It wasn't just Consort Tong who was tidying up the harem; Consort Zhao and a group of concubines were also counting the silver and sending it to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Some of the more financially strapped concubines hated Consort Li with a passion, but now that they saw her in the limelight, they could only dare to be angry but not speak out.

"Did you send the things over?" Wanyi asked, looking at Hongxiu who had returned in a flustered state.

"It's already been sent. Your Highness, you don't know, if I had gone any later, I probably wouldn't have been able to come back. There were so many concubines and servants rushing into the Hall of Mental Cultivation." She also saw large and small bags and boxes, the scene was just like a vegetable market.

"That's enough. Other things aren't our concern. Let's just watch the show."

Wanyi never intended to personally deliver the silver notes, since everyone in the harem wanted to see Emperor Kangxi through this. If all the concubines were eager to go, the Hall of Mental Cultivation would be completely blocked.

"I arrived first, so I should go first."

Consort Wang Jia spoke indignantly to Consort Shi, who was cutting in line. They lived in the same palace. Because Consort Tong had fallen ill and withdrawn from serving the emperor, Consort Shi had gained some favor and therefore looked down on Consort Wang Jia, who was out of favor.

"It's my fault, Sister Wang Jia. I shouldn't have stood in front of you, causing you such anger," said Consort Shi, pretending to wipe away non-existent tears from her face.

"You, humph, I won't stoop to your level." Consort Wang Jia was most annoyed by Consort Shi's appearance, which was so lewd.

"Sister Wang Jia is the most generous, and I am extremely grateful."

Consort Shi was secretly pleased with herself. Kangxi had eyes and ears everywhere. If word of Consort Wang Jia's arrogance reached Kangxi's ears, then what would happen to her...?

She was a concubine's daughter of the Shi family. Her father was a Han Bannerman bondservant. These daughters were to be selected in the imperial concubine selection. Her elder sister was married off to the main wife beforehand, but she was sent to the palace for the selection. She was raised by her biological mother from a young age. Her mother was a courtesan, of low social status. She knew that her daughter could not become the principal wife, so she gave her all to Consort Shi.

The other concubines kept their distance from the two of them, fearing they would be implicated. In fact, Concubine Wang Jia was not stupid. She had always been suppressed by Concubine Shi, the white lotus flower, and only when she was blinded by anger did she finally stand up for herself.

"My ladies-in-waiting, please be quiet. His Majesty has decreed that all ladies-in-waiting should wait in the side hall." Kangxi was originally discussing matters with the Ministry of Revenue inside when he was disturbed by the noise outside. After understanding the situation, Kangxi asked Liang Jiugong to handle it.

"Eunuch Liang, when will His Majesty arrive?" Consort Yehenara called out to Liang Jiugong as he was about to leave when they reached the side hall.

"The Emperor didn't say anything, but Consort, please wait." Liang Jiugong finished speaking and left. He still needed to invite Consort Zhao to come and take charge of the situation!

"Sister Zhaofei, where are we going?" Consort Tong had to go around the long street next to Chuxiu Palace from Kunning Gate to Yangxin Hall when she set off from Gancheng Palace. So she encountered Consort Zhao's entourage as soon as she arrived at this long street.

"I'm on my way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation! I wonder if Sister Tong is going the same way?" Consort Zhao looked at the person behind Consort Tong carrying several boxes of things, and knew without a doubt that they were going to the same place.

"That's quite a coincidence. I'm going to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Would you mind if I accompanied Consort Zhao?" Consort Tong thought to herself that she had left home rather late, yet she still ran into her. How unlucky!

"Of course I don't mind, it's all for the Emperor's sake!" She only came here after sending someone to watch for Consort Tong's entourage, just to suppress her arrogance.

"Your face still looks a little pale, are you feeling better?" Actually, Consort Tong looked quite energetic after putting on makeup, but Consort Zhao asked casually.

"I'm much better now, thank you for your concern, Sister Zhao. Please go first, Sister Zhao." Consort Tong gestured for Consort Zhao's entourage to leave first, but secretly vowed that once she became Empress, she would make her pay.

"Hey, where is Consort Suo Zhuolun? Could it be that she doesn't know about this?" Consort Wuya looked around but didn't see Wanyi, so she deliberately steered the conversation towards her.

"This matter has spread throughout the entire palace, except for her. Who would believe it if she told others? She probably doesn't have any money, so she dared to show her face!" Consort Zhao Jia said disdainfully. Seeing that Consort Wan was becoming more and more favored, there were quite a few people who were envious.

"No way! She comes from the Manchu Plain Blue Banner. My sister, a mere bondservant, can still contribute some money to the people." Consort Wuya exclaimed in surprise.

"It's just that Sister Suo Zhuolun was taking inventory, so it's a little late. You all have such a long tongue. Instead of wasting your time, you should think about how you can help the Emperor." Consort Borjigit said loudly as soon as she entered, having overheard them discussing Consort Wan.

"Greetings, Consort Borjigit!" After paying their respects, the consorts fell silent, for they were not to be trifled with.

At this moment, Consort Zhao and Consort Tong also arrived at the side hall. Liang Jiugong saw Consort Zhao's entourage on the way and informed her of the Emperor's decision.

"You shall all register here according to your rank and seniority." As soon as Consort Zhao took over the task, she arranged things in an orderly manner. The eunuchs would report one by one, and the concubines would confirm before moving on to the next one.

"Sister Suo Zhuolun hasn't arrived yet! Consort Zhao, should we go and urge her?" Consort Wuya saw that the last person to be registered had not yet seen Consort Suo Zhuolun, so she quickly came out to remind her.

"This donation is voluntary, so it doesn't matter whether Consort Suo Zhuolun comes or not." Consort Tong was hoping that Consort Suo Zhuolun wouldn't come! Everyone in the harem had donated, but she hadn't. What would the Emperor think of her?

"I just learned from Eunuch Wei that Consort Suo Zhuolun had her maidservant send them over early this morning, and they have already been recorded together with Consort Li's." Consort Zhao looked at her hand; the first one was Consort Li's 100,000 taels of silver notes, while Consort Suo Zhuolun's was 50,000 taels of silver notes.

"So that's how it is! I'm a little curious, we all know how much Sister Suo Zhuolun donated." Consort Zhaojia also felt that it would be good if Consort Suo Zhuolun could donate a few thousand taels.

“That’s true. Consort Suo Zhuolun donated 50,000 taels of silver.” Consort Zhao knew perfectly well that they were competing with each other, which was quite boring.

"What? So many?" The concubines below were all taken aback.

"Although the Suo Zhuolun family doesn't have much of a foundation, they are still a prominent Manchu family. Preparing a dowry of 50,000 taels of silver for a legitimate daughter isn't too much." Consort Zhao took out 80,000 taels of silver, while Consort Tong had about 60,000 taels.

Because a large amount of silver flowed into the national treasury, disaster relief could proceed smoothly while some funds were allocated to the battlefields of the Three Feudatories. For this reason, Emperor Kangxi even summoned Consort Li to his bedchamber for half a month.