Favoured Consort Goes on Strike Every Day: Chapter 58

Translator: Jalyss

Editor: Odyssey

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Chapter 58

Liang Jiugong repeated the message word for word, and Yikun Palace suddenly fell silent.

After hearing this, Wet Nurse Dong, Wen Yuan, and Rui Zhu could hardly maintain their original respect. They secretly showed the same sour look as Steward Liang.

Was His Majesty… flirting with the Consort?

Wet Nurse Dong thought, ‘was it really okay for His Majesty to ask Liang Jiugong to tell the Consort this? The old servant was too old to deal with this.’

As for Yun Xiu, she was surprised for a long time. Her expression was indescribable. She didn’t know what expression to make.

What kind of message was this?

After the dream, she couldn’t figure out what the emperor was thinking about all day long.

Enduring the piercing stares of the palace servants… Even though Consort Yi had gone through great storms and her face had been tempered to the point of not being afraid of being flattered or humiliated, she still felt uncomfortable.

Very, very uncomfortable!

He was implying that, because she fell in love with him so much that she overcame her jealousy and was awkward with Noble Lady Liang. She was put on such a pedestal. It was arbitrary and unreasonable.

She scolded Kangxi several times in her heart. Her ears turned a little red. “… What else did His Majesty say?”

Liang Jiugong had completed his mission. It was as if he had broken through the psychological defense line and all his conflicting feelings had disappeared.

He remained indifferent, regaining his former demeanour as the Chief Steward who dominated the palace. He said with a smile, “His Majesty only had this sentence. There was nothing more. By the way, do you have anything for me to tell His Majesty?”

When Liang Jiugong thought of the way the emperor tried to suppress the hope on his lips before he left, he sighed silently, bowed slightly, and was ready to act as a messenger.

He pricked up his ears, wanting to hear the ‘five-star praise’ from Consort Yi.

“If We have something to say…” Yun Xiu came back to her senses and said expressionlessly, “The emperor is aware of it, but We did not notice.”

She couldn’t deal with it anymore. The emperor still wanted her to be moved?

She was used to this.

Liang Jiugong: “…”

After dealing with the disappearance of the eighth prince and then punishing Consort Hui, Kangxi was not in a good mood.

The women in the harem had one face in front of him, and another face behind his back.

He originally thought that Consort Hui was a dignified, virtuous, and well-managed householder, just like Consort Yi, who looked and behaved the same. He did not hesitate to reward and praise Consort Hui, and even praised Consort Hui as a loving mother. Unexpectedly, it didn’t take long for him to take back his words.

What was the difference between Consort Hui’s behavior and her deceiving him?

Even if Yinsi’s biological mother was of low origin, and if Little Eight grew up in the mud, he was still his son, a noble prince of the Qing Dynasty. That was no reason why Mrs. Nala should indulge those unscrupulous servants and not care at all!

First it was the imperial noble consort who was like this, then Imperial Concubine Wu and Imperial Concubine Xi and Imperial Concubine Ping, and now Consort Hui… After realising their true personalities, the emperor became more and more aware of the endless tricks and calculations of the harem. He was getting tired of it.

Either they were stupid, poisonous, or their morals weren’t good and their character was revealed.

It was better to look at Xiuxiu more and clear his eyes!

When he thought of Yun Xiu, he remembered the scene in Cining Palace this morning. The emperor’s heart suddenly moved, his expression changed from gloomy to clear, and he gave Liang Jiugong a few words in a low voice. Then, the corners of his mouth curled up, there was some expectation in his eyes, and he looked over the book calmly.

After two hours, Liang Jiugong finally came back out of breath, complaining in his heart. He said with a clear voice on his face: “Your Majesty, Master Yi said…that she…didn’t notice anything.”

Emperor: “…”

This was not right.

Kangxi was stunned. He knocked on the table, and glanced at him uncertainly. “Did you misrepresent Our message?”

Liang Jiugong trembled and shook his head quickly. “Your Majesty, this servant wouldn’t dare to.”

Kangxi began to think deeply, and was hit by a sudden flash of inspiration.

“Were your Master Yi’s ears or face red?” he asked.

Liang Jiugong responded in a daze… She should have… right?

“Yes, yes.” Liang Jiugong replied with a guilty conscience as he patched himself up frantically. “This servant only took glanced at Master Yi and didn’t dare to look directly at Master Yi.”

