Rong Fei is not honored

"It's better to stay still than to make a fuss. Prince Saiyinchahun's quietness is probably more effective to His Majesty than any fuss."

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but sigh. How could she not understand what Sumalagu had said? Not to mention the Emperor, during that time Uyunna had mentioned Consort Rong to her several times, and her words were full of sympathy for the child Saiyinchahun.

"Didn't the Empress Dowager herself say that Consort Rong is a rare, clear-headed, and intelligent person? Moreover, over the years, she has never lost sight of her place just because she gave birth to an imperial heir and received the Emperor's favor?"

She already had an emotional connection with the Emperor, and with several princes and princesses acting as a bond, even if she couldn't regain the Emperor's former favor, it was only a matter of time before she was reinstated.

"Hmph! No wonder Consort Rong refused to accept the olive branch I extended. I'm afraid she had already foreseen this day."

Sumalagu sighed; they had been too optimistic.

Originally, it was thought that Consort Rong would be lost and confused after falling out of favor. Without her backbone, she would inevitably be eager to find another patron, and seeking the protection of Cining Palace would be the best choice.

But Consort Rong did not. They thought that perhaps it was because Consort Rong was confident that she had five sons and one daughter, and believed that even if she lost the Emperor's favor, she could still live well without any backing.

Therefore, the Empress Dowager left Zhongcui Palace isolated and helpless on one hand, and on the other hand, she maintained an ambiguous attitude, deliberately making everyone misunderstand that the relationship between Consort Rong and Cining Palace was not simple.

Consort Rong may have realized something, but she did nothing. She didn't rush to sever ties with Cining Palace, nor did she desperately try to curry favor with it.

She continued living her life as if nothing had happened.

As it turns out, His Majesty simply prefers Consort Rong. Not to mention for the sake of the child, neither the former Empress Hesheli nor the current Consort Hui have shown any change in His Majesty's attitude for the sake of their sons.

The Empress Dowager, who had originally planned to gradually weaken Consort Rong, changed her mind. However, after only a few days of relentlessly pressuring Consort Rong, the princess suddenly had the idea of ​​changing her choice.

They realized that the Empress Dowager's mindset was not right, so they decided to put the plan aside and use the time to recuperate to think things through.

Unfortunately, this incident also brought up the matter of Shou Kang Palace. When they realized that there was an unknown force hiding in the palace and that it harbored ill intentions towards Ci Ning Palace, their attention was diverted.

Firstly, the risks of doing anything at this time are immeasurable. Secondly, the Empress Dowager does not like the feeling of things getting out of control, and even for her own safety, the latter is more important than Consort Rong.

Fortunately, even though the origin of this force has not yet been determined, the suspicion of the Emperor himself has been ruled out.

Su Ma La Gu originally thought that the force that had been hiding under their noses for so long was indeed not to be underestimated, but now that the princess was the Empress Dowager, she didn't need to worry about anything except the Emperor when she made a move.

However, as it turned out, she had underestimated that force.

The Empress Dowager and Su Ma La Gu became increasingly vigilant, and they were thinking of going all the way and informing His Majesty directly so that he could be eradicated completely.

As a result, the Empress fell ill. Upon receiving the news, the Empress Dowager's first reaction was that the Empress's illness was not simple.

With the Empress seriously ill, if a major disturbance were to occur in Cining Palace at this time, it would likely cause unease not only in the inner palace but also in the imperial court.

Moreover, over the years, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty have gradually grown distant. Even if she were to confess to His Majesty now, he would probably not believe her and would instead suspect the Empress Dowager's intentions.

These events, when pieced together, made them increasingly certain that someone was behind it all.

Perhaps feeling that there were priorities, or perhaps they subconsciously underestimated Consort Rong, they took the initiative to sever ties with the "spy" planted in Zhongcui Palace as a precaution.

Then, Consort Rong successfully regained the emperor's favor.

"Even in death, they won't let up." The Empress Dowager's tone was cold.

She had been very forgiving of this old enemy with whom she had been entangled for half her life.

Although the Empress Dowager didn't have any good intentions, and wanted the utterly defeated loser to witness her glory, which is why she allowed him to die peacefully, it was ultimately her leniency that allowed her to have a peaceful old age, wasn't it?

But how did she do it?

She sowed discord between herself and the Emperor. Even the Empress Dowager began to suspect that this person might have been behind the falling out between Fulin and her over a woman.

She stirred up trouble in the harem, repeatedly instigating the emperor's wives and concubines to cause trouble and inducing them to target the imperial heirs. Not only did she cause the loss of several princes, but she also made the court a laughing stock.

Simply hateful!

"Do you suspect that Consort Rong's return to favor was orchestrated by that person?" Su Mala Gu said with a solemn expression, "If Consort Rong is truly her person, then she cannot be allowed to live."

Not only can Consort Rong not be allowed to live, but even her children...

Sumalagu did indeed like Consort Rong. No one would dislike a smart person who always knows their place, especially in the most noble and wealthy place in the world, where there are many fools who are blinded by wealth and glory.

The blatant greed and desire exposed was disgusting, which made Consort Rong all the more precious.

Having spent most of her life in the palace, Su Mala Gu had witnessed countless rises and falls of dynasties. She secretly wanted to see how far someone like Consort Rong could ultimately go.

Therefore, she didn't mind doing a favor for her master and was willing to lend her a hand at crucial moments.

However, the above is based on the premise that Consort Rong will not pose a threat to her master or Cining Palace.

"Impossible," the Empress Dowager said decisively.

"You know her well. She's extremely arrogant and considers herself of noble lineage. How could she possibly look down on a mere bondservant? I'm afraid that in her eyes, being a pawn is a blessing that Consort Rong has accumulated over several lifetimes."

Sumalagu thought about it and realized it was true. Given the personality of the Grand Consort of the Western Palace, it was indeed unlikely that she would cooperate with someone she considered "lowly".

(Borjigitna Muzhong was granted the title of Grand Consort of the Western Palace after Huang Taiji became emperor. In the ninth year of the Shunzhi Emperor's reign, the Shunzhi Emperor further bestowed upon her the honorary title of Grand Consort Yijing. She passed away in the thirteenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign without a posthumous title.)

"So she helped Consort Rong just to annoy us?"

The lowly person in Borjigitna Muzhong's eyes was favored by their emperor and elevated to the position of Consort Rong. So what kind of emperor could he be who liked such a lowly person?

"Do you think that's possible? That woman is extremely cunning. If it weren't for what happened back then... she wouldn't have become my defeated foe. Since she wants to use Consort Rong, she must squeeze every last drop of value out of her before she's satisfied."