Chapter 152 Concubine Hui lifts the ban
"Hmm, very good. Do you know why I summoned you here?" Firstly, I was satisfied with their strength, and secondly, I was satisfied with their names.
It seems Li Changfu has chosen a very good name; I'll reward him later.
"We understand," the four replied in unison.
"It's good that you know. Are you willing?"
"We, your servants, are willing."
Fanghua smiled, a hearty laugh. "Hmm, not bad, Qiaoling, reward."
"In a moment, take them to Li Chuanzong, and Li Chuanzong will arrange for them to serve Chenghu."
Li Chuanzong is Li Changfu's godson. This kid is also a martial arts genius. Although he is not as good as his godfather, his strength is not weak either.
It should be noted that Li Changfu and Li Chuanzong, who served their master closely, all had their strength enhanced by her using the spiritual spring water.
Unlike the Dark Guards whose strength was superficially boosted by internal energy pills, their abilities were not as great.
They are genuine martial artists.
If they really got into a fight, even bodyguards of the same rank wouldn't stand a chance against them.
Even Qiaoling and the others have reached the Innate Realm.
They were all highly skilled. If she hadn't had Xiaofeng concoct pills to conceal their presence, Emperor Kangxi would probably have been widowed long ago.
"Yes." Qiaoling accepted the order and then led the four people down.
Li Changfu stayed behind, and Fanghua looked at him curiously, "Did you name them all?"
Li Changfu hadn't expected the Empress to ask this, but he nodded firmly, "Your Majesty, it was this servant who made the divination."
"Hmm, not bad. Go and collect your reward."
Upon hearing this, Li Changfu grinned so wide it looked like a complete idiot.
Qiaoyun couldn't stand it anymore. "Alright, hurry up and thank the Empress for her grace."
This person is truly incredibly foolish.
"This servant was just too happy. Thank you for the reward, Your Highness."
Fanghua smiled helplessly, "Alright, stop joking around. Keep training people; there will be plenty of opportunities to use them in the future."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will certainly not disappoint you."
She won't be disappointed, because she has Xiaofeng.
After Fanghua arranged for four highly skilled martial artists to accompany Chenghu, she finally felt at ease to watch the show.
The imperial harem is a stage where dramas unfold every day, truly dazzling the eyes.
But some people are really an eyesore. Just when I was enjoying watching, someone came over to cause trouble.
"What wind blew Your Majesty here today? I thought Your Majesty had forgotten which way the gate of Kunning Palace faces!"
Ever since he injured his manhood, he has never been intimate with her again.
It wasn't that she coveted his favor, but sometimes she had to save face.
"Your Majesty, what you're saying is true. I've been busy ever since I came back from my southern tour. I just had a moment to spare to come and see you."
Fanghua rolled her eyes inwardly. Busy, huh?
No matter how busy he was, he never stopped inviting women to his bedchamber at night; he just never set foot in the harem.
Do you really think she's a fool? You can't fool her.
"The Emperor must be very busy." Fanghua tossed the official document in her hand onto the table, her eyes full of mischievousness.
Emperor Kangxi was also embarrassed. He hadn't expected the Empress to be reading the official history. If he had known, he would definitely have taken back what he had just said.
"It seems Your Majesty is just busy with me."
Kangxi knew he had upset the Empress again, so he immediately got up to appease her.
Fanghua didn't give him a chance to play the victim. "Alright, as the Emperor's wife, I should be considerate of him. If the Emperor says he's busy, then he really is. May I ask what brings Your Majesty to my palace today?"
She immediately stopped him from speaking and asked him why he had come.
Emperor Kangxi sighed. He didn't know if he would have a chance to leave Kunning Palace after he said those words.
He's having a tough time too.
"Empress, I would like to discuss something with you." But no matter how difficult it was, the Empress had to agree, otherwise their marital relationship would be over.
"What has made His Majesty so cautious?" Fanghua straightened her posture. "Is it related to the previous dynasty?" He seemed to be in trouble in the previous dynasty, but she didn't know what it was.
The trajectory of her previous life had changed, and she couldn't guess what would happen this time.
Seeing her become serious, Kangxi immediately shook his head. "Empress, don't make wild guesses. This is not a matter of the court, but a matter of the inner palace. I want to discuss with you the matter of confining Lady Nara to her quarters."
Afraid of frightening the Empress, he spoke quickly.
Fanghua was so angry when she heard his words that she almost died.
This was an attempt to use Chengqing's influence to release Nara.
Ha, don't forget, if a mother wants to rise in status through her son, she should first check if the mother's ass is clean.
"Your Majesty, I disagree with this matter." Fanghua refused without thinking. "Your Majesty, please don't be impatient. It's not that I hold a grudge against Nara. But please don't forget that Nara became pregnant during her mourning period. If she had given birth to a healthy child, that would have been fine. For the sake of the imperial heir, I would have granted her this favor. But she gave birth to a stillborn child."
