Favoured Consort Goes on Strike Every Day: Chapter 55

Bonus chapter will come out tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

Translator: Jalyss

Editor: Odyssey

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Chapter 55

Yun Xiu thought carefully about how to break the situation set by Consort Hui and Ming Zhu for a long time.

The best outcome was that the emperor was not suspicious, and the Guoluoluo family could still stay out of the matter and that Tuyue escaped from the fiery pit of Ming Zhu’s. Whether he was sent elsewhere or stayed in Shengjing, it was best to protect himself wisely.

But Ming Zhu’s referral had been placed on the desk in the imperial study room, and it could not be changed.

This was a last ditch attempt to save a hopeless situation – to let Suo Etu follow up with a recommendation letter, and pretend to compete with Ming Zhu to confuse the public. At the same time, this would dispel the ministers’ suspicions of the two families joining forces. It would shift everyone’s attention from the court battle to Tuyue himself.

Yun Xiu dared to do this, so she had the confidence.

Ming Zhu and Suo Etu were at odds with each other in the previous court, and they were incompatible with each other. The Nala family and the Hesheli family, as well as their cronies and vassals, were fighting fiercely.

If the actions of the two families to entice the Guoluoluo in private were revealed openly, no one would be surprised. At most, they would sigh that Minister Ming and Minister Suo had actually set their sights on the Guoluoluo family’s Tuyue, regardless of the cost. The recommendation was indeed well-intentioned.

Now, the rumours of the Guoluoluo family and the Nala family joining forces would disappear.

If the two families joined forces, then why would Suo Etu praise Tuyue so highly? It was not like he was so senseless that he would give a future political opponent such a boost.

Yun Xiu was about 80% sure that Suo Etu would agree. When he saw Ming Zhu coercing people and about to drag Tuyue under his command, how could he not be anxious?

Consort Hui had the palace power, but Imperial Concubine Ping could not give the Hesheli family any help. If Tuyue became Ming Zhu’s subordinate, and Consort Yi and Consort Hui worked together, Suo Etu would struggle greatly!

At this moment, she conveyed her kindness and request. It was like giving a pillow to someone who was dozing off. It would be strange for Suo Etu not to agree.

…

After considering all aspects, the only thing Yun Xiu was not sure about was Kangxi’s reaction.

Her brother was recommended by two powerful ministers one after another. It was so high-profile that it was the first time in this court. If the emperor had a bad feeling towards her brother, or suspected that the Guoluoluo family had ulterior motives for coveting power, she wouldn’t be able to explain it clearly even if she had ten mouths.

So what if she was favoured again?

When matters involving government affairs were involved, the emperor’s heart would become colder than ever before.

In her dream, she had already experienced it once. She did not want to take any chances. She intended to test her position in the emperor’s heart and test the extent of his feelings towards her.

Consort Yi had already been mentally prepared, but she never expected that the emperor’s reaction was actually like this.

He actually praised her father for being a good teacher and raising a talent like Tuyue. He smiled brightly and was very pleased.

Yun Xiu: “…”

Wasn’t the emperor’s focus off a bit?

In an instant, the uneasiness and anxiety in her heart disappeared. Yun Xiu curled her lips, her beautiful eyebrows relaxed, and there was a beautiful smile in her eyes.

Her brother was what the emperor called, ‘a talent’. This was really, really…

“How could there be such a strange thing?” She withdrew her hand and gave Kangxi a look. “You know about this concubine’s brother. He has lived in Shengjing all this time. No matter how good he is, even if he excels as an official, how can he be any better than the rest? Lord Ming Zhu and Lord Hang Ai are exaggerating.”

Hearing this, Kangxi raised his eyebrows and reached out to tap her. “We have met Tuyue, and the comment of being ‘extremely gifted’ is suitable. How come he is so simple when it comes from your mouth?”

“For whether he is gifted or not… This concubine does not know. This concubine only knows that this concubine’s brother is still young and cannot bear such an important responsibility…” Yun Xiu looked at Kangxi solemnly and whispered, “Your Majesty is being considerate of this concubine’s father. This concubine’s brother should gain more experience.”

“We didn’t expect Xiuxiu to have such insight.” Kangxi looked at her in surprise, with a smile in his eyes. He then said warmly, “Relax, I have arranged a good place for Tuyue, and I will never treat my talents badly. “

He used a tone of assurance, with a hint of ridicule near the end.

