After Ji Huan gave her instructions, all she needed to do for the time being was to serve Emperor Qianlong well.
As for scheming?
The harem is currently relatively peaceful. Even if there are schemes, they are all minor squabbles that are harmless to Ji Huan.
Ji Huan's persona as a devoted lover was quite successful; at least Emperor Qianlong believed it wholeheartedly, and she became increasingly favored.
As the weather gets hotter, the amount of ice used in the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) also increases.
"Why is it so hot? Are you out of ice?"
"My lady, when I went to collect ice today, the people from the Imperial Household Department said that the weather is hot this year and the ice stored last year is not enough. They told me to go and get more tomorrow."
Ji Huan frowned. Qianlong was a man who loved to enjoy life and was never short of money. How could his harem be short of ice? Even if it was, it wouldn't be for his favorite concubines.
"Go and find out who intercepted our ice."
She was favored, but her rank was too low.
It's not impossible that someone might want to "borrow" the ice, or that someone might want to create conflict.
Qingyin was found out very quickly.
"My lady, it's the eldest prince."
The result was both unexpected and not so unexpected.
The eldest prince's birth mother passed away before Emperor Qianlong ascended the throne. As for how she died, the eldest prince was raised under the care of Consort Chun and was considered her adopted son.
"The eldest prince is the emperor's son, so I can't say much if he needs ice. But what about the third and sixth princes? Do they need ice?"
"Third Prince and Sixth Prince have Consort Chun looking after them constantly, so they have no shortage of ice."
"Let's report this to Consort Xian. This is a useful handle, and I think Consort Xian wouldn't mind using it. It's been hot lately, and everyone has been working hard to serve us. Let's take some money and buy two large pots at Natural Painting Studio to cook some mung bean soup. We can also buy some ice from the Imperial Household Department to chill it. We'll buy ice for my own use as well! After a while, the Emperor will compensate us. I don't think Consort Chun will be indifferent."
"Yes, my lord."
Regardless of who that "scheming person" is, she currently has no intention of confronting Consort Chun directly.
In fact, despite Emperor Qianlong's generosity in bestowing titles upon his concubines, the power struggles within his harem were far more intense.
Ji Huan herself didn't mention that the First Prince had used Ji Huan's ice, but someone else noticed it. However, they didn't tell Consort Chun, but instead helped cover it up.
Consort Chun had been favored for many years and her position was secure, but there were also many in the harem who couldn't stand to see her doing well.
Moreover, while Consort Xian was recuperating, Consort Chun was in charge of palace affairs.
Consort Xian received the news quickly.
"It's not like Consort Chun has been favoring her own children for just a day or two, but this time she really went too far. My illness should be cured by now."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Consort Xian had just recovered from her illness when Emperor Qianlong went to visit her.
Compared to before, without a child, Consort Xian has become much more docile. In the end, Consort Xian also knows Qianlong's preferences. She used to think there was no need to change for him, but now she needs to use his power to take revenge.
Therefore, she doesn't mind making some changes.
Consort Xian was a secondary consort in the Prince's residence. Although Emperor Qianlong's feelings for her were not as strong as those for Empress Fucha and Consort Chun, he still had some affection for her.
Seeing her so submissive, Emperor Qianlong felt a greater sense of pity for Consort Xian.
"Your Majesty, it is my fault. I failed to protect the child with Your Majesty."
"It's not your fault. You didn't know we could have more children in the future."
"With Your Majesty's words, I am content."
As she spoke, Consort Xian leaned into Emperor Qianlong's arms. Emperor Qianlong rarely saw Consort Xian so vulnerable and felt great pity for her.
"Xinning, I will treat you well from now on. Our child will be back soon."
"Really?"
"I'm not lying to you."
"Your Majesty, you are so good to me."
Consort Xian's submission made her unparalleled in favor for a time.
On this day, Emperor Qianlong came to Consort Xian's place. Consort Xian was handling palace affairs, her brows furrowed.
Emperor Qianlong hurriedly asked, "Xinning, what's wrong?"
"Your Majesty, I don't know whether I should say this or not..."
"What is there that you can't tell me?"
"After I lost my child, I instructed people to take better care of the princes and princesses. The First Prince suffers from summer heat, and his wife and concubine are both pregnant. There isn't enough ice, and the people around him secretly used ice from Consort Rou. Consort Rou probably knows that it was the First Prince's people who used it, but she hasn't said anything. Recently, the ice we've been using has been bought at a high price from the Imperial Household Department. If I hadn't asked people to take care of the princes, I really wouldn't have known about this. The servants around the First Prince are becoming increasingly audacious."
Emperor Qianlong frowned upon hearing this.
He knew Consort Xian's character well; she disliked spreading rumors, so this matter should be true.
How long has this been going on?
"It's been about ten days. I was sick a few days ago, and Chun-meimei was in charge of all the palace affairs. Chun-meimei is kind and benevolent, so she was probably fooled by the palace servants. I know the people in the Imperial Household Department. If they want to fool someone, most people can't tell."
Consort Xian pointed out Consort Chun.
Firstly, the eldest prince is the adopted son of Consort Chun, yet he doesn't have enough ice. Consort Chun's own children have never been known to lack ice.
Secondly, the fact that Consort Chun was in charge of palace affairs indicates that she was not capable enough, as she had allowed the allowances of the palace concubines to be misappropriated, which was a dereliction of duty.
Thirdly, the fact that the palace servants around the First Prince dared to misappropriate the allowances of the concubines in the harem indicates that there is something wrong with his palace servants. The people around the First Prince were all arranged and managed by Consort Chun.
Consort Xian defended Consort Chun, but in reality, Emperor Qianlong had begun to doubt Consort Chun's abilities and intentions.
"Thanks to you, now that the matter has been investigated, the servants who misappropriated Consort Rou's allowance will be sent back to the Imperial Household Department. As for the First Prince, I will have Li Yu select some new servants for him later."
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