Chapter 133

Chapter 133

The eunuch sent to the Qianqing Palace to find the Emperor was intercepted and sent back.

They revealed this only now, clearly having prepared in advance to prevent them from seeking the Emperor.

You can’t say this wasn’t a bold move.

Qinxin couldn’t help but glance at Consort Rong. If the Emperor remained unaware and couldn’t come in time, what would they do?

Su Yi gently patted Qinxin’s palm, her smile unchanged, signaling her not to panic.

Seeing Consort Rong so composed, Qinxin, who had been anxious, also calmed down. Perhaps Consort Rong had some backup plan to handle the situation.

But the old nanny, seeing Consort Rong so calm, felt uncomfortable.

She wondered if Consort Rong could remain so composed and smile calmly in front of the Grand Empress Dowager later.

Su Yi’s faint smile appeared serene, but her eyes were filled with indifference.

Sending the eunuch to the Qianqing Palace to find Kangxi wasn’t to have him come to her rescue.

Rather, it was to ensure her elderly grandmother wouldn’t suffer.

But the Grand Empress Dowager had thought of everything, even blocking people in advance. If she insisted on provoking her, she had truly made an effort for the Grand Empress Dowager’s sake.

Usually quiet, but once she acted, she first tried to use Ping’er to annoy her, which failed.

Then she made another move.

Afraid she would have time to summon the imperial physician, she really pulled out all the stops.

Truly, it’s quite distressing. She’s been enduring some discomfort.

Ping’er had been by her side for so long; was it only yesterday that she decided to act?

Presumably, she had considered it before but never dared.

So why did she suddenly dare to act yesterday?

Who gave her the confidence, or who was behind her, pushing her to take the risk?

Ping’er had to take the risk for her family. If she succeeded, she would fulfill her duty, gain benefits, and keep her family safe.

If she failed, she would end up as she did yesterday.

Seeking wealth in danger, this saying holds true.

Even though she knew half of Ping’er’s struggle was for her family, and half for her own future.

She was just a pawn in someone else’s hands, unable to break free.

Even if she struggled with all her might, she couldn’t escape. It was pitiful and weak.

But what did that have to do with her?

“Cough, cough.” Su Yi couldn’t help but cough twice, her pale face looking even whiter under the sunlight, with a fragile transparency.

“Your Ladyship!” Yun Hua also noticed that Consort Rong’s condition didn’t seem well at the moment.

When assisting Consort Rong onto the sedan chair earlier, her hands felt icy cold. Although her lips were painted with rouge, giving them a hint of color, her face was pale, almost as if she were ill.

"It's nothing, just the sun is too bright and a bit dazzling," Su Yi shook her head and raised her hand to slightly block the sunlight with her fan.

She had to hold on, no matter what; vomiting halfway would be such a waste.

Su Yi's visibly frail and uncomfortable appearance displeased Nanny Fang, who remembered her instructions and said, "Your Ladyship was unwell before and rarely left the palace to recover. We heard Your Ladyship has been feeling better lately, so the Grand Empress Dowager thought to summon you for an audience.

After all, it's rare to see Your Ladyship come to pay respects. The Grand Empress Dowager is merciful and has exempted Your Ladyship from the morning and evening courtesies, so as not to burden you."

This was a subtle dig at Consort Rong, implying that while the Grand Empress Dowager was merciful, Consort Rong had indeed stopped attending the morning and evening courtesies. As a consort, even if she were ill, she should still muster the strength to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager!

But that wasn't all. Seeing Consort Rong silent, listless, and seemingly weak, Nanny Fang grew even more dismissive of her.

"Today, the Grand Empress Dowager merely thought that Your Ladyship has been feeling better and wanted to see you. Little did we expect Your Ladyship would feel unwell again.

Let's hope you don't faint before reaching Cining Palace, leaving the Grand Empress Dowager waiting.

We know Your Ladyship is frail and coincidentally feeling unwell, but others might not understand and could think that Your Ladyship is feigning illness to avoid meeting the Grand Empress Dowager."

These words were downright rude.

It was a blatant warning to Consort Rong not to feign illness at this moment, and even if she were genuinely unwell, she had to tough it out and not collapse.

