Chapter 142 Time Flies, Offspring Abound
"It is my fault for delaying your business, but the time for paying respects is approaching, and I imagine Consort De is on her way. Perhaps you could wait here?"
Fanghua made no attempt to conceal her intentions.
Seeing that the Empress had already spoken, Granny Liu could no longer refuse.
"Then let's wait a little longer."
It seems that the Empress is also dissatisfied with Consort De and wants to embarrass her in public.
Alas, as a mere servant, she couldn't very well refuse the Empress's suggestion, especially since the Empress Dowager hadn't said it was unacceptable to do so here.
To make an example of others, it would be best to convey the decree to the Empress.
Granny Liu didn't know if her guess was right, but she was in a difficult situation.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Granny."
Before everyone had to wait long, people began to come and pay their respects.
Today, because Granny Liu was present, Fanghua had already been waiting in the main hall for a long time.
Those who knew Granny Liu were somewhat surprised. Although they didn't know why Granny Liu was with the Empress, they knew that Granny Liu represented the Empress Dowager, and that today's events were probably at the Empress Dowager's behest.
The lower-ranking concubines sat down in their seats like quails, unlike before when they would chat with those around them.
They were unusually quiet today.
It wasn't until the Imperial Concubine and Consort De arrived that Fanghua conveyed Granny Liu's purpose.
Although Granny Liu knew the Empress's intentions, she could only do as the Empress wished, take two steps forward, and then convey the Empress Dowager's decree.
When Consort De learned that the Empress Dowager had issued an imperial edict to her, she immediately rose from her seat and went to the front of the palace to receive it.
"Your concubine receives the imperial decree."
"By imperial decree of the Empress Dowager, Consort De is highly respected and kind. She is hereby granted a blessing to the Empress Dowager. It is hoped that Consort De can sincerely calm her mind."
The last four words were emphasized, and even those who did not know what happened last night understood that the Empress Dowager was dissatisfied with Consort De for having monopolized the Emperor for so long.
Not to mention that what happened last night has already spread throughout the entire harem.
"Yes, Your Highness, I accept the decree." Consort De blushed deeply. She knew that the Empress Dowager knew about what happened last night, and this was a warning to her.
She never expected things to turn out this way.
She really lost face this time.
"Then Consort De, please come with this old servant. The Empress Dowager is still waiting."
When Granny Liu took Consort De away during the greetings, the crowd began to gossip as soon as she left. Fanghua did not stop it, since she wasn't the one being talked about anyway.
Perfect timing, I'll use this to give them a little warning today.
After everyone had finished discussing, Fanghua spoke up, "Stop, everyone, and let me say a few words."
The Empress was usually very gentle and never interfered much in their rivalry for the Emperor's favor. At most, she would remind them to have children for the royal family as soon as possible.
Today, the Empress's face was clearly very unpleasant, which showed that she was very dissatisfied with Consort De's matter.
Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Fanghua spoke again, "Regardless of what happened last night, I just want to tell you that we all share the same fate. If the Emperor's reputation is damaged, our reputations will also be affected. I hope you can understand that."
Her tone was flat, as if she were talking about something unimportant, but everyone knew the Empress's methods. If anyone dared to disobey, no matter how powerful their family was, the Empress would not show any mercy when dealing with them.
"I do not wish to hear anyone discussing what happened last night. Consort De was wrong, and the Empress Dowager has already disciplined her. If you repeat this mistake, do not blame me for being ruthless. I will remember this."
Everyone rose and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I will remember this and will not repeat the same mistake."
Fanghua didn't immediately call out, but looked at everyone and said, "I hope you have truly remembered this, and are not just trying to fool me. If I find out that anyone is talking about what happened last night, don't blame me for being ruthless. After all, the Emperor and I are husband and wife."
After giving a lecture, Fanghua told everyone to get up, "Alright, get up, everyone. If there's nothing else, go home."
"Yes, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we take our leave."
After everyone left, Fanghua smiled and went back to her room to check on the Empress Dowager's gifts.
When Fanghua saw the things sent by the Empress Dowager, the smile on her face faded.
"What's wrong with Your Highness?" Qiaoyun, who was serving by her side, asked in confusion.
Fanghua shook her head and put down what she was holding. "It's nothing, just put it in the storeroom." The things the Empress Dowager gave her were flashy but impractical.
It has no other use than to be admired.
Of course, it was also because Fanghua had high standards and only wanted to get things for her sons. Anyone else would have been overjoyed to see such a generous gift from the Empress Dowager.
Fanghua was naturally not happy, since these were all high-quality items made by the Imperial Household Department, and the seals on them were very clear. Who would dare to exchange them for money?
"yes."
After the Empress and Empress Dowager gave such a reprimand, the inner palace quieted down.
Without Consort De's antics, the women in the harem quickly resumed their previous vying for the emperor's favor.
