Phi-Fic Chapter 34 Consort An
Chapter 34 Consort An
While Pei Rujing was playing mahjong with Zuo Mingxuan and the others at the mansion, the eldest princess had already dressed in her palace attire and entered the palace with an air of elegance and nobility, heading straight for the Phoenix Palace where the empress resided.
Phoenix Palace
Today was a rare fine day, and the Empress, knowing that the Princess would be coming, had been waiting for her.
Upon seeing the eldest princess, the Empress jokingly asked, "Eldest sister, who are you going to fight?"
The princess was in such a whirlwind of a mood that it was obvious to everyone that she was in a bad mood.
The eldest princess sneered, "Empress, Jing'er has been bullied. As her aunt, you can't just stand by and do nothing."
The Empress knew it was related to Pei Rujing: "Who in the entire capital dares to bully Anhe?"
The Empress had watched her niece's temper grow up; she would immediately seek revenge if she was bullied or wronged.
"Who else could it be? The fourth young lady of the Duke of Anguo's mansion! The two of them bumped into each other at Yunxiu Workshop yesterday, and before anything even happened, the fourth young lady of the An family mocked Jing'er for marrying a son of a marquis's concubine, saying that her future days would not be good."
"The Empress knew Jing'er's temper. She couldn't bear this grievance. After returning, she cried bitterly and insisted that her second brother avenge her. It took me a long time to calm her down."
The eldest princess's face was full of heartache: "Jing'er suffered in this marriage. The child was afraid I'd worry, so she dared not show it in front of me. But a mother's heart is connected to her daughter's; how could I not know her grievances? How bitter must Jing'er be inside, mocking her like that to her face!"
"How could the Duke of Anguo's family be so bad at raising their daughters!" The Empress paused, "Elder sister, this matter is ultimately just a quarrel between two young girls. If I were to intervene, it would inevitably be seen as bullying the younger ones."
The eldest princess said, "How could I possibly put the Empress in a difficult position!"
Her eyes turned cold: "With such a lack of manners, Consort An, as her aunt, cannot escape any responsibility."
The Empress understood.
The eldest princess wanted to use her status as the empress to teach Consort An a lesson.
The Empress did not refuse: "Go and invite Consort An over."
The palace maid beside him responded and left.
The eldest princess sat at the lower end of the table: "Empress, you must not let Consort An off so easily."
The Empress nodded: "Elder sister, rest assured. I am naturally distressed that Anhe has been wronged."
Putting everything else aside!
The eldest princess has always respected the empress's status as the head of the inner palace. Even though she and Emperor Shun'an were close siblings, she never interfered in palace affairs without permission.
Everyone carries the beautiful sedan chair!
The eldest princess respected the empress, and the empress was naturally willing to give the eldest princess face in return.
Yunquan Palace is not close to Fengyi Palace.
After one incense stick
When Consort An arrived at Fengyi Palace and saw that the Eldest Princess was also there, a hint of unease flashed in her charming phoenix eyes.
She walked to the center of the main hall, curtsied, and said, "This humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be well."
The Empress seemed not to see her and continued chatting with the Princess.
From cosmetics and face powder to clothing and jewelry, women always seem to have similar topics of conversation.
Consort An gritted her teeth inwardly, knowing that her unease had come true.
The eldest princess's visit is ill-intentioned!
Even so, there was nothing she could do. The Empress naturally had the upper hand over her, and even though she was a favored concubine in the palace, she still had to abide by the rules of the harem.
But Consort An was not one to suffer losses, so she gave a wink to the people around her.
A short while later, a young eunuch from Yunquan Palace who was waiting outside Fengyi Palace quietly left.
The people of Fengyi Palace naturally saw this, but no one stopped them.
Linhua Palace
Emperor Shun'an, dressed in casual clothes, sat upright behind his desk, handling memorials. His brows furrowed and relaxed intermittently, exuding a powerful monarchical aura. The palace servants serving in the hall dared not even breathe loudly, all respectfully waiting for Emperor Shun'an's instructions.
At this moment, a young eunuch tiptoed in and looked at Zhou Wangliang, the chief eunuch serving Emperor Shun'an, as if he had something to say.
