Consort Hui and Nala Mingzhu had set up this scheme, and Yunxiu pondered for a long time on how to dismantle it.
The best outcome would be for the Emperor not to grow suspicious, allowing the Guoluo Luo clan to remain uninvolved while Tuyue escaped Mingzhu’s grasp—whether by being assigned elsewhere or staying in Shengjing, self-preservation was the priority.
But Mingzhu’s memorial was already on the desk in the imperial study, impossible to alter now.
The only viable solution, a desperate one at that, was to have Suo Etu swiftly submit a recommendation memorial of his own, creating the appearance of competing with Mingzhu for Tuyue’s allegiance. This would muddy the waters, dispel suspicions of collusion between the two families, and shift the court’s attention from shadowy political maneuvering to Tuyue himself.
Yunxiu had the confidence to act this way.
Mingzhu and Suo Etu were sworn rivals in court, their hostility so intense that the Nala and Hesheli families, along with their factions, were locked in relentless conflict.
If the two families openly vied for Guoluo Luo Tuyue’s favor, no one would find it strange—at most, they’d marvel that the two ministers had set their sights on him, going so far as to submit memorials of recommendation.
Thus, rumors of an alliance between the Guoluo Luo and Nala clans would collapse, and all gossip would vanish.
If the two families were truly allied, why would Suo Etu bother promoting Tuyue? He wasn’t so idle as to bolster a future political opponent.
As for whether Suo Etu would agree, Yunxiu was eighty percent certain. Seeing Mingzhu forcibly pulling Tuyue into his camp, how could Suo Etu not act?
Consort Hui held influence in the palace, but Consort Ping offered no aid to the Hesheli family. If Tuyue fell under Mingzhu’s control, and Consort Yi aligned with Consort Hui, Suo Etu would truly be cornered!
At this very moment, Yunxiu extended an olive branch—a timely offer Suo Etu would be a fool to refuse.
……
Having considered every angle, the only uncertainty was Kangxi’s reaction.
Her brother being recommended by two powerful ministers in succession was unprecedented—too conspicuous. If the Emperor took offense or suspected the Guoluo Luo family of political ambition, no amount of explaining would clear their name.
What did favor matter?
When it came to court affairs, the Emperor’s heart turned unyielding.
She had learned this the hard way in her dreams and harbored no illusions about testing her standing in his heart.
Consort Yi had braced herself for the worst—yet she never expected the Emperor’s response to be… this.
He praised her father for raising such a capable son, Tuyue, laughing heartily in approval.
Yunxiu: “……”
Your Majesty, is your focus slightly misplaced?
In an instant, her unease melted away. A smile curved her lips, her striking eyes softening as mirth spilled forth.
Her brother, hailed as a “brilliant talent” by the Emperor—what absurdity!
“Such nonsense!” She withdrew her hand, shooting Kangxi a playful glare. “My brother is as plain as they come—honest to a fault. Even if he’s competent, how could he merit such praise? Minister Mingzhu and Hang Ai have exaggerated.”
Kangxi raised a brow, tapping her lightly. “I’ve met Tuyue. ‘Brilliant talent’ is no exaggeration. Why do you call him plain?”
“Brilliant or not, I wouldn’t know. But he’s still young, unfit for such responsibilities…” Yunxiu lowered her voice solemnly. “Your Majesty must show mercy—let him gain more experience.”
“I never knew you had such insight.” Kangxi chuckled, his phoenix eyes warm. “Rest assured, I’ve arranged a fitting post for Tuyue. I’d never waste a talent of the Qing.”
His tone was reassuring, laced with amusement.
The Emperor saw right through the memorials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue. Mingzhu and Suo Etu were both angling to pull the Guoluo Luo clan into their orbits, seizing Tuyue’s return to the capital as an opportunity.
But the Guoluo Luo family was loyal to the throne, and Sanguanbao was a trusted minister. How could they side with Mingzhu or Suo Etu?
To think the two memorials had collided, rendering their schemes moot without his intervention—Kangxi found it downright amusing.
Of course, this all hinged on Tuyue’s competence.
Had he been mediocre, Mingzhu would never have dared recommend him as Left Vice Minister of Personnel—a move that would’ve shattered his credibility.
Thus, Kangxi’s praise was genuine.
He already had plans for Tuyue—a promotion to the capital, groomed like Cao Yin into a pillar of the state.
Not in the Ministry of Personnel or Revenue, though.
—And if there was any favoritism at play, the Emperor would never admit it!
At Suo Etu’s behest, Hang Ai of the Ministry of Revenue also submitted a recommendation, which Kangxi quietly suppressed, leaving Mingzhu none the wiser.
Minister Mingzhu, not summoned by the Emperor, grew uneasy but could only wait until the next day to send word to the palace.
Meanwhile, in Yanxi Palace, Consort Hui was certain of victory—unaware of the sudden twist fate had in store.
Brimming with confidence, she rose early the next morning, instructing the nursemaids to take the Eighth Prince to the side hall. “Noble Consort Liang will care for Yin Si today. You may rest.”
The nursemaids beamed. “Your Grace is too kind—”
No wonder they rejoiced. When the Eighth Prince stayed with Noble Consort Liang, they had little to do.
Noble Consort Liang disliked nursemaids hovering, preferring to tend to her son herself. Those were the maids’ most leisurely hours—time to nap or gossip freely.
The more it happened, the more they looked forward to Consort Hui’s generosity.
Consort Hui smiled faintly and dismissed them.
After breakfast, she glanced at the brightening sky. “Has Consort Yi risen yet?”
