Upon hearing Consort Hua's words, Songzhi and Zhou Ninghai's facial expressions became increasingly exaggerated.
While plotting to murder an imperial heir is risky, such things were not uncommon throughout history, given the power struggles within the imperial harem. For example, in Emperor Kangxi's early years, many princes died mysteriously and without explanation.
This is why princes and princesses were able to stay with their birth mothers and adoptive mothers until they were six years old before being moved to the princes' quarters for upbringing. Otherwise, according to ancestral family law, a prince would have to leave his birth mother before he was even out of the postpartum period.
Zhou Ninghai felt sorry for Consort Hua. She used to care so much about the Emperor and couldn't bear to see him even slightly displeased. Now, however, she had been driven to this state by the person she loved most.
Your Majesty, you call yourself the Son of Heaven, but what good is the Son of Heaven? You're still a blind man!
After the initial shock, Zhou Ninghai realized that Consort Hua was right. Rather than guarding against this and that, it would be better to eliminate future troubles decisively.
Amidst Songzhi's incredulous expression, Zhou Ninghai kowtowed fiercely to Consort Hua. His forehead slammed against the floor tiles in front of the bed, producing a dull thud.
"Your Majesty gave me this life. Whatever Your Majesty commands, I will go through fire and water to do it for you!"
Upon hearing this, Songzhi's shoulders slumped. She then thought to herself, "I am the Empress's servant; our fates are intertwined. Besides, over the years, the Empress and the General have always treated me well."
Zhou Ninghai was willing to risk his life for the Empress, going through fire and water without hesitation. Besides, even if the Empress did nothing, the outcome would be the same given the Emperor's actions. Without the skin, where will the hair attach? What reason did she have to hesitate?
After thinking it through, Songzhi said, "The same goes for me."
Consort Hua was moved to tears; she still had trustworthy people by her side.
The three discussed the matter for half the night before the lights in Consort Hua's room were finally turned off.
The person they were discussing with had no idea that he had gained a hater who had turned out to be a true fan, and was determined to retaliate in kind.
The next morning, when Sun Miaoqing arrived at Jingren Palace, she noticed that Huichun's expression was a bit off. While wondering what was wrong, she entered and saw Consort Hua, who had been absent for over a month, leisurely sitting in her seat drinking tea—it tasted just like before.
Consort Qi and the others remained silent, their expressions suggesting they had been bullied. Considering the smug look in Consort Hua's eyes, Sun Miaoqing concluded that the truth was exactly as Consort Hua suspected.
Something's not right. Why is Hua Pangpang here so early today? That's not like her at all!
[Could it be that he can't stand seeing Mei Jie and Consort Fucha favored, and that he himself has been ill for so many days, so he's in a hurry to come and cause trouble?]
[Tsk tsk tsk, Big Fatty Orange didn't even pick a strong opponent for Hua Pangpang. Sister Mei's fighting strength is less than a third of Hua Pangpang's.]
Consort Hua sipped her tea, glancing at Shen Meizhuang across from her out of the corner of her eye. She raised the corner of her mouth in disdain before putting down her teacup.
Do you think those two can keep her in check? Do they think Nian Shilan is someone that just anyone can compare to?
"This concubine greets Consort Hua, Consort Qi, Consort Jing, and Consort Li. May all of you be blessed."
Consort Hua said with a gentle smile, "My dear sister has arrived. It's been a while since I last saw you. You seem to have lost weight?"
[Ugh, every day my fat orange cat drags me out for two hours of punishment. Not only do I have to practice archery, but I also have to stay up all night embroidering. How can I not lose weight!]
Although losing weight doesn't affect my beauty, it's winter now, and skinny people are more afraid of the cold...
[He must have done it on purpose. He couldn't sleep in, so he couldn't stand me having a good life. He clung to power and wouldn't let go. He deserved to be poisoned by the Golden Elixir and die from exhaustion from reviewing memorials!]
Consort Hua's eyes narrowed slightly, the golden elixir...
Yes, the Emperor has been taking elixirs of immortality since his ascension to the throne, and she, serving by his side, knows a little about it. However, the Emperor doesn't take them very frequently.
That elixir contains highly nourishing ingredients such as ginseng, lingzhi, and deer antler, all of which are life-saving substances.
The tonics she usually drinks all contain these ingredients, so how could they be poisonous? How could something poisonous end up in his mouth so openly!
Consort Hua wanted to burst into laughter. She had once asked the Emperor about it, and he had told her it was a way to maintain health. It turned out he had died because of the very health method she had chosen! How ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!
Sun Miaoqing said, "Thank you for your concern, Consort Hua. The weather is getting colder, and I haven't had much of an appetite these past few days, so I've lost some weight."
"Your Majesty has been ill for so many days and looks quite thin. You should eat more good food to nourish yourself."
Consort Hua smiled and said, "I know, I have many good things. I haven't been feeling well these days, and when my brother found out, he sent me a lot of wild black goji berries and cordyceps. If you don't mind, I'll have someone make some chicken soup and send it to you."
"And the cooks at Yikun Palace have also developed a few new pastries. Sister Sun, you can try them too."
The mere mention of pastries made Sun Miaoqing's mouth water. The cooks at Yikun Palace were indeed masters of pastry making.
The ingredients are the same, but the taste is far superior, and you can never get tired of eating it.
Sun Miaoqing nodded. As for severing ties with Consort Hua and Nian Gengyao, that couldn't be rushed. She'd already eaten there so many times, one more meal wouldn't make a difference.
Consort Qi pouted. She didn't believe that Consort Hua was genuinely on good terms with Sun Miaoqing; she might be plotting something behind her back.
The most uncomfortable ones were Consort Li and Noble Lady Cao. Apart from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, they had never seen Consort Hua be so close to anyone.
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