Chapter 149 The Argument Between Consort De and Noble Lady Sun
"Your Majesty, today Consort De and Noble Lady Sun had a conflict. Consort De couldn't control Noble Lady Sun and is heading towards Kunning Palace."
Li Changfu hurriedly came in from outside to report, since Consort De should be arriving soon.
Fanghua felt a headache coming on; Kangxi was inhuman.
You can spoil her all you want, but you should at least give her a warning. What gave Consort Sun such confidence that she dares to disrespect even the Empress Dowager?
That will really cause her trouble.
"I understand. You wait outside. If she comes, tell Consort De that I am still taking a nap and to have her wait."
I've never seen anyone so useless. I thought he was a formidable person, but ever since he changed his gender, he can't even keep a powerful person in check.
"yes."
After Li Changfu left, Fanghua asked Qiaoling beside her, "Has the medicine over there been stopped?"
Qiaoling nodded, "It's already stopped, but it has damaged the foundation, and I'm afraid it will affect my lifespan in the future."
Qiaoling didn't know whether to say that Consort De was lucky or just lucky.
The Empress originally intended to send her away, but unexpectedly, the Emperor's incident occurred, which is why her life was spared.
But she was not satisfied at all, constantly making little moves, as if the Empress were made of clay.
"Your Majesty, this servant does not understand. If you cannot keep her alive, why show mercy?" Qiaoling wanted to ask this at the time, but seeing that Her Majesty was busy, she did not ask.
Now that the Empress has brought this up, she naturally wants an answer.
"Is someone you know better easier to deal with, or someone new?" Fanghua said calmly.
Qiaoling immediately understood upon hearing this.
"Your Majesty is so wise; I didn't even think of that."
The Emperor will definitely take in new concubines in the future. It would be better to keep Consort De, who is short-lived and has a failing health. At least she has two princesses and can occupy a principal position.
"Alright, stop flattering me. When she arrives, don't be impolite. If she can't wait and wants to leave, respectfully escort her to the palace gate."
She didn't want to see Consort De, but after all, she was the Empress, and there were some things she couldn't ignore.
But it's still good that it can curb her arrogance; at least she's happy.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will certainly not bring shame upon you."
Fanghua waved her away dismissively.
Outside, Consort De rushed to Kunning Palace in a rage.
Upon arriving at the gate, he explained his purpose to the eunuch guarding the entrance.
The young eunuch didn't make things difficult and respectfully invited the person into Kunning Palace.
Qiaoling was also waiting in front of the main hall. When she saw Consort De arrive, she immediately stepped forward to greet her respectfully.
"Greetings to Consort De, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
Although Consort De was arrogant, she was also self-aware and would not do anything improper in Kunning Palace.
"It's Miss Qiaoling! Please rise quickly. Is Your Highness free these days?" She was truly furious today.
How dare a mere noblewoman talk back to her? I really don't know who gave her the audacity.
If she doesn't get justice for herself today, how will people view her in the future?
Hmph, does she really think Consort De is easy to bully?
"Her Majesty is still taking a nap. She's been very busy lately, so please forgive her and wait a little longer, Consort De." Qiaoling ushered her into the main hall and then answered Consort De's question.
Upon hearing that the Empress was taking a nap, Consort De felt a pang of anxiety. She feared this was a warning from the Empress, since she had previously been somewhat disloyal to her.
Having harbored a competitive spirit, she now came to the Empress's door seeking favor, fearing that the Empress would side with Consort Sun.
"It was my rashness, but there was a reason for it, and I had no choice but to come and report to Her Majesty the Empress." Consort De dared not speculate further, but she explained her purpose.
"This matter still needs Your Majesty the Empress to decide for me. Since Your Majesty is taking a nap, let's wait." She absolutely could not leave Kunning Palace at this moment, otherwise, people outside would laugh at her.
Knowing her temperament, Qiaoling didn't try to persuade her further. "Yes, then this servant will serve Your Highness some tea and snacks. Thank you for waiting."
"It's alright."
An hour passed, and just as Consort De was about to lose patience, Fanghua was helped into the main hall.
"This servant is ignorant and has kept Consort De waiting." Fanghua walked into the hall with a smile, apologizing.
"I wonder what business Consort De has with me?" Fanghua asked directly after taking her seat in the main seat.
Consort De was already anxious, and now that the Empress had taken the initiative to inquire, she naturally recounted all her grievances.
"It's not that I'm being unforgiving, but Consort Sun is just too lawless. She actually dared to talk back to me in public and doesn't respect the rules set by Your Majesty at all."
Consort De was a woman of many words.
Listen to these words. The rules of the harem were not made by the Empress, yet she attributed the credit to the Empress. That's quite a flattery.
