Favoured Consort Goes on Strike Every Day: Chapter 5

Translator: Jalyss

Editor: Odyssey

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Chapter 5 

As soon as the words “here to criticise” came out, Liang Jiugong almost staggered. He called out to his ancestors in his heart.  

No matter how favoured Master Yi was, she had never said such a thing! What happened today? 

Wet Nurse Dong’s complexion changed. Wen Yuan, Rui Zhu, and the others breathed shallowly. Their hearts were fluctuating and their faces were full of panic.  

Unexpectedly, after a moment of surprise, Kangxi held her hand tightly, smiled deeper, and asked, “When did We come to criticise?” 

The amazement did not go away. A sense of novelty welled up in his heart. When he looked at the harem, only Consort Yi dared to talk to him like this.  

“Today, this consort and Consort De had a dispute over these clothes.” 

Yun Xiu didn’t care about “revealing her ugliness” at all. When they arrived at the dining table, the two sat opposite each other. When Kangxi finally let go of her, he sighed in relief, looked over, and said casually, “We heard that Yonghe Palace invited the imperial physician… Why would We criticise you?” 

Since the emperor didn’t intend to stand up for Consort De, he would take the lead and cut off Yonghe Palace’s complaints. 

As evening approached, the room darkened. The palace servants lit candles early. The small kitchen made a lot of exquisite dishes and laid them out on the dining table one by one. The dishes exuded a tempting aroma, but couldn’t compare to the beauties under the candlelight. 

“If We blamed you, why would We bother to work so hard to give you rewards and to have a meal?” Kangxi’s heart moved. He glanced at her with a smile in his eyes. “You are so talkative. Even if you don’t forgive others, you can still criticise.” 

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand to let the little eunuch who was serving the food back over to put a piece of duck meat into Yun Xiu’s bowl. This action had a faint feeling of being pampered. “Let’s eat first. Eat more, don’t starve Us and the prince.” 

“Since the emperor said so.” With a slight smile, Yun Xiu picked up the jade bowl of rice and concentrated on eating. She felt better physically and mentally, and her appetite improved a bit.  

Sure enough, if she let go of her many worries, where she would no longer worry about falling out of favor, she wouldn’t feel like she was walking on eggshells. 

In addition, Yun Xiu was a little puzzled. Why did his attitude become casual? Why was the emperor not angry but very happy?  

If she couldn’t figure it out, then she would just stop thinking about it. 

The rule of the Forbidden City was not to speak when eating or sleeping. After finishing the meal quietly, Wet Nurse Dong and Liang Jiugong looked happy. Their masters ate more than usual. 

He was in a rush to □□. The emperor worked long days, so he didn’t often go to the harem. 

Liang Jiugong glanced at the backs of the emperor and Consort Yi walking side by side. He secretly sighed and elevated the status of Yikun Palace to a higher level.  

“Yi’erha can recite poems fluently, but Yinqi is not as good as his sister.” When Yun Xiu mentioned the child, her eyes were full of satisfaction. Her tone was gentle and she felt a moment of tranquility. 

Kangxi just laughed. “When you teach children, We are always at ease.”  

“You didn’t sleep well yesterday, so why didn’t you invite the imperial physician?” After digesting the food, the emperor sat on the edge of the couch with his arms around Yun Xiu. He stretched out his hand to touch her swollen belly. “You also didn’t send anyone to report, so We were very worried.” 

Who could resist such sweet talk? 

Yun Xiu curled her fingers, lowered her eyes, and resisted the urge to move the dragon’s claws away. “Waking up in the middle of the night is a common thing. Why is there a need to mobilise people? One can just sleep more.” 

As she spoke, she raised her head to look at Kangxi. She blinked. “As for reporting this to the emperor, how would this consort dare? If that’s the case… Manchu Palace’s eyes are blinded by a knife¹. If it became a real knife, I can’t bear it. The little prince would be even more unable to bear it. 

If it was in the past, Yun Xiu would not have dared to mention the concubine’s intrigue when facing the emperor. 

As for now, every sentence she wanted to say was full of truth. Wasn’t living comfortably the most important thing for a person?  

Kangxi’s hand on Yun Xiu’s stomach paused. He looked deeply into her eyes. 

Her peach blossom eyes were clear and calm.  

