Wuya Chenglin now lives in Yonghe Palace, but Yonghe Palace has its own principal consort.
Consort An, née Li, was an older woman who entered the palace in the tenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. As a Han Bannerman concubine, she was neither particularly favored nor fell into disfavor. In short, the word "mediocre" aptly describes her.
Because of Li's family background, she was able to be granted the title of Consort An in the sixteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, thus smoothly becoming a principal consort.
However, due to her family background, Li was even more miserable than the Mongolian concubines. At least the Mongolian concubines had the Cining Palace to take care of them, but she had no chance to give birth to children and even had to avoid being harmed by others.
Now that Consort An has been in the palace for seven years, she has come to terms with some things, so similarly, she has other thoughts.
"So, the Uya clan has been quite quiet lately?"
Consort An sat on the couch in the main hall, opposite her was the maid Bao Xing who came to report the news.
Bao Xing nodded. "Apart from when the Emperor summons me, I don't usually go out."
Consort An was beautiful and petite, possessing a unique charm of Jiangnan women that surpassed that of the Manchu and Mongol concubines. This was the reason she had not fallen out of favor. After all, she was the only southern model in the harem, and Kangxi would not be tired of her until new concubines entered the palace.
"She's quite composed. Could it be that our previous information was incorrect, and she didn't have any connection with Jingren Palace?"
After voicing her doubts, Consort An denied it herself, saying, "That shouldn't be the case. If she hadn't gotten involved, why would she have been unusually quiet lately, unlike her usual behavior?"
Bao Xing thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, perhaps this person is misleading us. Could it be that she really intends to join someone else?"
But her own mistress is no less impressive. Although she is only a concubine and not as high-ranking as the one in Jingren Palace, don't forget the close relationship between Jingren Palace and Qianqing Palace.
Adoption and biological children have always been considered separate matters. To risk potential embarrassment in the future by going to Jingren Palace is something Baoxing simply cannot understand.
“It couldn’t be clearer that she’s going to seek help from someone else,” Li Shi agreed with Bao Xing. She even felt that, given Wu Ya Cheng Lin’s personality, she might be plotting something even bigger.
"For women in the imperial harem to live well, they need a good family background, imperial favor, and children."
"I no longer expect to bear an heir myself, but I am fairly confident that I can raise an heir to my care."
Because Emperor Kangxi needed Han Chinese, and their family held a special position among the Han Chinese population.
Using a dispensable imperial heir to win over them and the vast group behind them would be a highly profitable deal for Kangxi and the imperial family. If it could be achieved, why not?
Consort An was able to glean these insights from the numerous letters sent into the palace over the past few years.
Over the years, not only has Consort An aged, but her own experience and abilities have also grown. She has long passed the age of seeing through emotions and has returned to reality.
"Have someone keep a close eye on Uya. She's very cunning, and we might be bewitched by her at any time."
Since she wants to cooperate with Jingren Palace, let's go in and join the fun. After all, I am the head of Yonghe Palace; it's not a good thing for me to be flirting with others behind the head lady's back.”
Originally, Consort An thought that if Wuya Chenglin was obedient, she would not mind cooperating with her for mutual benefit. After all, her adoption would not be registered under her name, so the benefits to Wuya Chenglin would outweigh the drawbacks.
However, Wu Ya Cheng Lin was too ambitious. Seeing this, Consort An simply stopped with the formalities and decided to confront them head-on, relying on their own strength. Regardless of the outcome, she wouldn't suffer any losses.
On one side, Consort An and her maid were plotting against Wuya Chenglin, while on the other side, Wuya Chenglin and her maid were also on guard against Consort An.
Jinglan naturally didn't have the ability to eavesdrop on the schemes in the main hall, but she had lived in Yonghe Palace for a long time and had a very good relationship with some of the palace staff. A casual remark during their daily interactions could bring them huge business opportunities.
Jinglan used this interaction to find out that the main hall was dissatisfied with them and even subtly monitored their movements. Otherwise, why would Wuya Chenglin have been hiding in the side hall recently and not going out easily? It was because she was wary of Consort An.
"My lady, you have been taking your medicine for quite some time now, and it should produce results soon."
"If we can't leave before then, will Consort An take control and prevent us from leaving?"
Jinglan was really afraid of this kind of thing, because it would mean that all their previous efforts would be in vain.
As a mistress, one cannot raise imperial offspring. Whether a princess or a prince is born, the only outcome is that the child is given to a concubine of the same rank to raise.
If Wuya Chenglin thought Consort An was profitable, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to get rid of the childbearing tool arranged by Jingren Palace, and instead eagerly sought opportunities herself out.
"Consort An may very well have this idea, but now that we know it, we must take precautions."
Wu Yacheng touched her belly. As expected, she was pregnant, but this news could not be revealed at the moment.
"Jinglan, secretly find an opportunity to contact your own people and have them make arrangements as soon as possible."
"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Now that I've fulfilled the family's wishes, the family should put in more effort."
Wu Ya Cheng Lin's contact with Tong Jia Rong Yue is not only driven by her own motives, but also by her family's intentions. It can be said that they share the same goal: one is after the other's power, and the other is after the other's status. In short, they both have a bright future.
Jinglan listened to her master's words, responded with a "yes," and then turned to get busy.
Time passes little by little as it flows by.
April
After ignoring Xiuning for two months, Emperor Kangxi appeared directly at Qixiang Palace.
Leaving aside how surprised Xiuning was after meeting Kangxi, the rest of the harem couldn't help but feel angry.
Wasn't it supposed to be that she fell out of favor? How come she's recovered in just two months? They haven't even had a chance to trample on her yet.
"Now, the evergreen tree of the harem is back. It seems that a visit to Qixiang Palace is inevitable."
In the main hall of Yikun Palace, Consort Yi and Consort Guo Luoluo sat on either side of the couch, chatting about the important and trivial matters of the harem while enjoying the pastries brought by the palace servants.
The two women were sisters, not much older than each other, but compared to Consort Yi's smooth sailing, Consort Guo Luoluo's journey was much more arduous.
However, judging from the current outcome, it's still a good thing. Consort Yi has passed the awkward period and is able to get along normally with Consort Guo Luoluo with a calm mind.
"It is appropriate to make some connections, but the family seems to be leaning towards the Mongolian side. Consort Jing's princess is currently being raised by the Empress Dowager, which might be difficult to handle later."
After Consort Guo Luoluo finished speaking, she glanced indifferently at Consort Yi opposite her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