That was it!

Kangxi twirled his fingers and chuckled. “We know that her shy personality has never changed, and she is also very jealous. If We don’t appease her tonight, she won’t know how to perform.”

After a while, the emperor withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and read the memorial with pleasure. Liang Jiugong was left standing there with blank eyes as he swallowed his saliva.

Consort Yi was shy? Consort Yi was very jealous?

Why did he think this that this was the opposite?

Stop… He was the emperor! The emperor should…

Consort Hui lost her status as the adoptive mother to the eighth prince and was fined half a year’s salary. The eighth prince returned to Noble Lady Liang, and the mother and son moved to the side hall of Cining Palace.

The rapidly spreading news quickly reached the Forbidden City, which was no less than a great calamity for Ming Zhu, who had been patiently awaiting the emperor’s summons.

His expression changed dramatically and his eyes slightly hardened. Just a few days ago, everything was fine. How could the Consort be punished?

A fine was nothing, but being confined to the palace didn’t seem to be too serious. However, without the eighth prince, how would the Consort continue her arrangements, and how would she pave the way for the eldest prince in the future?

The eighth prince’s biological mother had a low background. She also resided in Yanxi Palace. There was  no better candidate for assistance than her. A brotherly bond could be cultivated from a young age. No matter how close the crown prince was to the fourth and fifth princes, they couldn’t compare to the relationship between the eldest prince and the eighth prince.

After all, the fourth and fifth princes did not live in Yuqing Palace!

…

This happened out of the blue. Why did Noble Lady Liang get the right to raise the child?

Ming Zhu intuitively felt that Consort Hui was being plotted against. His face darkened as he paced back and forth in the hall. He ordered his confidant. “Go and find out why Consort Hui was punished. Prepare a sedan chair. I need to go into the palace…”

He had some urgent matters to discuss with the emperor.

If he could plead on behalf of the Consort, then it would be best. If he couldn’t, then he needed to retrain the eldest prince. He had to prevent the eldest prince from acting impulsively and rashly speaking out for the Consort. Otherwise, it would only add fuel to the fire and provoke the emperor, which would lead to more harm than good.

After considering everything, Ming Zhu frowned and solemnly handed the card to the palace.

Before long, someone came from Qianqing Palace.  It was Liang Jiugong’s personal disciple, Xiao Lizi. As soon as Xiao Lizi saw him, he said respectfully, “What a coincidence! Prime Minister Ming arrived just in time. The emperor is about to summon Prime Minister Ming for an audience.”

The emperor was about to summon him?

When Ming Zhu saw Xiao Lizi’s attitude, he narrowed his eyes and had many thoughts.

As they walked along the long palace corridor, when no one was paying attention, he quietly handed a red envelope to Xiao Lizi. “Eunuch Li, may I be so bold as to ask if His Majesty is in good health?”

This was a subtle way of asking if Kangxi was pleased or angry, and if he was in a good mood or not.

Xiao Lizi glanced at the red envelope and took it without changing his expression. He still smiled respectfully and kindly. “Lord Ming does not need to worry. His Majesty is in good health and has just summoned several important figures.”

Because of Consort Hui’s incident, Ming Zhu felt a little anxious, but he maintained a calm expression.

Xiao Lizi’s words seemed to say nothing, yet they conveyed something. However, since he was willing to accept the red envelope, it indicated that the emperor was not currently angry with him. With this, Ming Zhu could relax slightly.

When they arrived at Qianqing Palace, Ming Zhu patted his robes and knelt down. “This servant, Ming Zhu, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“You’re here? Rise.” Kangxi glanced at him and continued to write without lifting his head. “Consort Hui’s management was ineffective, which caused the servants to cause trouble. Yinsi disappeared, and the great empress dowager was furious. Noone’s plea has been effective.”

Ming Zhu was startled, and his movement to rise was a little sluggish. He was shocked that the emperor actually explained this to him and by the implication of the emperor’s words.

Such a big mistake occurred in the palace. No wonder!

—The path to plead for mercy was blocked, so there was no choice but to take a detour.

