freenovelworld Chapter 166: Concubines' Reactions to the Secret (Edited)
Chapter 166: Concubines' Reactions to the Secret (Edited)
In the palace, first Noble Consort Nianhulu and several low-ranking concubines were punished, and then Consort Ping was demoted, which caused an uproar in the harem and also sparked heated discussions among the concubines far away in Changchun Garden.
Yunya Pavilion, the residence of Concubine Hui.
"What do you think of the news from the palace?" Concubine Hui picked up the tea bowl and took a sip.
Below, the woman sitting on the pearwood round chair raised her head when she heard the words. She had a small oval face, and the first thing that caught people's attention was her willow-leaf eyes like autumn water, with a row of long and dense eyelashes like small brushes above them, which trembled slightly, making people feel distressed and pity for no reason.
She was the mother of the Eighth Prince in the palace, Concubine Liang, and was canonized in the 28th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign. Although she was the head of a palace, she still lived in the back hall of Concubine Hui's Yanx Palace.
She is thirty years old this year, but she has taken good care of herself and looks only twenty-four or twenty-five. She did not answer Concubine Hui's question immediately, but thought for a while before speaking cautiously:
"Your Majesty, I think Concubine Xian should not be underestimated. Your Majesty must pay close attention to her."
"Yes, I think so too, that's why I asked you to come here."
Concubine Hui looked at Concubine Liang, and when she saw her fairy-like face, she paused slightly, then looked away without anyone noticing, and put down the tea bowl.
Her expression was slightly solemn. Although she was in Changchun Garden, she was well informed of the news in the palace. She knew that the Emperor and Concubine Xian had an affair during the selection period, and that Concubine Ping falsely accused Concubine Xian but was demoted by the Emperor in return.
These two incidents were not ordinary fights for favor. If one was not careful, any concubine would have suffered a lot. However, the "weak and timid" Concubine Xian escaped every time, and even made Concubine Nianhulu suffer a loss and Concubine Ping demoted.
How could it be such a coincidence? Women understand women best. Her intuition told her that Empress Xian was not simple.
Liangpin was sitting on the third of the chair. She also knew the news. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke:
"Your Majesty, our Emperor values rules the most and the least. There are very few things that might make him disregard rules, especially when it comes to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The fact that Concubine Xian was able to develop a private relationship with the Emperor during the selection period shows how capable she is, and also shows how differently the Emperor treats her."
She paused and said, she once thought that she could occupy a special place in the emperor's heart with her stunning beauty, but in the end it was thanks to the Eighth Prince that she was canonized as a concubine two years ago.
The emperor only favored her but did not love her. Liangpin lowered her eyelashes. As for Concubine Xian, she did not think that the emperor was truly sincere to her, but she did need to be vigilant. She collected her thoughts and continued:
"That difference has both good and bad sides. The good side is that it can make Concubine Xian gain great favor in a short period of time. The bad side is that it can easily deceive people and make them unable to see that they are arrogant because of their favor. It all depends on Concubine Xian's character."
Concubine Hui tapped the table lightly with her fingers covered in red gold armor, nodded first, and then shook her head.
"Sister Liangpin has a point. However, based on everything that happened to Concubine Xian from the time of the selection until now, I am very scheming and cautious. I will not be arrogant because of my favor. I am even more afraid that the other party will take advantage of that difference to make the emperor pay more attention to her."
Liangpin heard the music and understood the meaning, and said immediately:
"Your Majesty is indeed very thoughtful. Although Concubine Xian is quite capable, she has just entered the palace and her differences are still shallow. We should suppress her favor as soon as possible and make her an ordinary concubine."
After hearing this, Concubine Hui showed a satisfied smile on her face.
"The weather is getting hotter. When the funeral of Prince Yinzhen is over, the emperor should return to Changchun Garden. That will be the time to enjoy the lotus. I am going to hold a banquet. The newcomer Wu Su promised that she is young and likes to play."
When Liangpin heard Concubine Hui mention Wusu's consent, her hands on her knees tightened slightly. Was she going to promote a new person?
Although he knew Concubine Hui and her methods, he felt a little empty in his heart, and there was an uncontrollable panic and crisis. However, he had worn a mask for a long time in the palace and was used to acting, so there was no sign of abnormality on his face.
"Your Majesty is wise. Wu Su promised that she is only fifteen years old, innocent and charming, and her personality is pleasing. The emperor will definitely like her when he sees her."
Concubine Hui smiled, her eyes swept across Liangpin's hands on her knees, her eyes turned, and she advised in a gentle tone:
"My sister is not too old, and she is in her prime. The emperor also likes her, so she should prepare herself well."
Hearing this, Liangpin's heart moved, but her face seemed embarrassed. She lowered her head, revealing a part of her white and slender neck.
The two exchanged a few more words, and Concubine Hui picked up the tea bowl to drink tea, which was a gesture of seeing off the guest. Concubine Liang tactfully took her leave.
As soon as she left, Nanny Jiang behind Concubine Hui came forward to massage her master's shoulders.
"My lady, do you really want to listen to Concubine Liang and push Wusu to agree?"
Concubine Hui relaxed her body and spoke in a lazy voice.
"I am already past the age of competing for favor. I have an elder prince as my son, and I am the head of a palace with the power to assist in managing the six palaces. No matter how favored Concubine Xian is, she cannot threaten me. On the contrary, Concubine Xian is a greater danger to Concubine Liang."
Nanny Jiang was puzzled:
"Then why do you show unusual attention to Concubine Xian in front of Concubine Liang?"
