Ordinary greetings usually lack focus, especially greetings that come close to the New Year.
The Empress summoned them and talked mostly about the arrangements for the New Year holidays. "I will be a little busy here at that time, so my sisters don't need to come to pay their respects. As for Cining Palace and Shou Kang Palace, the two elders also have the same idea."
With a polite smile on her face, Hesheli Fangyi told Tan Yun what was going to happen next, then stood up and put her arm around Tan Yun's arm, "It's getting late, let's go to Cining Palace to pay our respects."
Xiuning and the others nodded slightly and set off with the help of their maids.
"Your Majesty, I would like to ask if Baoqing will be able to return to the palace for the New Year's banquet?"
Consort Nara suddenly spoke, her voice carrying ahead and causing Consort Hesheli Fangyi, who was hurrying along, to stop in her tracks.
“Baoqing, I heard from the Emperor that the child has caught a cold and may not be able to return to the palace for the New Year’s banquet,” Hesheli Fangyi turned around and looked at Consort Nara not far away. “Consort Nara, don’t worry too much. It’s just a common illness. But the New Year’s banquet is scheduled to be held in the Baohe Hall. The open-air venue is always a bit windy and cool. Not only Baoqing, but Baocheng and Yider will also not attend.”
Hearing this, Consort Nara pursed her lips and could only reply with a disappointed "Yes."
Xiu Ning watched coldly, feeling that it was inappropriate for the Empress to use Bao Cheng and Yi De'er as examples.
Bao Cheng and Yi De'er haven't had their first birthday banquet yet, so they shouldn't be attending. But Bao Qing was born in the eleventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign and is now three years old. If she doesn't enter the palace soon, Consort Nara might forget what Bao Qing looks like (she probably already has).
"Alright, we can't be late for Cining Palace. We've already left late, so everyone should hurry on our way."
After Hesheli Fangyi finished speaking, she was helped by Tanyun to sit in the front sedan chair.
Following closely behind were Consort Shu and Consort Tong.
Next up is Xiuning.
As for the others, they were still concubines and could only travel on foot.
Just as Hesheli Fangyi said, they came out rather late, and in addition, Consort Nara asked them questions in the middle of the journey. In order not to be late for their greetings, they had to shorten their travel time.
When they finally arrived at the entrance of Cining Palace after a hurried journey, everyone except those sitting in sedan chairs had beads of sweat on their foreheads.
Xiu Ning handed Chun Yu her hand that was resting on the stove, and then followed behind, noticing that the maidservant beside Consort Shu had been replaced by a new one.
Xiu Ning gave Chun Yu a subtle glance, and Chun Yu nodded slightly. "I heard that she accidentally broke one of Consort Shu's most prized teacups, and was sent to do rough work. This person was recently brought in to fill the vacancy."
Xiu Ning blinked upon hearing this, thinking to herself that Consort Shu's temper was indeed becoming more and more volatile, and the palace maids around her were being replaced as frequently as clothes. She wondered if the Niohuru clan had enough people.
"This servant greets Your Highnesses. The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager are already in the main hall for greetings. Please come this way."
Sumalagu stood in the center of the courtyard. When she saw the Empress and others enter, she quickly bowed and led them inside.
"Thank you for your trouble, Aunt Su Ma."
The Empress smiled and nodded, still leading the way.
The others followed closely behind, afraid that arriving too late would offend the Empress Dowager and cause them unnecessary trouble.
As I lifted the curtain, I felt a wave of heat wash over me.
Xiu Ning lowered her head slightly to calm herself down, then took off her cloak, curtsied, and sat down in her seat.
The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, with the Empress Dowager beside her who looked like a bodhisattva. "You've come at the right time. The New Year is just two days away. I have some blessed Buddhist beads here. Each of you can wear one, for good luck. I also hope that in the new year, you will be able to produce offspring for the royal family."
After saying the last sentence, the palace maids, who were prepared in advance, came over with trays and smoothly delivered the trays to each person.
Everyone stood up, bowed, and expressed their gratitude. Then they picked up the prayer beads, handing those to the maids and slipping the ones they wanted to wear onto their wrists.
"Your Majesty, how are the arrangements at the Hall of Preserving Harmony going?"
The Empress Dowager inquired about the arrangements for the New Year's banquet. This was none of Xiu Ning's business, but they still listened attentively and sat quietly in their seats.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, everything is in order. The servants of the Imperial Household Department have checked it repeatedly to ensure that there will be no problems with this year's New Year's banquet."
The Empress lowered her head slightly, her tone firm, her gaze calm.
"That's good. Thank you for taking care of Bao Cheng while also managing palace affairs."
"It's all what I should do."
"..."
After exchanging a few polite words, the Empress Dowager began to show concern for the other children.
It's easy to talk about those in the palace like Yider, Ningchuge, and Chunxi, but it's much harder to find out who is outside the palace and can inquire at any time.
As soon as the Empress Dowager spoke, Consort Nara immediately burst into tears, "I heard from the Empress that Baoqing is ill again and cannot enter the palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager at the New Year's banquet. Please do not blame me, Empress Dowager."
This child has been raised outside the palace since birth, and his health has always been poor. I'm worried that he might follow in his brother's footsteps..."
Her voice trembled more and more as Consort Nara rubbed her eyes while speaking, which startled everyone else.
Upon hearing this, Xiu Ning looked up at the Empress sitting next to the Empress Dowager, and sure enough, her face had darkened.
Consort Shu and Consort Tong were amused by what they saw. Consort Tong was alright, but Consort Shu had already covered her mouth with her handkerchief, pretending to be serious.
Tsk, not bad, digging a pit for the Empress here.
Xiu Ning admired Consort Nara's audacity and watched the whole thing unfold until the Empress Dowager spoke up, promising to arrange for an imperial physician to check on the situation.
"Consort Nara, you don't need to worry too much about Baoqing's matter." The Empress Dowager moved the Buddhist beads on her wrist, but still couldn't mention the specific time to bring Baoqing back to the palace as Consort Nara wished. She only said that she would do her best to take care of him.
Consort Nara was disappointed, but she couldn't say it out loud.
With her head slightly lowered, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions in her eyes, Consort Nara nodded, "This concubine understands." What could she do if she didn't understand? The Empress Dowager wouldn't say anything anyway.
The group stayed for a while longer until Su Ma La Gu quietly reminded the Empress Dowager that it was time to worship Buddha.
The Empress rose and said, "I will return now, without disturbing the Empress Dowager."
"Respectfully bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress."
After watching the two leave, the others began to evacuate from the main hall.
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."
Xiuning was stopped by a palace maid at the door, and her eyes turned to the Empress in front of her.
"Since there's nothing else to do, Xitala, please go quickly."
"This concubine takes her leave."
After saying this, Xiuning left with the palace maid.
Consort Shu withdrew her gaze. "This is the benefit of raising a child under the Empress Dowager's care. Consort Nala, if you had known this would happen, you shouldn't have sent Prince Baoqing out of the palace."
Consort Nara's lips stiffened slightly. "Baoqing had smallpox and had no choice but to leave the palace."
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu scoffed, "Is that so? No wonder Prince Baoqing is in poor health; there's a reason for it."
Consort Nara: ……
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