With the Empress Dowager back and the Empress in the inner palace, paying respects to her naturally had to begin.
However, he still didn't go every day, but rather every five days.
Not to mention Harigana's reluctance to get up early, even Bumbutai, who was used to a leisurely life in Wutai Mountain, found it hard to accept suddenly seeing so many women chattering away.
"Your Majesty, I see that your complexion is much better than before."
After observing the quiet hall where the Empress had paid her respects, Consort Rong thought for a moment and then spoke.
"Yes! The Emperor and Empress are very kind. The imperial physicians have used the best medicines, and I feel much better myself."
The Empress Dowager leaned lazily against the soft pillows, talking but not even glancing at Consort Rong.
For a moment, the situation became somewhat awkward.
Consort Hui was overjoyed, her eyes fixed on Consort Rong, eager to see her reaction.
Watching a play can be so enjoyable!
But thinking about how she had been watched like a fool before, she suddenly felt annoyed again.
Why was she so stupid before? She was already doing very well as a concubine, so why did she have to be so foolish as to fight for it and make a fool of herself in front of others?
"What the Empress Dowager said is something that both the Emperor and the Empress are filial people, so naturally they are worried about your health."
Consort Rong showed no sign of it on her face, and even went along with the conversation to flatter the two of them.
I thought that Harigana would respond when she heard what she said, but she acted as if she didn't hear me at all, chatting with the Empress Dowager and laughing very happily.
This time, she really couldn't hold back anymore.
She was Consort Rong, an old servant of the Emperor's household, and even the Empress shouldn't have ignored her like that.
But she could only curse inwardly; she couldn't say anything.
If the Emperor finds out what she did, he will definitely punish her. The previous Consort Yi is a good example. She can't do anything stupid.
“Eji, I haven’t told you yet, but Xiao Wu speaks Manchu and Chinese very well now.”
The Empress Dowager turned her head to look at Bumbutai and interrupted Consort Rong.
"So fast?"
She had only been away for half a year, but she never expected that Xiao Wu could speak both Mandarin and Manchu.
She had mentioned the Empress Dowager before, but she herself couldn't learn how to do it, so she couldn't teach Xiao Wu at all.
Previously, the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager had a very good relationship, and Xiao Wu was a child whom the Grand Empress Dowager had watched grow up.
Hearing that someone is promising, he is naturally happy.
"Yes, Mother, that's very well said."
"I'll bring him over tomorrow, and you can test him yourself."
Harigana remained seated, without moving an inch, not even turning his head to face the concubines.
She knew the Empress Dowager was avenging her, but she pretended not to understand anything, while watching the two of them talk.
"Very well! Bring Xiao Wu over tomorrow, and I'll personally test him."
The Empress Dowager was also bored, and now that she had something to do, her eyesight became much clearer.
Turning to the concubines below, she asked, "Consort Hui, how is the First Prince?"
Consort Hui quickly stood up: "Your Majesty, the eldest prince has been practicing riding and archery recently, saying that he wants to be a great general in the future. He is studying very hard, and I sometimes only get to see him once every three days."
These words caused a variety of reactions among those present.
Only Harigana knew that what she said was true.
Perhaps it was because of Kangxi's imperial edict that they compromised, or perhaps they had truly come to a realization.
In short, it has nothing to do with her.
She should just behave herself in the harem. If she causes any trouble, there will definitely be a chance to deal with her.
Consort Yi is a good example. If she doesn't learn well when she comes out again, Consort Yi can still fan the flames and make her spend the rest of her life in confinement.
"Not bad, not bad. Boys should have a good physique, especially royal children, who should be proficient in both literature and martial arts."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and Consort Hui got up and sat back down.
Consort Rong thought the Empress Dowager would ask Yinzhi next, and she had already planned how to answer. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager not only did not ask Yinzhi, but asked Yinsi directly.
"Your Majesty, the Eighth Prince has recently begun to learn to read."
Consort Liang dared not say more and answered politely.
"Yes! The Emperor has ordered you to raise the Eighth Prince; you must nurture him."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand again, saying nothing more, as if it were just a routine matter.
"yes!"
Consort Liang quickly sat back down, keeping her head down and not daring to look at anyone.
She was indeed terrified.
She was just a lowly palace maid who climbed into the emperor's bed and had a prince. Now she was a concubine and could raise her child on her own, which she was already very content with.
Now all she wants is to raise her son well, and then leave the palace with him to live out her old age in peace.
People looked down on her petty and stingy manner, yet they were also quite envious.
They had sons and high social status, mainly because the Empress did not suppress them at all.
The Empress Dowager then asked Xiao Liu and Xiao Qi, and finally looked at Consort Rong and asked Yin Zhi.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Third Prince has been studying diligently lately and has already learned to write many characters."
Especially her Chinese, she's learned it very well.
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, but it was fleeting and no one noticed except for Harigana and the Empress Dowager who were sitting nearby.
"Hmm, not bad, nurture it well."
Consort Rong's long speech was left unsaid; she awkwardly bowed and sat down.
Harigana knew she wasn't simple, but did he not expect her to lose her composure now?
However, Yinzhi is indeed a talented child, and it is hoped that Consort Rong will not ruin his future because of her own selfishness.
After all, Yinzhi's literary talent is renowned in history.
"Alright, you can all go back now. I'm tired."
Harigana stood up, bowed, and led the others to take their leave.
“Mother, come, I have something to show you.”
As they exited the Cining Palace, Harigana clung to the Empress Dowager's arm, acting all mysterious.
"Okay, okay, I'll go check on Bao Bao and Bei Bei. I bet Xiao Wu is off again by now."
The concubines behind them were incredibly envious as they watched the two figures walk away.
When Consort Rong returned to the palace, she heard that Yin Zhi was still sleeping. She angrily woke him up and made him recite poems.
Normally, Yinzhi would have gotten up early by now, but he didn't today because he wasn't feeling well and seemed to have a fever.
He wanted to say that he was feeling unwell, but seeing Consort Rong's gloomy face, he didn't dare to say it. He silently went to wash up and began to recite.
He didn't even eat breakfast, and Consort Rong didn't notice anything unusual about him, as she was single-mindedly focused on making Yinzhi the most outstanding.
Actually, she wasn't like this at first, and I don't know when she started to change. She also wanted power.
In Qingxi Palace, the Empress Dowager first looked at the sleeping baby and Beibei, and then at Yinqi who was writing large characters on the side, before following Harigana to the study.
"Mother, look, do you like it?"
She held the painting of the clothes in her hand, her eyes full of pride.
Even though I asked him if he liked it.
But she was certain in her heart that the Empress Dowager would like it!
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