kvmb Chapter 271 Aren't you going to make plans for yourself?
Chapter 271 Aren't you going to make plans for yourself?
Shou Kang Palace.
As soon as Consort Chun and Hua Yan stepped into the palace gate, the palace servants all stepped forward to pay their respects.
Seeing that the palace servants were all busy moving various items, Consort Chun asked Granny Kong, "Has Her Majesty the Empress Dowager set a date for going to Shanglin Garden?"
Empress Dowager Zhou had only said that she would leave the palace in early March, without telling Consort Chun the specific date.
Granny Kong Lian replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has set the date as the fifth day of the month."
"The fifth day...isn't that two days before the general election?" Consort Chun stopped and turned to ask Granny Kong.
"Exactly."
Hua Yan's gaze unconsciously fell on Granny Kong, secretly wondering why Empress Dowager Zhou avoided the general election. The list of candidates sent a few days ago did not seem to include any members of the Zhou family. Why did she want to avoid suspicion?
Empress Dowager Zhou met Consort Chun and Consort Chun in the flower hall in front of the Buddhist hall.
"Is Consort Guo pregnant?" Empress Dowager Zhou sat back in her seat and received the curtsy from Consort Chun and the other two.
"Consort Guo is more than three months pregnant, but it wasn't until today, when she fainted in Renming Palace, that Physician He came to examine her pulse and discovered it," Consort Chun replied after a slight hesitation.
"She really didn't know she was pregnant? Consort Meng, you tell me."
"Your Majesty, the weather is warmer now. Although she hasn't worn spring clothes yet, if you look closely, Consort Guo is already showing a slight pregnancy. I suspect that Consort Meng must have known about this beforehand, perhaps... because she was afraid of losing the baby and that's why she delayed in reporting it."
Hua Yan was unsure of Empress Dowager Zhou's intention in asking the question, so she only told half the truth.
"Can't be saved?" Empress Dowager Zhou smiled knowingly, her eyes filled with a profound understanding of the world. "Yes, it is indeed difficult for children in the palace to survive."
Consort Chun glanced at Hua Yan, who said, "Perhaps Guo Xiurong is afraid, after all, he was just confined to his quarters because of the Empress's miscarriage."
Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and gestured for the two to take their seats.
"The reason I summoned you two here is twofold. First, to make arrangements for the palace servants of Shou Kang Palace. They have served me for a long time, and since I am about to leave the palace, I must find them a proper place to go."
Secondly, I hope that you two will do your best to help Consort Guo protect this child, which would also reduce some of the sins of this palace.
Consort Chun and Hua Yan exchanged glances. The former was easy to talk to, while the latter was acting entirely out of compassion. However, it seemed that this request should not fall on the two of them.
"There is no one else in Shou Kang Palace, so I might as well speak frankly. The Emperor and the one in Cining Palace will not allow the Empress to give birth to a prince with the blood of the Jiang family. It is still unknown whether Consort Mei can give birth."
Hua Yan was shocked, and then heard Empress Dowager Zhou say, "The Emperor is not my biological son. I have been practicing Buddhism in the Buddhist hall for more than forty years. I really do not want to see the sordid things in the harem repeated."
Consort Chun rose and replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. No matter which concubine in the palace is pregnant, as long as I still hold the title of assisting in the management of the six palaces, I will always take care of her."
Empress Dowager Zhou smiled and nodded, her eyes full of kindness. Then she looked around the hall and finally her gaze fell on Granny Kong Lian beside her.
“After I leave the palace, this Shou Kang Palace will be left empty, and it would be a waste for Kong Lian to stay here. Kong Lian has served me for more than 30 years. She is proficient in pharmacology and can make medicinal cuisine. She is steady and understanding. If Consort Chun thinks she is still useful, she can be kept.”
"Rongxiu is my dowry maid. She has been serving me since she was eight years old. She will accompany me to Shanglin Garden. As for the other palace maids, half of them will stay at Shou Kang Palace. If any of them want to work in other palaces, they may do so as they please."
Hua Yan's expression remained unchanged, but a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart, inexplicably making her feel sad.
Consort Chun said, "If Granny Kong wishes to go to Huining Palace, I would be delighted. However, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is only taking Aunt Rongxiu with her..."
