PFC Chapter 213: The Incident in the Palace
Chapter 213: The Incident in the Palace
In Ruijingxuan, Imperial Concubine Niuhulu was selecting patterns to make autumn clothes, with Concubine Tong accompanying her. Upon hearing the palace servant's report, she put down the pattern book with a look of surprise.
"I actually discovered something like this. Who is that Zixia? How did she get the jewelry given by Concubine Xian?"
The person had already investigated Zixia's identity before coming, and immediately reported it. Concubine Niuhulu took the tea and brushed the tea lid slowly. After listening to it, she suddenly said:
"So she was the personal maid of the concubine's elder sister during the re-selection. Speaking of that concubine, I remembered that some time ago, when Concubine Xian's mother was summoned to Changchun Garden, she only sat in Danning Residence for a while before she couldn't wait to go to the concubine's place and stayed for a long time before leaving. She was really biased and didn't hide it."
As she spoke, an idea flashed through her mind.
"Could it be that because Concubine Xian is jealous of her elder sister for being favored by Madam Shi and can't touch the concubine, she takes the opportunity of distributing the salary to vent her anger on Zixia?"
After saying this, Concubine Nianhulu herself didn't believe it. It sounded impossible.
However, the nobleman Tong put down his teacup and said:
"My lady, it may not be impossible."
Concubine Nianhulu looked over.
"How to say?"
Tong Guiren wiped her mouth elegantly with a handkerchief and began to explain:
"My queen, once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. Even the most lively people will gradually assimilate. No one can maintain the innocence they had before entering the palace. Moreover, we all know that Concubine Xian grew up on a farm. How could she not yearn for maternal love? But now she has become the most favored Concubine Xian in the palace, but Madam Shi still treats her harshly. It's very likely that she is taking her anger out on others."
Noble Concubine Nianhulu narrowed her eyes and had to admit that Noble Lady Tong's analysis made some sense. Regardless of whether this guess was right or not, at least one thing was certain: Concubine Xian ran into trouble as soon as she began to assist in the management of the six palaces, which showed that she was not worthy of being reused.
She can take this opportunity to take back the power of the palace in one fell swoop and make the emperor disappointed in Concubine Xian.
Thinking of this, the smile on Concubine Nianhulu's lips deepened.
"Jingyan, go and invite the emperor and the four concubines Hui, De, Rong and Xian to come over, and tell them that I have something to report."
Jing Yan quickly arranged for several people to invite people separately.
……
At Yunya Pavilion, Concubine Hui also received the news from the Forbidden City. At this time, she was talking to Concubine Liang.
"Your Majesty, do you think the incident at Xinzheku was a coincidence, or did someone take action first?" asked Concubine Liang.
Concubine Hui said in a deep voice:
"This happened suddenly, and I don't know whether it is true or not, but one thing is for sure, this is a good opportunity."
Liangpin heard this and tried to test:
"So our plan is on hold?"
The power in the palace was fixed. The power that was divided by Concubine Nianhulu was divided among the three concubines Hui, De and Rong. They did not want to share the fat meat they had obtained.
However, because of the visit two days ago, the Empress Dowager publicly expressed her support for Concubine Xian to assist in managing the six palaces, so they could only make new plans to hold on to the power in their hands while preventing Concubine Xian from taking power.
So he chose a concubine who had been favored in the early days but fell out of favor after she became pregnant and had a miscarriage.
Although this concubine had fallen out of favor, she was once pregnant, so she was different. The emperor still had feelings for her, and she was seriously ill and lived on her allowance.
If her allowance is deducted and her condition worsens, it will become a problem. Concubine Xian is in charge of distributing the monthly allowance, so she will have to take responsibility, and the Emperor will also be disappointed in her.
Both Defei and Rongfei knew about this matter, and they all tacitly wanted to take back the palace power of Concubine Xian. They worked together to ensure that no one would be able to find any clues. However, they did not expect that an unexpected incident would happen before they took any action.
Concubine Hui was in deep thought.
