Chapter 60: Giving Fang He 100 Million (2/3)

Su’moer also couldn’t help but laugh.

“But once His Majesty starts visiting the inner palace again, he’ll likely lose his temper…”

At this point, even Su’moer couldn’t suppress a sigh.

None of the concubines in the entire palace combined could match Fang He’s cunning.

Privately, Su’moer believed it wasn’t that Fang He was exceptionally clever-it was just that the other concubines, raised by their families and bound by palace rules, had grown increasingly rigid.

They knew full well the Emperor favored Fang He, yet instead of befriending her or learning even a fraction of her ways to please him, they clung to their grievances.

If they had, perhaps the Emperor wouldn’t be so fixated on Fang He.

But the Noble Consort feigned illness and shut herself away, while the Imperial Consort smashed plates and bowls in tantrums, making the Emperor reluctant to even step into Yongshou Palace.

Consorts Hui and Yi, along with a few other concubines, gazed at the Emperor with such resentment it practically glowed green.

Even if Su’moer were a man, she wouldn’t find such behavior appealing.

Only Consort De of Yonghe Palace, Noble Lady Zhangjia, and a few newly entered ladies and lower-ranked concubines showed a bit more sense.

No matter when the Emperor visited, they attended to him with gentle, soothing care.

But gentleness couldn’t compare to the charm of a little fox who laughed, scolded, and acted entirely as she pleased, far more captivating.

Su’moer guessed the Emperor’s fascination with Fang He wouldn’t fade anytime soon.

She leaned closer to Xiaozhuang and whispered, “Your servant thinks His Majesty isn’t the most patient man. Given time, he might act recklessly. With Princess Za’s limited strength, she likely won’t be able to stop him.”

And if she were to conceive…

It would be an unspeakable scandal.

“What does Your Majesty truly think about this?”

Xiaozhuang let out a faint, mocking hum.

“What does it matter what this old one thinks?”

“That rascal is deliberately acting shamelessly right under my nose, waiting for me to yield to him.”

As a mother and grandmother, unless she had no love for her son or grandson, what elder could truly defy the younger generation?

If she had been ruthless back then, Consort Dong’e would never have entered the palace.

Xiaozhuang waved her hand dismissively.

“Enough. I won’t interfere anymore. Let them do as they please. Better than having the earth cover my neck while I’m still being blamed.”

Su’moer quickly made a sound of disapproval, smiling without another word.

She understood-Her Majesty had observed Fang He’s conduct and found it acceptable, hence her willingness to relent.

When it came time for the midday meal, Xiaozhuang spotted Fang He approaching and smiled meaningfully.

She asked, “In a few days, it will be this old one’s birthday. Have you prepared your congratulatory gift?”

Fang He blinked in confusion.

“Didn’t this subject already inform Your Majesty? I’ve been copying Buddhist scriptures diligently to offer at the grand temple.”

She had been working on them faithfully every single day she hadn’t even studied this hard for the imperial exams.

Su’moer winked at Fang He.

“The scriptures are a show of your filial piety, but the palace isn’t lacking in such gestures. We all know you’re clever Her Majesty hopes you’ll prepare something more surprising.”

She wanted to remind Fang He not to miss the hint; this was Xiaozhuang’s way of giving her a chance to rise.

But Fang He, oblivious to Su’moer’s meaningful looks and hints, simply stared wide-eyed in momentary bewilderment.

Damn, the boss tells her to work at a loss, and the chairman tells her to give gifts at a loss?

Truly a pair of grandparents, their stinginess is so refreshingly unique.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang raised an eyebrow.

“What, you’re unwilling?”

“Of course not! Being able to personally present you with a congratulatory gift is an honor others could only dream of,” Fang He instinctively sweet-talked first.

After a pause, she bashfully rubbed her small hands together.

“But I’m truly penniless at the moment. My dowry is still back in Shengjing.”

“If the Grand Ancestress could help me ask His Majesty for it, I promise to give you a huge surprise!”

How about paying me first, then we’ll talk about the surprise?

Of course, the original dowry of the Zasihuli clan was meant for their own use and couldn’t possibly be given to her.

Kangxi had given her this identity, and there was no way he’d let her use items that belonged to the previous Zasihuli lady-he’d surely prepare a new “dowry” for her.

But that bastard had said he’d take her to see her original savings and dowry, yet insisted she first charm Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang into visiting the Qianqing Palace when she had free time.

She saw through it—he really did want to give her a few hundred million…

But right now, the only hard currency Fang He wanted was gold and silver-nothing else.

If Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang could pressure Kangxi, she refused to believe that bastard would have the nerve to withhold it.

For a moment, both Xiaozhuang and Sumala were left speechless.

Especially Xiaozhuang.

She studied Fang He carefully, seeing the girl’s earnest expression.

She wanted to scold her for being ungrateful, but instead, she just held her forehead, laughing uncontrollably.

Sumala was also torn between amusement and exasperation.

When it came to being clever, this little ancestor just didn’t have the knack—it was truly frustrating.

Once Xiaozhuang finally stopped laughing, she waved Fang He off.

“Alright, you may leave for now. We’ll discuss this later.”

If Fang He stayed any longer, Xiaozhuang feared she might choke on her own laughter.

“As for the ‘dowry’…” She gave Fang He a teasing glance.

“Your affairs with the Emperor are none of my concern. If you’ve got the guts, go ask for it yourself.”

Fang He:”…..”

So you were just messing with me?

When it came to subtle maneuvering, she really couldn’t compete with the locals.