To everyone's surprise, Sun Yingying was actually quite talented.
She was just as good as Consort De.
"Your Majesty, do you know who will be serving you tonight?"
After Qiaoling, the gossip, sent the news from the Qianqing Palace, she immediately returned to report.
Who is it?
Fanghua, pruning flower branches, replied casually.
“Sun Yingying,” Qiaoling uttered a surprising name.
Fanghua also looked up and met Qiaoling's smiling eyes.
"It seems that I was right to let her out. I just wonder what talent she used to impress the Emperor?" Fanghua was quite interested as well.
With so many women in the harem, their talents had all become fixed, and she was tired of seeing them.
Now that there's a new trick, she's naturally very curious.
The servants were all quite helpless to see their mistress acting so childishly.
However, since Consort Sun was able to win a smile from her mistress, it could be considered that she had made the best use of her talents.
"Your Majesty, Consort Sun used the kindness of her wet nurse, saying that her wet nurse had sent something to the Emperor, but because she made a mistake, she was unable to deliver the item to the Emperor."
Although this sounded obviously false, the emperor couldn't deny his concern for his wet nurse.
Sure enough, with just a few words, the emperor was drawn to Consort Sun.
Fortunately, she was carried to the emperor's bedchamber. If the emperor had gone directly to Consort Sun's palace, who knows how many people in the harem would have been consumed by jealousy.
"She's certainly learned her lesson, but I wonder who taught her this trick." Given Sun's muddle-headed nature, she probably couldn't have come up with such a brilliant plan.
After so many days, the Emperor had grown tired of watching the show. So when something unexpected suddenly appeared, it was bound to pique his interest. Did he really think he couldn't see through Consort Sun's little scheme?
It was just going with the flow; after all, one had to give face to the wet nurse.
Previously, because the wet nurse Sun offended the Empress, the Emperor had no choice but to give her face. But now, with the opportunity to make amends, he would not hesitate to do so.
"I went to inquire and found out that after paying her respects, Consort Sun went to Consort Cao's palace and did not return to her own Chuxiu Palace until the afternoon."
Qiaoling was very clever; she anticipated the Empress's prediction and found out all the information.
"I underestimated Consort Cao. However, they are very close sisters. I just wonder how to divide the favor between them in the future."
Fanghua is also a bit narrow-minded; she's already set her sights on other people's sisterhood.
"Of course everyone should look after themselves. How could they give it away?" Qiaomeng, who was serving hot tea, chimed in after hearing this.
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
Fanghua, however, had a different opinion. "I don't think so."
Consort Cao was so intelligent; how could she not know that without help, it would be difficult to get by in the harem?
Consort Sun is a perfect target, both in terms of her background and favor. If handled properly, Cao Shi can reap many benefits from hiding behind the scenes.
I wonder when that Consort Sun will be able to see things clearly.
However, she liked this kind of performance. What sisterly affection? Ha, it's just a facade.
"Cao is a woman of deep thoughts, and given her background in the Cao family, even though the Emperor has not given the Cao family important positions, with Granny Sun around, it is only a matter of time before the Cao family falls from grace."
Thinking back to her previous life, when the Cao family had lived in Jiangnan for a long time and controlled the wealth of the entire Jiangnan region for the emperor, she didn't think the Cao family was someone who could be content with their lot.
She has only just entered the palace and hasn't had time to make any arrangements yet.
Her past life experience taught her never to underestimate anyone from the lower classes, especially the concubines from wealthy families.
"Your Highness, shall we?" Upon hearing this, Granny Zhang immediately began gesturing.
Fanghua smiled upon seeing this, "Don't worry about it. I don't even consider the Cao family a threat. No matter what, they can't surpass me." As long as she raises her two children well, she can launch a bigger attack later, and those people won't stand a chance.
After all, it is perfectly legitimate for the legitimate son to succeed to the throne.
Zhang Mama was a little worried, but seeing that the Empress had said so, she didn't say anything more.
"Then we'll listen to Your Majesty. But sometimes Your Majesty shouldn't be too lenient. In the harem, the worst thing you can do is be lenient."
Fanghua nodded, having taken Zhang Mama's words to heart. "Don't worry, Mama, I have everything, except a heart."
As night fell, Consort Sun was carried by a phoenix to the Qianqing Palace.
If Consort Zhang hadn't been pregnant, Consort Sun would probably have had to circle around her to show off her favor.
However, Consort Sun really didn't have a brain. The highest-ranking person in Chuxiu Palace was Consort Zhang, whom she would see every day. How dare she be so arrogant?
Her behavior is truly despicable.
After Consort De's downfall, it was indeed Consort Sun who won, which made many people envious.
But given their social status, they could only swallow this outcome and plan for the future when they would serve the emperor.