“This servant should not pass judgment on Consort Hui’s actions,” he said in a low voice, thinking quickly. “This is an internal matter of the imperial family. This servant does not have any objections nor the qualifications to interfere! The purpose of seeking an audience with Your Majesty is regarding the situation in the north. Since the change of leadership, the Zhunga’er people have been selling horses, herding sheep, and have frequent interactions with other tribes. Their activities have been highly conspicuous. This servant thinks that the Zhunga’er will soon become a serious problem for the imperial court. “

Ming Zhu was the Grand Secretary of Wuying Hall and the crown prince’s grand tutor. He was a leading figure of the cabinet. Kangxi frequently sought his counsel on various matters in the court, ranging from pacifying the three feudatories to appeasing the common people. Ming Zhu indeed possessed extraordinary insight.

Upon hearing the phrase ‘this servant has no objections’, Kangxi’s expression softened a little. Aside from the power struggles and elimination of dissidents, Ming Zhu had a good understanding of the overall situation.

Kangxi put down his brush and said in a deep voice, “According to your words, what should be done?”

“To wage war. Shilang has just led the army through the area, and the climate and terrain of the north are completely different from the south. This war must not be taken lightly! This servant thinks that the Qing Dynasty needs to rest and recuperate and prepare meticulously in order to understand both ourselves and the enemy.” Ming Zhu paused for a moment, then continued slowly. “During the pacification of the three feudatories, the Green Banner Army shone brightly, and our Eight Banners soldiers should not lag behind.”

What Ming Zhu said was very insightful and coincided with what the emperor was thinking. The monarch and his ministers discussed the issue of military training for some time. Kangxi’s anger towards Consort Hui also faded away somewhat.

Seeing that the emperor was satisfied, Ming Zhu thought that the time had come. He held his breath and struck while the iron was hot. He asked about the letter that recommended Tuyue. “This minister thinks that Guoluoluo Tuyue is very calm and his exceptional qualities make him suitable for a position with majorresponsibility…”

Kangxi paused, then smiled. “We had almost forgotten about this matter.”

“If you hadn’t come, We would have summoned you anyway. Hang Ai also submitted a letter recommending Tuyue to the Board of Revenue and even offered him the position of Left Vice-Minister, which coincidentally aligns with your recommendation.” Seeing Ming Zhu’s astonished expression, the emperor’s smile widened a little. “We did not want you to be jealous. After careful consideration, We felt that the Ministry of War is a good place for young people to hone their skills. What do you think?”

Several important ministers in the Ministry of War were all Kangxi’s close confidants, which was quite different from the officials in the Ministry of Civil Personnel and the Board of Revenue. In addition, in a few years, the imperial court would send troops to the northwest, and Tuyue would rise rapidly through the ranks. He would be completely removed from the struggles between the Nala and the Hesheli families… It was clear that the emperor had high hopes for him.

The scheme to involve the Guoluoluo family in this seemed to have failed.

Can this situation really be resolved?

When did Suo Etu become so responsive?

Putting aside everything else, if Hang Ai could recommend Tuyue as well without any suspicion from the emperor, did that mean that the emperor did not doubt the Guoluoluo family’s intentions at all?

Mingzhu was incredulous and inwardly criticised this oversight. When he returned home, his expression was neutral, but he slammed the paperweight on the table.

With a loud ‘bang’, he then suddenly slapped his forehead. Damn it, he actually forgot about the eldest prince!

“Imperial Concubine Wu has urgent matters to discuss and requests an audience with His Majesty and Yonghe Palace. Imperial Concubine Wu asks in consideration of Second Rank Prince Rong’s face,” reported Liang Jiugong carefully after Ming Zhu left. It didn’t take long for Liang Jiugong to advance a few steps and cautiously deliver the message after hearing the whisper of the little eunuch.

“Imperial Concubine Wu?” Kangxi threw down the brush and said quietly, “What trouble is she causing now?”

Liang Jiugong smiled apologetically and said, “Imperial Concubine Wu said that the situation is urgent…”

Kangxi frowned. Before he could reply, someone came to report that his eldest prince wanted to see him.

“Imperial father.” Yinti knelt on the ground, his handsome face full of distress. “Mother has always done her best to take care of eighth younger brother with all her heart. Your son has seen all of it. Either those unscrupulous servants deceived mother, or mother was being plotted against! Your son begs imperial father to investigate!”

Kangxi laughed angrily, threw a memorial at Yinti, and cursed. “You’ve witnessed it all? Fine! We would like to know when and where you witnessed it! Were your eyes on Yanxi Palace’s plaque when you were with your brother?!”

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