Chapter 63: Possessed by a ghost? (2/2)
He had overheard everything that had been said inside, and coupled with the Emperor’s behavior this morning, he felt that the storm in the imperial presence today might arrive even earlier than the weather’s.
However, when Kangxi came out, he showed no sign of displeasure and even appeared unusually calm as he got into his carriage.
He had already vented his frustrations last night and during the morning court session.
If he were to get angry with that wretch now, he would truly be acting foolishly.
His earlier show of anger was merely for the benefit of the Empress Dowager and that wretch to see.
Later… he would slowly deal with that wretch!
Wei Zhu and Cui Wei had arrived at the Tousuo Hall with their luggage before Fang He.
As soon as she entered the main gate, the two of them knelt down neatly and loudly greeted her –
“Congratulations to Consort, and best wishes to Consort! Your servant/maid greets you!”
Fang He instinctively took a step forward but was supported by Chunlai’s strength.
Realizing that Sumo’er was still there, she knew she would have to get used to this sooner or later.
She smiled and said, “You two are really thoughtful. Once His Majesty sends my dowry, there will be rewards for all of you!”
Wei Zhu and Cui Wei both smiled brightly at this.
Whether it was about Fang He securing the treatment due to her rank or the prospect of receiving money, it was all something to be happy about.
Sumo’er directed the people to put down the items that Xiaozhuang had given to Fang He and then left.
Once they were alone, Fang He glanced at Chunlai, who understood and went to guard the door.
Wei Zhu and Cui Wei immediately sprang up.
Wei Zhu spoke first: “Sister, my godfather told me that he had already contacted the Neiwufu when he knew you were returning to the palace. He had prepared several reliable young men, and I’ve memorized their names.”
“He said I’m still too young to be the chief eunuch. Before the Yanxi Palace is renovated, he will find a suitable candidate for the position of the front hall chief eunuch for you to choose from.”
Although Fang He had been given the title of “Zhao,” there was no explicit decree granting her the treatment of a consort, so she remained a consort.
A consort could be the head of a hall, but she could not live in the main hall.
However, each palace was supposed to have a responsible eunuch chief and a managing lady-in-waiting for the main hall.
Cui Wei, who would later take on the role of the managing lady-in-waiting, was currently serving as Fang He’s chief palace maid.
Cui Wei quickly followed Wei Zhu’s words: “I’ve also contacted my aunt. She is now in charge of training the young palace maids in the Neiwufu. Knowing you were back, she said it was fate.”
“She gave me a list of names. They are all girls without any masters and with simple backgrounds. When the Neiwufu sends people over, we just need to check their names and pick them out.”
Fang He gave the two of them a thumbs-up, “I trust you both to handle things. Wei Zhu, you will be in charge of dealing with the Neiwufu first. The items sent by the Emperor will be registered and cataloged by Cui Wei.”
The two nodded.
It was already time for lunch, so Wei Zhu planned to go get the meal.
But as soon as he stepped out the door, Li Dequan arrived with a crowd of people, carrying more than ten boxes draped in red silk.
Li Dequan and Qi Sanfu, who followed him, were also carrying full food boxes.
Seeing Wei Zhu, Li Dequan instinctively smiled, “Oh, Brother Wei, were you planning to go get the meal?”
“No need for the trouble. His Majesty knows that Consort has just moved in and that it’s quite a hassle, so he’s worried that you might go hungry.”
“For the next few days, the meals will be sent directly from the imperial kitchen. I’ll deliver them personally.”
Wei Zhu smiled and hurried forward to take the food box from Li Dequan’s hand.
“I couldn’t dare trouble Brother Li. I’ll just pick it up outside the Yuehua Gate. Let me, let me…”
“No need! It’s no trouble at all.”
Li Dequan avoided Wei Zhu’s hand.
He had already bowed ninety-nine times; he couldn’t miss this chance to ingratiate himself.
He only asked Wei Zhu to go in and report.
After getting Fang He’s permission, he eagerly carried the food box in, placed it on the table, and neatly performed a bow to her.
“Your servant Li Dequan congratulates Consort!”
“His Majesty instructed that before the Yanxi Palace is renovated, you will be living alone in the Tousuo Hall. But if there’s anything uncomfortable, just let me know.”
Fang He thought to herself, what else could there be?
Could they possibly squeeze in a few more minor concubines in this cramped space?
She lazily asked, “What’s the situation outside?”
There was no need to talk about comfort; she would never admit to being uncomfortable.
Where was her dowry?
Li Dequan quickly took out a red gift list from his bosom and held it up to his eyebrows with both hands.
“Replying to Consort, this is the ‘dowry’ that His Majesty specially sent from Shengjing for you. Here is the dowry list. Please take a look.”
Wei Zhu took it and handed it to Fang He.
She opened it and her breath caught for a moment.
Wow, twenty thousand taels of silver, all kinds of rare and precious jewels were counted by the box, and there were even two boxes of Dongzhu and a box of rare medicinal materials from Shengjing.
She was overjoyed but felt a bit uneasy.
