"Consort Huo has served the Emperor well, so it is only right that His Majesty bestows this upon her. There is nothing wrong with that. The value of the gift is not important. I remember that when I was still in the Prince's residence, the late Emperor also bestowed upon me two pairs of rubies. Although they are not as big as Your Majesty's pigeon egg, they can still be considered rare items. Why don't I bestow them upon Consort Cao and Noble Consort Ming?"
"This can be considered a small reward for their good fortune. As for others, I was unable to attend the Dragon Boat Festival due to illness, so let's give the harem a grand reward as a celebration of the festival."
This matter wasn't too difficult for Xue Yinjia, but figuring out how to convince the emperor to agree was indeed a challenge.
However, if Xue Yinjia were to say for sure, the Emperor's reward was indeed somewhat ill-considered.
Such items are no longer considered rare or unusual.
Rather, it was a unique item, a reward bestowed by the emperor when he conferred the title of king, so its significance was naturally even more different.
Even during the years when Xue Yinjia was the principal wife, and even now, after so many years as empress, she has never received such a reward.
However, as the mother of the nation, Xue Yinjia naturally had to appease the concubines, and her words were spoken in a very dignified manner.
Since they were jealous that Xiao Huo had received the Emperor's reward, they might as well bestow a large reward upon the entire harem.
Whether it's under the guise of a new talent entering the palace or a celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival, it's all plausible.
However, if the reward is given by the Emperor, it will naturally be more useful than if it is given by Empress Xue Yinjia.
Pei Yuanhui understood.
"Since the Empress wishes to bestow a reward, then so be it. Choose from my treasury."
He waved his hand dismissively, his tone extremely casual.
He didn't care about what the people in the harem thought. He had already given them the gifts, so why should he take them back?
Pei Yuanhui would indeed have someone investigate how the news got out.
The controversy itself is one thing, but whether the people around you keep their mouths shut and whether the people below keep their mouths shut is another matter entirely.
Whether it's the people serving him who aren't discreet, or Xiao Huo himself or those around him who aren't discreet, it's all the same thing.
Xue Yinjia paused, her lips pursed, and a faint smile appeared on her face: "Yes, then I am fortunate to benefit from Your Majesty's favor, saving me the trouble of opening the treasury."
"Actually, this matter is nothing more than Consort Huo wanting others to know that she received a reward. Your Majesty does not need to be too harsh."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanhui glanced at Xue Yinjia, then looked at her intently.
Ultimately, it's all due to the absurdity of His Majesty's reward. Little Huo, too, couldn't keep a small reward a secret and wanted the entire palace to know, needlessly causing all this trouble.
Pei Yuanhui waved his hand: "Miao Xi!"
His shout was rather loud, and it sounded like he was unhappy.
Miao Xi, who was standing outside, subconsciously glanced at his master across from him, but his master only glared at him.
Miao Xi shrank back and hurriedly entered the Funing Palace.
"His Majesty."
"Look at my reply: how did you send things to Consort Huo?"
Miao Xi instinctively looked up upon hearing the voice and replied without thinking.
【I don't know either. Oh dear, the other day when I went to Yanxi Palace to deliver something, I only ran into the persistent Lady Zhou. Although Lady Zhou wanted to see the reward His Majesty gave to Consort Huo, she didn't succeed. I thought that was the end of it after delivering the things to Consort Huo, but why are there still so many troubles waiting for me?】
Consort Zhou?
Pei Yuanhui didn't listen to Miao Xi's incoherent and rambling answer at all; he thought Miao Xi was a reincarnated bastard.
"Get out of here." Pei Yuanhui waved his hand.
"The truth of this matter has not yet been investigated, so Your Majesty need not rush to make such a judgment." Pei Yuanhui waved his folding fan, indicating that he should get up.
Xue Yinjia hadn't figured out why the Emperor had summoned Miao Xi in all this time, and in just a few words the Emperor had dismissed Miao Xi, which left Xue Yinjia even more confused.
What puzzled Xue Yinjia the most was the Emperor's words at this moment.
The Emperor has only summoned Xiao Huo a few times, and now he's already speaking up for him?
Xue Yinjia lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty has misspoke. Since Your Majesty has doubts about this matter, then I will have someone investigate it thoroughly."
Pei Yuanhui had already sat up and gotten off the bed: "Your health is weak, so don't worry about these things. I will have someone investigate the matter myself. It is the empress who is troubled by these matters in the harem."
Upon hearing this, Xue Yinjia cast a resentful glance at the Emperor.
Who started all this trouble?
Pei Yuanhui didn't even need to hear Xue Yinjia's inner thoughts to know the resentment in Xue Yinjia's heart at this moment.
He touched his nose, a rare hint of guilt in his expression.
After all, this wasn't the first time Pei Yuanhui had caused trouble for the Empress.
Ultimately, those in positions of power tend to do whatever they please with things they don't care about.
If it were matters of the imperial court, Pei Yuanhui would never act so arbitrarily.
Xue Yinjia stood up and said, "Considering the busy affairs of state, I will not stay any longer. Mingniang said she missed you a few days ago. I will bring Mingniang to Funing Palace again when I have time next time."
Upon hearing Xue Yinjia mention Princess Fuming, Pei Yuanhui's expression visibly softened.
"Alright. It's getting hot, I'll visit Fuming whenever I have time. The Empress should also take care of herself."
Xue Yinjia stood up with a gentle smile on her lips. The young couple held hands, but it was only for a second before they parted.
After personally seeing Empress Xue off from Funing Palace, Jin Yang returned. Before entering Funing Palace, he first raised his hand and tapped Miao Xi's head with his whisk.
"Fool."
Miao Xi didn't dare to talk back, but he was still beaten so badly by his master that he was wincing in pain.
Jin Yang didn't linger. Hearing the official inside call for tea, he quickly took the hot tea that Miao Xi was carrying and went into the hall.
"His Majesty."
Pei Yuanhui was already seated in the armchair, and the memorials piled on his desk finally needed to be reviewed.
"Go and investigate yourself." Pei Yuanhui tapped the table and said only this one sentence.
“Investigate Consort Zhou first,” Pei Yuanhui added.
Jin Yang was slightly taken aback, but he naturally understood what the Emperor wanted him to investigate.
However, the emperor is known for his absolute authority and uncanny foresight.
This is probably just the nature of an emperor; in Jinyang's eyes, no one could hide any little tricks from the emperor.
Jin Yang bowed and readily agreed.
Pei Yuanhui lowered his head and drank a cup of tea without changing his expression.
"Then, the lotus flowers that Lady Cao sent?" Jin Yang asked uncertainly.
Pei Yuanhui put down his teacup and sneered, "You've done a terrible job. Get everything out of here."
All? That means even the things that Lady Huo sent yesterday were taken away.
Jin Yang thought to himself, "Is the Emperor also dissatisfied with Consort Huo because of this?"
Pei Yuanhui, as if thinking of something, added, "Are there any rubies left from last time? Find them and make another pair of earrings. Send them to Yanliang Pavilion."
Pei Yuanhui is the kind of person who loves to do the opposite of what others dislike about him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com