Logically, after finishing all the boxes, jewelry boxes, and screens, she should have returned the three nannies to the Imperial Household Department. However, considering what Nanny Hong and Nanny Chen had done, Youqing couldn't swallow her anger.
She was determined to see who in the harem hated her so much that they would resort to such a vicious scheme to harm her.
If the Empress Dowager were to use her products and be poisoned, how would she clear herself of suspicion? Losing favor would be a minor matter; she might lose her life.
The screen was the easiest to finish. After completing it, she immediately said to Granny Jing, who was standing beside her, "You've worked hard these past few days, Granny."
"It's all what this servant should do."
“You are from the Imperial Household Department. We should have sent you back after we finished, but I have some ideas that I need your help with. I wonder if you could stay a few more days?”
Granny Jing naturally wouldn't refuse.
The same thing was said by Granny Hong and Granny Chen.
Youqing gave each of them a reward, and then kept the three of them.
She then applied a type of scented powder produced by the system to Granny Hong and Granny Chen. The powder had a very faint scent, so faint that it was difficult to detect even with careful smelling. This powder was a medicine that could be used to improve body odor.
People who use this fragrance powder will leave a scent on those they come into contact with. This scent is generally undetectable by the human nose, but dogs and the nervous system can smell it.
After the items were finished, Youqing sent them directly to the Qianqing Palace. Only then did the people in the harem realize that what she had made was for the Emperor, and they couldn't help but curse her for being a sycophant.
With only a couple of weeks left until Chinese New Year, the young man has finally had some free time.
On the day before the Lunar New Year, the set of items made by Emperor Kangxi was sent to Cining Palace. When the Empress Dowager saw the vast grassland in her memory, she couldn't help but tear up. The Empress Dowager and Sumalagu next to her also had tears in their eyes.
They all came from Horqin, girls who grew up on the backs of horses on the grasslands. Because of their families and for various reasons, they came down from the vast blue sky and white clouds to this square Forbidden City. How could they not miss their maternal home?
But what good is it to think about it? Once you enter the palace, you'll never have the chance to leave. You'll spend your whole life gazing at the sky from all directions.
After a long while, the Empress Dowager said, "The Emperor has his heart. I really like this New Year's gift. The craftsmanship is excellent, especially the jewelry box and screen. They feel just like the real thing. They don't look like they're woven, but rather like they're carved. It shows great care."
Emperor Kangxi said, "This is Consort Shu's cooking. I'm glad that Grandmother Emperor likes it."
The Empress Dowager was not surprised to hear this, after all, Youqing had a "previous record" with her, and it was even somewhat expected.
"Consort Shu is skillful and obedient, a good person. I just received a set of agate jewelry, I'll have someone send it to her later."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi smiled and said, "Your Majesty is kind and loving."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I am getting old. Consort Shu, I have no objection to your pampering of me, but please don't provoke the wrath of the harem."
This can be seen as a reminder that, apart from her teenage years, she had spent the rest of her life in the harem, and had seen countless people and events. Consort Shu was not the type to cause trouble, but if he continued to spoil her like this, something would inevitably go wrong sooner or later.
"Don't worry, Grandmother, I'm confident."
Emperor Kangxi was confident; he believed he could protect a woman.
The Empress Dowager said no more.
Consort De knew that Emperor Kangxi had sent the boxes and other items to Cining Palace. She thought that, just as she had expected, those things were indeed meant for the Empress Dowager. However, she did not expect that they were sent by His Majesty. But that did not matter.
She estimated that she would see results around the Lantern Festival after the Lunar New Year, and she waited.
Both Granny Hong and Granny Chen were quite cautious. After completing the tasks assigned by Consort De, they behaved very properly and did not usually visit Consort De's people. Therefore, Youqing did not notice anything amiss.
It's Chinese New Year, and the process is just as complicated as last year. I was exhausted after a whole day, and it was almost midnight when I got back. On the morning of the first day of the new year, I had to get up early again to go to Cining Palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager.
Starting from Yongshou Palace, they first went to Jingren Palace to meet with the concubines in the harem.
While at Jingren Palace, nothing was discovered. However, on the way to Cining Palace, the system suddenly spoke up: "The nanny in front of you smells of perfume."
Upon hearing this, Youqing looked up and saw the old woman beside Consort De.
At this point, she couldn't be sure that Granny Hong and Granny Chen were Consort De's people; she needed more concrete evidence.
With something on her mind, she didn't ask Zhu Qiaozheng to go out and inquire about the movements of Consort De's personal maid yesterday until she returned to Yongshou Palace that evening.
Zhu Qiao found out by noon on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Youqing compared the whereabouts of that nanny with those of Hong and Chen nannies and discovered a clue.
Yonghe Palace and Yongshou Palace are located to the left and right of Qianqing Palace, respectively. Granny Hong and Granny Chen went to the Imperial Household Department to receive their rewards that day. Although they were in Yongshou Palace, they were essentially still people of the Imperial Household Department, and they could also receive the benefits from the Imperial Household Department.
That day, the nanny who served Consort De also went to the Imperial Household Department to collect something. It was said that Consort De had broken a cup, and she went to collect a new tea set.
The two sides did not meet at the Imperial Household Department, but they did meet on the way back.
But the road was wrong that day. That road was a shortcut back to Yongshou Palace, but it was a long detour back to Yonghe Palace.
Therefore, Youqing was basically able to determine who was the person who had plotted against her.
It turned out to be Consort De.
It was somewhat unexpected, yet also somewhat expected.
Consort De had a good reputation in the palace, mainly among the servants. She also had a gentle and kind appearance, looking delicate and frail, which was unexpected.
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