Chapter 338: Chapter 338

Perhaps to build momentum, An Ning's investiture ceremony as the newly promoted Consort Chen was particularly grand. Although all the ceremonial items remained within the prescribed regulations, the level of importance attached to it was visibly apparent to the naked eye.

Even the deputy envoy was the currently highly favored Imperial Guard Nalan, the biological son of Grand Minister Mingzhu.

It could be said they fully embodied the style befitting the newest favored imperial consort.

The newly renovated Palace of Eternal Spring, though not the most luxurious, was exceptionally exquisite. Every plant and tree in the courtyard complemented each other beautifully, and in summer, there was a newly created lotus pond for enjoyment.

Of the newly tributed golden scale carp this year, there were less than ten in total. And now, wonderfully, almost more than half had ended up here, leaving only a pitiful few in the Imperial Garden.

As for the antiques used for interior decoration—did they think no one would notice these all came from His Majesty's private treasury? Every single piece was priceless, the finest among fine items.

In short, after paying successive visits to offer congratulations, even the most composed ones like Consort Hui and others could barely endure it anymore.

"Sister Yi Fei, what do you think His Majesty is doing with this..."

Could he truly be bewitched by beauty? Thinking about the current emperor's character, instinctively, Consort Hui didn't really believe this deep down.

But recalling what she had just witnessed—Consort Chen's stunning appearance—Consort Hui hesitated for a rare moment.

Regardless of whether there were other motives, with such exceptional beauty, His Majesty was still a man after all—would he truly not become infatuated?

"Sigh, forget about our His Majesty. Even with Consort Chen's celestial fairy-like face, I adore it immensely myself."

Thinking of what she had just seen, Lady Gioluo couldn't help but click her tongue, her tone full of yearning:

"I wonder how our sister maintains herself daily. It's a pity this sister is really too aloof, not like us lively types. Otherwise, I might have shamelessly lingered here to seek advice."

"Ah, that's right. Didn't Sister Shu Fei previously reside in the same palace with her? How come their relationship is also so shallow?"

Glancing at Lady Guargiya who had been absent-minded since earlier, Imperial Consort Yi lifted her handkerchief, lightly dabbed the corner of her mouth, then spoke as if casually.

As her words fell, many gazes immediately turned toward this Consort Shu.

Not looking was one thing, but looking closely gave them a shock. Unbeknownst to them, Consort Shu, who always maintained herself well and typically presented herself with elegant refinement, had surprisingly worn heavy makeup today.

Even so, the unconcealable dark circles under her eyes were faintly visible.

The consorts who roughly guessed some inside information instantly had playful expressions in their eyes.

It wasn't until reminded by her attendant behind her that Lady Guargiya finally reacted, hurriedly withdrawing her distracted gaze and shaking her head with an affected smile as if nothing was wrong:

"This... Consort Chen has a reserved temperament and has never been fond of socializing, as all sisters know."

Finally, she lightly sighed, her face showing some melancholy: "I'm merely an ordinary person—how could I be an exception to this!"

Several consorts exchanged glances, smiling meaningfully without speaking.

In the end, it was her old rival Imperial Consort Yi who stepped forward with blunt frankness:

"Oh, it seems I was being petty-minded then. I thought the reason sister has been so cold-shouldered by His Majesty lately was because of some other reason!"

Playfully watching the other's barely maintained composure, Lady Gioluo gave a light hum.

Only after this person left did the kind-hearted Consort Rong nearby finally speak up: "Sister, why must you do this? After all, we're all sisters..."

Even though Consort Shu had previously been amiable with others and didn't easily provoke conflicts, for some reason, these two always clashed. Or rather, Lady Gioluo unilaterally found her disagreeable.

The response to her was Imperial Consort Yi's rather cold and proud light hum:

"I simply dislike how some people are overly affected. Putting on a bodhisattva-like face while secretly employing such ruthless methods."

Just because of appearance, she could be so cruel to a low-ranking consort who at the time had no family backing and hadn't yet risen.

Without a second thought, destroying someone's chance for offspring.

"Sister Rong Fei, don't tell me everyone doesn't have suspicions about Consort Chen's physical condition."

As these words fell, Lady Majia immediately fell silent.

No suspicions? How could that be possible!

If this Consort Chen had remained obscure and silent in the rear palace, it would be one thing. But being so favored, and with such appearance, from the very first day she unexpectedly rose to prominence, everything about her had been laid bare before the high-ranking consorts.

Naturally, they also knew her body had long been ruined by medicine, making conception impossible.

The timing might even have been before she gained favor.

And it happened silently...

Who was the most convenient and likely perpetrator was self-evident.

To be so ruthless in preparing for eventualities—such methods made everyone wary. If that were all, it would be manageable, but the key was this person could hypocritically show concern and warmth toward her target afterward.

Putting on the act of being good sisters.

Although, to be honest, everyone in the rear palace was quite hypocritical, but this one was simply too much!

If it was only speculation before, then after this unexpected rise, the first to lose favor was Yonghe Palace—this was practically an open declaration...

"It seems this newly promoted Consort Chen is also an intelligent person!" What a pity though.

Lady Majia nearby couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Of course! To be enfeoffed as consort without bearing a child—how could someone His Majesty favors be foolish!"

Lady Gioluo gave a light hum.

Regardless of His Majesty's motives, whoever he selected definitely wouldn't be a simple person.

Yes, in Lady Gioluo's view, given their His Majesty's character, the possibility of him disregarding propriety and regulations for feminine charms was simply too low.

She just didn't know what exactly His Majesty intended to do!

After chatting and laughing together for a while longer, the several consorts, led mainly by Consort Hui, finally departed with worried thoughts.

Indeed, those who reached this level truly had no fools. Thinking back to how this former favorite consort Lady Gioluo's earlier words seemed full of jealousy and rivalry, but in reality carried no lethal force whatsoever in her tone.

Lying on the newly acquired ice jade mat, An Ning couldn't help but sigh lightly.

The system: "That Consort Shu—did you take action against her, host?"

Otherwise, why would she, who was quite favored before, inexplicably end up on the cold bench? If not for the young Eighth Prince, Yonghe Palace would have truly become the cold bench.

How come it didn't know?

"Because I actually didn't do anything!"

"Eh, then how did she..." The system looked puzzled.

"Do you remember what medicine this body was poisoned with before coming here?" An Ning turned over, then continued speaking.

"Fertility... blocking medicine."

"And what did Kangxi almost completely fall victim to before?" An Ning gave a light hum:

"You don't think someone with his level of suspicion wouldn't thoroughly investigate someone from head to toe before selecting them, do you?"

It was also a fertility-blocking medicine. Oh, so that's how it is—the system suddenly understood something.

"So this is why you used this 'fertility capability' matter to scheme against Kangxi?"

Actually, for her, it really wasn't necessary.

"Because only this matter could implicate almost all high-ranking consorts in the rear palace at once in suspicion!"

Only when his own interests were threatened and he urgently needed to support new forces would that petty emperor be so generous.

Looking at the spacious, bright room around her and the increasingly exquisite furnishings, An Ning couldn't help but click her tongue.

As for whether someone was implicated in this process!

Who told her to target the original host!