Although this day was bound to come sooner or later, she was unwilling to let Nara escape the quagmire so easily.
Who made her a knife in someone else's hand, or a knife swung at herself?
"If Your Majesty wishes to release Lady Nara, has you considered the Empress Dowager?" Fanghua emphasized her words, making it seem as if she had a very close relationship with the Empress Dowager.
At least that's what Kangxi thinks now.
It is believed that she is holding a grudge against Nara for becoming pregnant during the mourning period and is speaking out on behalf of the Empress Dowager.
"Empress, I know all this, but Chengqing is growing up, and we can't keep Nara locked up like this forever. After all, she is Chengqing's birth mother, and I don't want Chengqing to lose face."
He wanted to teach both children together, but the differences between them couldn't be too great, otherwise it would embarrass Chengqing.
"Your Majesty, for no other reason than for Chengqing's sake, Nara cannot be imprisoned for life."
Fanghua fell silent. She knew that Kangxi had come to inform her that the talk of discussion was just a way to give her a way out.
Oh.
That's quite a clever scheme.
But when he promoted Chengqing, did he consider allying with the Nara clan, who also held the title of prince?
When the sixth prince grows up, will Lady Nara be willing for her son to be subordinate to Chengqing?
Do you really think everyone is willing to be manipulated?
Thinking back to the previous generation, Yinzhi, in the end he still replaced the eldest prince and became the whetstone for the new emperor.
She didn't believe that the Sixth Prince would be willing to follow Chengqing forever.
Do you really think everyone is willing to play a supporting role?
"Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, you should just issue an imperial edict to inform me. Why bother with all this?" Fanghua turned away angrily.
She knew there was no turning back, but she wouldn't easily agree.
"Empress." Seeing the Empress's reaction, Kangxi felt helpless. "Can you please have some consideration for me? They are all my sons, and I do not want them to have any stain on their reputation."
Hehe, there can't be any blemishes.
In other words, as long as it's not about plotting against the emperor, then punishment can be waived for the sake of offspring.
That's really great.
So what if she satisfied him? She didn't believe that when they grew up, they would still be as loving and respectful as he hoped.
It's just self-deception.
Since Yinreng has already become the crown prince, as long as no one murders the emperor, no one can shake Yinreng's position as crown prince.
Spoil her, spoil her, let's see what she'll become.
Now she finally understood why the struggle for the throne among the nine princes had occurred in her previous life. It was all because he had spoiled them, making them all think they had unparalleled talent and ability.
They can all firmly sit on the throne of the world's supreme ruler.
They don't even know what they are.
snort.
She could wait this long; she wanted to see what kind of trouble he would cause in the end.
"Empress."
Seeing that he couldn't get her to agree no matter how he coaxed her, Kangxi finally became serious and said, "I'll take this as my fault. I plan to bestow titles and honors upon the concubines. I will have someone send you the list of those titles and honors tomorrow."
Fearing that his words might offend the Empress, he softened his tone, saying, "If the Empress has any differing opinions, please feel free to raise them; I will certainly respect them."
Fanghua looked up at him.
However, when she turned around, her eyes were red-rimmed, tears clung to her eyelashes, and her face was full of grievance.
The Empress's appearance, nurtured by the spiritual spring, was already unparalleled. To emphasize her status as Empress, she intentionally dressed herself in a more dignified manner.
Now that she's crying and showing her grievances, her stunning beauty is undeniable.
"A grand investiture of the six palaces?" Fanghua smiled bitterly. "Your Majesty has truly given me a wonderful surprise." After saying this with a smile, tears fell, and a look of sorrow flashed in her eyes.
"emperor."
At this moment, Kangxi had no other thoughts; his mind was completely occupied by the Empress's grievances.
"Don't cry. I know you've been wronged, but with the start of the Three Kingdoms War, I had no choice but to bestow titles and honors upon the harem to stabilize the court. I was a bit too hasty in this matter." Originally, he hadn't planned to bestow titles and honors upon the harem so early.
However, as the battle on the front lines became increasingly intense, some people had no choice but to try to win them over.
"Empress, no one can surpass you. Rest assured, you are my only wife in this life."
No matter how sweet his words were, Fanghua closed her eyes and refused to look at him, tears streaming down her face, looking utterly miserable.
This required the emperor to offer many good things before the empress would take him seriously and truly discuss the matter of bestowing titles upon the empress's concubines.
After crying and making a scene, Fanghua finally felt extremely guilty and agreed to lift Nara's confinement.
To show his respect for the Empress, Emperor Kangxi stayed in the Kunning Palace for half a month.
No one in the harem could match such favor.
