Chapter 28 The Greeting Incident

A spring breeze overnight swept away all my dreams.

The next day was the day when the palace ladies came to pay their respects.

This month-long confinement period allowed Fanghua to escape the Spring Festival, as well as the noise and tedium of the New Year.

Today's greeting is not only her first appearance in the harem, but also a declaration of her return to the harem as a member of the Hesheli clan.

Fanghua, who had gotten up very early, had already finished washing and dressing with the help of Qiaoling and others, and was now waiting for the women of the harem to come and pay their respects to her.

Enjoying the sumptuous breakfast, Fanghua found everything delicious.

Who's here?

After eating half a bowl of porridge, Fanghua felt full of energy.

Qiaoling, who was serving Fanghua breakfast, glanced at Xiangsi, who was following behind her, and asked her to step forward and answer.

Xiang Si didn't let Qiao Ling down. She stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, Consort Nara and Consort Zhang have arrived, but Consort Niohuru has not yet arrived."

Not many women from the inner palace could come to pay their respects. Including Lady Ma Jia, there were only four. Now that Lady Ma Jia is dead, only the three of them can come.

The harem, however, is completely empty.

"Then let's wait a little longer." As an empress, she should be the concubines waiting for her, not the other way around.

"By the way, what time is it now?" Fanghua asked, putting down her chopsticks after she had almost finished eating.

"Your Majesty, it will be time to pay our respects in half an incense stick's time," Xiang Si said, glancing at the clock beside her.

Yes, in the early years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, imported goods entered the Qing Dynasty, and at that time, the Kangxi Emperor was very fond of Western learning.

"No rush, I can go see Chenghu first and then go over."

After tidying up, Fanghua went to the warm pavilion next door to see her big, fat son.

The commotion lasted all night, which prevented her from getting up to see Chenghu. The Emperor is truly a womanizer.

This was after she had drugged him; if she hadn't, who knows how much stronger he would have been.

I regret it; I didn't give enough medicine.

The child was still asleep at this hour. After keeping him company, Fanghua pulled Xiaofeng aside and asked about yesterday's situation. Upon learning that her son was alright and that the wet nurse had done her best, she got up and left the warm pavilion.

Consort Niohuru entered the main hall of Kunning Palace precisely on time.

Upon learning this, Fanghua, supported by Qiaoling and others, left the inner hall.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived." Qiaoling, skilled in martial arts, spoke in a loud and clear voice, no less impressive than the young eunuchs.

Before Niohuru could even sit down properly, she immediately stood up when she saw the Empress come out, and led Nara and Zhang out to pay their respects.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Fanghua didn't wake up immediately. Instead, she sat down in the main seat and took a sip of tea before waking up.

"Get up, all of you. Thank you for your hard work. I was pregnant before, so I skipped some of the formalities. Now that His Majesty advocates governing the country with rules, I can no longer skip these formalities just to save trouble."

Fanghua's tone was tinged with helplessness, but the people kneeling below interpreted it in a completely different way.

"Your Majesty is right, I will follow your teachings."

After the three of them stood up, Fanghua asked them to sit down. She said that they still had to go to Cining Palace to pay their respects today, but it was still early, so she could let them sit for a while longer and there was no rush.

"It is very kind of you to be so understanding of me. I will never forget your kindness. Let's skip the wedding ceremony. I have to take care of Prince Chenghu every day, so I don't have much time to deal with these things right now."

After saying that, she looked at Niohuru, who was looking down with envy, and said, "If you are interested, you can go and sit in Niohuru's palace. After all, she is the only high-ranking concubine in the harem."

She wouldn't admit that this was intentionally creating trouble for Niohuru.

Yes, Fanghua was grateful for her care for Yinreng, but she was also jealous of her being promoted to Empress by Kangxi.

Regardless of the reason, that genuine affection made her unable to let go of the resentment that Niohuru had become empress.

"Your Majesty, I dare not." Niohuru was not stupid. With the Empress still alive, how could she do such a thing? If the Empress Dowager found out, even if it was the Empress who suggested it, she would be subject to a complaint. It was more important to just quietly carry a prince.

“Nara is pregnant, and Zhang is taking care of the eldest princess. The Empress has shown compassion and exempted her from the sedation ceremony. How can I possibly go over the Empress’s authority and ask them to perform the sedation ceremony for me?”

Sure enough, this person was incredibly intelligent, but unfortunately, he lost his life because of love.

"In that case, so be it."

Nara was very honest and always wanted to minimize his presence.

It's a pity, Fanghua was already waiting for her.

Previously, she had been confined by the Empress Dowager because she was pregnant with the emperor's child, and she herself was in the late stages of pregnancy, so she really didn't have time to deal with her.

Nara, who had been keeping a close eye on everything, was so frightened when she saw the Empress turn her gaze to her that she immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was blinded by greed and did such a terrible thing. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

After saying this, she kowtowed heavily to the Empress, looking as pitiful as could be.

She knew she had been used as a tool by Ma Jia when she died.

But since she was the one who arranged for someone to humiliate the Empress, she could only beg the Empress for mercy.

Fanghua sighed, "Why is Consort Nara doing this? Qiaoling, quickly help her up. She is heavily pregnant now, and we must not harm her unborn child."

"You too, the Empress Dowager has already punished me for that matter, so why would I hold a grudge? Do you think I'm so petty?"

Fanghua wore her kindest smile at that moment.

But upon closer inspection, one can see that her eyes are full of coldness.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress. Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."

Nara was truly terrified.

The Empress usually appears kind and virtuous, but no one expected her to be so ruthless in dealing with Lady Majia.

If she doesn't confess, she might end up like Ma Jia.

No, she can't die, she can't die.

No matter how many desires Nara harbored in her heart, Fanghua was completely unaware, but she had no intention of letting her go.

After all, it was her son, Yinreng, who had bullied her the most.

Consort Zhang was the most shrewd. Because she had given birth to the Emperor's eldest daughter, the Emperor treated her with more care. Fanghua had no intention of doing anything to her.

After all, there would be no shortage of women in the harem. As long as her favor wasn't diminished, she wouldn't care who received the most favor.

Since Zhang is capable of bearing daughters, it would be best to have more, as they could be used for future marriage alliances.

"I heard that the eldest princess is not feeling well. Has the imperial physician been summoned to examine her?"

Nara was terrified, and Fanghua stopped causing trouble and told them to take it slow and not rush things.

Zhang was very proper. When she heard the Empress ask her a question, she stood up, bowed respectfully, and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The eldest princess caught a cold due to the onset of winter. The imperial physician has examined her, and she will be fine after drinking some medicinal soup."

Fanghua was very satisfied with her respectful attitude.

"You've worked hard. Take good care of the eldest princess. The Emperor will not forget your kindness."

"Yes, this servant will take good care of the eldest princess." Zhang was also excited. If she could get the Empress's protection, her days in the palace would be much easier.

Currently, the Emperor has few concubines in his harem. However, once the number increases, she, an unfavored concubine, will completely fade into the background.

"Yes, you're a sensible person."