Chapter 100 (1/2): Have you been Drinking?
Fang He hadn’t yet had time to fully experience the bitter-sweet extremes from last time when the harem learned about her promotion and got to taste it first.
The Emperor was displeased with Prince An, as were Noble Consort Wenxi, Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi—after so many years, they all understood clearly.
They were not surprised by the Emperor’s sudden assault on Prince An’s mansion.
If the Emperor could seize the Zhenglan Banner, he would have controlled three banners already.
To appease the old clans of the Eight Banners, he would not have taken the banner lordship for himself.
In the future, the ones who would benefit would be their sons and the related family clans, which they welcomed.
But what they never expected was that Consort Zhao could turn things around in this way.
Fang He’s nominal uncle took the opportunity to reclaim authority over the Zhenglan Banner.
Though only a Niulu, with time he would become the real power of the Zhenglan Banner, completely turning the tide.
No one would expose Fang He’s true identity, because exposing her risked offending the Emperor.
Instead, Xu Fang He had become the most direct bloodline of the Zashuhu Li clan, an unchangeable advantage to Consort Zhao’s rise.
Guoluoluo Mingshang’s cousin was rapidly promoted from a sixth-rank cavalry officer in Huguang to a fifth-rank assistant director in the Ministry of War—a jump of four ranks.
Mingshang’s daughter, Guoluoluo Yinghui, who had been fostered in Prince An’s mansion, was granted the title of County Princess by Kangxi, along with a residence equal in status to her uncle, Prince An.
This was the Emperor’s compensation for the wronged.
Once this news spread, the world would praise the Emperor for his clear distinction of reward and punishment.
With this groundwork laid, the Emperor’s later elevation of Consort Zhao to Noble Consort would be entirely natural.
The previous dynasty’s harem could not even accuse the Emperor of favoritism since he appeared impartial on the surface.
Consort Yi’s maternal family was the main Guoluoluo lineage; Guoluoluo Mingde was a branch, but all belonged to the same clan.
As long as one could enter the Ministry of War, the Guoluoluo clan would never allow anyone to oppose Fang He’s elevation to Noble Consort.
On Consort Hui’s side, Mingzhu advised her and the Crown Prince to keep a low profile, avoiding becoming a scapegoat.
Consort Rong was even less outspoken.
Since the major purge of the Imperial Household Department, the Majia clan had long since declined and would not make a move.
So, while the various ladies of the palace were furious enough to break many porcelain pieces, their hearts were icy cold.
They even found themselves unable to openly mock Fang He, as any insult now counted as insubordination.
No matter how furious they were, they had to kneel beneath Imperial Noble Consort ZhaoYuan’s feet, swallowing blood and tears.
“Master is just going to watch this happen?” Su Momo, a servant beside the Niuhulu clan, fretted anxiously.
“The ‘Yuan’ title is a slap in the face to the two previous ladies, yet now she doesn’t even have a single son, but still outshines you. If this continues, the Niugugong Mansion will be ashamed to show their faces!” she added.
Noble Consort Wenxi, however, was not anxious; she only chuckled lightly.
“Momo, why worry? Even if it’s a slap in the face, it’s not me who’s most embarrassed. Right now, going against the Emperor, do you want the Niugugong Mansion too peaceful?”
Su Momo hesitated, “You mean… the Crown Prince?”
In Yuqing Palace, Suo’etu was indeed furious, about to explode.
“A barren woman, publicly still a widow—what right does she have to use the ‘Yuan’ character? If this spreads, our Hesheri clan will become the laughingstock of the entire capital!”
The Crown Prince’s face was also sour, but he still tried to reason with Suo’etu.
“His Majesty is probably concerned about external clans meddling in politics. Previously, when the Niuhulu and Tong clans reached out to Yuqing Palace, it offended the Emperor. Elevating Consort Zhao to Noble Consort might not be a bad thing for us.”
“That may be so now, but what if she gives birth to a son?” Suo’etu’s face darkened.
“You know as well as I do how much trouble the Hesheri clan has had in court because of the Fourth Prince and the Tenth Prince.”
“If Consort Zhao takes over the Zhenglan Banner and then gives birth to a son in Yanxi Palace, the Emperor might appoint her son as the banner lord. Even you…” he trailed off ominously.
Yinreng’s face flickered with conflicted emotion.
Yinzhen was not particularly worried; with his sharp, unforgiving nature, and the death of Imperial Noble Consort Niuhulu, his chances of allying with the Tong family were slim.
