OBS Chapter 1761 What Hope Do We, the Dealers, Have Left?
Chapter 1761 What Hope Do We, the Dealers, Have Left?
Therefore, Consort Kang's visits to Consort Xian and Consort Xuan were most likely just for show, to appease Consort Zhuang.
Or perhaps she would be hoping that Consort Xian and Consort Xuan would be united, leaving Consort Zhuang with no openings and causing her to waste her efforts.
Having figured this out, Shen Zhinian looked at Xiao Mingzi and said, "I understand. Just keep an eye on things."
"Report any unusual activity at Changchun Palace and Xianfu Palace immediately."
"As for Consort Kang's interactions with Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, as long as they don't go too far, there's no need to worry too much about them."
Xiao Mingzi respectfully replied, "Yes, this servant understands."
Shen Zhinian never considered bringing Consort Kang back into her service.
Once a rift develops between people, it's incredibly difficult to mend it back to its original state.
The same applies to the imperial harem.
The word "trust" is the most luxurious thing.
Qiu Yue, who had been listening nearby, then whispered, "Your Majesty, Consort Kang has, after all, sided with Consort Zhuang. Even if it's not entirely genuine, their close relationship might..."
Shen Zhinian said calmly, "It's Consort Kang's business to pretend to side with Consort Zhuang. As long as she doesn't interfere with my affairs, I won't bother with the grudges and entanglements between her and Consort Zhuang."
"As for Consort Zhuang's desire to use Consort Kang to stir up trouble... it depends on whether Consort Kang is willing to be used as a pawn."
"It seems that Consort Kang is shrewd and has her own way of dealing with people."
Qiuyue lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty is right. I was overthinking it."
Shen Zhinian's eyes darkened slightly.
Consort Kang is not a threat.
Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei, on the other hand, one is cunning and calculating but has no way to make a move for the time being; the other is restless and eager for quick success.
Having waited so long, and seeing her growing increasingly heavy burden, Consort Xian and Consort Xuan gradually sorted out palace affairs. If Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei continued to wait, they feared they would lose even the last chance to stir up trouble.
Human patience is limited.
Opportunities... are also created by oneself.
When Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei can no longer restrain themselves, that will be the day Shen Zhinian closes the net!
……
Changchun Palace.
Consort Zhuang changed into a moon-white dress with cloud patterns today. Her hair was loosely tied up and a jade hairpin was inserted diagonally. She exuded a leisurely temperament.
Two people were sitting at the lower end.
Consort Kang was respectful, with her head slightly lowered and her hands placed neatly on her knees.
Consort Mei wore a brand-new, light red palace gown, which made her skin appear even more radiant than snow. The beauty mark at the corner of her eye stood out against her meticulously applied makeup.
Consort Kang recounted what she had been paying attention to these past few days: "...Yesterday, Her Highness Consort Xian approved the materials for the autumn shirts submitted by the Imperial Household Department. They were all made according to the old regulations, without any additions or subtractions."
"Consort Xuan handled the minor quarrel between the two noble ladies, and each of them was fined half a month's allowance, which is fair."
"Your Majesty, I am foolish and have observed that Consort Xian and Consort Xuan handle matters appropriately and thoroughly. The six palaces have also been relatively peaceful recently, and I have not... I have not noticed any particular oversights or improprieties..."
At this point, Consort Kang lowered her head even further: "Perhaps I am ignorant and unable to investigate further, please forgive me, Your Highness..."
These words were largely the same as those he had reported on the previous occasions.
Sure enough, as soon as Consort Kang finished speaking, Consort Mei couldn't help but complain, "Consort Kang, you've been talking for so long, but it's still just some bland and tasteless news?"
"According to the old custom, Consort Xian punishes the palace concubines. Everyone knows that, right? That's not what we want to hear!"
Consort Mei's gaze swept over Consort Kang's face, fueling an even greater nameless rage within her.
While I was frantic like an ant on a hot pan, Consort Kang, on the other hand, always gave me the same bland and unhelpful explanations every time she came!
I really don't know if she's truly useless, or if she just didn't put her heart into it at all!
Consort Kang, taken aback by Consort Mei's retort, immediately displayed a perfectly timed look of embarrassment. She bowed slightly towards Consort Zhuang, her voice lowering, "Consort Mei is right..."
"It is because I am incompetent that I have failed the trust of the Noble Consort."
She adopted an extremely humble posture, without putting on any airs because of her higher rank than Consort Mei, which made Consort Mei seem somewhat aggressive.
Consort Zhuang waved her hand gently: "Consort Kang, you flatter me."
"I asked you to keep an eye on them because I was afraid that Consort Xian and Consort Xuan might be neglecting one thing while taking on another when they suddenly take on such important responsibilities. We sisters could help them out from the sidelines. I didn't ask you to cause trouble or find fault with them."
"You have seen the stability of the six palaces and told me about it, putting my mind at ease. That is enough. How can you say I am incompetent?"
That's a beautifully said statement.
Upon hearing this, Consort Kang said with emotion, "Your Highness is so magnanimous and compassionate towards me. I am truly ashamed..."
"Your Majesty, I only regret that my abilities are limited and I cannot share your burdens."
Consort Mei watched from the side, inwardly sneering.
That's quite a convincing act!
Since Consort Kang came to us, besides saying these useless nice words, has she done anything of substance?
My cousin is the same; she's so kind and gentle to such a useless person!
The three then chatted for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Suddenly, Caiju's anxious voice rang out from outside the curtain: "Your Highness, the Fifth Prince has woken up and is crying. The wet nurse can't soothe him..."
Consort Kang was startled and immediately stood up, anxiously saying, "The Fifth Prince must have woken up and not seen me, so he is crying."
"Your Highness, I'm afraid I must take my leave now."
Consort Zhuang nodded understandingly and said gently, "The child is the most important thing. Consort Kang, please go quickly. The Fifth Prince is still young and cannot be separated from his mother. Please take good care of him."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. I will take my leave now."
Consort Kang curtsied, then nodded slightly to Consort Mei before hastily leaving.
As soon as she left, Consort Mei said, "Cousin, you saw it too, Consort Kang is a useless person!"
"She's come so many times, and every time it's the same old stuff; she can't get anything useful out of her!"
"Expecting her to find fault with Consort Xian and Consort Xuan? That's a pipe dream!"
Consort Zhuang's gentle smile faded slightly: "If Consort Kang were truly capable and shrewd, she wouldn't have been so desperate as to have no choice but to seek refuge with me."
Consort Mei was taken aback, but then she understood.
Yes, if Consort Kang hadn't really had nowhere else to go, why would she suddenly come to cling to Changchun Palace?
How can someone who can barely protect herself be expected to have the ability and courage to deal with the powerful Consort Xian and Consort Xuan?
"But...but we can't just sit here and wait, can we?"
Consort Mei said anxiously, "The Imperial Noble Consort's belly is getting bigger every day, and she's almost full-term!"
"His Majesty only has eyes for her and in his heart, and Consort Xian and Consort Xuan are firmly in control of palace affairs. If we don't do something, are we just going to watch the Imperial Noble Consort safely give birth to this child?"
"If it's another prince... then the empress's position will be in the Shen family's pocket, and what hope will our Zhuang family have?"