The Empress Dowager treated her fairly well, but nothing particularly special. She said a few words to her and then told her to go back and sit down.
He caught a glimpse of Consort Tong's expression.
Hmm, very "good-looking". It seems that she was not reprimanded by the Empress Dowager, which disappointed the Consort!
The Empress Dowager was not keen on interacting with her grandson's concubines and quickly sent them back.
After leaving Cining Palace, Wangshu went straight back to Qixiang Palace.
After returning, Wang Shu washed up and felt refreshed before going to the study she had specially prepared.
Calling it a study isn't quite right; according to Wang Shu, it's more like a studio.
There were quite a few books inside. She and Kangxi had settled their relationship in the library. The books in the room were arranged by Kangxi, just like before. He would teach her to read whenever he had time. Besides her desk, she also had a large workbench with many tools and materials made of copper, iron, gold, silver, and wood...
She didn't intend to follow the path of a learned woman, and since Emperor Kangxi was fond of Western learning, Wang Shu felt that she could use that as a starting point, as they would have something in common.
If done well, it might even lead to multiple industries in the future.
Having money in hand means you won't panic, right?
Upon entering the studio—no, the study—Wang Shu said, “Bring me the Western clock that the Emperor bestowed upon me.”
"yes."
Then Wangshu started taking things apart, and she was really happy. The joy of doing crafts is something you have to understand.
Seeing this, Su Mu couldn't help but remind her, "Your Highness, isn't it a bit inappropriate to just dismantle the Western clock that the Emperor gave you?"
Wang Shu shook her head: "No, I told the Emperor beforehand that as long as we don't tell anyone, it will have a bad influence."
Nowadays, Western clocks are not as common as they were in the later years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. Some technologies still need to be mastered, and they are still considered rare items in the palace. Not many people have Western clocks, and Wangshu got two at once. One of them was disassembled by the Kangxi Emperor for her.
However, it's still best to keep a low profile.
Su Mu finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Wang Shu's words.
Wang Shu received many rewards, most of which were given by Emperor Kangxi when she was in the Qianqing Palace. At that time, the Qixiang Palace had not yet been renovated. Su Mu was not in the Qianqing Palace, so not many people knew about it.
The study was quiet, and Wang Shu was engrossed in her work.
There was no entertainment in ancient times, so for a modern person accustomed to an era of entertainment to the death, she needed to find something to fill her life.
According to her script, if no one makes major changes to the play, it will be many more years before she can maintain a high position and live a worry-free life.
Palace intrigue was inevitable, but she couldn't let it completely fill her life. Besides, she couldn't discuss poetry with Emperor Kangxi, so discussing Western studies would be much better.
It's absolutely unique in the harem, guaranteed to be special.
Qixiang Palace, where Wangshu enjoys a peaceful and serene life, is not so good for the others.
When Consort Hui returned to the palace, she said to the head maid, "That maid from the Xin Zhe Ku should stay hidden for a while longer. With Consort Chun here, it's not time for her to make her move."
The old nanny did not go out with Consort Hui and did not know what Wang Shu looked like, but she had seen Jue Chan from the Xin Zhe Ku.
"Your Majesty, it shouldn't be that bad, right?"
“Consort Chun is beautiful, but her beauty is different from that of Juechan. If it were only Juechan, the Emperor would naturally prefer a beauty, but Juechan is too dull and lacks the liveliness of Consort Chun.”
A wooden beauty may be happy when she sleeps, but a lively beauty is a true beauty.
Both are equally beautiful, but the Pure Noble Lady has a more lively and charming quality, making her slightly better. Bringing out Juechan now won't be very effective.
"Can……"
"There's no need for you to say more, Granny. Let Juechan wait a little longer. It will be more effective to promote Juechan after the Emperor has gotten used to Consort Chun."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The plan was disrupted, and Consort Hui was angry, but anger could not solve the problem. She had never been particularly favored before, and her promotion to Consort was only because she gave birth to the de facto eldest son. For the sake of her son, she needed more favor from Yanxi Palace, and she also needed young concubines to speak well of Yanxi Palace.
Juechan was chosen by her.
She is beautiful but lacks dynamism; she is favored, but her favor will not last.
Consort Hui was not favored, but she understood Emperor Kangxi's temperament. She knew that he favored beauties with inner beauty and talent, and of course, he would not ignore any beauty.
In Chengqian Palace, Consort Tong rarely got angry because of a mere concubine.
"What is it about Consort Chun that makes the Empress Dowager treat her so kindly?"
Consort Tong was puzzled and confused.
Despite the Empress Dowager's apparent kindness towards her, she was reprimanded quite often, though she was never publicly humiliated.
In her opinion, Consort Chun had the potential to become the second Consort Dong'e. She originally thought that the Empress Dowager should hate her, but she treated her quite well.
Consort Tong was so frustrated!
"Your Majesty, why bother with a mere Noble Lady! Judging from my observation, this Noble Lady Chun is probably not a clever person. You should understand that the Emperor will not like a shallow person."
Yes, those in high positions in the harem all knew about Kangxi's preferences.
Reason is reason, and feelings are feelings. She could push away Uya and let Wanshuha enjoy favor right under her nose in order to have a child and consolidate her position, but she couldn't stand someone becoming special.
"Forget it, let's wait and see. I'll see how far she can go."
Despite feeling uncomfortable, Consort Tong wasn't foolish enough to let a nobleman with no family background dirty her hands.
When Lady Wuya heard that Wang Shu was unharmed at Cining Palace, she was also disappointed. She had originally thought that if Wang Shu had been reprimanded, she could have comforted her, since people are most likely to let their guard down when they are hurt.
As for Consort Rong, who was the most vulnerable, although she disliked Wang Shu, she wasn't foolish enough to pick a fight with her.
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