frightfiction Chapter 1759: Doesn't this put me on the opposite side of the Imperial Noble Consort?
Chapter 1759: Doesn't this put me on the opposite side of the Imperial Noble Consort?
"But...but what happened in the previous dynasty?"
Consort Zhuang waved her hand and said helplessly, "The affairs of the previous dynasty are for His Majesty and the ministers to worry about. I am just a woman, how could I know about those things?"
"It's just some trivial stuff in the harem, not worth mentioning."
The more Consort Zhuang said this, the more Consort Kang had to ask.
She frowned, turned her gaze to Xiao Caizi, and asked, "Xiao Caizi, you often serve by the side of the Imperial Concubine and know best what makes her so troubled."
"If there is anything I can do to help, I will certainly do my best!"
Xiao Caizi glanced at Consort Zhuang, and seeing that she didn't intend to sternly stop him, he blurted out indignantly, "Your Highness Consort Kang, you don't know, our Consort is just too kind and too tolerant!"
"Her Imperial Noble Consort is currently in poor health and lacks energy, so she has delegated many important palace affairs to Her Highness Consort Xian and Her Highness Consort Xuan for assistance."
"That makes sense."
"But...but what is our Empress's rank? She's a second-rank Imperial Concubine! In terms of seniority, family background, and experience in managing affairs, in what way is she inferior to Consort Xian and Consort Xuan?"
"In short, many people in the harem are now gossiping privately, saying that the Imperial Noble Consort's arrangements clearly show that she doesn't take Changchun Palace seriously!"
"They say that the Imperial Concubine has only an honorary title, and her actual power is not as great as that of the two ladies who assist in managing palace affairs!"
"How can our Empress feel good after hearing these gossips?"
"But Her Majesty is kind and never holds such matters against her. She only tells us servants to keep our mouths shut and not cause trouble. We...we are just feeling wronged on Her Majesty's behalf!"
Xiao Cai's words were sincere and heartfelt.
Consort Kang felt a chill run through her heart as she listened.
So that's where the problem lies.
The Imperial Noble Consort's further decentralization of power, completely excluding Zhuang Yumin, undoubtedly undermines Zhuang Yumin's status and influence in the harem.
How could Zhuang Yumin tolerate this?
Her affected behavior today was probably not just an attempt to complain, but also a test of her attitude as the one who sought refuge with her.
Perhaps... he wants to use his own hands to do something?
Consort Kang quickly lowered her eyelids, concealing the thoughts in her eyes.
When he looked up again, his face was filled with indignant anger, and he said with heartache, "How could this happen?!"
"Your Highness, you're really putting yourself through this!"
“What Xiao Caizi said makes sense. As a Noble Consort, it is only right that you assist in managing the six palaces. Even if the Imperial Noble Consort wants to share power, she should think of you first!”
"Now that things are like this... wouldn't it make the six palaces look down on Changchun Palace, and look down on you?"
Consort Zhuang simply sighed softly, raised her hand to rub her temples, and said patiently, "Never mind."
"The Imperial Noble Consort has her own considerations."
"I only want to live a peaceful life now. What's the use of fighting for those empty titles and powers? It only makes me a laughing stock."
Consort Kang sighed: "Your Highness, you may think this way, but others may not."
"The harem is full of people who fawn over the powerful and oppose the weak. The more you yield, the more smug some people will become, and the less they will respect you."
"If this continues, where will the dignity of Changchun Palace be? Where will the dignity of the Imperial Concubine be?"
Consort Kang's words struck a chord with Consort Zhuang.
Consort Zhuang looked at her quietly and said tolerantly, "I understand Consort Kang's intentions."
"However... since Consort Xian and Consort Xuan have already taken charge, it is not appropriate for me to interfere too much. Otherwise, people will say that I am narrow-minded and intolerant."
Consort Kang immediately chimed in, "Your Highness is just too kind-hearted!"
"It's inconvenient for you to come forward directly, but we can't just stand by and watch you be humiliated like this."
"With the sudden entrustment of such an important task, Consort Xian and Consort Xuan are bound to have some oversights or improprieties."
"Her Highness the Imperial Concubine is very experienced. If she could offer some guidance from the sidelines, she could help them identify and fill any gaps in their knowledge..."
"It not only preserves the sisterly bond and demonstrates the Empress's magnanimity and ability, but also lets the people below know that Changchun Palace is still Changchun Palace, and the Empress is still the most virtuous and respected Consort in the harem!"
Consort Kang's words provided Consort Zhuang with a perfect way out.
Consort Zhuang didn't compete for it, but rather offered help and guidance, showing how considerate she was of the bigger picture!
Consort Zhuang's lips finally curved into an approving smile.
She looked at Consort Kang with a very gentle gaze: "Consort Kang is indeed intelligent and considerate. Every word you say touches my heart."
"However... Consort Xian is cold-hearted, and Consort Xuan is cautious. If I were to rashly offer them advice, I fear they might misunderstand..."
Consort Kang understood immediately and replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, I understand."
"Although my rank is not as high as that of Consort Xian, I am still free to gossip and chat on a daily basis."
"If I discover anything amiss, or hear any rumors, I will immediately report to Your Highness the Noble Consort."
"If Your Majesty then speaks up at the right time, citing concern for the six palaces and the maintenance of harmony, it will be much more natural."
Consort Zhuang smiled with satisfaction: "Then I'll trouble Consort Kang to keep a close eye on things."
"I knew it. My sister is a sensible person and the most considerate of all."
Consort Kang smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind."
After talking for a while, she got up to take her leave.
When we came out of Changchun Palace, the sun was already setting heavily in the west.
The golden-red afterglow spilled onto the glazed tiles of the palaces, so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.
Consort Kang, supported by Caiju, sat on the palanquin that had been waiting outside the Changchun Palace.
Upon returning to Chuxiu Palace, she waved to dismiss everyone else, leaving only Caiju to serve her.
Caiju glanced at Consort Kang's expression and cautiously began, "...Your Highness, today at Changchun Palace, Consort Gui clearly wanted you to investigate the faults of Consort Xian and Consort Xuan..."
Having served Consort Kang for many years, she was not exceptionally intelligent, but she understood the intricacies of the inner palace.
The Imperial Noble Consort's renewed power grab is most distressing for Consort Zhuang.
The purpose of today's performance at Changchun Palace is self-evident.
Consort Kang sneered, "Zhuang Yumin is unhappy and wants to find something to do, but she doesn't want to get involved herself. So she wants to find an excuse to use my eyes and hands."
"Xiao Cai plays the bad cop, and she plays the good cop; isn't that the gist of their conversation?"
Caiju's face showed disapproval, and she said urgently, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!"
"Everyone in the palace knows that Consort Xian and Consort Xuan are the people of the Imperial Noble Consort. They assist in managing palace affairs and are currently very powerful."
"If you were to find fault with them, wouldn't that...wouldn't that put you on the opposite side of the Imperial Noble Consort?"
"Your Majesty, you and the Imperial Noble Consort in the past..."
They had a period of friendship that wasn't particularly deep, but was harmonious.
In Caiju's opinion, this is already a rare occurrence.
Why provoke the Imperial Noble Consort for the sake of Consort Zhuang?