“In front of so many people, she dared to… This is outrageous, simply outrageous!”
Afraid of being overheard, she swallowed the words “shameless” but felt particularly disgusted.
“She’s not afraid of the Empress Dowager hearing about it and punishing her for seducing the Emperor!”
Consort Rong lowered her eyes and sipped her tea, thinking nothing of it.
When it came to seeking favor, who in the palace hadn’t tried to seduce the Emperor?
Otherwise, where would the children come from?
Even the most reserved and dignified Tong Jia Shi had done some bold things to win favor in the past.
If Tong Jia Shi’s health had held up, Consort Rong and Consort Hui wouldn’t even have a place to stand.
She calmly looked at Consort Hui,
“Why are you telling us this? The harem already has plenty of sisters.”
“Whether she’s a sister or a junior is uncertain.”Consort Hui didn’t hide her intentions and said leisurely.
“No one can compare to Fang He. The Emperor says she’s the descendant of an old acquaintance, and the Empress Dowager and even the Grand Empress Dowager inexplicably favor her. To this day, her background remains a mystery.”
She raised her eyelids to look at Consort Rong,
“Sister, aren’t you afraid the imperial presence will gain another ‘cousin’?”
Consort Rong couldn’t drink her tea anymore, thinking of how Tong Jia Shi’s sister had called the Emperor “cousin” in front of everyone to show her closeness.
She felt nauseated.
“Then what do you suggest? Do you have a way to prevent Fang He from serving the Emperor?” Consort An asked bluntly.
“Maybe she’s already served in the bedchamber.”
Consort Hui shook her head at Consort An with a smile,
“Yesterday, I specially had the matron check. She hasn’t served in the bedchamber yet.”
“Of course, I can’t stop the Emperor from giving her a rank.” Consort Hui changed her tone.
“But I heard this Fang He girl had been planning to leave the palace. Northern Mongolia would be a good place for her.”
Consort An didn’t speak anymore.
Even though she wasn’t good at scheming, she could sense the malice in Consort Hui’s words.
Consort Rong and Consort Jin understood even more.
But Consort Jin only lowered her head, pretending not to hear anything.
She was the lowest among the six consorts, and her father was only a vice supervisor of the Imperial Academy.
She had almost no foundation in the palace and couldn’t do anything even if she wanted to.
Consort Hui didn’t expect much from her and leisurely sipped her tea, observing the expressions of Consort Rong and Consort An.
The Ma and Li families both had many sons serving in the imperial guards and the imperial army.
Consort Rong put down her teacup and stood up leisurely,
“If the Emperor has taken a fancy to her, who dares to object?”
“Anyway, the harem is large, and next year’s selection will bring in more people. We’ll just wait for a few more sisters.”
Consort An didn’t understand Consort Rong’s meaning, but she wasn’t planning to do anything inauspicious, so she just lowered her eyes and remained silent.
But Consort Hui had already heard what she wanted.
Although Consort Rong’s every word showed obedience to the Emperor, she didn’t mention wanting to be sisters with Fang He.
She just smiled,
“Sister Rong is right. I spoke out of turn. I won’t bring it up again.”
Actually, if Kangxi wanted to escape the heat, there were plenty of good places, whether in the southern gardens or the outskirts of the capital.
The reason he decided to build a palace in Rehe wasn’t just to escape the summer heat.
Rehe was located west of Fengtian, with the Mulan hunting grounds to the north and Northern Mongolia to the east.
Heading south, one could reach the capital in a day by fast horse.
This was the route the Qing took when they first entered the pass.
Therefore, Kangxi had long sent three thousand soldiers from Fengtian to station here, both to train and to keep an eye on Northern Mongolia.
In addition, there were soldiers from the four left-wing banners of Chahar, who had close ties with the Qing and trained in Mulan every year.
That was a line of defense against foreign enemies.
From Rehe, it only took half a day to reach.
So, after arriving at the palace, Kangxi didn’t rest much.
He first received the banner lords and commanders of the four Chahar banners, then
personally took Alan Tai to inspect the three thousand soldiers stationed here.
He had sent word to the tribes of Northern Mongolia in advance, postponing the Mulan autumn hunt by ten days due to the Yaksa war affecting both southern and northern Mongolia.
But he also had little time to stay in the palace, leaving early every morning and returning late at night.
Fang He had nothing to do.
The palace maids who followed the imperial presence had been repeatedly warned by Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan, and no one dared to order the ancestor to do any work.
There was also Chun Lai, who had been relieved of her duties and spent every day accompanying Fang He.
The weather in Rehe was comfortable, and Fang He also learned from Kangxi that only four people knew about her imitating a dog’s bark.
Rounding off, it was as if no one knew.
She breathed a sigh of relief and finally began to live the carefree life she had dreamed of.
Every day, she woke up to eat, ate until she was full, slept until she was full, and ate again.
Someone drew water for her to wash, someone laundered her clothes, and she didn’t even have to fetch her own meals.
This was even more relaxing than her time in the imperial tea room.
