Chapter 247

Chapter 247

Although the imperial harem was quite indignant about the Imperial Noble Consort's scheming this time, they also had to admit it was a nearly foolproof plan.

However, the Imperial Noble Consort herself wasn’t so sure. Unlike others who assumed success was guaranteed, she harbored doubts.

Despite playing it cool and bringing Noble Lady Qing along today, making small talk as if it were just a casual visit, she hadn’t explicitly stated her intentions. She couldn’t count on how the Rong Noble Consort would react.

She couldn’t lean on the Rong Noble Consort picking up on hints that easily.

Even if the Rong Noble Consort could infer her meaning, there was no guarantee she would play along as planned.

Getting her hopes up now would only make the fall harder later.

Still, this visit served another purpose—it was more about making a show for others than truly influencing the Rong Noble Consort.

Rather than banking on the Rong Noble Consort, it was better to keep others on their toes, adding another layer of caution.

In a way, she was leaning on the Rong Noble Consort’s name—far more reliable than expecting her to obediently follow the script.

Thus, she kept her words vague.

As for Noble Lady Qing, she felt much the same. She wasn’t banking on the Rong Noble Consort either.

After all, she didn’t know the Rong Noble Consort well.

Even after today’s meeting, despite her careful scrutiny, she remained cautious.

The Rong Noble Consort appeared casual and indifferent, yet was hard to read.

Still, the fact that she maintained such a relationship with her elder sister said a lot about how sharp she was.

Even today, she remained unfazed.

Word was that the Rong Noble Consort had moved back to Yonghe Palace out of anger toward the Emperor. When Noble Lady Qing learned the Imperial Noble Consort intended to visit Yonghe Palace at such a time, she had her doubts.

On the surface, it didn’t seem like a good moment—it could easily be seen as putting on a front of sympathy hiding smugness.

It could easily rub people the wrong way.

Yet the Imperial Noble Consort seemed entirely unconcerned, doing whatever she pleased.

Noble Lady Qing said nothing and obediently followed, seizing the chance to observe the Rong Noble Consort.

After all, speaking up would only annoy the Imperial Noble Consort. Speaking too much invited mistakes, and for now, she preferred to avoid conflict.

Upon arrival, however, she found the situation far different from what she had imagined.

The Rong Noble Consort showed no signs of distress—as if nothing unusual had happened at all.

It didn’t seem like she had just moved back from the Qianqing Palace. Instead, it was as if she had always been there, completely at ease.

No sign she was putting on a brave face.

Even the best act of pretending everything was fine would still reveal cracks in unguarded moments.

But Noble Lady Qing carefully observed that the other party mostly exuded sheer boredom, a disinterest bordering on apathy.

As if avoiding boredom was her foremost concern, rather than being upset about moving back to Yonghe Palace after a quarrel with the Emperor.

It genuinely shocked her.

No wonder the Imperial Noble Consort would come at such an ostensibly inappropriate time.

Because even if the timing seemed off, as long as there was some intrigue, there’d be no harm in it.

A person who appeared deceptively simple yet complex.

Not as hard to handle as others claimed, but not exactly easy either.

Noble Lady Qing didn’t place much importance on whether the other party would look out for her. Instead, she wanted to take this opportunity to keep a closer eye on her.

——

Though there was no outright argument, and compared to before, things were practically peaceful, Kangxi indeed did not visit Yonghe Palace for several consecutive days.

It seemed to substantiate the gossip of a quarrel with Noble Consort Rong that day.

What had initially been mere speculation in the palace now seemed pretty much confirmed.

So it really was because of Consort Ping!

Now, everyone was itching to see Noble Consort Rong and the newly risen Consort Ping go head-to-head.

After all, the Imperial Noble Consort, who could still keep Consort Rong in check in terms of status, had chosen to turn a blind eye and no longer pushed back against her.

Three of the Four Imperial Consorts wouldn’t make a move recklessly without the right opening. Without a proper chance, they wouldn’t act rashly.

If the senior consorts didn’t make a move, how could they expect the lesser concubines to?

They’d likely be crushed before they even had a chance to rise.

Only a newly emerged figure like Consort Ping could break the current dominance of Noble Consort Rong.

After all, even if someone wanted to be the sacrificial pawn, not just anyone could pull it off.

Acting recklessly would only lead to becoming a dead duck.

