Shen Meizhuang also wanted power in the palace, not for any other reason than that her rivals were all in high positions and wielded great power. If she were just a bald nobleman, she probably wouldn't even have a chance to resist.
However, she was different from Consort Jing. Consort Jing had entered the palace on the same day as Consort Hua and had served her for many years while she was in the Prince's residence. While Consort Jing could accept the assignment of palace power by the chubby orange tree without hesitation, she had to defer to him.
However, there is a skill involved in being modest. If one were to refuse in front of the concubines in the harem, wouldn't that be ungrateful and a public slap in the face to the chubby orange?
Shen Meizhuang said earnestly, "Your Majesty has entrusted this important task to me. While I am overjoyed, I cannot help but feel uneasy."
"Fortunately, I have my two elder sisters here. I will definitely learn from them diligently and live up to His Majesty's good intentions."
The chubby orange nodded in satisfaction. "Noble Consort Shen and Consort Jing are both steady people, and Consort Hua has always assisted in managing the six palaces. Entrusting the affairs of the harem to you, the Empress and I can rest assured."
[Empress: You scumbag, don't mention me! I don't trust you at all!]
[Consort Qi's eyelids were practically steaming from rolling them. She's still the Third Prince's birth mother, after all. Even if you don't care about her feelings, you can't offer a single word of comfort.]
Why did you have to say that to her for no reason!
Qi Fei rolled her eyes briefly, which was noticed by Da Pang Ju. She quickly covered it up and looked at Da Pang Ju with a smile.
Her eyes were filled with deep expectation, but neither the Third Prince nor she was favored by the chubby orange.
Previously, with the Empress's subsidies, the Third Prince didn't have to worry about anything he wanted, as long as the palace had it; someone would deliver it to him.
At this moment, the Empress is seriously ill, and Consort Hua and the others are using this as an excuse to interfere. Consort Qi is worried that Consort Hua will cause trouble for her and her son.
If she could also obtain the power to assist in managing the six palaces, she wouldn't have to worry about the Third Prince being wronged.
Big Fatty Orange was unaware of what Consort Qi was thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't care. Who would dare to mistreat a prince?
Doesn't she know what's wrong with her? If you dare to entrust the harem to her management today, it'll be in chaos tomorrow!
The chubby orange-haired man said in a deep voice, "Consort Qi, was your expression just now one of dissatisfaction with my arrangements?"
Consort Qi was terrified to see him like this, and she stammered, "How could I dare? I didn't."
"Perhaps it was the wind when I went out this morning, my eyelids have been twitching non-stop."
Big Fat Orange said, "If you're not feeling well, go see the imperial physician. Don't delay."
"Spend more time with the Third Prince studying when you have nothing else to do. He's so old and he still hasn't finished learning the Four Books. Whenever I test his studies, he only knows the answers but not the reasons behind them."
"It is clear that he only cares about playing around and does not focus on his studies."
These words from the fat orange were clearly tinged with resentment. Although Consort Qi was afraid, she still mustered the courage to defend the Third Prince.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. The Third Prince studies diligently every day, often until late at night. I am also watching over him and he is not just playing around."
"It's all because those teachers aren't diligent enough. All they do is make the Third Prince recite his lessons, saying that if you read something a hundred times, its meaning will become clear, and he'll understand it eventually."
The fat orange said, "I have painstakingly arranged for him to be learned scholars who have mastered both ancient and modern knowledge, and whose students are all over the world. If it is really as you say, why are all those disciples young talents?"
"They say that a doting mother spoils her son, and the Third Prince is like this because you've spoiled him rotten!"
"Go back to your palace. In a couple of days, I will have the Third Prince test his studies again. If he still hasn't made any progress, then don't worry about him for now. I will take care of him myself."
Consort Qi's eyes reddened at what she was said, and she covered her mouth, crying as she ran out.
After watching the drama unfold, Consort Hua stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince is still young. He can be properly taught. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"I made lotus root soup before I left home. It should be almost ready by now. You just said you wanted to go to Yikun Palace to try it together."
The chubby boy's anger subsided considerably, but it wasn't completely gone yet. Consort Hua's gentleness was just what helped soothe his anger.
"You must all be tired today, go back to the palace and rest."
The crowd bowed and respectfully saw the two off. Sun Miaoqing watched their retreating figures, her mind racing.
[What kind of logic is this, Fatty Orange? If the Third Prince isn't smart, it's because Qi Erha didn't teach him well. But if the Third Prince grows up to be too smart, will we then blame Qi Erha for teaching him too much?]
They're so hard to please!
[But when it comes to helping with homework, Qi Erha has nothing to cry about; it's Da Pang Ju who should be crying.]
[It would be best to bring Hongzhou and the others back to the palace to discipline them together, so that the chubby orange cat can truly experience the troubles of a young couple raising a child hundreds of years later.]
Big Fat Orange accidentally kicked the threshold and almost fell over.
"Your Majesty, please be careful."
Consort Hua helped the chubby man up and examined him with her eyes. Disappointed to find that he was not injured, she muttered, "How could Your Majesty be so careless? If he had really fallen, I would have been heartbroken."
The chubby orange cat patted Consort Hua's little hand that was clinging to his arm as a gesture of comfort, then turned to Su Peisheng and instructed, "I don't want to see such a high threshold in the harem again tomorrow!"
Su Peisheng was speechless. Was this a case of someone who hadn't vented their anger enough earlier and was now taking it out on the doorstep?
Although the emperor's mood is his own, the servants below him have to risk their lives to do what the emperor says.
As soon as the order reached the Imperial Household Department, he could imagine Huang Guiquan trembling with fear.
Although there were many eunuchs in the palace, there were very few skilled craftsmen in the Imperial Household Department who could repair these things.
Normally, the palaces can be repaired and patched up, but when such a large project suddenly comes along, even if they all have three heads and six arms, it will be difficult for them to do it perfectly.
Even if we start working on the places the emperor frequents first, it's already noon, and we can't possibly build many rooms.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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