Fang He wished she could live like this forever.
But the good days didn’t last long.
Wuyunzhu from the Empress Dowager’s side came to invite her.
Wuyunzhu’s attitude was very amiable, and she treated Fang He with great respect.
“The mistress is aware that His Majesty is busy and worries that you might feel bored in the palace, so she invites you to take a stroll outside.”
The “outside” referred to the still-under-construction palace, which had already been cordoned off with guards stationed around, making it impossible for anyone to approach.
There was a relatively large imperial garden there.
Although it lacked rare flowers, the temperature was just right in the height of summer, and the garden was a riot of colors, truly a sight to behold.
Ordinary concubines couldn’t leave the current palace, so they had no choice but to visit the smaller gardens.
Kangxi, being filial, naturally wouldn’t stop the Empress Dowager from moving around.
He had ordered the pavilion in the large garden to be built early so that the Empress Dowager would have a place to enjoy the flowers.
Since Fang He’s status was still that of a palace maid, and it was the Empress Dowager who had summoned her, Chun Lai couldn’t follow.
Wuyunzhu led Fang He out of the palace with the token from Shoukang Palace and brought her to the pavilion.
As soon as they entered, before Fang He could bow, the Empress Dowager stood up and directly pulled her to her feet, smiling brightly at her.
She then spoke a string of Mongolian words that Fang He couldn’t understand.
Fang He’s eyes subtly glanced at Wuyunzhu, who remained silent.
“…Your Highness, forgive me, but I don’t understand Mongolian.”
If they were to chat, there had to be a translator, right?
Wuyunzhu smiled without saying a word, showing no intention of speaking up.
How could she say that the Empress Dowager had immediately asked Fang He if she liked gold, and that there was plenty in her treasury for Fang He to pick from?
Although she could sense that Fang He loved wealth, based on her previous refusal of the gold box and the southern pearls, Wuyunzhu knew that this girl was someone who took what she deserved.
It was better not to put Fang He in an awkward position, nor to tarnish the mistress’s image.
Fang He had no idea what she had missed out on.
If she knew, she would definitely cry out in regret.
She didn’t have to put on an act in front of Sumala and the Grand Empress Dowager, so why should she feel awkward?
Seeing Wuyunzhu remain silent, the Empress Dowager realized that she had gotten a bit too excited upon seeing Fang He, who reminded her more and more of Wulinzhu.
She smiled and pulled Fang He to sit down, switching to stiff Mandarin,
“Are you happy in the palace?”
Fang He had been subtly observing the Empress Dowager and noticed the exceptionally kind and concerned expression on her face, which made her nose slightly tingle.
From being a person to becoming an object, and even encountering a future husband who was like a father figure, how could she be happy?
But could she say that?
She shifted the concept and replied with a smile,
“Your Highness, since I entered the palace, I have been cared for by my aunt. After her passing, I have been blessed with His Majesty’s grace, so there’s nothing to be unhappy about.”
The Empress Dowager, having lived in the palace for so many years, understood Mandarin, but her smile faded slightly.
This girl wasn’t telling the truth.
But soon, she had Wuyunzhu bring out the pastries and smiled warmly again.
“I heard you like seafood. These are pastries made with dried fish paste and crab roe. Try them and see if you like them.”
This time, Wuyunzhu translated everything without missing a word.
Fang He, who hadn’t had lunch yet, naturally took a few bites.
The savory taste of the fish blended with the creaminess was surprisingly delicious.
It was like the egg yolk pastries of later times, but softer, with the unique chewiness of fish.
As for the crab roe pastries, they were even more famous, even in later times.
She always loved buying them, though they weren’t as refined as in later times, the flavor was more intense.
This was probably the benefit of being purely natural and additive-free.
Seeing Fang He enjoying the food, the Empress Dowager didn’t say anything more, just silently watched Fang He’s profile with a distant and melancholic gaze.
Wulinzhu didn’t like seafood; she had a sweet tooth.
Because she ate a lot, she was plumper than most women, and coupled with her flamboyant personality, despite her delicate face, no one dared to mess with her.
Unlike Fang He, who, even though she had gained some weight, still looked as thin as a lamb, evoking pity in a place like the palace, which devoured people without spitting out bones…
“Fang He, do you want to serve the emperor, or leave the palace?” the Empress Dowager suddenly asked in Mandarin as Fang He finished eating.
Wuyunzhu exclaimed, “Your Highness!”
The Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop her from speaking, just staring at Fang He.
Fang He paused slightly, stuffed the last crab roe pastry into her mouth, and smiled at the Empress Dowager with her cheeks puffed up.
“I want to stay. If I leave the palace, I might never get to eat such delicious pastries again!”
Wuyunzhu breathed a sigh of relief.
Good, Fang He was clear-headed enough not to follow the mistress’s whims.
The Empress Dowager didn’t say anything else, just nodded with a smile,
“Good.”
She pointed to the empty plate and said,
“There’s more. I’m tired, you can take them with you.”