After saying all this, Nanny Fang seemed to realize her own words and pretended to lightly slap her own mouth, saying, "Look at this old servant's mouth, what nonsense am I saying? Your Ladyship, please don't take it to heart. This old servant just spoke too quickly. In fact, it's all for Your Ladyship's good, speaking plainly to let you understand the stakes involved."

This final insincere and pretentious comment was infuriating, making one want to slap Nanny Fang.

She was using her position in Cining Palace and the Grand Empress Dowager's authority to speak so boldly, which was outrageous.

But even if they were upset, they didn't dare say anything that might let Nanny Fang accuse Consort Rong of disrespecting the Grand Empress Dowager.

Nanny Fang thought the same, putting on a respectful facade.

In reality, she didn't respect Consort Rong, convinced her calm demeanor was just a front and she must be panicking inside.

No matter how Consort Rong felt, she had to endure it now.

Otherwise, when they reached Cining Palace, Nanny Fang wouldn't hesitate to report to the Grand Empress Dowager, whether it was dissatisfaction with her or the Grand Empress Dowager.

Nanny Fang glanced at Consort Rong, who was now sitting with her eyes closed, silent, and looking even more fragile.

She really seemed unwell, but Consort Rong had to endure it now.

Thinking of Consort Rong enduring the discomfort, Nanny Fang felt even more gleeful.

"Slap her," Su Yi said, her voice soft but firm.

Nanny Fang's expression froze, as if she couldn't believe what Consort Rong had just said.

The accompanying maids hesitated.

This was Nanny Fang from Cining Palace, a well-known figure, though not as notable as Suma Lagu, but still a senior there.

"Your Ladyship..." Yun Hua wanted to warn Consort Rong not to act on impulse. Slapping Nanny Fang might feel good, but it would cause more trouble later.

Later, it might be because she was hit that this old nanny would speak ill of Her Ladyship in front of the Grand Empress Dowager.

Even if she's just an old nanny, there's fear that the Grand Empress Dowager might think Her Ladyship dares to have her people slapped, which would be a direct affront to her, and she might take this opportunity to act out, which would be quite unfortunate.

So, no one dared to make a move, their hesitation evident, which the old nanny noticed.

After a momentary daze, she quickly understood their concerns and immediately calmed down.

"Your Ladyship, what do you mean by this? This old servant was merely offering a few words of advice, and now you accuse me of being talkative, this is really..."

"Smack!" This slap came over and immediately interrupted her words.

It was unbelievable that a maid would dare to follow Consort Rong's orders and strike her.

The one who hit her was a eunuch. Nanny Fang clutched her face in pain, her face twisted in anger as she looked at him, as if she wanted to tear him apart.

"Hit her again," Su Yi said calmly.

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

The eunuch, with his red lips and white teeth, looked young but now dared to act.

After he agreed, he ordered others to hold down the old nanny, rolled up his sleeves himself, and continued to slap the old nanny's face with full force.

That little eunuch was none other than Xiao Yunzi, who had gone to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to fetch the imperial physician and had also been beaten.

But after Su Yi found out, she ensured he recuperated and sent him high-quality medicine.

After that, she promoted him, putting him in charge of the eunuchs in the Palace of Eternal Harmony, effectively making him the head eunuch there.

However, Xiao Yunzi didn't have many opportunities to serve closely.

This time, he was the first to act, also thinking to seize the opportunity to catch Her Ladyship's eye, to gain more of her favor.

Although after taking action, he might be punished later, but since he gambled last time, it's the same this time.

Consort Rong's favor and indulgence in the harem are unparalleled, and she will not remain at the concubine rank in the future, so of course, he wants to be a favorite by Her Ladyship's side.

Now is a rare moment when both Qinxin and Yun Hua are hesitant, isn't this the perfect time for him to show off?

Who knows when there will be another opportunity in the future.

Now he directed people to hold her down and slap her, not showing any mercy at all.

Su Yi glanced at him, then withdrew her gaze.

Nanny Fang initially had a fierce look due to the pain, still wanting to resist, but as the slapping continued without stopping, her face had already swollen, her head was spinning from the slaps, and she was seeing stars.

The people who came with Nanny Fang were all dumbfounded. Consort Rong just acted out as she pleased—wasn't she afraid of the Grand Empress Dowager's anger?!

Nanny Fang's miserable state was really somewhat frightening.

