Although Big Fat Orange deeply resented the Empress Dowager's favoritism and wanted to follow Consort Hua's wishes to seize all of the Empress Dowager's private funds for himself, leaving that damned Fourteenth Prince with nothing, Big Fat Orange was determined to prevent him from getting a single penny.
However, the country has always been governed by the principle of filial piety, and it would be extremely unpleasant for him to plot to seize the Empress Dowager's private property if word got out. He could not help but care about his reputation.
The chubby orange cat said unwillingly, "There's no need to mention this again."
"Even if the imperial court and the harem are short of money, I cannot covet the Empress Dowager's private property. Otherwise, if word gets out, I will become a laughingstock to the world, and I cannot bear such a loss of face."
Hua Fei stopped massaging his shoulders with her chubby little hands, turned around, and said arrogantly, "..."
"Your Majesty, I am only thinking of you, but you say such hurtful things."
"What 'plotting to seize the Empress Dowager's private property' and 'not being able to bear the shame'? This is clearly about relieving the Empress Dowager's burdens!"
"If Your Majesty is worried that the Empress Dowager will be unhappy, why not speak to her directly? If Your Majesty doesn't ask, how will you know whether the Empress Dowager is willing or not?"
Big Fatty Orange was caught in a dilemma by Consort Hua, since he was the one who said he would share the burden.
It's ostensibly about sharing burdens, but in reality, it's about decentralizing power.
Big Fat Orange sighed inwardly, "Being an emperor is tough. Ever since the new concubine entered the palace, Consort Hua's temper has become much worse than before."
Previously, she would only show a cold shoulder to the concubines, but in front of him, she was always gentle, obsequious, and flattering.
Now, if she's unhappy, she'll cling to him and throw a tantrum, never letting him have a moment's peace, which is really annoying.
But sometimes, it's also quite cute...
The chubby orange said, "Alright, I know you're thinking of me, but this matter needs further consideration."
Consort Hua was pleased to see that the chubby orange had taken her words to heart.
Let them, mother and son, conspire against her. She wants to see what kind of tragic human drama will unfold when all these conflicts, along with their lust for fame, fortune, and power, are involved!
Consort Hua then charmingly massaged the shoulders of the chubby orange, saying, "In all things, the most important thing is to put your heart into it. As long as you put your heart into it, there will always be more solutions than problems."
"Your Majesty is a man of great talent and wisdom. Even if I hadn't mentioned it, you would have come up with another solution."
The chubby orange cat reached up to Hua Fei's shoulder and touched her delicate hand repeatedly.
Sure enough, it's fleshy and feels even better to the touch!
*
These past few days, Zhen Huan has been preparing to return to public life. To gain the emperor's favor, she must first understand his likes and dislikes.
Otherwise, if she were to accidentally break some taboo and die before even starting her mission, it would be too unjust for her.
A remark made by Shen Meizhuang earlier has been frequently on Zhen Huan's mind these past few days, causing her to unconsciously fall into deep thought.
Huanbi brought up brown sugar ginger tea and saw Zhen Huan sitting there with a dazed look in her eyes, so she knew that Zhen Huan was thinking about something again.
These past few days, she's often looked at Zhen Huan like this, and she doesn't know what's on her mind that makes her so engrossed.
"My lady, the brown sugar ginger tea is ready. Would you like to drink it now?"
Zhen Huan snapped out of her daze and took the bowl from him. "You've worked so hard. I've been sick for so long, and you and Liu Zhu have to do everything for me."
After Kang Luhai and his apprentices found a way to join Consort Li's tutelage, the people of Suiyuxuan became restless.
Several other clever palace maids and eunuchs also found new places for themselves.
Now, only Cui Jinxi, Liu Zhu, Huan Bi, Pei'er, and Xiao Yunzi remain in Suiyuxuan.
Even the snow in the courtyard had to be prepared by Huanbi and Liuzhu, her two personal maids. This shows that even with Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong helping out, the situation was still difficult.
Without the emperor's favor, it's not easy to live a secluded life in the palace.
Huanbi said, "What are you saying, Your Highness? Liuzhu and I came from the Zhen residence with Your Highness, so naturally we should put Your Highness first in everything we do."
"However, I've noticed you seem to be lost in thought these past few days. I wonder why?"
Zhen Huan held a cup of brown sugar ginger tea in her left hand and a ladle in her right. She scooped up a spoonful of the amber-colored tea, looked at her reflection in the water, and quietly said…
“I was thinking, Sister Mei once said that the Emperor still thinks of me.”
Huanbi said happily, "This shows that His Majesty likes you very much, so he still remembers you after all this time."
"With the Emperor's favor on your side, it would be an easy thing for you to gain the Emperor's favor!"
Seeing Huanbi's excited expression, Zhen Huan felt no joy at all.
She had only met him once during the palace selection. This most noble man in the world had countless concubines in his three palaces and six courtyards, yet he was so attentive to her.
Even if a conceited and proud teenage girl had never seen the emperor's face and had no romantic feelings, how could she not be proud of it?
So when Zhen Huan first learned about this from Shen Meizhuang, she appeared shy, but was actually happy inside.
However, after the initial excitement wore off, I realized now that it was inappropriate.
With so many concubines in the harem, she couldn't compare to Consort Hua in terms of looks alone. However, in terms of talent and temperament, there were no shortage of quick-witted concubines.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea during the palace selection, less than ten sentences were spoken, with Shen Meizhuang and Sun Miaoqing also present.
The emperor is no stranger to women and is a lustful man, so why is he so interested in her?
Zhen Huan asked, "Huanbi, if you were the Emperor, would you find it hard to forget a concubine you only met once during the palace selection more than half a year ago and only exchanged a few words with?"
"Especially after adding several new pets that you are clearly very happy with."
Huanbi's excitement and smile vanished. Although she felt that her mistress was outstanding in both appearance and talent.
As long as one meets the emperor, gaining his favor is a matter of course. But he wasn't arrogant enough to think he could look down on the heroes of the world.
Huanbi said, "What you say makes sense, Your Highness. I once saw a handsome and dashing scholar from afar."
"But let alone half a year, I've already forgotten what he looks like in less than half a month."
Zhen Huan looked up at Huan Bi, who was completely unaware of this matter.
"A Jinshi? What Jinshi?"
Huanbi realized she had let something slip and blushed as she said, "It's nothing, it's just that once when I went out of the manor to buy something, I caught a glimpse of it from afar, just one glance."
"Stop talking about me, Your Highness. Since you have doubts, what are your plans?"
"Forgive my bluntness, but His Majesty is the Son of Heaven; he can have any woman he desires. I truly cannot think of any other reason."
"Perhaps it's like a turtle and a mung bean, they just hit it off. Isn't there a saying, 'love at first sight'?"
After saying that, Huanbi felt more and more that it was exactly what she had thought, and she covered her mouth and laughed non-stop.
Zhen Huan was amused and laughed out loud, but she wondered if she was overthinking things and had caused herself so much trouble for no reason.
"Yes, maybe I really am overthinking it."
"But now that I've entered the palace to serve the Emperor, if there's any real reason behind this, I'll find out sooner or later."
After Zhen Huan finished speaking, she suddenly thought of something. If we were to say who understood the Emperor best, besides the Empress who was recuperating in Jingren Palace and Consort Hua in Yikun Palace, among the people she could get close to, none other than Sun Miaoqing would be the best.
"Get ready, we're going to Chuxiu Palace to visit Consort Cheng."
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