Fang He first paid her respects to Noble Consort Niuhulu, then leisurely took a seat below the consort, casting a curious glance at Consort Hui.
“I wonder what you and Sister Hui plan to give Concubine Jing as a gift?” she asked.
Consort Hui smiled, “After all, she is the Imperial Noble Consort’s cousin. Though she only holds the rank of Concubine now, she has been granted residence in the main hall of Chengqian Palace. That’s even more favor than Imperial Consort Zhao had back then. Who knows, she might be elevated to Noble Consort at any time…”
She suddenly patted her mouth. “Look at me, why am I saying all this?”
Fang He instinctively asked, “It must be quite expensive, right?”
When she was promoted, those people didn’t give anything too precious, just gold, jade, calligraphy, and paintings.
Tsk tsk, the difference in treatment is so obvious.
If she doesn’t get promoted a few more times and put on a show, it would be an insult to them.
Everyone: “…”
Fang He lightly cleared her throat twice, thought for a moment, then gripped her handkerchief tightly and put on a sour expression.
“If Sister Hui thinks Concubine Jing will soon be promoted to Consort, or even Noble Consort, have you prepared the congratulatory gifts yet?”
She cast a faint glance around the hall and continued, “If promoted to Consort, the gift shouldn’t be less valuable than what was given to me, right?”
“Who’s palace lacks such trivial things?” Consort Rong snorted.
“If Concubine Jing is promoted… no matter what, Imperial Consort Zhao is still the foremost among the four consorts. We still have some boundaries.”
She emphasized the word ‘four,’ meaning the four consorts are already all appointed; if Concubine Jing advances in rank, it would only be to Noble Consort, which Fang He cannot compare to.
Fang He forced herself to keep calm, making her expression look like a mixture of anger and inability to show it, suppressing an overwhelming joy inside.
Speaking of promotions to Noble Consort, her chances were much better than Concubine Jing’s!
So she didn’t mind feeling a little more sour.
“When Noble Consort Niuhulu was promoted, I wasn’t yet in the palace, so I don’t know what gifts should be prepared. I hope all the sisters consider it carefully, so as not to embarrass the Noble Consort.”
Only Consort Yi, who was watching quietly, sensed Fang He’s odd demeanor.
Knowing Fang He well, she subtly stepped back and firmly refused to speak.
The Noble Consort gave a faint smile, unconcerned: “When I was to be promoted to Noble Consort, it was early on. There were fewer sisters in the palace then, so if there are good things, feel free to send them to Chengqian Palace. No need to worry about my side.”
Consort Hui clapped her hands and nodded, “That’s true. At that time, we were all just Concubines, promoted alongside the Noble Consort sister. Naturally, there wasn’t the wealth we have now.”
She subtly studied the handkerchief Fang He was about to tear apart, and curled her lips slightly.
“I’ve already prepared a Blessing, Prosperity, Longevity, and Joy Headdress, waiting for Concubine Jing’s great celebration… though quite a few gifts have been sent to Imperial Consort Zhao’s palace in these past two years, so I suppose she won’t be as strapped as we were back then?”
Fang He pressed her lips tightly, keeping silent with a stern face, afraid she’d burst into laughter the moment she spoke.
Even if she didn’t know the craftsmanship of the headdress, she knew the Blessing, Prosperity, Longevity, and Joy refers to three-color jadeite.
In later times, pieces of this quality would be priceless in the market.
The more “unhappy” her expression looked, the more at ease the consorts in the hall felt.
Consort Duan also smiled and spoke up, “If the palace has another Noble Consort in the future, though we are of low rank, we do have some imperial gifts. I have a set of Song Dynasty Pink Jade Zodiac Figurines ready.”
Fang He gasped for air—Song Dynasty pink jade!
Even now, that’s a priceless antique!
She pinched herself hard.
No, if the Empress Dowager doesn’t come out soon, she’s going to laugh out loud.
Fortunately, Wuyunzhu soon escorted the Empress Dowager out.
Everyone quickly stood up and paid their respects.
When the Empress Dowager called them forward, Fang He took a deep breath and suddenly stood up.