They didn't dare to make a sound. Consort Rong dared to have Nanny Fang slapped, let alone them. They were all like frightened quails, not daring to make a sound, afraid of being made an example of.

Su Yi supported her forehead with a detached expression, showing no reaction. Although her pale face looked somewhat sickly, now no one thought she was easy to deal with.

"Stop," Su Yi finally spoke to halt.

Xiao Yunzi was exhausted, his hands were sore from hitting, but since Her Ladyship didn't call to stop, he kept putting in effort to hit hard.

Hearing the mistress finally call for a halt, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Su Yi finally looked over, her face wearing a gentle smile as she gazed at Nanny Fang, whose face was swollen like a pig’s. Her voice was soft, almost questioning, "Do you know why you were beaten?"

Nanny Fang wanted to speak, her eyes burning with hatred as she looked at Consort Rong, but her swollen mouth made her words unintelligible.

However, Su Yi didn’t need her to answer.

"Because you're not just straightforward and quick-tongued; you're downright foul-mouthed. Cough, cough."

Su Yi couldn’t help but cough twice, covering her mouth with a handkerchief, pausing for a moment before continuing,

"You said my illness came at an inconvenient time, that I'm faking it. Who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that? Was it the Grand Empress Dowager?"

The room went silent. Although Su Yi's voice wasn’t loud, everyone present heard her clearly.

Who dared to respond? The one who dared to speak now lies on the ground, her face swollen like a pig’s.

"When you beat a dog, you should consider its master. But if the master won’t discipline it and lets it run amok, don’t blame others for putting down the mad dog."

Su Yi was already in a bad mood, her words soft but their meaning anything but weak, the implications clear.

"You use the Grand Empress Dowager’s name to flaunt your authority. Those in the know see a servant bold enough to use her master’s name to bully and humiliate me.

Those unaware might think it’s the Grand Empress Dowager’s doing, deliberately tormenting this sickly person, and because of her status and dignity, only sending a servant to speak for her, leaving me unable to voice my grievances, my heart filled with resentment, and, cough, cough, best to die."

Su Yi coughed weakly, truly looking as if she had been provoked by Nanny Fang, suffering greatly, on the verge of a relapse.

"You truly have a malicious heart," Su Yi seemed to sigh.

Nanny Fang, listening, became agitated, her eyes wide.

But with her injuries, she couldn’t speak clearly, her words slurred, though her red eyes and bulging veins made it clear she wanted to speak.

"A servant like you by the Grand Empress Dowager’s side would only sully her kind and gentle reputation.

You used the Grand Empress Dowager’s name to flaunt your authority first, then spoke disrespectfully and humiliated me. I cannot go over the Grand Empress Dowager’s head to discipline you, so I’ll send you to the Punishment Bureau and let them deal with you."

Who can’t wear a beautiful hat? Who can’t find a high-sounding reason? Who can’t insinuate? Is it hard to be sarcastic?

The Punishment Bureau!

Earlier, they thought Nanny Fang would only be unable to speak clearly when she reached Cining Palace.

But this miserable state would only make it seem like Consort Rong had overstepped Cining Palace to beat her like this, truly arrogant and unruly.

Even if it started with Nanny Fang’s disrespect towards Consort Rong, beating her like this would make Consort Rong seem justified but also unrelenting.

Who would have thought, Consort Rong had no intention of taking Nanny Fang back to Cining Palace, but instead sending her to the Punishment Bureau.

This, this is what the palace servants fear most when they make mistakes.

The people inside are ruthless, their methods making one wish for death over life.

Entering there, you’re bound to lose a layer of skin.

Su Yi looked towards Yun Hua, "Yun Hua, take someone and send Nanny Fang there. You’re not needed here for now, go back directly after sending her."

After saying this, she didn’t wait for Yun Hua’s reaction, beckoning Xiao Yunzi over, signaling him to come closer.

Xiao Yunzi's hands were still trembling, unable to calm down. Seeing Consort Rong gesture for him to come over, he suppressed the emotions in his heart, lowered his head, and quickly moved to stand next to Yun Hua.

Yun Hua paled when she heard Consort Rong's words.

Even though Her Ladyship said she didn’t have to go to Cining Palace, as if sparing her from whatever unknown events awaited there, and told her to return to Yonghe Palace once she’d sent Nanny Fang off, which seemed like a good thing, and Her Ladyship's tone was normal, how could Yun Hua not be nervous?

