Pei Yuanhui remained unmoved upon hearing this. If one did not listen to what the two were saying, from a distance one would likely think they were a loving mother and son.
The eighteen-bead red agate in his hand stopped turning: "The Empress's health has been poor ever since she gave birth to Mingniang at the Prince's residence, and Consort Chi has been in charge of managing the affairs of the six palaces. The Empress Dowager said that the harem is lacking a person in charge, and Consort Chi must not hear this. Otherwise, she will come to her son and make a scene."
"As for Consort Zhou... Consort Zhou is charming and lovely, and my son naturally adores her. How could he possibly blame her? Your Majesty is too kind."
Pei Yuanhui paused deliberately for two seconds when he mentioned Consort Zhou.
After hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhou revealed a half-smile: "I take the Emperor's words to heart. Yesterday I met with Grand Tutor Zhou. He is now old and has long reached the age to retire. The Zhou family cannot compare to the Chi family, who fought bravely for the Emperor in the imperial court. Although they have merit in supporting the Emperor, their only disciples are ultimately loyal to him. As long as Consort Zhou serves the Emperor in the harem and makes him comfortable, that is enough."
Having been immersed in the palace for many years, how could Pei Yuanhui not understand the deeper meaning in the Empress Dowager's words?
On the surface, the Empress Dowager's words appeared to be an act of appeasement and speaking on behalf of the Zhou family, but in reality, every word she uttered contained a sharp edge.
The claim that Grand Tutor Zhou is too old to retire is false; in reality, the Empress Dowager's younger brother is doing very well as the Transport Commissioner of Jingdong Road this year, and it is foreseeable that he will be promoted to the central government after being examined by the Ministry of Personnel next spring.
Furthermore, the fact that the Zhou family has countless students is something every scholar knows. How can they compare to the Chi family in terms of fighting valiantly on the battlefield? I'm afraid that nowadays, people only know that the Zhou family has countless students, and the Chi family's reputation is not as good as the Zhou family's.
Pei Yuanhui's expression remained unchanged, and he even gave a faint smile: "What the Empress Dowager says is true. Consort Zhou's service is naturally the best and most comfortable. Grand Tutor Zhou has cultivated countless civil officials for the court. I originally thought that when Grand Tutor Zhou reached a certain age, he would go to the Imperial Academy to serve as the regent."
Empress Dowager Zhou clearly didn't want to discuss this topic for too long. She waved her hand, "Your Majesty, it's best not to discuss matters of state with me. You can make those decisions yourself. Alright, Consort Ming had a miscarriage last night, so I had someone find a century-old ginseng root from the storeroom. Your Majesty can just deliver it to her. I only hope that Your Majesty will have many children..."
Empress Dowager Zhou's words finally had some sincerity.
People tend to be more compassionate as they get older. When Empress Dowager Zhou heard last night that Consort Ming had suffered a miscarriage, she repeatedly said "What a terrible thing to do!"
This compassion wasn't directed at the emperor; it was simply because she couldn't bear to see the harem without children.
Having seen too much in the past, now that Empress Dowager Zhou is this age, just hearing about it makes her feel choked up.
As for how many undercurrents will emerge after this incident, that's someone else's business.
After Pei Yuanhui came out of Cining Palace, Jin Yang behind him was carrying a lot of tonics, which were naturally the tonics that the Empress Dowager said she would give to Consort Ming.
Pei Yuanhui's memorials were still piled up in the Funing Palace, but since the Empress Dowager had already spoken, he naturally had to put on a show of politeness.
Furthermore, since Consort Ming is currently refusing to see anyone, the Emperor will naturally have to go and check on her.
So when the emperor said he wanted to proceed to Chuxiu Palace, Jinyang was no exception.
Although Consort Ming was a former servant of the Prince's residence, she was timid and incompetent. While she was still a prince, she was not disliked by the Emperor, but she was certainly not liked.
After the Emperor ascended the throne, Consort Ming's rank was neither high nor low. It was only after Consort Ming became pregnant that she became very uneasy and anxious and begged the Emperor for a promotion.
However, after Consort Ming made this request, the Emperor was no longer keen to see her.
Even though Consort Cao, who was pregnant later, was occasionally unruly, Princess Jinyang could still see clearly in front of the Emperor that Consort Cao's importance in the Emperor's heart was definitely greater than that of Consort Ming.
The Emperor stayed in Chuxiu Palace for quite a while, which was not originally necessary. However, when the Emperor came out of the main hall of Chuxiu Palace, Consort Xu rushed out to apologize, which caused the delay.
Huo Qinghe was slower to receive news. She only learned that the Emperor had gone to Chuxiu Palace and that Consort Qin had been punished when he came out of Chuxiu Palace.
Qin has now agreed.
Huo Qinghe really had no memory of this Qin Cairen from before.
"I only remember that Consort Qin was a former servant of the Prince's residence, but since entering the palace, I have never heard of the Emperor summoning Consort Qin for his favor."
Huo Qinghe was sitting on the bed. Seeing that it was hot, Lvhuai and the others had already changed to cool mats. While talking, she also hugged the bamboo mat to cool off, which saved the maids from having to fan her.
Wang Mama was sewing mosquito repellent pouches on the side: "This servant has only heard a little. I heard that when Consort Qin was in the Prince's residence, the Empress recommended her. Her family background is average, and Consort Qin has always been dependent on the Empress. However, after the Emperor ascended the throne, Consort Zhuang and Consort Ruan devoted themselves to serving the Empress, and Consort Qin was gradually forgotten."
Huo Qinghe said "Oh," and placed Madam Zhu on her lap: "Where does Consort Qin live? Is it in the Western Six Palaces? Judging from what the nanny said, Consort Qin doesn't seem to need to do such a stupid thing."
But if that's the case, then the poor quality earrings can be explained.
Wang Mama thought for a moment, realizing that there were so many concubines in the palace that she had forgotten about them.
Luyi chimed in, her memory sharp: "Lady Qin lives in the east wing of Qixiang Palace."
Sure enough, Qixiang Palace is one of the six western palaces. Since it is near Chuxiu Palace, the story makes it even more plausible.
Presumably, Qin Yingying would have no way to defend herself.
Huo Qinghe's heart tightened, naturally realizing that the truth behind this was definitely not as simple as it seemed.
"Fortunately, Consort Ming is unharmed this time. Otherwise, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Empress or the Imperial Concubine would have let it go so easily."
Granny Wang was sewing a medicine pouch with her head down. She embroidered very slowly, but the stitches were very dense and felt comfortable to the touch.
Huo Qinghe leaned back against the large pillow: "Has His Majesty gone to see Consort Ming? Fine, I'll read for a while. I won't take the medicine the imperial physician prescribed."
The so-called fright was just an excuse, and Huo Qinghe was naturally too lazy to take medicine and torture herself.
The Emperor is probably preoccupied with Consort Ming and Consort Cao these past two days, so let's just wait patiently.
The first day of the lunar new year will be in a couple of days, then things will get really lively.
It doesn't matter who Qin Shi took the fall for; all that matters is that Huo Qinghe doesn't end up like Qin Shi.
We must be careful at every step and not let our guard down.
Huo Qinghe waited until evening, when she heard that the Emperor had gone to Consort Cheng's place.
It's not that it's strange.
After all, Consort Ming still refused to see anyone, while Consort Cheng had truly miscarried and lost her child. It was not surprising that the Emperor would think of Consort Cheng at this time.
However, one woman was pregnant, another miscarried, and even when Huo Qinghe slept soundly at night, her hands would still unconsciously intertwine under the quilt on her lower abdomen.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com