Empress Xiao Zhaoren in Qing Dynasty

Chapter 36

She didn't pay much attention to Rong Huang not because she was stupid, but because Concubine Rong lived a new life and thought she knew enough about Concubine Zhao.In the previous life, the three queens all died under her hands, so when she faced Hesheli, Niu Hulu, and Tong Shi, the three defeated generals, Concubine Rong unconsciously took some contempt for them .

She still thinks that Rong Huang is the short-sighted, arrogant and domineering Niu Hulu family in her previous life, so she naturally doesn't take too much attention to Rong Huang who is "beautiful but not wise".All she valued was Niu Hulu's identity. In Concubine Rong's eyes, Rong Huang would be nothing if she took off Niu Hulu's coat.

It's a pity that she forgets to count herself after all the calculations.Why didn't she think that since her concubine Rong is no longer the concubine Rong before, why must Concubine Zhao be the concubine Zhao from before?
Sometimes having too much information becomes a burden.

So when Rong Huang solemnly reported the "truth" about Concubine Yi's falling into the water to the Empress Dowager, Concubine Rong was completely stunned.

"Concubine Rong has confessed to my concubine just now that it was indeed Concubine Yi who she asked to go to Fubi Lake that day. But unlike the rumors in the palace, Concubine Rong was not pushed into the water by Concubine Rong." Rong Huang said here intentionally Pausing for a while, he turned his head to look at Concubine Rong, and said softly, "Concubine Rong, is what I said right?"

Concubine Rong naturally nodded frequently.

Rong Huang smiled triumphantly in her heart, turned her head and continued in a serious manner: "The concubine also asked sister Yipin. At that time, concubine Rong was taking care of the elder brother in the floating jade pavilion, and it was impossible to push her into the water. The concubine has been looking for her again these days. A lot of passing palace people came to inquire, and they roughly clarified the truth of the matter - it was an accident that Yipin's younger sister fell into the water. At that time, her maid Xiulan went to fetch the cloak for her master, and she was not there. Those who were with Yipin There is only one person, and that is Concubine Rong's personal maid—Shiqi."

Xiao Zhuang listened carefully to Rong Huang's words, until she finished the last word, the Empress Dowager opened her lips leisurely: "Then according to Concubine Zhao, how should this matter be handled?"

Rong Huang pursed her lips, and said calmly: "It's nothing more than two points: rewards for meritorious deeds and punishment for crimes. First, sister Yipin fell into the water innocently on the first day she entered the palace. She kept her mouth shut and insisted that it was an accident. It has saved a lot of gossip that is not conducive to the royal family, thus avoiding some wolf-minded people in the harem from making troubles. Under the name of a concubine, this will save the palace people of Chengqian Palace from being disinterested. In addition, seeing that the sky is getting cold, the House of Internal Affairs should reward Concubine Yi with some silver charcoal and clothes to keep out the cold. The medicinal materials are also doing their best. Take care It’s to make up for her.”

Rong Huang's caring and loving care for Concubine Yi obviously exceeded the Empress Dowager's expectation, she nodded in satisfaction, "Then what about the second one?"

"Secondly, although the court lady Shiqi is not the maid of Yipin's younger sister, nor did she push Yipin into the water, but Yipin is the master, and she is a servant. It is a fact that Shiqi is not strong enough to protect the master..." She deliberately slowed down her speech, Glancing at Concubine Rong from the corner of the eye, she really found that her complexion was no longer pretty.Rong Huang retracted his eyes without any trace, his eyes flickered slightly, and he seemed to be thinking: "Well, as the saying goes...it depends on the owner to beat a dog. Concubine Rong is also the eldest brother's biological daughter-in-law, if the punishment is too severe It seems that Concubine Rong is not very good-looking?"

The Empress Dowager snorted softly, and said suddenly: "Concubine Zhao is a little younger after all. As you said, you should be rewarded for meritorious deeds and punished for demerits. Elder brother's biological mother, just let this matter go so lightly? It's okay if this matter doesn't get out, once the Tong family finds out that the girl fell into the lake and fell ill, but the maid next to her is perfectly fine , wouldn’t this make the courtiers feel bad for our Aixinjueluo family? I want the Ai family to say that it would be good for such a useless slave to spare her life! Send her to Xinzheku as a slave!”

Rong Huang lowered his head and seemed to be respectfully listening to the empress dowager's lesson, but actually he was secretly laughing.

In fact, how could Rong Huang not think of what Xiao Zhuang said?She just made a trick on purpose, and wanted to speak out through the mouth of the empress dowager.Xiao Zhuang just refuted Rong Huang on the surface, but in fact, he made Concubine Rong lose face in the harem. It was like telling her clearly that she should not think that she is the biological mother of the eldest son of the emperor. It doesn't count at all.

Sure enough, just like what Rong Huang had thought before, Concubine Rong's face turned even paler when Xiao Zhuang lowered his face.She lived in vain, and she was still trembling slightly!