She worried it was because earlier, when Her Ladyship ordered someone to slap Nanny Fang, only Xiao Yunzi had jumped to obey, while the others hesitated.

Noticing Yun Hua still hadn’t left, Su Yi’s smile faded a little.

"Why are you still here? Can’t you handle such a simple task, *cough*?" She then gestured for two others to stay and take Nanny Fang to the Punishment Bureau.

She then motioned for them to move on, so as not to keep the Grand Empress Dowager waiting.

Yun Hua was left behind, wanting to follow, but now she had no choice but to stay and finish the task Her Ladyship had given her.

Cining Palace

"Old Ancestor, should we send someone to see what’s taking so long?" Suma Lagu said from the side.

Consort Rong still hadn’t arrived, and there was no word from those sent to fetch her.

Consort Rong actually had the nerve to keep the Grand Empress Dowager waiting this long—utterly disrespectful.

Even when her health improved during the day, she did not come to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager.

Unable to serve the Emperor in bed yet still hogging His Majesty’s attention.

The Grand Empress Dowager twirled her prayer beads in silence, seemingly in her usual meditative state, but Suma Lagu could tell the Grand Empress Dowager was annoyed.

But sending someone again would look desperate.

Thinking this, Suma Lagu did not speak further and quietly attended to her duties.

They could reprimand Consort Rong once she arrived.

A mere concubine, yet bold enough to defy the Grand Empress Dowager’s orders, had His Majesty spoiled her so much she’d forgotten her place?

The Grand Empress Dowager was unusually restless, and twirling her prayer beads did little to calm her.

She’d originally planned to use a maid to knock Consort Rong down a peg, to make her realize that her constant pretense, coupled with her frail health, would not be enough to hold onto the Emperor's favor.

The harem was not just filled with concubines; there were many others waiting for an opportunity. The slightest misstep could bring new faces into the harem.

If this succeeded, Consort Rong would have to swallow her pride and endure it, unable to do anything. Even Imperial Noble Consort Tongjia, known for her jealousy, had tolerated Uya.

How much more so Consort Rong?

This move could also create a rift between them. If Consort Rong lost her temper and quarreled with the Emperor, that would be even better, as it would only erode their affection.

Even if it didn’t succeed, it would surely make Consort Rong feel uneasy.

With a new round of imperial selections approaching, and Consort Rong's favor showing no signs of waning, what chances would the new entrants have?

Although she had promised not to act against Consort Rong, it was only due to the circumstances at the time. For the Grand Empress Dowager to do nothing now was impossible.

That maid was also useless, not only failing to serve her purpose but instead fulfilling the Emperor's wishes.

Although the emperor was aware and had someone send an abortifacient potion to Consort Rong under a different pretext.

However, this was only an abortifacient potion. If the emperor later relented and allowed Consort Rong to have her own child, as long as the potion was stopped and she was well-nourished, she might still conceive.

Consort Rong could be favored, but she must not be allowed to bear a child.

Hailanzhu also gave birth to the eighth prince under great favor, outshining all the other princes.

Even because of the birth of the eighth prince, there was a nationwide amnesty, and Hailanzhu and her son once overshadowed others, to the extent that Emperor Taiji could not see anyone else.

If the eighth prince had not died early, and Hailanzhu had not followed, it’s unclear if the throne would have gone to Fu Lin.

She emerged as the ultimate victor, with her son becoming the emperor.

But Fu Lin, like his father, was enthralled by Dong E Shi, who was made Imperial Noble Consort less than a month after entering the palace.

When Dong E Shi gave birth to the fourth prince, Fu Lin was overjoyed and held a grand ceremony to announce the birth of his first son, receiving congratulations from his ministers.

After the birth of this child, the treatment was even like that of an heir apparent, and later there was another nationwide amnesty.

Even though the child died a few months later, Fu Lin still ordered him to be posthumously granted the title of Prince Rong of the First Rank, disregarding the ancestral rules.

Dong E Shi died of grief after losing her son, but why did she have to take Fu Lin with her!

Fu Lin died of smallpox and followed Dong E Shi, leaving her heartbroken, but she had to endure the pain and ensure Xuan Ye’s succession to the throne.

She devoted immense effort into making Xuan Ye an outstanding emperor.

