Chapter 134 Title: Runaway

Just as Fanghua had thought, Emperor Kangxi did not come to Kunning Palace.

He did not visit any of the concubines' palaces, but instead stayed at the Qianqing Palace.

The next day, all the concubines in the harem came to pay their respects. After all, it was the first day of the new year, and even the pregnant concubines rushed over to wish the Empress a Happy New Year.

As was customary, Fanghua rewarded everyone for this.

After that, they sent the pregnant women back home, and once they left, there were very few left.

"It seems there are still too few sisters in the harem." Fanghua looked at the few kittens left behind and sighed with boredom.

The concubine sitting on the left below the Empress laughed in anger upon hearing her words.

"Your Majesty is indeed virtuous," she said sarcastically.

When Consort Ma and the others saw that the Imperial Concubine dared to talk back to the Empress during the New Year, they all shrank back, afraid that the Imperial Concubine would anger the Empress and implicate them.

Among them, Consort Meng and Noble Lady Yun are probably the least affected.

These two individuals served as the link between the Khorchin and the Qing imperial harem.

The two women didn't care much about the power struggles in the harem. Besides, they were used to it; they would only be curious if the Consort didn't argue with the Empress.

I thought it had nothing to do with the two of us.

Unexpectedly, the argument escalated and the conflict spread to their side.

"Your Majesty, please don't forget that we still have sisters who haven't served the Emperor yet. If Your Majesty feels that there aren't enough people, why not arrange for Consort Meng and Noble Lady Yun to serve the Emperor? I think the Empress Dowager would be very grateful to Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Consort Meng and Noble Lady Yun, who were sitting quietly there.

These two concubines were of high rank, yet they were indeed virtually invisible.

Fanghua smiled and looked at the two women who had grown up. "What the Imperial Concubine said is right. Consort Meng and Noble Lady Yun are also of age to serve the Emperor. It was my dereliction of duty that I failed to notice before."

"Consort Meng, Noble Lady Yun, once the Imperial Household Department has made the green plaques, I will personally hang them up for you."

Seeing that the Empress had spoken so, the two quickly rose to express their gratitude, "Yes, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." They had been in the palace for several years and were certainly no mistake in their manners.

Adding to the previous incident with Gerile, the two were actually somewhat reluctant to serve each other in bed.

I don't know what got into the Imperial Concubine today, that she actually dragged the two of them out.

But since the Empress had said so, they couldn't refuse.

"Well, that's good. Then let's wait for news. When you have time, go and tell the Empress Dowager about this good news." Fanghua looked at the two of them with tender eyes, her eyes full of happy smiles for them.

The two women felt uneasy under the Empress's gaze, which reminded them of Gerile. If they became pregnant immediately after serving the Empress, would they also die from childbirth like Gerile?

But they had no choice but to accept the Empress's kindness.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern."

Seeing the two women so grateful to the Empress, the Consort Gui, still unwilling to give up, began to cause trouble again.

Fanghua didn't know what had gotten into her today, but she wasn't going to play along with her crazy antics any longer.

So before the Imperial Concubine could speak, she said first, "Then you should all go back. It's freezing cold, so I won't keep you any longer."

Seeing that the Empress wanted to send them away, the Consort, who hadn't finished her performance, couldn't stand by and do it.

Just as she started causing trouble, Fanghua glared at her, her eyes full of warning.

The imperial concubine had no choice but to restrain herself, because if she really offended someone, she would be the one who suffered.

So she stood up and said, "Then we will not disturb Your Majesty the Empress any longer. We will take our leave."

After everyone left, Fanghua finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This imperial concubine is getting more and more troublesome, one thing after another; I don't know what's gotten into her.

"Li Changfu".

Fanghua called out, and soon Li Changfu came in.

"Your Majesty, this servant is here. May I ask what Your Majesty commands?"

Fanghua sipped her tea; she had talked a lot earlier and her mouth was dry.

"Do you know what's been happening in the Imperial Concubine's palace lately?" Fanghua was puzzled by today's unusual behavior, so she decided to find out more.

Upon hearing the Empress mention the Imperial Concubine, Li Changfu couldn't help but twitch his lips.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has recently had palace servants bring back a lot of storybooks from outside the palace, and she reads them until midnight every night."

He could have ignored this trivial matter before, but when the Empress asked, he naturally reported it to her.

Youthful beauty remains silent.

They actually started acting.

"Do you know what kind of storybook you're reading?" She also likes to read, but she's not as engrossed as the Imperial Concubine.

"This servant doesn't know, should we investigate further?" Li Changfu was truly afraid that his lady would be led astray by the Imperial Concubine.

"No need, I was just asking. Alright, go and rest. I won't be going out today."

I was supposed to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager today, but she sent someone early this morning to inform me that I didn't need to pay my respects today, and not even for the entire first month of the lunar year.

Although I don't know why she's doing this, if she doesn't want to go, then so be it; it'll save her trouble.

Today the Emperor will be hosting a banquet for his officials and their families. She will also be going to the Qianqing Palace later in the day, so she can take a good rest this morning.

While Fanghua was resting, things were anything but peaceful in the homes of the ministers who were planning to enter the palace.

After all, everyone knows that the emperor is in his prime and is currently in mourning. Such a good opportunity naturally attracts many people who want to advance further.

The Hesheli family wasn't bothered by these matters; what bothered them was how to bring up the matter of Prince Chenghu choosing the Haha Pearl with the Empress.

Soetu's eldest son, Gerfen, was no longer suitable to be the eldest prince's maidservant, but Soetu did not want to miss the opportunity to befriend his niece, so he set his sights on his youngest son.

His youngest son is only six years old this year, which is suitable, but he is not the person previously agreed upon. He is afraid that the Empress will have some reservations.

So he repeatedly instructed his wife to communicate well with the Empress.

"Don't worry, my lord, I will convey your wishes to the Empress. If that doesn't work, we'll choose someone else." Although she also wanted her son to receive this honor, she was afraid that the Empress would not want to choose her youngest son.

"Yes, I trust you with your work. However, last time the Empress said she wanted to let my fourth brother's family take charge of some things. I'm just worried that the Empress might rely too much on my fourth brother."

Although they belong to the same family, they each run their own offices, so naturally they want to take everything into their own hands.

"Your Majesty is magnanimous. Judging from Your Majesty's arrangements for Changtai, the only one the court can rely on is Your Highness. Why should Your Highness be too eager? Doing so might make Your Majesty worry." Lady Tongjia knew the complexities in her husband's mind, but some things cannot be rushed.

"I know you're right, but I'm still uneasy." The temptation was too great, and the Emperor's frequent praise of Prince Chenghu in front of him made him excited.

If the Emperor were to pass the throne to Prince Chenghu in the future, his relationship with Prince Chenghu would certainly be good, but he is not his maternal uncle and cannot compare to the brothers Changtai and Changtai.

Only by getting his son into Prince Chenghu's favor could he maximize his benefits.

"Alright, if this doesn't work out, you don't need to say anything more. Just let Her Majesty arrange everything." After thinking for a while, Suo'etu spoke to his wife again.