Unfortunately, Fanghua no longer cared about his favor. For half a month, Fanghua refused to have sex with him because of his injury. This not only did not make Kangxi feel disgusted, but also made him feel that the Empress was the person in the harem who cared about him the most.
So after half a month of recuperation, Kangxi's health improved significantly. After all, many things in Kunning Palace were made with diluted spiritual spring water, which really benefited him.
However, it's impossible to cure his reproductive organs unless Fanghua gives him the complete spiritual spring water.
It can't be cured in one dose; it takes long-term use to be effective.
Otherwise, Li Changfu and his men would have all returned to normal.
It's just spring water, not an elixir of immortality.
When Consort Hui of the Nara clan was released, Zhongcui Palace was bustling with activity.
Those with discernment and offspring are unwilling to curry favor with this brainless man.
But no one expected that Nara, that fool, would actually move to Zhongcui Palace.
They're not even trying to hide it anymore.
Since she wishes, Fanghua will naturally grant her wish.
Fools should pay the price for their stupidity.
At the morning assembly that day, Consort Hui was dressed in a stunningly beautiful manner. If you didn't know she was a concubine, you would think she was some kind of favored consort. She was so gorgeous; I really don't know what she was thinking.
"Consort Hui's beauty is truly undiminished. It's been so long since I've seen you, Consort Hui. At first glance, I thought His Majesty had taken in a new younger sister." Consort De disliked anyone outshining her.
Throughout the entire harem, apart from the Empress, no one else's favor could compare to hers.
What right does a concubine like Consort Hui, who rose in status because of her son, have to act so arrogantly here? Does she really think she's the only one who matters in the harem?
It's just because of the Second Prince's influence.
Hmph, once she gives birth to the prince, I'll make that bitch pay.
Consort Hui was not one to suffer a loss.
There were only three concubines in the harem. Among them, Consort Meng was very quiet in the harem because the Empress Dowager was not around, and she might not even have a day in a month to serve the Emperor.
It is completely transparent.
But because she was of Mongolian origin, no one dared to touch her, after all, the Empress Dowager's wrath was something they could not withstand.
Naturally, Consort Meng herself rarely went out, spending her days peacefully in Shou'an Palace with Noble Lady Yun.
It has a unique flavor.
Now that the two concubines are fighting, everyone is watching the show.
After all, the Empress is kind. All those who have given birth to children have been promoted to the rank of Noble Lady. Apart from the concubines and palace women, all nine of the women sitting in this hall have children.
Each of them has their own strengths and is not someone who can be bullied by just anyone.
Even if you are of high rank, you cannot arbitrarily humiliate the birth mother of a prince or princess.
We've gone off on a tangent.
Consort Hui, who had been boasting about her favor with the emperor, immediately smiled and replied when she heard someone mention her: "You're making fun of me, Sister De. My recent meditation and Buddhist practice have brought me the Buddha's blessing. I must have absorbed some Buddhist energy. Please forgive my foolishness, Sister De."
This person, perhaps because he'd been locked up for so long, had actually learned to speak quite a bit.
The Imperial Concubine glanced at Consort Hui, who was sitting below her, and a rare hint of interest appeared in her eyes. She thought to herself, "This person does have some brains."
But not many.
"Buddhist aura, Consort Hui is truly blessed." Consort De's eyes were full of sarcasm. "Even the Empress Dowager has been a devout Buddhist for many years and has never heard of anyone being tainted by Buddhist aura. It is Consort Hui who is destined to be with Buddhism. I am truly envious."
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui's smile vanished instantly. How could she compare to the Empress Dowager? Consort De was trying to harm her.
"Sister Consort De, please stop talking nonsense. How can I compare to the Empress Dowager? The Empress Dowager is protected by Buddha, and her Buddhist aura is naturally very profound. The Empress Dowager does not reveal this to outsiders because she does not want to disturb Buddha."
Consort Hui, realizing she had gone too far, quickly tried to make amends: "Unlike me, who has little affinity with Buddhism and has lost my sense of propriety after gaining only a little Buddhist energy, it is clear that my cultivation is inadequate. Forgive me, forgive me."
After saying this, she immediately put her hands together, repeatedly muttered the word "sin," and bowed respectfully towards the outside of Kunning Palace.
Since she had already belittled herself so much, Consort De naturally couldn't say anything more. If she continued, it would be considered gossiping about the Empress Dowager, a serious offense that she couldn't bear.
Seeing that they had stopped arguing, the Imperial Concubine smiled and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Alright, it's just idle chatter between sisters. You can't involve Buddha and the Empress Dowager. You two should be more mindful in the future and never disrespect Buddha."
Upon hearing this, the two immediately bowed and said in unison, "Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. We will remember it."
When Fanghua came out, the farce had come to an end. She had listened from the back, not coming out because she wanted to see how far the two of them could argue. What a pity, they both have brains.
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