“How rare. Our Consort Yi is not afraid of anything. Is there something you can’t bear?” Kangxi suppressed a laugh. His chest trembled and Yun Xiu gave him a fierce stare. 

He thought his beloved consort was flirting, and his majestic face became softer. “Xiuxiu, just come to Qianqing Palace to find me…”  

As soon as the word “Xiuxiu” came out, Yun Xiu choked and almost coughed. 

She couldn’t take it anymore and buried herself in Kangxi’s neck, ignoring the feeling of rejection in her heart. 

When their relationship was the most tender, or between the sheets, the emperor called her Yun Xiu at most. When did he call her Xiuxiu?! 

This kind of treatment was something she had dreamed of in the past, but now it appeared unexpectedly. It was really… at the will of the heavens. 

Yun Xiu closed her eyes. Her mind was overwhelmed as she recalled the tragic end of her dream. She didn’t know if it was mostly ironic or just sour. 

She took a deep breath and the corners of her mouth twitched. “Since the emperor said so, how can this consort dare disobey those orders?”  

Liang Jiugong and the others stood guard outside the curtain, with Wen Yuan and Rui Zhu standing beside them. 

After an hour, Kangxi strode out of the room with a smile on his lips. Anyone could tell he was in a good mood.  

After sending the emperor off, the two palace ladies looked at each other and lifted the curtain with a smile. “Consort, do you still want to eat? This servant made scented tea, which is your favourite flavour…” 

*** 

The emperor was walking on the long palace road, and Liang Jiugong followed.  

“Liang Jiugong,” Kangxi said suddenly. “Have you noticed that your master has changed?” 

Liang Jiugong let out an ‘uh’. How should he reply to the emperor’s question?  

What changed? Did her wearing plain clothes count as a change? 

After racking his brains for a long while, he really had no idea. He said cautiously, “This servant is dull and can’t see it. This servant only knows that Consort Yi is radiant day after day, and her appearance is extraordinary…” 

“Stop.” Kangxi glanced at him. Liang Jiugong instantly shut up and smiled. 

“I suppose you can’t notice it.” Kangxi leaned back, closed his eyes slightly, and lowered his voice. “She’s become more honest and open.”  

From the beginning to the end, wasn’t this the one he loved? 

The women in the harem all wore masks. They treated him tenderly and carefully, and never dared to be presumptuous. It was only Consort Yi who was different. Her joy, anger, and ignorance were displayed clearly, just like the scenery. She was the same.  

He could feel that her heart was all tied to him. 

She didn’t think about making profits for the family, nor did she think about being promoted. She was the most innocent. Who wouldn’t favor such a woman? 

Just now, Xiuxiu’s change surprised him. 

Kangxi felt regretful in his heart. If it wasn’t because of the customs, he would definitely have stayed in Yikun Palace without fear of attracting comments. 

It was still early before it was time to sleep. When they approached Qianqing Palace, Liang Jiugong saw the little eunuch poking his head in the respect room with sharp eyes. He called out to the emperor, “Are you going to pick tonight?” 

Concubine Hesheli of Chuxiu Palace had not been in the palace for long and he should show her favour. Kangxi originally decided to choose her, but after he saw Yun Xiu, he lost interest. 

Kangxi waved his hand and said in a deep voice, “Withdraw.”  

The most beautiful woman in the country had caught his eye. How could he focus on other things? 

After saying that, he seemed to have thought of something. He told Liang Jiugong,”Keep an eye on Yikun Palace, and report immediately if there is any disturbance, such as Consort Yi waking up last night.” 

Liang Jiugong was taken aback for a moment, and quickly responded, “Yes!” 

…… 

Consort De was livid from Yun Xiu’s actions this morning. The noble imperial consort issued for her to assist Consort Yi. After this flurry of emotions, the movement of her foetus increased. 

The foetus was raised well, and her symptoms of abdominal pain were very mild. She felt better after taking the sedan chair back to Yonghe Palace. 

After much deliberation, she sent someone to invite the imperial physician. She hoped to get news from the other side of the Qianqing Palace. It just so happened to be when the emperor was retreating from the court… 

Instead of Kangxi coming over, she ended up only waiting for a solitary jade ruyi and a few bolts of cloth. The one who escorted the reward was only a little-known little eunuch from Qianqing Palace. 

With a smile in her mouth, Consort De thanked them in a soft voice. When she returned to the inner hall, her face sank. There was a look of disappointment in her eyes. 

