Rong Fei is not honored

Chapter 705 Picking the Fruit

"Although Qiqige was disobedient back then, she clearly stated that she was unwilling. But you, you are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, and now you still have the nerve to beg me!"

Didn't I ask you before if you wanted to raise Uya's child? What did you say to me then? You said you could give birth to your own child and didn't want to raise someone else's child.

What, you've changed your mind in such a short time? Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You just think that the children of the Uya clan are of low birth, not favored, and don't bring enough benefits.

But have you considered this: Sainchahun has always been spoiled by his imperial father. Even if you could truly defeat Consort Rong, would the Emperor place his beloved son under someone as unfavored as you?

“It depends on human effort. The Empress is seriously ill, and Consort Tong and Consort Rong have always been at odds. Among the concubines, who is more suitable than me? Moreover, Saiyinchahun has been raised in Shou Kang Palace since childhood, so she is naturally closer to me.”

"So that's what you were planning, huh! Sainchahun is nine years old this year and has already moved to the Southern Third Palace. Even if he lost his mother, he still has me and the Empress Dowager to take care of him. Does a nominal mother really matter?"

The Empress Dowager made it very clear that even if Sainchahun really lost his mother, Kangxi would most likely not find him a new mother. However, the younger children under Consort Rong's care would still have a chance.

Helpless, Consort Shen believed that the Empress Dowager's rejection of her was because she did not want her to reap the rewards of her and the Empress Dowager's achievements. Filled with resentment, she could not understand the Empress Dowager's implication.

Seeing Naren's unwilling expression, the Empress Dowager knew that the other party had not understood the meaning of her words at all. However, she had long suspected that there were Kangxi's people in Cining Palace, so she could not speak too clearly.

Her grandniece used to seem quite clever, but compared to Consort Rong, she paled in comparison. But perhaps this is a common flaw in clever people—they all think too highly of themselves and fail to see their own place and situation clearly.

Although she knew that Naren was unlikely to listen, the Empress Dowager still wanted to try again.

"Didn't you say before that the Emperor no longer objected because of your status and was willing to favor you? Then serve the Emperor wholeheartedly and don't think about taking shortcuts."

Although your looks are not as good as Consort Rong's, in this palace, beauty is the least worthwhile weapon. Look at Consort Tong, how foolish she was before, squandering a good hand, but now she has become enlightened.

On the contrary, you are becoming increasingly confused.

I told you before not to go to Cining Palace so often, but you just ignored me. I'm not deaf or blind. How could I not know what's going on in the palace? Do I need you to bring me news? Actually, the Empress Dowager made it very clear that she wanted Naren to focus on vying for the Emperor's favor and to go to Cining Palace less often.

The last incident involved the Crown Prince, and this time it involves Consort Rong. Why is Cining Palace turning a blind eye? Is it because they don't know? It's just that the Empress Dowager doesn't want to get involved. But Consort Shen is so eager to tell her.

Would it be useful to tell her? Could she declare to the world that the Crown Prince is immoral and strive to depose him, or could she disregard the Emperor and several princes like Saiyinchahun and directly execute Consort Rong, this major threat?

Unless the Empress Dowager is willing to completely break off relations and disregard the fate of Uyunna, Khorchin, and other people connected to her after her death, Naren's goal will be impossible to achieve.

Especially Naren's attitude; she would always be obedient and compliant in front of her, but would turn around and do whatever she wanted. How could the Empress Dowager not be angry?

Since reasoning was useless, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to "turn her back".

She thought that even if Naren didn't understand her good intentions, as long as she obeyed, she could always find a way to survive. Once she got what she wanted, even if Naren was unhappy with her harsh words today, she would understand.

After all, Naren is a smart child. Even if she gets stuck on a particular point for a moment, she can always figure out what's important and what's not.

Consort Shen slunk out of Cining Palace, her unease vanishing without a trace, replaced by gloom and resentment.

The old nanny beside Consort Shen supported her mistress with heartache, and couldn't help but complain, "The Empress Dowager is still family, how could she treat her like this..."

"Shut up! How dare you judge the Empress Dowager's actions?"

Although Consort Shen scolded the nanny beside her, she knew very well that her great-aunt had been away from Khorchin for too long and no longer considered them family.

She is now the Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty, and her wealth, honor, and disgrace all depend on her grandson. Naturally, she is wholeheartedly devoted to the Emperor. As for others, even the Empress Dowager and Sumalagu are probably more important to her than her relatives on the grasslands.

That makes sense, considering he is the supreme ruler of the Qing Dynasty, the most powerful person in the world. If it were her, she would also be willing to abandon all unimportant people and things to win the emperor's favor.

When Consort Shen returned to Chengqian Palace, she found Consort Tong already waiting for her in the main hall. Having no other choice, and wanting only to return and compose herself, Consort Shen could only obediently obey the summons to the main hall, given her lower rank.

"I used to think my sister was a sensible person, but now I see she's far too muddle-headed. His Majesty has always disliked the concubines disturbing the Empress Dowager's recuperation, but you, on the other hand, go there every few days."

"Considering your filial piety, I have never held it against you. But this time you have gone too far, daring to speak so presumptuously and fabricate stories about Consort Rong!"

"How could I have..." Consort Shen hurriedly defended herself.

Although she was indeed talkative, everything she said was true, without any embellishment. Besides, seeing that Consort Tong was up to no good, even if she had done it, she couldn't admit it.

Consort Tong interrupted Consort Shen's rebuttal, saying, "Do you think everyone is a fool? You just went to Cining Palace, and Consort Rong was summoned by the Empress Dowager. Don't tell me this is just a coincidence."

"If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext." Consort Shen didn't believe it. As long as she stubbornly refused to admit it, what could Consort Tong do to her?

"From this day forward, you shall reflect upon your actions in your own palace. Without my permission, you shall not step out."

"How dare you!" Everyone knows about the widely publicized natural disaster. She is locked up in the palace and cannot leave. It's no different from courting death.

"As the head of Chengqian Palace, I have the authority to discipline the unruly concubines in the palace." Consort Tong completely disregarded Consort Shen's threat, her eyes filled with malice.

She had put up with Consort Shen for a long time, and now that she finally had a chance to deal with her openly, how could she let it slip by? If Consort Shen really did perish in the natural disaster, then it was her fate.

What does it have to do with her? How could a shallow-minded woman from the inner palace know that the natural disaster was real? How could a jealous, reckless, and narrow-minded person think about things so far in the future?

"Aren't you afraid of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty...?"

Consort Tong couldn't help but laugh out loud.