Time flies, and there are only three days left before entering the palace. The Ulanara clan has already prepared Anning's dowry, and Kangxi has specially allowed her to bring four useful people from her home to the palace.
The candidates were chosen by her and the Jue Luo clan. They knew each other well, their families were controlled by the Jue Luo clan and the Ulanara clan, and they were all clever and had a skill.
When Granny Wulan returned to the palace, Chunlan stayed behind. However, she was not included in the dowry quota. When she returned to the palace, she would serve by Anning's side.
...
"This servant greets Your Majesty."
Emperor Kangxi put down his pen and said in a deep voice, "Granny, get up!"
Granny Wulan stood up and said, "His Majesty instructed me to observe Consort Shu's every move. I noticed that apart from learning things a little faster than ordinary princesses, there is nothing particularly special about her."
An Ning was truly cautious; she even imitated the original owner's preferences. After transmigrating, she was terrified of hunger, but she still managed to suppress her abnormal craving for food.
The main concern is that if I'm not careful, the people around me will notice something amiss.
Kangxi was not surprised to hear this. Anning was originally a candidate for the prince's consort. He had sent people to investigate her before and there was nothing wrong with her, but the investigation was not this thorough.
"I have arranged for Consort Shu to reside in Changchun Palace. You will also be assigned to Changchun Palace as a head maid to protect Consort Shu and prevent her from being harmed in the palace intrigues."
Granny Wulan was already prepared, and immediately agreed upon hearing this.
After Granny Wulan left, Kangxi summoned Liang Jiugong again and repeatedly instructed him: "You need to thoroughly screen the people in Changchun Palace again. You know, this concerns Consort Shu, and I don't want any accidents to happen."
As one of the few people in the know, Liang Jiugong naturally understood the gravity of the situation.
"This servant will keep a close eye on the movements of Changchun Palace at all times to ensure that it remains under our control."
"I trust you to do things."
"Your Majesty, there has been quite a commotion regarding Changchun Palace recently, which has likely attracted the attention of the ladies-in-waiting and concubines. I have been keeping a close watch, but I still cannot completely stop them from spying on us."
Liang Jiugong was also in a dilemma. The concubines in the harem, especially those in high positions who had children, would all place their own people in the neighboring palaces. He could get rid of those people, but that would attract even more attention.
Kangxi understood this principle. After a moment of silence, he said, "You should secretly spread the word that you found out about Consort Shu falling into the water. Make sure everyone in the harem understands that my actions towards Changchun Palace are compensation."
Emperor Kangxi discovered that Consort De was responsible for Anning's drowning. He did not confront Consort De, but that was alright, as Consort De had a reason to do so, and Emperor Kangxi needed that reason now.
As for the truth, if it really wasn't Consort De who did it, she would definitely continue to investigate once she received the news.
If it's true, then she wouldn't be wronged.
Liang Jiugong thought about how Emperor Kangxi had favored Consort De over the years, and realized that it was really like a castle in the air, which could be destroyed at any moment, leaving Consort De no face at all.
Under Liang Jiugong's arrangement, Consort Tong was the first to learn that Consort De had caused Anning to fall into the water.
Consort Tong immediately connected this to the fact that Emperor Kangxi had specifically ordered Liang Jiugong to keep an eye on Changchun Palace.
"I see. I didn't expect that Consort De would also start to act foolishly. Ulanara was the daughter-in-law that my sister favored, yet she dared to touch her. No wonder the Emperor favors Consort Shu so much."
"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words. Consort Shu is already the Emperor's concubine, not some prince's wife. These words must not be spread."
Consort Tong smiled and said, "Don't worry, Granny. I'm only telling you this in private. I wouldn't tell anyone else. I just feel good. Consort De practically climbed up by stepping on her sister, and yet she still tormented Yinzhen."
With this incident, her standing in the Emperor's eyes will likely plummet. Consort Shu's fall from grace was perfectly timed. When she enters the palace in a couple of days, don't forget to tip her off. I heard she nearly drowned; she needs to know who did it.
The old woman was a confidante of Consort Tong, assigned by the Tong family. Naturally, she disliked Consort De and immediately agreed: "This servant also thinks that Consort Shu must also be very curious about why she suffered such a great punishment."
Consort Tong found out, and then Consort Wen, Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi also found out. Consort De was the last of the high-ranking concubines to find out.
Consort Yi and Consort De were equally favored and had similar children, making them the most fierce rivals.
Upon hearing this, she burst out laughing: "Consort De is really getting worse with age. She actually dared to do something like this. Empress Xiaoyi has been gone for several years, but she can't help but act recklessly whenever it involves Empress Xiaoyi. How delightful!"
That evening, Consort Yi ate an extra half bowl of rice.
Consort Hui and Consort Rong also felt that Consort De's actions were not wise, but they were happy to watch Consort De make a fool of herself.
At Yonghe Palace, Consort De was furious.
"Investigate! Investigate for me! I want to see who dares to slander me like this!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. This matter should indeed be investigated, but a month has passed, and I reckon it won't be easy to investigate."
Consort De could not accept such an explanation.
"It's not easy, but we must investigate. I've never suffered such a loss before. If we don't find out the truth this time, I'll be finished with the Emperor. If I lose face in front of the Emperor, my fourteenth son is still young and will be bullied."
"Yes, this servant will have someone investigate immediately."
"Also, send someone to deliver a message to the fourth brother, asking him to take good care of the fourteenth brother."
The nanny thought that the Fourth Prince was probably willing but unable, as Yinzhen was still studying in the Imperial Study! In the past, Consort De did not take good care of him, and after Empress Xiaoyi passed away, his life became very difficult.
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