TPNCQ CHAPTER 6
Cooking oil with a blazing fire, this woman is not
simple.
Upon hearing this, Su Limo smiled, her expression
becoming gentler. "I was wondering how long you could endure before
speaking. Stand up."
Dongxue, seeing that the Gufei Niangniang had no
intention of reprimanding her, glanced at Shuangjiang before slowly rising. She
scratched her head a bit sheepishly, feeling like her thoughts had been
completely seen through.
"Sheng Jingshun barely escaped death and managed to
survive. Now, I have two sons and a daughter. In the harem, not everyone is
blessed with such fortune. However, today's blessing could turn into tomorrow's
curse. The Empress only has one legitimate princess under her care, and it's
uncertain what her current pregnancy will yield. The favored Jia Fei is also pregnant." Su Limo sighed
deeply and murmured, "The more low-key I am, the safer my children will
be."
"I understand. No wonder you acted intentionally
when you visited the Empress this morning..." Dongxue stopped herself,
realizing some things were better left unsaid. She bit her lip and continued,
"I was reckless and misspoke. I won't do it again."
"Life in the harem is hard. Shuangjiang, who has
been with me the longest, knows best how we've endured over the years.
Moreover, the Emperor's favor is unpredictable; he stays here one night and
there another. Who can truly guess his intentions? In this harem, to survive,
we must not only look to the Emperor but also to the other women. From the
noble Empress to the lowliest court lady, none are easy to deal with." Su
Limo's face showed a trace of melancholy, and her voice gradually lowered.
Although there was some dramatization, every word came
from her heart.
"Niangniang..." Shuangjiang took two steps
forward, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Niangniang's pain, this
servant understands."
"In this harem, besides my third Prince, sixth Prince,
and fourth Princess, you two are the closest to me. Shuangjiang, you are
experienced and prudent," Su Limo said, taking Shuangjiang's hand and then
turning to grasp Dongxue's hand as well. Their hands overlapped. "Dongxue,
you are quick-witted and meticulous. Your quick tongue is an asset, but only
within these chambers. Outside, follow Shuangjiang's lead. Life in the harem is
tough; we must work together, or we won't even know whose hand we fall
to."
" Niangniang..."
" Niangniang..."
Shuangjiang and Dongxue knelt down with a thud, their
eyes reddening.
Su Limo quickly helped them up and patted their hands to
show affection. After observing them for over a month, she confirmed they were
trustworthy and used this opportunity to speak her mind.
In this harem, if the closest people were unreliable, it
was akin to a blind person crossing a river—drowning was just a matter of
making a ripple in the water, not causing any splash.
-----
In the evening, Xian Gufei (Noble Consort Xian) of Yikun
Palace headed to Jingren Palace with great pomp.
Two personal maidservants attended her on either side,
followed by four junior maidservants and four junior eunuchs. The grand
procession drew the attention of all, and news spread throughout the six
palaces before she even reached Jingren Palace.
Su Limo, having received the news, specially opened the
palace gates to welcome her. Xian Gufei (Noble Consort Xian) now assisted in
managing the six palaces, so her actions were often seen as representing the
Emperor and Empress.
But Su Limo knew this might not be the case.
Historically, Xian Gufei (Noble Consort Xian) had been a
side consort in the imperial residence, though she had no children. After the
Emperor ascended the throne, she was ennobled as Xian Fei (Consort Xian), and
last November, she was promoted to Xian Gufei (Noble Consort Xian). Now, she
held the authority to assist in managing the harem, truly at the peak of her
power.
Su Limo was also aware that in the thirteenth year of
Qianlong, after the death of the Emperor's first love, Noble Consort Xian was
the uncontested candidate to become the new Empress and smoothly ascended to
the throne.
What's most remarkable is that after becoming the
Empress, she had several pregnancies and bore many children, including a
princess. Although only one son survived to adulthood, her resilience and
determination were formidable.
Living close to the Emperor is like living with a tiger;
the women who become his favorites are never simple.
A woman who isn't the Emperor's favorite but rises to
become Empress is even more extraordinary.