Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 142 Unsuitable for Serving
really.

Although Consort Chen failed to get Zhao Xingjin to harm Xie Jiu, she went to Weiyang Palace and began to have designs on the Empress.

"Your Majesty has no idea how much I suffered in Chengming Palace today. That Consort Xie was simply reckless and arrogant, yet His Majesty still protected her!"

"What is it now?" The Empress glanced at her, her tone indifferent. "Why are you always being outdone by her? Can't you use your own brain a little?"

Chen Meiren was teased and looked somewhat embarrassed.

However, he did not forget the purpose of his visit.

"Your Majesty is right. I also wanted to win His Majesty's favor, so I specially made soup and sent it to Chengming Palace today. I didn't expect to run into Consort Xie inside. His Majesty summoned me, and when she came out, she was probably displeased. I only said a few polite words to her to tell her to accept my fate, but she tore off the jewelry from my head and even said she would tear my mouth apart. And that was outside Chengming Palace!"

Besides, the Emperor said he wanted to see her. Xie Jiu was inside, how could she not know?
But he still directly messed up her hair and threw away her hair ornament.

The Empress's eyes darkened. "What did His Majesty say?"

Surely they wouldn't completely ignore someone directly attacking a concubine outside Chengming Hall.

I didn't expect it to be true.

Consort Chen looked displeased. “His Majesty said that he was considerate of Consort Xie’s mother’s recent death and that it was not appropriate to punish her. He also praised me for my kindness and told me not to hold it against her. Therefore, he did not punish Consort Xie.”

Upon hearing this, the Empress sneered.

"This is truly favoritism. Even when the emperor is violent towards his concubines, they can remain unscathed."

"Your Majesty, I think it doesn't matter who the Emperor favors, as long as that person can serve the Emperor well. However, Consort Xie's mother has only recently passed away. Although married daughters are not required to observe mourning for their maternal family, she was still Consort Xie's birth mother. She should show some respect and should not serve the Emperor." Consort Chen said carefully.

Her reminder made the Empress's eyes light up.

She then said, "She is indeed not suitable to serve these days, but His Majesty may not listen to what I say."

“His Majesty has always respected Your Highness, so how could he not listen to your advice? But if Your Highness were to say these words, people would inevitably think that Your Highness is jealous and cannot tolerate Consort Xie. So it would be better to have someone else bring these words up to His Majesty,” Consort Chen said considerately.

As for who should bring it up to Zhao Xingjin, the Empress quickly came up with an idea.

He chatted with Chen Meiren for a few more minutes before sending the man away.

"Today, the Empress Dowager summoned Consort Wei to Fukang Palace for a talk, presumably to discuss her role in managing the six palaces. The Emperor has ordered Consort Wei and Consort Xie to assist in managing the six palaces, and asked me to teach them some things. Now, Consort Wei has made another mistake in handling matters, which shows that she did not heed my previous reminders." The Empress lowered her eyes and spoke calmly.

As he spoke, he stood up.

“It’s a small matter that she didn’t listen, but it would be bad if the Empress Dowager and the Emperor felt that I hadn’t taught her properly. I should go and explain to the Empress Dowager.”

Upon hearing this, Tingyun quickly understood what she meant.

Therefore, not long afterward, the Empress's palanquin headed towards Fukang Palace.

Consort Wei had already left the Empress Dowager's side. When the Empress arrived, the Empress Dowager was drinking her medicine.

It's not an illness, it's just some things I take regularly to replenish my qi and blood. As you get older, you need to take good care of your health.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty," the Empress said, bowing slightly. The Empress Dowager looked up and waved her hand. "Rise. What brings you here?"

"Thinking that this is the perfect time for Your Majesty to take tonics, I found some newly presented Ganoderma lucidum while tidying up the storeroom the other day, so I brought it over. There's also a jar of osmanthus honey, which was made this year. This osmanthus honey is beneficial to all qi and can also harmonize various medicines and enhance their effects. Your Majesty can add a spoonful as a medicinal guide when taking tonics, which is very good," the Empress said softly.

As he spoke, he asked Hongmei to bring the food over.

Standing beside the Empress Dowager, Tan Hui gestured for the young palace maid beside her to step forward and take it.

"The Empress Dowager was saying that although this tonic has been adjusted, it still tastes a bit bitter. Adding some osmanthus honey would make it taste better."

"It's kind of you to be so busy and still think about my health," the Empress Dowager said, her expression becoming more amiable.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager looked well, the Empress felt much more at ease.

I'm afraid that if the Empress Dowager sees Consort Wei, she will become displeased with her.

"It should have been sent to the Empress Dowager long ago, but I have just taken over the affairs of the palace and have been quite busy. In addition, Xie Jieyu's family had an accident. She was originally supposed to be in charge of the kitchen, but her daughter-in-law was afraid that she would miss her deceased mother and not be able to manage it, so she had to keep an eye on it for her. As a result, I have neglected Wei Jieyu's side."

The Empress took the initiative to start a conversation at the right time, feigning helplessness on her face and speaking with a hint of self-blame in her tone.

"Last time, Consort Wei came to me and talked about the extravagance of the palace servants. I told her that the servants were living a hard life, and if we could be more understanding, we should give them more so as not to make them unhappy. I thought she understood, but I never expected her to misunderstand and think that some of the servants below had come to me to gossip. When she got back, she punished a whole group of people in charge. That's really something."

At this point, the Empress sighed deeply, as if she had a terrible headache.

"It's also my fault. I didn't teach her carefully. I thought that since Consort Wei comes from a high-ranking family and is the eldest daughter, she would be able to manage the household affairs and handle domestic matters. Her family had taught her these things when she was young, but I didn't expect her to still make a mistake. Perhaps it's because there are many people in the palace, which is different from the household. It was my negligence after all."

These words were spoken with great sincerity, revealing a deep sense of self-reproach, guilt, worry, and unease.

The Empress Dowager did indeed harbor some dissatisfaction with the Empress.

They thought that Consort Wei's misbehavior was due to the Empress's deliberate manipulation, but now they also felt that Consort Wei was indeed unsuitable for managing affairs, probably because she hadn't learned the art of managing subordinates and households properly when she was in her maternal family.

"You don't need to blame yourself. This matter was handled poorly by Consort Wei, and it has nothing to do with you," the Empress Dowager comforted her. "I have already given her some pointers when I called her over, and I think she understands."

Upon hearing this, the Empress nodded slightly, "With the Empress Dowager personally instructing her, Consort Wei will surely understand."

After saying this, the Empress's eyes flickered, and she seemed to be considering it carefully.

"What, is there anything else you want to say?" The Empress Dowager noticed her movement and took the initiative to ask.

As I get older, I don't really like beating around the bush anymore.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager had brought it up, the Empress smiled somewhat reluctantly and then said.

"Your daughter-in-law is overthinking things about the concubines in the palace serving the Emperor. She's thinking that Consort Xie's birth mother has just passed away, and in principle, she should go to pay her respects. It's just that she's in the palace and can't go to the coffin to pay her respects. But I think she should still be careful. Her birth mother has just passed away. If she ignores it and continues to serve the Emperor every day, outsiders will inevitably think that Consort Xie is unfilial. Besides, I'm also afraid that others will criticize the Emperor."

After she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager slowly lowered her hand that was holding the teacup, her face showing a thoughtful expression.

After a moment of contemplation, the Empress Dowager said, "That makes sense. Although the Emperor dotes on Consort Xie, he must still be mindful of rules and etiquette and not let his reputation be damaged by such trivial matters."