“Your Grace, without morning courtesies to the Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Yi usually rises late,” Ying’er replied. “But… the Emperor stayed at Yikun Palace last night, so she may already be up.”
Consort Hui’s brow furrowed. Again?
Before, Consort Yi shared ten nights a month with the Emperor. Now, after bearing the Ninth Prince, she monopolized even more!
Consort Hui devoted herself wholeheartedly to Yinti and was not the type to be consumed by petty jealousy. Though momentarily unsettled, her emotions soon dissipated.
From another perspective, Consort Yi’s favor with the Emperor could also serve as an advantage for the Nala clan. Quickly regaining her composure, Consort Hui smoothed her brow and ordered, "Send someone to check on Yanxi Palace. If there’s any movement, report back immediately."
Before long, a young eunuch returned with news: Yanxi Palace was stirring—Consort Yi had already risen.
Consort Hui took a sip of hot tea, adjusted the exquisite jade hairpin at her temple, and smiled gracefully. "Prepare the palanquin, and don’t forget the generous gifts. It’s time for me to catch up with Consort Yi."
Yanxi Palace.
"Consort Yi, your beauty rivals that of a celestial being—no wonder the Emperor treasures you like a precious jewel, showering you with endless favor," Consort Hui exclaimed warmly the moment she entered the main hall. "Just look at your radiant glow! It’s enough to make me—and many others—green with envy."
Such enthusiasm so early in the morning…
Yunxiu found it amusing. She cast a sidelong glance and replied softly, "Sister Hui, you flatter me too much. Who could outshine you? The Emperor trusts you so deeply that he entrusted you with overseeing the Fifth Princess’s full-moon celebration. After this, your reputation for virtue and maternal devotion will spread throughout the court. I pale in comparison."
Before Yunxiu even finished speaking, Consort Hui’s smile stiffened slightly, her heart simmering with irritation.
The mention of Moyaqi’s full-moon celebration made her skin crawl—she wished the topic would never be brought up again.
At this point, who couldn’t detect the sarcasm in Consort Yi’s words?
Even now, the Guoluo Luo woman remained sharp-tongued and unyielding, lacking not only the expected decorum of a consort but also failing to grasp the situation. The Guoluo Luo clan was already tied to the Nala clan—what good did it do her to provoke with words?
Consort Hui quickly regained her composure and said amiably, "We’re on the same side now—why waste time with empty flattery and create distance between us?"
She then gestured to the items held by her attendants. "This is a golden blessing lock I commissioned for the Ninth Prince, along with a jade horse carving… As for that box of golden pearls, they’re just trinkets for the children to play with—nothing more than a pleasant jingle."
Gold and jade—how extravagant of Consort Hui.
Yunxiu inwardly scoffed at the mention of "the same side." The matter wasn’t even settled, yet here she was, bearing gifts.
It was as if she wanted the entire palace to know that Yanxi Palace and Yanxi Palace were "allies"—so blatant, so forceful. How was this any different from Nala Mingzhu’s strong-arm tactics?
With the Imperial Noble Consort’s authority waning and the Noble Consort occupied with her postpartum recovery, Consort Hui truly believed no one could rein her in now.
"Your kindness touches me, Sister," Yunxiu replied with a light smile, deftly refusing. "But the palace is full of prying eyes. If the Emperor were to hear of this, he might think I’m so destitute that I’d even take your personal savings. And the Grand Empress Dowager values frugality—imagine her fury if she saw a chest full of golden pearls!"
This was practically an open accusation of extravagance and wastefulness…
Consort Hui’s expression darkened instantly.
Consort Yi had the audacity to reject her overtures so disdainfully—not only ignoring her goodwill but also invoking the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager to pressure her.
Baffled and suspicious, Consort Hui couldn’t fathom why Yunxiu dared to defy her when the Guoluo Luo clan’s fate was already sealed. Where did she find such confidence?
"Consort Yi," she said, forcing a calm smile, her tone laced with veiled threat, "these are mere trifles. Why twist it into some grand moral lesson? Your brother personally recommended my cousin for—"
Before she could finish, a servant announced that Sumalagu, the Grand Empress Dowager’s attendant, had arrived with urgent business.
Yunxiu, long weary of the conversation, dropped her mocking expression and said, "Show her in at once."
Then, turning to Consort Hui, her peach-blossom eyes brimming with gentleness, she murmured, "Sister, you must be tired. Why not rest your voice and save your energy? You’ll need it to continue lecturing me later."
Consort Hui’s face turned ashen. She waved for her maids to retreat with the chests, her chest heaving with suppressed rage.
Rest her voice? Was Consort Yi likening her to a storyteller—or some street performer?
Meanwhile, Sumalagu entered, dressed in plain, pale-green palace attire, as if she had anticipated Consort Hui’s presence. "This humble servant greets Consort Yi and Consort Hui."
Observant eyes might have noticed the slight cooling in Sumalagu’s gaze when she uttered "Consort Hui."
She then looked directly at Consort Hui and said evenly, "I would not disturb you both, but the matter is urgent… The Eighth Prince has gone missing. Noble Consort Liang is beside herself with grief, nearly fainting from weeping. The Grand Empress Dowager commands your immediate presence at Cining Palace—without delay. Will you accompany me, Your Highness?"
Consort Hui, who had been sitting rigidly on the embroidered stool, her anger concealed beneath a composed facade, felt her heart lurch. Forgetting all about Yunxiu, she shot to her feet, her face draining of color.
The Eighth Prince—gone?!
