Chapter 82 Talking Nonsense
If Fanghua knew that Zhang held a grudge against her because of a name, she might even be tempted to kill Zhang.
After all, nobody likes an ungrateful person.
The Imperial Concubine took excellent care of Lady Dong during her postpartum period, and the imperial physicians diagnosed that she could continue to bear children for the Emperor.
Niohuru asked Dong whether she wanted to stay in her Yongshou Palace or move out.
Even if she lived in Yongshou Palace, she was not allowed to recognize the princess. In order not to hurt her, the Consort allowed her to move out of Yongshou Palace.
Lady Dong was naturally reluctant to part with her daughter, but she also knew what the Imperial Concubine cared about.
Therefore, they proposed moving out of Yongshou Palace.
Although Yongshou Palace is nice, with the Imperial Concubine in charge, it's difficult for her to gain favor.
It would be better to go to another palace, so that I can earn another future.
The imperial concubine was very satisfied with her sense of propriety.
She informed the Empress of this matter when she came out of confinement to pay her respects.
Fanghua naturally did not object, since the parties involved had agreed.
Finally, Lady Dong chose Xianfu Palace in the Western Six Palaces.
Although she was a noblewoman, she was still not allowed to live in the main hall. However, a concubine had lived there before. But Li Jia was a clever woman. She did not occupy the East Hall, but instead lived in the Yulin Pavilion in the rear hall of Xianfu Palace.
As it turns out, Lady Dong used to live in the East Hall, so there was no obstruction between the front and back.
After Lady Dong moved to Xianfu Palace, the Imperial Concubine even held a housewarming banquet for her, which shows how good the Imperial Concubine was to Lady Dong.
It's a pity that some people just can't stand to see others doing well.
Take, for example, the scene unfolding before Fanghua's eyes.
Originally, she had only planned to make an appearance because of the Imperial Concubine, so she invited the Imperial Concubine to come together.
Unexpectedly, they witnessed this scene.
“Sister, I’m not trying to criticize you, but leaving Yongshou Palace was not a wise choice. It’s true that the Consort is favored, but she can’t have children. You’ll see the Emperor more often while you’re staying with her. I really don’t know what made you think of moving to such a far away palace.”
“If it were me, I would definitely cling to the Imperial Concubine and not let go. She took one of your children, so she should at least give you another one in return.”
The one who spoke was none other than Consort Zhang, the birth mother of the eldest princess.
When Fanghua and the others arrived, many concubines had already come.
Everyone sat together chatting happily, as if they had come with hearts full of blessings, each one of them so sincere.
But what he said was truly laughable.
"That's right. Among all of us who entered the palace together, you are the most fortunate. Look, you gave birth to the second princess in just one year. We are all very envious."
The one who spoke was Lady Li Jia, who lived in the same palace.
She considered herself to have a better family background than Madam Dong, and since she had been a concubine earlier than Madam Dong, and they were of equal status before, she always liked to show off in front of Madam Dong.
But ever since she became pregnant, Li Jia avoided Dong Shi whenever possible, because Dong Shi was carrying a golden child.
She thought that if she gave birth to a princess, she would at most be forgotten by the emperor like Consort Zhang, but she was lucky. She managed to curry favor with the Imperial Concubine and even got the Imperial Concubine to adopt her child.
I'm so jealous!
“Sister Zhang is right. If the Imperial Concubine took one of your children, she should return one to you. She can’t have children herself, so why should she take your child?”
This Li Jia is also a brainless person.
Listen to these words, aren't you afraid they'll reach the ears of the Imperial Concubine?
Fanghua looked at Niohuru beside her, her eyes full of teasing.
The imperial concubine's face was extremely pale at this moment.
She wanted to see how Lady Dong would respond, so she stopped the Empress from entering and shook her head at her.
Madam Dong's happy smile immediately vanished. "Li, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you drunk before you've even had a drink?" With a stern face, Madam Dong directly expressed her displeasure.
"It's the Second Princess's good fortune that the Imperial Concubine took her away. What do you mean she stole my child? All children born in the palace are the Emperor and Empress's children."
Lady Dong is sensible; after hearing these words, it's really hard to dislike her.
Fanghua felt that Zhang Shi might have misjudged her before.
"Besides, the Second Princess has already been recorded in the Imperial Concubine's jade tablet. From now on, you must not say that she is my child or that she is the Imperial Concubine's child."
Niohuru took a deep breath and then walked towards the main hall ahead of the Empress.
"Ms. Dong is a woman of good manners; I was not mistaken."
The imperial concubine's voice was abrupt, but it startled everyone in the room.
Upon hearing the sound, everyone immediately looked towards the people entering and saw the Imperial Concubine and the Empress entering the hall together. Those who had harbored ulterior motives earlier all turned pale.
"Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress, greetings to Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."
The Imperial Concubine did not rise. She stood in the seat of honor, looking down at the people who were bowing.
Especially those two talkative, fearful people.
"I had no idea that Consort Li was such a smooth talker. I must mention it to the Emperor. We can't let your eloquence go to waste."
Li Jia was so frightened that she fell to the ground, covered in a cold sweat. Without thinking, she immediately kowtowed to the Imperial Concubine and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I know I was wrong. Please punish me."
After saying that, she kowtowed several times forcefully.
That sound hurt just to hear it.
"Hmph, what crime has Consort Li committed? Tell me!" The Imperial Concubine glared at Li Jia.
Zhang was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground. At this moment, she dared not provoke any bad luck and instead cast a pleading look at the Empress.
Fanghua had seen everything she had done, so why would she help her?
I helped her before because she could give birth to a daughter, and I was willing to help her a little, hoping that her daughter could be used by her son in the future.
And now, she doesn't deserve it.
Such a viper might turn on you later.
Poisonous snakes should be killed with a stick.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I should not have spoken ill of the Second Princess. I deserve to die. Please forgive me."
Li Jia's mind returned to normal at this moment, and all her jealousy was scared away.
"It was only because I was jealous of Consort Dong that I spoke nonsense. Your Majesty, please spare my life."
Niohuru was really angry, but even in her anger, she didn't want Li Jia to die. However, she could escape the death penalty and live punishment.
"Hmph, Li Jia has spoken ill of the Second Princess and committed insubordination. Considering this is her first offense, she is to be punished by copying the palace rules one hundred times. She is not allowed to hang the plaque until she finishes copying them."
"If I ever hear anyone discussing my second princess again, Li Jia will suffer the same fate. Li Jia, do you accept your punishment?"
Lady Li was greatly relieved to hear that the Imperial Concubine had only punished her by making her copy the palace rules.
Although it would delay my time to serve the emperor, it was still better than being resented by the imperial concubine.
“This servant admits it; it was this servant who acted improperly.”
"Hmph, it's good that you know you're wrong. Go back and reflect on your actions. You're not allowed to leave your bedchamber until you've finished copying everything."
This is solitary confinement.
"Yes, I will go back and reflect on my actions."
Lady Li left the main hall and returned to her Jade Pavilion.
Zhang, who was kneeling there, felt a chill run through her entire body.
She felt two pairs of eyes staring at her.
Just as Niohuru was about to reprimand Zhang, Fanghua stopped her, saying, "For the sake of the eldest princess, let's just punish her by confining her to her quarters for three months."
The punishment wasn't severe, but it wasn't light either; being confined to one's quarters meant being forbidden from serving the emperor.
Lady Zhang had always wanted to conceive another prince, but the Empress's punishment meant she wouldn't see the Emperor for the next three months. It would be a lie to say she wasn't resentful.
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