Concubine Hui leisurely rested her arms on the armrest, her eyes slightly closed.
"As the Eighth Prince has grown up over the years, Liangpin has also become more ambitious. Especially when she was promoted to concubine two years ago, she even wanted to move out of the Yanxi Palace."
Concubine Hui suddenly opened her eyes, with a cold look in her eyes:
"Empress Xian is not a simple person. I asked Concubine Liang to take the risk. First, to let her recognize her own identity, second, to test Empress Xian's bottom line, and third..."
Nanny Jiang saw that the queen stopped talking halfway and couldn't help asking:
"My lady, what is Sanlai?"
A hint of obscurity flashed across Concubine Hui's eyes, and she tightened her hands on the armrest:
"Third, the eldest prince has grown up, but the emperor has always only seen the crown prince. A few days ago, when the fourth prince married a concubine, the eldest prince just said a few truths, but the emperor called him over and scolded him severely. I really feel sorry for the eldest prince, so I have to find a way to get the emperor to come to my place more often to make the eldest prince proud."
Nanny Jiang suddenly realized and looked at Concubine Hui with admiration and heartache.
"Your Majesty has good intentions, and your eldest prince is brave and intelligent. One day the Emperor will see it."
"The eldest brother is good."
On the other side, in Defei's Yunsongxuan, Defei was looking at a man and woman below and giving instructions.
"Fourth Brother, Rongyue is already wronged for marrying you as your legitimate wife. You should treat her well and spend more time with her when you have time."
Hearing this, the Fourth Prince, who was sitting upright below, had a blank expression on his face, but his hands on his knees were clenched.
"Yes, mother, I will try my best to spend time with Concubine."
Shi Rongyue, who was beside the Fourth Prince, was delighted. As expected, as long as Concubine De took action, the Fourth Prince would definitely not resist. It was worth it for her to try to please Concubine De against her will these days.
She secretly glanced at the Fourth Prince's stern profile, a hint of shy joy flashed across her face, but her words were as considerate to the Fourth Prince as a little white flower.
"Mother De, the Fourth Prince is busy with his studies. I am not important. Since I have married the Fourth Prince, I am his person and should give priority to him."
Concubine De glanced at Shi Rongyue who was speaking insincerely, and did not expose her. Instead, she praised her:
"Look, Fourth Brother, Rongyue is so considerate. You should put away your cold face for a while."
After a few more words, the Fourth Prince had to go to school and left first. Shi Rongyue, who was left behind, heard Concubine De talking about the demotion of Pingpin in the palace. Recently, she was busy trying to please Concubine De and had no time to pay attention to Shi Nanxi. She didn't expect to hear such news.
She was shocked at first, then clutched her handkerchief with an unwilling look on her face.
"Empress Xian's luck is too good!"
Concubine De picked up the tea bowl to block the gleam in her eyes.
"Do you think Concubine Xian was lucky to escape Concubine Ping's slander?"
Shi Rongyue said without thinking:
"She must have been lucky. My second sister has always been timid and cowardly. It was a relief that she didn't faint in that situation. She didn't have the energy to defend herself."
"is it?"
De Fei smiled, but her eyes darkened, and then she changed the subject:
"Rongyue, I remember that you were quite favored by the Empress Dowager. How come I haven't seen you go to Shouchunyong to pay respects to the Empress Dowager in all these days since you came to Changchun Garden?"
When mentioning the Empress Dowager, Shi Rongyue unconsciously clenched her handkerchief, fearing that she would reveal anything unusual.
"… To reply to my mother, I have not been able to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager because of my previous status. This is why I have not gone yet. I am being rude."
The head concubine Defei glanced away from Shi Rongyue's tightly clenched handkerchief, and did not ask any further questions, but gently persuaded:
"Old Fourth has wronged you, but the Empress Dowager has always been kind and compassionate, and she won't mind your previous identity. If you have time, you can go see her. She must miss you, too."
Shi Rongyue tried her best to control her expression.
"It's my mother."
After Shi Rongyue left, Concubine De fell into deep thought. She had originally wanted to use Shi Rongyue to find out if there was any hidden secret behind Concubine Xian's entry into the palace. However, before she could find out, the affair broke out in the palace, and there was no need to investigate further.
However, she did not give up on Shi Rongyue, because through the contact during this period of time, she accidentally discovered that Shi Rongyue had a secret, but she had always been on guard against it, and it was still unclear to this day, but she was a little sure that it was related to the Queen Mother, or the Queen Mother knew the secret.
Shi Rongyue didn't know that Concubine De was suspicious of her. As soon as she left Yunsongxuan, Nanny Gu beside her could tell that something was wrong.
"Concubine, what's wrong with you?"
Shi Rongyue was thinking about the Empress Dowager. She knew that the Empress Dowager must be extremely disgusted with her now, and because of the Fourth Prince, she did not go and make trouble for herself.
But after hearing Concubine De's proposal today, she suddenly had an idea. Maybe she could apologize to the Empress Dowager. Considering the Empress Dowager's previous love for her, there is still a chance that she will be forgiven.
By then, the situation of himself and the Fourth Prince will definitely improve, and the Fourth Prince will look at him with admiration.
Even if it doesn't work in the end, she can still fool Concubine De. Thinking of this, she did not answer Nanny Gu's words, but said:
"Let's go and pay our respects to the Queen Mother."
……
In a blink of an eye, the funeral of Prince Yinzhen was over, and it was early June. The palace had completely quieted down because of Kangxi's repeated anger. On this day, Kangxi came to Chuxiu Palace after court.