Zhou Ninghai said, "Your Majesty has this intention, but Consort Shen and the others may not be able to understand Your Majesty's feelings."
"This servant is worried that they will not only fail to appreciate Your Majesty's kindness, but will instead come to hate Your Majesty because of it."
"Especially Consort Jing, she entered the palace on the same day as the Empress and has been suppressed by the Empress for so many years. To say that she has no resentment in her heart, this servant will never believe it even if you beat me to death."
Consort Hua recalled that when she was in the Prince's mansion, Consort Jing, although she was a concubine in her room, had never pledged allegiance to her.
Consort Jing was not favored by the Emperor; he would only visit her once every one or two months. She was not as favored as Consort Qi, who benefited from the Third Prince's influence.
Being so favored, she naturally looked down on Consort Jing, who, in her eyes, was utterly useless except for her ability to endure.
Because Consort Jing, despite being her personal servant, refused to pledge allegiance to her, she indeed inflicted considerable humiliation upon Consort Jing during those years.
Looking back now, it was truly not worth it to do so much for such a cold-hearted and ruthless person as the emperor, staining my hands with blood.
Consort Hua then realized that Consort Jing was a clever person who knew how to protect herself.
She probably realized long ago that with her talent, looks, and family background, she couldn't win the emperor's favor. She understood that the emperor's intentions were unreliable and that the empress was two-faced.
But when the Emperor asked her to assist in managing the six palaces a few days ago, she accepted without hesitation.
Could it be that Consort Jing, after enduring so many years, suddenly no longer wants to tolerate it? She thinks the new concubines have gained her support, and believing she understands the Emperor's intentions, she wants to use this opportunity to take revenge?
Consort Hua felt it wasn't impossible!
"You've reminded me, though I don't want to continue our animosity, I still have to be on guard..."
"Consort Jing has not conceived all these years, which is probably due to the Huan Yi Fragrance. She may not even know about this."
Zhou Ninghai said, "Does Your Highness mean to reveal this matter to Consort Jing?"
"Even if Consort Jing knew, would she have the audacity to do so?"
Zhou Ninghai didn't trust Consort Jing. After all, someone as passionate and decisive as Consort Hua was one in a hundred.
He felt that, given Consort Jing's cautious and patient nature, she wouldn't dare to complain about the Emperor, so she could only vent her resentment on Consort Hua. Letting her know the truth would be entirely detrimental to them.
Songzhi found the scent of Huan Yi Xiang grating, and because of it, all the women in Yikun Palace suffered.
I'd heard before that bathing in sheep's blood could neutralize the medicinal properties of musk. But with Yikun Palace under such close surveillance, how could they dare to boil sheep's blood?
That being said, the Emperor has now become no different from the eunuchs, so what difference does it make whether or not the sheep flower soup is made?
Who would dare to actually get pregnant...?
As for Consort Jing, Songzhi felt that although Zhou Ninghai was a eunuch, he was still a man at heart and did not understand women's thoughts.
Songzhi said, "This servant thinks that if Consort Jing knew the inside story, she would do as Your Highness wishes."
“She’s not like Consort Duan, who seems shrewd but is actually a fool. I don’t believe Consort Duan didn’t know about that medicine for preventing miscarriage that was laced with safflower.”
"alright."
Consort Hua didn't want to bring up that matter again when she first learned the truth. She thought Consort Duan only found out about the problem with the pregnancy-preserving medicine after the incident, and felt that Consort Duan was just as pathetic as herself.
But upon further reflection, something seemed amiss. If Consort Duan hadn't known from the beginning, how could the Emperor have guaranteed that she would drink the medicine?
"She deserved it, the emperor deserved it, they both deserved their retribution."
Zhou Ninghai advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. The imperial physician said that your liver fire has been excessive lately, so you must be extra careful and not get angry again."
Consort Hua closed her eyes, exhaled a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her eyes were filled with coldness.
"I'm not angry. I will never get angry over someone who isn't worth it..."
"First, secretly inform Consort Jing of the news. Be careful not to let her or anyone else find out that we did it."
"Have someone keep a close eye on Consort Jing. I need to know what she's planning."
Zhou Ninghai nodded and said, "This servant understands. Your Majesty, please rest assured. This servant is very capable of handling this matter and will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty."
Consort Hua nodded, looking somewhat tired, but then, remembering that Consort Su, she casually gave the order.
"While you're at it, have someone check if any of the palace maids or female officials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation have the surname Su."
Zhou Ninghai was confused. Why did he have to ask this?
"Yes, this servant understands."
"But Your Highness, has this palace maid surnamed Su, whom you are looking for, offended you in any way?"
Consort Hua shook her head, "No, I just suddenly remembered this."
"I suspect that she is the Emperor's favorite concubine, who has always been kept by his side to serve him."
Songzhi and Zhou Ninghai were shocked to hear this. Could this really be true?
Songzhi said, "Your Majesty, have you heard something? This can't be true, can it?"
“If the Emperor truly favored her, why wouldn’t he give her a rank and instead make her a nameless palace maid?”
"Moreover, the Imperial Household Department has no records, and the Empress has no seal. Even if there is an imperial heir, it will not be recognized."
Consort Hua muttered, "That's true. Perhaps I really have misunderstood."
"However, let's first find out which palace maid in the Emperor's court has the surname Su."
Zhou Ninghai acted extremely quickly. Although the people serving in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were the most secretive, the maid's surname was hardly a secret, and it could be found out at any time.
After careful investigation, Zhou Ninghai was certain that if Consort Hua hadn't made a mistake, then she must have been tricked.
The Yangxin Hall had palace maids with surnames Wang, Li, and Qian, but not a single one with the surname Su.
After Zhou Ninghai told Consort Hua, Consort Hua asked in disbelief, "Really not?"
Zhou Ninghai said with certainty and certainty, "Really not. This servant has confirmed it. Not only are there no palace maids in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but there are no eunuchs either."
"And none of those palace women have the surname Su!"
Consort Hua muttered to herself, "Could it be that they were assigned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation later?"
Zhou Ninghai didn't hear clearly, "What did you say, Your Majesty?"
Consort Hua said, "It's nothing, but why isn't there a single person with the surname Su in the Emperor's court?"
"If there's no such thing, then there's no such thing. Perhaps I misheard."
Songzhi said with a smile, "It's not like there aren't any. Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Eunuch Su Peisheng, isn't his surname Su?"
Zhou Ninghai said, "Your Majesty is looking for a palace maid, but Eunuch Su is not a palace maid, right, Your Majesty... Your Majesty?"
Zhou Ninghai and Songzhi noticed that Consort Hua seemed lost in thought, completely absorbed in something.
His expression held a mixture of confusion and realization. It was both perplexing and somewhat odd.
Songzhi's words suddenly enlightened her. The Emperor's meals were always served by Su Peisheng.
If my brother were to have Su Peisheng serve him, how could the Emperor not be furious!
But why is he called Consort Su? Could it be that the Emperor...?!
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