After observing for a few days and listening to the shifting tides reported by palace attendants, Consort Ping wondered if it was time to add fuel to the fire.

It was too cold now—it needed a spark to ignite the flames.

Otherwise, if someone else made the first move, it would be troublesome. She couldn’t give the other party a window to counter.

By "the other party," she meant Noble Consort Rong.

Though Kangxi hadn’t visited Yonghe Palace these past few days, he also hadn’t called for any concubine. It seemed as if he was waiting for Noble Consort Rong’s temper to cool.

Several days had passed, and without any new provocations, her anger was likely fading.

If she let her guard down slightly, wouldn’t they just reconcile?

Where would that leave her plans?

Let alone expecting the other party would make an even bigger scene and end up refusing to join the trip in a fit of pique.

This wouldn't do at all. This was a rare opportunity—how could they let the conflict pass so easily?

With no immediate provocation now, Consort Ping decided to provide one herself.

Thus, Consort Ping resolved to act before the two could reconcile, adding fuel to the fire—the bigger the flames, the better.

With this idea in mind, Consort Ping swiftly took action, ordering her attendants to prepare a bowl of soup, which she would later bring to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

At this moment, the entire harem had its eyes on Consort Ping’s movements. After all, wasn't everyone following where the wind blew?

So it wasn’t long before they learned that Consort Ping was heading toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity with an attendant carrying a food box.

Just from this move, it was clear what Consort Ping intended to do.

She was going head-to-head with Rong Noble Consort.

The bad blood had started because of Consort Ping, and before the dust could settle, she was repeating her tactics now.

This was... perfect!

It was as if the curtain was about to rise. They were all waiting to see how this drama would unfold.

This was too good.

If Consort Ping was turned away at the door, she would become the harem's joke.

But if she got in to see the Emperor again—

Even better. Then they could witness how Rong Noble Consort would react upon finding out.

This show was sure to pay off.

Their wait wouldn't be for nothing—the show was finally about to start.

Kangxi had just finished his regular check of the princes’ studies.

Nothing major stood out; they were keeping up, with no signs of negligence.

However, there was one thing.

"Liang Jiugong." Kangxi didn't look pleased.

No, to be precise, he'd been in a foul mood for days.

Kangxi’s sudden call made Liang Jiugong's heart drop at the tone.

Nothing was more unsettling than the master abruptly summoning you like this, keeping you in suspense.

In that brief moment, Liang Jiugong ran through everything in his head that day.

Had he made any mistakes? Overlooked anything? His mind raced, but he kept his cool.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Liang Jiugong responded swiftly despite the whirlwind in his mind.

Though his thoughts raced, he had to answer quickly.

"Has the Crown Prince been acting a little off lately?" Kangxi asked in an inscrutable tone.

This totally threw Liang Jiugong for a loop.

This was about the Crown Prince—no way he could just shoot off an answer! This was really...

Especially since His Majesty was asking whether the Crown Prince seemed somewhat unusual.

One wrong word and he’d be toast.

But since His Majesty had asked, Liang Jiugong couldn’t stay silent—he had to reply. He had to suck it up and answer.

So Liang Jiugong responded cautiously, "Your Majesty, this lowly servant hasn’t seen anything out of the ordinary with the Crown Prince. His Highness has been very diligent in his studies recently—maybe he’s just worn out from studying."

He attributed any possible odd behavior to exhaustion from studying—a nice, non-committal answer.

Kangxi listened to Liang Jiugong’s reply but said nothing further, though he didn’t seem entirely satisfied with the explanation.

The Crown Prince wasn’t tired—if anything, the kid was bouncing off the walls.

In fact, what Kangxi had really wanted to ask was whether Baocheng had been shooting him dirty looks these past few days!

Something about the kid’s looks lately just felt... weird, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Whenever Kangxi looked over, everything appeared normal—he never managed to catch him red-handed.

With the tutors around, Kangxi had to keep a poker face.

That was why he had asked Liang Jiugong whether the Crown Prince seemed unusual recently.

But the answer was a total dud.

Seeing this, Liang Jiugong didn’t dare to speak further—whatever was up with the Crown Prince was way above his pay grade.

Just then, a servant rushed in to announce Consort Ping’s arrival.

Jumping at the chance, Liang Jiugong hurried to tell His Majesty, thankful he was off the hook for more questions about the Crown Prince's recent behavior—no way was he gonna shoot his mouth off.