"Everything that has passed has left its mark. Even the most perfect plan may have omissions. If there is another opportunity, we will naturally abandon it."
At this time, a report came from outside the door:
"Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Niuhulu invites you."
Concubine Hui and Concubine Liang looked at each other.
"Move to Ruijingxuan."
When Concubine De and Concubine Rong received the news, they had similar thoughts as Concubine Hui and also went to Ruijingxuan.
When Shi Nanxi received the news, she was not in Danning Residence. She deliberately dragged Kangxi out to appreciate the flowers today. Although Kangxi didn't know what happened, the imperial concubine would not invite him over for no reason. He said to Shi Nanxi:
“Let’s go and have a look.”
Shi Nanxi smiled and nodded, knowing that she had arrived.
When the two arrived at Ruijingxuan, the three concubines of Hui Derong had already arrived. After each of them bowed, the host and the guest took their seats.
Kangxi sat at the top, glanced at the other concubines present, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at Concubine Nianhulu.
"My Lady, what happened?"
Concubine Nianhulu glanced at Concubine Xian who was sitting below her, then looked at the Emperor tenderly.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry to bother you. I just received a message from the Forbidden City. That message concerns Sister Concubine Xian, so I invited you and all the sisters to come here."
Kangxi stroked the jade ring, and his tone showed no emotion.
"Is it about Concubine Xian?"
Noble Concubine Nianhulu relayed the news to the Emperor, and then looked at Concubine Hui and the other two.
"I guess my three sisters have also received the news?"
Concubine Hui put down the tea bowl.
"I have indeed heard something."
Concubine Rong and Concubine De also nodded.
"Sister Xian is new to the throne, so there may be some minor mistakes at first. I heard that a maid named Azao who was with Zixia at the time was frightened and actually ran to call the steward, making a big fuss. Although I am not in power, I am also worried about damaging Sister Xian's reputation, so I invited the emperor and all the sisters here."
Concubine Niohuru’s kind explanation.
Shi Nanxi and Kangxi were enjoying the flowers and did not receive the news. When they heard it, they were surprised and nervous and clenched their handkerchiefs tightly.
"How could this happen? The allowances were distributed according to the rules, how could they be deducted? And Zixia?"
She frowned and said:
"She was my eldest sister's personal maid during the re-election period. She also had contact with me when she was serving my eldest sister, so we have some friendship. Is she okay now?"
Imperial Concubine Nianhulu covered the sarcasm at the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. If they were friends, then why didn't she lend a hand when the other person was sent to the Xinzheku? Even if he wasn't transferred to the Chuxiu Palace, at least he should have been given a better job.
Now you are pretending to be hypocritical.
His face was heavy as he said:
"When Zixia was arguing with someone, that person accidentally broke the bracelet you gave her. She tried to save it but ended up cutting her hand. Fortunately, she received timely treatment and was not seriously injured. However, her share of allowance was deducted and her bracelet was broken. She had no money to treat her brother's illness. Now she is heartbroken and in great pain."
She paused and then said:
"This incident spread throughout the harem, and many palace maids sympathized with her."
The room fell silent.
This incident was neither big nor small, but it had a great impact on Shi Nanxi's reputation. She had just come to power and she was involved in an incident of withholding allowances, and the victim was a palace maid with whom she had some friendship, which resulted in a palace maid being unable to treat her family.
Greed, cold-bloodedness, incompetence, these labels will be put on Shi Nanxi.
Kangxi remained silent and did not say whether the matter of withholding the allowance was true or not, but he already knew the purpose of the imperial concubine's invitation, and he wanted to make a big deal out of it.
He glanced at the frowning little girl. If it was something else, he might not be 100% sure, but he absolutely did not believe that the little girl would deduct her share.
Not to mention her kind-hearted nature, just talking about money, Mrs. Shi was unreliable. She only subsidized the eldest daughter. Once she subsidized him, he doubled the amount to give to the younger girl.
The girl doesn't lack money at all, so why would she deduct her share as soon as she came to power?
What is she missing?