vrcanaries Chapter 1387 Concubine Kang’s Plan
Chapter 1387 Concubine Kang’s Plan
"Tell Xiyan to be careful and not to alarm others."
Fuqiu understood and bowed, "Yes, Madam, I understand."
Shen Zhinian said no more, her gaze returning to the book on the table. However, the slight pursed corners of her lips betrayed her seriousness in this matter.
There must be no mistake in choosing my father's second wife. This concerns the future of the Shen family and her safety in the harem.
……
Chuxiu Palace.
Caiju approached Concubine Kang, who was lost in thought leaning against the window, and reported, "Your Majesty, Chief Steward Hu from the Imperial Household Department is here."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Kang's eyelashes moved slightly and she came back to her senses from her daze.
Hu Zhongcai?
He was a useful person under the Imperial Concubine, and he never came to the palace without a reason. Now he came...
Concubine Kang's heart sank slightly, but she didn't show it on her face. She just said calmly, "Let him in."
"Yes."
Hu Zhongcai bowed and entered, performing a proper salute with a respectful smile on his face: "Your servant greets the Concubine Kang. May the Concubine be blessed with good health!"
Concubine Kang said calmly, "No need to be so polite, Chief Steward Hu."
"Thank you, Consort Kang."
Concubine Kang asked at the right moment, "I wonder what brings General Manager Hu here at this time?"
Hu Zhongcai presented a set of regulations with both hands and said, "Your Highness, Concubine Kang, the Fifth Prince's first birthday ceremony is approaching, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs has drawn up detailed regulations."
"Her Royal Consort has reviewed and approved it, and has specially ordered this servant to bring it to you for your inspection. Is there anything you would like to add or subtract, or anything you find inappropriate?"
Concubine Kang took the thick stack of paper, feeling a strange mixture of emotions.
She lowered her eyes and read through the process, the utensils, the banquet... everything was meticulously planned and in accordance with regulations. It even seemed more thoughtful than the typical first birthday ceremony for a prince.
After reading it, Concubine Kang gently closed the charter and handed it back to Hu Zhongcai, forcing a gentle and appropriate smile on her face: "Thank you for making this trip, General Manager Hu."
"The rules are excellent. Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has given it careful consideration. I have no objection. Everything is up to Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine."
Hu Zhongcai took the charter and bowed again: "Since that's the case, I will take my leave and will not disturb your Majesty's rest."
After Hu Zhongcai left, silence returned to the hall.
Cai Ju looked at Concubine Kang's gloomy expression and tried to comfort her, saying cheerfully, "Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince's first birthday will be in a few days, and it's time for our Chuxiu Palace to be lively again."
"The Imperial Concubine specifically sent General Manager Hu to ask for your instructions. This shows...it shows that she still cares about the past relationship with you and has not truly become estranged because of the past incident."
Concubine Kang did not respond, but slowly turned her head and looked at the crabapple tree outside the window, which looked a little lonely in the twilight.
mutual affection?
The corners of her lips curled up in a bitter arc.
This is not a favor at all.
It is clearly charity from the superior, a consolation after a warning, and a display of magnanimity shown to the six palaces.
Letting her read the regulations was not because she really cared about her opinion, but just to save her face as the fifth prince's adoptive mother and to demonstrate the benevolence of the imperial concubine.
Concubine Kang reached out and touched the back of her hand, still remembering the itchiness and pain caused by the rash that day.
But she said nothing in the end, her eyes became more and more deep and unfathomable.
Caiju rambled on about the preparations for the Fifth Prince's first birthday ceremony: "...Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince's big day is coming up in a few days, and it's time for us in the palace to..."
"Caiju."
Concubine Kang interrupted her softly and said slowly, "Go and take out all the money I have saved for myself over the years."
Cai Ju was startled, her heart inexplicably tightening: "My Queen, are you going to reward the palace maid, or..."
Concubine Kang slowly turned her head and looked at her with a deep gaze: "You should go out of the palace in person and find... find the monks of Fatu Temple and donate a large amount of money for the incense."
"Then……"
After giving the order, she warned again: "Remember, don't attract attention!"
Caiju instantly understood Concubine Kang's intention and lowered her eyes and said, "Yes, I know."
As the saying goes, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Although Concubine Kang was not very favored, she was a concubine after all, and there were still many people in the palace who wanted to serve her.
"besides……"
Concubine Kang lowered her voice even more: "Dr. Qiao from the Imperial Hospital has tried to submit his loyalty to the emperor several times before. Go find him and tell him that I... have approved it."
Caiju's heart suddenly sank. She looked up at Concubine Kang, her eyes full of confusion.
Concubine Kang met her gaze, a bitter smile forming at the corner of her lips. "Tell him I want him to do something. On the day of his first birthday, find a way to make the Fifth Prince... have a high fever and cry uncontrollably."
"My Queen! No!"
Cai Ju almost fell to her knees, her voice tinged with tears. "You know how frail the Fifth Prince is. With that potent drug, if...if the dosage is even slightly off, the consequences would be disastrous! This is too risky!"
"adventure?"
Concubine Kang's eyes showed desperation and extreme pain: "Is that what I want?"
"But this is the only way to temporarily stabilize the venomous snake in the cold palace."
"Only when Sui'an is 'sick', pitifully ill, can I, under the pretext of bringing good fortune and praying for blessings, advise His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort to pardon the sinner and accumulate blessings for the prince."
"Only then will Baharguli believe that I am doing my best."
When she said this, tears welled up in Concubine Kang's eyes, but she forced them back: "Just this once! Caiju, I swear, this is really just this once, I will never hurt Sui'an again!"
"Think about it, if I were to fall because of this, who would the Fifth Prince be able to rely on in this place where people are killed? Who would truly protect him?"
Concubine Kang's voice fell, "This matter... must not be known to Chu'er."
Caiju just felt cold all over.
Chu'er was an old friend of Concubine Hao's, and she valued the Fifth Prince more than her own life. If she knew they were going to use the Fifth Prince's health to carry out such a risky move, she would definitely fight to the death.
Seeing Concubine Kang on the verge of collapse but forcing herself to remain calm, Caiju knew that they were on the edge of a cliff with no way out.
She swallowed hard, swallowing the bitter taste in her throat, and finally nodded heavily: "Yes... Madam, I obey your command."
……
After receiving Concubine Kang's secret and dangerous instructions, Doctor Qiao did not act immediately. Instead, he found an excuse to pass the news to the cold palace.
He was actually a hidden chess piece that the Prince of Jin had carefully planted in the Imperial Hospital many years ago.
When Baharguli entered the palace with great fanfare, he obeyed her orders. Later, when Baharguli lost power and was demoted, his strategy fell silent.
It was not until recently that Baharguli instructed him to take the initiative to show his goodwill to Concubine Kang that he became active again.
Upon hearing that Concubine Kang actually accepted Doctor Qiao's "surrender" and ordered such a risky move that concerned the safety of the Fifth Prince, Baharguli's face showed an expected and somewhat complacent look.