Chapter 180

Chapter 180

The Imperial Noble Consort also looked surprised. The other concubines couldn't hide their glee. It looked like the Rong Noble Consort was in trouble.

The Grand Empress Dowager quietly fingered her prayer beads.

The little milk dragon looked deep in thought.

Noble Lady Min's eyes lit up. Seeing the Emperor speak about the Noble Consort's impropriety, she was about to tell the Emperor of her grievances and the Rong Noble Consort's tyranny.

If she could use this chance to get the Emperor's attention and knock the Rong Noble Consort down a peg, it would be even better. The Rong Noble Consort had left the banquet early, and at the worst possible time. She likely didn't expect the Emperor to be there.

If the Emperor hadn't been present today, she would have had to quietly suffer the Rong Noble Consort's insults.

Fortunately, the Emperor had come to defend her. Noble Lady Min couldn't hide her delight, almost losing her composure.

However, Kangxi's next sentence was,

"She has been too lenient with you."

The Imperial Noble Consort: "Phew! It wasn’t her he was talking about."

The Grand Empress Dowager was speechless again. She couldn’t figure out what the Emperor meant.

The concubines were stunned. 'What?! Did we hear that right? Lenient?!'

What has the Rong Noble Consort let her get away with?!

Or had they missed something, leaving them confused?

Liang Jiugong stayed calm, unsurprised.

Noble Lady Min was stunned. She never saw that coming?!

Kangxi’s words left everyone baffled.

The little milk dragon quickly agreed with his father, showing agreement on his face, whispering softly to the Grand Empress Dowager beside him,

"That's right, Grand Empress Dowager. When Father punishes us, my brother and I kneel for over two hours. This banquet hasn’t even gone on for two hours."

When Father punishes them, he is quite harsh; otherwise, they wouldn’t learn their lesson.

Since he was bringing up Father's past punishments, the little milk dragon only dared to whisper to the Grand Empress Dowager.

The Grand Empress Dowager gently patted the little milk dragon's head without saying a word.

She marveled at how Baocheng, raised by the Emperor, lived up to expectations.

"...Your Majesty?" Noble Lady Min asked uncertainly, wondering if the Emperor had mistaken the focus. How had the Rong Noble Consort indulged her?

She had no idea. If the Rong Noble Consort had truly indulged her, why was she kneeling here now? It was all thanks to the Rong Noble Consort!

"Why haven't I seen the Noble Consort?" Kangxi directly bypassed Noble Lady Min to ask.

The little milk dragon was also concerned about this issue. Wasn't the Honored Mother Consort supposed to be here too?

When he arrived earlier, he hadn't seen the Honored Mother Consort, wondering if he had come late and she had left early.

Now that Emperor Father finally asked, the little milk dragon also turned his gaze towards the Imperial Noble Consort.

"The Imperial Noble Consort felt unwell earlier, so I had someone assist her to rest aside. I have already sent someone to inquire," the Imperial Noble Consort thought to herself, she should be back by now, could it be that she really doesn't want to come?

Hmm, Su Yi was thinking the same thing.

She thought directly, wasn't it just mentioned that she felt unwell, so she can't come.

"But Imperial Noble Consort, Noble Lady Min deliberately wept in front of Your Majesty after seeing him arrive, saying that Imperial Noble Consort punished her to kneel continuously, and specially sent me to invite Imperial Noble Consort to come."

The maid had never encountered such a situation before, wanting to explain the stakes involved.

If the Imperial Noble Consort doesn't go, wouldn't it just let Noble Lady Min spread nonsense unchecked, and perhaps not just Noble Lady Min, but others might also join in, trying to influence Your Majesty.

If many people speak, in case Your Majesty really pities Noble Lady Min and believes her, what should we do? That's why Imperial Noble Consort sent me to inform, to have Rong Noble Consort go, so she can defend herself and not let those people succeed.

But when she looked up, she saw Rong Noble Consort holding the cat, appearing frail and saying,

"Suddenly feeling chest tightness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, blurred vision, and my heart aches, I really can't go. Qinxin, please go and explain on my behalf. As for Noble Lady Min's matter, let Your Majesty decide."

At such a time, going over is possible, but unnecessary.

The maid: "..." Are you sure the chest tightness isn't from the fat cat pressing on you??

Qinxin's expression didn't change at all, replying, "Yes, Your Highness." Clearly very experienced.

Even thinking that Her Highness is becoming increasingly perfunctory, at least put the cat down before acting, sigh.