Kangxi had just been sitting on the sidelines playing with the Longhua collar hanging down from Ronghuang's knot. At this moment, he couldn't help interjecting: "The emperor's mama is right. Concubine Rong is also a sensible person. It is not wrong to punish a court lady." What a big deal, Concubine Rong has no objection, right?"

When Concubine Rong saw that Kangxi had said that, she felt even more distressed.But now she is in a completely passive position, and she can only hold back her heartache and nod her head.You must know that Shiqi is not only her dowry girl, her personal maid, but also a key person responsible for collecting information for her!After being sent to Xinzheku all of a sudden, and unable to blatantly transfer her back for a while, Concubine Rong can be said to have lost her left hand and right arm, and her heart is bleeding.

Only at this time did she realize that she was being bullied by Rong Huang.She originally thought that Concubine Zhao asked her to meet at Fubi Lake, but she just didn't want to condescend to be called to Zhongcui Palace by her.Later, it was discovered that Concubine Zhao mentioned the matter of Concubine Yi, and she only thought that Concubine Zhao was investigating the matter.It wasn't until the two went to the Palace of Compassion and Empress Dowager together that the Empress Dowager distributed poetry and chess, that Concubine Rong finally understood the real purpose of Rong Huang asking her to come together.

Rong Huang was trying to create an illusion for the Empress Dowager, that is, since Concubine Zhao came with Concubine Rong, what Concubine Zhao said was Concubine Rong's own meaning, so Xiaozhuang just needs to follow the trend... But Concubine Rong never agreed with Concubine Zhao's punishment of Shiqi before!

But by the time Concubine Rong realized it, it was already too late.It was a fact that Shiqi was by the lake when Concubine Yi had an accident, or a fact that she had just admitted to Concubine Zhao herself.Because Concubine Zhao just mentioned that maid in passing, so Concubine Rong didn't take it seriously, and never thought that Rong Huang wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of her confidant.

Now it's all right, Concubine Zhao can be said to kill three birds with one stone.Not only catered to the empress dowager's mind, but also attracted concubine Yi, and even got rid of Concubine Rong's confidants!

The old and new grudges were added together, and Concubine Rong's eyes turned red all of a sudden.She is not so easy to deal with!Since you make me unhappy, I will definitely not make you Niu Hulu feel better!
Concubine Rong was impatient.

What Rong Huang wanted was for Concubine Rong to be impatient.Because no matter what the truth is about Concubine Yi's falling into the water, the dust has settled at this point, and it's time for the Empress Dowager to decide who to hand over the power of palace affairs.

Anxiety leads to chaos, and if Concubine Rong is in a hurry, it is very likely that she will be irrational at this moment.

Sure enough, as Rong Huang expected, the Empress Dowager suddenly changed the subject and sighed: "Ai's family is getting old, and I can't cope with these trivial matters."

Concubine Rong is the best at speaking beautiful words. In order to win back the game in front of the Empress Dowager, she hastened to flatter her: "Where did the Empress Dowager say this? This concubine has been thinking about it for three years since entering the palace. How about going backwards? If time doesn’t go backwards, how come our ancestors are getting younger and younger?”

This was so flattering that even Rong Huang couldn't help laughing, it was just a sneer.

Xiao Zhuang is a person who has seen big storms, so he naturally wouldn't take these jokes seriously.She showed a little smile cooperatively, shook her head and said: "Young girl Rong is the most glib, the Ai family can't be trusted with your mouth." These words revealed a trace of intimacy, it was Xiaozhuang's intention to save some face for Concubine Rong.

Rong Huang couldn't help but sigh in his heart when he saw it, the Empress Dowager attached too much importance to the way of check and balance.No matter whether it is the front court or the harem, she will not allow anyone to break the balance she has set.

If Rong Huang wanted to stand out in the harem, he had to pass the test of the Empress Dowager first...

What should be done to make Xiao Zhuang willingly break this balance?

Rong Huang was contemplating, and only heard Xiao Zhuang's words in his ears: "Anyway, the Ai family is tired after worrying about it for so many years, and now I just want to live in peace and quiet. Your mother-in-law can't handle it alone, empress It's another lingering sick bed, this harem should have someone who can worry about it."

Rong Huang didn't speak, and there was no expression fluctuation on her face, but Kangxi who was sitting by the side suddenly squeezed her hand.When Rong Huang raised his head, he saw a pair of smiling eyes.

She understood immediately.Xiaozhuang must have communicated with Xuanye in advance, telling him that it was Hesheli who shot himself in the foot, and it had nothing to do with Ronghuang.

So the empress dowager and the emperor had already discussed to distribute the power of the harem to Rong Huang.

She involuntarily turned her head to look at Concubine Rong.I saw Concubine Rong smiling, as if she didn't care about Xiao Zhuang's words at all.It's just that those seemingly clear eyes hide a gleam of light in their eyes.

Even Rong Huang couldn't hide this little thought, let alone escape the eyes of the Empress Dowager.

After deliberately pausing for a while, Xiao Zhuang Fang continued: "It just so happens that you are all here today. This matter was settled by the Ai family and the Queen Mother yesterday. I thought I would call you over these two days, but it was a coincidence , all without invitation.”

(End of this chapter)