An Lingrong's Rebirth: Changing Fate from the Suiyuxuan

"My son has been away from the palace for so long, and I have been thinking about the Empress Dowager. I wonder how she is doing now?"

Yongzheng and the Empress Dowager had dinner together, then went into a side hall and began to chat.

"That's all. I'm old now, and those are just old problems from the past. They're nothing serious."

Faced with Yongzheng's concern, the empress dowager smiled and shook her head, acting as if she didn't care.

Then, the Queen Mother suddenly changed the subject and asked, "By the way, Your Majesty, I heard that you sent Su Peisheng back to the palace to find out the clothing that Empress Xiaoyiren wore when she was crowned Imperial Noble Consort?"

"Yes."

Yongzheng had originally planned to discuss this matter with the Empress Dowager. Seeing that she had mentioned it herself, he nodded and explained, "I think the positions of the concubines in the palace have not changed for a long time. We might as well take advantage of the joyous atmosphere in the palace to have a 'double happiness'. I have also mentioned this to the Empress before. Today, the Empress Dowager just mentioned it, and I would like to ask her opinion."

"Well, with these new people entering the palace and the successive happy events, it is only natural that the emperor would like to promote the status of his concubines. I have no objection."

The empress dowager nodded slowly at first, confirming what Yongzheng said, and then she took a sip of the tea beside her, and suddenly frowned, "Zhuxi, this tea is weak, go and make another pot."

"Yes." Sun Zhuxi took the cup from the empress dowager, lowered his head and respectfully left the hall.

"The tea ceremony is very particular. One more point makes the tea richer, one less point makes it lighter. The same goes for the water temperature."

The Empress Dowager looked at Yongzheng with a smile and said, "But after all, you are the one drinking the tea, and only you know whether it is hot or cold."

"I understand what the Empress Dowager meant..."

Yongzheng knew that the empress dowager was deliberately using objects to describe people, implying that the status of concubines should not be raised too high.

This idea itself coincided with Yongzheng's previous idea, so he said: "Hua Fei has served my son for some years, so my son wants to give her the position of noble concubine. As for the rest, Jingpin used to be Hua Fei's roommate, and previously helped the Queen with palace affairs together with Hui Guiren, so she can be promoted to the position of concubine. I will consider mentioning the rest, what do you think, Queen Mother?"

"The Emperor has already made a plan, and I think it's a good idea. You can discuss it with the Empress and make it a decision."

The Empress Dowager had previously guessed that her son did not really want to confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Consort Hua, and she ordered people to search for the Imperial Noble Consort's auspicious attire from that time, probably just to test the waters.

Now, after this conversation, the Empress Dowager's speculation was confirmed, and she was satisfied with Yongzheng's arrangement, and the expression on her face became much softer.

Yongzheng and the Empress Dowager reached a consensus and changed the topic.

"Speaking of which, noble Borjigit was hit earlier, but fortunately he was not seriously injured. It was also thanks to the careful care of the Empress Dowager during this period."

"As long as they can give birth to many children for the emperor and continue his lineage, it doesn't matter if an old woman like me is a little tired."

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Rather than talking about me, Yongzheng should not only pay attention to the people around you, but also look at those 'elderly people' who also gave birth to your children!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Yongzheng instantly remembered Concubine Qi who had always made soup for him in the Old Summer Palace, and his expression became strange.

However, the Empress Dowager had no idea that Yongzheng had experienced this. The reason she brought it up was because she didn't want Zhen Huan to be the only one standing out by the Emperor's side.

Apart from Concubine Qi, the others who gave birth to children for the emperor were Concubine Xin and Concubine Cao.

The Queen Mother did not have much aversion to these two people. After all, they were the princess' biological mothers and were usually very cautious.

Compared to Cao Qinmo who depends on Concubine Hua, Concubine Xin has a lower presence, but she is also an honest person, so she is remembered by the Empress Dowager.

"My son will remember the teachings of the Empress Dowager."

Yongzheng really didn't want to recall what happened to him during that period, and he didn't intend to mention it to the Empress Dowager.

So, after talking for a while and drinking two cups of tea, Yongzheng said goodbye.

After the emperor left, the empress dowager lowered her eyes and said to Sun Zhuxi who was standing beside her: "Zhuxi, take a look, what is the emperor thinking now?"

"Reporting to the Queen Mother, this...I am not sure."

Although Sun Zhuxi was an old man who served the empress dowager, he understood the meaning of "duty" even more deeply.

She understood the Empress Dowager and she also understood Yongzheng, but it was precisely because of this understanding that she did not dare to make any comments at this time.

Sun Zhuxi understood that the Queen Mother didn’t need to come up with an “answer” herself, she just had no one to talk to.

"Alas, the emperor is so obsessed with Zhen now, this is not a good sign."

The Queen Mother looked at Sun Zhuxi, pondered for a while, and said, "Go to Jingren Palace and tell the Queen to come to Shoukang Palace when she is free. I have something to say."

"Yes!"

When Sun Zhuxi heard this, he understood that the Queen Mother wanted to teach the Queen some methods, and nodded immediately.

……

Since she had just returned to the palace, there were many things that needed to be handled by the Queen. Also, the power to assist in managing the six palaces was not in the hands of Concubine Hua, which gave the Queen more opportunities to "do it herself".

Therefore, when Sun Zhuxi came to find the queen, he saw her giving orders to a group of palace maids and eunuchs in an orderly manner. As for Concubine Jing, as her deputy, although she was also sitting aside with a pile of account books beside her, she looked very leisurely.

It’s not because Jingpin is unwilling to work, but because the Queen doesn’t give her this opportunity, so she can only be a "foil" on the side.

"Your servant greets Her Majesty the Queen, and wishes Her Majesty good luck."

Sun Zhuxi has been in the palace for many years and is highly respected. Moreover, because he has served the empress dowager for many years, even the emperor has to be courteous to him.

When they saw that it was Sun Zhuxi who came, the Queen and Concubine Jing put down what they were doing.

The Queen smiled and said, "It's Aunt Sun. I wonder if Aunt Sun has any instructions for you?"

"Replying to the Queen, the Queen Mother asked me to come and tell you that I have not seen you for a long time and I miss you very much, so please go to Shoukang Palace to visit me when you are free."

Sun Zhuxi respectfully repeated the Queen Mother's instructions to the Queen, and then gave the Queen a meaningful look.

This was not the first time the two parties had dealt with each other, so the queen immediately saw the implication of Sun Zhuxi's words.

Obviously, the Queen Mother was not just "thinking" about herself.

However, since Concubine Jing was right beside him, Sun Zhuxi couldn't say many things directly.

"Thank you, Aunt Sun."

The queen gave Sun Zhuxi a polite smile, expressing her gratitude for the empress dowager's concern for her, and said that she would visit Yunyun when she had free time.

Sun Zhuxi got the answer he wanted and was satisfied. He did not stay any longer. After greeting the two of them, he quickly left Jingren Palace.