Chapter 41 Consort Hui Raises a Cat

This Consort Wei was truly beautiful, and the Emperor was intrigued by her. She was chosen by the Emperor's name for several days in a row, and many people in the harem knew that Yanxi Palace had a new favorite concubine.

Some even came to her, openly and secretly, to inquire where this Consort Wei had been found.

Lingzhi was furious at such rumors and vented her anger in front of Yunyun, saying, "They can't possibly fabricate stories about their master. They should use that energy to do their job properly and save more money."

Lingzhi overheard someone gossiping behind her back.

Fuling gently patted Lingzhi's hand, "Be careful in front of the master, don't use those idle words to offend the master's ears."

As a palace maid who came from the Imperial Household Department, Fuling knew better than Lingzhi what they talked about in their spare time.

These are just baseless speculations; why bring such a matter to the master's attention?

"Have some fruit to calm your temper," Yunyun tossed a tangerine to Lingzhi for her to eat for fun. "If anyone offends you, just punish them. You are a highly valued first-class palace maid by my side."

Lingzhi, holding the tangerines, was easily appeased by those words.

A stove and wire mesh were set up in the room. Lingzhi peeled the tangerines, ate the pulp and poria separately, and continued to roast the tangerine peels on the charcoal fire.

“Actually, this servant is worried about Master,” Lingzhi said abruptly as she squatted in front of the oven.

Fuling sensed that Lingzhi was about to say something unpleasant, so she quickly covered her mouth, saying, "On such a wonderful day, what nonsense are you talking about?"

It's clear that our master is doing better and better.

The Fifth Prince was highly regarded by the Emperor, who reportedly inquired about his studies every day.

The master also wielded considerable power within the palace, and his subordinates fawned over him. All the fabrics sent by the Imperial Household Department were of the highest quality, without a single flaw.

Even when they go out, people call them "aunt" or "sister," a stark contrast to when their master was seriously ill and ignored everyone—it's like heaven and earth.

I wonder what this girl is thinking.

Feeling upset, Fuling pinched Lingzhi's soft flesh at the waist.

In the past two years, I've gained quite a bit of weight from eating Ganoderma lucidum.

However, Yunyun prefers to speak her mind and dislikes guessing games. Lingzhi is her capable assistant, so it's best to openly express her thoughts.

Yun Yun gestured for Fu Ling to release the Ganoderma lucidum, then gently raised her head and said, "Just say what you have to say. Fu Ling, go outside and keep watch."

If Lingzhi says something that Fuling doesn't like, she can still help out.

Knowing she would likely be scolded later, Lingzhi spoke softly, "This servant is worried about Consort Wei."

“Yonghe Palace and Yikun Palace did not have a principal position at first, so the two ladies were able to move up easily. But now, nine of the twelve palaces in the east and west have been occupied. As everyone knows, Xianfu Palace was reserved for the Borjigit concubine. Hesheli and Niohuru will also have to move in, at least to a principal position. I am thinking that if Concubine Wei is promoted, she will be competing with the master for a place.”

Lingzhi's analysis was very logical and made a lot of sense at first glance.

If another concubine were to be added to Yanxi Palace, wouldn't that be taking away her place?

From Lingzhi's perspective, it's not impossible. Consort Wei's beauty is comparable to Consort Yi's. If Consort Yi can become a principal wife, there's no reason why Consort Wei can't.

Lingzhi even offered her a suggestion, "Master, why don't we think of a way to move Consort Wei to another palace?"

Yunyun felt that Lingzhi's foresight was too far ahead.

"You should just keep your mind at ease," Yun Jun tapped Lingzhi's forehead. "Wait until Consort Wei becomes a Noble Lady or a Concubine before you worry about these things."

Her position is secure.

Besides, although she didn't often serve the emperor, he would visit Yanxi Palace once a month, and she was never short of any tributes. She had no idea where Lingzhi came from, so she had the illusion that she was about to fall out of favor.

I thought Lingzhi was going to say something important.

“Fuling,” Yunyun called out, “bring over the box inlaid with cat’s eye stones from under the sandalwood shelf in the west side room.”

She felt that Lingzhi might be too idle lately, which was why she was thinking about these random things. Once she got busy, she would naturally stop having these thoughts.

Fuling took the box and secretly glared at Lingzhi behind her back.

The implication was clear: settle the score with her later that night.

Yunyun placed the box on the table and asked Lingzhi to come forward. "There is a concubine named Daijia in the palace who is pregnant. Pick out some suitable items to give as a reward."

It should be said that Consort Dai and Consort Wei had some connection, as they both entered the palace in the fourteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, as did Consort De.

There were three imperial concubines and another concubine; the palace maids of that year were truly exceptional.

Lingzhi went out after receiving her mission. Fuling placed a cup of almond milk next to Yunyun and comforted her, "Lingzhi has always been a bit outspoken. If she said anything unpleasant, please don't take it to heart, Master."

In the past, Fuling was the one who did these kinds of work outside the palace.

She is steady, capable, and adaptable; she won't make any mistakes when she's out in public.

"I know, this is also to train Lingzhi, so that she won't overthink things," Yunyun had a lot of affection for Fuling and Lingzhi, as they were her capable assistants who had been with her since she transmigrated.

“It’s not good for Lingzhi to stay in Yanxi Palace all day. She is a first-class palace maid of mine and should go out and show her face.”