The more she was given… the more she would have to give in return.
She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to bear the burden.
She hesitantly asked Li Dequan, “Is it too much?”
Li Dequan looked up in surprise, then quickly lowered his head again and explained carefully, “Consort is joking. In fact, His Majesty was afraid of shortchanging you.”
“A wealthy Manchu girl’s marriage involves good farmland, shops, dowries, and all kinds of additional furnishings, all in pairs. It would take no less than several thousand taels of silver to prepare.”
“But the palace has its own rules. Many of Zhasihu Li’s dowries had to stay with her family, so His Majesty specially added a bit more ‘bottom-of-the-box’ silver to make up for Consort.”
Fang He instinctively looked at Cui Wei, who was nodding and winking at her frantically, signaling her not to ask such a naive question.
Alright, modern marriage is hard, and ancient marriage and dowries are not easy either.
“Then you thank His Majesty for his generosity on my behalf. Once I’ve settled in, I’ll personally thank His Majesty.”
Fang He immediately put on a bright smile and calmly put away the list.
But as soon as Li Dequan and his people left, from Fang He to Chunlai, everyone jumped up.
No one paid attention to the eight dishes on the table; they all squeezed into the side hall.
The open boxes were filled with gleaming silver, not to mention the two chests filled with stacked gold boxes!
There were also several chests of various jewelry, jade, and gemstones, and Fang He even saw old-pit glass-type emeralds!
This kind of emerald, in later times, a piece the size of a thumb could buy a villa!!
Not to mention, South Sea pearls, Dongzhu, and hawksbill, coral, agate, amber… six whole chests were filled with these precious items.
The remaining chests were filled with health-preserving tonics and medicinal materials.
His Fang He was really ignorant and couldn’t see the value, but just those wild ginseng roots, almost as big as small radishes, had to be decades old…
Originally, Fang He thought that was all, but before they could finish their exclamations, there was another sound of greeting outside.
The Neiwufu had sent various types of silk, as well as porcelain, glass ornaments, and screens, all kinds of furniture suitable for a consort’s use.
After the waves of people finally quieted down, Cui Wei calculated with her fingers and couldn’t help but gasp.
“His Majesty is really generous. With this dowry standard, it would be enough for a prince’s daughter to get married.”
Fang He was so happy that her eyes were hidden by her smile.
At this moment, she completely forgot about the cost she would have to pay.
After all, she was just a hundred and eighty pounds; that lord wouldn’t possibly kill her.
After Fang He finished her meal and took a rest, the Neiwufu quickly brought over the palace maids and eunuchs for her to choose from.
A concubine could have one palace maid, a regular attendant could have two palace maids, and they would be assigned to run errands for the various palaces with the eunuchs.
Starting from the rank of noble lady, there could be two senior palace maids, two second-class palace maids, and two eunuchs to serve.
A consort’s position allowed for two senior palace maids, four second-class palace maids, and four eunuchs, with the additional allowance of two rough maids and two rough eunuchs for exclusive use.
So the Neiwufu brought over ten senior palace maids, twenty junior palace maids, and twenty eunuchs for Fang He to choose from.
Naturally, following the plan she had discussed with Wei Zhu and Cui Wei, Fang He lazily leaned against the sofa that Wei Zhu had brought out and had the palace maids and eunuchs report their names respectively.
But among the four eunuchs that Qiao Cheng had helped to select, only one appeared here, and there were two palace maids that Qin Gu had favored, with the rest being…
“Tell me, Vice Attendant Huang, do you think my Tousuo Hall is a demon’s cave, that you dare send such pretty palace maids my way?”
Vice Attendant Huang was taken aback and forced a smile, “Consort is joking, I wouldn’t dare. It’s just that His Majesty personally instructed the Neiwufu not to be negligent, so I specially picked the best ones…”
“Then keep sending better ones. Ideally, send a few celestial beauties over. I’d be delighted to look at them!” Fang He got up and walked back into the room.
“I want to see them today!”
Vice Attendant Huang was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly stepped forward to stop her, “Consort, wait. There’s no such rule. All the available palace maids are right here…”
“Presumptuous!” Wei Zhu sternly shouted, “Do you think you’re worthy of talking about rules with Consort?”
“Ah, Wei Zhu, that’s not right of you,” Fang He turned around and reprimanded Wei Zhu in a proper manner.
“How can you speak to someone from the Neiwufu like that? What if they play tricks on us later?”
Vice Attendant Huang: “…………”
I’m still here!
“Alright, I understand the difficulties of the Neiwufu. I won’t make things difficult for Vice Attendant Huang,” Fang He spoke kindly to Vice Attendant Huang and then turned to Wei Zhu and instructed,
“You go to the imperial presence and tell His Majesty that I didn’t find anyone suitable here. Maybe I should just borrow a few from the imperial presence for now.”
Vice Attendant Huang’s face turned pale.
Oh, you’re not making things difficult for me, but for His Majesty?
Would his head still be safe?
He wiped the cold sweat that had come out in the middle of winter and slapped himself.
