Chapter 140 The Cold Beauty Falls from Grace in the Battle for Favor
"What did you say?"
Zhang Jia looked at the maid kneeling beside her in disbelief, "I will never be able to have children again?" No, that's impossible.
She had clearly calculated everything; at worst, the oleander blossoms would cause her miscarriage if she didn't eat them.
How could she be infertile?
She didn't believe it, she didn't believe it.
"Are you lying to me?" Madam Zhang asked her maid in a frenzied manner.
Unfortunately, no matter how many times you ask, the answer is always the same: she will never be able to have children again.
Zhang Jia cried so bitterly, but unfortunately, the outcome was already decided and there was nothing she could do to change it.
It was too late for her to regret it.
Another month has passed in the blink of an eye. The princess's third-day celebration was not a grand affair, but after Lady Zhang Jia finished her confinement period, Emperor Kangxi still gave her face and hosted a full-moon banquet for the fifth prince.
Naturally, she was also promoted in rank, because Kangxi already knew that Lady Zhangjia would never be able to have children again.
The birth of the second Consort Zhang in the palace was probably the most displeased person, Zhang Shi herself.
However, to distinguish between the two, Zhang Jia was called Consort Zhang Jia by everyone.
Fanghua wouldn't bother mentioning this matter, since if a distinction really needed to be made, the only way would be to bestow titles, but she wasn't willing to give them that kind of face.
So let's just call her Consort Zhang and Consort Zhang Jia.
Because Consort Zhang had taken a pill to produce a daughter, even though she had a difficult childbirth and gave birth to the Fifth Princess, the Fifth Princess was in excellent health. This is why Emperor Kangxi looked at her with more respect. If she had been sickly, Emperor Kangxi would probably have forgotten about her altogether.
There's no way around it, there are just too many princesses.
Those who were pregnant conceived, while those who weren't yet pregnant vied for attention, striving to conceive a child or two.
Kangxi's Qianqing Palace was always bustling with activity, with people bringing him tonic soups and pastries.
When entering the inner palace, one could often encounter dancers, musicians, and even those reciting poetry to the moon.
The women in the harem used all sorts of tricks, and Kangxi enjoyed it, visiting whichever palace he encountered first.
For a time, those who did not compete or fight for power, such as the Empress and Consort Yehenara, were at a disadvantage.
The Empress and the Imperial Concubine could remain calm, but the Yehenara clan could not.
She also wants to have a son, so she has to put in a lot of effort.
On this day, Yehenara heard that the Emperor had once again favored Wang Jia, who was dancing in the Imperial Garden, and she could no longer bear it.
"Bring me my zither. I haven't been out and about for some time." Yes, even this high and mighty Consort De had to resort to such methods to seduce men.
The servants, including Suwen, were all stunned, as they felt that such a thing was not something their mistress, Qingfeng Mingyue, should have done.
"Your Majesty." Suwen wanted to say something to persuade her, but she was glared at by Consort De as soon as she opened her mouth.
"Shut up. I don't like hearing unlucky words. Suwen, you know my temper."
Seeing the murderous intent in her mistress's eyes, Suwen swallowed back her words of advice.
"Yes, this servant will go and prepare it right away."
Standing to the side, Granny Ye didn't think there was anything wrong with what her mistress was doing. On the contrary, she felt that her mistress had long been trying to win over the emperor.
Only in this way can one conceive a prince as desired.
"Your Majesty, I have an old friend in the Imperial Wardrobe who heard that a batch of fine cloud gauze has arrived at the palace. Would it be alright if I could have someone rush to make a couple of dance costumes?"
Granny Ye thought, since Her Highness has already played the zither, why not be even bolder?
After all, the emperor likes it, doesn't he?
Consort De pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then smiled and nodded, "It is indeed the thoughtfulness of the old nanny. Then I will trouble the old nanny to make the trip." She had the air of a talented woman at home, and since the Emperor liked her, she would naturally do her best.
She has no shortage of dancing costumes and musical skills, which should be enough to impress the emperor.
"It's no trouble at all, this is what this old servant should do."
Seeing the Empress's lack of decorum, Suwen was very anxious, but she knew that the Empress would not listen to her advice at this moment.
She could only obey the Empress's orders to prepare things.
Hopefully, Her Majesty's actions will not offend the Emperor.
Your Highness doesn't even consider that those who engage in such seductive acts are usually the lowly concubines in the palace.
When did masters above the highest rank begin to act in this way?
Your Highness has lost your sense of propriety. I thought that Granny Ye could persuade you, but I never expected that Granny Ye would actually ask Your Highness to act like a dancer. How will the other ladies in the palace laugh at your lady?
well.
