mtlumby2d Chapter 1688 How well they manage to get by is up to their own abilities.
Chapter 1688 How well they manage to get by is up to their own abilities.
"I realized that I haven't paid my respects to the Noble Consort for a long time, and I felt really uneasy, so I shamelessly came here today."
"I only beg Your Highness not to find my presence troublesome..."
Consort Kang spoke these words with sincerity and without revealing the slightest bit of hatred.
Consort Zhuang listened, her expression of pity deepening. She sighed softly, "What are you saying, Consort Kang? We are sisters in the same palace. You once lived here with me, so there is no need to be so formal."
"If you have time in the future, please come and visit often. Don't bother me with those words; they're too formal."
Consort Kang raised her eyes at the right moment, her face full of emotion: "Your Highness is kind and benevolent."
"With Your Majesty's words, I feel much more at ease."
Next, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, nothing of substance.
Most of the questions came from Consort Zhuang, and Consort Kang answered cautiously. The topics invariably revolved around recuperating her health and taking care of the Fifth Prince.
Consort Kang maintained a submissive, grateful, and timid demeanor throughout, but her heart was ice-cold, and she felt waves of nausea churning in her stomach.
Seeing that it was almost time, she tactfully got up to say goodbye, her posture remaining respectful.
Consort Zhuang did not linger, but gently told Consort Kang to take care of herself, and instructed Ruoji to fetch two boxes of the finest bird's nest for her to take back and nourish herself.
Consort Kang accepted the gift with profuse thanks and left Changchun Palace.
After a slight hesitation, Xiao Caizi still asked, "Your Majesty, Consort Kang's sudden visit today seems to have a hidden reason, doesn't it?"
"Chuxiu Palace has been deserted for a long time."
Consort Zhuang said calmly, "What reason could there be? It's just that life is hard, and seeing no hope of the Emperor's favor, they are panicked and want to find a shelter from the wind and rain."
Xiao Caizi's eyes darted around: "This servant heard that Consort Kang went to Yongshou Palace to request an audience yesterday, but... the Imperial Noble Consort did not see her."
Consort Zhuang glanced at Xiao Caizi: "Oh? Is that so?"
"It's true."
Xiao Caizi nodded and said, "The eunuchs and palace maids on the palace road all saw that Consort Kang waited outside Yongshou Palace for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but she couldn't even get into the palace gate."
"Having failed to curry favor with the Imperial Noble Consort, she's now trying to climb the social ladder by coming to our Changchun Palace?"
Consort Zhuang rebuked, "What's with all this talk about high or low status? We are all sisters serving His Majesty in the harem; it is only right that we help each other."
"Yes, yes, this servant misspoke, Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
Xiao Caizi quickly apologized, saying, "Your Majesty is kind-hearted and always treats people well. You are a blessing to the entire palace!"
Ruoji sighed and said, "Consort Kang really has nowhere else to go."
"His Majesty has not visited her for a long time, and the Fifth Prince is in poor health. Chuxiu Palace is deserted, and the people in the palace are very good at treating people differently based on their status. If she doesn't find someone to rely on, I'm afraid her days ahead will be even more difficult."
Xiao Cai knew perfectly well that the Empress was fully aware of these matters.
Consort Kang's little schemes and calculations are likely to be exposed in her eyes.
Consort Zhuang said with pity, "So be it. She is, after all, a sister of the harem. Since she has come to me for help and was once a servant of Changchun Palace, how can I really sit idly by?"
"Consort Kang is in poor health, and the Fifth Prince needs careful care. If the servants mistreat him, wouldn't that be adding insult to injury?"
At this point, Consort Zhuang looked at Xiao Caizi and instructed, "Find an opportunity to tell the people below that no matter how bad Consort Kang is, she is still a third-rank consort and has a fifth prince under her wing."
"No shortage of food, clothing, daily necessities, medicines, or supplements is allowed, and inferior products are strictly prohibited."
"Give a warning to the people serving at Chuxiu Palace. If they dare to neglect their mistress again, I will be the first to not forgive them!"
Although Consort Zhuang did not have the power to assist in managing the six palaces, her rank and family background set her apart. In the palace, if she wanted to take care of someone and make their life easier, it was just a matter of a few words.
Xiao Caizi understood immediately and said, "Yes, this servant understands."
"Her Majesty is kind and compassionate towards those who have served her in the past; this is known to all in the palace."
"The servants in the palace are the most clever. With Her Highness's words, they will certainly not dare to slight Consort Kang again."
He agreed verbally, but he knew exactly what was going on in his mind.
The Empress's compassion wasn't just for the old guard.
Even if Consort Kang is not the best, she is still a consort, and she has a fifth prince under her wing! Having one more ally is always better than having one more enemy.
In the palace, rank and princely status were real bargaining chips.
The Empress would naturally not mind having too many chips in her hand.
Moreover... there are some matters that Your Highness, of such noble status, cannot personally handle. Perhaps it is necessary for someone like Consort Kang, who is desperate, in dire need of support, and possesses some influence, to take charge.
After leaving the main hall, Xiao Caizi beckoned to a young eunuch and whispered a few instructions to him.
The young eunuch nodded repeatedly and quickly left.
Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Hu Zhongcai was checking the accounts when he heard his trusted eunuch's report and raised an eyebrow.
He pondered for a moment, then waved his hand and said, "...Understood."
"Since the Imperial Concubine has given the order, the allowances for the Chuxiu Palace should be distributed in full and according to regulations, and some of the better ones should be sent there. Also, give the servants a heads-up, so they won't be so short-sighted."
Although he was affiliated with the Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Zhuang was, after all, a second-rank consort, second only to the Imperial Noble Consort in status. Furthermore, her maternal family was the Grand Tutor's mansion, which had cultivated deep roots in the palace for many years.
She personally asked to take care of someone; the Imperial Household Department couldn't refuse that favor, nor was it worth offending her for it.
Even so, Hu Zhongcai still sent someone to report the news to Shen Zhinian.
Although Shen Zhinian manages the harem, in any place in the world, water that is too clear will have no fish.
She never allowed anyone from the Imperial Household Department to deliberately mistreat any of the concubines, but how well they fared depended on their own abilities.
Shen Zhinian only cares about preventing major incidents in the palace from going wrong. If she had to personally handle every little detail, she would have been exhausted long ago.
After listening to the eunuch's report, she nodded calmly: "...Let the Imperial Household Department handle it according to the rules."
"Consort Kang is in poor health, and the Fifth Prince also needs careful care, so his allowance should not be lacking."
The young eunuch bowed and replied, "Yes, this servant understands."
"That's what Steward Hu meant too, and he will definitely handle things properly."
Shen Zhinian waved her hand: "Go ahead."
"Slave, please resign!"
"My lady..."
After the people from the Imperial Household Department left, Han Dan couldn't help but ask, "Has Consort Kang switched sides to Consort Gui?"
"But I clearly remember that when we were still associated with Consort Kang, she always implied that her miscarriage back then was related to Changchun Palace?"
"How come now..."
Consort Kang suspected that Consort Gui had harmed her child, yet she turned around and went to rely on Consort Gui. This is too strange and absurd.