Chapter 11: The Empress
Weiyang Palace.
Xiao Heng was chatting with the queen while holding a cup of tea.
Zhou Defu walked in from outside and bowed, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, a servant from Empress Yu just reported that Jiang Cainu was trying to find out your whereabouts, and Empress Yu has punished her."
The queen's serene brows furrowed slightly. Seeing Xiao Heng remained silent, she asked, "How was it handled?"
"Empress Yu...had Jiang Cainu's ears cut off and she was banished to the cold palace."
The queen frowned slightly and waved Zhou Defu to leave.
She was already accustomed to Concubine Yu's transgressions, but she still felt a little unhappy in her heart.
Although Concubine Yu was a concubine, she had no right to punish concubines so severely.
Besides, she didn't have the authority to assist in managing the six palaces. If the emperor hadn't been here, she probably wouldn't have known about it. He obviously didn't take her, the mistress of the harem, seriously.
She turned her head to look at Xiao Heng: "Jiang Cainu is indeed guilty, but she is the daughter of an official after all. The punishment given by Concubine Yu is a bit too harsh. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
The white smoke from the gilded peacock incense burner on the table floated vaguely in front of Xiao Heng, making it impossible to see his expression.
He just tapped the teacup lightly with his fingernails, making a tinkling sound.
"Although Concubine Yu is spoiled, Jiang Cainu's inquiry into my whereabouts is a serious crime. This punishment is not too excessive and can serve as a warning to the six palaces."
The Queen pondered for a moment, then smiled gracefully, "Yes, Your Majesty is right."
"However, there are only seven new concubines entering the palace this time, and Concubine Yu has punished two of them. This will probably make the new sisters in the palace feel uneasy."
Even if Jiang Cainv was guilty, on the second day after Ye Cairen entered the emperor's bedchamber, she was punished to kneel for two full hours for the crime of disrespecting a high position. For a delicate young lady from an official family, this punishment would certainly injure her knees, and she would probably not be able to enter the emperor's bedchamber for half a month.
Everyone knew that Concubine Yu was too jealous and was dissatisfied with the fact that Concubine Ye was promoted to a beauty on her first night with the emperor.
Xiao Heng didn't say anything, but just used the tea lid to slowly skim off the foam in the cup and took a leisurely sip.
The queen knew that Xiao Heng had heard some of what she said.
He continued, "If Sister Yufei has the power to assist in managing the six palaces, then punishing the concubines is natural, but..."
"If Your Majesty truly trusts Sister Yufei, why not let her help me manage the harem?"
She had a kind smile on her face, and was dignified and gentle, with the demeanor of a mother of the country.
Xiao Heng said without hesitation: "The Jade Concubine has an impatient and willful temperament and is not suitable for managing the harem."
As he spoke, he looked at the queen with a gentle gaze: "I feel most at ease leaving this harem to the queen to take care of."
The Queen lowered her eyes as expected and smiled gently: "Your Majesty trusts me. I will do my best to take care of the harem so that Your Majesty can focus on state affairs."
Xiao Heng nodded slightly: "The Queen has always done very well, I am very pleased."
He patted the queen's delicate white hand.
"As for Concubine Yu... I know she has overstepped the bounds. For the sake of the court's stability, some things must be done for the greater good."
The queen knew what Xiao Heng meant.
There is war on the border right now. Yu Fei's father has made great contributions to the court. For the emperor, the country is the most important thing, so he can turn a blind eye to Yu Fei's domineering and unreasonable behavior.
However, as long as the emperor knows who is his wife and who is his concubine, it will be fine as long as he does not give Concubine Yu the power to assist in managing the six palaces.
As long as Concubine Yu doesn't go too far and doesn't challenge her bottom line, she can tolerate it.
As he was thinking, Xiao Heng's voice came to his ears again: "After all, Concubine Yu is not a vicious person, she is just a little spoiled. The Queen can teach her a lesson or two to make her behave herself."
The queen smiled faintly: "Yes, I know what to do."
She peeled a piece of orange for Xiao Heng, and when he put it directly into his mouth, she said, "As the Empress Dowager, I have to advise His Majesty that the new concubine has entered the palace, and His Majesty has only summoned Consort Ye to sleep with him. The other sisters are waiting for the Emperor's summons..."
Xiao Heng: "Hmm..."
"The government affairs have been somewhat relaxed recently, so I can focus more on the harem. I will also check the green card of the new concubine."
The queen felt relieved, not because she was magnanimous, but because she had to do her job well while in her position.
She also didn't want to see any concubine dominate, and the favorite concubines should suppress each other.
Fortunately, the emperor also understands this principle.
So he has never favored anyone.
After Xiao Heng left, Hongxiu made a cup of tea for the Queen and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that the Emperor will really give the power of assisting the six palaces to Concubine Yu?"
Concubine Yu had always been disrespectful to the Queen, and she couldn't imagine that if she were given the power to assist in managing the six palaces, she would become even more arrogant and complacent.
The Queen smiled slightly and said calmly, "Your Majesty will not."
"Because he once promised Concubine Zhao the power to assist in managing the six palaces. I know the emperor well. If he has promised Concubine Zhao, he will not give it to Concubine Yu."
When mentioning Concubine Zhao, Hongxiu felt even more indignant.
Concubine Zhao is the emperor's childhood sweetheart, and everyone in the palace knows it. Concubine Zhao has a cold and arrogant personality and will not give face to anyone, including the emperor.
Therefore, Concubine Zhao was used to being unrestrained. She would come to the Weiyang Palace to pay her respects every now and then. When she was in a good mood, she would ask the palace maids to ask for leave, but when she was in a bad mood, she would not even ask for leave.
But it was as if Concubine Zhao had drugged the emperor. No matter how coldly she spoke, the emperor would not punish her.
In this palace, Concubine Zhao is the emperor's childhood sweetheart and is particularly tolerant.
Concubine Yu is quite favored by the emperor.
And because Concubine Mi gave birth to the eldest prince, she also occupied a place in the emperor's heart.
Only the Queen...
She was so good, virtuous, gentle and generous, but the emperor only treated her with courtesy and rarely stayed in the Weiyang Palace except on the first and fifteenth days of the month.
Her eyes burned, and she said bitterly, "I feel sorry for you, Your Majesty. You are so kind, but the Emperor would rather favor those arrogant and domineering concubines than come to Weiyang Palace more often."
The queen just smiled faintly, raised her hand to stroke the phoenix hairpin on her bun, and the broken gold tassels on the hairpin swayed, shining brightly.
"One cannot have it all. I am already the Empress's mother, and that alone has already defeated all other women in the world."
"Why should I lower myself to argue with you about gains and losses?"
She slowly picked up the teacup and took a sip.
So what if Concubine Yu and Concubine Zhao are favored?
In front of me, she still has to bow her head and call me her concubine.
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