Yehenara was unaware of Suwen's worries; at this moment, she was immersed in her fantasies of captivating the emperor's heart and soul.
The commotion at Jingyang Palace could not be kept secret from the Empress and the Imperial Concubine.
The day after their operation, the two women got together to discuss the matter.
"Do you think she's out of her mind? It's one thing to agree to seduce men, but she's a concubine, how can she be so indecent? I've heard that the dance costume was extremely revealing. I don't know what she's in such a hurry for."
Niohuru despised Consort De. In the palace, apart from her and the Empress, Consort De was the highest-ranking concubine. It was truly shameful that she was competing for favor with lower-ranking concubines.
"Perhaps they're in a hurry," Fanghua smiled, knowing full well what Yehenara was planning.
It's just that she sees more and more pregnant concubines in the harem, and their children are about to be born. She doesn't want to fall behind. Although she has two princesses, they are not princes after all. How can she not be anxious?
"After all, His Majesty has indeed been somewhat out of control lately." Fanghua had seen plenty of Kangxi's fondness for gentle beauties in her previous life.
Even if the emperor were to grant them such high status and position, he wouldn't indulge them. They would naturally not be as carefree as the lower-ranking concubines, and it would be normal for them to be favored.
But Kangxi also knew that he would never let such a small matter disrupt the harem.
It's just a novelty; things will return to normal in a few days.
Yehenara was in a bit too hasty.
Once she does that, it will be difficult for her to regain her former glory after falling from her aloof pedestal.
"Even so, her Yehenara clan is still too low-class." The Imperial Concubine looked down on her for this.
"The Imperial Concubine says this only because you have no desires. If you had desires, you would understand why she did this. However," Fanghua smiled at the Imperial Concubine, her eyes full of mockery.
"She used to like to pretend and act high and mighty, but now that she's fallen from grace, it'll be hard for her to go back to her old ways. Think about her future situation, don't you feel uncomfortable?"
The Imperial Concubine's words were simply because she felt that the Yehenara clan had disgraced the aristocratic families; she meant nothing else.
After all, her surname was Yehenara, not Niohuru.
She definitely wouldn't be happy if you really asked her to interfere.
It's okay to watch it as a bit of fun.
She won't care about anything else.
"I just didn't expect that she actually had people in the Imperial Wardrobe. She's quite well hidden. The Noble Consort should be more careful."
Hearing the Empress shift the blame to her, the Consort was very dissatisfied. "Ha, it's just the Imperial Wardrobe. What trouble could it possibly cause?" But she was also very disdainful of Yehenara's petty actions.
After all, in her view, the Imperial Clothing Bureau was nothing more than a place that made clothes for the imperial harem.
Even if the Yehenara clan had people inside, what use would it be? Would they dare to tamper with the belongings of a first or second-rank imperial concubine?
"You should be careful. Yehenara has been blinded by greed this time. It would be bad if you underestimate her. After all, the Yehenara clan has survived alongside our ancestors, so they must have some methods that we don't know about."
"Flowers don't bloom for a hundred days, and clans don't last a thousand years. Our mother clans will eventually decline, so we must not underestimate anyone."
Fanghua genuinely considered Niohuru a friend, which is why she mentioned it. If Niohuru takes it to heart, all the better; if not, she won't say anything more.
Niohuru was not stupid; how could she not understand this principle?
I just felt that the Yehenara clan was acting too petty.
"Alright, stop lecturing me. I understand. But aren't you going to do something about this chaos in the harem?"
This was unlike the empress she knew. However, the empress's behavior had changed a lot in recent years, but it was still in line with her personality.
"Let a hundred flowers bloom, what's there to interfere with?" Fanghua didn't care at all, after all, the harem wouldn't descend into chaos.
These are just some tricks to win favor. In the future, they will probably come up with even more. Why should she play the bad guy?
"Let's just treat this as a joke. Haven't you been enjoying watching this lately?" Fanghua rolled her eyes at her.
There's not much entertainment in this palace to begin with, but now with so many stages, there are several grand performances every day. It's very enjoyable.
She didn't want the harem to become stagnant; that would be too boring.
"Fine, if you don't care, then don't care. I've been keeping an eye on Lady Dong these past few days. She's having a difficult pregnancy and is about to give birth. I have no interest in assigning her to another position."
The Imperial Concubine laughed heartily; after all, as the Empress had said, those entertainers in the harem were quite endearing.
"Mrs. Dong is quite fortunate." Fanghua smiled. If she were unable to have children like the Imperial Concubine, she might also be promoted to have children for her.
It's a pity, she still prefers her own biological children.
"It caught your eye."