The emperor clearly knew why the Ministry of Civil Personnel and the Board of Revenue were at odds with each other. Both Ming Zhu and Suo Etu wanted to win over Mrs. Guoluoluo, so they took advantage of Tuyue’s return to the capital to report on his work to strike first and then show off.

The Guoluoluo family was loyal to the emperor, and Sanguanbao was his trusted minister. How can he be mixed in with Ming Zhu and Suo Etu?

Of course, everything was based on Tuyue’s outstanding performance as an official.

If Tuyue was just a mediocre person with mediocre political achievements during his tenure, how could Ming Zhu dare to promote him to the rank of Left Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Civil Personnel? Doing this was tantamount to destroying the Great Wall. If he did such a thing, then his prestige would be in ruins.

Therefore, Kangxi’s words of praising Tuyue as a ‘gifted’ were sincere and not exagerrated in the slightest.

As for Tuyue’s whereabouts, he had a general plan in his mind. Kangxi was thinking of moving Tuyue to the capital and cultivating him to become a true pillar of the country like Cao Yin.

He would not go to the Ministry of Civil Personnel nor the Board of Revenue.

—Kangxi extended his care towards Tuyue on account of his love towards Consort Yi, not that he would ever admit it!

At Suo Etu’s signal, Hang Ai, the Minister of the Board of Revenue, also submitted a recommendation letter. This matter was suppressed by Kangxi, and Ming Zhu was still kept in the dark.

Minister Ming was not summoned by the emperor, so he was slightly shocked and doubtful. He returned home and waited quietly for the next day so that he could deliver news to the palace.

In Yanxi Palace, Consort Hui was already sure of victory. How could she have expected such a twist?!

She was flushed with success. She got up early the next day and asked the wet nurse to take the eighth prince to the side hall. She spoke in a gentle tone and said with a smile, “Yinsi has Noble Lady Liang to take care of him, so you can be relieved.”

Hearing this, the wet nurse beamed with joy and said, “Consort is kind. This servant will remember this…”

It was not surprising that they were happy, because when eighth prince stayed with Noble Lady Liang in the side hall, they got more leisure time.

Noble Lady Liang didn’t like to have wet nurses close to them. She always took care of her son personally. Now, they could go back to the house to lie down, or go to the porch to chat, which was great.

The number of times this has occurred has increased, and the wet nurse has begun to look forward to it. She hoped that Consort Hui will be in a good mood so they can also enjoy this blessing.

Consort Hui smiled faintly and waved her hand for them to leave.

After breakfast, she looked out the window at the sunrise and asked Ying’er softly, “Is Consort Yi up at this hour?”

“Because Consort doesn’t have to pay respects to the Imperial Noble Consort, Consort may not know that Consort Yi usually gets up late.” Ying’er whispered, then hesitated for a moment before saying, “However, the emperor rested in Yikun Palace yesterday, so Consort Yi should be awake now…”

Consort Hui frowned. The emperor rested in Yikun Palace again?

In the past, Consort Yi could be allocated ten days to sleep with the emperor. But now, after giving birth to the ninth prince, it was not just ten days!

Consort Hui devoted herself wholeheartedly to Yinti. After all, she was not a jealous person. She felt unhappy for a moment, then her emotions dissipated.

If she thought about it from another perspective, if Consort Yi was favoured, was it not because of Mrs. Nala’s help?

Consort Hui quickly regaining her composure, relaxed her expression, and ordered, “Send someone to Yikun Palace to take a look. If there is any news, return to report.”

Not long after, a little eunuch who was running errands reported that there was some movement in Yikun Palace and that Consort Yi was already up.

Consort Hui took a sip of hot tea, held onto the luxurious jadeite, and smiled solemnly. “Prepare the sedan chair. Don’t forget the generous gifts! It’s time for Us to reminisce about the past with Consort Yi.”

Yikun Palace.

“Little sister Consort Yi is so beautiful and looks like an immortal. No wonder the emperor treats her like a precious jewel and dotes on her.” As soon as they entered the main hall, Consort Hui called her younger sister affectionately. “Look at this radiant appearance, We are envious.”

