Chapter 96 Experience of controlling subordinates

After field investigation, Yun Fenghuang finally decided to choose Xuan Qing Palace.

Although this was mainly because she preferred Xuan Qing Palace, she did not say it to Wei Hengyan directly. She said, “I have observed these two palaces closely. I find that although Xuan Qing Palace and Han Su Palace are adjacent to Yi Jia Palace, Xuan Qing Palace is closer to Yi Jia Palace. We joined the Imperial Harem together and we should work together. You and I are very different from the others. You had no hostess before, and now you are the hostess of Yi Jia Palace. I had a hostess before, but it’s better for me not to have one. We are in the same boat. It is difficult for us to make the current achievements. How can we not get close to each other?”

Wei Hengyan, “…”

It wasn’t long before the summer banquet that she used to draw Yun Fenghuang over to her side with similar reasons.

As a result, Yun Fenghuang gained the initiative to draw her over to her side.

It was certainly impossible that Wei Hengyan did not feel bad. However, Yun Fenghuang confided in her and said, “There are no outsiders at this time. Of course, our trusted attendants are credible. I do not say those laudable-sounding words. I only want to say one thing. It is a joke for us to covet the Empress’s Palace for our family backgrounds. However, there are still two vacancies of the four noble consorts which rank only second to Her Highness!”

She lifted her chin in the direction of Tong Xia Palace with a low voice, “Under Noble Consort Shu and Noble Consort Gui, Consort Yue has now been downgraded to a Jie Yu, ranking equally with us. As for Consort Xin, Fu Ren Yaoning, Jie Yu Jia and Jie Yu Lu who have been in this palace for many years, if they had been capable, they would have got a promotion already.”

“It can be seen that none of them are blessed.”

“As for people who joined the harem with us, there is an old saying that a real talent would finally be discovered. In the place, only you, Qingman, Xue Xiaoge and I have some fame. Qingman and Xue Xiaoge, in the final analysis, rely on Noble Consort Shu and Pin Ji. When it comes to gift and capability, how can they compare with us?”

“As for the newcomers who are about to join the harem…”

Yun Fenghuang said with disdain, “They are just girls from non-aristocratic families. They are no match for us.”

“… Because Jie Yu Jia and Jie Yu Lu have not been promoted in these years, I think it is easy for us to get the promotion from Pin to consort, but it will be difficult for us to be noble consorts.” Wei Hengyan repeatedly told herself not to believe Yun Fenghuang who was silver-tongued, but she couldn’t help but retort, “Although my family background is not bad, I cannot compare with Fu Ren Yaoning and Consort Xin. As for you, don’t be angry if I tell the truth. The price you pay to get the promotion of Jie Yu is not affordable for the average person.”

Yun Fenghuang thought that people in the Imperial Harem all knew that it was difficult for her to get pregnant.

She didn’t take it seriously and said, “I am surprised about your ambition. When I first joined the Imperial Harem, few people in this harem knew me. Now, everyone knows me in this harem. The gap of background between you and me is so wide. Noble Consort Shu is my sister of the same clan. In fact, she just wants to support her sister. This time I got the promotion of Jie Yu. Her happiness was only on the surface. I know she must be very angry. After all, Yun tribe already has her in the palace, and now I am Jie Yu Mao, and Qingman is Pin Yun. There are two consorts from Yun tribe. It is unknown whether Qingman will be given the promotion of Consort in the future or not!”

“Because of me, her sister will not be promoted to a higher grade. Therefore, once she gets a chance, she will not let me go.”

“Under the circumstance, I still have plenty of fight. Do you plan to be Jie Yu forever?”

Wei Hengyan was young. Although she repeatedly reminded herself not to be goaded by Yun Fenghuang, she finally couldn’t retain her composure, and said, “Even you do not fear. What I’m afraid of? Nothing. I am just afraid that you will be neglectful and careless because everything went well since you joined the Imperial Harem. I am also afraid of that you will lose the position of Jie Yu that you finally obtained! At that time, those who have been serving His Majesty for many years may hit us badly.”

Yun Fenghuang smiled and said, “This is what Jie Yu Wei should be. The first time I saw you, I felt that only you and I have good prospects among those concubines.”

