Rong Fei is not honored

"As the Empress, I must fulfill my responsibilities. How can I remain indifferent to what happened at the gate of Kunning Palace?"

Even if she can't understand it, or even resents me, I will still do what I have to do.

Consort Shu insulted Consort Tongjia outside Kunning Palace, her words implying that the Tong family and Empress Dowager Cihe were also involved. If His Majesty finds out about this afterward, he will surely be furious.

When concubines make mistakes, how can the empress remain uninvolved? Even if she is ill, she should still do her job diligently.

Moreover, Consort Hui's words were not meant to stand up for Consort Tongjia. Given their terrible relationship, she was happy to see Consort Tongjia make a fool of herself.

Consort Shu, however, dared not openly offend the Tong family and Empress Xiaokangzhang, so she insisted on bringing up Consort Rong.

Consort Rong was born into a bondservant family, as were Consort Hui and the others.

Although some of them have transformed into masters, they are not as prestigious as Consort Rong.

Although Consort Shu only belittled Consort Rong, she humiliated all the concubines in the palace who came from bondservant families, including Consort Hui.

I'm afraid it's not just Consort Hui; Consort Yi and the others who haven't spoken yet are also furious. If she doesn't punish Noble Lady Shu, something bad is bound to happen later.

How could she possibly recover her health if the harem was in turmoil?

"But right now, your health is the most important thing. If you can't hold on and collapse, everything will be in vain."

"Don't worry, Granny, I know what I'm doing. You can handle the palace affairs for now. If you really can't make a decision, then come to me."

If so… I will speak with His Majesty and have someone else manage the palace affairs.”

Even though Empress Niohuru had never heard the saying "health is the foundation of revolution," she had already grasped its essence.

She knew very well that once she fell, all her status as Empress and the head of the harem would be for naught.

But as long as she is still alive, as long as she still holds the title of Empress, it is only temporary whoever hands over the reins of power.

At best, she was just her own "housekeeper," and she was confident that she could hand her over and take it back.

Having found an excuse, Emperor Kangxi, who was comfortably nestled in Zhongcui Palace, was resting his head on Ji Nai's lap and remarked, "The Tongjia clan has done a good deed today."

Fearing that Ji Nai might misunderstand, he quickly explained, "I told the Empress Dowager that I used to dote on you because I liked your personality, but you dared to speak disrespectfully to me about the child, which shows your arrogance, so I no longer like you."

"So, the docile Lady Ma Jia from before has returned, and His Majesty has taken a liking to her again?"

Kangxi found these words somewhat jarring. He was indeed pleased by Ji Nai's tranquility and gentleness, but describing Ji Nai as docile was not a compliment.

"How could that be? No matter what you are like, I will like you. This is to put the Empress Dowager at ease."

"Hmph! The Imperial Concubine went to great lengths to force me to agree to take charge of the Empress's meals. Doesn't His Majesty find that strange?"

I don't believe she could do nothing but kindly want to give me a good reputation.

I meant well, just wanting to do my part, but it turned out like this.

I noticed today that Her Majesty the Empress was rather unhappy. She was already feeling unwell, and now this was being used as an excuse to scheme against her; how could she not be upset?

The ease on Kangxi's face vanished, and his expression turned somewhat grim.

In truth, he had considered what Lady Tongjia might be planning. But... did Lady Tongjia really have the guts to harm the Empress?

After all, everyone knew that it was the Tongjia clan who had strongly promoted this matter, so if anything went wrong, the first people to be suspected, besides Ji Nai, would be the Tongjia clan.

Is she really that stupid?

Ji Nai carefully observed the expression on Kangxi's face, but could not discern how he viewed Tongjia, so he suppressed the urge to share his guess with the other party.

The highest and brightest sun and moon, the closest and most distant couple.

Ji Nai could reveal all his secret thoughts to Kangxi, allowing him to understand the real Ma Jia Ji Nai and clearly realize that his beloved was not a perfect person, thus avoiding the backlash that would result from the collapse of his persona.

However, this does not mean that Ji Nai could tell Kangxi all his dark side.

Given the existing animosity between the two sides, saying too much, even if it's reasonable, would make Kangxi feel it's slander. Moreover, no matter how much Kangxi disliked the Tongjia clan, would he really want to hear about their misdeeds and malice from others?

"Luckily, I'm quick-witted and came up with a way to have someone supervise her. In this way, no matter if anyone has ill intentions towards Her Majesty the Empress, even if it's just to avoid being implicated, Consort Gui and Consort Hui will do their best."

Ji Nai proudly boasted, "Besides me, who else could have come up with such a brilliant way to break the deadlock?"

"Showing off," Kangxi muttered under his breath.

"what did you say?"

"I praise you; this method is indeed excellent."

The Empress Dowager is still recovering from her illness, and the Empress is also unwell. Those restless people are bound to cause trouble, but now that's good, no one can cause any real trouble.

"Then how does Your Majesty plan to reward me?" Ji Nai asked with a smile, placing his hands on Kangxi's shoulders.

Kangxi's hand encircled Ji Nai's waist, caressing it incessantly, while he remained silent.

Ji Nai didn't value material possessions and would never make things difficult for him by asking for things that were beyond his authority. This time, the other party probably asked for benefits for Yin Zhi again.

Reason told Kangxi that Yinzhi was also his child, and now that Ji Nai was alright, he should treat Yinzhi better, even if it was just to please her.

However... Kangxi wanted to be willful in front of Ji Nai for once.

Seeing that Kangxi remained silent for a long time, Ji Nai sighed, gently rested his head on the other's chest, and listened to his heartbeat.

After a long silence, he finally uttered a low voice: "Your Majesty is so petty, actually arguing with a mere child."

He then punched Kangxi lightly and continued, "I don't care. You can dislike Yinzhi, but you can't hate him. And you can't be biased. Whatever Chengrui and the others have, Yinzhi must have too."

Kangxi's heart stirred, and he used the hand that was not holding Ji Nai to lift the other's chin. Their eyes met, as if he wanted to see into Ji Nai's heart.

"Are you giving up?"

Every time Emperor Kangxi visited Zhongcui Palace, Ji Nai would make overt and covert efforts to get closer to Yin Zhi, but the results were not significant.

The problem mainly lay with Emperor Kangxi. Seeing the soft-hearted Yinzhi, he would indeed soften, but he could never shake off the knot in his heart. The constant tug-of-war between these two emotions made Kangxi's feelings for Yinzhi complicated, and his attitude even more unpredictable.

Ji Nai chuckled awkwardly, "No, otherwise, Yin Zhi would be heartbroken."

But I also understand that His Majesty harbors resentment towards Yinzhi because he cares about me.

To resent you for this would be utterly heartless. I feel sorry for Yinzhi, and I feel sorry for you too; I don't want to force you."

Kangxi could no longer suppress the smile on his face.