Rong Fei is not honored

Consort Tongjia looked over upon hearing the sound, only to see Consort Rong sitting motionless in her chair. When their eyes met, Consort Rong did not flinch or look away, her expression mocking, as if she were watching a clown on a stage.

Everyone was kneeling, so why was Lady Magiya allowed to sit with the Emperor and Empress? It was as if this lowly bondservant was the master, and she was the servant.

Consort Tongjia clenched her fists in resentment and bluntly stated, "Why is Consort Rong laughing? Does she find our respect for the Empress laughable?"

"Why must Your Highness place such a heavy burden on me? I have never been disrespectful to Your Majesty the Empress. It is you who keep saying you will correct and make amends, but look at what you are doing now?"

Serving the Empress is a good thing, so why do you have to force her to agree with the demands of your concubines?

The word "coercion" is far too heavy, so heavy that no one can bear the blame.

Everyone began to regret their actions, but now they were in a difficult situation. They couldn't just stand up and say that they had no intention of threatening the Empress because of Consort Rong's few words; that would be disgraceful.

Consort Tongjia's already unpleasant expression darkened further upon sensing the resentment emanating from the crowd behind her. She took a deep breath and said:

"Consort Rong, you misunderstand. Her Majesty the Empress is always considerate of her concubines. I was worried that she might refuse, so I..."

"I was only trying to show my sincerity, but I overlooked the inappropriateness of my actions. It was my oversight, and I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness. Please understand, Your Majesty, my intentions were good."

The first sentence was an explanation to Consort Rong, but the next sentence was addressed to the Empress.

So what if she used the Empress as a pawn? Even if everyone knows her motives are impure, as long as she doesn't admit it, who can say that it's wrong for her to want to serve the Empress?

Now that both she and Consort Rong are deeply embroiled in this mess, the Empress remains completely silent. Does she still intend to remain unscathed? Dream on!

Empress Niohuru's face was very unpleasant. Consort Tongjia used her to cause trouble, and Consort Rong also used her as an excuse to retaliate. Was her method too mild?

It's astonishing that these people are so clueless, repeatedly trying to implicate me.

However, even if the Emperor were still alive, or even if the other party were not, since Lady Tongjia had thrown the problem to herself, could the Empress still say that she also suspected the Consort of having impure intentions?

"I believe that the Imperial Concubine meant well. As for Consort Rong, she was just too worried about me, which is why she misunderstood you. Please don't take it to heart, Imperial Concubine."

They all had their own ulterior motives, but in the end they could only cover it up with misunderstandings. They clearly saw through everyone's thoughts, but they still had to personally pretend that everything was fine.

What the empress did was really pointless.

Empress Niohuru was already feeling unwell and in poor spirits; now that her spirits had been dampened, she appeared even more listless.

Consort Tongjia noticed this and her heart stirred. She was willing to risk losing the Emperor's favor completely, but she refused to stop. This was exactly the effect she wanted.

"So, Your Majesty the Empress is willing for me to serve you?"

No one expected that Consort Tongjia would continue to climb the ladder of power, twisting the Empress's whitewashing into acceptance.

Could it be that they've misunderstood? That the Imperial Concubine wasn't plotting against Consort Rong, but rather, knowing her situation was precarious, she genuinely submitted to the Empress?

Emperor Kangxi thought so too.

Seeing that Tongjia Shi was not pressing Ji Nai, his expression softened considerably, and the anger and murderous intent in his heart subsided considerably.

Kangxi felt that he might have misunderstood. Perhaps Tongjia was afraid of being disliked by him, so she thought of changing herself and trying to please him by bowing down to the Empress.

Ji Nai and the Empress felt that it wasn't that simple. Tongjia's insistence on "serving" the Empress could not possibly be without malice.

Putting everything else aside, even if the other party did nothing but wholeheartedly attend to the Empress's illness, her mere presence was enough to prevent the Empress from focusing on her recovery.

Imperial Physician Liu said that the Empress's condition was not good, especially her spleen and stomach, which needed proper care. But if she couldn't even relax her mind, how could she possibly recover?

Unfortunately, I can't openly express this idea, otherwise I'll be criticized.

The Imperial Concubine sincerely admitted her mistake, but the Empress persisted, questioning her motives. Doesn't that mean the Empress's past tolerance and magnanimity were all an act?

Even worse, Lady Tongjia could turn the tables and plead with the emperor to conduct a thorough investigation in order to prove her innocence.

As a result, naturally, no problems were found. It only further proved the innocence of Lady Tongjia and the excessive suspicion of the Empress.

This is a blatant conspiracy to kill without shedding blood.

Ji Nai was thinking even further ahead. Even if Tongjia's target this time was the Empress, she wouldn't let go of such a good opportunity to strike at herself.

Others may say nice things, but when it comes to actually doing something, they shirk their responsibilities and back down. Doesn't that make her, as a noble consort, all the more precious?

Ji Nai was the control group selected by the Tongjia clan.

Unwilling to cause unnecessary trouble? Not at all. The Tongjia clan would definitely want to kill two birds with one stone.

Moreover, just by looking at Kangxi's current expression, one can tell that Tongjia's plan has already succeeded halfway.

Men always fantasize about harmonious relationships between their wives and concubines, and even emperors are not immune to this, even though they know in their hearts that it is unlikely.

Ji Nai looked at Kangxi, then at Consort Tongjia, and as his gaze swept over the Empress, a certain signal was conveyed between them.

He lowered his eyes, and when he looked up again, his expression had changed.

Ji Nai hesitated and said, "Isn't the Imperial Concubine targeting me?"

Consort Tongjia was waiting for the Empress's reply—whether she would reluctantly agree or repeatedly refuse her "kindness"—when she heard Consort Rong continue her nagging.

“Targeting? Why would I target you? Consort Rong, you can’t assume I’m suspicious just because of past conflicts, and keep doubting my intentions.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as Consort Tongjia asked with a hurt expression, "Can't those who make mistakes even have a chance to correct them?"

Ji Nai closed his eyes. If Yuan Xu had been with him today, she would probably be complaining that she had goosebumps right now.

However, Ji Nai was a woman. Looking at Tong Jia Shi, she felt that the other party was pretentious and affected, but who knows, maybe someone was enjoying it?

Ji Nai looked at Kangxi expressionlessly, and in the other's innocent gaze, he subtly rolled his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I misunderstood." Ji Nai stood up, squatted deeply, and bowed to Consort Tongjia, who was still kneeling on the ground, as an apology.

"Although I would like to do my part for the Empress, my energy is limited, and all I can offer is simple food."

We must be careful with anything that is edible; if anything goes wrong, I will be held responsible.

To be honest, I am truly uneasy.

But even after Her Majesty the Empress refused, you and Consort Hui still… It was I who acted like a villain and misunderstood you.”