“I do not believe your nice words. Just leave these words to His Majesty and Her Highness.” Wei Hengyan spat and looked up at the sun. “Okay, since you decided to choose Xuan Qing Palace, you’d better report the Empress to finalize the matter. After all, each of us is not qualified to live in Xuan Qing Palace in accordance with the rules. Do not delay. Or someone will make trouble for you… Although your hostess is pregnant, she is still good at stirring things up!”

Yun Fenghuang also thought so, so she said goodbye to Wei Hengyan and went to Yan Fu Palace instead of Hu Zhu Palace to report to the Empress.

Perhaps it was because she came by herself. After the Empress agreed, she asked her people to do it. She asked Yun Fenghuang to stay with her a little longer. The Empress directly asked Yun Fenghuang what the Emperor said to her last night when he slept in Zi Quan Hall.

“I chose Zi Quan Hall before because this side hall is far from the main palace. However, I was ill-considered. I am sorry to offend you…” If the Empress did not mention Zi Quan Hall, Yun Fenghuang would not notice this detail. The name of Empress Ji was Lingzi. The name of Zi Quan Hall had the same word Zi with her. So, it offended Empress Ji.

The Empress had been controlling the Imperial Harem for eight years. Why didn’t she change it?

Was it because of Yuan Lianniang?

She was still lost in thought. Then she heard that the Empress said with a chuckle, “It does not matter. Anyway, I do not care about it. Besides, although there is a ‘Zi’ in my name, there is ‘Ling’ meaning overriding in front of ‘Zi’… Why do I need to avoid the word ‘Zi’?”

Yun Fenghuang observed her expression and became more and more convinced that Yuan Lianniang deliberately did not changed the name of Zi Quan Hall. Perhaps Yuan Lianniang did that to make the Empress unhappy.

However, it seemed that Empress Ji did not mind it at all.

She, cultivated by the top rich and powerful family, was more self-confident and generous than Yun Fenghuang who was from Xie’s Family that was a large tribe in the north border area…

Yun Fenghuang secretly sighed, if she had been the Empress, she would have killed Yuan Lianniang and perhaps she would have become the Empress Dowager…

Empress Ji did not care about these minor details. She asked Yun Fenghuang to continue to talk about what happened last night. She wanted to know if there was any issue to make a fuss.

“His Majesty went to Ning Bi Hall first yesterday and stayed there until it was dark.” Yun Fenghuang said helplessly, “I tried to sound out him, but he ignored me… I returned to Zi Quan Hall yesterday afternoon. After lunch, I cleaned up my place until the evening. I did not even have the time to ask my servants… I plan to try again if His Majesty still goes to Zi Quan Hall tonight.”

“Don’t be too obvious.” Empress Ji sighed, “His Majesty… I have told my family early… Alas. What’s done is done. It is useless to say these things. Just let it go. In short, no matter what he wants to do now, you just remember that do not sour your relationship with him.”

The Empress looked lonely. She said, “When you didn’t enter the palace, His Majesty had to spend time with me and Noble Consort Gui. At other times, he basically went to Noble Consort Shu and Jie Yu Yue. There are many new people coming in. At that time, I am afraid that it will be very rare for people like me to see His Majesty.”

She did not feel jealous because she was treated coldly by the Emperor. She said, “When His Majesty did not take over the reins of power, I did not care about whom he favored, but now… I can only leave it to you. Even if others are willing to work for me, they are unable to do what they hope to do.”

Empress Ji had never despised Emperor Chunjia, even if her husband had been docile, gentle and kind for eight years.

Now the Emperor won the chance of taking over the reins of power, she felt more uneasy.

There were many concubines in this harem, but in the eyes of the Empress, the only one who was capable and loyal was Yun Fenghuang.

Therefore, despite her eagerness to grasp the Emperor’s movements, she still focused on the safety of Yun Fenghuang.

After all, if something happened to Yun Fenghuang, Emperor Chunjia would increasingly try to be out of her control.

“I will listen to you, Your Highness.” Yun Fenghuang respectfully responded, and pondered again, “But, Your Highness, please trust me!”

