The news that Consort Yi had been confined to her quarters quickly spread throughout the six palaces, both east and west.
After all, she was a Noble Consort of the third rank in the palace, and a former servant of the Prince's residence with an official title.
Consort Ming, who also held the rank of Noble Consort and had a title, was also a former member of the Prince's residence. However, she rose through the ranks from the fifth rank of Noble Lady. In fact, it was only because Consort Ming became pregnant that she was promoted to the third rank of Noble Consort.
Although she was promoted before giving birth, the Emperor had already made it clear that Consort Ming was promoted because a former concubine was pregnant. However, after giving birth, regardless of whether she was a princess or a prince, she would not receive any further promotions except for imperial favors.
Huo Yiyun had already reached the rank of Consort without having a child, which shows how much favor she had received in the past.
Those who had served in the former prince's residence knew best about Huo Yiyun's favoritism.
Being suddenly confined to the palace for three months was enough to stir up controversy among the women in the harem.
However, Consort Chi kept this matter well hidden; to be precise, it was the Emperor who was having dinner in Chengqian Palace who instructed her to keep it a secret.
In the end, Pei Yuanhui still gave Huo Yiyun some dignity out of consideration for their years of friendship.
After all, there are quite a few domineering women in the harem. Didn't Huo Yiyun often take action back in the Prince's residence? Every time, wasn't it personally carried out?
However, after the emperor ascended the throne, Huo Yiyun rarely took action.
The people in the harem had many speculations about this, and since Consort Fu happened to move to Xianfu Palace that day, all sorts of reasons and theories emerged.
Consort Zhou, who also lived in Yanxi Palace, naturally knew that Huo Qinghe had visited Xianfu Palace that day.
However, she herself had recently been confined to her quarters, so when she learned that Huo Yiyun had been confined for three months, Consort Zhou felt extremely pleased.
These two are used to not getting along.
As for Huo Qinghe, Consort Zhou was extremely pleased and naturally didn't bother to pay any attention to her.
Consort Zhou really wanted to crawl up to the wall of the main hall of Xianfu Palace to listen to Huo Yiyun's madness.
However, Consort Zhou's joy did not last long.
Consort Yi of Xianfu Palace was confined to her quarters, while Consort Chi of Chengqian Palace gained favor in the following days. Even if the Emperor did not stay overnight in Chengqian Palace, he would invite Consort Chi to Funing Palace to have lunch with him.
For a time, they were the talk of the town.
Perhaps because her elder sister Huo Yiyun was confined to her quarters, Huo Qinghe also suffered some neglect.
Huo Qinghe didn't feel wronged or embarrassed at not being summoned to the emperor's bedchamber. She quietly read books and practiced the pipa every day. After a month, Huo Qinghe's pipa skills had improved somewhat, but there was still a gap between her and being considered a minor master.
Consort Zhou continued to visit Empress Dowager Zhou's Cining Palace frequently as usual, but she was not summoned by the emperor.
The emperor seemed to have forgotten all the women in the harem.
Until May 28th.
The weather was fine that day, and Consort Zhou was in a good mood after paying her respects at Cining Palace. Every day before dawn, she would go to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Zhou. Besides trying to curry favor with Empress Dowager Zhou, she naturally also had the ulterior motive of hoping to run into the Emperor.
However, the Emperor has been busy with court affairs these past few days, and he usually has his attendant Jin Yang go to the Cining Palace to pay his respects on his behalf. Today is quite unusual, as she was able to run into the Emperor who had just finished court and was going to the Cining Palace to pay his respects.
"The weather is nice today, let's take a stroll in the Imperial Garden before heading back to Yanxi Palace." Consort Zhou's facial injuries had fully healed, and her smile was even brighter as she spoke.
Yu Zhi quickly agreed: "Yes. Today, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty have bestowed many gifts upon you, Madam. Your hard work these past few days has finally been recognized by His Majesty."
Consort Zhou raised her hand to look at the nail guards on her jade-like fingers. However, she had been serving Empress Dowager Zhou medicine for some time, and now her hands seemed to have developed calluses.
It's really not beautiful.
Consort Zhou gave a disgruntled snort: "Aunt is torturing me. You should have someone take the rewards back first, and I'll pick out all the jewelry when I return to the palace."
Consort Zhou loved gold and jade the most, and her jewelry box was always the most full, yet she never felt she had too much.
A head full of jewels is the best; it makes a person look energetic.
Yu Zhi responded, and the two of them fed the fish in the Imperial Garden for a while before returning to Yanxi Palace.
However, as they approached Yanxi Palace, Consort Zhou saw a young eunuch dressed in the attire of an imperial eunuch carrying something towards Yanxi Palace.
Consort Zhou, with her sharp eyes, exclaimed, "That's... Miao Xi, Jin Yang's apprentice? What's he holding in his hands?"
Seeing that his wife was in a good mood, he immediately smiled and said, "My lady, how long have you been out of Cining Palace? His Majesty must know that you have served me with filial piety and has sent someone to deliver a reward. I just wonder what it is?"
Yu Zhi's statement was not wrong, after all, Huo Meiren in Yanliang Pavilion had not been summoned recently, so it was impossible that the Emperor suddenly remembered Huo Meiren.
Only because of the previous encounter between the Emperor and her mistress did Yuzhi dare to say such flattering words.
Consort Zhou smiled upon hearing this: "Go tell Miao Xi not to leave. The sun is strong today. Tell him to deliver the things as soon as possible and then go back."
Yu Zhi said sweetly, "In the end, it is still Madam who is most considerate of her servants. This servant will go right away."
Miao Xi, who was walking forward not far away, was suddenly stopped and was a little flustered, but still followed the rules and went forward.
"Greetings to Madam Zhou, may Madam Zhou enjoy boundless blessings. May Madam have summoned me here for any instructions?"
Miao Xi was young, so she got straight to the point.
Consort Zhou sensed something was amiss upon hearing this. She gave a coquettish snort: "What are you going to Yanxi Palace to deliver? Isn't it for me?"
Miao Xi was at a loss after hearing this, and he hesitated for a moment.
"Yes, it was His Majesty who ordered it to be bestowed upon Consort Huo of Yanliang Pavilion."
He dared not utter a single extra word.
Consort Zhou and Yuzhi exchanged a glance, and finally Yuzhi understood and stepped forward.
At the same time, Consort Zhou spoke up leisurely.
"What is this gift? Let me see it and broaden my horizons."
At the same time, Yuzhi reached out and tried to lift the red cloth on the tray.
Although Miao Xi was young, he reacted very quickly. He took two or three steps back with his sharp eyes.
"They're just ordinary jewelry. Madam Zhou has a discerning eye; these things probably won't meet your standards."
Hearing Miao Xi's clumsy and perfunctory reply, Consort Zhou chuckled: "Since it is His Majesty's gift, how can there be any displeasing words? I am just taking a look."
With his master's reminder in mind, Miao Xi dared not say anything else and could only laugh bitterly.
"My lady, please don't make things difficult for me. I can't afford to be late for my duties."
Consort Zhou stopped smiling and suddenly let Miao Xi go.
Just as Miao Xi turned around, Lan Zhi suddenly fanned herself with a round fan.
A cool breeze blows, and the red light shines brightly.
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