It was so early in the morning, and with such enthusiasm…

Yun Xiu was internally amused. She glanced at Consort Hui and said softly, “Older sister Consort Hui’s words are wrong. In terms of brilliance, who can compare with older sister? The emperor had such great trust in older sister that he entrusted older sister to host the fifth princess’s one month ceremony. After this incident, older sister’s reputation of being a virtuous person spread throughout the government and the public. Everyone knows that older sister is a loving mother. Your younger sister is far behind.”

Before Yun Xiu finished speaking, Consort Hui’s smile froze slightly and she felt angry in her heart.

Speaking of Moyaqi’s full moon ceremony, she felt uncomfortable all over. She wished that it was never mentioned again.

At this moment, who could not hear the irony in Consort Yi’s words?

Even at this time, Mrs. Guoluoluo was still sharp-tongued and unforgiving. Forget the point of the virtues of a concubine. Mrs. Guoluoluo had not even seen the situation clearly. The Guoluoluo family had been tied to the Nala family. If she was so quick to talk, wouldn’t she be the one who suffered?

Consort Hui quickly recovered her smile and said harmoniously, “We are on the same side, so why should we compliment each other and be distant towards one another?”

After that, she pointed to the items the palace servant was holding and said kindly, “This is the red and gold blessing lock that We commissioned for the ninth prince, as well as the golden horse and jade carving… That box of gold beads is for children to play with.”

Consort Hui was very wealthy if she was giving her gold and jade.

When Yun Xiu heard Consort Hui’s words about ‘being on the same side’, she was a bit stunned.

This was an action that was fueled by a fear that others would not know about the ‘alliance’ between Yanxi Palace and Yikun Palace. It was an extremely high-profile move. What was the difference between this and Ming Zhu’s coercion?

Now, that the imperial noble consort’s prestige was no longer there, and the noble consort was in confinement and did not have free time, Consort Hui must think that nobody could stop her.

“Older sister’s kindness is appreciated. The palace people are very discerning. If the emperor knew about this, he would think that this concubine is very poor and that Consort Hui’s private money was not spared.” Yun Xiu smiled and refused lightly. “The great empress dowager loves to be thrifty. If she sees a box full of gold beads, what would she think!”

This clearly meant that she was arrogant and extravagant, and did not know how to be frugal…

Consort Hui’s face suddenly darkened.

Consort Yi was so domineering! She just turned a blind eye to her overtures and even brought out the emperor and the great empress dowager to suppress her.

Consort Hui was shocked and confused. She couldn’t figure it out. It was a foregone conclusion that Mrs. Guoluoluo would be in the same boat as her? Where did Consort Yi get the confidence to confront her?!

“Consort Yi.” She suppressed her displeasure and smiled faintly, with a hidden threat in her tone, “Those are just some small tokens, why do you bother to make such a big deal out of it? Your brother was personally recommended by Us to Our cousin…”

Before she could finish speaking, someone outside announced that Aunt Sumala, who worked for the great empress dowager, was here and asked to see Consort Yi for something.

Yun Xiu had long been tired of listening to Consort Hui. When she heard this, she withdrew her half-smiling look and said, “Why don’t you let her in?”

After that, she looked at Consort Hui. Her peach blossom eyes were full of softness. She whispered, “Is older sister tired? Older sister should rest your voice and gather strength so that older sister can continue talking to your younger sister later.”

Consort Hui’s face turned green, and she waved her hand for Ying’er and the others to leave with their boxes of gifts. She was furious.

Rest her voice… Did Consort Yi regard her as a storyteller or that she was putting on a show?

In that room, Aunt Sumala was wearing a simple light blue palace outfit, as if she had expected Consort Hui to be here. “This old servant pays respects to Consort Yi and Consort Hui.”

Those who were interested saw that when she said ‘Consort Hui’, the heat in Aunt Sumala’s eyes subsided a little.

Then, she glanced at Consort Hui and said calmly, “This old servant shouldn’t disturb the two Consorts, but the situation is urgent… The eighth prince is missing. Noble Lady Liang is at a loss that Noble Lady Liang almost fainted from crying. The revered elder has ordered for Consort Hui to go to Cining Palace without a moment’s delay. Will Consort follow this old servant?”

Even though Consort Hui was furious, she didn’t show it. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard this predicament. She no longer cared about Yun Xiu and stood up suddenly. Her expression completely changed.

Yinsi was missing?!

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