noffsinger Chapter 281 Fang Nanxi's Transmigration to the Qing Dynasty 35
Chapter 281 Fang Nanxi's Transmigration to the Qing Dynasty 35
After observing twenty-seven months of mourning for the late emperor, the emperor spent more time in the inner palace, and his favorite place was the Yikun Palace, where the Imperial Concubine had stayed the previous year.
Of course, to give his children some dignity, the emperor would visit the palaces of the birth mothers of his sons from time to time. Emperor Yongzheng had eight sons in his lifetime, which was not a small number. Among his brothers, he had the most sons.
As the birth mother of four princes and one princess, Fang Nanxi arrived at Chengqian Palace the day after the Emperor visited the Empress's Chuxiu Palace.
Previously, when the Emperor came to the inner palace, he would only have dinner and would return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to rest in the evening.
"Greetings to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace," Fang Nanxi said respectfully.
The Emperor took the opportunity to help Fang Nanxi up. In his heart, Fang Nanxi was a gentle woman who had borne him children and whose maternal clan was also of use.
"Rise, my beloved consort, there's no need for such formalities," the Emperor said calmly.
Fang Nanxi chatted with the Emperor about the paintings, saying that she had painted another pine tree: "Your Majesty, you've come at just the right time. I just finished painting it these past few days and have been waiting for Your Majesty to inscribe it."
After speaking, Fang Nanxi smiled and looked at the Emperor. Ordinary people would not look at the Emperor for a long time, and it had always been Fang Nanxi's "privilege" to look at the Emperor for a long time.
The Emperor was pleased to see that Fang Nanxi's attitude remained unchanged. In the past, when they were in the Yong Prince's Mansion, Fang Nanxi treated him like a husband from an ordinary wealthy family. Now that he had become the supreme ruler of the world, Fang Nanxi was still the same, which made him feel much happier.
"Clever, alright, I'll enjoy my beloved concubine's masterpiece." The Emperor smiled.
Fang Nanxi led the Emperor to the small study, which was decorated in a refined and elegant style, with some tasteful ornaments added appropriately.
The painting was placed in front of the desk. As soon as the emperor approached, he saw it. The emperor knew that Fang Nanxi's landscape paintings were exceptional. He even had a painting of bamboo by Fang Nanxi hanging in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
After a moment's thought, the Emperor picked up his brush and added words to the painting. His strokes were vigorous and powerful, like dragons and snakes. Fang Nanxi slowly approached, and the atmosphere between the two was harmonious.
When Hongxu, Hongxi and the others arrived at Chengqian Palace, the two of them came out of the study.
"Greetings to Father Emperor, may Father Emperor be blessed; greetings to Mother Mother, may Mother Mother be auspicious." The princes and Hongnuan bowed.
In front of his sons, the Emperor always maintained a strict fatherly demeanor. He nodded slightly and instructed them to sit down and eat their dinner, emphasizing that they should not speak while eating.
"Father, I'll take my brothers back to their quarters now." Seeing that it was almost time, Hongxu got up to take his leave.
After the princes and Hong Nuan left, Fang Nanxi got up to take a bath. After she had tidied up, she sat on the couch and read a book for a while.
Suddenly a commotion came from outside the door, and a young eunuch ran over and knelt down: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it is Consort Ji from the inner quarters, who says she has come to pay her respects to Your Majesty."
After speaking, the little eunuch dared not look at Fang Nanxi. Fang Nanxi looked at the little eunuch coldly and thought, "Hmph, he actually dared to bribe my people." This little eunuch was assigned here in the second year of Yongzheng's reign and had never been given important responsibilities. Unexpectedly, he had sided with Consort Ji.
Fang Nanxi lowered her gaze, looking at the Emperor with a half-smile, as if she were in charge. The Emperor felt embarrassed by Fang Nanxi's gaze, touched his nose, and coughed, "Su Peisheng, what kind of Tom, Dick, and Harry are you? Go and deal with them."
The treacherous eunuch was dragged out, and then everything fell into place naturally.
