Chapter 54 A Newcomer Emerges, Ma Jia's Resentment Runs Deep
When the Empress fell ill, the concubines naturally had to come and attend to her.
Fanghua turned them all away, and even Consort Niohuru was only sent a message; she didn't actually see her.
Emperor Kangxi would come to check on her every day and no longer stay overnight, which made Fanghua very satisfied.
The Empress was ill for half a month, and Fanghua recovered after being diagnosed by the imperial physician.
The harem then resumed its custom of paying respects.
However, one person was missing from this greeting: Consort Hui.
Fanghua actually knew why she didn't come.
The reason was simple: the gender of the child in Consort Hui's womb had been determined.
After the Empress Dowager learned of this, she had Consort Hui move to her palace.
Although she was closer to the Empress Dowager, it was still safer, so Consort Hui was naturally happy.
Today was supposed to be the first day for Empress Kangfu to pay her respects, but the Empress Dowager sent someone to ask for leave.
The Empress Dowager has already sent someone to ask for leave, so how could she possibly refuse?
Therefore, Consort Hui was absent today.
Fanghua didn't think anything of it, but some people below started to cause trouble, and Fanghua was overjoyed to see this.
After all, palace dramas are the most captivating.
“Even if Her Majesty the Empress is kind, Consort Hui shouldn’t be so arrogant and presumptuous.” It was Lady Ma Jia who spoke.
This woman is quite remarkable, possessing not only a captivating face but also a soft, supple body unlike any Manchu.
She appears gentle and kind, but once she opens her mouth, you can hear a lot about her true nature.
This wasn't the first time they'd interacted. This woman had been quite favored after entering the palace, but it was unclear when she had crossed paths with Consort Hui.
"It's normal for Consort Hui to be a little delicate during her pregnancy. Noble Lady Ma Jia shouldn't make assumptions." Fanghua's eyes were gentle, and her tone carried a hint of reminder to Noble Lady Ma Jia.
Upon hearing this, Lady Ma assumed that the Empress was upset because Consort Hui was pregnant and was unwilling to vent her anger.
So she spoke again, saying, "Even so, we cannot break the rules. Our Great Qing Dynasty is the most particular about rules, isn't it?"
Well, this girl has a mouth, she can say more.
Fanghua drank tea in silence.
The other noble ladies who entered the palace at the same time all looked at Ma Jia. Those who knew the inside story felt that she was too bold, daring to offend even the Empress Dowager's niece.
But those unaware of the inside story thought she was the one who was spoiled and arrogant.
After all, how dare you, a noble person, discuss the rank of imperial concubine?
"Oh, I didn't expect you, Lady Ma Jia, to be so particular about rules. When you become pregnant, you must set a good example. I will personally petition the Emperor for you to be rewarded." Lady Niohuru chuckled.
This is quite a remarkable person. I just don't know when she developed a grudge against Consort Hui. "Your Majesty, what Lady Ma Jia said is also true. I think she should be rewarded, after all, she respects you as the Empress."
Fanghua swallowed hard, then looked at Niohuru, and seeing the mockery on her face, she knew that Niohuru was up to something.
With a helpless expression, she said, "You are all good people. Consort Hui is pregnant, so we should all be understanding. From now on, I will exempt you from paying your respects when you are pregnant."
She was a virtuous empress; how could she use the birth of children by concubines to set rules?
No matter where you look, she's always the one being unreasonable.
“Noble Lady Ma Jia is kind and clever. I remember that last time His Majesty sent some gold and kingfisher feather earrings. I saw that Lady Ma Jia had bright eyes and a beautiful face, so I took out those pieces and gave them to Noble Lady Ma Jia.”
Youth is also a time of grandeur.
Those gold earrings were given away so casually. You should know that they were all exquisite pieces from the Imperial Household Department, not to mention that they were given by the Emperor himself.
Of course, it was precisely because it bore the insignia of the Imperial Household Department that Fanghua was so generous.
This thing is just for show; she doesn't like wearing it anyway. It's perfect to give it to her as a reward when watching a play.
Ma Jia was also surprised that the Empress would be so generous. After all, how could the things given by the Emperor be of poor quality?
Although her Ma Jia clan had some wealth, it was incomparable to that of the royal family.
Soon, Qiaomeng came out carrying a tray with several pairs of gold and kingfisher feather earrings on it.
Everyone was overjoyed upon seeing it; what woman doesn't love such jewelry?
"Ma Jia, please choose one or two. I will grant you two pairs, how about that?" Fanghua said to Ma Jia with a smile.
Qiaomeng carried the jewelry tray and walked towards Consort Ma Jia. She curtsied before her and said, "Greetings, Consort. Please make your selection."
Those sitting next to Ma Jia took a closer look and were all filled with envy.
They want such good things too.
Ma Jia quickly expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I won't stand on ceremony then."
"Don't be shy, take it, take what you like."
Niohuru naturally saw what Qiaomeng had taken out, her lips twitched, and she cursed inwardly for the empress's pretentious generosity.
She doesn't have many of the good things that the Imperial Household Department has.
Ma Jia was a smart woman; she stopped after selecting two mediocre items.
"Your Majesty, I have made my choice."
As she spoke, she picked up the two pairs of earrings she had chosen.
"Okay, that's good." Fanghua waved her hand, signaling Qiaomeng to come back.
She wasn't truly selfless, giving away all the good things; naturally, she wouldn't be rewarded without merit.
Both Yehenara and Fuca felt envious as they looked at the arrogant Magia clan today.
When Qiaomeng returned, Fanghua selected a set of pink earrings and said to the honest and dutiful Zhang Shi below her, "Noble Lady Zhang, take this pair back for the princess to play with."
Zhang hadn't expected that she would be involved, so she immediately got up to express her gratitude and accept the gift.
"Alright, I have plenty of these rewards. As long as you all serve the Emperor well and produce many offspring, you will receive these rewards. Nara agrees, this pair is for you. Take good care of the little prince."
Then he took out a pair and handed them to the extremely docile Nara clan below him, as a warning and also as an encouragement to everyone.
Apart from Lady Ma Jia, both of them had children in the harem.
"Yes, thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. This servant will certainly serve His Majesty well and take good care of the young prince."
Nara was terrified of the Empress after the incident where a palace maid from Kunning Palace climbed into her bed.
I always try to avoid it, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Now that she has finally gained some favor, she is unwilling to be suppressed by the Empress again.
The arrival of new concubines already leaves little room for these older women to survive. If the Empress takes a liking to her now, her future days will be anything but easy.
The morning greetings passed by beautifully.
After everyone had left, Niohuru said quietly, "Her Majesty the Empress is so generous, giving away such a fine thing so readily."
Fanghua felt helpless towards her. The miscarriage was like breaking the shackles of Niohuru, and now she liked to argue with everyone she met.
If Fanghua hadn't sensed her malice, she wouldn't have wanted to talk to her at all.
"Alright, stop with the sour grapes. See if there's anything you like, take it all."
This guy is really something, he's even going to argue with a big shot.
"That's more like it."
Niohuru was also a bit narrow-minded; she took everything from the tray and said, "These all look quite nice to me and match my clothes well. Thank you, Your Majesty."
What can Fanghua say?
He glared at Qiaomeng, telling her to just come out as a pair, but she was being too generous, taking so much.
Qiaomeng was at a loss when she received a glare from her mistress. Who would have thought that the Imperial Concubine would be so inhuman?
Fanghua breathed a sigh of relief after finally getting rid of the person. "Has the Imperial Concubine taken the wrong medicine? What did I do to offend her?" she asked, completely bewildered.
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