With a palace maid's announcement, Consort Shu, of the Niohuru clan, walked in gracefully from outside the main hall, arm in arm with Cuizhi. "Your Majesty, I came according to the time. I am not late, am I?"
Well, it wasn't late at all; in fact, the timing was perfect.
Hesheli Fangyi was somewhat surprised, but looking at Xiuning sitting in the corresponding position, she understood. It seemed that Consort Shu still cared about the Xitala clan. No wonder she targeted them so much during the selection of concubines.
"Sister Shufei is always punctual, how could she be late?"
Consort Hesheli Fangyi was not angry at all. Instead, she smiled and watched Niohuru sit down. However, she felt a little awkward when she glanced at Consort Shu's belly. After all, Consort Shu's pregnancy had brought her a lot of pressure and was still too much of an eyesore.
"Speaking of which, I just overheard Consort Zhang saying something."
Hmm, judging from Consort Zhang's expression, she seems to have some dissatisfaction with me?
Consort Shu smiled faintly, her gaze fixed on Zhang, who was sitting opposite her, looking somewhat uneasy.
Ha, she's got some nerve, daring to mock her in front of everyone. Does she think having a belly can protect her? She's just a princess who won't survive. Thinking of Zhang's tragic future, Consort Shu didn't care.
Zhang was clearly surprised that Consort Shu would come this time, since this person hadn't come to pay her respects for some time. If she had known, she wouldn't have dared to say that.
"Your Highness, you misunderstand. What I said was just a joke," Zhang Shi said, uttering a lie that sounded obviously fake. She pursed her lips, clearly somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing this, Consort Hesheli Fangyi had no choice but to smooth things over, but Consort Shu didn't give her any face at all and started firing at everyone else like a machine gun.
"...That's why we say, be careful with your words and actions."
"Your Majesty, I suspect that everyone's understanding of palace rules is rather poor."
Consort Shu leaned back in her chair, speaking slowly and deliberately, but her words were full of provocation.
Hesheli Fangyi: ...
"There's no need for Consort Shu to worry about that. The younger sisters have all received instruction when they entered the palace. I think it's just that Consort Shu is overthinking it."
Hesheli Fangyi lowered her eyes slightly, concealing the fleeting anger in them.
Consort Shu is really going too far. No matter what, she always likes to argue with her, the Empress. Feeling disgusted, Hesheli Fangyi sighed and continued to inquire about the daily lives of the concubines in the harem.
What was there to care about in the lives of the concubines in the harem, except for who would serve the emperor and who would have children? It was just a few trivial matters related to daily eating and drinking.
As the birth mother of the only imperial heir, Lady Magiya naturally received a lot of attention. Consort Hesheli Fangyi almost always chose her, and regardless of her true intentions, the attention she received was undeniable (although Lady Magiya may not have wanted it).
"...On behalf of Chengrui, I thank Your Majesty for your concern. Chengrui's health has improved a lot recently, and I can finally put my mind at ease."
Ma Jia patted her chest, feigning concern but actually showing off, meaning, "Look, look, I have a son and you don't."
"Consort Ma Jia is too hasty. They say the weather in June is like a child's face."
Prince Chengrui is physically weak and easily catches a cold; Madam Ma should take good care of him.
Consort Shu suddenly interjected with something unpleasant, which made Lady Ma roll her eyes.
"Thank you for your reminder, Consort Shu. You should also pay close attention to the little prince in your womb."
"I heard that Your Highness has summoned the imperial physician several times these past two days. Oh dear, I'm very worried about you. Your Highness, please be careful."
Anyone can be disgusting, but Lady Ma Jia quickly taught Consort Shu a lesson in being a hypocrite.
Consort Shu: ……
Consort Shu was so angry that she gasped for breath, trying her best to calm herself down. She was pregnant and couldn't afford to fight someone like Lady Ma who had nothing to lose.
Hesheli Fangyi watched the show from the sidelines, enjoying the spectacle. However, as time passed, she had to call for a halt, as there were still arrangements to pay respects to the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace.
"Hey, where is Consort Borjigit?"
As if just realizing what was happening, Consort Shu got up, swayed around with her pregnant belly for a moment, and then asked a question.
Everyone was speechless. They only noticed such an obvious reduction in personnel after all? That's ridiculous.
"Consort Borjigit is unwell, so she is exempt from paying her respects today."
"It's getting late. Would Consort Shu like to accompany us to the Empress Dowager's residence?"
Hesheli Fangyi asked a question while reaching out to tidy up some stray hairs that were falling around her temples.
Consort Shu hesitated upon hearing this. She had a bad relationship with the Empress Dowager. If she really went there, what if the Empress Dowager targeted her? The Qing Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety, and she could not possibly show disrespect to her elders.
Because Consort Shu hadn't given a clear answer, everyone stood up and waited for the two to communicate.
Xiu Ning stood idly to the side. She thought that during today's greetings, she would be the one constantly being targeted, but unexpectedly, as soon as Consort Shu appeared, everyone's attention was focused on her.
Even though Xiuning attracted some attention during her greetings, she cleverly evaded it and successfully escaped danger, becoming an unnoticed 'invisible' person.
Listening to the conversation between Consort Shu and the Empress, Xiu Ning was surprised that the Empress would directly set a trap for Consort Shu, yet Consort Shu's expression actually showed that she was thinking.
No way, they've all come all this way to pay their respects to the Empress, so they definitely can't skip going to the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace, otherwise it would show that they don't respect the Empress Dowager as much as the Empress.
Regardless of why Consort Shu came, as long as she comes to Kunning Palace, Cining Palace cannot be absent.
Fortunately, Consort Shu finally nodded, and the group left the Kunning Palace and headed towards the Cining Palace.
Xiuning was in the center of the procession, with the Empress and Consort Shu in front of her in sedan chairs, and a group of concubines walking beside her.
This is the obvious difference brought about by the difference in rank. Although both were pregnant, Consort Shu could go out in a sedan chair and be surrounded by a large group of servants, while Zhang could only rely on herself for everything and had to grit her teeth and endure it even if she looked unwell.
No wonder the concubines in the imperial harem all wanted to climb the ranks; who doesn't enjoy the pleasures of life?
The Kunning Palace was not too far from the Cining Palace. After walking for about fifteen minutes, Xiuning could see the gate of the Cining Palace in the distance.
With a sound of the sedan chair alighting, the Empress took the lead, guiding everyone through the gate.
Su Ma La Gu stood at the entrance of the main hall and hurriedly came forward to greet the Empress and others. "This servant greets all the masters. The Empress Dowager is still in the small Buddhist hall. Please come into the main hall to wait."
"Thank you, Granny."
The Empress smiled and nodded, and a large group of women instantly filled the hall.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