But the Niuhulu clan behind Yin’e was a thorn in his side.
When Yin’e was able to attend court, his influence there would certainly be affected.
If more sons of Noble Consorts appeared… Yinreng slightly furrowed his brows.
With Suo’etu’s temperament, he would never tolerate such a thing.
A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
“The Emperor’s edict must be obeyed, but the Zhaoyuan Noble Consort doesn’t need to have children. That way, she can be won over by one or two.”
The Crown Prince lowered his eyes, lifted his teacup, and sipped silently.
Mingzhu also mentioned the matter to Fule at the mansion.
“During the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival visit to the garden to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, find an opportunity to subtly mention it to Zhaoyuan Noble Consort. Suo’etu is ruthless and won’t let things go easily.”
Irgen Jueluo was surprised.
“Are you worried he might attack the Noble Consort in the garden? But with the Imperial Household Department’s ten bureaus watching more closely than ever, isn’t he afraid of angering the Emperor?”
The temperament of the man on the dragon throne—any family favored by the Emperor knew this well.
He seemed easygoing and gentler than Taizong and Shizu, but whenever his bottom line was crossed, he was the most merciless.
After Aobai’s death, the Guwalgiya clan’s fate was a clear warning.
Mingzhu didn’t speak plainly but hinted meaningfully, “He obviously wouldn’t dare, but there’s no one in this world whose interests can’t be bought.”
No matter how deep the palace intrigues, what power could rival that?
Even Prince Rong, considered the Emperor’s first son by Shizu, died under mysterious circumstances.
Irgen Jueluo pondered for a moment before asking Mingzhu, “Consort Zhao is clearly rising. The Nara clan has shown sincerity. The Crown Prince is the eldest son—are you sure the master will choose the Noble Consort’s son?”
Mingzhu gave Irgen a somewhat roguish smile.
“You don’t need to be so blunt. I’ll support the Crown Prince’s side. Once the Noble Consort safely delivers a son and secures her position, we’ll discuss everything else. There’s no rush.”
Irgen Jueluo: “…………”
So, she was worrying unnecessarily.
Her master was shrewd, waiting to see what Zhaoyuan Noble Consort could truly do.
The newly titled Noble Consort was indeed planning to use all her abilities to repay Master Kang’s surprise.
Loving a dog… cough, courting someone meant giving enough emotional value for the one who gives the most to willingly invest more.
The extreme highs and lows—Fang He felt the pace wasn’t fast enough.
She first took Jiujiu to Shoukang Palace, coaxed her to sleep, then returned to Yanxi Palace.
Once inside the bedchamber, she dismissed Cui Wei and the others, leaving only the taciturn but discreet Xinzi.
She quietly asked Xinzi, “Have the designs I gave you before been completed?”
Xinzi’s cheeks flushed slightly as she dug out three finished sets of… nightwear from the bottom of a chest.
When she first saw the designs, Xinzi had already blushed deeply.
Even though she made the nightwear herself, seeing them again, her face burned all the way into her clothes.
Lowering her voice in embarrassment, she said, “You instructed black-red, gold-red, and red-white sets. I’ve finished all three, washed and stored carefully to avoid discovery. They only need ironing before wearing.”
Fang He smiled, holding the delicate nightwear made from paper-thin gauze and silk, gesturing as if wearing them.
Early summer mornings and evenings were cool, so the undergarments were mostly slightly thicker silk.
But in summer, lighter gauze was preferred, with gauze being even more sheer than regular silk.
These clothes covered all the necessary parts with fine spring silk, leaving nothing exposed.
Elsewhere, nearly transparent gauze clung to the skin…
Xinzi watched, holding her breath several times.
Their mistress’s skin was fair, and whichever she wore—scarlet fire, golden phoenix vermilion, or snow-white plum—the contrast was striking.
Xinzi’s cheeks burned even hotter, almost enough to fry an egg.
Fang He thought that black and red had always been popular through the ages; to surprise, one must pick the most stunning.
She told Xinzi to put away the other two sets for another surprise.
“Send someone to bring me hot water. I want to bathe, and tell Liu An to get a few extra plates of snacks from the Imperial Kitchen.”
“Oh, and have Eunuch Gu send a message to Qianqing Palace. Tell the Emperor I’m still counting the congratulatory gifts from the various palaces and to come a little later.”
Xinzi blushed as she left and met Cui Wei’s particularly meaningful glance.
