Chapter 031

Chapter 031

Nanny Wang's words carried a double meaning, ostensibly about herself but actually a veiled jab at Lady Uya.

This is the fate of a maid who rises in status—it’s not something spoken of proudly. Even if she climbs the ranks, among the noblewomen of the Eight Banners, she’s still seen as a lowly plaything.

Once the child in her belly is born, there will be plenty of ways to make life difficult for a minor concubine who can only reside in the side halls of Jingren Palace. For now, they can use Lady Uya's pregnancy to invite the Emperor over a few more times.

When the time comes, Consort Tongjia can seamlessly have the Emperor stay overnight. With more frequent visits, Consort Tongjia might finally receive good news. Nanny Wang thought, smiling even more kindly at Lady Uya, putting on the facade of a gentle and approachable nanny.

Lady Uya bit her lower lip in silent resentment, vowing to herself that one day, when she rises to a higher position, she will repay the humiliation she suffered today.

"Nanny Wang, what do you mean? I deeply respect you," Lady Uya replied politely, feigning ignorance and appearing docile.

Nanny Wang also smiled without saying a word. Who would take such words seriously? It was just a momentary concession to the situation.

"Rest well, My Lady. This old servant will take her leave."

She then ordered a few maids to keep watch, ensuring they monitored Lady Uya closely and reported any activity at once. Under no circumstances should Lady Uya bypass her and disturb Consort Tongjia.

Assuming everything was under control.

However, the next day, when Kangxi left Jingren Palace to attend court, the atmosphere in the main hall was tense.

Consort Tongjia had sent away all her maids and eunuchs and now sat gloomily at her dressing table, brooding.

Nanny Wang entered alone and, seeing Consort Tongjia's frail figure, was struck with concern. She quickly fetched an outer garment and draped it over Consort Tongjia, saying tenderly, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Don't catch a cold wearing so little."

In truth, she had already guessed what had transpired before entering.

Last night, the Emperor and Consort Tongjia did not call for water, and the bed was spotless, showing no signs of intimacy.

The Emperor hadn't visited Jingren Palace for a while. The last time he visited, he ended up leaving for Consort Rong’s quarters. Yesterday, using Lady Uya's pregnancy scare as an excuse, they managed to get the Emperor to come and stay overnight. They had hoped to seize the opportunity to secure his favor, but instead...

"Nanny, what did I do wrong?"

With her hair down and her usual pride absent, Consort Tongjia looked lost and turned to the nanny who had raised her, feeling utterly confused.

Last night, when she saw the Emperor lying beside her without making a move, she decided to overcome her hesitation and take the initiative.

But before she could act, she heard the Emperor, with his eyes closed, say calmly and almost coldly, "Get some rest."

At these words, Consort Tongjia’s face paled, her body grew cold, and she froze, unable to move, lying awake until morning.

In the morning, she got up groggily to help the Emperor change clothes. Looking at his expressionless face, it seemed no different from usual, but it felt cold and distant to Consort Tongjia.

She had pondered all night and still couldn't understand.

Now, she couldn't help but ask Nanny Wang beside her, "What is the reason?"

Nanny Wang quietly inquired about the Emperor's attitude last night and what he had said, then carefully considered what might be wrong with the Emperor.

"Perhaps..." Nanny Wang had an idea but hesitated. Seeing this, Consort Tongjia urged her to speak quickly, to reveal the reason.

"These past few days, the ladies in the palace have been calling for the imperial physician quite frequently."

Consort Tongjia didn't understand at first, "But yesterday, the physician wasn't called for me, it was for Lady Uya."

The physician wasn't there to see her.

"The harem is not without concubines who use such methods to attract His Majesty's attention, perhaps His Majesty does not favor Your Highness's methods," Nanny Wang whispered softly.

She did not directly say that His Majesty disliked such tactics of seeking favor, only mentioning other concubines.

Rongpin, for instance, often used the excuse of her children falling ill to get His Majesty to visit her. Although this trick was cliché, it was effective.

Even though Rongpin's children were often sickly and did not survive long, she always managed to have His Majesty stay overnight, otherwise how could she have given birth year after year.

The loss of one child did not matter much to her, as Rongpin quickly bore another to fill the gap, otherwise she would not have been able to attain her current position as a concubine.

Other concubines, when they fell ill, besides calling for the imperial physician, would also inform His Majesty of their condition, regardless of whether the illness was real or feigned, all with the aim of competing for favor.

If the Emperor took pity and came to see them, that was their opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Consort Tongjia's face turned pale, and she understood the implication.

"His Majesty is displeased with me for resorting to such tactics to seek favor."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and tears began to roll down continuously.

Consort Tongjia said with agitation, "But am I not anxious? That lowly servant Uya got pregnant immediately, while I have been in the palace for over a year and still have no sign of pregnancy.

His Majesty is busy, and he does not visit me frequently. With so many new entrants recently, how can I not be anxious?!"

Nanny Wang, heartbroken, wiped Consort Tongjia's tears and could only offer comfort,

"Your Highness, you see, His Majesty did not outright reject your gesture, he just wants you to think clearly. If he were truly angry, he would have left last night, but he stayed nonetheless."