Wuyunzhu quickly added,
“The imperial kitchen didn’t send much fresh fish and crab since His Majesty is away, but our kitchen has prepared plenty. The mistress has already ordered them for you. Come with me, miss.”
Fang He showed no unusual reaction, curtsied properly to the Empress Dowager, thanked her for the reward, and then took her leave.
On the way back, carrying the food box, after passing the small palace gate and sending Wuyunzhu off, Fang He finally let out a soft sigh.
She wasn’t unaware of the Empress Dowager’s warm goodwill towards her, but the Empress Dowager and Kangxi weren’t mother and son by blood, as Wuyunzhu’s reaction had shown.
If Kangxi wanted to keep someone, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang might have a say, but the Empress Dowager couldn’t.
If she said she wasn’t happy and didn’t want to stay, what could the Empress Dowager do besides feel sorry for her?
Given the Empress Dowager’s behavior, the affection for an old friend would likely make her life in the palace much easier.
She should be content. It was better to think about how to live well if she stayed…
“Isn’t this Fang He from the emperor’s presence?”
“Why does she seem to be coming from outside? Isn’t the emperor away? How can someone from the emperor’s presence move around so freely?”
Fang He looked up and inwardly exclaimed, “Oh no!”
Concubine Hui, Concubine Rong, and Concubine Jin were standing at the intersection of the small garden and the main path.
Concubine Rong was the one who spoke, and it was clear from her tone that she wasn’t friendly.
Fang He sighed inwardly again and curtsied.
“Your Highnesses, I was summoned by the Empress Dowager to discuss some interesting events during the Fifth Prince’s southern tour. That’s why I just returned from outside.”
No one told Fang He to rise.
Concubine Hui slowly walked up to Fang He, bent down to lift the lid of the food box, and smiled.
“Oh, it seems you’ve received a reward from the Empress Dowager. Even we, as mistresses, rarely get to enjoy such pastries.”
Concubine Rong lazily spoke to Concubine Hui, but her gaze was condescendingly fixed on Fang He.
“She’s just a palace maid, yet she receives rewards from the Empress Dowager. Even if it’s a great honor, Sister Hui, why are you acting so shallow?”
Concubine Jin smiled softly and gently defended Concubine Hui,
“Sister Rong, that’s not fair. Even though this maid is of low status, she has a connection with the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager.”
“In the future, she might become a prominent. Sister Hui is just being prudent, lest someone hold a grudge.”
Concubine Hui also straightened up, glanced down at Fang He, and scoffed,
“Miss Fang He, do you think Concubine Jin’s words make sense?”
Fang He just wanted to say,
“Screw your uncle, hear me? Screw your ancestors eight generations back!”
They were having a lively conversation, while Fang He, who rarely had to maintain a curtsy for so long, was almost unable to hold the position, especially with Concubine Hui right in front of her.
If she couldn’t hold it, she’d have to fall back, sprawling like a turtle in front of these three women.
But she showed no outward sign of discomfort, and even her inner calm surprised herself.
In a world where hierarchy was clear, those in power could torment those beneath them, and it couldn’t even be called inhumane.
Because that was one of their main duties.
She knew all too well that such confrontations would happen many times in the future.
This was just the beginning.
She simply stood up, and in the shocked and soon-to-be reproachful expressions of Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong, she knelt down decisively.
It was like giving them an early burial.
After all, they were ancestors from hundreds of years ago. No shame in that.
“Your Highness, it’s an honor for a maid like me to be addressed by the mistresses. How dare I comment on the words and actions of the mistresses, let alone commit the heinous act of disrespecting my superiors.”
Concubine Jin frowned slightly.
The calmer Fang He was, the more wary she became.
In the palace, women who were arrogant and domineering weren’t scary; the scary ones were those who could endure humiliation.
Once such a woman climbed up, she would surely retaliate tenfold.
She quickly turned to Concubine Rong and smiled,
“It seems I was being petty. Let’s let Miss Fang He return, lest His Majesty needs someone to serve him and can’t find her, blaming us.”
Concubine Rong nodded with a smile,
“Indeed. It’s not like we can drink and sing, so we can’t catch His Majesty’s eye. Instead, we have to trouble Miss Fang He to take care of His Majesty for us. Baishao, reward her!”
Baishao promptly responded, and a pouch was thrown at Fang He’s feet, making a jingling sound.
It was probably filled with small silver pieces.
Fang He glanced down at it.
The pouch wasn’t full, containing at most one or two taels.
Even more stingy than Kangxi.
Was it true that birds of a feather flock together?
Just as Concubine Hui was about to tell Fang He to pick it up, Kangxi’s slightly cold voice rang out from behind them.
“She’s a maid from my presence, serving me is her duty.”
“I didn’t know she was serving me on your behalf. Do you also wish to serve in my presence?”
Concubine Hui, Concubine Rong, and Concubine Jin were startled.
His Majesty had left the palace early this morning, and he usually didn’t return until night.
They had gotten the news and had come specifically to meet Fang He.
Why had he returned so early today?