Seeing that Consort Ning enjoyed her confinement so much, Chen Yuwei chose to grant her wish and did not bail her out, but instead let her do as she pleased.
Before leaving, Consort Ning earnestly asked Chen Yuwei to look after Yongyue in the imperial court.
"If Yongyue has other ideas, Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort doesn't need to worry about him."
Whether it's a blessing or a curse, it's his own choice. Although I am his mother, I cannot be responsible for him for a lifetime.
Consort Ning has truly come to terms with things; she has come to terms with not only herself but also others.
In Consort Ning's eyes, the power that countless women in the harem fought over was the source of chaos.
Unfortunately, such a source will never disappear unless there are no more emperors in the world.
How could that be? Consort Ning's thoughts were in a state of confusion as her mind wandered.
She saw the Imperial Noble Consort off with a wry smile, feeling deeply apologetic for what she had just said.
"I must have been confused by being alone in my bedchamber. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Chen Yuwei shook her head indifferently, "Consort Ning is too polite."
If I have nothing to do in the future, I will not come to bother you.
"Consort Ning, follow your own heart. I cannot guarantee you anything, but I can assure you that if you do not have the will to die, you will not die."
This statement sounds rather domineering, even though the content of the words might seem strange.
Consort Ning smiled, even more sincerely than before, her eyes bright as the stars in the sky. She thanked Chen Yuwei earnestly for her promise.
Regardless, it was a promise to keep her safe.
"Your Highness, I wish you all your dreams come true."
I also pray to all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens, wishing that the Imperial Noble Consort could depart peacefully and safely.
After years of living in the harem, what Consort Ning found most unforgettable were the caring words Chen Yuwei had spoken to her.
It was both surprising and expected, after all, Consort Ning was kind-hearted by nature and a woman who was somewhat aloof.
She had been in the palace for many years, experiencing various ups and downs, but her essential personality remained unchanged.
"Consort Ning, I will, and I also hope you have a pleasant time here."
After Chen Yuwei finished speaking, she turned around and took Xingkui's hand as they left the palace where Consort Ning was imprisoned.
The heavy iron door closed again, also cutting off the two people's view of each other.
Chen Yuwei turned back to look at the tightly closed palace gates and suddenly couldn't help but laugh.
Xingkui asked, puzzled, "Your Majesty?"
Chen Yuwei shook her head, "It's nothing, I was just wondering why Consort Ning is acting this way?"
It was surprising, yet it felt like something Consort Ning would do.
When Consort Ning finally sees things clearly, no one will be an obstacle for her.
"Go back and tell the people in the Imperial Household Department not to mistreat Consort Ning here in the future."
Since Consort Ning doesn't want to come out, then she should stay by herself.
It's not easy to do what you love, after all, you have to face all sorts of problems and troubles along the way.
Xingkui nodded in agreement, and casually asked if Consort Qing wanted to do the same.
Chen Yuwei scoffed, "Consort Qing? She doesn't need that. She's different from Consort Ning."
The current predicament of Consort Qing is ultimately due to her own misguided path.
This has absolutely nothing to do with Chen Yuwei, and Chen Yuwei has no need to take responsibility for the other party.
Consort Ning finally sought peace and quiet, wanting to rely on herself to live out the rest of her life.
Consort Qing still craved power, but she made a fatal mistake and fell into a trap.
Before visiting Consort Ning, Chen Yuwei had already gone to the palace where Consort Qing resided.
Unlike Consort Ning's calm and composed demeanor, Consort Qing was hysterical.
Chen Yuwei was very unhappy about this. It wasn't her fault that she caused the trouble, so why did she choose to vent her anger on her?
Xingkui nodded in agreement and went back to perfectly carry out her master's instructions.
The treatment of Consort Qing and Consort Ning was completely different.
Although the servants of the Imperial Household Department knew that the Imperial Noble Consort, who had returned to her former position, had no power in the palace and was like a ferocious beast without claws, she would not pose any threat to them.
But the deep-seated fear and the fear of being controlled by the Imperial Noble Consort for many years made the Imperial Household Department exceptionally shrewd.
It doesn't matter that we don't have power now; who knows if we'll ever get it back?
Even if they don't go back, it's not a problem. The next emperor is said to be chosen from the Yikun Palace lineage, and the Imperial Noble Consort's status will rise sooner or later. Their decision to bow down now is simply a matter of being pragmatic and knowing when to yield.
I told myself a whole bunch of comforting words, all in order to teach myself to be compliant.
It was as if they were being hypnotized; the people in the Imperial Household Department were giving themselves psychological manipulation to prevent them from making mistakes and causing themselves endless trouble.
Chen Yuwei believes this approach is commendable, saying, "As long as they behave and don't cause trouble, I am not the kind of person who can't distinguish right from wrong and will kill them all."
The very existence of the imperial system proves that the Imperial Household Department had a role to play.
Otherwise, how could such a large royal family survive? They couldn't possibly do everything themselves.
In that case, what use would it be to have supreme power?
Ultimately, power is meant to be enjoyed by humankind, allowing people to experience endless honor and benefits.
"Your Majesty, the servants of the Imperial Household Department are shrewd and capable. Now that the concubines in the harem have gained power, they cannot be easily ordered around."
Even if they can be ordered around, they only talk about trivial matters.
On important matters involving their own interests, they cannot command the Imperial Household Department.
Chen Yuwei had long anticipated this, because due to the special nature of the Imperial Household Department, it could not be completely controlled by anyone, not even the emperor who was high above.
Despite the changing of emperors, the Imperial Household Department maintained its immense size.
"How is the Hall of Mental Cultivation? I heard the Emperor has been coughing for some time. Has the imperial physician given any instructions?"
Chen Yuwei leaned back on the soft pillows, speaking lightly and calmly.
Xingkui tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "The imperial physician said it's not serious, just a minor illness that occurs in early spring, and I'll recover in a few days."
Chen Yuwei nodded and said, "That would be best."
If things don't get better, then the worst has already happened.
...
As it turned out, things didn't just get worse, they got even worse.
Hongli's cough was certainly not a minor ailment that was easy to treat.
On the contrary, because his body had reached its limit, Hongli's condition was very bad.
Lying in bed in a daze, even though the people who were close to Hongli were arranged to serve him, he would still be sent to the Shenxing Division for torture from time to time by the furious Hongli.
The reason is simple: they offended the emperor's authority and displeased him.
People in a bad mood are usually irrational, even if they are emperors.
"Tsk, this is the seventh one this month. Send it to the Censorate. Be quick and don't drag it out."
Gao Yu covered her mouth with her sleeve, looking at the palace maid kneeling on the ground, who was stunned and terrified, with disdain.
He waved to the eunuchs around him to stop dawdling, then turned and glanced at the door that was slightly ajar.
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