This reward wasn't due to any fondness for Xiao Huo or anything else; it was simply a casual bestowal by the Emperor.
Moreover, if the ruby were to be made into earrings, it would take the Imperial Household Department several days to get them to Consort Huo.
If the emperor wishes to bestow a reward, he can simply select an even better one from the treasury.
The Emperor instructed Jinyang to focus his investigation on Consort Zhou, and the few servants around Huo Qinghe easily uncovered the truth about Consort Zhou in the main hall.
After all, the fact that Miao Xi ran into Consort Zhou on her way to deliver the goods that day was something that couldn't be kept secret.
"Some people saw that it was Consort Zhou who met Miao Xi and even talked with her for quite a while. But whether Consort Zhou actually saw His Majesty's reward is unknown."
Green Locust replied cautiously; she naturally wouldn't dare to make baseless accusations without solid evidence.
Green Cloud, standing to the side, was a little indignant. It was obvious that Consort Zhou had learned of the Emperor's reward and was jealous of their mistress, so she deliberately spread the word to incite jealousy among others.
Huo Qinghe hadn't expected it to be related to Consort Zhou, but hearing it from Luhuai and the others, she felt somewhat unsurprised.
Where did Consort Cao go after leaving Yanxi Palace?
It was almost noon, but Huo Qinghe had no appetite for food.
Greenie replied, "Madam. Madam Cao went to Funing Palace after leaving Yanxi Palace."
The maids had only just returned and were unaware that Empress Xue had gone to Funing Palace, nor did they know when Consort Cao had left Funing Palace.
This is caused by a lack of timely information.
This matter is detrimental to Huo Qinghe no matter what, which is why Huo Qinghe asked Lu Huai and the others to investigate.
It was just a reward, yet it easily aroused the emperor's dislike for her.
Anyone in this palace could easily push her over.
However, this might not be a bad opportunity for Huo Qinghe.
With the constant favor she has received, Huo Qinghe is now at the forefront of the harem's power struggles.
Recently, Huo Qinghe's favor has been second only to that of Consort Chi.
Huo Qinghe suddenly raised her hand to cover her mouth: "I suddenly have a cough. Go to the Imperial Hospital and ask the imperial physician to take a look at me."
Nowadays, she has only a low social status and a public image, so it's not surprising that she can't withstand any major setbacks and falls ill.
This was a retreat that Huo Qinghe chose voluntarily.
The gifts were bestowed by the government, and the news was spread by others.
However, Huo Qinghe herself chose to retreat, feign illness, and temporarily lose favor.
She could neither return the official's reward nor transfer the imperial reward to someone else.
Huo Qinghe stood up; feigning illness was second nature to her.
"Okay, I'll go in and lie down for a while."
Granny Wang stepped forward and helped Huo Qinghe up, saying, "It's good that you have a plan in mind, Madam."
What does temporary favor mean? In her eyes, the most precious thing is that her wife is willing to give up the favor she has now.
Huo Qinghe took Wang Mama's hand and said, "Since I am ill, I have no energy to see anyone. I will not see anyone who comes. In two days, it will be the first day of the month for paying respects. Please go to Kunning Palace to pay your respects and apologize for me on my behalf."
This statement indicates that Huo Qinghe's "illness" did not develop overnight.
Granny Wang remained unmoved: "Yes, this servant has remembered."
Huo Qinghe took off her shoes and socks and lay down on the bed, but didn't close her eyes immediately.
Right now, her elder sister is probably the angrier, knowing that her half-sister has received a valuable reward from the government.
Huo Yiyun was a former servant of the Prince's residence, so she should know more about Hongbao than she did.
If Huo Yiyun finds out she's sick, she'll probably be even angrier.
Huo Yiyun kept her around because she was useful, but she didn't want her to be too useful.
No rush, she couldn't push Huo Yiyun too hard.
She currently has too few bargaining chips.
"Open all the windows. I want to get some fresh air."
Since one is going to get sick, one naturally cannot be completely free of illness.
Huo Qinghe was not covered with a brocade quilt, nor was the curtain lowered; she simply let the wind blow in from all directions.
Serving the emperor so often these days has really worn Huo Qinghe out, so this is a chance for her to relax for a while.
As a result, Huo Qinghe didn't even know when Physician Xia came to take her pulse.
Several maids went in and out of the room, and the lunch was taken back to the imperial kitchen by Baosheng and the others and reheated.
With several other visitors also coming, the Yanliang Pavilion, though Huo Qinghe was in a deep sleep, did not find peace.
Huo Qinghe slept for half a day, and when she woke up again, the sun was already almost setting.
She was woken up by both hunger and heat.
It's unclear which maidservant covered her with several thick layers of brocade quilts, but Huo Qinghe almost couldn't breathe.
The moment she moved, Green Heart, who was guarding under the bed, noticed.
"My lady is awake? Let me help you up." Lvxin, the maid, doesn't often serve you, so thankfully she wasn't too flustered.
A soft pillow was placed behind Huo Qinghe's back. She glanced at the sky outside and asked the first question after waking up.
"Who has come to check on me while I've been in a coma?"
Green Heart quickly replied, "Lady Yi of Xianfu Palace is under house arrest, but her maid Cuiqiao came to visit. She heard that Lady Yi was unconscious and stayed for a long time before leaving. Later, Consort Xie of Zhongcui Palace also came to see you in person. She brought many things, but knowing that you were unconscious, she did not come in to disturb you. After that, Consort Fu of Xianfu Palace also sent someone to visit, saying that Consort Fu herself was not yet fully recovered, so she only sent someone to bring some things to see you."
Huo Qinghe expected Huo Yiyun to send someone to check, and she wasn't too surprised that Consort Fu sent someone.
It's quite unusual that Huo Qinghe only met Consort Xie a few times.
Green Heart continued, "After the imperial physician came to see her, Granny Wang went to the Imperial Household Department to remove the green plaque from the lady's name. Her Majesty the Empress, knowing that the lady was ill, also sent some things. She also told the lady to take good care of herself. Those rumors outside are just temporary."
"Even the Empress knows?" Huo Qinghe's eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion.
Green Heart said, "I heard that Her Majesty the Empress also went to Funing Palace before noon. However, Her Majesty the Empress is not in good health, and she also summoned the imperial physician after returning to Kunning Palace."
"It's really unpleasant to be sick at this time of year," Green Locust said as she brought in hot soup from outside.
"My wife has been asleep for a long time, let her have some chicken soup to fill her stomach first."
Huo Qinghe didn't ask Lvhuai to feed her; she simply held the bowl, blew on it once, and then drank silently.
"Put away everything that has been sent from various places. What did Physician Xia say?"
This was Huo Qinghe's second concern.
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