Those who are interested will indeed know and notice that Lady Fu went to Yanxi Palace.
However, most people in the harem didn't take it to heart, including Consort Chi.
Consort Chi had known about this since Fu Shi left Chengqian Palace, but she didn't care much: "It's admirable that she could still lower her head to thank Xiao Huo. Even if she wanted to curry favor with Da Huo of Xianfu Palace, Da Huo is no pushover either. Fu Shi is currently running around like a headless fly. Have someone keep an eye on her and see when she returns."
It was nearly evening when Lady Fu returned to Chengqian Palace. It was said that Lady Fu did not stay long in Yanxi Palace, and it was unknown where she had gone to wander around again.
The two concubines, Zuo and You, were completely forgotten.
They originally thought that the matter concerning the Fu family was over, but little did they know that there was still a mess waiting for Consort Chi and Huo Yiyun.
The Emperor was overjoyed with the victory in the northern campaign, but he was too busy with state affairs to visit the inner palace for two or three days after spending the night at Xianfu Palace.
Upon entering the inner palace again, he went directly to Empress Xue's Kunning Palace.
To be precise, it was Empress Xue who sent someone to invite the Emperor.
Inside the Funing Hall.
As the crimson "准" character was finished with its last stroke, Pei Yuanhui stretched his hand slightly, and Jin Yang, standing beside him, quickly poured tea.
After watching the Emperor drink several sips, Jin Yang then mentioned the words the Empress had given him.
Pei Yuanhui glanced at her, but he would still give the Empress face.
He first stood up and went to the inner room to change into some comfortable everyday clothes before setting off for Kunning Palace.
As Pei Yuanhui stepped through the gate of Kunning Palace, he casually asked the palace attendants standing by, "What did the eldest princess learn today?"
The eunuchs outside Kunning Palace noticed the group slowly approaching early on. The bright yellow ceremonial carriage was particularly eye-catching, so they eagerly informed them of the arrival.
Therefore, when the Emperor went around the back door and stepped over the threshold, he could see Empress Xue standing gracefully inside, her hands neatly folded and placed in front of her, a slight smile on her beautiful and delicate face: "Your Majesty has arrived."
Xue Yinjia didn't miss the Emperor's question. While welcoming the person inside to take a seat, she replied as usual, "Mingniang learned many common phrases from the sisters today, and also learned a limerick, but her pronunciation is not very clear. After dinner, I will have the wet nurse bring her over to play with Your Majesty."
Pei Yuanhui waved his hand: "It's getting late. I'm afraid Mingniang will be afraid of the dark coming from Xiefang Palace. I'll have Xiefang Palace bring Mingniang to Funing Palace another day, that's the same as seeing her there."
Seeing this, Xue Yinjia lowered her head and said that she had not thought it through: "Ever since Mingniang learned to speak, she has never stopped for a moment. I'm afraid that if she goes to Funing Palace, she will disturb His Majesty's peace and quiet."
Chunbai brought in a copper basin, and Xue Yinjia stood up and wrung out a handkerchief to wipe Pei Yuanhui's hands, her slender fingers smooth and even.
Pei Yuanhui's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't react much: "Children's playfulness is what makes things interesting. Let's set out the meal."
The Emperor has always doted on his eldest daughter, Princess Fuming.
Dinner was naturally another lavish feast. Pei Yuanhui picked up a piece of fish in vinegar sauce with his chopsticks and chatted with Xue Yinjia when he had a spare moment.
"The war in the north has just ended, but there are still many memorials from various places... I have neglected the affairs of these children, and I will have to trouble the Empress to take good care of them."
Xue Yinjia followed Chunbai's lead and tasted the vinegar fish. She pursed her lips and said, "It is my duty to oversee the affairs of the harem. Your Majesty's words make me feel ashamed. However, it is all because of my poor health. Nowadays, there are quite a few troubles in the harem."
Pei Yuanhui hummed in response, swallowed, and then asked, "What's the matter?"
Xue Yinjia put down her chopsticks and sighed softly.
