Kunning Palace.
The emperor, the grand empress dowager, and the empress dowager gathered together.
Granny Zhou knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, and recounted in detail the changes in the Empress during this period. She wept uncontrollably, her remorse and regret beyond words, and she nearly fainted from crying.
Faced with such a loyal servant, Kangxi had no reason to vent his anger on her, no matter how dissatisfied he was. Furthermore, since Zhou Mama was also the first to discover the Empress's condition, Kangxi waved his hand and ordered the palace servants to help her to the outer room to rest. Then, he turned his angry gaze to the group of imperial physicians.
As for the two imperial physicians who had previously diagnosed the Empress with a cold? They were no longer in the ranks and were immediately taken to prison for rigorous interrogation.
The Empress Dowager ignored the Emperor's questions.
She stepped into the inner room, where the Empress, pale-faced, leaned against the edge of the bed. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, she quickly sat up, intending to apologize: "Your Majesty..."
"Why so many formalities when you're already sick?"
The Empress Dowager pressed down on the Empress, who was trying to get up: "I have already given the order that all palace affairs will be handled by Consort Tong and others. You should take good care of your health first, understand?"
The empress opened her mouth.
Before she could speak, the Empress Dowager continued, "I know you're a serious, meticulous, and worrisome person. But have you considered this, Empress? So many concubines have nothing to do all day and are more likely to cause trouble. You should choose a few assistants! This time you can rest and let me see who is more capable." It would also prevent her from dressing up so extravagantly and swaying around every day, hurting my eyes.
The Empress pursed her lips.
The Empress Dowager gave her no chance to question it and finalized the matter. Finally, she narrowed her eyes and looked at the Empress: "What is the Empress's thought?"
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." What else could the Empress say?
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction.
She was about to say a few more words when she caught a glimpse of a small figure behind the beaded curtain out of the corner of her eye: "You... um? Isn't this the eldest princess?"
The emperor was the grandson of the Empress Dowager.
Changning was also the Empress Dowager's grandson. Others might look at the eldest princess with strange eyes, but to the Empress Dowager, it made little difference. She beckoned to the eldest princess, signaling her to come to her side.
The eldest princess obediently approached.
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the Empress, her red eyes filled with anxiety.
"What grievance did our eldest princess suffer? Why are you crying so much?" The Empress Dowager lovingly stroked her hair: "Your imperial mother is fine, she just needs to rest and she will be alright."
"Really?"
"real!"
"Is it really not that I did something wrong?" The eldest princess's eyes reddened and she couldn't help but shed tears.
The Empress was taken aback.
She sternly asked, "Who dares to spout nonsense in front of the princess?"
The wet nurse behind immediately knelt down.
The Empress gestured for the eldest princess to sit down beside her, her tone unusually gentle: "It has nothing to do with you; it's just that Your Majesty has been unwell lately."
"Really?"
"Really, really! Drinking some fermented rice wine every day can help with digestion, warm the body, dispel cold, and refresh the mind. The eldest princess is giving the Empress Mother something good!" the Empress said softly.
The eldest princess stopped crying and started laughing.
Seeing the mother and son's affectionate interaction, the Empress Dowager's favor towards the Empress increased even further. Noticing the Empress's growing weariness, the Empress Dowager reached out and took the eldest princess's hand: "While the Empress is ill, would it be alright for the eldest princess to stay with Granny Ukuma?"
The eldest princess obediently agreed, and looked at the Empress with reluctance: "Your Majesty, you must listen to the imperial physician and Granny Zhou and take good care of your health."
"Your Majesty knows."
"Don't worry, child, I will keep an eye on the Empress and make sure she gets some rest!" The Empress Dowager was not lying. She left two of her trusted nannies to take good care of the Empress until she recovered.
---
Outsiders cannot find out what happens inside the Kunning Palace.
But even if they couldn't find out directly, they could observe the expressions of the imperial physicians. Seeing the increasingly dark circles under their eyes and the incessant sounds they made throughout the night, the masters and servants of the harem had a vague idea of what was going on.
Perhaps the Empress is not feeling well.
Especially after two days, someone vaguely revealed that the Empress had fallen into a coma.
Xianfu Palace was completely silent.
Wan Anran stared blankly out the window—even though the courtyard was full of blooming flowers and lush grass, with butterflies and swallows flitting about, she felt waves of chill rising up inside her, colder than a snowy winter day.
"My lady..." Hai Tao whispered worriedly.
"Hai Tao, prepare paper and pen," Wan Anran said without turning her head. No one else could enter Kunning Palace, and besides, what use would she be if she went, knowing nothing of medicine? The only thing she could do now was probably to copy Buddhist scriptures to pray for the Empress.
May my previous reminders have been helpful.
May Empress Niohuru survive.
