kvmb Chapter 44 Consort Fucha, Empress Dowager, and the Emperor's Departure from the Palace
Chapter 44 Consort Fucha, Empress Dowager, and the Emperor's Departure from the Palace
The chubby orange and the Empress left the palace to perform a rain-praying ceremony at the Temple of Heaven, and all the concubines went to see them off.
Fucha Peiyun really didn't want to go, as it required getting up very early, but she had no choice but to go under the circumstances.
Helpless, Fucha Peiyun had no choice but to get up, dress up, and go to the palace gate to see him off, despite her large pregnant belly.
In fact, if Fucha Peiyun truly wanted this farewell to be a real farewell, she wouldn't mind seeing them off.
At dawn, sunlight streamed onto the majestic palace gates, creating a magnificent golden spectacle.
The chubby orange cat looked to one side at the glamorous Consort Hua—Nian Shilan.
The chubby orange cat looked at Nian Shilan with a serious expression and said slowly:
"Consort Hua, the Empress and I are leaving the palace."
The affairs of the palace, large and small, are now entirely entrusted to your care. You must take good care of them and not be negligent in the slightest.”
Nian Shilan bowed slightly and replied in a sweet voice:
"Your Majesty's decree will be obeyed. I will do my utmost to live up to Your Majesty's trust."
She raised her head, her beautiful eyes radiating confidence and charm.
The chubby orange nodded in satisfaction, then turned and boarded the dragon carriage.
Surrounded by palace maids, the Empress gracefully boarded the phoenix palanquin.
With a loud shout of "Let's go!", the emperor and empress's sedan chairs slowly left the palace gates and headed out of the palace.
Watching the imperial procession gradually disappear into the distance, Nian Shilan looked at the concubines.
Nian Shilan said softly, "This time, during the prayer ceremony, the Emperor only had the Empress by his side."
It's probably not just about praying for rain.
Only if the empress can obtain a prince can she be satisfied.
"Consort Wan, don't you think so?"
Zhen Huan said, "If Her Majesty the Empress is truly pregnant, the Noble Consort would surely be happy."
Of course, Nian Shilan
Nian Shilan looked at Zhen Huan with pity in her eyes.
If the Empress were pregnant, the child in Zhen Huan's womb would be an even bigger thorn in the Empress's side.
However, given that the Empress has many princes under her control, it would be a cruel twist of fate if she were to become pregnant.
Nian Shilan said, "I think Consort Wan would be happy too."
Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty the Empress is the mother of the nation. If she were to give birth to a legitimate son, it would be a great joy for the Qing Dynasty."
Naturally, no one would be unhappy about this.
Nian Shilan snorted lightly, "Wan Pin's speech is getting better and better. I just hope you won't regret what you said today in the future."
Zhen Huan, who prides herself on being clever and talented, I'm waiting for you to stumble.
Consort Jing, Feng Ruozhao, looked at the heavily pregnant Empress Fucha Peiyun and the lonely Zhen Huan, whose belly was already showing.
"Your Highnesses, Consort Hua, Consort Shu, and Consort Wan are pregnant and should not stand outside for long. Please return to the palace first."
Although Fucha Peiyun's relationship with Consort Jing was not particularly close, it must be said that Consort Jing was truly a kind-hearted person.
The only point of contention was that in order to deal with the Empress, she discovered that the Third Prince coveted Consort Ying, which implicated Consort Ying.
Nian Shilan stared sharply at Consort Jing, a slight smirk playing on her lips, and said with a hint of disdain:
"Consort Jing, although we both have the power to assist in managing the six palaces, I believe the difference between us is self-evident!"
A concubine is still a concubine, and an imperial concubine is an imperial concubine. The difference of just one word makes all the difference in their status.
If you are inferior to others, then you must be obedient and submissive, and never have the slightest thought of disobedience.
"Consort Jing, do you understand these principles?"
At this moment, Consort Jing lowered her head, avoiding eye contact with him.
He could only lower his eyes and listen quietly to Nian Shilan's reprimand.
Seeing Consort Jing's expression, Nian Shilan couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. She continued speaking slowly and deliberately:
"I serve the Emperor first, and you follow behind."
When I was a concubine, you were just a lowly concubine in my room.
Even if you are fortunate enough to be on equal footing with me in the future, you must never forget your former status.
You have always been someone who came from my household; before me, you are...
Unless I allow it, you have no right to speak!
You must remember this rule well, understand?
Consort Jing replied softly, "Understood."
Although her voice was soft, it revealed her resentment and helplessness at that moment.
In the harem, if one's will is not firm enough, if one lacks the ability to stand out, or if one cannot endure hardship, then one can only suffer humiliation.
If one's will is not firm enough, one might find oneself in a situation like what Consort Jing is facing today.
Some people are probably already so ashamed and resentful that they want to end their own lives.
After all, the feeling of being belittled and ridiculed in public is not something that most people can bear.
Even though Nian Shilan had completely awakened from that false affection,
But her innate arrogance is something that can never be changed.
Just as the fat orange emperor and empress left the palace,
Nian Shilan couldn't wait to seize this opportunity and gave the concubines a rude awakening.
Her sharp eyes, arrogant demeanor, and merciless words...
This instilled unprecedented pressure and intimidation in everyone present.
This also foreshadowed for the concubines in the harem that the days to come would not be peaceful.
The elegant and graceful Consort Hua was just like this.
After reprimanding Consort Jing, Nian Shilan rolled her eyes and said casually.
"It's getting hot, ladies, let's all go home."
After saying this, Nian Shilan swayed gracefully and walked away, with Cao Qinmo quickly following behind.