Next, the Emperor went to Yikun Palace. After all, Consort Nian still held a very high position in the Emperor's heart. In addition, there was Fu Hui, who was almost four years old this year but still looked sickly. The Emperor felt sorry for Fu Hui and had not allowed her to go to school, worried that Fu Hui would not be able to survive.
After the Emperor visited the palaces of all the princes and princesses' birth mothers, he began to officially favor the new concubine. Perhaps because Ji had caused a ruckus in Chengqian Palace, the Emperor only summoned her once in Yangxin Hall and then forgot about her.
Ji Ying also saw the reality clearly, and now she respectfully greets Fang Nanxi without making any small moves.
Among the newcomers, Consort Li and Consort Wu were the most favored, receiving audiences three or four times a month, while the rest of the newcomers were lucky to receive an audience once a month.
Consort Wu (the Lady Wu in the mansion) and Consort Wu lived in the same palace, Yanxi Palace. There was nothing untoward between them. They were always amicable when they paid their respects. As for what was going on behind their backs, Fang Nanxi had no idea.
In June of the third year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, as the weather grew hotter, the Emperor decreed that people should go to the Yuanmingyuan Garden to escape the summer heat. Fang Nanxi stayed at the Bitong Academy.
As soon as Consort Nian arrived at the Yuanmingyuan, she fell seriously ill. The Emperor's attention was all on Consort Nian, preventing the concubines, who rarely had the chance to leave the palace, from enjoying themselves to the fullest.
By the time Consort Nian recovered from her illness, it was already August, and the Emperor was about to return to the palace for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather gradually cooled down, and Consort Nian would occasionally fall ill. I heard from my father in the court that the Emperor had long been dissatisfied with Nian Gengyao, but he had not made a fuss about it because of Consort Nian.
Fang Nanxi was worried that the Fang family was too prominent, and since her eldest brother and third brother were already capable of handling things on their own, she planned to ask her father to step down. She picked up her pen and wrote a letter, instructing Xingluo to secretly deliver it to the Fang family.
A few days later, Ama sent a letter saying that he had long planned to retire, and that he understood the principle of overflowing water when it is full.
Fang Nanxi looked at the burning paper scraps in the incense burner, her eyes growing deeper. The Fang family was good enough. As for whether they could ascend the throne, that would depend on Hongxu's abilities in the future. She didn't want the Fang family to become a burden and end up on the path of confiscation and extermination.
On November 18th, Consort Nian fell seriously ill, and the Emperor issued an edict promoting her to Imperial Noble Consort.
Fang Nanxi sat on the couch, where a Go board was set up. She played by herself, pondering from time to time.
"His Majesty has arrived!" Su Peisheng's voice rang out.
Fang Nanxi stood up, puzzled. Consort Nian was seriously ill and probably didn't have many days left. Why was the Emperor not with Consort Nian but at her Chengqian Palace?
"Greetings to His Majesty, may His Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
"Get up."
When Fang Nanxi got up, she saw that Fu Hui was with the Emperor. Fu Hui was thin and small and was being held in the arms of the wet nurse.
The Emperor looked at Fang Nanxi and said, "I know that Consort Mu is good at raising children. Lady Nian is seriously ill, and I am worried about Fu Hui. I was thinking of asking you to help take care of her for a few days."
Fang Nanxi cursed inwardly. This emperor was no human being. Fu Hui was so thin and small, it was obvious that she couldn't be raised. If someone plotted against her, she would have nowhere to cry. Besides, even if she could raise the child, she was not willing to help Nian Shi raise the child.
"Your Majesty thinks too highly of me. However, next year is the time when Hongxi and Hongchen will marry their primary wives. I will be busy taking care of them. In addition, Honghan and Hongnuan are still young, and the weather is getting colder. They will fall ill from time to time. I really don't have time to take care of the Tenth Prince."
"The Empress is the mother of the nation and the legitimate mother of all children. She should take care of the Tenth Prince." Fang Nanxi looked at the Emperor with a light smile, appearing uncompromising. In addition, Honghan had recently fallen slightly ill, so she was right to say that.