Tong Jiarong's eyes lit up; it was clear that Qianli's words resonated with her.
Yes, she didn't want to suffer any losses herself, so she had no choice but to drag others down with her.
The Empress and Empress Hesheli are currently the best targets to be used as cannon fodder.
"Would the Empress really agree?" Tong Jia Rongyue hesitated, thinking that the Empress had rarely made any underhanded moves in the harem recently. She even jokingly said to Qianli, "Our Empress has probably become a vegetarian. I'm worried that things won't go as we wish."
No matter how good your idea is, you still need someone to cooperate with you.
To be fair, the Empress's murderous intent is not what it used to be. It seems that after giving birth to Bao Cheng, she feels much more at ease.
Upon hearing this, Qianli comforted Tong Jiarongyue, saying, "Perhaps the Empress intended to avoid the conflicts within the harem and focus on raising Prince Baocheng."
But now that Prince Baocheng is in trouble, if the Empress can still maintain order, then she wouldn't be the Empress.
Ultimately, once you reach the position of Empress, some things are destined to be beyond your control.
Hearing what Qianli said, Tong Jiarongyue seemed to have thought of something, a faint smile appeared on her lips, and she relaxed. "Yes, Baocheng is of extraordinary significance." Even if the Empress could tolerate it, Hesheli outside the palace would not be willing.
...
Kunning Palace Main Hall
Ever since Bao Cheng was taken to the Qianqing Palace for treatment, Hesheli Fangyi's heart has never been at ease.
The side hall where Bao Cheng lived had been cleaned by the palace servants. Hesheli Fangyi went there almost every day, and then sat alone on the small bed, looking at Bao Cheng's clothes and thinking of him.
From the time Bao Cheng was born until now, Hesheli Fangyi has never been separated from him for such a long time. Even though she is not Bao Cheng's biological mother, her feelings for Bao Cheng are genuine.
"Your Highness, you haven't had breakfast yet. Let me help you back."
Tan Yun stood beside Hesheli Fangyi and, seeing that her mistress was sitting for longer and longer, couldn't help but whisper a reminder.
Hesheli Fangyi shook her head blankly, "I have no appetite."
"By the way, did the Qianqing Palace send any messages today?" Hesheli Fangyi looked up at Tan Yun with a blank expression.
Tan Yun shook her head, and seeing her mistress's disappointment, she quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty, don't worry. The little prince is very lucky, and with the Emperor and the imperial physicians taking care of him, his health will improve."
Hesheli Fangyi smiled bitterly. Getting better? She hadn't heard any updates about Baocheng for several days. The defenses of the Qianqing Palace were so tight that not even a mosquito could get in. Even when news was sent out, it was always that everything was going smoothly and everything was fine.
Is it really okay? Is it really going smoothly?
Empress Hesheli Fangyi did not know how the late emperor had died, or how a young, ignorant baby like Baocheng could withstand the ravages of smallpox.
"Have you found out who did it?"
Hesheli Fangyi resented herself, resented the harem, and hated even more those who had harmed Baocheng.
Bao Cheng is just a child, why? Why did you have to be so cruel?
"Your Majesty, this servant has discovered that the wet nurse who first fell ill with the young prince had been in contact with people from Xianfu Palace, and that the wet nurse's family has some connections with Yongshou Palace."
The latter was something Tan Yun had painstakingly investigated. After Tan Yun finished speaking, she first glanced at Hesheli Fangyi's expression, then pondered and said, "This servant suspects that others who haven't been found will also have reasons to take action."
It's not necessarily related to Consort Nara and Consort Shu. While they are indeed suspected on the surface, what if someone is plotting to benefit from the conflict between them?
Hesheli Fangyi wasn't stupid; she understood that Baocheng's accident would be most beneficial to Baoqing. As for Consort Shu, the two of them had countless old and new grudges.
"I, the Empress, have never had a peaceful life."
She thought that if she didn't fight and just lived quietly in Kunning Palace with her child, nothing would happen.
No one can avoid conflict by simply avoiding battle; Bao Cheng's example serves as a reminder of her self-deception.
It turned out that she had been wrong all along. The content she saw on paper was just speculation by later generations. Her overconfidence and arrogance had caught Hesheli Fangyi off guard.
Tan Yun was heartbroken, "Your Majesty!"
Hesheli Fangyi lowered her head and smiled, "It's nothing, I just feel that everything before was just a whitewash," when in reality it was already riddled with holes.
"Tan Yun, let's get our people moving. Regardless of whether they have anything to do with it or not, those two are definitely not innocent in this matter of protecting Cheng."
In that case, Hesheli Fangyi would definitely need to collect some interest for Baocheng in advance.
"What a pity."
Whether it was Baoqing or Yider, they were both innocent children, but what could they do when they were born in the imperial harem?
Having been completely assimilated, Hesheli Fangyi no longer restrained her malice. It proved that no matter how pure and detached a person may be, long-term immersion in the harem would render them unrecognizable.
Tan Yun bowed her head and replied, "Yes," before turning around to carry out Hesheli Fangyi's arrangements.
The once peaceful Qixiang Palace has once again been targeted by outsiders.
Xiuning looked at the identical floral dress and immediately went back to where she came from.
Since the Emperor already knows that Ider is being targeted, Xiuning sees no need to bother others with this matter any further. "We'll handle our own affairs."
Xiuning was able to resolve the issue smoothly using the system, but Xianfu Palace could not prevent repeated malicious attacks.
Soon, just as Bao Cheng's condition stabilized and gradually improved in Qianqing Palace, news came that Bao Qing in Xianfu Palace had contracted smallpox.
"It's confirmed, it's Xianfu Palace?"
Xiuning pulled Chunyu in as she entered, still slightly dazed.
Chunyu quickly nodded, "Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that Prince Baoqing be sent outside the palace to recuperate. Consort Nara is pleading with His Majesty to take care of Prince Baoqing personally."
The Xianfu Palace is in complete chaos right now, with masters crying and servants making a scene – it's practically a major farce.
"If Consort Nara wants to leave the palace, I'm afraid the Emperor won't agree."
This wasn't just a simple matter of leaving the palace together, and if she remembered correctly, Consort Nara shouldn't have contracted smallpox.
The biggest problem with smallpox is that it leaves pits on the face and body.
The concubines in the harem all use their beauty to please others. If Consort Nara were to accidentally get infected and lose her beauty, then Xianfu Palace would truly become a cold palace.
The Emperor ultimately did not grant Consort Nara's request to leave the palace to take care of the children.
Bao Qing was personally escorted out of the palace by Liang Jiugong and his men.
Compared to Bao Cheng, who was still recuperating in the Qing Palace, the difference in treatment and importance placed on Bao Qing is obvious.
Immediately, the disputes of the previous dynasty gradually disappeared, and the Hesheli clan, who had been jumping around excitedly, also calmed down.
Yes, the Emperor's move is a way of indirectly showing his attitude: if Bao Cheng's position is secure, then what is there for Empress Hesheli to panic about?
Sometimes, people will send out good news after they have figured things out.
First, Bao Cheng's biggest threat, Bao Qing, left the palace. Then, news came from Qianqing Palace that Bao Cheng had recovered from his illness and could return to Kunning Palace after resting for two more days.
Furthermore, the Emperor intends to appoint Bao as the Crown Prince!
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