Fanghua, as she wished, smiled and said, "You, a palace mistress, can't even handle a mere concubine? Consort De, you are too gentle. This won't do."
Fanghua seemed helpless against her temperament, and then said, "In that case, I will have someone summon Consort Sun for a confrontation, so that no one will say that I am biased."
Consort De rose to express her gratitude, saying, "It is only right. Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. It is not that I cannot stand up, but that Consort Sun has become lawless because she gave birth to the thirteenth prince." While expressing her gratitude, she did not forget to complain.
Fanghua wouldn't believe just one side of the story, but Consort Sun really needed to be taught a lesson, otherwise she wouldn't know her own limitations and would become annoying.
"Li Changfu," Fanghua called out.
A moment later, Li Changfu entered. "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"
He had already investigated what happened between Consort De and Noble Lady Sun in the Imperial Garden.
She knew why the Empress had summoned her, but she couldn't let Consort De know too late, as it would be disrespectful to laugh at her in front of everyone.
"Summon Consort Sun for questioning. If she makes any excuses, arrest her immediately."
She also disliked Consort Sun, so naturally she wouldn't give her any face.
"yes."
Li Changfu responded and then left.
While waiting, Consort De did not forget to chat with the Empress, and she talked most about her two princesses.
“The princess is indeed adorable. Consort De can take her out more often when she has time. A two-year-old child cannot be kept cooped up in the palace all the time.”
When Fanghua heard her talk about her child, she also developed a fondness for her.
After all, she is a mother who thinks only of her child, so she is more likely to be a mother who loves her child.
Despite her previous dissatisfaction with Consort De, it's clear that she cares deeply for the two princesses, so she's naturally more willing to show her kindness.
"Yes, the weather is nice now, so I often take the princess out for walks." As she said this, Consort De's expression turned grim again.
"After all, I haven't given birth to a prince for the Emperor, which has made me lose some confidence. Fortunately, Your Majesty is kind, otherwise I really wouldn't know how to conduct myself."
His face was filled with sorrow, and his eyes were full of disappointment.
"You're still young, maybe you'll be able to give the Emperor a son next year. The princess is still young, what's wrong with waiting a little longer?" Fanghua didn't know how to comfort her.
Anyway, she didn't intend for her to give birth to a prince.
Of course, the official statements still need to be made.
But only family members know their own situation. She might not have known before, but in the past two years, she has seen many things clearly, such as her health.
Yes, Consort De already knew she could not have children.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have come to the Empress seeking justice after being mistreated by a nobleman.
Given her usual personality, she would have already fought back herself.
Right now, she lacks confidence.
Although her rank was higher than that of Madam Sun, she was not as confident as Madam Sun.
But she couldn't reveal that she couldn't have children, so she said, "I'll take Your Majesty's auspicious words as a sign."
While the two were chatting, Li Changfu came in to report.
"Alright, bring them in."
Upon learning that Consort Sun had arrived, Fanghua immediately waved for her to come in.
Although Consort Sun was less respectful to others, she had been disciplined by the Empress and, recalling the days she was imprisoned, she became more reserved and respectful in front of the Empress.
After all, she didn't want to be locked up again.
That's not a life for a human being.
"This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace. I also extend my greetings to Consort De. May Consort De enjoy boundless blessings."
Sun dared not cause any trouble and respectfully greeted them.
Seeing her obedient appearance, Consort De was very disdainful.
After all, she knew that it was Sun who was pretending.
Consort De turned her head to the side, refusing to look at her, lest she blurt out something she couldn't help but say.
After all, this is the Kunning Palace.
Fanghua saw Consort De's actions clearly and smiled helplessly. It seemed that Consort Sun had really angered her this time.
"Get up." Fanghua said, waking the person up. Then she continued, "Consort De said that you openly defied her in the Imperial Garden. Is that true?"
If it weren't for the need to reprimand Sun, she really wouldn't have bothered with such a trivial matter.
Consort Sun, who had just stood up, immediately knelt down again upon hearing the Empress's words. "Your Majesty, please be wise! I did not do it. Please investigate thoroughly."
This was her instinctive reaction, and she was also frightened by the Empress.
This shows how much she feared the Empress.
Fanghua didn't respond to her words, but instead looked at Consort De. "Consort De, you speak first, so that others won't say that I am biased. It's a good opportunity for you two to confront each other. No matter who is right or wrong, I will definitely handle it impartially."
Upon hearing the Empress's words, Consort Sun, who was kneeling below, couldn't help but shudder.
Because she knew she was in the wrong regarding the matter with Consort De.
If the Empress really takes this seriously, then there's a 100% chance she'll be punished.
Before Consort De could speak, Noble Lady Sun immediately admitted her mistake.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I know I was wrong. Please have mercy on me." She had been hoping for a lucky break just now, but now she dared not have even the slightest bit of hope left.