As they walked back, the maid couldn't resist asking Qinxin, "Miss Qinxin, you must be quite capable to earn such trust from the Imperial Noble Consort." Otherwise, how could she be so confident in letting Qinxin handle it on her behalf.

She must have some outstanding qualities.

Qinxin felt like sighing; it's not that she's particularly capable, it's that Her Highness is too lazy and finds things troublesome, so she lets Qinxin handle what she can.

But how could she expose Her Highness's flaws, Qinxin could only calmly reply, "It's all thanks to Her Highness's trust in me."

As she entered the hall, she overheard the Imperial Noble Consort explaining her absence.

Imperial Noble Consort had just finished speaking, seeing someone return, thinking it was just the right time... where is she?!

Not seeing Rong Noble Consort, but her maid came, and behind them, there was no extra person.

Almost instantly, Imperial Noble Consort thought, when there's trouble, Rong Noble Consort really dares to shirk responsibility, she's holding the front, while Rong Noble Consort is snacking in the back.

No, no, the more she thought, the Imperial Noble Consort also began to feel unwell.

Qinxin, under the collective scrutiny of everyone, being observed by so many, fortunately, her naturally stoic expression didn't betray any fear. At this moment, under everyone's gaze, she first saluted, then spoke,

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort experienced heart palpitations and discomfort during the banquet, and is now resting and unable to come. Please forgive, Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince, and the Imperial Noble Consort. Her Highness specifically dispatched me to provide an explanation.

As for the matter concerning Noble Lady Min, Her Highness stated that since Your Majesty is present, let Your Majesty decide; Her Highness has no objections."

Upon hearing that the Honored Mother Consort was experiencing heart palpitations and discomfort and couldn't attend, the little milk dragon grew restless, his face showing worry, seemingly wanting to go and see, but now with Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty here, would it be inappropriate for him to leave.

Although he didn't speak, Grand Empress Dowager beside him had already noticed Baocheng was restless.

It's merely Rong Noble Consort's excuse, if she were truly unwell, how could her personal maid remain so composed and not summon a physician.

Since it was decided that Rong Noble Consort would care for Baocheng, then the position of Imperial Noble Consort must be given to her.

However, in the eyes of the palace concubines, Rong Noble Consort ascended too rapidly. In terms of seniority, she lacks the experience of veterans like Consort Xian, and regarding family background, although the Niohuru family is a prominent clan, due to a lack of successors, it no longer holds its former glory.

Now that she is once again favored, there are many who are discontented.

She rarely steps out in her daily life, failing to inspire awe among the concubines beneath her, yet she has ascended to a high position. It’s no wonder some of the lesser concubines *resent* her. Today, this incident with Consort Min is merely a test, a way to probe the situation.

She remains seated, not appearing at this moment, either not taking Consort Min seriously or being extremely confident... The Empress Dowager glanced at the emperor sitting in the main seat.

Emperor Kangxi looked at the young prince, who seemed somewhat distracted, “Baocheng, go check on your noble mother first.”

Hearing that he should go see his noble mother, the young prince quickly stood up, “Yes, Father Emperor.” Then he didn’t forget to address the Empress Dowager, “Then, Grandmother Empress, Baocheng will go see the noble mother first. I am truly worried about her.”

The Empress Dowager, with a kind expression, patted his head, “Go ahead,” then signaled for the palace attendants to follow the Crown Prince.

Consort Hui always maintained an indifferent demeanor. If someone as foolish as Consort Min could irritate Noble Consort Rong, then their positions should have been swapped long ago.

Otherwise, how could it be her turn to sit in the position of Noble Consort based on seniority?

This commotion by Consort Min will achieve nothing.

What concerns Consort Hui more is the current arrival of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Crown Prince. This move makes her feel a bit uneasy.

After hearing the reason for Noble Consort Rong’s absence, the Emperor’s decision to have the Crown Prince visit her, and the Empress Dowager’s tacit approval, Consort Hui felt something was off.

This is the first time such a reaction has been shown publicly.

The Crown Prince is indeed quite close to Noble Consort Rong, but this is just normal interaction.

Noble Consort Rong still cannot overly involve herself in the Crown Prince’s daily life and affairs, nor can she be considered a foster mother since she does not have the title of raising him. So, given that the Crown Prince is still young, it’s not a big issue for him to be close to her.

However, as the Crown Prince grows older, it will no longer be appropriate.

The Crown Prince is not only suspected of forming alliances with the consorts but also needs to avoid impropriety.

After all, Rong Noble Consort is neither the Crown Prince’s birth nor adoptive mother.