“I spoke out of turn, I didn’t mean that… Please let Consort wait for two days… one day! By this time tomorrow, I will send more people for you to choose from,” the Vice Attendant Huang stammered.
Fang He nodded more gently, “Alright, I understand. It’s really hard for you, and I won’t make things difficult for you.”
She turned to Wei Zhu and said, “Did you hear that? Vice Attendant Huang has had a tough time. We need to be more considerate.”
“Here’s what you’ll do. Go and apologize to His Majesty on my behalf. Tell him it will take me a few days to settle in here. Once everything is ready, I’ll be able to serve His Majesty again.”
“Whatever His Majesty decides to do—whether to punish me, beat me, or even execute me—I deserve it.”
Vice Attendant Huang: !!!
Was she talking about herself or him?
He felt aches all over his body, and his legs started to tremble.
With a mournful expression, Vice Attendant Huang nervously slapped himself on both cheeks and saod:
“It’s all my fault. I would never dare to let a Consort bear the blame for my mistakes. I will definitely send the people over today!”
Fang He smiled, “So… not difficult?”
Vice Attendant Huang shook his head vigorously, “No, not difficult at all!”
Fang He’s expression turned stern, “Then why are you still here? Are you waiting for me to escort you out?”
The way this man had looked around the Tousuo Hall with shifty eyes the moment he entered, if he wasn’t someone from the harem, she would chop off his head and kick it to Kangxi like a ball!
Complaining.
It was like dealing with a never-ending swarm of flies.
If she showed even the slightest sign of backing down, these people would just push further…
In this palace, she was the only one who could afford to act so outrageously and get away with it!
As soon as Vice Attendant Huang left the Tousuo Hall, instead of returning to the Neiwufu, he took a back route to the Chengqian Palace and knelt before Lady Tongjia, showing his swollen face.
“Please, Your Imperial Highness, do something!”
“This Consort Zhao is just too difficult to please. The palace maids and eunuchs we had arranged for her, she wasn’t satisfied with any of them. I really don’t know what else to send!”
“And she demanded more to be sent today… I can’t possibly send celestial beings as she suggested.”
Some things didn’t need to be said so explicitly.
Vice Attendant Huang’s report had conveyed everything that needed to be said.
None of the spies you had assigned were sent in, and those with good looks had even less chance.
She was also forcing him to select more people for her to choose from today.
There were several higher-ranking consorts above her position, and Vice Attendant Huang had never seen anyone so recklessly arrogant.
The Imperial Noble Consort coughed violently for a while before casting a cold glance at Vice Attendant Huang, “If she wants you to send more, then keep sending. Can’t the Neiwufu even find a single useful person?”
“Bu…t the remaining ones, they are not as considerate, and I’m afraid Consort Zhao will be even more dissatisfied,” Vice Attendant Huang whispered.
There were definitely palace maids and eunuchs available, but they couldn’t be controlled.
If they were really sent over, wouldn’t that mean losing control over the information from the Tousuo Hall?
The Imperial Noble Consort sneered and spoke slowly in a weak voice, “Anyway, she won’t be staying in the Tousuo Hall for long. But in the Yanxi Palace, she won’t be allowed to do as she pleases.”
“I remember, doesn’t the Neiwufu have many palace maids and eunuchs who made mistakes and were sent back to do menial work? Maybe Consort Zhao’s taste is just different from the norm.”
Vice Attendant Huang suddenly realized something.
***
Before dinner, he brought several rows of palace maids and eunuchs over again.
This time, the people he brought were completely different from the ones in the afternoon.
Some of them even had chilblains on their hands and faces, looking quite shabby.
Fang He seemed not to notice, still lazily asking people to report their names and skills.
This time, two palace maids favored by Aunt Qin arrived, and one person favored by Qiao Cheng came as well.
With Cui Wei and Chunlai there, Fang He could still pick four second-class palace maids and two for menial work.
She could choose three eunuchs and add another two for menial tasks.
Including the ones she had chosen in the afternoon, Fang He casually pointed to a palace maid with a scar on her chin, and asked Cui Wei to pick two more honest ones for menial work to make up the number.
As for the menial eunuchs, she directly let Wei Zhu pick them himself.
When Vice Attendant Huang finally breathed a sigh of relief and left with the people, Cui Wei had the palace maids and eunuchs stand in line by the stove in the corridor, while Wei Zhu and Chunlai guarded the door.
Cui Wei entered the room and spoke to Fang He, “That one called Shanya, she looks suspicious. Just from what I noticed, she kept staring at you. She’s so bold, why did you pick such a silly one?”
Upon hearing this, Fang He covered her mouth and laughed, beckoning Cui Wei to come closer.
“Everyone selected today combined is not as important as Shanya. We’ve hit the jackpot!”
If Shanya hadn’t shown up, she would definitely continue to torment Vice Attendant Huang.
“Let me tell you something. Without drawing attention, you must ensure that she stays by my side no matter what!”
Cui Wei was completely puzzled.
What was so valuable about that big-headed, thin-bodied, silly, and soft-spoken girl?