Not long after, the news that Consort Yi got red coral and sapphire head ornaments had spread all over the harem. Consort De was shocked and dropped the teacup. She couldn’t hold back her expression anymore. “Why?!” 

It was obvious that Consort Yi was aggressive and arrogant. How could the emperor reward her? 

The red coral and sapphire head ornaments were amazing treasures. Compared with her jade ruyi, anyone can see the emperor’s favouritism! 

Why? Such unreasonable favouritism…  

Consort De closed her eyes. Her heart was burning with embarrassment. She pretended to have abdominal pain just now, but now it turned into real abdominal pain.  

She clutched her stomach and staggered. 

Wet Nurse Wu, who was serving by the side, turned pale with fright. Lüwu Lüping quickly supported her master, frightened. “Consort!”  

The imperial physician had to be invited again.  

“…It’s okay, just make a bowl of anti-abortion medicine.” Consort De took a deep breath. 

At this time, the imperial physician must not be invited again.  

The movement of the foetus happened for a reason. She could still win sympathy. With the imperial doctor invited, everyone would know that she was angry about the red coral. What would the emperor think of her? What would the other concubines think of her? 

The imperial noble consort could use this against her.  

The abdominal pain stopped and Consort De was a little more awake. 

After calming down, she returned to her senses. She thought carefully about the incident of the outfits this morning. She clutched her forehead and showed a little remorse on her beautiful and gentle face. 

She couldn’t hold back her anger, so she lost her composure and suffered a great loss for nothing. 

Anyway, she was the first to ask about a shaman. Perhaps, because of this matter, the emperor gave her a small warning in the name of a reward…  

It was a mistake. 

After thinking about it, her abdominal pain gradually eased. The senior palace lady, Lüwu Lüping, went to supervise the brewing of the medicine. The only one standing beside her was her confidant Wet Nurse Wu.  

Consort De pursed her lips, and suddenly said, “Wet nurse, since I became a consort, my palace has not been as good as before.” 

Wet Nurse Wu pressed her forehead. She was worried, “Consort, what did you say?”  

“When We first became a noble lady, We had to be more careful, lest We made a mistake.” Consort De was lost in her memories. “It was a coincidence that We were lucky enough to be a concubine. The emperor saw that We lost Yinzhen…” 

Consort De paused in her speech when she spoke of the fourth prince, Yinzhen. Her expression was indescribably complicated.  

It was said that the degree of doting was only a little less than that of Consort Yi, but this kind of love was the result of all kinds of calculations and hardships in exchange! 

Yinzhen… was taught by the imperial noble consort and almost took the surname Tongjia.  

Because of him, her little princess died early…  

Either way, she would have lost her son. 

She pursed her lips. Even so, she still couldn’t compare to that vixen, Mrs. Guo Luoluo.  

How ironic is it that a beautiful face would make the emperor lose his mind? 

After calming down, she continued. “… Back then, I couldn’t compare with Concubine Hui and the others, so I was more cautious. Then, I had Yinzuo. I became a consort, but gradually lost my standing and became more hot-tempered.” 

The emperor favored her meekness and prudence, and nothing else. She was wrong.  

After all of that, Consort De smiled. “Wet nurse, tell me, is it not as good as before? This jade ruyi has opened my eyes.” 

The more Wet Nurse Wu listened, the more uncomfortable she became. She said in a low voice, “Consort…”  

Her master was born into a low-class family, without the family background of Consort Hui and Consort Yi. She was even inferior to Consort Rong. She encountered many difficulties while being promoted. 

She had to walk step by step. The consort was so tired! She couldn’t even have the right to be willful. 

The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. Wet Nurse Wu almost shed tears. She then heard Consort De sneer. “The Imperial Noble Consort wants me to help Consort Yi choose the congratulatory gifts. How could it be possible that I don’t know what Mrs. Tongjia’s plan is?”  

The imperial noble consort hated her a lot. If she couldn’t turn this around, then this would be a huge issue. 

Her nails were deeply embedded in her palms. She swallowed her resentment and hatred, and said slowly, “Now is not the time to confront Mrs. Guo Luoluo. Why not let her take a step? We will ‘assist’ her well… We have a long way to go.” 

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^{1.(滿宮的眼刀子扎來) something like the entire harem is watching her with a piercing gaze (thanks, vinguyen00)↩}

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