As instructed, the palace servants carefully packed up the rewards, and Eunuch Zhang from the Imperial Household Department led a group of new palace servants to the side hall.
Wu Yaxin was promoted in rank, from Changzai to Guiren. According to palace rules, she would have to increase the number of palace servants serving her.
Sure enough, given her current favor, as soon as the news arrived, Eunuch Zhang, the deputy chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, immediately came with palace servants.
Since Wu Yaxin is still resting in bed, she delegated the important task of selecting palace maids to Yu Yin.
Yu Yin had been trained by the Wuya family since childhood and was extremely loyal to them, so she trusted them completely.
Inside the room, Wu Yaxin already knew that Consort An had been confined to her quarters, and she was currently pondering something.
Consort An was indeed a noble lady from a prominent family. Despite committing such a serious crime as plotting against the imperial heir, she was only confined to her quarters for three months, and the blame was taken by a palace maid, without implicating her.
Shaking her head, Wu Yaxin was filled with grief and indignation. Thinking of her identity, other thoughts involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
It's ironic that Consort An, of noble birth, committed a serious crime but received no severe punishment. If it were me, a concubine from a bondservant family, I would probably have been executed long ago.
This Consort An is incredibly stupid and malicious. She has tried to harm me several times, so I must be on guard. If I cannot completely suppress her, she may become a major threat to my harem in the future.
With her hands clenched into fists, Wu Yaxin was filled with resentment. This time, all her schemes had failed to harm her in the slightest. She was truly furious.
No, we must get Consort An out of here, otherwise...
Thinking of this, something flashed through Wu Yaxin's mind, and she seemed to have a plan in mind.
He beckoned Yu Yin in, whispered to her for a moment, and carefully explained his plan. Only when Yu Yin indicated that she understood did he feel relieved.
Carefully lying back on the bed, a cold smile flashed across Wu Yaxin's lips.
Consort An, aren't you relying on your family background? This time, I'll see if you can escape this time.
Changchun Palace
The days of confinement were incredibly difficult to endure, especially for someone like Consort An, who was simple-minded and spoiled; these days felt like an eternity.
Since being confined to Changchun Palace for half a month, Consort An's temper has become increasingly worse.
She knew that the reason the Emperor had confined her to her quarters was because his plot to murder the imperial heir had been exposed.
Out of consideration for the Li family, the Emperor did not punish her, but simply confined her to her quarters for three months.
The blame was placed on Hongxiu, a palace maid in the imperial kitchen, without implicating herself in the slightest.
This is undoubtedly the best outcome in this matter.
During her confinement, Li Jingfang, who was originally proud and arrogant, is now filled with anxiety and fear.
She knew that by committing such a serious crime, she had lost the emperor's favor, the support of her family outside the palace, and her dignity as a concubine.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I'm afraid I'll be stuck with my title of Consort An from now on, childless and without favor, just passing the rest of my life.
Thinking of this, Consort An hugged herself tightly, terrified by the thoughts in her mind.
No, no! I am the daughter of the prestigious Li family, the head of the six concubines. I should be the most favored concubine in the harem and live a glorious life. How can this be?
No, I will not allow myself to end up like that.
Consort An straightened her clothes and called out loudly, "Yuxin, come in. I have important matters to discuss with you."
After calling three times without receiving a response, Consort An became furious and was about to call again.
The door creaked open, and a young palace maid dressed in a green palace gown walked in timidly.
The young palace maid walked up to Consort An and knelt down with a thud. "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that my two elder sisters, Yuxin and Yurou, have been returned to the Imperial Household Department? Now, I am serving Your Majesty."
At this point, Consort An paused, and it took her a moment to realize what was happening.
Yes, ever since he was placed under house arrest, His Majesty has replaced the personal maids who served him. Yu Xin and Yu Rou, who had served him since childhood, are no longer by his side.
The current personal maid was promoted by Qingru, who was previously a second-class maid.
She rubbed her forehead, and Consort An's tone was unusually gentle: "Qingru, how long have you been serving me?"
Knowing Consort An's temperament, Qingru dared not delay and immediately replied, "Your Majesty, this servant has been serving Your Majesty for two years."
"I've treated you fairly well on a regular basis, haven't I?" Consort An continued to ask.
Qingru had something amiss, but outwardly she was extremely respectful and her tone was flattering.
"Your Majesty has always been magnanimous and has always treated me very well. When I first entered the palace, I was just a lowly maid who swept and cleaned. Now I am able to become Your Majesty's personal maid, all thanks to Your Majesty's promotion."
"Hahaha! Not bad, not bad, Qingru, I knew I hadn't misjudged you." Consort An chuckled twice, quite satisfied with this palace maid.
She had observed Qingru before, and when Yuxin was incompetent, she had even considered promoting Qingru to a higher position. Now, seeing this, it was indeed a good idea.
Consort An beckoned Qingru forward and gave the order in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Qingru felt a sense of difficulty, but outwardly she confidently agreed and assured Consort An that she was loyal: "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will do her utmost to accomplish this for Your Majesty."
"Yes! Go ahead, I trust you, you will definitely not let me down." Patting Qingru on the shoulder, Consort An was very relieved.
After dinner, Wu Yaxin was reading a book to pass the time when Yu Yin lifted the curtain, quickly walked to the bedside, and whispered to her.
"My lord, news has come from over there."
Upon hearing this, Wu Yaxin responded softly without looking up.
“It’s alright. Just send her a message that since that person wants to do it, we should do as she says. It doesn’t conflict with my plan.”
...
Time passed slowly, and three months went by in the blink of an eye. Consort An finally got through that difficult time and was freed from confinement.
As she left Empress Niohuru's Kunning Palace, she could still faintly hear the sneers and sarcasm of the crowd. All the way, Consort An kept a cold face and remained silent.
Only after returning to his own Changchun Palace did he finally burst out.
*Crack!* Seeing the shattered porcelain vase with the begonia flower design on the ground, Consort An's anger seemed to subside somewhat.
"Qingru, how are things going with the tasks I asked you to do? Why is there still no progress?"
"Your Highness, I have already made arrangements, but this thing is indeed hard to find. If it were that easy, the women of the world wouldn't be so worried." Qingru knelt on the ground, fawningly massaging Consort An's legs, explaining herself in a low voice.
"But Your Highness, rest assured, I have been keeping an eye on things and will report to you as soon as I have any news."
Hearing this, Consort An found it reasonable, and considering that Qingru had performed quite well over the past few months, she said nothing more.
"Alright, seeing that you served me quite well before, I will trust you this time."
Upon receiving Consort An's words, Qingru immediately kowtowed twice, uttering flattering words that delighted Consort An.
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