The remaining concubines also hurriedly dispersed.
As expected, Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, started causing trouble early the next morning.
Early in the morning, Zhou Ninghai, who was by the side of Consort Hua, went to Yikun Palace with other palace servants to pay their respects and receive instructions.
When Zhou Ninghai came to Yanxi Palace to invite Fucha Peiyun, he was quite polite.
Fucha Peiyun cooperated fully, and after casually tidying herself up, she...
Accompanied by his palace maids and eunuchs, he steadily boarded the sedan chair and slowly headed towards Yikun Palace.
Meanwhile, Zhen Huan in Suiyu Pavilion did not receive such good treatment.
Zhou Ninghai knew very well that his master deeply loathed Consort Wan.
Therefore, people from Suiyuxuan would naturally not be treated with a kind face or a pleasant tone.
He arrived at Suiyu Pavilion with an arrogant and impatient tone, conveying his master's orders.
Completely ignoring Zhen Huan's unpleasant expression and her refusal, Zhou Ninghai practically said...
Zhen Huan had no choice but to go, whether she wanted to or not.
Time passed slowly, and by the time Fucha Peiyun arrived at Yikun Palace, most of the concubines had already arrived.
Everyone sat quietly in their seats, and no one dared to utter a sound.
The atmosphere inside Yikun Palace was somewhat delicate at this moment, with everyone secretly speculating about how Consort Hua would make her move.
Nian Shilan sat upright in the main seat, her sharp eyes sweeping over the concubines below.
When she saw Fucha Peiyun walk in, she merely glanced at her indifferently.
Then she said calmly, "Consort Shu has arrived. Please have a seat."
Not long after, Nian Shilan's gaze slowly swept over all the concubines present.
When she confirmed that Zhen Huan had not yet arrived, her previously calm expression instantly darkened.
His face turned extremely pale, as if shrouded in a thick layer of dark clouds.
Nian Shilan let out a cold snort, her voice sharp and piercing:
"Hmph! This Consort Wan really has quite the airs!"
"I have been waiting here for quite some time, yet she dares to be so negligent, delaying her appearance."
Upon hearing this, the numerous concubines present exchanged bewildered glances.
Everyone fell silent, and for a moment no one dared to speak rashly.
The entire scene fell into a suffocating silence, the atmosphere as tense as a taut string that could snap at any moment.
Just then, a noisy commotion suddenly came from outside the door.
Immediately afterwards, everyone saw Zhen Huan rushing over in a hurry.
At this moment, Zhen Huan's face was slightly pale, and there were even a few fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
Zhen Huan held Jinxi's hand, with her personal maid Huanbi beside her.
The three of them, master and servant, were all in a sorry state, clearly having rushed over in a hurry.
After catching her breath, Zhen Huan quickly bowed to Nian Shilan and said:
"This concubine greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort. Today's matter was truly unexpected, hence the delay."
"I've arrived a step too late. I beg Your Majesty's magnanimity to forgive my sins."
However, Nian Shilan did not seem to buy Zhen Huan's explanation.
He simply gave a cold laugh, his sarcasm evident in his words:
"Consort Wan, you certainly know how to talk! Look at your delicate and frail appearance,"
Do you expect me to believe that you had no choice in the matter?
She's clearly taking advantage of her pregnancy to act arrogantly!
Seeing that Nian Shilan showed no mercy, Zhen Huan became anxious and was about to explain herself.
To everyone's surprise, Nian Shilan didn't give her the chance at all, and waved her hand impatiently to interrupt:
"Alright, alright, stop with your clever words and sophistry."
I see it clearly; you're just deliberately stalling for time.
He just wanted to show off that he had received the emperor's favor for a few days.
Look at Consort Shu, who is also pregnant. She is much more sensible than you; she came here to wait long ago.
Moreover, Consort Shu's pregnancy was earlier than yours, but she didn't make any excuses like you did.
"Hmph, that bitch is just being pretentious!"
Having said that, Nian Shilan lightly tapped the table with her nail-painted fingers.
He looked Zhen Huan up and down with disdain, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Then, Nian Shilan began to list all of Zhen Huan's faults.
From her clothing and appearance to her words and actions, everything was scrutinized and criticized. Zhen Huan could only silently endure it.
A hint of humiliation and resentment flashed in his eyes.
However, she knew that she could not confront Nian Shilan directly at this time, otherwise it would only bring her more trouble.
She herself didn't care, but she was afraid of hurting the baby in her womb.
Endure this anger for now; Nian Shilan will eventually fall down.
The other concubines around them reacted in various ways when they saw this scene.
Some of the concubines covered their mouths and chuckled, clearly gloating.
Some lowered their heads, pretending not to see, for fear of getting into trouble.
Some people showed sympathy, but dared not easily plead for leniency.
Consort Jing originally wanted to say a few good words for Zhen Huan,
But when she thought of the beating and humiliation Consort Hua had inflicted on her yesterday,
Those words were stuck in his throat, and in the end, he chose to remain silent and endure.
At this moment, Shen Meizhuang couldn't bear to see her good friend humiliated. She felt sorry for her friend suffering such injustice.
So he stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, Consort Hua, please calm your anger."
Perhaps it was just pregnancy discomfort that caused her to arrive a little late.
I hope Your Majesty will be magnanimous and not hold it against her.
Nian Shilan: "I haven't heard anything about Consort Wan experiencing any discomfort during this pregnancy."
Why is it that Consort Wan is unwell as soon as I sent you here?
"I am acting on His Majesty's orders to assist in managing the six palaces; you are all dissatisfied with His Majesty."