Such a big problem has arisen in palace affairs.

This was practically walking on the Empress Dowager's landmines. What's more, she remembered her promise to the Empress. When Consort Tong led the other concubines to Ning Shou Palace to pay their respects early this morning, the Empress Dowager unleashed a torrent of anger.

Consort Hui, Consort Yi, Consort Xi, and Consort Xuan did not manage palace affairs.

They were probably just bystanders, heads bowed and teacups in hand, obediently serving as wallflowers in the Ning Shou Palace—provided you didn't see their expressions of utter bewilderment, like a badger seeing a melon.

The first person the Empress Dowager reprimanded was Consort Tong.

Consort Tong knelt down, tears streaming down her face: "Empress Dowager, I have no desire for power. From that day on, I have entrusted all palace affairs to Consort An, Consort Jing, Consort Duan, and Consort Rong."

She coughed repeatedly after she finished speaking.

Seeing Consort Tong's haggard and weak appearance, Kangxi felt a pang of heartache. He quickly explained on her behalf, "Grandma, Consort Tong wasn't involved in this matter, how could it be her fault? If you ask me, the problem must lie with..."

"Her biggest mistake was not getting involved," the Empress Dowager interrupted the Emperor. Her face darkened, and she rebuked him sharply, "I entrusted you with the overall management of the palace, yet you didn't take it to heart and do your best, instead pushing it all onto others, Tongjia clan! Are you dissatisfied with my decree?"

The Empress Dowager's voice was deafening.

Emperor Kangxi was startled, and Consort Tong also felt a pang of panic.

Her face was ashen, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

Consort Tong suddenly realized that she had overlooked something—if the Empress were to pass away, she could indeed use this opportunity to demonstrate her detachment from worldly affairs and her noble aspirations, thereby gaining the favor of the Empress Dowager.

The problem is that the Queen is still alive...

The poor handling of the situation only highlighted his own irresponsibility and lax management of his subordinates, creating a stark contrast with the empress's skillful, meticulous, and thorough management of her subordinates.

Consort Tong's vision went black for a moment, and she nearly collapsed to the ground after realizing the truth of the matter.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, she panicked and instinctively looked at Kangxi. Tears streamed down Consort Tong's cheeks like beads, her beautiful eyes filled with sorrow as she cried, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! I truly had no such intention."

Despite the beauty in her tears, Kangxi couldn't help but picture Wan Anran's foolish face from yesterday's crying. He was lost in thought for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, his gaze towards Consort Tong was slightly cold.

Kangxi was certainly not stupid.

If he were foolish, he wouldn't have been chosen by the Empress Dowager to inherit the throne, much less wield such power at such a young age.

Stepping away from the filter, Kangxi instantly understood Consort Tong's thoughts. While Consort Wan was earnestly praying to Buddha and gods for the Empress's recovery, what was Consort Tong doing? She was probably also praying, but this time for the Empress's early death and for herself to ascend to the Empress's throne as soon as possible!

A surge of anger ignited within him.

While the Empress may not have been as agreeable as Renxiao, she was fair, just, kind, and generous, and she always got what she wanted in everything she did.

How could Consort Tong, who only knew how to hold everyone back, compare? Kangxi's piercing gaze swept over Consort Tong, and the unusual emotion in his eyes made her feel flustered, as if she had lost something.

A hint of panic and fear flickered in Consort Tong's eyes. She instinctively reached out and grabbed the hem of Kangxi's robe: "Your Majesty... Cousin! Cousin, I truly didn't mean to do this. My concubine Chunqiu has been ill, she hasn't been feeling well..."

Kangxi took a deep breath.

Before him stood his own… his own cousin! His hands, which had been clenching into fists at his sides, then relaxed. Kangxi helped Consort Tong up: “I know Consort Tong’s character well. Since that’s the case, you need not take on any affairs from now on. Just rest peacefully in Chengqian Palace.”

Consort Tong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Her eyes were full of tenderness as she gazed at the Emperor's stern profile, secretly pondering how to win his heart.

Consort Tong sat down in deep thought, oblivious to the mockery that flashed in the eyes of those around her. Consorts Hui, Yi, Xi, and Xuan, seated upright, could not hide the schadenfreude in their eyes.

With the Empress's serious illness, she will certainly not hold the reins of power as tightly as before. Since the former top-ranking concubines no longer have the authority to control the palace, the power will naturally fall to those below them.

If the Emperor were to sternly reprimand Consort Tong, everyone would feel resentful. But if the Emperor were to tell Consort Tong not to take over palace power at this time? Haha, wouldn't that show the Emperor's distrust of Consort Tong? Only Consort Tong herself would be smug and secretly glad that the Emperor didn't get angry, right?