Her scalp tingled slightly, “Mistress…”
Cui Wei smiled and nodded, “I understand. You just handle what the mistress asked. I’ll go find Fule.”
Xinzi thought, ‘Cui Wei understood their mistress best.’
She also guessed that tonight they’d probably need some ointment.
Because with the ‘Zhaoyuan’ title, several Yushi and Duke Niu Ailing’a came repeatedly to the Imperial Study, alternating between scholarly debates and emotional outbursts, troubling Kangxi for more than an hour.
After all, Ailing’a was now a first-rank duke and Yin’e’s uncle.
Kangxi did not chase him away.
As for the Yushi… well, chasing these few out would cause more trouble than settling the matter.
When Kangxi read their memorials, he wasn’t distracted by outside matters, so he let them bawl for a while, then dealt with the fallout from Yue Le’s death.
After finishing, Kangxi sipped tea and looked faintly at the group.
“Finished speaking?”
Ailing’a opened his mouth to wail again, “Your Majesty! This servant—”
Kangxi interrupted, “If you feel ashamed, why not go to Ningguta to serve as your own emperor? No one there would mock you.”
“And don’t worry about the capital. Although Faka is no longer a duke, I’ve brought him close to teach him, so he can still barely hold up your ducal house’s reputation.”
Ailing’a wailed for a while but was cut off by Kangxi’s words, unable to reply.
He had only recently inherited the ducal title; with Faka still lurking, if he went to Ningguta, would he even have a foothold in the capital?
“Your Majesty, this is unfair! My third sister served you for so many years and bore two imperial heirs. Don’t you care for her face at all?”
Kangxi glanced coldly, “If I didn’t care about her face, I would have stripped your ducal title 23 years ago.”
Ailing’a felt a chill and dared not speak further.
The incident where Uya incited the Crown Prince’s horse fall was indeed tied to the ducal house.
Although not his doing, he was the duke now.
As for the Yushi, Kangxi had no interest in arguing further.
He stood and instructed Li Dequan, “Send my edict to Chen Tingjing. Ask him whether the Supervisory Office is supposed to supervise officials and seek the welfare of the people, or if the Left Secretary of the Ministry of Rites can meddle daily in my harem. If he can’t handle the job, I won’t force him.”
Yushi, pressed by Kangxi’s biting words, flushed with anger.
They knew this was not their concern but the Ministry of Rites’.
But the old fox Nalan Mingzhu kept Wang Yan under control.
Following Zhongtang’s orders, they had to endure.
Seeing the Emperor’s anger, Yushi was not foolish enough to risk their families’ lives to quarrel over trivial matters.
After Kangxi sent them packing with a few words, Liang Jiugong smiled and approached to subtly soothe his master’s barely contained anger.
“Your Majesty, the Noble Consort sent Eunuch Gu to deliver a message asking you to come to Yanxi Palace a little later, saying they’re still counting the gifts and preparing a surprise for you.”
Kangxi thought, was he less important than a pile of inanimate objects?
Who dared send such a message—would he be able to wait?
Before nightfall, Kangxi strode out of Qianqing Palace through the Rizheng Gate toward Yanxi Palace.
Upon entering, he immediately sensed something was off.
Apart from two eunuchs guarding the gates, Yanxi Palace was as silent as if no one were inside.
Only a row of colored glass palace lanterns lined the corridors, stretching all the way to the main hall.
Kangxi faintly smiled and waved Liang Jiugong and Gu Wenxing off, telling them not to follow.
He followed the lanterns eagerly.
As expected, near one lantern on the ground, he saw a line of paper-cut characters illuminated:
“Milk Cake: I’m delicious, placed on the table by the Noble Consort. Your Majesty, please come eat me.”
Kangxi paused, wondering if it was really a milk cake or some jade-like troublemaker.
He quickened his pace and entered the hall.
No palace servants or eunuchs were in sight, nor was the mischief-maker stoking his growing temper.
On the table, however, lay a plate piled with small milk cakes the size of longan fruit.
The subtle dairy aroma carried a hint of sweetness, stimulating appetite.
He reached out, picked one, and popped it into his mouth.
At once, he spotted a half-hidden note beneath the plate.
The note’s words made his breath falter slightly:
“Green Plum: Milk cake is on the table, green plum is in bed. Which would you like to taste first?”
Kangxi thought: ‘This isn’t a green plum—it’s clearly a plum spirit!’
His heart burned with a mix of jealousy and desire.
Without hesitation, he turned toward the bedchamber.