Knowing that this was for the good of Ganoderma lucidum, Fuling stopped trying to persuade her.

After only going out for a short while, Lingzhi whispered mysteriously in Yunyun's ear upon her return, "Big news! I just saw people from Cining Palace at the entrance of Yikun Palace."

Consort Dai Jia's residence, Chuxiu Palace, was right next to Yikun Palace.

There must be a story behind this.

Sure enough, within a few days the news spread throughout the palace that the prince born to Consort Yi had been given to the Empress Dowager to raise.

The concubines were now completely confused.

Wasn't it said that a concubine could raise a prince?

Why is there an empress dowager?

Although it is an honor to be raised in front of the Empress Dowager, what mother wants to be separated from her child? Besides, Consort Yi is favored and does not need to do such things to show filial piety and gain favor.

Consort Yi herself was probably forced into it.

Consort Tong knew a little about the inside story. After dismissing the servants, she sighed to Granny Zhao, "Consort Yi made a mistake by choosing to hide it back then. The Emperor has been holding back these days because she is pregnant."

The only bit of warmth came from the Empress Dowager.

She was allowed to bring the child over after the baby's full moon.

"Fortunately, this incident caused the Emperor to lash out, otherwise, who knows how long Consort Yi could have maintained her status as a favored concubine."

Consort De also gave birth to a son in February, who was raised by her side.

In comparison, the sense that Consort Yi offended the Emperor is even stronger.

-

Many flowers in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, and Consort Tong took the lead in inviting the concubines from all the palaces to a flower-viewing banquet.

When Emperor Kangxi heard about this, he also gave the Consort face and bestowed upon her a feast.

Since it wasn't a formal palace banquet, the concubines were much more relaxed.

Consort Rong sat down with Yun Yun: "This fruit syrup has a slight wine flavor, but it's not intoxicating. Shall we try some?"

The Imperial Household Department sent two kinds of fruit syrup: one was made from pure fruit juice, and the other was fruit wine, but with a very low alcohol content.

Yunyun picked up the small silver cup, took a sip, and said, "It's not bad; it tastes like oranges."

A sarcastic voice came from the side, "To be honest, our Consort Yi is still the most favored. Even the banquet hosted by the Imperial Concubine is not worth mentioning. She only just arrived now."

It's full of sarcasm and irony.

Consort Rong and Yun Yun looked up at the same time. Consort Yi was dressed very gorgeously and looked radiant. You could not tell that she had just given birth.

Not to be outdone by Consort Xi's mockery, Consort Yi retorted, "Consort Xi, have you fallen on hard times? Why are your clothes not bright enough? They look like old, worn-out fabric."

With new concubines constantly emerging in the harem, Consort Xi now only holds the title of Consort, and in terms of favor, she is not as favored as some of the concubines of lower rank.

Their bickering was nothing new, but the scenery was so beautiful today that Consort Rong didn't want to listen to their chatter. She suggested, "When I came over, I saw that the magnolias south of Qianqiu Pavilion were in full bloom. How about we go for a walk together?"

During the conversation, Consort Rong talked about her cat: "...When I'm doing serious work, it likes to come and sit next to me, occasionally purring, which makes me have to divert my attention to it when I'm looking at the accounts."

His face only showed his love for cats.

Yun Jun was also somewhat intrigued. "Where do you usually keep it?"

Anyone who frequently watches palace dramas knows that cats and dogs are very easily manipulated to harm people.

She was initially concerned that Baoqing would return to Yanxi Palace, and keeping cats and dogs would affect his health.

But Consort Rong's palace is housing the Third Princess.

Consort Rong knew that she had the Fifth Prince, and she also brought up the matter, saying, "It's okay to let the children play with the cats occasionally, but don't let them stay in the same room all day long. I had my servants prepare a side room, and I also specially asked for a young eunuch from the cat and dog room to take care of Bai Xue."

Bai Xue was the name of the lion cat that Consort Rong kept. As its name suggests, the cat was pure white without a single blemish.

So after the flower viewing party ended, Yunyun went straight to the cat and dog room.

The cat house is a separate courtyard paved with bluestone bricks. The flowers, plants and trees in the courtyard are lush and clean, and it is clear that it has been carefully arranged.

The emperor preferred eagles and hunting dogs, so the cat room was mostly frequented by the concubines.

The head eunuch spotted the arriving concubine at a glance and jogged over to pay his respects, saying, "This servant greets Consort Hui."

Recognizing people is one of their basic skills.

Fuling explained her purpose: "My master wants to raise a well-behaved and affectionate cat with long fur, starting from scratch."

It's more fulfilling to raise a cat yourself.

The head eunuch understood their needs, beckoned, and a young eunuch ran over, bowed, and affectionately called him "Grandpa."

"This is Little Li," the head eunuch introduced. "He happens to be taking care of a batch of Persian kittens that have just been weaned. Shall I take Your Highness to have a look?"

Several cats were running and jumping around in the cat room, and a few were sharpening their claws on a soft cloth hanging on the wall. Upon closer inspection, the cloth was almost torn into tassels.

The interior is also very well-arranged, with several layers of wooden cat trees placed in the corners, and soft cushions of different colors, which are probably cat beds.

Little Li is skilled at raising cats; he can easily grab five kittens and arrange them neatly on the table.

Yunyun finally chose a golden one.

Little Li Zi also followed her back to Yanxi Palace.