“Although I do have many good things bestowed by the Emperor and Empress Dowager, but… I don’t really have that many precious items…”
Fang He hurriedly threw herself at the Empress Dowager’s knees, burying her face and trembling slightly.
“Empress Dowager, please help your humble servant. All the sisters have so much wealth, unlike me with no background. I can’t even afford a gift for Concubine Jing. I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself…”
She’s about to strike it rich, haha!
Knowing she will win the five million eventually, just waiting for the lottery to come through, haha…
The Empress Dowager actually heard a few of these words behind the curtain and knew the consorts in the hall were using the Tong family’s daughter to mock Fang He.
But by coincidence, the Emperor spent most of his time with Fang He, probably unwilling to let anyone easily see his sadness over the late Grand Empress Dowager.
The consorts naturally resented this.
The Empress Dowager couldn’t be too biased.
She patted Fang He’s shoulder and said kindly, “Alright, for your gift, leave it to me.”
Fang He quickly wiped her eyes and looked up, showering the Empress Dowager with a continuous string of compliments, each more flattering than the last.
“No wonder His Majesty tells me every day to honor you well. There is no Empress Dowager more beautiful and kind-hearted under heaven!”
Consort Hui and the others’ smiles stiffened noticeably, only the Noble Consort lowered her eyes with a faint smile, saying nothing.
Imperial Consort Zhao was openly displaying her favor with the Empress Dowager and subtly reminding everyone of the Emperor’s deep affection for her.
After all, the Emperor doesn’t visit Yanxi Palace, so how could he talk to Imperial Consort Zhao every day?
Consort Duan tightened her handkerchief in her hands as well.
The Empress Dowager chuckled, uninterested in the consorts’ petty arguments.
She chatted briefly, inquired about the princesses and princes’ living conditions, then dismissed the consorts, leaving only Consort Yi and Fang He.
“Yinqi has been keeping company with Yinzhen lately and hasn’t come to Shoukang Palace much. Consort Yi, please take better care of them. It’s getting colder; don’t let the two children catch cold.”
Because the Imperial Noble Consort had passed away, Yinzhen had to observe a strict mourning period of one year.
Palace politics always favored the powerful and stepped on the weak.
The Tong family didn’t care much for Yinzhen and wouldn’t help him.
He was bound to suffer some grievances.
When Yinqi found out the Imperial Household Department had sent regular coal to Yinzhen’s courtyard instead of smokeless red Luo coal, he was furious and decided to bring along Yinsi, who was similarly neglected in the princes’ residence, to live with Yinzhen.
With Yinqi, raised by the Empress Dowager, and Consort Yi present, the Imperial Household Department dared not slack off.
At least Yinzhen and Yinsi’s days got somewhat better.
Consort Yi understood the Empress Dowager was concerned for her grandsons.
The Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince were also the Empress Dowager’s grandsons.
She smiled and nodded, “Don’t worry, I’m keeping a close eye on things. Yintang should enter the princes’ residence next year; I’ll have him look after the Eighth Prince more then.”
The Empress Dowager couldn’t openly reprimand Consort Hui for this subtle neglect but was always satisfied with Consort Yi’s discretion.
She didn’t say much else, turning to Fang He, who was quietly snacking nearby.
“Has Yanxi Palace run out of food or drink? Why do you always come to me looking like a starving ghost these days?”
Fang He quickly swallowed a piece of dragon beard cake and laughed, “Your Majesty, I just got pricked in the chest. Eating something helps to fill the hole in my chest.”
Empress Dowager: “…Not even in the palace yet, and you already have a hole in your chest? What will you do once you really enter the palace?”
Seeing the Empress Dowager sigh, Consort Yi couldn’t help but laugh, teasing Fang He.
“Don’t believe her nonsense. Princess Jiujiu is teething recently and is so jealous whenever she sees her eat.”
“Jiujiu’s nose is so sharp; if Xin Guo eats something strongly flavored, no matter how much you try to remove the scent, that child can always smell it.”
Consort Yi’s words came out with a smile that she couldn’t suppress.
“A few days ago, Little Jiu ate some candied hawthorn while visiting her Ninth Sister. Her mouth wasn’t wiped clean, and before we knew it, Jiujiu was biting her head for a long time. She almost cried!”
