The sky outside was turning reddish and gradually darkening. Kangxi put down his pen and asked, "What has Consort Shu done today?"
Liang Jiugong said, "Your Majesty, today Consort Shu, as usual, got up this morning, had lunch, bathed and dressed, and then went to the Imperial Garden to watch a play with the other ladies."
Kangxi seemed surprised and said, "You went to the Imperial Garden to watch a play? That's unusual. Did the Imperial Noble Consort invite you?"
Liang Jiugong said with a smile, "That's right, Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort was afraid of tiring Consort Shu, so she specially sent a palanquin to greet her!"
Emperor Kangxi frowned upon hearing this.
However, he didn't say anything. He was well aware of the power struggles among the women in the harem, but he would turn a blind eye as long as it didn't affect his offspring.
His harem was for amusement, not for dealing with the disputes between women all day long.
Thinking about his own situation, Kangxi felt somewhat troubled.
"Prepare to set off for Jiangxue Pavilion."
"yes"
Inside Jiangxue Pavilion, Kangxi spoke: "I heard that the Imperial Noble Consort invited everyone in the harem to the Imperial Garden to watch a play today. What do you think? Do you like it?"
The play was alright, but I didn't really enjoy the process.
"Your Majesty, I am ignorant and have never heard of any opera since I was a child. I only think that the singing and acting on the stage are pleasant to listen to and beautiful. I can't see anything else about it, so I can't say whether I like it or not."
Emperor Kangxi laughed and said, "You are indeed honest."
When the two spoke again, they tacitly avoided mentioning the play in the Imperial Garden.
The next day, Emperor Kangxi sent someone to deliver the rewards. In addition to some tribute cloth, he specially gave 1,000 taels of silver and 100 taels of gold melon seeds.
Silver can be used for daily social interactions, while gold seeds are a great gift for tipping.
Looking at the golden melon seeds in the wooden box, she thought that Kangxi was quite considerate, but also that he was quite idle. She suspected that Kangxi knew about the fact that she was said to be stingy in the Imperial Garden.
These silver coins and gold melon seeds are quite useful.
Youqing was very happy.
When Kangxi Lai Le came on TV that evening, Youqing's smile seemed more genuine than ever before.
He's good-looking and generous, so Youqing doesn't hesitate to give him a smile.
She had already found out from Consort Cheng. Looking at Qiu Hong kneeling on the ground begging for mercy, she truly wished that time could turn back and this palace maid had never existed.
"My lady, I was wrong. Please forgive me this time. I will never dare to do it again. My lady, I really know I was wrong."
Consort Cheng said coldly, "It's not that I don't forgive you, it's that Consort Shu doesn't forgive you."
Little did she know that this palace maid was not very capable, but she had a big ego and was quite good at causing trouble, and she had chosen to provoke someone she shouldn't have.
She heard that His Majesty was going to bestow titles and honors upon his concubines at the end of the year. Although she didn't know if the news was true or not, the fact that it had spread meant that even if it was only partially true, she wanted to take a step further.
She dared not gamble; at this moment, she had to be careful with her words and actions.
"My lord, please save this servant."
Consort Cheng said, "Granny, prepare a generous gift. Tomorrow I will personally go to Jiangxue Pavilion to apologize to Consort Shu."
Then he had someone take Qiu Hong away.
Just as Qiu Hong was being led away, a palace maid came in and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has bestowed upon Consort Shu a thousand taels of silver and a hundred taels of gold melon seeds."
Upon hearing this, Consort Cheng clenched her handkerchief tightly. His Majesty was clearly slapping her in the face, warning her that he knew about the matter in the Imperial Garden.
"How could His Majesty be so biased?"
She bore his child, but what does Consort Shu have? A sickly, frail body that brings bad luck.
Kangxi's actions chilled Consort Cheng to the bone.
The old nanny beside her reminded her, "Your Highness, be careful what you say." Walls have ears; if someone hears you talking about His Majesty, they could use it against you and all of you will suffer.
Consort Cheng remained silent upon hearing this, her face turning quite grim.
Upon hearing about the rewards from Jiangxuexuan, Consort Tong scoffed, "I thought she was a capable person, but it turns out she's just good at complaining. It's good that she can complain, but I'm afraid she's too tolerant."
The ability to endure shows a deep mind.
A powerful person who likes to complain is unlikely to go far. Before he has even established himself, he has already learned to complain about trivial matters, which is not respectable.
Many women in the harem shared the same thoughts as Consort Tong, but some concubines and noble ladies were quite envious of Youqing for getting such benefits, since her rank in the palace was low and she didn't have much money.
"My lady, Consort Cheng has arrived."
Tell Consort Cheng to wait a while until I wake up before we talk.
The matter of bullying Sangzhu is not over yet!
"yes"
When Consort Cheng heard Sangzhu's message, her face turned displeased, but she dared not say anything. Sitting in the room without an ice basin, she felt unbearably hot. She glared at Qiu Hong hatefully. It was all her fault. If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have been humiliated today.
Qiu Hong shuddered at the glare, breaking out in a cold sweat despite the sweltering heat.
Youqing had estimated that it was about time before going out to meet the nobleman. At this moment, Zhu Qiao tactfully placed the ice basin on the table.
"I take a lot of naps in the summer and have fallen asleep. I apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Excellency."
What could Consort Cheng say? She could only smile and say, "It wasn't long before I presumptuously came to visit and disturbed Sister Shu's rest."
"I wonder what brings Consort Cheng here today?" Youqing asked, knowing full well the answer.
A hint of humiliation flashed in Consort Cheng's eyes, and then she said with a guilty look, "This is my second-class palace maid, Qiu Hong. I had no idea that she was using Consort Jing's name to do evil in private, and even bullied Sister Shu. I have come here today to apologize to you."
Youqing: "Noble Lady Cheng, you are exaggerating. It's not like you are bullying anyone, there's no need to be like this. However, this palace maid is indeed a bit arrogant. She bullied my people today, and she will definitely dare to bully others in the future. This is not good, and it also violates the palace rules and etiquette."
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