"It's all about Consort Fu. Consort Fu came to see me today. Recently, Consort Chi has indeed been using some underhanded tactics. I see that Consort Fu has become so thin that she's almost unrecognizable, which is quite pitiful. Furthermore, it was Consort Chi who arranged for the new concubines to be assigned to their respective palaces. If I had known this would happen, I should have stopped it back then."
Empress Xue's words sounded quite compassionate.
Pei Yuanhui gave a soft "hmm": "Consort Chi is much more composed now. She rarely throws tantrums anymore. On the other hand, Lady Fu, who has only recently entered the palace, is even more unsteady than Consort Zhou was at the beginning. Now she's even bothering the Empress..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Xue Yinjia again.
"Your Majesty's words are quite meaningless. It's true that Lady Fu nearly drowned during the Dragon Boat Festival, but who knows if Consort Chi was harboring vengeful intentions? If things continue like this, Lady Fu might die under mysterious circumstances, Consort Chi could easily escape unscathed, but I, as the Empress, would be hated by the entire Fu clan."
[On the fifteenth day of the lunar month, Madam Fu came to bother us once, and today she came crying for half the day. When Fuming was brought here by his wet nurse, the crying also made him cry for a while. Does she expect Madam Fu to come and bother us every day?]
[Consort Chi didn't throw a tantrum? Yes, Consort Chi handles palace affairs impeccably these days, but she's certainly not shy about being harsh and difficult behind the scenes. When Xiao Huo first entered the palace, wasn't she also harassed by the Imperial Kitchen because of Huo Yiyun? Does she really think she doesn't know that Consort Chi harbors resentment towards Huo Yiyun from their time as princes… Now the Emperor casually dismisses it with a simple "Consort Chi is competent," how amusing.]
Xue Yinjia cursed Consort Chi in her heart, but on the surface she still wore a gentle smile.
“Your Majesty is right. Who in the palace can be more reliable than Consort Chi these days? However, Consort Chi is busy managing the affairs of the six palaces, and sometimes she can’t take care of Consort Fu, who is also in Chengqian Palace. I think it would be better to move Consort Fu to another palace, so that Consort Chi will have one less thing to worry about.”
Pei Yuanhui continued to stare at Xue Yinjia, leisurely listening to Xue Yinjia's innermost thoughts.
[In the end, the Fu family hasn't done anything wrong; they're just a bit unruly. Furthermore, although the Fu family has declined and is no longer favored by His Majesty, they have countless disciples throughout the land. Who knows if any of their students will emerge as outstanding individuals? The younger generation of the Xue family are all mediocre; naturally, the clan needs to make plans for them soon.]
Since Lady Fu is now finding it difficult to survive in the palace, my act of helping her out will also make her remember my kindness. Why not do it?
Pei Yuanhui put down his chopsticks, bored and thoroughly annoyed by the farce.
Especially after hearing Empress Xue's jumbled thoughts.
"Since the palace is to be moved, shouldn't it still be arranged by Consort Chi? Besides, where does the Empress think Lady Fu should be moved to?" Pei Yuanhui lazily lowered his eyes.
Xue Yinjia noticed this and paused slightly: "Yes, there are still many palaces in the East and West Six Palaces that are empty, such as Consort Yi's Xianfu Palace, Consort Zhuang's Qixiang Palace, and Consort Cao's Zhongcui Palace. There is no need for Consort Chi to worry about this matter. Consort Zhuang and Consort Yi are both principal consorts and they are both old acquaintances. They can naturally handle such a small matter as moving palaces."
Pei Yuanhui frowned upon hearing this: "Consort Cao is pregnant, don't let her worry about these things. Consort Zhuang's health is only slightly better than yours, she's only concerned about the First Prince, forget it. How about Consort Yi's Xianfu Palace? The east and west side halls of Xianfu Palace are empty?"
Xue Yinjia's smile deepened: "Yes. Now that only the Huo family has a principal seat in Xianfu Palace, if the Fu family moves there, they can keep each other company."
Upon hearing the Empress mention the Huo family, Pei Yuanhui was momentarily dazed.
However, the first person she thought of was not Huo Yiyun from Xianfu Palace.
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