Wan Anran picked up the wolf-hair brush.
If she had copied things before to complete her schoolwork, now she was concentrating intently, holding her breath, and writing down all her wishes.
Hai Tao served by grinding ink.
Zisu and Jubai stood silently to the side, their only hope being that the Empress would wake up soon and bring back the joy of the past to the room.
The news reached the front hall.
Consort Xuan's expression was somewhat complicated, but she did not speak, instead lowering her eyes and murmuring as she twirled her prayer beads.
There are those who are sad, and there are those who are happy.
For example, although there was no grand celebration in Chengqian Palace, several palace maids could hardly hide their joy.
Before her was Empress Renxiao, and after her was Empress Niohuru.
Will it be our Consort Tong's turn next...? The palace servants were restless, and many were chatting about it in the backyard, some even secretly hoping that the Empress would pass away soon so that their own noble mistress could take the throne.
If this gets out, what will happen?
Knowing that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's attitude towards their master had changed somewhat since Wan Chang's incident, Zhao Mama's face immediately darkened. She ordered the gossiping palace maids to be arrested, and then gave them a severe scolding in the backyard.
The shouts were mixed with the low sobs of the palace maids.
Consort Wuya lazily pushed open the window, glanced outside, and then let out a cold laugh.
The Empress was indeed destined not to live long, but Consort Tong would never ascend to the position of Empress! She gently stroked her belly with her palm. Although she was not yet showing, she had not had her period for two months, so she must be pregnant.
When the Emperor's birthday arrives...
A slight smile curved the corners of Wuya's lips as she closed the window in a good mood, too lazy to watch what happened next.
Consort Tong coughed twice in the front hall.
Every spring and autumn, her illness would persist despite treatment, and she would become listless. Seeing the mountain of palace affairs piled up in front of her, Consort Tong sent someone to summon Consort An, Consort Jing, Consort Duan, and Consort Rong.
"Your Majesty, are you going to delegate all the palace affairs?" The palace maid asked, her face filled with shock. The Empress had no intention of relaxing her grip on palace affairs, and seeing this pile of palace affairs that she hadn't even gotten used to yet being handed over again, the palace maid felt a pang of heartache.
"How stupid." Consort Tong glanced at her. "I am not as foolish as the Empress, wasting my body and time on a bunch of palace affairs, and in the end leaving the Empress Dowager with the impression that I value palace power."
Especially now that the Empress is in a coma.
What if this is a test from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor? While stopping the palace servants' discussion, Consort Tong was also somewhat excited and looked towards Kunning Palace with a hint of longing.
if……
---
The imperial harem was like a deep pool of water.
On the surface, a semblance of calm was maintained, but beneath the surface, countless fierce struggles were beginning to brew. As the Empress's coma lengthened, some underhanded maneuvers became inevitable.
For example, Xianfu Palace was also affected.
In early spring, everyone from the imperial concubines to the palace maids and even the eunuchs had to wear new clothes and use new charcoal. However, the fabric for the new clothes was delayed in arriving at Xianfu Palace, and even the pearls in the quota were a size too small. The popular fruits were often cracked and split, and even the rice and flour were a mix of new and old.
"If you ask me, it must be Consort Tong who doesn't like us and did this!" Hai Tao said indignantly, looking at the mess on the ground.
Zisu pinched the sea peach.
Consort Tong is the Emperor's cousin. She has never suffered any grievances since entering the palace. Given her status as a young lady, how could she possibly get away with it? It would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot... More importantly...
A hint of worry flashed in Zisu's eyes.
Rumors were circulating in the palace that something was wrong with the Empress… She tried not to think about those things and quickly changed the subject: “Your Highness, what should we do?”
"Let's go ask Consort Xuan, Sister Nara, and Consort Xu how they are doing over there?" Wan Anran looked at the mess, her anger barely contained, but also filled with questions. They'd only just taken over and already made such a mess; weren't Consort Tong and the Four Consorts afraid of getting into trouble?
"Yes," Zisu replied, and then hurriedly withdrew.
Soon, Granny Xia sent word to summon Wan Anran to the main hall.
One glance was enough to tell that, not only were her and Consort Nara's allowances slightly off, but even Consort Xuan's allowances were somewhat inaccurate.
A fleeting look of annoyance crossed Consort Xuan's face.
Fortunately, the concubines in Xianfu Palace were close to each other, otherwise people might think she was mistreating them! Don't think this is impossible, Consort Xuan glanced at Consort Xu and frowned slightly.
It was common knowledge that Consort Xu wanted to move to Yongshou Palace.
Consort An had teased herself about this a few times, and seeing her gloating attitude now, Consort Xuan didn't even lift her eyelids: "I think tomorrow will be a good day, so Consort Xu should move to Yongshou Palace as soon as possible."
