Qingzhi took a few steps forward, stood with her head down, and waited for Consort Hui's question, wondering if she had made any mistakes recently.
"What do you think of Geng Youran?"
Qingzhi paused for a moment, then replied calmly:
“You Ran has been quite serious since she entered Yanxi Palace and has never done anything out of line.”
Consort Hui smiled, not looking at Qingzhi, and continued to ask, feigning nonchalance:
"You seem to really like this girl."
"This servant dares not."
Qingzhi thought that Consort Hui might have found out that she had taken Youran to a side room.
The Empress was not interested in the rivalry and jealousy among the palace maids, and even the head nanny only occasionally offered a few words of advice.
Because she, Qinglan, and Qingyu, as head palace maids, each had their own responsibilities and clear division of labor, there were almost no conflicts. They were all senior servants who had served Consort Hui for seven or eight years, so others dared not easily gossip about them behind their backs.
Thinking about all this, Qingzhi calmed down.
However, Consort Hui did not mention this matter. She picked up a chess piece from the table beside her and said slowly:
"What would you think if I kicked You Ran out?"
Qingzhi was startled.
"Your Majesty's decision is certainly correct, and this servant dares not speak recklessly. However..."
"Go on."
"This servant dares to be so bold as to implore Your Majesty to give You Ran another chance, considering her consistent dedication and loyalty."
Consort Hui snorted and then said:
"You silly girl, you didn't even ask what mistake You Ran made, yet you dared to plead for her?"
"this……"
Qingzhi didn't continue speaking and could only continue kneeling.
Looking at Qingzhi kneeling before her, Consort Hui felt a pang of pity.
This girl had been by her side for many years, always doing her best and being exceptionally loyal to her. She had always intended to bestow her upon her son as a princess to help her take good care of Yinzhi.
Unexpectedly, before the imperial concubine selection, Yinzhi suddenly approached him and said that he had taken a liking to the daughter of a steward of the Imperial Household Department.
This greatly surprised Consort Hui.
Her son was not usually interested in women; most of the women in the household were given to him by Emperor Kangxi and Consort Hui for the purpose of having offspring. This was the first time that Yinzhi had come to her for the sake of a woman.
He wouldn't even tell her the reason.
Initially, Consort Hui wanted to see what kind of person Geng Youran was. If he was a law-abiding person, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make him a princess for her son.
However, recently, because of this girl, trouble has been constantly arising among the palace maids in Yanxi Palace, which displeases Consort Hui.
What Consort Hui didn't know was that some of the maids in her palace had long been restless, and Geng Youran was merely the fuse.
"Alright, stop kneeling. Call Geng Youran over. I have something to say to that girl."
"yes."
After Qingzhi summoned Geng Youran, she intended to leave, but Consort Hui said:
"Since you're in charge of teaching her, you can listen in here too."
Geng Youran remained kneeling without raising her head.
“You Ran, you’ve been in Yanxi Palace for quite some time now. Lately, because of you, things haven’t been very peaceful in Yanxi Palace.”
"This servant is guilty, please punish me, Your Majesty."
"You're quite sensible. Qingzhi dotes on you and lets you live in a side room. I usually assist the six palaces and don't have the extra energy to deal with these trivial matters. But I absolutely will not allow anyone to keep quiet about what they know."
Upon hearing this, Qingzhi knelt down with a thud.
"Please, Your Majesty, have mercy."
"You Ran, let me be frank with you today. You'd better keep the matter of the First Prince to yourself. As for failing to report it, you'll be fined two months' salary and ten strokes of the cane."
"This servant thanks Your Highness."
This is ancient times.
When someone in a superior punishes you, you should express gratitude. Why? Because the fact that they spared your life is itself a reward.
Geng Youran wasn't worried about the monthly allowance; she didn't have many expenses in the palace anyway. It was just that those ten strokes of the cane might really kill her.
After Qingzhi and Geng Youran withdrew, Consort Hui summoned others to serve them again.
"Sister Qingzhi, what about this board?"
Qingzhi turned her head and glared at Geng Youran, then scolded her:
"You'd better keep your mouth shut from now on."
Did you know but fail to report it?
When the Empress summoned her and mentioned that You Ran was changing rooms, she guessed who had complained. However, after all, they had served the Empress together for so many years, and it was indeed not appropriate to break off relations.
"Don't worry, with Xiao Anzi here, you won't die."
What seemed like mockery was actually a hint. Xiao Anzi had often tried to get close to Qingzhi and the others. Putting aside everything else, Xiao Anzi knew the saying, "He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding."
So when it came time to administer the punishment, I deliberately found a few experienced people.
At least it will make You Ran suffer less.
But at this moment, Qingzhi still had a knot in her heart.
What exactly is going on between the eldest prince and Geng Youran?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