Empress Ji raised her eyebrows and said, “Did someone say something to you?”

“His Majesty didn’t care about me last night…” Yun Fenghuang lied, “However, His Majesty gave me a title this morning. I always feel uneasy.”

The Empress said, “Are you afraid I will doubt you for this? Then you underestimate me. I understand that do not suspect the one you use. As long as you have been working hard for me, I will never let you down!”

She vowed to send Yun Fenghuang who was grateful away, and then asked her confidant maids who wished to speak but stop on a second thought, “Has it done for the two in Qiong Fang Palace and Ran Xiang Palace?”

After getting the confirmation from the maids, she nodded her head slightly, “Keep it secret, and place them under surveillance. I remember Yuan Lianniang is pregnant for three months, right?”

The maid said, “Yes. Aren’t we going to spend a holiday at a summer resort? I don’t know if she will go with us with the excuse that she has been pregnant for three months. She wants to occupy His Majesty forever. The Yuan’s Family is only from a small county. Even I, as a little maid, feel that she is shameless for what she has done.”

“It’s up to her to do this.” The Emperor picked up the tea cup, took a sip of tea, and smiled slightly, “Anyway, she has been happy these days. It’s time to end her happiness.”

The two maids looked at each other with surprise and tentatively asked, “What do you mean, Your Highness?”

“Many people in this harem will not allow her to give birth to a child.” Empress Ji said indifferently, “I was not going to do it by myself… It’s just that Jie Yu Mao is of great use. She should be more loyal.”

The maid thought and understood. She said, “I will give hints to Jie Yu Mao later.”

Empress Ji lowered her head, “She has just chosen Xuan Qing Palace now, and she may be busy in moving. I should not bother her now. Several days later, I will tell her about it…”

She sighed again, “I hope she won’t let me down!”

People in the Imperial Harem knew that Yun Fenghuang got feuds with Yuan Lianniang and the Emperor.

However, in the opinion of the Empress, the divisions between them could be bridged over time.

In particular, Emperor Chunjia was deep-minded and good at forbearance. He was a clear example. He had been tolerating for eight years before he took over the reins of power. Even it was very unpleasant for him to get along with Yun Fenghuang before and even he had forced Yun Fenghuang to jump into the lake. It was uncertain whether he would draw Yun Fenghuang over to his side in private or not.

The key was that Yun Fenghuang was the one with bad credit. She was cordially invited like Yun Qingman under the arrangement of Duke Yi. It was not dozens of hours after she entered the palace that she betrayed Noble Consort Shu and Yun tribe.

The Emperor was merely a puppet before. The Empress certainly did not worry that she would provide timely help. But now that the Emperor had already took over the reins of power, she did not know whether Yun Fenghuang would switch sides to support the Emperor or not.

Empress Ji believed that if she wanted to completely control the volatile and bold person like Yun Fenghuang, she must cut all her back ways!

Otherwise, she would not be submissive.

Moreover…

The Empress always had deep doubts about the death of her grandmother, Duchess Ye. Many powerful officials worked together. How many secrets in the world could not be found?

However, the murderer had not been found.

Logically speaking, Yun Fenghuang was imprisoned when she was back from Pine Hill, and she had been in a state of isolation from the outside world. She had no reason to give a false testimony to an emperor who was a mere figurehead.

However, what if she had pretended to go and seek refuge with her and she had been loyal to the Emperor earlier?

The Empress had already thought of this possibility, and she thought Yun Fenghuang was not that kind of person. However, she also thought that even if Emperor Chunjia was ambitious, he would not be able to do anything in a short time… The Empress began to be skeptical about her own judgment. She would not continue to believe Yun Fenghuang firmly. However, she also knew that Yun Fenghuang was deceitful, and she would refuse to admit that if there were no evidence.

Therefore, Yun Fenghuang must show her loyalty this time.

Otherwise…

The Empress lowered her eyes slightly, covering the coldness of her eyes. She thought to herself, “Then, as I have said before, just let her die in the position of Jie Yu.”

She also wanted Duke Yi’s Mansion that rode on the crest of success to be more submissive by killing their adoptive daughter Yun Fenghuang.