She should admit her mistake now, otherwise who knows how the Empress will punish her.
"Oh, so you admit your mistake now? Why did you ask me to investigate earlier? Consort Sun, do you know the consequences of deceiving me?"
At this moment, the Empress's smile vanished completely, leaving only deep seriousness.
"This concubine knows her mistake, please forgive me, Your Highness. This concubine truly knows she was wrong." Consort Sun broke down immediately, "Waaah, this concubine shouldn't have humiliated Consort De. This concubine broke the rules, Your Highness, please spare my life."
The way she said that made anyone who didn't know better think that the Empress was some kind of cruel person. Looking at Consort Sun, who was crying her eyes out below her, Fanghua looked at her with disgust.
She looked at Consort De, her eyes conveying, "You've been bullied by people like this?"
Consort De also felt her face burning intensely.
After all, she never expected that Consort Sun would be so pathetic in front of the Empress.
"Hmph, you may be spared the death penalty, but you can escape punishment. Since you are so ignorant of the rules, I will punish you by making you copy the palace rules ten times as a warning to others."
Although Fanghua is the Empress, Consort Sun is still the birth mother of a prince. If the punishment is too severe, it will not look good to the Thirteenth Prince.
So the only punishment was to make her copy the palace rules, "which will be personally inspected by Consort De. If she is satisfied, then you have completed it." It was a small perk for Consort De.
It would also allow outsiders to see what lower-ranking concubines should and shouldn't do.
If everyone were to disrespect higher-ranking concubines like Sun Keke did, who would respect her as Empress in the future?
"Are you willing?" Fanghua asked.
Consort Sun knew that this was the Empress avenging Consort De, but how could she dare to refuse?
"I am willing. It was all my fault. I am willing to apologize to Consort De."
After saying this, she knelt down next to Consort De. Her makeup was already ruined by crying, and she was no longer pretty; in fact, she looked rather ridiculous.
"Your Highness, please calm down. It was all my fault. Please forgive me and let it go."
But it must be said that Consort Sun is an interesting person; listen to her, she really doesn't care about saving face.
Consort De was very displeased that the woman was grabbing her skirt, after all, the woman's hands were covered with her tears, which she found dirty.
"I will follow Her Majesty the Empress's orders. Since Her Majesty has asked you to copy the palace rules, then go back and reflect on your actions while copying them. I hope you can change your arrogant and disrespectful attitude in the future."
Consort De's words were very pleasing, but she never said she forgave anyone, yet she couldn't find any fault with them.
Fanghua didn't want to listen to Consort Sun's nagging; it gave her a headache.
"Alright, since that's the case, Consort Sun, you may go back now. Once you've copied it, hand it over to Consort De for review."
Just don't bother her.
"Yes, this concubine takes her leave."
Consort Sun's plea to Consort De was interrupted by the Empress's words. Hearing the Empress tell her to leave, she had no choice but to kowtow and depart.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, the Empress would be displeased and she would be confined again.
Today, she was only punished by copying the palace rules, but she wasn't confined to her quarters.
"Yes, this concubine takes her leave."
After paying her respects to the Empress and Consort De, Consort Sun stepped back and left the main hall.
Consort De was also somewhat embarrassed. She hadn't expected Noble Lady Sun to act this way. If she had known that Noble Lady Sun was so afraid of the Empress, she should have come earlier. She shouldn't have argued with her in the Imperial Garden and lost face.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for standing up for me." Consort De was truly grateful to the Empress at this moment.
Fanghua waved her hand, "No need to thank me, it's my duty." Fanghua smiled at Consort De, this was the first time she had thanked her so sincerely, she was really straightforward, "You should pay more attention to Consort Sun's copying of the palace rules."
"Yes, Your Highness, I will certainly live up to your expectations." Consort De was very happy to accept this important task.
What could be a better outcome?
Consort Sun, just you wait and see.
"Alright, it's getting late. You should go back soon so the princess won't worry."
Fanghua spoke up, telling people to leave.
Consort De consciously rose, bowed, and took her leave.
After the person left, Fanghua couldn't help but burst out laughing when she looked for Qiaoling beside her.
"Your Majesty, these two are truly hilarious," Qiaoling couldn't help but exclaim.
Fanghua nodded, "It's just funny, isn't it? Look at the two of them, all they're doing is arguing over that little bit of face."
"Alright, stop laughing. Go see if Chenghu is back yet. He should be back around this time usually."
She's been very happy these days, spending time with her two sons.
Chenghu is no longer like before, hiding in the study to read as soon as he gets home. Now, as soon as he gets off school, he comes to play with his younger brother and keep his mother company. It's truly a scene of family bliss.
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