If His Majesty had coldly exposed and scolded Consort Tongjia last night and then left, and if this had spread, then the Consort would truly be laughed at by the women of the harem.

"Now at least only you know, and it won't spread beyond these walls. Just this once, when the time comes, the Consort can speak gently to His Majesty, and it will pass."

"Nanny, but haven't the other concubines done the same? Haven't they resorted to such tactics? Why is it only me who is blamed!? Yipin too, who knows if her sprain was genuine or feigned."

What angered Consort Tongjia the most was that nearly all the concubines in the palace had used such tactics of feigning illness to seek favor.

"And that Rongpin, who previously intercepted the Emperor in the imperial garden to snatch the Imperial Noble Consort's opportunity, didn't the Emperor still go to her?!"

Why is it that when it comes to her, the Emperor is angry with her alone.

To this, Nanny Wang could only analyze for Consort Tongjia, "Your Highness, what is your status, and what is Rongpin's status?

You are a Consort, and you are related to the Emperor by blood, how can you stoop to their level?

The Emperor is angry that you have stooped to learning such tactics of seeking favor. They need to seek favor to climb up, but you, the Consort, do not need to endure as they do."

After much persuasion, Nanny Wang finally managed to soothe Consort Tongjia, and then hurriedly helped her dress and make up to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, which absolutely could not be missed.

Su Yi noticed that Yipin was absent from the daily greetings, and heard from the concubines that she had sprained her foot and could not go out, so she had to rest for a few days to avoid aggravating the injury.

Su Yi pondered thoughtfully, as if she had discovered some secret to slacking off.

If she were also ill and had to rest in Yonghe Palace, unable to go out, wouldn't that mean she could...

She could happily laze around every day?

Su Yi thought this method could work. Previously, in the Niugulu Mansion, she often coughed up blood, always making people think she was seriously ill, and even fell into a coma for three years. Now that she was in the palace, it wasn't impossible for her illness to recur.

So Su Yi decided to act immediately. As the greetings were about to end, she began to prepare, first turning pale, then using her spiritual energy to induce some cold sweat.

Her steps became unsteady, as if she were floating, which scared Yun Hua so much that she held onto her tightly, afraid to let go.

Su Yi suddenly looked unwell, startling Yun Hua, who asked anxiously:

"Your Highness, what's wrong? You're sweating so much."

Worried that she couldn't support her alone, Yun Hua called another palace maid to help hold her, while she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Consort Rong's sweat.

"I don't know, maybe I'm just tired. My chest feels a bit uncomfortable."

Su Yi clutched her chest, her brows furrowed slightly, looking quite distressed.

Cold sweat soaked her hair at the temples, making it seem like she might faint any moment.

They were genuinely worried Su Yi might faint, but they were far from Yonghe Palace, and her fainting wouldn't seem natural now.

After some effort, they finally got Su Yi onto the sedan chair and hurried back to Yonghe Palace, while sending someone to the Imperial Hospital to fetch a physician.

Qianqing Palace

After handling some government affairs, Kangxi started randomly checking the Crown Prince's homework. After checking, the father and son chatted for a bit.

During this time, the little milk dragon seemed hesitant and a bit distracted.

Kangxi pretended not to notice, asked a few questions, and then had the wet nurse take Baocheng away.

Only then did he casually ask Liang Jiugong, "What's Consort Rong up to now?"

Kangxi asked casually, as if it were just an offhand question, not particularly concerned, as he opened a memorial to review.

But Kangxi asking about Consort Rong at this time was somewhat unusual.

When Kangxi was busy with government affairs in Qianqing Palace, he usually didn't bother with such trivial matters.

This question made Liang Jiugong hesitate for a moment. How would he know what Consort Rong was up to? But as the chief eunuch, he couldn't admit he didn't know, so he replied, "This servant will send a young eunuch to check right away."

He thought to himself that he should keep tabs on Yonghe Palace in the future, so he wouldn't be caught off guard if the Emperor asked again.

"I was just asking casually," Kangxi said, then began to focus on reviewing the memorials.

Meanwhile, the young eunuch Liang Jiugong sent returned with news from Yonghe Palace. He nodded to show he understood, as the Emperor was reviewing memorials and didn't like being interrupted.

As dinner time approached, Liang Jiugong quietly reminded him.

Kangxi stopped, put down the memorial in his hand, and said, "We'll have dinner at Yonghe Palace today."

He picked up the tea beside him to drink, then heard Liang Jiugong say, "Your Majesty, Consort Rong at Yonghe Palace might not be able to join you for dinner."

Kangxi paused, took a sip of tea, then put the cup down and asked, "What's wrong with Consort Rong?"

Liang Jiugong explained, "Your Majesty, according to the servants at Yonghe Palace, Consort Rong felt unwell on her way back from paying respects to the Grand Empress Dowager this morning. She summoned a physician upon returning, who said she is physically weak and needs more rest." As he spoke, he carefully observed the Emperor's expression.