Rong Fei is not honored

Granny Li shook her head and said, "After that incident, Consort Xi quieted down."

He paused, then continued, "After all, once you enter the palace and become a master, who wouldn't want to climb the ranks? In the past, it was one thing to listen to the Hesheli family, but now that they've been reprimanded, why would they still be willing to fawn over them?"

Although it was because there were no girls of suitable age in the main branch of the Hesheli family that Consort Xi from a collateral branch was chosen and sent to the palace, how could a young girl not have any thoughts after being by the emperor's side for a day?

"The Hesheli family has a good plan, but they don't seem to realize that if Consort Xi doesn't compete for favor, doesn't bear her own children, and only focuses on taking care of the Crown Prince, how can she possibly become the Empress Dowager in the end?"

Even a title of Dowager Consort would be the highest one could attain, since she was neither a biological aunt nor a foster mother. Even if the Crown Prince had a conscience and wanted to bestow a higher title upon her, her maternal relatives would all jump out to stop him.

The fruits have all been picked by the collateral branches, so what will the direct line eat?

"Go ask Consort Xi."

"Does Your Majesty mean Consort Xi? But what does she want? His Majesty wants to use the Hesheli family. At most, he will reprimand and punish Suo'etu. But she is a palace concubine. Once His Majesty dislikes her... does she expect the Crown Prince to take care of things for her?"

“She may not be unaware of this, but the people under Consort Xi’s command were either left behind by the Hesheli clan or arranged by the Hesheli family. Their master is not her, so it would be strange if they could wholeheartedly consider her interests.”

"Doing things behind Consort Xi's back? But what good would that do for the Crown Prince and the Hesheli family?"

The person was sent in by the Hesheli family, and even the title of Consort Xi was bestowed out of respect for the Crown Prince and the Hesheli family. Now that Consort Xi has been ruined, all the previous investment has gone down the drain.

It might even anger Consort Xi, causing her to take drastic measures, and the Crown Prince is still young.

"I heard His Majesty say that Soetu mentioned to him that Gabula had a young daughter, and that he and his predecessor had a very good relationship. At her age, she is just the right age to participate in the general election two years from now."

Upon hearing this news, Granny Li immediately understood that Consort Xi had become a pawn to be discarded. After all, Xiao Hesheli, who had a very close relationship with her sister, would naturally enter the palace to take care of her nephew after her sister's death.

Granny Li muttered, "That's still two years away. The Hesheli family isn't afraid of something going wrong."

Ji Nai's eyes darted around. In fact, she had suspected it since her previous life: Empress Niohuru had died far too quickly.

Although Physician Liu's diagnosis was likely correct, Ji Nai did not believe that a damaged spleen and stomach could cause the Empress, who was originally quite healthy, to die from an illness in just four months.

A cold was the trigger, and the problem with her spleen and stomach brought down the Empress. It does sound plausible.

But don't forget, she's the Empress, receiving offerings from the entire nation. The finest medicines and tonics are sent to Kunning Palace like a flowing river. And with the Imperial Hospital staff risking their lives for her, even if she wasn't saved, she could at least be kept alive for a few years.

In this life, Ji Nai added spiritual liquid to the meals he sent, but it only kept the Empress alive; in the end, she still ended up bedridden with illness.

Given Empress Niohuru's abilities, the problem couldn't have been with people around her; the only place with the problem must be Kunning Palace.

The Empress did indeed fall ill shortly after moving into Kunning Palace. So, who is the most likely person to target Kunning Palace?

Ji Nai reasonably speculated that before her death, Empress Hesheli was worried that Kangxi would soon appoint a new empress, and that the new empress would give birth to a prince who was only a few years younger than Yinreng. At that time, would Yinreng, as the legitimate son, still be so precious?

Of course, the Hesheli clan couldn't obtain something that could kill instantly, and even if they could, they wouldn't dare release it.

She did poison an empress; Empress Hesheri is dead, but her son and maternal clan are still alive.

If it was indeed made by Empress Hesheli, then the things hidden in Kunning Palace must have been harmful to her health. Empress Niohuru's damaged spleen and stomach were already a hindrance, and she was constantly being harmed by the environment, so naturally, medicine was ineffective.

The Empress fell ill, but did not die; her health was ruined. How could the Niohuru family not be suspicious? How could they not investigate further? At this point, someone needed to take the blame, and the unlucky Ji Nai was the most suitable candidate.

After all, Ji Nai, along with Cheng Rui and several others, were threats to the Hesheli family. If the charge of murder were proven true, Ji Nai and her five sons would be ruined.

As for whether the Niohuru family would follow the rumors and "believe" that Consort Rong was the real culprit, judging others by their own standards, the Hesheli family felt that the Niohuru family would not let go of such a good opportunity.

Xiao Anzi was investigating the people he had captured when he received his master's order and immediately led his men to their door.

"My mistress said that the court and the harem are in a turbulent time, and she does not want to add any more trouble to His Majesty's mind."

She can deal with these individuals, but if the people behind them act, it will surely reach the highest levels of government, contradicting her original intentions. Therefore, she wants to ask you to intervene, since we are all family.”

Consort Xi's face was very unpleasant, and her words were also impolite, "I have never heard that His Majesty or Her Majesty the Empress has handed over the power of the palace to Zhongcui Palace. As for the rumors, the innocent are innocent. If Consort Rong were to stand up and prove herself, these rumors would not keep spreading."

Xiao Anzi remained unmoved by Consort Xi's cold stare; after all, no one would be pleasant if they were unjustly slandered.

However, Xiao Anzi couldn't tolerate the other party's slander of his master, and even the implication that his master had done something wrong first, which was why he was always surrounded by rumors.

He immediately suppressed his smile and said coldly, "So, Consort Xi doesn't want to accept these people? Then this servant will send them directly to His Majesty."

Bah! You're asking for it!

"and many more!"

Consort Xi was initially convinced that Consort Rong was the one causing trouble, but seeing that the servants of Zhongcui Palace showed no remorse and even threatened to send the person to His Majesty, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Then, after pondering what the servant had just said, he suddenly realized something and immediately looked at the palace servant beside him. Sure enough, he found that the other person was somewhat uneasy.

No matter how much hatred she felt, Consort Xi couldn't show it in front of outsiders. She forced a smile and said, "Since it's Consort Rong's kindness, I'll accept these people. Once I've investigated, I'll give Zhongcui Palace an explanation."

Consort Xi didn't rule out the possibility of a crime, but directly admitted to it, saying that she would investigate first.

Xiao Anzi didn't linger and left with the people behind.

On the way back to Zhongcui Palace, Xiao Anzi spotted a figure in the distance. Judging from the direction, the figure seemed to be going the same way as him. Xiao Anzi took a closer look, then his expression changed drastically. He quickly quickened his pace to go back and report to his master.

Looking at Xiao Anzi, who was panting heavily and seemed to be chased by a dog, Ji Nai frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Is something not going well?"

That shouldn't be the case; Consort Xi seems to be a smart person.