The Imperial Concubine gave a wry smile. "Your Majesty, please don't tease me. Do you really think I want this? It's just that my womb is uncooperative, and I can't have a child to carry on." As she spoke, she touched her belly.
"That old bastard died too easily." As she said this, her eyes were filled with hatred—hatred for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
If it weren't for them, her child would be about the same age as Chenghu by now.
Fanghua didn't comment on the matter, after all, she had also been partly to blame for letting it happen.
If she truly wanted to protect the child in Niohuru's womb, she had plenty of ways.
However, their identities meant they couldn't interfere in many things.
"Take it easy, maybe good fortune will come your way in the future."
"Enough." The Imperial Concubine put away her bitterness and smiled. "I am very satisfied with my current life and have no desire to disrupt this peace."
She knew the Empress's abilities, but she understood why the Empress didn't help her. She didn't resent or hate her, but it was impossible for them to be like sisters.
Of course, if she were in the Queen's shoes, she would make the same decision.
She knew that her body was in its current state thanks to the Empress, and thankfully, she could still tell the difference.
A few days later, Fanghua and the Imperial Concubine received news that Consort De was playing music and dancing in the Imperial Garden.
The lower-ranking concubines in the harem were furious. Even if they had gone a bit too far before, it was just the competition for the emperor's favor among the lower-ranking concubines.
But when she, the mistress of the palace, met her end, she truly left them no way out.
Who dares to compete with the position of the first palace master?
The Imperial Garden became quiet for a time, but the porcelain in the various palaces was still consumed in large quantities.
Fanghua simply instructed the Imperial Household Department to make up for it without saying a word.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is coming this way."
It wasn't evening, but afternoon. Kangxi, perhaps having received a reward, wanted to go to the Imperial Garden to see what interesting people and things he might encounter that day.
He never imagined that his aloof and noble Consort De would give him such a big surprise.
"Get ready, none of you let me down, or I won't let you off when we get back."
After saying that, Consort De began to make preparations.
To avoid seeming out of place, she even prepared drinks in the pavilion, creating the illusion that she was out having fun.
I don't know if she did this to deceive herself or to save face.
As soon as Emperor Kangxi entered the Imperial Garden, he noticed the difference today. The once bustling Imperial Garden was deserted. Not only was he not alone, but he had not seen a single person even after walking for half an hour.
Something is very wrong.
As Kangxi's most trusted henchman, Wei Zhong immediately sent people to investigate after discovering the anomaly.
However, the result he received surprised him.
He never expected that person would end up like that.
He wouldn't be surprised if even the Imperial Concubine met such an end, but that position truly astonished him.
"Wei Zhong, what's going on?" Kangxi had noticed Wei Zhong's little actions and, seeing his unpleasant expression, immediately asked.
Wei Zhong would not hide anything from the emperor, so he whispered in the emperor's ear.
After hearing this, Kangxi's expression turned grim, but he quickly returned to normal.
"In that case, I will go and take a look. I can't let Consort De go to waste."
Emperor Kangxi was also a bit narrow-minded. When he learned that Consort De had actually learned to dance for his sake, he naturally had to go and support her.
On their way to the flower pavilion, Fanghua also set off from Kunning Palace. She wanted to see the entertainment, as Consort De's entertainment was a rare sight, and she couldn't miss it.
The Imperial Concubine shared the same idea as her.
When they arrived, Kangxi treated them as guests of honor at Chenghua Pavilion.
Meanwhile, from the flower pavilion came the sounds of Emperor Kangxi's hearty laughter and Consort De's unusually cool voice.
"Is she singing?" Fanghua was very surprised, never expecting that Consort De had this skill.
Qiaoling, who was standing to the side, was also very surprised. "This servant doesn't know either."
Fanghua waved her hand, "It's nothing. It's actually quite a nice name. It seems we still know too little about Consort De."
After she finished speaking, she listened attentively.
Fanghua chose a spot on the artificial hill opposite the flower pavilion. The area was shaded by trees, so she wasn't afraid of being discovered.
Standing high up, one can see far and clearly, and the scene inside the pavilion can be seen clearly.
"Very good, very good." As the song ended, Kangxi's laughter rang out amidst applause. "Consort De, how many more surprises do you have that I don't know about?"
Looking at Consort De, who was dressed in revealing clothes, Kangxi, like a flirtatious princess teasing a woman, pulled her into his arms, lifted her chin, and felt extremely pleased to see her usually aloof face now adorned with alluring makeup.
"Your Majesty." Consort De's eyes gleamed with allure, her beauty captivating and her voice sweet and cloying. Her face flushed, and her small hand gently slipped into the chest of the man beside her. "There are still many things about me that Your Majesty does not know. Would Your Majesty like to learn more about them?"
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