Of course, even if she had picked up on the hint, she wouldn’t have acted on it!

She’d be promoted to concubine by year’s end.

A longer “probation period” would only deepen her bond with Xiaozhuang, making others think twice before crossing her.

Getting promoted early wouldn’t stop people from scheming against her why would she spend money to buy a death warrant?

So Fang He put on a pitiful, hesitant act… then calmly walked out to enjoy her eight-course meal.

The mistress and maid: “……”

Had they just overestimated themselves?

Xiaozhuang couldn’t help laughing again.

This was the first time her “generosity” had been rejected.

“Kangxi really didn’t give her any silver?” Xiaozhuang could hardly believe it.

“No wonder, these past few days, apart from the few things she brought into the palace, all her clothes and belongings were bestowed by Cining Palace. I thought she was putting on a show for me.”

Turns out she was just broke…

Kangxi wasn’t usually this stingy.

If Kangxi were here, he’d probably cry foul.

He’d previously ordered 10,000 taels of silver to be given to Fang He.

It hadn’t even been three months, and since all her expenses in the imperial presence were covered, he genuinely hadn’t considered her short on funds.

As for the gold and silver in Jingren Palace he wanted to give it to her, but that little fox just wouldn’t take the bait.

If he handed it over to Cining Palace too easily, Kangxi suspected that rascal might even forget which way the Qianqing Gate opened.

Fortunately, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was generous and immediately sent Su’moer to deliver a thousand taels of silver notes to Fang He.

When the Empress Dowager arrived and learned of Fang He’s financial constraints, she also graciously bestowed upon her a lavish amount of jewelry, fabrics, and even a box of southern pearls.

Overjoyed, Fang He covered her mouth in her room, giggling until her cheeks ached.

Truthfully, she didn’t have any immediate need for the silver, but she had to think about the future.

Chunlai was Kangxi’s person.

Fang He didn’t mind the emperor planting spies around her, but she still needed her own trusted people.

In the palace, nothing was more reliable for winning loyalty than silver-especially for a certain lazy aunt who was practically rotting away in the imperial tea room!

With the silver and gifts secured, Fang He sent Chunlai to the Imperial Household Department to have tailors make her new clothes.

Seizing the moment while Chunlai was away, she slipped some silver to a young eunuch from Cining Palace, asking him to pass a message to Cui Wei.

Later, during the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, everyone would gather at Qianqing Palace, which would be the perfect time for her to have a good chat with Cui Wei.

Since she could no longer laze around like a salted fish, she couldn’t stand others staying idle either.

She was well aware of Cui Wei’s talent for gathering information-now it was just a matter of whether this particular “salted fish” would take the bait.

The thought alone made Fang He a little impatient.

It had been so long since she’d heard any juicy palace gossip.

In this regard, Weizhu and Chunlai combined couldn’t even match half of Cui Wei’s skills.

But before the Empress Dowager’s birthday arrived, Xiaozhuang fell ill after catching a chill from the autumn rain.

Upon hearing the news, Kangxi immediately set aside his memorials and rushed to Cining Palace.

He understood Xiaozhuang’s health better than Fang He did.

The medical reports and Lu Wuning’s subtle hints made it clear if his grandmother could survive this winter, she might have two or three more years left.

If not… it would likely be over by year’s end.

No matter the reason, he couldn’t just stand by and watch the woman who raised him pass away like this.

When he entered Cining Palace, the rain was still falling outside, but he didn’t even wait for an umbrella, stepping in damp with moisture.

Fang He quickly stopped him.

“Your Majesty, please change your clothes first-don’t catch a chill…”

Seeing Kangxi glare, Fang He glared back even fiercer, whispering, “You’re carrying the cold with you! Her Highness can’t bear any chill right now, nor should she worry about you. Behave!”

Kangxi: “……”

Why did it feel like this rascal was treating him like a child?

But noticing Fang He’s lack of urgency, Kangxi realized his grandmother’s condition couldn’t be too serious.

Suppressing his impatience, he first changed in the side hall before re-entering the main chamber.

However, in the time he’d taken, everyone from the Imperial Noble Consort down to the lower-ranking concubines had arrived, filling the hall to the brim-an irritating sight.

“Imperial Noble Consort, weren’t you still unwell? Why come out in this cold weather?” Kangxi helped Tong Jia up, speaking with measured gentleness.

“You should go back and rest properly to recover from your illness. Don’t risk passing it between yourself and Grand Imperial Mother, which would only add to my worries.”

Tong Jia let out a few light coughs and replied weakly, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This humble consort is already much better…”

“Enough, go back now.” Kangxi, preoccupied with his grandmother inside, had no patience for further conversation and waved her off.

“Grand Dowager Mother also needs peace and quiet. Your presence here is of no help and will only disturb her.”

Tong Jia gritted her teeth in silent fury.

Never before had the Emperor treated her with such impatience.

Ever since Fang He appeared before the Emperor, her favor had waned day by day.

Now, even a few extra words from her seemed to annoy him.

A shadow flickered in her eyes, but she stood firm, refusing to leave.

“Your Majesty, this humble consort has urgent matters to report to the Grand Dowager. It cannot be delayed. Let us first hear what the imperial physicians have to say.”

Kangxi frowned.

With so many consorts present, he couldn’t openly slight Tong Jia.

Without another word, he turned and entered the inner chamber.

Fang He sat by the bedside, gently massaging Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang’s forehead.

Half an hour had passed since Xiaozhuang took her medicine, yet her headache persisted.

Lu Wuning and the imperial physicians had gathered for a consultation.