Rong Fei is not honored

Chapter 615 Leading by Example

The atmosphere in the hall became too serious for a moment, so Consort Yi spoke up to ease the tension:

"Fortunately, Her Majesty the Empress is blessed by Heaven, which brought the problem to the surface so quickly. Now that we know the crux of the matter, how can we not find a solution?"

Imperial Physician Liu nodded and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to help you recover."

Upon hearing this, both Emperor Kangxi and Empress Niohuru breathed a sigh of relief. The latter was relieved that he could still be saved, while the former was relieved that he would not lose his wife for the second time.

If Empress Niohuru were to die, it would have a huge impact on him and the entire harem.

Consort Hui pursed her lips. This Guo Luoluo clanswoman is quite "lively" now. Before, when Kangxi was not around, she rarely spoke.

Now, if he speaks up now, it's either to show off in front of Emperor Kangxi, or he has other motives.

"His Majesty's affection for the Empress is making us all envious, Consort Rong, don't you think so?"

Consort Rong glanced at Consort Yi. Was she... also getting restless?

"Harmony between the Emperor and Empress is a blessing for the Qing Dynasty."

Ji Nai didn't say whether he envied or not, only that it was a blessing for the Qing Dynasty, and no one could find fault with it.

Consort Yi is currently the most favored concubine in the palace. As for the Empress, everyone knows how the Emperor treats her.

She was joking when she said that, and she was also flattering the Empress, or perhaps even flirting with the Emperor.

However, while Consort Yi could speak freely, Ji Nai found it difficult to respond.

Ji Nai was once a favored concubine, but now she has fallen out of favor. Is she envious of the Emperor's attention to the Empress? Is it envy, or jealousy?

Seeing that Consort Rong hadn't fallen into the trap she had set, Consort Yi wasn't disappointed. Consort Rong was no ordinary person; she had climbed to her current position, remained favored for many years, and safely given birth to five sons and one daughter.

Isn't there still Consort Tongjia?

If the Empress were just suffering from a minor illness, it would be fine, but now that we know her condition is so serious, it's hard not to wonder: if no one had paid attention and the Emperor hadn't been alerted, would the Empress have died from this illness?

Now that the Empress is gone, who is the closest to that position? How could Consort Tongjia, who once missed out on the throne, not resent Consort Rong and Consort Hui for revealing this matter?

These two were the first to show concern for the matter and to make a fuss about the Empress's illness.

Whether they were sincere or flattering and hypocritical, they were the ones who caused trouble. With old and new grudges combined, how could Consort Tongjia not do something?

Unexpectedly, Consort Tongjia, whom everyone thought would be the first to make a move, remained silent. Instead, Consort Hui, who was suspected to be a member of Consort Rong's faction, was the first to jump out.

"Consort Yi is wrong. Just because you are petty doesn't mean everyone is like you."

Consort Rong is a rare kind and benevolent person in the palace. She was the first to notice the Empress's illness, and she was also the one who readily agreed to take care of the Empress's meals.

Such a pure and innocent heart is something none of us can match.

Upon hearing the first sentence, Consort Yi's face turned green. She wondered why Consort Guihui was targeting her, since she had just spoken and her words were directed at Consort Rong.

But then, things took an unexpected turn... Who would have thought that after Consort Tongjia was reprimanded, someone would bring up the "old story" again?

Now, Consort Rong could no longer refuse, since she had agreed to it herself.

However, judging from Consort Hui's behavior today, she and Consort Rong are definitely not in cahoots. How could she betray her own people like that?

Don't be fooled by how well Consort Hui describes Consort Rong; it's all just flattery to her detriment.

Consort Rong has a reputation for kindness and benevolence, but she needs to put it into practice; otherwise, her reputation will not live up to her name, and she may suffer a backlash if she is not careful.

Empress Niohuru sensed the coldness emanating from the person beside her and seemed to understand something. Already intending to refuse, she said directly:

"Consort Rong's health is already poor, and she has an imperial heir to care for. There are plenty of capable servants in the palace, so why would they need her..."

"The Empress is unwell, and it is only right for the concubines to attend to her. I am willing to set an example and be the first to come to Kunning Palace to serve her."

Consort Tongjia knelt down and bowed her noble head to her nemesis.

The Imperial Concubine took the lead in offering to attend to the Empress during her illness, and the other concubines dared not disobey.

Isn't that blatantly telling everyone that she has no respect for the Empress or the First Lady?

Consort Rong looked at the people kneeling on the ground, her heart unmoved. While some were indeed going with the flow, many more were fueling it.

When a whale falls, all things are born. When Consort Rong, who had a son, fell, more than one person benefited.

The method was just too foolish. It would be fine if it were only one or two people, but who hasn't offended a few people in their life?

But now, all the concubines are standing together, ostensibly to show their loyalty to the Empress, but in reality, they are putting her in a difficult position. How could Kangxi and the Empress not have any doubts?

Was it because Consort Rong was such a failure as a person that she had enemies all over the palace, or were all these people up to no good?

The former, a wicked concubine with a long history of misdeeds and countless blood debts, was able to evade the eyes of Emperor Kangxi, the Empress Dowager, and everyone else, concealing everything and leaving no room for criticism.

What do they want to do? Are they just targeting Consort Rong, or are they plotting to use the Empress to cause trouble and kill two birds with one stone?

Even though Ji Nai had truly fallen out of favor, the two hadn't become enemies, and their child served as a bond, preserving some old affection. Seeing the former Consort Rong being targeted by everyone, would Emperor Kangxi soften and feel pity?

Moreover, the claim of falling out of favor was fake.

At this moment, Kangxi was very angry. Ji Nai could see it, and so could the Empress. But Ji Nai really wasn't sure if the people kneeling below could see it.

But whether you can see it or not, once the words are spoken, there is no turning back.

Consort Yi and others were secretly lamenting their predicament. Even if they wanted to make things difficult for Consort Rong, they didn't have to drag themselves into it.

Consort Hui, that hothead, took the lead first. They just needed to wait for Consort Rong to react before they could surround and intercept her. Even if the Empress refused, they would have a reason to object:

The more considerate the Empress is, the more they should do their part in showing their appreciation.

Unfortunately, Consort Tongjia's words put everyone in a difficult position, forcing them to echo her every word. If things escalated, the Empress would certainly be displeased, and even the Emperor himself might have his doubts.

Why bother?

Emperor Kangxi warned in a deep voice: "The Tongjia clan!"

Consort Tongjia looked up at His Majesty with a sorrowful expression and said:

"After reflecting on my actions, I realized that I had acted too recklessly in the past, and I felt uneasy. That is why I thought of serving Your Majesty the Empress and trying my best to make up for my mistakes."

"Your Majesty, what wrong have I done? Why, despite my sincere desire to correct my mistakes, are you still dissatisfied?"

Ji Nai couldn't help but sneer. No matter how pitiful Tongjia made herself sound, it couldn't change the fact that she had ulterior motives. Did she think everyone was a fool?