Zhou Wangliang walked down the steps.
The young eunuch leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Emperor Shun'an, behind his desk, asked, "What is it?"
The voice was calm and even, yet it made the little eunuch tremble with fear.
Zhou Wangliang waved for the eunuch to leave before returning to Emperor Shun'an's side and whispering, "The palace servants from Yunquan Palace have come to ask for help. They say that Her Majesty the Empress summoned Consort An to Fengyi Palace. After Consort An paid her respects, Her Majesty the Empress refused to let her rise, seemingly making things difficult for her."
To be honest, such a minor incident shouldn't have been brought before Emperor Shun'an.
But everyone knows this is just the beginning!
This alone wouldn't vent the anger of the eldest princess, nor would it be the proper demeanor of the empress.
Emperor Shun'an put down his memorial: "I remember my elder sister sent a letter to the palace yesterday?"
Nothing in the palace could be kept from Emperor Shun'an if he wanted to know it.
Zhou Wangliang said, "The Eldest Princess is currently in Fengyi Palace."
Emperor Shun'an picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Tell me, what happened?"
Zhou Wangliang then recounted the argument between Pei Rujing and An Qingyan from the previous day: "The county princess suffered an injustice, and it's no wonder the eldest princess felt resentful."
Emperor Shun'an's gaze darkened slightly: "What a fine daughter the Duke of Anguo has raised! First he failed to manage his subordinates properly, and now he has failed to educate his daughter. This is the Nine Gates Commander I have entrusted with such an important task!"
"Send the palace servants of Yunquan Palace back!"
"The Empress is the head of the inner palace, and all matters of the harem are decided by her. Tell him to convey to Consort An that she should strictly adhere to the duties of a concubine and not overstep her bounds!"
"Yes."
A eunuch immediately went out of the hall.
"Jing'er has always been proud and arrogant. She must be feeling extremely wronged after being humiliated like this."
Zhou Wangliang immediately said, "The county princess returned to the Princess's residence and cried for a long time."
Emperor Shun'an sighed, "Select some novelties from the small countries below and send them to Jing'er to cheer her up."
"Yes, sir."
"Is her husband taking the imperial examination next year?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Emperor Shun'an seemed to be asking casually and continued processing the memorials.
On the other side, Fengyi Palace
Consort An, having waited in vain for news from Emperor Shun'an, knew she couldn't escape this calamity. A shadow of gloom flashed in her eyes, and she knelt on the ground, bowing deeply: "What wrong have I committed? Please, Your Majesty, tell me."
The Empress glanced at her indifferently: "I heard that Jing and I were playing in the Imperial Garden a few days ago and almost fell into the water?"
Consort An said, "It was the negligence of the palace servants, and I have already punished them."
"As a concubine, you should properly educate the princes and princesses. Hejing is already seven years old, and yet she still made such a mistake. It's clear that the palace servants haven't been diligent. Is it because you, Consort An, haven't taken Hejing seriously?"
Consort An's expression changed drastically: "Your Majesty, please understand! I have always doted on Hejing. She is my daughter, whom I carried for ten months before giving birth to. How could I not care for her!"
This is the truth!
Everyone in the palace knows that Consort An dotes on Princess Hejing like the apple of her eye.
But if the Empress wants to take this opportunity to lash out, she won't believe Consort An's explanation.
"I only saw that Hejing almost fell into the water. His Majesty has only two daughters, Changning and Hejing, and he cares for them very much. As her legal mother, I naturally have to ensure her safety."
"From this day forward, Hejing will be brought to Fengyi Palace and will be personally cared for by me!"
"Your Majesty, I disagree!"
Princess Hejing was Consort An's darling, and Consort An dared not entrust her to the Empress's care.
The Empress said coldly, "Consort An, this is an order!"
The Empress holds the Phoenix Seal, and everyone in the harem must obey her orders.
It was no use for Consort An to disagree.
The Empress waved for Consort An to leave, and seeing her distraught appearance, she said meaningfully, "Consort An, I did this for Jinghao, to prevent her from causing trouble in the future due to improper upbringing."
Consort An's eyes flickered slightly.