Chapter 118 Selection Begins
Fanghua knew her son understood. "Maybe not forcing him will bring unexpected benefits. He'll get used to it." But she wouldn't lie to Chenghu and tell him that his father only loved him.
It's always better to wake up to some things sooner rather than later.
In the previous life, many princes pursued their father's love, but what was the outcome?
Who got it?
Even Yinreng, whom he raised himself, did not receive his father's wholehearted love.
All that exists are imperial power tactics.
Chenghu did not respond; his eyes were filled with tears.
It's clear he was heartbroken.
Fanghua didn't try to persuade him too much; she just patted his back gently, letting him slowly accept the fact on his own.
If she lives in this life, then all the treatment that Yinreng received will no longer exist.
Therefore, it's best to let children see things clearly as early as possible.
"Your Majesty, I've remembered this, and I won't do it again."
Seeing her son's aggrieved look, Fanghua felt very sorry for him, but she couldn't change the fact.
Since we can't change it, we might as well not have any expectations in the first place; only in this way can we avoid getting hurt.
"Your son has enough with his Empress Mother. Empress Mother, you must never leave your son." Cheng Hu suddenly tightened his grip on Fang Hua's neck.
Fanghua was puzzled for a moment, but she thought that he had been frightened by what happened today. She patted his back and said gently, "Yes, Your Majesty will not leave you. I will always stay by your side."
Perhaps because he was enveloped in the warm and safe embrace of his mother, Chenghu fell asleep without realizing it.
Fanghua carried Chenghu back to her own bedroom, where she would sleep with her son tonight.
Children forget things easily, and when Fanghua saw Chenghu had recovered completely the next day, she felt relieved.
After spending a few more days with her son, she finally got to get down to business.
The selection process may not seem like a big deal, but everyone knows it means the imperial harem is about to welcome new members.
The Imperial Household Department had its own rules and regulations, and Fanghua didn't interfere much.
However, upon learning that many of the people she had arranged were still sent out of the palace by the Emperor, Fanghua gained a deeper understanding of imperial power.
She thought of the secret guards who served the emperor in her previous life.
He also knew that there were some things he couldn't hide from the Emperor.
Having experienced this cleanup, she knew she needed to be even more cautious in her future actions.
So she summoned several of her trusted confidants and instructed them to begin rearranging the plans.
"Granny, from now on, you will not appear in any external affairs. Qiaoling will be in charge of everything." Although she had arranged it this way before, Qiaoling and the others were not very capable at that time, so Granny Zhang usually took the lead.
Things are different now. Qiaoling and the others have all been trained and are more capable than Zhang Mama, so it's better for them to take the lead.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant will obey." When Zhang Mama learned that the Emperor had discovered the people she had planted in the other palace, she broke out in a cold sweat.
It wasn't that he was afraid the Emperor would blame him, but rather that he was afraid of implicating the Empress.
"From now on, you will take care of my daily life. Qiaoling can handle the rest."
Qiaoling stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant will certainly not fail you."
"Yes, from now on you will be working with Li Changfu. Li Changfu," Fanghua instructed again.
"Your servant is here."
"From now on, you and Qiaoling will be in charge of using your connections to threaten and gather information. Remember, do not act rashly. It is better to have fewer people than to expose too much." She uses drugs to control people, so it is important not to reveal this.
If the Emperor finds out, her good days will be over.
"Yes, this servant will remember."
Fanghua nodded in satisfaction. "However, the matter of training people outside the palace is a bit troublesome. Li Changfu, have you found the right person for me?" She had always wanted to find someone to completely manage the forces being trained outside the palace.
I wanted to use Milk Brother before, but Milk Brother was tied up with business. Our relationship was too close, and some things were really inconvenient.
Hesheli was even worse; there were some things she had to keep from them.
"Your Majesty, I have already chosen someone. When will Your Majesty summon him?" He had not forgotten this matter and had been observing him. He felt that Xiao Dezi (he had forgotten the name he had written before, so he would use this one from now on) was very suitable.
"Oh, if he's pleasing to your eye, he must be a good person. Bring him to meet me tomorrow." Fanghua hadn't expected that Li Changfu already had someone in mind.
Therefore, she should prepare more things.
Cultivating forces outside the palace takes time.
"yes."
After everything was arranged, Fanghua took a short rest.
Although she didn't care much about the selection process, the Imperial Household Department made it clear that they were reporting every little thing to her.
Even more cunning individuals compiled a list of outstanding candidates for the upcoming palace selection and presented it to her.
Several of them were people specifically requested by Emperor Kangxi.
The person who came to report was waiting for the Empress's reward. Seeing that the Empress remained silent for a long time, he was sweating profusely, afraid that he had done something wrong with his good intentions.
"Please give your instructions, Your Majesty." The person who came over was the deputy steward of the Imperial Household Department, who was now already trembling with fear.
Fanghua put down the picture book in her hand and said with a smile, "You've been very thoughtful."
They've already published a picture book, so how can it not be considered thoughtful?
However, this time they all misunderstood her meaning.
But you can't blame them.
"These are the ones you all think are promising?" Fanghua's voice was as gentle as a mountain stream.
Little did she know that those few words struck the heart of the deputy steward of the Imperial Household Department like knives, nearly scaring him to death.
"Your Majesty, everything is being done according to the rules. These are just a few candidates that this servant thinks are decent, and I wanted to let Your Majesty see them for herself."
Although he was the deputy chief steward, he had no real power. With the chief steward above him, he wanted to advance further, so naturally he wanted to find someone to attach himself to. Everyone said that the emperor and empress were of one mind, but he wanted to try it out.
Fanghua saw through his little scheme, but she wouldn't eat such a lucrative piece of meat as the Imperial Household Department in such an unseemly way.
After all, Kangxi was now yearning for real power. If she dared to touch power, she might not even be able to hold her position as empress.
Because of her repeated probing, Kangxi had already become suspicious, and now, regarding the selection of concubines, she was unwilling to be the first to step forward.
"No need. I trust you to handle things. I'm sure the Emperor has already made arrangements. Just follow the orders of the steward. After all, I'm in charge of the inner palace, and the Imperial Household Department is not under my jurisdiction."
Fanghua put the album away and then had Qiaoling return it to the deputy steward.
He had feelings for her too, but she didn't reciprocate. He was secretly having a blast.
"I suppose His Majesty has given you a list. Just do as His Majesty wishes. You may leave. I will keep this matter to myself."
Fanghua sent the man away, but naturally, he didn't skimp on the rewards.
After the deputy steward left Kunning Palace, a little tail followed him.
This person was arranged by Li Changfu.
Little Tail followed the deputy steward back to the Imperial Household Department before returning.
Fanghua and Qiaoling were discussing how to hide their own people when Li Changfu arrived.
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