Xu Lejin learned about the schemes of the Suochuoluo clan, a powerful family of bondservants, and Consort Rui from the palace maid Liu Ying.
Emperor Kangxi, following closely behind, naturally learned of it as well.
The Qianqing Palace was completely silent.
Liang Jiugong lowered his head, staring at his toes, feeling uneasy and anxious.
He was aware that the power of the bondservant class within the palace was growing daily, but he had always helped conceal this from the Emperor, maintaining a harmonious relationship with the bondservant class of the Imperial Household Department. Now…
Who is the mastermind behind all of this?
It's impossible that Consort Yu was the mastermind behind this. Firstly, revealing the powerful influence of the bondservant families in the palace would not benefit Consort Yu, and secondly, it would offend the bonder families of the Imperial Household Department.
Even a centipede, though dead, does not stiffen.
The major bondservant families of the Imperial Household Department have deep roots and complex relationships within the palace, having operated for many years, and any action taken by one of them can have far-reaching consequences.
With a 'bang,' Kangxi threw the pendant in his hand onto the table and said in a deep voice, 'The families of the Imperial Household Department are powerful and influential. They have complete control over the affairs of the palace.'
"I, the Emperor, have my every move known to them."
Liang Jiugong hung his head, holding his breath and not daring to utter a sound, for fear that he might accidentally anger Kangxi and lose his head and his life.
"Liang Jiugong, go and investigate. You must find out the intricate network of relationships within the Imperial Household Department."
Liang Jiugong nodded and bowed respectfully, then hunched over and left the Qianqing Palace.
Standing under the corridor outside the Qianqing Palace, Liang Jiugong looked out over the palace and thought to himself, "The palace is about to be in turmoil again."
Three days later
In the west wing of Changchun Palace, Consort Rui looked at the white bird's nest in the bowl before her, her pretty face darkening as she coldly said, "What's going on? Didn't the clan already agree that I, this young mistress, am pregnant with the imperial heir, and that we would secretly use the finest snow bird's nest?"
"Today, this is a white swallow, and its feathers haven't even been properly cleaned."
After Consort Rui became pregnant, the Suochuoluo family of the Imperial Household Department, after close discussion, decided to use the best snow swallow instead of white swallow, but reported to the emperor that it was white swallow of average quality.
Qiu'er, the palace maid serving Consort Rui, lowered her head slightly and dared not utter a sound.
Upon seeing this, Consort Rui was furious and said coldly, "Speak! What happened? I always use top-grade snow swallows, why have they turned into white swallows today?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, reporting to Your Highness,"
Qiu'er was filled with trepidation and hesitation, unsure whether she should tell the truth.
After much deliberation and hesitation, Qiu'er steeled herself and said in a low voice, "Reporting to Your Highness, the clan has sent word that you will no longer receive special treatment. The clan says that these are turbulent times, and they will have to make do with you for a while."
Rui Changzai immediately flew into a rage.
"To wrong this young mistress? This young mistress is carrying the emperor's child, the hope of the entire Suochuoluo family of the Imperial Household Department, how could I be wronged?"
"If the little prince in my womb doesn't receive enough nutrition while still in the womb, he won't be strong enough when he's born."
With his teeth nearly crushed, Rui Chang spoke coldly through gritted teeth, "Go, tell the clan that I want to use the best snow swallows, I want to eat the best."
"My lord,"
Qiu'er timidly looked up at Rui Changzai, on the verge of tears.
Residing in the rear hall of Changchun Palace, in the east side hall, Consort Yi, upon hearing the report from the palace maid beside her, curled her lips into a cold smile and said softly, "Consort Rui, relying on being pregnant with the emperor's child, is arrogant and disdainful of everyone. Now she has kicked a hornet's nest."
"I am a fellow concubine, just like her. Because she is pregnant, she drinks the finest snow fungus soup every day, while I..."
After a pause, Yi Changzai wore a disdainful smile.
"Although I cannot be like her and have a happy pregnancy, I can prevent her from drinking snow swallow wine."
"We were both palace maids, and we've been promoted. I'm just a lowly concubine like her, so why does she get to eat and drink so well just because she's pregnant?"
The palace maid serving Consort Yi lowered her head and thought quickly for a moment before smiling and saying, "Your Highness is clever. You made Consort Rui suffer a setback with just one move. According to the rules, Consort Rui can no longer use snow swallow as a tonic, so she will not show off in front of Your Highness."
"yes!"
Yi Changzai responded faintly, murmuring softly, "If she hadn't boasted in front of me, how could I have revealed to Consort Xi that she and the Suochuoluo clan had used their connections in the Imperial Household Department to replace Bai Yan with Xue Yan?"
"Even Consort Xi, with her rank of Consort, cannot drink bird's nest soup made from snow swallow feathers every day, let alone someone like me, a mere Attendant. Hehe."
Before we knew it, it was the end of October.
That night, Emperor Kangxi went to Consort Que's Chengqian Palace.
Consort Que dismissed the serving maids, her face beaming with smiles as she gently and attentively served Emperor Kangxi his dinner, though her mind was preoccupied with matters to come.
Emperor Kangxi smiled and looked at Consort Que, saying in a loud voice, "I see that you are in a good mood today, Consort Que. Is there something that makes you happy?"
Consort Que was taken aback.
After quickly considering her thoughts for a moment, Consort Que smiled and said, "It is the happiest thing for me when His Majesty comes to my palace."
"Oh, really?"
Emperor Kangxi gazed at Consort Que with amusement, but his heart was unconsciously drawn to Xu Lejin in Yikun Palace.
Looking at the gentle, obedient, and loving Consort Que before him, Kangxi couldn't help but compare her to Xu Lejin.
In comparison, Emperor Kangxi found Consort Que's words and actions to be frivolous, not at all like a well-bred lady raised in a prestigious family.
Consort Que glanced shyly at Emperor Kangxi, gave a coquettish sigh, and said, "Does Your Majesty not believe me? I swear to Heaven, Your Majesty, come to my palace..."
"No need, I trust you."
Emperor Kangxi stopped Consort Que from speaking and looked out at the night sky.
Half an hour later, Kangxi spoke loudly, "It's getting late, let's get settled in!"
"Your Majesty, your concubine..."
Consort Que hesitated, raised her head timidly, looked at Emperor Kangxi, and appeared very embarrassed and reluctant to speak.
Kangxi paused for a moment.
"What? Is there anything else, my beloved concubine?"
Consort Que quickly lowered her head and whispered, "Your Majesty, I dare not. I dare not. I am just feeling unwell and I am afraid I cannot serve Your Majesty."
"My mother sent three of my cousins to the palace to keep me company a few days ago. Would Your Majesty be interested in meeting them?"
Emperor Kangxi's eyes were sharp as he squinted at Consort Que.
After a short while, Consort Que's back was soaked with sweat from nervousness. She lowered her head, her face filled with fear and unease.
With a long sigh, Kangxi spoke in a deep voice, "Since he is your uncle, and your aunt sent him to the palace to keep you company, then I shall meet him!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Consort Que's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, relaxed a little. She quickly instructed her maid, Sang'er, to go to the back hall and invite the three Tongjia princesses to the main hall.
After a cup of tea
Sang'er, pale and trembling, entered the hall with the help of a palace maid. She knelt respectfully before Emperor Kangxi and Consort Que, her expression hesitant.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the three princesses, the three princesses..."
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