Empress Dowager Zhou still had a slight smile on her lips as she casually said, "The Emperor and Empress Dowager Jiang have already made arrangements for those who will serve me."
Even though Consort Chun was a little slow to react, she noticed something unusual at this moment. She frowned and asked, "Why is that?"
"There are some things that can be done but should never be spoken aloud, and some things that can be said but need not be done. Consort Chun has been in the palace for quite some time now, and she needs to be more discerning in the future."
Empress Dowager Zhou gave a stern lecture and then gestured for Granny Kong to step forward.
Granny Kong knelt on the ground, facing Consort Chun, and said respectfully, "This servant is Kong Lian, from Anlefang in the capital. After entering the palace at the age of thirteen, I originally worked in the Department of Pharmacy. Later, I was favored by the Empress Dowager and have been serving in Your Highness's palace ever since. This servant is willing to serve Your Highness Consort Chun wholeheartedly for the rest of my life."
Hua Yan was sitting next to Consort Chun when she saw this, and she got up with Consort Chun. Consort Chun personally went forward to help her up.
"Does your family still have anyone? What are they doing for a living now?"
"Your Highness, my parents and brothers have all passed away. I only have one nephew in my family. He is sixteen years old this year. He recently went to work as a shop assistant at the Tang family's Yongzheng Pawnshop. He was fortunate enough to be appreciated by Madam Yun and became the apprentice of Mr. Tang Hanjing, the manager of the pawnshop."
So there was such a connection. No wonder Empress Dowager Zhou made this arrangement. Perhaps it was also a way of supporting Consort Chun, since she was the head maid in the Empress Dowager's palace and had more seniority than Aunt Min Rong, who worked in the Funing Palace.
Speaking of which, Lady Yun hasn't sent any messages to the palace for several days since the New Year.
"There is such a connection. The Huining Palace is in need of a head nanny. I was unable to see the Empress Dowager off when she left the palace. Please see her off on my behalf. When she returns, you can serve as the head nanny in my palace."
Consort Chun did not refer to herself as "this palace," an attitude that prompted Empress Dowager Zhou to nod repeatedly.
“Your mother mentioned to me before the New Year that after two or three years, Aunt Mei, who serves by your side, would leave the palace. With Kong Lian around, I feel more at ease.”
Consort Chun nodded slightly, grateful for Empress Dowager Zhou's care, and her eyes reddened.
Empress Dowager Zhou raised her arm slightly, and Rongxiu stepped forward to lead Consort Chun and Granny Kong away. Seeing that Empress Dowager Zhou seemed to have something to say to Huayan, Consort Chun said somewhat worriedly to the Empress Dowager, "Consort Meng and I are like sisters, Your Majesty..."
Hua Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty need not worry."
Empress Dowager Zhou feigned anger: "I only gave the beauty a few instructions, and you're already worried?"
After Consort Chun left, Empress Dowager Zhou said, "You must know the whole story of my relationship with Consort Chun. So I will keep it brief."
Hua Yan didn't sit down either, appearing obedient and listening to the instructions.
"The Empress's few attempts were not particularly skillful, but that does not mean she was stupid. Rather, it was because of her status that she initially did not take Consort Chun and the Tang family seriously."
The Jiang family wielded considerable power in the military, and since the Emperor needed to rely on the Marquis of Weibei, he would naturally treat the Empress with preferential treatment.
There is no true affection in the harem, only a system of checks and balances. For the Emperor, the Duke of Qing's mansion and the Marquis of Lin'an's mansion are merely tools to be used and employed. Therefore, the Emperor will bestow his favor equally upon Consort Mei and Consort Chun.
I understand the intentions of Lady Yun and the Marquis of Lin'an, but Consort Chun's thoughts and nature are completely on her mind. Achieving her goal will be a long and arduous journey.
Hua Yan's expression gradually became serious. She said softly, "I know that the road ahead is difficult, but the Jiang family is feared by His Majesty, and Consort Mei is still attached to her old feelings. Consort Chun is not without a chance of winning."
"And what about you? No matter the reason, the emperor favors you greatly. Aren't you going to make plans for yourself?"
Hua Yan gradually figured out why Empress Dowager Zhou had summoned her today; this question might very well be on behalf of the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.
Hua Yan was not annoyed. Her direct questioning, though unlike Madam Yun's usual manner, suited her personality perfectly.