"Granny, what nonsense are you talking about?"

She suspected that there was something wrong with her inability to conceive, and that it was related to the concubine who came from a bondservant family. How could she believe such a thing?

The imperial harem was mostly populated by concubines from bondservant families.

"This servant dares not deceive Your Majesty. This servant originally only wanted to inquire privately about any sexual techniques that could facilitate conception. However, I did not expect to overhear from a nanny that concubines of bondservant origin do not want the Emperor's next heir to be born from the womb of a Manchu concubine."

Consort Shu wasn't stupid, and immediately questioned, "The palace matrons are from the same background, so why would they tell you these things?"

“She knew that I was brought into the palace by Her Highness. The old woman who told me that her surname was Chen, and that she had a favor to ask of Her Highness, because her son was trampled to death by a drunken horse belonging to Consort Jia’s family. Old woman Chen was born into a bondservant family of the Lower Five Banners and had no connections. She only found out about this by chance and wanted Her Highness to avenge her son.”

Consort Shu and Consort Jia did not get along well.

She entered the palace later, and was made a concubine without having children. She was a former concubine of Consort Jia from the time she was a prince, and it took her many children before she was promoted to the rank of concubine.

Consort Shu longed for a child so much that even though she felt something was amiss, she chose to believe it.

"Go and check if what that old nanny Chen said about her son being trampled on by Consort Jia's family is true."

"Yes, this servant will immediately send word to the Princess Consort to investigate."

After the nanny left, Consort Shu's face was very pale. If it were true, she felt only fear. All the palace maids in the harem were of bondservant origin. If they wanted to control the emperor's offspring, they could really do it quietly.

Thinking about the offspring of the imperial harem over the years, and the fact that many concubines who entered the palace through the imperial selection process were not lost, she felt that the possibility was very high.

Consort Shu's family was very helpful, and they quickly found out that what Granny Chen said was true. Although Granny Chen was someone she had bribed, she had promised to avenge her, and how to avenge her was naturally up to her.

Arranging for her to be by Consort Shu's side, and using Consort Shu to take revenge, is also a method.

Soon, Granny Chen was transferred to serve Consort Shu, and with her help, a batch of problematic utensils were cleaned up.

"This is outrageous! They're trying to wipe me out! No, I have to let the Emperor know."

Granny Chen quickly stopped her: "Your Highness, you mustn't."

Consort Shu was so angry she lost her mind: "Why not?"

“Your Majesty, there are many concubines in the harem who are bondservant. My words cannot be considered evidence. Although those things can be considered evidence, they can still be used to evade responsibility. They can only solve Your Majesty’s predicament temporarily. Afterwards, Your Majesty will probably face retaliation.”

"Then tell me, what should I do?"

"If Your Majesty trusts this servant, Your Majesty can have your family send in a skilled nurse who can help you recover your health. Then we can wait."

"wait?"

What are we waiting for?

"Wait until something happens to the Empress's seventh prince."

Consort Shu's face paled: "This... the Empress has been quite good to me."

"Your Majesty, the Empress is good to the concubines in the harem, but the Seventh Prince is not in good health. It is impossible for Your Majesty to protect the Seventh Prince for the Empress. Those bondservant officials will definitely take action. When something happens to the Seventh Prince, Your Majesty can send someone to remind the Empress."

The Empress knows her place in the Emperor's heart. When she gives birth, the Emperor will surely protect her child, and those concubines will not dare to openly harm her child.

Consort Shu remained silent for a long time: "What the old nanny said makes sense. As long as I can give birth to the child safely, I will definitely make Consort Jia and her family suffer."

Granny Chen lowered her head: "Then this servant thanks Your Highness."

——

Shuxiang: "My lady, Granny Chen has gained Consort Shu's trust."

Ji Huan: "Very good. Take good care of Granny Chen's little grandson. We can't let people feel disheartened."

Shuxiang: "Don't worry, my lady, I've arranged everything properly."

Ji Huan said, "You've worked hard too. Here's some money for you. Don't deprive yourself."

After saying that, Ji Huan took out one hundred taels and gave them to Shu Xiang.

One hundred taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family of five to live on for ten years. She has always been generous to those around her, believing that money should be spent lavishly.

Once she entered the palace, she was favored and had no worries about food, clothing, or shelter, with even a surplus. She managed Suochuoluo's dowry skillfully and spent it without a second thought.

After her position gradually became secure, Ji Huan's days became regular. During the day, she would pay her respects to the Empress, and after that, she would return to her Xianfu Palace to read books. What she read was none other than the two boxes of books that Qianlong had sent her.

As for the evenings, Emperor Qianlong would enter the harem for twenty days a month. Ji Huan could now occupy seven or eight days by herself, Consort Ling five or six days, and the remaining days were shared among the concubines. This did not include the two days that the Empress was assigned to.

Of course, during those twenty days or so, Emperor Qianlong couldn't be the "groom" every night. The Empress was in poor health, so when he went, he was basically just there to keep her company.

Or sometimes, if Ji Huan served the Emperor for two consecutive nights, the Emperor would go to the homes of learned concubines to discuss poetry and cultivate their character.

He lived a comfortable life, receiving constant rewards from Ji Huan, which made his life very pleasant.

In the blink of an eye, spring has passed and summer has arrived, and the annual summer retreat at Yuanmingyuan is about to begin.

The news was revealed when he paid his respects to the Empress.

Empress Fucha: "The weather is getting hotter and hotter. The Emperor and I have decided to go to the Yuanmingyuan Garden to escape the summer heat half a month earlier this year. All those of the rank of Consort and above will be going. In addition, Consort Rou and Consort Qing will also be going. My sisters, please start making preparations."

Ji Huan and Consort Qing immediately stood up: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."

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