With no more shows to watch, Fanghua went to bed early and slept soundly.
Before long, it was time for Lady Dong to give birth, and as the Imperial Concubine had hoped, she gave birth to another princess.
Because she had been promoted to Noble Lady after giving birth, the Emperor did not grant her a promotion this time. However, the Imperial Concubine petitioned for a title for her, making her the first among Noble Ladies to receive such a title.
Madam Dong was quite satisfied. Although she was somewhat disappointed, she was still able to give birth and accepted the fact that she had given birth to the sixth princess.
The third-day celebration and the full-month celebration, with the imperial concubine's hard work, were indeed a grand affair.
But after this incident, the imperial concubine stopped helping her.
After all, the more kindness there is, the deeper the enmity becomes. Empress Niohuru was well aware of this, so she stopped helping Lady Dong. Lady Dong was also quite sensible and didn't make a fuss. After all, the Empress was kind and wouldn't mistreat anyone in the harem.
She has six daughters, and her life is no worse than before.
Many things happened in just one month. Consort Sun was promoted to the rank of Changzai, the same as Consort Cao, which made Consort Sun very happy.
She didn't think she was inferior to Consort Cao, so she was very unhappy when Consort Cao was promoted to Consort after serving the emperor.
Now that they were finally on equal footing, she was naturally very happy. She even mentioned to the Emperor that she wanted to move to Yikun Palace, and for some reason, the Emperor agreed.
During this time, something happened that angered Fanghua.
After all, in his previous life, although Emperor Kangxi was lustful, he did not go so far as to have two women serving one husband.
But such a shameful thing happened in Yikun Palace.
Emperor Kangxi was so angry that he didn't enter the harem for more than half a month.
She wanted to punish them, but the two were lucky enough to both become pregnant, which made Fanghua very unhappy. She couldn't understand how the two dared to do that.
However, after inquiring about the matter, she finally understood the cause and effect, and realized that Consort Cao had been wronged.
She was supposed to be the one to serve the emperor that night, but for some reason, someone tampered with the incense in her room, adding some aphrodisiac powder to it.
Consort Sun assumed that the Cao family and the emperor were still awake, so she found an excuse to come over, but no one knew her true intentions.
However, under the influence of the incense, the three of them ended up having an affair.
To cover up the matter, Fanghua once again exercised her power as empress to conceal the scandal.
For an emperor to be tricked into a double abduction is truly shameful.
However, since both of them were pregnant, they couldn't be punished even if they wanted to.
We have no choice but to accept it and punish them after they give birth.
Fanghua was furious and immediately locked the two of them up in confinement, forbidding them from leaving until they gave birth.
This time, the emperor didn't object at all and even asked him to copy the Heart Sutra to purify his mind.
Copying is also a physically demanding task. Fanghua wouldn't plead for them just because they were pregnant. On the contrary, she made them copy palace rules. She really dared to do anything.
After the shocking double-flying incident, a new life was born in the palace. Lady Li Jia gave birth; she was an old woman, and naturally, the child she gave birth to was a princess.
Now Emperor Kangxi had seven princesses. It is said that having many children is a burden, and with seven princesses, no matter how happy Emperor Kangxi was, he could not be truly happy.
After all, he wanted to have more princes and noblemen.
The expectations for the other pregnant concubines also diminished considerably.
In the twelfth year of Kangxi's reign, he still managed to have several sons as he had wished.
For example, Lady Wang and Lady An, both from the Han Banner, gave birth to the fourth and fifth princes of Emperor Kangxi, respectively. Both were granted the title of Noble Lady, but because of their birth, Emperor Kangxi bestowed titles upon them: Lady An's title was "Shun" and Lady Wang's title was "He".
Fanghua was shocked when she found out, since these two titles only appeared in the later years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
Now that this has happened, Fanghua is very uneasy; she dislikes things like variables.
But the decree had already been issued, and she couldn't take it back even if she wanted to.
Of course, not long after Lady An gave birth to the fifth prince, Lady Ma Jia was also found to be pregnant, which made her, who already had a son, somewhat arrogant.
But no matter how arrogant she was, she wouldn't dare to be arrogant in front of the Empress, after all, she had experienced the Empress's majesty firsthand.
The twelfth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign was a year of results.
Not only did they have a fifth prince, but also a sixth and seventh prince, as well as an eighth princess. There were three pregnant concubines, including the empress, who was also found to be pregnant. This was a great joy, as the empress's child was born of the legitimate wife.
With so many more children suddenly appearing in the palace, the Empress's reputation among the common people grew ever higher.
These were naturally Hesheli's doing, and Fanghua didn't stop her; there was no need for her to. She deserved the fame.
Fanghua, who was pregnant, began to focus on her pregnancy. This child was her son, Yinreng, and given that she faced a life-threatening crisis next year, she had to be extremely careful.
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