inspire-indiana Chapter 212 The time has come for the Queen Mother to help
Chapter 212 The time has come for the Queen Mother to help
"Since Sister Xianfei has a rosy complexion recently, I think she is doing well. Congratulations, Sister."
The one who was speaking was Concubine Xi. She had not been there since she last went to Danningju under the pretext of asking for tea. However, she would chat with Shi Nanxi when she met her during her daily greetings. Occasionally, when Shi Nanxi took Xixi out for a walk, she would also talk to her.
The relationship between the two has always been indifferent, but they can still talk to each other.
At this time, a smile appeared on Shi Nanxi's face.
"Thank you for your concern, Sister Xipin. I am indeed feeling better recently."
The concubines present looked around at the two of them.
Concubine Xi is from the prince's mother's family and is a staunch supporter of the prince. However, Concubine Xian was once framed by Concubine Ping, who was from the prince's side. Now Concubine Xi is suddenly close to Concubine Xian. Could it be that the prince's mother's family is trying to win over Concubine Xian?
Among all the concubines, Concubine Hui felt heavy-hearted. As the prince grew up, the emperor became more and more dependent on him. If the emperor's favorite Concubine Xian was also won over to the prince's side, the eldest prince's situation would become increasingly difficult.
She suppressed the solemnity in her heart and said with a smile:
"It would be great if Concubine Xian can recover. I've been trying to familiarize myself with palace affairs recently. I wonder how you're doing? You can't just focus on palace affairs. Getting well is the most important thing. There hasn't been any good news in the palace for a long time. If you can give birth to a prince or princess for the emperor, it would be a great joy."
He looked at Concubine Xi inquiringly:
"Sister Xipin, don't you think so?"
Concubine Xi glanced at Concubine Hui and was well aware of Concubine Hui's provocation, but her brows were still charming and attractive.
"Sister Huifei is right. Sister Xianfei is at the right age and the emperor loves her very much. It would be great if she could give the crown prince and the eldest prince a little brother."
Concubine Hui's expression remained unchanged, but her eyes deepened.
There were profound words for Concubine Hui and the other concubine.
Shi Nanxi seemed not to hear it.
She pursed her lips shyly:
"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Huifei and Sister Xipin. I am not in good health, and I am grateful to the excellent medical skills of Liu Yuanpan for his proper treatment. However, my physical condition is not as good as others, so I still need to take more care of myself. It will be a great honor if I can give birth to a child for His Majesty in the future."
After hearing this, everyone believed it to about 70%.
It is true that Empress Xian has been frail since childhood. Even if she is well, her foundation is definitely not as good as that of an ordinary person. In addition, she was drugged with musk last month, so it is indeed more difficult for her to conceive an heir to the throne than for an ordinary person.
She has not been the only favorite in the palace and no good news has been heard since then.
"My sister has always been blessed, and with the emperor's favor, she will surely give birth to an heir for the emperor soon."
Concubine Hui comforted her and the others followed suit by saying some polite words.
The Empress Dowager had been listening to the concubines talking. She was the only one present who knew the truth from the Emperor: Concubine Xian would not be able to get pregnant in the next one or two years.
She turned her Buddhist beads and looked down at Concubine Xian, who seemed to be well behaved and unable to see how sad she was. However, she felt a little reluctant.
"There is no need to rush for an heir, Concubine Xian. It is still most important to take care of your body. Once you have recovered, an heir will come naturally. If there is anything you don't understand about palace affairs, you can send someone to ask Madam Hu. She has helped me manage the harem before, and she managed it very well."
The hall suddenly became quiet.
No one expected that the Empress Dowager would suddenly help Concubine Xian. Everyone knew that the Empress Dowager was quite wary of Concubine Xian. She did not make things difficult for Concubine Xian, but her coldness showed her magnanimity.
Shi Nanxi was also surprised. She was stunned for a moment, then she immediately stood up and bowed to the Empress Dowager:
"Thank you, Queen Mother. I have been worried about palace affairs recently and was thinking about who to ask for advice. Now that Madam Hu is here, I am afraid that I will disturb the Queen Mother's peace more often in the future."
As he spoke, he bowed to Madam Hu beside the Empress Dowager. Madam Hu immediately moved away, bowed respectfully, and said in a businesslike manner:
"Empress Xian, you are embarrassing me."
The greetings were soon over, and the concubines withdrew one by one according to their status. When Concubine Nianhulu left Shouchun Yong, her face sank.
She had originally planned to take advantage of the fact that Concubine Xian had no foundation in the palace, and to set a trap for her while she was unfamiliar with palace affairs, in order to take back the palace power. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager suddenly offered to help.