Therefore, no matter how close they are now, as long as Rong Noble Consort is not considered the Crown Prince's adoptive mother, their close relationship will become a potential issue in the future.

So, even though she was initially unhappy with Rong Noble Consort's efforts to win over the Crown Prince while he is still young, Consort Hui ultimately finds it not particularly threatening.

Gaining legitimacy isn’t easy; it’s just a temporary win for Rong Noble Consort.

When the Crown Prince grows older and starts his studies in the imperial academy, Suo'etu, his maternal grandfather, will be there to guide him.

Moreover, she has already received news that the Hesheli family plans to send someone into the palace during this year's annual palace selection.

It is likely that the Emperor’s vacant consort position is reserved for the sister of Empress Hesheli, otherwise, the Emperor would not have left the position vacant without reason.

By family rank, the one who is about to enter the palace, Xiao Hesheli, is the Crown Prince's maternal aunt.

With such a relationship, it would be even less justified for Rong Noble Consort to try to get close to the Crown Prince over his own aunt.

Isn’t Xiao Hesheli entering the palace to care for the Crown Prince?

By then, it will be difficult for Rong Noble Consort to get close to and win over the Crown Prince.

The Hesheli family wouldn’t let their Crown Prince become the Niohuru family’s Crown Prince.

Though Consort Hui resents losing ground in her confrontation with Rong Noble Consort, when she guessed who the vacant consort position was reserved for, she watched coldly, waiting to see how long Rong Noble Consort’s triumph would last.

But just now, the Emperor openly showed his silent consent to the Crown Prince's closeness to Noble Consort Rong in front of everyone, and even the Grand Empress Dowager did not find it inappropriate.

Now Consort Hui was on edge. What were the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager thinking?!

However, Kangxi and the Grand Empress Dowager did not explain the meaning behind this move. Those who got it, got it, and this could be considered a signal.

Seeing that the little milk dragon had already left first, Kangxi then seemed to remember that there was still such a person, turning the jade ring on his finger,

"Talking too much deserves a slap, and disrespecting your betters calls for a beating. Noble Consort Rong is too kind and only punished you to kneel until the banquet ends, but you’re still unrepentant and dare to accuse Noble Consort Rong of wrongdoing. This is outright disrespect."

His tone was calm, but every word clearly indicated Kangxi's stance.

As Noble Lady Min listened, her face turned frighteningly pale, her composure shattered, and she dared not continue to drag Noble Consort Rong into this. A wise person knows when to back down, so she immediately begged for mercy, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I was just... just confused for a moment..."

But Kangxi did not want to listen, his expression indifferent as he swept his gaze over the people present. The Emperor's majesty pressed down on them all, making it hard to breathe, "Today you disrespect Noble Consort Rong, in the future, you’ll only grow more reckless."

These words, seemingly directed at Noble Lady Min, actually included the concubines who had defended her.

The minor concubines kneeling there, who had also stopped speaking, turned pale upon hearing this, their heads sinking even lower.

They never expected the Emperor to be so protective of Noble Consort Rong.

They thought that with so many people speaking against Noble Consort Rong, even if it couldn't cause her much trouble, at least it would let the Emperor know that Noble Consort Rong was not virtuous but arrogant and overbearing.

Even if they couldn’t hurt Noble Consort Rong deeply, they should’ve at least taken a piece of her. But now, they hadn’t even scratched the surface.

"With just the position of a Noble Lady, you are already so presumptuous. Demoted to a daying, kneel outside."

After a pause, he added, "The title 'Min' is revoked." Kangxi calmly announced the verdict, his tone not heavy, but carrying an undeniable force.

Hearing that she was directly demoted to a daying, barely above a palace maid, although not completely stripped of her position, it was almost the same.

She had worked hard to reach the position of Noble Lady during the grand conferment, but before she could enjoy it for long, the Emperor demoted her to a daying and revoked her title of 'Min'. How could this be!

Noble Lady Min, no, the daying quickly begged for mercy, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty, this concubine dares not, dares not in the future..."

Kangxi tapped his fingers on the armrest, and Liang Jiugong hurried forward to direct people to restrain her,

"Bold! In front of His Majesty, no loud noise is allowed. Quickly, someone take her out, lest she disturb His Majesty and the Grand Empress Dowager."

At this moment, the maids swiftly stepped forward and dragged her out, and she soon disappeared from the hall, her voice no longer heard.

With the noisy person gone, the remaining minor concubines were trembling with fear, especially those who had defended her, fearing that they would be the next to be implicated.

For a moment, no one dared to speak, the hall as silent as a tomb.