That's incredibly stupid.

The four of them picked up their teacups, took a sip, and their eyes all drifted towards the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was so angry she laughed.

She had seen stupid people before, but she had never seen anyone as stupid as Consort Tong. What a waste that this stupid person also had a rather clever appearance!

Kangxi temporarily put Consort Tong out of his mind.

His sharp gaze swept over the remaining four people, his pent-up anger threatening to erupt.

Consort An cried out that she was wronged and that these things were Consort Jing's fault. Consort Jing dared not take the blame and said that Consort Duan was the one who did it.

Consort Duan was so aggrieved that tears streamed down her face.

She had never seen the account books from the beginning, so how would she know about these allocation arrangements? Kangxi's forehead throbbed, and his murderous gaze swept over the last unfortunate one, Consort Rong.

Consort Rong gave a cold laugh.

She showed no remorse whatsoever, and immediately knelt down on both knees, saying loudly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I have been busy preparing for Your Majesty's birthday celebrations these past few days and have not taken on any other matters. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"

In a single sentence, he succinctly and decisively absolved himself of responsibility.

The Emperor's birthday celebrations are filled with complicated and chaotic matters. Doing them well is expected, but if they are not done well and a few words are uttered that embarrass the Emperor, the person in charge will likely suffer greatly.

The three of them disliked this tedious task from the very beginning.

When Consort Rong said she wanted to take charge of the matter, Consort An, Consort Jing, and Consort Duan were secretly mocking her for being an idiot who didn't realize her mistake.

Now look what's happened...

Emperor Kangxi nodded with a gentle expression. He had already had these matters investigated in advance, and of the four, only Consort Rong was truly conscientious and responsible. Preparations for the Emperor's birthday celebration were also progressing steadily. Whenever there were any questions, he would ask the head maids of Kunning Palace for help, and so far, there had been no mishaps.

As for the other three... hehe.

Just thinking about it made the veins on Kangxi's forehead throb.

Consort An bribed Consort Duan's people to sabotage Consort Jing.

Consort Jing bribed Consort An's people to sabotage Consort Duan.

Consort Duan bribed Consort Jing's people to sabotage Consort An.

So they're still playing with nesting dolls!

Consort Xuan spoke with such enthusiasm that Wan Anran and Consort Nara's mouths almost formed an "O" shape.

"The intricacies of the situation are too numerous to explain in a short time, but all three of them were involved!" Consort Xuan took a sip of her tea, unable to hide the schadenfreude in her eyes: "This time, they've really offended the Empress Dowager quite badly!"

Isn't that right?

Thinking back to the boast she had made in front of the Empress, and then looking at the farce in front of her, where four out of the five people she had chosen had made mistakes, the Empress Dowager was in a terrible pain!

Then anger arose.

The Empress Dowager suppressed her thoughts of punishing the four and turned her suspicious gaze to Consort Hui, Consort Yi, Consort Xi, and Consort Xuan.

Apart from Consort Xuan, the other three held their breath and concentrated.

They knew... this might be their last test on their path to becoming imperial concubines.

As for Consort Xuan, she calmly took a sip of tea.

As long as the Emperor is around, Consort Meng has no chance of getting involved in palace affairs. So why should she pretend? Anyway, if she wants to be promoted to Consort, she won't lack a spot.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Xuan.

Forget it! This girl has even less fighting spirit than the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was too lazy to care about Consort Xuan. Her sharp gaze seemed to be planning to dissect Consort Hui, Consort Yi, and Consort Xi for a thorough examination.

Consort Hui, Consort Yi, and Consort Xi were filled with unease.

Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager did not speak again until they rose to take their leave. A slight disappointment arose in the hearts of the three as they left the Ning Shou Palace, though a tiny glimmer of hope remained. They all simultaneously began to think that they should manage the palace servants during this time and make a good impression on the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

While making up their minds, they couldn't hide their schadenfreude.

Not to mention that Consort Tong was stripped of her right to manage palace affairs by the Emperor's words, Consort An, Consort Jing, and Consort Duan were not only scolded severely, but were also immediately stripped of their palace power and fined for three years. They were also ordered to return to the palace to reflect and copy the palace rules.

The former is acceptable, but the latter is truly shameful.

Just thinking about their expressions made Consort Xuan feel she could eat three extra large bowls of food for lunch today. Wan Anran was momentarily dazed, but then couldn't help frowning: "This has nothing to do with... this concubine's promotion?"