The noble lady beside him knew what Concubine Niuhulu was thinking, and she lowered her voice and said:
"My lady, you don't need to be too angry. You are not the most anxious person right now."
As she said this, she gave a subtle wink to the back.
When Concubine Nianhulu looked back, she saw Hui Derong and the other two. She had dealt with them for many years and she could tell at a glance that they were not in a good mood.
He immediately understood, regained his composure, retracted his gaze and said:
"You are right. I am not the most anxious person right now."
As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes and thought of something.
"Have someone keep a close eye on Concubine Wang. I think there will be some movement soon. Then we will help her to add fuel to the fire."
The three concubines Hui, De and Rong were indeed in a heavy mood at the moment. The emperor suddenly asked Concubine Xian to assist in managing the six palaces, which caught them off guard. They could only temporarily delay Concubine Xian under the excuse of being familiar with palace affairs.
Fortunately, Concubine Xian did not wait to interfere in the palace affairs, but familiarized herself with them honestly every day.
However, they didn't expect that just when they were preparing to make a plan for Concubine Xian to return the palace power, the Empress Dowager suddenly offered to help. It was really unexpected, and they had to make long-term plans.
The Empress Dowager's sudden help surprised the other concubines. Shi Nanxi herself was also surprised, but she roughly knew the reason.
"Your Majesty, why did the Empress Dowager suddenly help you today? Doesn't she dislike you? But with Madam Hu, you have someone to ask if there is anything you don't understand about palace affairs." Although Hongying was puzzled, she was still very happy.
Shi Nanxi is calm and composed.
She taught Hongying:
"The Queen Mother's support does not lie in the teachings of Madam Hu, but in her recognition of my power. With the Queen Mother's endorsement, my path to power will be much smoother. This is the real support."
Hongying sighed when she heard this:
"I see. The Queen Mother is truly kind and generous. But it is because you are such a good person that the Queen Mother changed her dislike for you at the beginning to support you now."
Shi Nanxi smiled. The Empress Dowager was moved by Kangxi's pity and helped her. But even so, she still remembered this favor because she thought that the Empress Dowager liked to watch plays.
Many plays she had watched in her previous life suddenly emerged in her mind, but when she thought of a time traveler named Shi Rongyue, she suppressed the thought. Modern plays were not easy to expose, and there were many other plays about the Qing Dynasty.
She would wait until the palace power was stabilized before whipping him. She calmed down her thoughts, turned her head to look in the direction of the palace, and suddenly raised the corner of her lips:
"The right time, right place, and right people have all come together. Tell Zixia and the others that the time has come."
Hongying and Nanny Yang looked at each other and immediately obeyed the order.
With the endorsement of the Empress Dowager, Shi Nanxi transitioned from familiarizing herself with palace affairs in the account books to formally managing her own responsibilities the next day.
She took over two parts of the palace power that was divided from Concubine Nianhulu: paying monthly salaries to concubines, and also being responsible for managing the etiquette of the concubines.
The affairs of the two palaces were neither big nor small, and the monthly salary was paid by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She only needed to be responsible for reviewing it. Etiquette was the top priority in the palace rules, and the concubines would abide by them on the surface.
Apart from a little extra money from the monthly salary, the palace rules and etiquette would only offend people. Shi Nanxi did not despise them, nor did she express dissatisfaction, and took over the palace affairs conscientiously.
Within two days, it was the middle of the month, the time for distributing salaries. The steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs submitted the regulations early in the morning. Shi Nanxi went through them and found no problems with the regulations. He took the account book and checked it carefully, and found no problems on the books either.
She said to the steward below:
"No problem, the Ministry of Internal Affairs can just follow the regulations."
The steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs bowed and nodded:
"Yes, I take the order."
After the steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs left, Madam Yang came in and reported in a low voice:
"My queen, Zixia and the others have taken action."
Shi Nanxi immediately curled the corners of her mouth.
紫禁城
"You said that a maid in Xinzheku had her monthly salary withheld, so she asked someone to sell her jewelry to pay for her brother's medical treatment outside the palace, but it attracted greed, and when the two of them were fighting over it, they revealed that the stolen jewelry was a reward from Concubine Xian?"
Concubine Guo Luoluo put down the teacup.
Qiaohui's eyes were full of calculation.
"Yes, my lady, the opportunity has come."
However, after pondering for a moment, Concubine Guo Luoluo slowly smiled and looked towards the direction of Changchun Garden.
"No, let's not move and wait to reap the benefits."
At the same time, Changchunyuan also received the news.