Chapter 83 Using Both Kindness and Strictness
Fanghua was unaware of Zhang's hatred, and even if she knew, she would not be afraid.
Fanghua had no intention of helping this person anymore, and as for the eldest princess, she decided to find someone else to raise her.
If all else fails, then let the princess go. With so many servants in the palace, she refuses to believe she can't serve a princess.
There are plenty of women who can have children, so it doesn't make a difference if Zhang is one more.
Hearing the Empress's words, Zhang was overjoyed, feeling that the Empress was helping her.
But when she looked up and met the Empress's cold eyes, she knew that Her Majesty had given up on her.
"Your Majesty." Zhang's eyes reddened, her heart filled with panic. She opened her mouth to plead for herself, but the Empress had already withdrawn her gaze.
I stopped looking at her.
"Then I will listen to Your Majesty the Empress. However, if she dares to do it again, I will not care whether she is the princess's birth mother or not."
After saying this, Niohuru ordered Zhang to be taken away.
Mrs. Dong was a sensible woman, and she was happy to give her face.
With no one to bother her anymore, Lady Niohuru's mood finally improved. "Consort Dong, everyone is here. Let's begin the housewarming banquet."
She had a surprise for Mrs. Dong, but of course, if her answer just now didn't satisfy her, this surprise would be canceled.
Madam Dong was also annoyed by those two people. She knew right from wrong and was clear in her heart who was doing what was best for her.
That is why she was very grateful to the Imperial Concubine. If it weren't for her, even if she had given birth to the child, she wouldn't have been able to raise it herself. Even if she could, given her status, what good things could she have given the child?
Therefore, it is the best outcome for the second princess to follow the imperial concubine.
Perhaps because of the Imperial Concubine, one could obtain a special favor from the Emperor, such as not being allowed to serve in the palace.
Naturally, she didn't tell anyone about these thoughts, nor did she reveal them to anyone.
"Then please, Your Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, take your seats."
Fanghua was very accommodating and naturally took the main seat, with the Imperial Concubine to her lower left.
"Today is your housewarming celebration, and I won't come empty-handed to enjoy this meal." With that, Fanghua ordered someone to bring up the congratulatory gifts she had prepared.
The gifts sent by the Empress were of extremely high value; at least, a minor noblewoman like Lady Dong would not have received such gifts.
As the palace attendants recited the list of gifts, the people below all began to discuss it.
"My goodness, it's actually a white jade diamond! I heard it was a new tribute from Persia. There were only five sets in total. The Emperor gave one set to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, the Empress, and the Imperial Concubine. He also kept one set in his private treasury. The Empress is truly generous."
"Absolutely, look at this whole set of white jade jewelry, I'm so jealous."
Lady Dong naturally heard all the discussions below and was very pleased, but she also knew that the Empress was giving her this face because of the Consort.
Although she didn't understand why the two people, who usually acted like enemies, would give each other so much face in certain matters, she was the one who benefited today, so she didn't want to think about it too much.
After the palace attendant finished reading the list of gifts, Lady Dong immediately stepped forward to express her gratitude.
"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty the Empress."
Dong's gratitude was genuine, and Fanghua was very satisfied with her attitude. "Get up. You have made a contribution in giving birth. Although the child is registered under the name of the Noble Consort, your merit cannot be erased. I am also using you to remind everyone in the harem that as long as there is merit, the Emperor and I will reward them handsomely."
Upon hearing this, the people below all stood up to express their gratitude.
After the Empress's ceremony concluded, it was the Consort's turn. Her ceremony was no less dignified than the Empress's, and those who had previously felt a pang of jealousy now looked on with envy.
They also wanted to have a child as soon as possible, as this was not only a reward but also a matter of face for them.
Seeing that the banquet was halfway over, Fanghua decided not to linger any longer and announced her departure.
"It's getting late. I'm worried about the children, so I'll head back now. You two have a good time, Consort."
Niohuru stood up with a smile, "I was also thinking of the Second Princess, so I won't stay any longer. Noble Lady Dong, please entertain everyone well. I have a surprise for you, it will be here soon."
She had to leave too, because if she didn't, that person wouldn't feel comfortable coming over.
Although Lady Dong was puzzled, she did not ask further. If the Imperial Concubine did not say, it was inconvenient for her to say.
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."
After leaving Xianfu Palace, Fanghua looked at Niohuru with a teasing expression and said, "You're quite generous." Fanghua only found out later that the Consort had really gone to great lengths for this daughter, actually sending the Emperor as a congratulatory gift.
"Aren't you afraid the Emperor will blame you afterward?" Fanghua asked jokingly.
Niohuru rolled her eyes at her, "Your Majesty is joking. The harem is full of the Emperor's concubines. Whom he favors is entirely up to him. If it were really up to me, I'm afraid I wouldn't be here talking to the Empress."
Men, huh.
"You can't force a cow to drink water if it doesn't want to. Instead of worrying about the Emperor, Your Majesty should worry about yourself. There will only be more and more sisters in the palace in the future. Your Majesty, don't be so jealous."
This statement is clearly pointed.
She had previously thought the Empress had come to terms with things, but it turns out she couldn't keep up the act after a few months. She really overestimated her.
Fanghua didn't defend herself. She chuckled and said, "Then there's no need for the Noble Consort to worry. I am the Empress, the Emperor's wife, and it is only natural for me to share the Emperor's burdens."
"It's good to have more sisters in the harem, so that the emperor can be more comfortable when he enters the harem."
After saying that, Fanghua didn't give the Imperial Concubine a chance to reply, and took Qiaoling's hand and walked forward.
The Imperial Concubine was amused by her behavior. "Hmph, you're really too proud to admit it. I'll see how you cry later."
After saying that, she turned and walked in another direction, completely avoiding walking the same way as the Queen.
Hidden in the shadows, Kangxi overheard their entire conversation and felt somewhat uneasy. Fanghua was wonderful in every way, but he was the emperor and couldn't do whatever he wanted.
"Your Majesty," Wei Zhu, who was standing beside Kangxi, spoke softly, "Shall we go in?"
Kangxi glared at him, then walked into Xianfu Palace in a huff.
The next day, everyone was filled with envy after learning about the lavish gift the Imperial Concubine had given to Lady Dong.
The Imperial Concubine took away Consort Dong's child, and now she plans to give her another child.
How can one not be the envy of others?
The Emperor stayed at Xianfu Palace for three days, making everyone in the harem extremely envious.
Some people planned to follow in the footsteps of Lady Dong and recommend themselves to the Imperial Concubine. Unfortunately, the Imperial Concubine was shrewd and dared not even dream of having designs on a prince. These people's plans were destined to be in vain.
Fanghua laughed heartily when she found out.
"Your Highness, aren't you worried?" Granny Zhang asked, somewhat puzzled, seeing the Empress smiling so happily.
Fanghua watched her son wreaking havoc on her flowers in the garden again, her smile undiminished, as if all her previous warnings were just empty words.
They dote on you a lot.
"What are you worried about? Are you worried that she's eyeing my position as Empress?" Hmph, even if she had the chance, it wouldn't have mattered. The Niohuru family might want it, but it depends on whether the Emperor will give them the opportunity.
The Imperial Concubine would certainly not oppose him for something that didn't exist, after all, he had leverage over her.
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