But now even Xuan Ye, whom she valued and had high hopes for, appears to be following his father’s path.

Is the Aisin Gioro family fated to produce hopeless romantics?

The high emperor was devoted to Lady Abahai, Emperor Taiji to Hailanzhu, and Fu Lin to Dong E Shi, and now it seems Xuan Ye cannot escape this fate either.

She had failed to sway Fu Lin in the past, and now that she is old, she cannot persuade him anymore.

The emperor is still somewhat lenient.

Even though Consort Rong is close to Baocheng, there is a distinction in intimacy, and people’s loyalties are fickle. In the royal family, where the throne is involved, there is no room for family affection. If Consort Rong had her own son, she would certainly scheme on his behalf.

The emperor still favors Consort Rong, and it is inevitable that another situation like the eighth or fourth prince might arise, where the son’s status is elevated by the mother’s favor, and then Baocheng’s position as crown prince would be in danger.

If Consort Rong, with a gentle exterior but a scheming heart, takes advantage of her closeness to Baocheng to relax her guard and falls victim to Consort Rong’s schemes, it is not impossible, and then it would be too late to cry.

She is getting older and is uncertain how much time remains.

If she passes away and the emperor has no successor, who could suppress Consort Rong?

Over time, the emperor’s feelings for Consort Rong deepen, and he might allow her to have her own child.

When Consort Rong becomes ambitious and plans for her own child, driving a wedge between the emperor and Baocheng, causing the emperor to feel estranged from Baocheng, who could mediate?

Wouldn’t it be as Consort Rong wishes, making her own son the winner?

Since it is inevitable that Consort Rong will be greatly favored, rather than letting her potentially threaten Baocheng’s position as crown prince and shake the foundation of the country, it is better to let her remain a favored consort without a child.

A favored consort without a child, no matter how favored, has limits and is more reassuring.

Previously, she had not taken any action, watching everything peacefully and not causing trouble for Consort Rong, just biding her time to act decisively.

The medicine added to the bowl of contraceptive broth sent to Consort Rong contained something else, turning it into a sterility potion.

Once Consort Rong drank it, she would never be able to conceive again.

After taking it, there would be other symptoms. To keep Consort Rong from calling for the royal physician and discovering something was wrong with the broth, she had to make herself vomit before the medicine could take full effect, rendering the sterility potion useless.

She summoned Consort Rong before the medicine could take effect. Even if the medicine made Consort Rong feel sick, she had to tough it out and come to the Cining Palace.

At this point, the Grand Empress Dowager was not afraid of Consort Rong delaying or dawdling on the way. She feared Consort Rong might feel too ill to come and instead call for the royal physician.

So she had Suma Lagu pass the word to Nanny Fang, who was sent to the Yonghe Palace to summon Consort Rong, making sure Consort Rong couldn’t wiggle out of coming.

She also specifically ordered people to block anyone trying to go to the Qianqing Palace to seek an audience with the Emperor, cutting off Consort Rong’s chance to seek the Emperor’s help.

Even if the Emperor found out later, he’d just think his grandmother had called Consort Rong over to test her, with no other intentions. Any discomfort Consort Rong felt would just be chalked up to her fragile health.

By the time it was discovered later, she would have already erased all traces, and Consort Rong would no longer be able to have children.

When Consort Rong failed to conceive for a long time, she could use this as a reason to discuss the matter of extending the royal bloodline with the Emperor.

If Consort Rong couldn’t bear children, there were plenty of other women in the harem who could. The Emperor could not just stay with Consort Rong alone.

As long as the Emperor was willing to favor others, even if Consort Rong remained highly favored, her favor would eventually be divided.

All women, no matter how virtuous and magnanimous they claimed to be, would feel jealous seeing the Emperor favor others and have children. How could Consort Rong feel good about it?

If she kept her resentment bottled up, over time, with her frail body, she would become melancholic and eventually die early.

Wasn’t it the same with Hailanzhu and Dong E Shi?

At most, the Emperor would mourn her for a while after her death, but eventually, he would move on to other women.

Once a person is dead, everything is gone. The favor and glory would dissipate with her death, no matter how many honors were bestowed posthumously.

The Grand Empress Dowager let out a slow, heavy breath. After today, she could coldly watch how long Consort Rong’s delicate flower would continue to bloom.