Having served as a concubine without the emperor's favor, Bumbutai naturally knew what kind of life those in lowly positions and without favor lived.
"Your Majesty is right. I will definitely manage the Western Six Palaces well." Consort Zhao knew that the Empress Dowager was referring to the matter of Consort Wuya in Consort Tong's palace a while ago. Consorts without connections might not know about it, but those with influence in the palace knew about it.
"Yes, Your Majesty will also manage the Eastern Six Palaces well and will not let Your Majesty have any worries."
"That's good. By the way, I've heard that there's a concubine named Suo Zhuolun who saved the emperor. I've heard she's quite clever."
Bumbutai's purpose today was to see if Suozhuolun was a docile person. Although she had heard Sumalagu talk about it, she would not feel at ease until she saw it with her own eyes.
"Empress Dowager, Suo Zhuolun is indeed a very good girl. Since entering the palace, she has never had any scandals with that concubine. She is also dignified and has the air of a Manchu lady."
Consort Zhao was indeed referring to the original owner of the body. The original owner was a very kind person who was always good to others. In addition, the Suo Zhuolun family only had one legitimate daughter, so she was naturally pampered and spoiled. In terms of education, she was taught according to the methods of the Manchu aunt. She had a gentle appearance, but she did not diminish the aunt's aura at all.
"That's true, but his health might be a bit weak. He caught a cold in July and only recovered recently."
"She was still sick in early October?"
Bumbutai was somewhat displeased. It was because Suozhuolun had served Xuan Ye while ill. If Xuan Ye had been infected, Suozhuolun would have been worth ten heads.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Lady Suo Zhuolun had already recovered by then. At the end of September, someone came to inform me. I asked the imperial physician to confirm, and only then did I have the Imperial Household Department put up her green plaque."
Consort Zhao explained that, after all, Suo Zhuolun was one of her people in the Western Six Palaces, so naturally nothing could go wrong.
"That was my fault. I didn't find out the truth before I presented it to the Empress Dowager."
Consort Tong seemed embarrassed as she got up and apologized to Bumbutai.
"It's alright. Sumalagu, go and invite Suozhuolunshi in. I want to see if she is indeed a clever child."
"Yes," Sumalagu replied, then got up and went out.
"Which one is Consort Suo Zhuolun of Yongshou Palace!" As Su Mala Gu's voice fell, everyone else looked at Wan Yi.
"Greetings, Aunt Su Ma. This is your humble servant, Suo Zhuolun from Yongshou Palace." Wanyi stepped forward and gave a polite bow.
"Consort Suo Zhuolun, the Empress Dowager requests your presence. Please come with me!"
"yes."
Wanyi followed Sumalagu into the hall, and behind them were curious, envious, jealous, and even hateful glances. Wanyi knew without even thinking who they were.
"This humble servant, Lady Suo Zhuolun of Yongshou Palace, wishes the Empress Dowager a long and peaceful life!"
"May Consort Zhao and Consort Tong be blessed with good fortune!"
Today, Wanyi wore a light blue warm satin, a Jiangnan warm satin that Emperor Kangxi had bestowed upon her last time. The material was light and warm. She was a proper young lady-in-waiting, without much jewelry. Her bows were generous and straightforward. She had fair, delicate, and beautiful features with a gentle yet not delicate appearance. Her voice was ethereal and melodious. Bumbutai was very satisfied with such a girl and thus gave her a slight boost.
"Rise, and be seated."
Seeing that the Empress Dowager seemed to like Suo Zhuolun, Su Mala Gu was also happy and bypassed He Mama to personally move an embroidered stool for Wan Yi.
"Thank you, Aunt Suma!"
Wanyi sincerely thanked Sumalagu, which the Empress Dowager also noticed and thought she was a good person with a kind heart.
"Of course."
Wanyi sat demurely on the stool, only halfway up. She dared not act recklessly in Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager was an old fox who had lived through three reigns. She was cautious, though she could be charming and cunning in front of Emperor Kangxi. In Cining Palace, even the dragon (Kangxi) had to coil up.
Although Wanyi had entered, her rank was too low, so she could only smile and couldn't get a word in edgewise. However, she didn't want to join the conversation. Consort Zhao and Consort Tong were exchanging pleasantries, trying to please the Empress Dowager. Whenever the Empress Dowager smiled, Wanyi would smile along. Finally, she managed to leave Cining Palace, only to find that the concubines outside had already left. Consort Zhao looked down on Wanyi, but because Wanyi was from the Eastern Six Palaces, she would look after her. Since this was Cining Palace, Consort Tong didn't bother to find fault with Wanyi.
Wanyi watched helplessly as Consort Zhao and Consort Tong boarded their palanquins and left outside the Cining Gate. She could only resign herself to following them, wondering how she had survived her previous life. When they reached the Qianqiu Pavilion, Consort Zhao and Consort Tong parted ways. Wanyi naturally followed Consort Zhao towards her own palace. Not far along, Wanyi walked on her own.
"stop."
Consort Tong looked at the flowers in full bloom before her and suddenly wanted to take a walk. After all, where could she find so many beautiful flowers in autumn? They were just cultivated by the Imperial Household Department and would all be gone in a few days. If she didn't look at them now, all that would be left in winter would be chrysanthemums.
"What's wrong with Your Highness?" Ningdong asked Consort Tong in confusion.
"I'm going down for a stroll. This Imperial Garden won't be in full bloom until next spring."
Ningdong helped Consort Tong walk forward, followed by eunuchs carrying a palanquin.
"Lian'er, who do you think will become the next empress, Consort Zhao or Consort Tong?" The two palace maids cleaning Wanchun Pavilion were newly selected from the Lower Five Banners bondservants last year and had just completed their training this year. Because they didn't have money to bribe the head maid, they took on the task of cleaning Wanchun Pavilion.
"Who becomes empress has nothing to do with us. This is the master's business. Don't talk nonsense. If the steward finds out, you'll be in for a beating." Lian'er said to the other woman without any politeness.
"Isn't this just a bit of gossip?"
"Oh! Have you heard? A while ago, Consort Wuya moved out of Consort Tong's place and went to live in Yonghe Palace."
"What kind of messy stuff have you found out this time?" Lian'er asked, seeing that the sweeping was almost done. She called another maid, Juxiang, to sit down on the steps of the Wanchun Pavilion next to her. She also wanted to hear some gossip, since that was all the entertainment there was in the harem.
Aren't you curious?
"I'm just curious! Otherwise, why would I call you over? Of course, I want to hear about your knowledgeable side!" Lian'er praised Juxiang, hoping she would tell her more about things she didn't know.
Do you know who Consort Wuya's grandfather was?
"Who is she? I only know that she comes from the Upper Three Banners, but I don't know much about her!"
“That’s right. Uya is from the Plain Yellow Banner’s bondservant family. Her father was a bondservant military commander. Most importantly, do you know who her grandfather is?” Juxiang looked at Lian’er with a smug expression.
"I really don't know, Juxiang, please tell me!"
Lian'er tugged at Juxiang's arm and swayed it from side to side, coaxing her. This piqued Juxiang's curiosity, and she naturally knew the answer. With Lian'er blocking her view, Juxiang quickly looked around and saw a purple skirt in the distance, so she knew that the person had arrived.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