Xu Chang was overjoyed.
She waited for what seemed like an eternity, while Consort Xu returned home in high spirits to prepare, completely oblivious to the look of disgust that flashed in Consort Xuan's eyes.
As for the missing entries.
If she goes to Consort An, who is in charge, Consort An will surely stand up for her!
Wan Anran watched Xu Changzai's departing figure.
She looked away and asked incredulously, "Does Consort Xu really think that Consort An will stand up for her?"
It was indeed Consort An who was in charge of the distribution of the allowance.
The question is, can she really have a few days of comfort after causing such a huge mess?
"Perhaps Consort Xu thinks so too," Consort Xuan scoffed, picking up her teacup and blowing on it. She didn't think Consort An's Yongshou Palace was any quieter than her own Xianfu Palace. Not only were there four or five Consorts just in the courtyard, but Yongshou Palace was also shared by Consort An and Consort Xi—two mistresses and a whole bunch of colleagues, hmm…
"Perhaps Consort Xu just likes lively and bustling days?" Consort Xuan thought for a moment, perhaps only this answer could explain Consort Xu's thoughts.
Ignoring the foolish Consort Xu, Consort Xuan turned her gaze to Wan Anran and Noble Lady Nara: "I sent people to inquire around, and it turns out that not only our palace, but other palaces also have problems to varying degrees. However, the Emperor's mind is entirely on the Empress right now. If we argue and quarrel over the allowances, I'm afraid even if we are in the right, we will be in the wrong. Let's bear with this matter for now and resolve it after the Empress's condition improves."
Wan Anran and Lady Nara nodded in unison.
Consort Xuan wasn't the only one who thought this way; the other concubines shared the same sentiment. Unfortunately, instead of good news, one bad piece of news after another arrived.
The Empress did not wake up for a long time.
The Emperor flew into a rage in Kunning Palace.
It was springtime, but it felt colder than winter.
Wan Anran placed the wolf-hair brush on the brush holder, shook her aching wrist, and looked at the pages of scriptures with a feeling of frustration.
Hai Tao looked at her melancholy mistress with anxiety.
Ever since the news of the Empress's illness arrived, the Lady has been distracted. When the news of the Empress's serious illness came, she lost her usual good appetite and spent her days diligently copying scriptures, while tossing and turning at night.
Haitao racked her brains trying to distract her mistress.
She said softly, "My lady, the kitchen sent over some fresh silver carp today. Would you like to make a fish soup to try?"
Wan Anran shook her head.
She hasn't had much of an appetite lately, so ordering just two refreshing vegetable dishes is enough for her.
"My lady... you must take care of yourself too."
"...I know, Haitao, don't worry," Wan Anran said gently. But thinking about the Empress's serious illness, her heart was far from at peace.
Wan Anran stood for half an hour before sitting down again.
She decided to make the most of the day and finish copying all the scriptures and offering them before the Buddha. With the practice she had been doing these past few days, the calligraphy that had initially given Wan Anran a headache had become much easier. She held her breath and concentrated for another half hour, finally finishing copying all the remaining scriptures.
Wan Anran led Haitao into the Buddhist hall.
Haitao placed the ebony tray on the incense table, and the master and servant worked together to open the scriptures and place them one by one in front of the table. They then stood in front of the Bodhisattva, put their hands together, and murmured for a moment.
Wan Anran left the Buddhist hall.
Just as she reached the door, Ju Bai came running towards her, shouting, "My lady! My lady! The Empress is awake! She's awake!"
Wan Anran slightly widened her eyes.
She took a step forward, her voice trembling slightly: "Her Majesty the Empress has really... really woken up?"
"It's true! Absolutely true!"
Ju Bai's face flushed red, and she was so excited that she couldn't speak coherently: "News has come from Kunning Palace that Her Majesty the Empress has woken up! They also said that Her Majesty the Empress only needs to rest for another three to five days—Her Majesty the Empress is fully recovered, truly fully recovered!"
Ju Bai's clear, crisp voice exploded in Wan Anran's ears like a thunderclap, leaving her mind reeling and speechless for a moment.
For some time now, Wan Anran has been unable to eat or sleep, spending every day and night wondering if the story could be changed. Is the Empress destined to die? Will Wan Fu never even grow up? The happiness she has felt recently is like a cracked mirror; perhaps with just a gentle touch, everything will shatter and crumble completely.
And now.
Wan Anran's heart sank heavily to the ground.
The Empress's awakening seemed to tell her that everything had already changed imperceptibly. Wan Anran's lips curled up, and the worries of the past few days vanished in an instant. She had Hai Tao fetch the brewed apricot blossom wine, raised her glass, and shouted, "Tonight, let's drink until we drop!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
