Qingliang Hall
Consort Hua, Songzhi, Zhou Ninghai, and Consort Cao were all playing mahjong at the table.
Even with palace affairs to attend to, there was still plenty of time to do nothing. Ever since Sun Miaoqing improved mahjong, it quickly became popular in the harem.
Consort Qi and Consort Xin, aside from eating and sleeping, wished they could stay at the mahjong table forever.
The harem suddenly became much more harmonious, and there were no more concubines bringing snacks to pay their respects at Jiuzhou Qingyan.
Fifth Prince Hongzhou caught a cold, and Sun Miaoqing was taking care of him at the Changchun Immortal Pavilion, so she didn't have time to come out.
The other concubines had been bullied by Consort Hua for many years, and when they saw her, they were either afraid or resentful, so they couldn't even sit at the same table.
Consort Li stayed in the palace to take care of the Empress Dowager and the remaining concubines. She looked down on the other female officials who came to curry favor with her, so she could only invite Consort Cao and Songzhi along.
Consort Hua piled up the mahjong tiles in her hands, her words filled with pleasure, "The revised way of playing is more interesting than before. I've been playing from morning till night these past few days, and the more I play, the more energetic I become."
Consort Cao said with a smile, "Your Majesty is in high spirits because of this happy event. I heard that General Nian won a great victory in the Northwest."
"The rebels were routed in no time, and their leader fled in panic with the remaining one or two hundred soldiers like stray dogs."
"They might already have been captured by the General and his men, and are being prepared to be taken to the capital for trial!"
Consort Hua drew an 80,000 tile, discarded a 2 of Bamboo, and wore a smug expression.
"That's right. My brother is skilled in both literature and martial arts and has made unparalleled contributions to our Great Qing. Lobsang Danjin thought that the emperor had just ascended the throne and needed to sort out domestic affairs and had no time to attend to other matters, so he openly rebelled."
"They think they can establish their own territories and become kings, still dreaming of the Yuan Dynasty's capital, Dadu. Don't they realize what era we live in now?"
Spending so much time with Sun Miaoqing, Consort Hua's gaze extended beyond the inner palace. Having seen and heard so much, she realized that many things were better left unsaid, only thought.
Unless you only care about your own momentary pleasure and don't care about anything else.
Songzhi said, "Your Majesty is right. With the Great General here, what is a mere rebel leader?"
"Back when we had a large army and occupied a territory, we were no match for the general. Now that a bunch of us are missing limbs, it goes without saying that we are no match for him."
Consort Cao said, "General Nian has made such a great contribution, and now everyone in the world is talking about his great reputation."
"Your Majesty, I congratulate you and General Nian."
As she spoke, Consort Cao rose and bowed to Consort Hua, her smile wide and beaming, clearly feeling honored.
Consort Hua said, "You have served me all these years, attending to my every need. Although I have a bad temper, I have seen it all."
"Your status as a Noble Lady is rather low, and it would be illegitimate for you to raise a princess. I will speak to the Emperor on your behalf and have you promoted to the rank of Consort."
Upon hearing this, Cao Qinmo was overjoyed and knelt down to thank Consort Hua for her kindness.
"Your Majesty, we are deeply grateful for your kindness and virtue. Your Majesty and I will never forget it."
Consort Hua said, "Get up. As long as you serve me well, I will not mistreat anyone."
Cao Qinmo replied, "Your Majesty, I understand. I am utterly loyal to you and will do my utmost to devise a plan to eliminate those who dare to compete with you for the Emperor's favor!"
Consort Hua said, "When did I ever ask you to get rid of them?"
Cao Qinmo looked up at Consort Hua in disbelief, utterly astonished. Wasn't Consort Hua always asking her to devise schemes to harm those favored concubines?
Why are you saying now that it didn't happen?
"Your Majesty, what do you mean? I don't understand. Please explain."
Consort Hua suddenly felt a sense of superiority. Cao Qinmo was clever, and in the past, she was the one who came up with the ideas, while Consort Li carried them out.
Now it's the other way around. Smart people aren't necessarily smart in everything, and stupid people... well, cough cough.
Consort Hua suddenly felt a little uncomfortable sitting for so long, so she stood up and slowly paced back and forth as she spoke.
"I've figured it out. There are so many women in the palace. Even if the Emperor said that the selection of concubines would only happen once, not all of them are chosen through the selection process."
"If this one is gone, there will be that one. Most men in the world are fickle and easily bored, and Your Majesty is no exception."
"Look at these new favorites, and then look at Consort Qi and the Empress. Although I am young, if I get rid of them one by one, when will it ever end?"
Cao Qin remained silent. What had gotten into Consort Hua that she would say such a thing? Could it be that she was doing it on purpose, trying to test her loyalty?
Seeing Cao Qinmo's expression, which was as if she had seen a ghost, Consort Hua continued triumphantly.
"So I'm going to try something different. Doesn't Your Majesty think I'm too jealous and too harsh on the other concubines, not lenient enough?"
"Then I might as well follow His Majesty's wishes and be more lenient and generous. However, my leniency is limited and not everyone can match it."
Cao Qinmo felt a little relieved and let out a soft breath. It seemed that Consort Hua was still the same as before.
But somehow, she learned to take a roundabout approach. Unlike before, when she relied on the emperor's favor and her family's power, she no longer relied solely on force and reckless charging.
No matter what scheme she sets up, she can make it obvious to everyone that she did it, and no one will suspect anyone else.
Cao Qinmo said, "Your Majesty, I will do whatever you wish."
华妃说道，“放心，不是什么难办的事情。”
“本宫准备挑几个年轻美貌的女子预备着，若是不能独占恩宠，那宫里的自己人，要再多些才成。”
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