Back at Yikun Palace, Yintang complained about being treated unfairly and insisted on eating red braised pork, which he was usually not allowed to eat.
But Consort Yi knew he was doing it for his younger brother.
Yinzi was weak, and Consort Yi didn’t dare let him eat oily food.
After Fule nurtured Yinzi’s body, she said having it occasionally was fine, so Consort Yi agreed.
The brothers were overjoyed, even secretly whispering that they’d smear some sweets on their lips later to give Jiujiu a kiss.
At this, Consort Yi almost laughed in tears.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking. Does Jiujiu letting him suffer mean he can make it up by eating pork?”
The Empress Dowager and Fang He were also amused and laughed for a long time before calming down.
The Empress Dowager softly said, “This is probably because of the mourning for the Grand Empress Dowager and Imperial Noble Consort. If they know in the afterlife, they would want the children to eat well.”
“Now that the Eleventh Prince’s health has improved, don’t starve him like the palace rules say. If he gets sick from hunger, I’ll hold you responsible.”
Consort Yi glanced at Fang He’s puffed cheeks full of food and thought of Fang He’s improving health and appetite.
She reached for some snacks and nodded.
***
On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, Concubine Jing was carried into Chengqian Palace in a green sedan chair.
From the third day onward, Kangxi stayed overnight at Chengqian Palace for three consecutive days, treating the consorts with proper respect.
Fang He knew about this because Kangxi had specially instructed Gu Wenxing to send the palace records to her.
Fang He acted very composed.
She ate meat, and him sipping some soup was not unreasonable.
She never intended to keep all the consorts in the palace waiting in vain.
Though she had a vague plan, with the Beimeng situation unstable, she knew it was not the time to bring it up.
Even though Chengqian Palace did not send water, Kangxi staying there gave the consorts hope, so they made even more snide remarks in front of Fang He.
Fang He knew she was definitely the one who would benefit and had no reason to argue.
She played along with an envious and jealous attitude, always showing a little sourness.
It was just that she had started preparing congratulatory gifts in advance.
She never expected the Empress Dowager and Consort Yi to take her act seriously.
***
On the fifth day of the twelfth month, when paying respects at Shoukang Palace, the Empress Dowager kept Fang He and Consort Yi behind.
This time, the atmosphere was much more serious.
Consort Yi’s face even showed a complex mix of reminiscence and regret.
“Girl, you must understand that no flower blooms forever. After all, he’s the Emperor. He can’t always be with just you,” the Empress Dowager advised cautiously.
Consort Yi followed, “I know well. I also thought the Emperor would always favor me, but now I’m left with only face. The Emperor is always with you; your days are actually harder.”
Fang He felt more relaxed in front of these two than with others, but was both amused and helplessly advised.
She quickly explained, “I’m not sad. His legs belong to the Emperor. Wherever he wants to go, he goes. Why should I care?”
Though she and Kangxi were very close now, and Kangxi promised there would be no one else, Fang He always understood the fragility of that promise rested solely on Kangxi’s self-discipline.
A man’s heart is like three legs; you can try to stop it, but it can’t be blocked.
She would try hard for Kangxi’s promise but was prepared to be disappointed.
No matter what, she firmly believed she could live well.
Looking at the Empress Dowager and Consort Yi, she smiled more frankly, “Rest assured, I understand the logic and won’t weave a cocoon to trap myself.”
The Empress Dowager and Consort Yi didn’t believe it.
Everyone understands the logic, but how many can truly accept it calmly?
Fang He’s calmness now was probably tears flowing silently inside.
The Empress Dowager held Fang He’s hand and gently patted it, “Alright, I know your mind is clear, but you don’t have to be too hard on yourself.
“In a few years, there will be more selections. More maids will enter the palace to serve. Then… sigh, as long as you handle things with proper measure and cause a little fuss at the right time, it won’t be bad.”
“Men are mostly shallow. The more you fuss, the harder it is for them to resist. While the fresh flower buds have yet to enter the palace, this isn’t the time to be heartbroken. You have to find ways to capture the Emperor’s heart.”
She stood up to move on.