"How can it be alright?"

Consort Xuan praised Wan Anran softly, "It's all because you told the Emperor about this. Besides, all the concubines who copied scriptures for the Empress received rewards, so you can rest assured."

That's true.

Yesterday, Emperor Kangxi had a sudden thought and ordered all the concubines in the palace to hand over the Buddhist scriptures they had copied for the Empress for inspection. Today, only Wan Anran was promoted to Noble Lady, but quite a few others received rewards or were promoted to Attendant.

It is eye-catching, but not entirely so.

Wan Anran only realized later that there were rewards as well as punishments. Ju Bai vividly described, "The concubines who didn't copy the Buddhist scriptures were all severely reprimanded, ranging from having their salaries reduced to being demoted!"

Then Ju Bai chuckled to himself.

She lowered her voice: "Your Majesty, for example, Consort Wuya of Chengqian Palace has been demoted to the rank of Changzai!"

Wan Anran's almond-shaped eyes widened: "Huh!?"

She remembered that after the Empress passed away, Consort Wuya cried sadly and fainted frequently. She then discovered that she was pregnant and was promoted to the rank of Consort after the Emperor's birthday.

But now it has become a permanent fixture?

Seeing her master's surprise, Ju Bai excitedly added, "What this servant said is true. I heard that Consort Wuya not only did not copy a single word of the scriptures, but also tried to use her previous copies to smuggle them out, but was exposed on the spot by the palace servants who were checking them."

Empress Niohuru was kind and just.

Since entering the palace as a concubine and taking charge of palace affairs, she has managed all matters, big and small, in an orderly manner. The lower-ranking concubines had not felt this before, but they felt it greatly when the empress fell ill. Seven or eight out of ten of them secretly copied a few volumes of Buddhist scriptures for the empress, though the amount varied.

As for Consort Wuya... no!

Now, Wuya often sits slumped on the ground, her eyes filled with panic and fear.

Who would bother to copy scriptures for a dying empress? Uya's mind went blank; she was lost in a daze, muttering, "Impossible, impossible, impossible..."

The eunuch delivering the imperial decree glanced disdainfully at Consort Wuya.

He turned away without even glancing at the purse the palace maid handed him—the eunuch delivering the imperial decree even complained that it would dirty his hands!

unlucky!

The palace maid's face was deathly pale, and the low chuckles around her sent a chill down her spine. She lowered her head and hurriedly retreated into the room, helping Consort Wuya to her feet: "Mistress... Your Highness, are you... are you alright?"

Wuya's heart sank into an ice cellar.

She was trembling, her brows furrowed with deep fear and panic.

The Empress has woken up? And I've become a lowly concubine?

What, what, what is going on? Uya Changzai's gaze was fixed on her stomach: "Now... there's only you left. Mother only has you!!!"

She is pregnant.

As long as this matter is exposed during the Emperor's birthday celebration, I will definitely be able to... definitely be able to return to the rank of Noble Lady... no! Become a Consort.

Uya quickly regained her composure.

She ordered the palace maids to leave the room, then stroked her belly, lost in thought.

Now the only way is to hand over the child to Consort Tong to raise, and then take advantage of Consort Tong's power in the palace to intervene when she has no intention of cultivating a relationship with the Emperor... Consort Wuya sighed and clenched her hands tightly.

Just then, someone pushed the door open and entered.

Wuya Changzai was startled and raised her voice in displeasure: "How dare you! Don't you have any manners? What are you doing here without announcing your arrival?"

The leading palace maid curtsied.

She appeared perfectly proper, but showed no intention of answering Consort Wuya's question. The palace maid smiled and said, "Consort Wuya, your mistress has instructed you to pack your things and move them to the side room."

Wuya was slightly taken aback.

Then, Miao Yingying... no! Miao Changzai emerged from behind the palace maids, surveying the palace with satisfaction. She adjusted her hair and raised her voice slightly, laughing, "This room is truly lovely. Miss Zhihe, please convey a message for me. I must go and kowtow to Your Majesty to express my gratitude later."

Wuya's face suddenly turned bright red.

She stared at the scene before her in disbelief, and immediately understood the implication of Miao Changzai's words.

Consort Tong actually gave her own room to Consort Miao.

Wuya Changzai clenched her fists tightly at her sides, a ball of anger gradually igniting in her chest. As long as she told him she was pregnant, this house would definitely still belong to her... But another thought slowly welled up in Wuya Changzai's heart.

She slightly raised her chin and scanned everyone present.

You'll regret this after the Emperor's birthday celebration. I will make you kneel at my feet and beg for mercy!