kangxi having stood up for her once, and her own formidable demeanor now revealed just as she had anticipated no one dared to bully her anymore.
Instead, they all began cozying up to her.
Seeking advantage and avoiding harm-such behavior was nothing new in the palace.
Fang He gently stroked her belly as she rose to her feet, joining Noble Consort Yi and Consort An in greeting Noble Consort De.
Noble Consort De greeted them with a smile that reached her eyes, her voice as soft and melodious as a mountain spring.
“Sister Yi and both younger sisters are here, what a fortunate coincidence for me.”
Fang He and Noble Consort Yi exchanged a glance before both lowered their eyes, masking the faint mockery in their gazes.
Noble Consort Yi had never liked Noble Consort De.
While she got along well enough with Noble Consort Hui and Noble Consort Rong, she had clashed with Noble Consort De multiple times all because Noble Consort De had a knack for being sickeningly sweet.
She replied lazily, “The weather is fine today, so we knew the gardens would be lively… Sister De must have come to join the excitement too.”
Noble Consort De nodded with a smile.
Once seated, she turned to Fang He with an apologetic look.
“I was originally planning to enjoy the scenery on the boat just now, but when I heard you were here, I remembered the incident from the other day and came specifically to apologize to you, Sister Zhao.”
Fang He swiftly switched into acting mode, feigning confusion as she looked at Noble Consort De.
“This concubine doesn’t understand. Your Highness spoke in my defense that day-what is there to apologize for?”
“I was only considering that Consort Xi, after all, is from the Heseri clan. Humiliating her might have hurt the Crown Prince’s dignity, which is why I tried to mediate that day,”
Noble Consort De explained patiently, a trace of guilt flashing across her face.
“But after returning to Wanfangzhai, Garudai reminded me that when she quarrels with the Second Princess, she dislikes it most when people try to settle things by blaming both sides. Even if she knows she’s in the wrong, she still wants to save face…”
She was referring to the Fifth Princess, who, like the Fourth Princess, enjoyed great favor in front of Kangxi-even more so than the Second and Third Princesses.
Noble Consort De gave a self-deprecating smile.
“It seems I’m not even as wise as a child. After much thought, I decided I should at least say something to you, Sister.”
“That day, I shouldn’t have spoken up. I only ended up causing you unnecessary distress.”
She gestured, and Hedong immediately handed her a stack of meticulously copied palace regulations.
Noble Consort De passed them to Fang He.
“Had I not interfered, you might not have had to copy these at all. By now, you must have finished, but out of remorse, I’ve copied them ten times myself as an apology.”
Fang He bit the tip of her tongue to stop herself from retorting.
Now was not the time to openly provoke or alert the enemy.
This apology… couldn’t have been more sincere.
Yet after listening to her words, it was as if she had said nothing at all-Fang He still couldn’t pinpoint exactly what Noble Consort De had done wrong.
Those with slower wits or who hadn’t drunk enough tea might even walk away with the illusion that Noble Consort De was kind and virtuous, while Fang He was the one who had been too arrogant.
To sum it up, you’re utterly mistaken and still don’t know what’s good for you.
Have you even finished copying the palace regulations before coming out to fool around?
Although His Majesty listens to me too, and although you’re more childish than an actual child, who told you to be the favorite?
I can only swallow my pride and pay for your mistakes.
Fang He reclined on the soft couch, holding her stomach, signaling Chunlai to take the palace regulations.
She merely glanced at them from afar with feigned curiosity, putting on an exaggerated show.
“Oh my, Consort De’s handwriting is simply exquisite! Unlike me, who can only write in small regular script, much to His Majesty’s displeasure.”
She drew out her words, her voice sweet and soft as if she’d drunk several pounds of honey.
“Fortunately, His Majesty is considerate. Knowing my current condition… my wrists can’t bear the strain, he told me to recover first before slowly copying them.”
“I truly envy Consort De’s speed, but alas, I’m both clumsy and delicate. I really can’t bring myself to shamelessly pass off your work as my own, so I’ll have to waste your kind intentions.”
Consort Yi and Noble Lady An felt goosebumps rise, especially Noble Lady An, whose body half-melted from the sweetness.
When Fang He spoke normally, her voice was crisp and pleasant to hear.
But when she cooed, her trailing tones carried a vague, lingering charm-no wonder His Majesty doted on her.
What man…
What person could resist that?
Both women lowered their heads to sip tea, afraid they might laugh, but their sidelong glances kept drifting toward Consort De.
Consort De naturally caught the hidden meaning in Fang He’s words.
Her smile remained unchanged, but the handkerchief in her hand tightened slightly.
She glanced meaningfully at Fang He’s stomach, expertly revealing a hint of joy.
“Could it be that you’re…? Then I must congratulate you first.”
She looked worriedly at the sky and advised earnestly, “If you’re feeling unwell, it’ll soon grow hot. You must be careful of the sun. If you feel nauseous, you could try some sour plum soup.”