Consort Fang remembered when she finished reciting poetry, Sister Lian had openly praised her, complimenting her on her captivating voice, her eyes filled with admiration. Each time she reminisced about it, she felt quite contented.
The hardest thing to find in this world is a soulmate. Having been in the palace for so many years, she had yet to meet someone who understood her as well. Alas, what a pity, how could the one who understood her best be Beauty Lian?
Others might be alright; she could converse with people every day, but Beauty Lian, alas, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to visit, but it was simply too difficult...
Changzai Zhou saw that Consort Fang seemed to have fallen into some kind of reminiscence, her face both fulfilled and regretful. She secretly sighed in relief, relieved that she was no longer crying.
She then pretended to speak casually, "Just so, I just saw Nanny Qi from Canglan Court—the managerial nanny of the Former Great Empress Dowager—heading that way, but I didn’t see Beauty Lian out and about. If Sister weren’t busy right now, I would really like to visit Beauty Lian."
Consort Fang’s thoughts stirred, it was like when sleep comes to one with a pillow ready. She had thought of doing this earlier, but with this highly respected old nanny around, she didn’t dare.
She had entered the palace early and knew more about Nanny Qi than others did. This old lady was not easy to deal with; whenever she saw this old lady, she could only behave obediently, daring not to say a word.
If Nanny Qi was out, then wouldn’t Canglan Court have only Beauty Lian in it?...
Her eyes twinkled, and she replied, "Yes, Sister Lian’s health fluctuates, and we are all sisters here; we should indeed visit her..."
Changzai Zhou knew that Consort Fang was tempted and did not say more. She bid goodbye, "Ah... enough said, Sister Fang, I have matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now."
Changzai Zhou, while saying this, bowed slightly and took Liu Ying with her as she left.
Halfway through, Changzai Zhou said to Liu Ying with a smile, "I hadn’t noticed before, but I realized today that your complexion has gotten much better, you even received Consort Fang’s praise, it must be really good."
Liu Ying felt uneasy and repeatedly said it was Consort Fang’s gracious overstatement, and she did not dare accept it.
Changzai Zhou said no more.
Meanwhile, Consort Fang watched Changzai Zhou leaving, her face thoughtful.
The palace maid beside her quietly asked, "My lady, do we really intend to follow Changzai Zhou’s suggestion and visit Beauty Lian? But..."
Beauty Lian was pregnant, and if something went wrong, could they be blamed?
Consort Fang pondered for a moment, her hand rubbing the handkerchief, then she made up her mind and said, "Go."
The opportunity was too good to miss.
As they walked, she and the palace maid beside her carefully analyzed that now, with Nanny Qi absent, it was an excellent time to visit.
Not to mention that she and Sister Lian shared similar interests, just the fact that Sister Lian had been confirmed to be pregnant; if she could foster a good relationship with Sister Lian, perhaps Sister Lian would share some benefits with her in the future.
Even if there was no sharing, there was no harm either. Although everyone said that Beauty Lian was manipulative, after her interactions, she felt it was not so bad and unconsciously wanted to get closer.
The palace maid by her side understood what her mistress was thinking and thus did not speak further as they both headed towards Canglan Court.
Meanwhile, Lian Hua was taking her midday nap, sleeping soundly, completely unaware that a casual compliment she had given before the Mid-Autumn Festival had left someone deeply impressed...
In front of Huaying Hall.
The arrival of Nanny Qi unsettled the Noble Consort; she hadn’t feared anyone in the harem for many years, except for Nanny Qi.
Seeing Nanny Qi always unnerved her, just as it did now.
In the past, when Nanny Qi was at Yixiang Palace, she could not meet her, thus she hadn’t felt this way in many years.
But now, Nanny Qi, for the sake of Beauty Lian, was stationed permanently at Canglan Court, leaving her unable to exercise her will, hands and feet tied. Her attempts to deal with Canglan Court had all failed thus far, with Nanny Qi playing no small role in that.
Since Nanny Qi arrived, she had sided with Xu Rongying, instantly disrupting the situation she had just managed to control, resulting in her utter humiliation!
She wasn’t the legitimate Empress, and in front of the highly respected Nanny of the Former Empress Dowager, who had served through three reigns, she always felt inadequate.
How could she dare disrespect someone even His Majesty showed respect to?
Moreover, with everyone watching, including the eunuchs of the Star Palace, if Nanny Qi decided to suppress her, no matter how many tricks she had up her sleeve, she couldn’t and wouldn’t dare use them!
Was she going to be utterly defeated today?
Her eyes red, she said bitterly, "As soon as Nanny arrived, she scolded me indiscriminately. But has Nanny seen what Consort De has done? She lashes out and whips people at the slightest disagreement, she even beat someone to death, why isn’t Nanny scolding her, why this partiality?"
Nanny Qi glanced around, surveying the entire scene; a dead eunuch, an injured old woman, a group of Managers trembling, heads nearly touching the ground, and a large number of kneeling, frightened servants.
Consort Xu De, certainly of a martial spirit, acted decisively, escalating the situation to such magnitude, even Noble Consort Xue was pushed to desperation. She didn’t need to come, the people wouldn’t suffer anyway.
Only if she had come sooner, Noble Consort Xue wouldn’t have been so embarrassed, though it was also self-inflicted.
But Nanny Qi was worried. Noble Consort Xue, cunning and ruthless, wouldn’t let things go easily once they reached a breaking point, becoming desperate and unpredictable, which was hard to guard against.
It sure took Nanny Qi a long time to come, the reason truly was complicated.
She initially excused herself to the restroom but was exposed by a young girl. The young girl and her entourage followed her, forcing her to return to the side hall.
To make her act more convincing, making the young girl believe she wasn’t in a rush, she ended up not going to the restroom at all, holding it in.
In her haste to leave, once the young girl rested, she immediately sneaked out quietly, fearful of any unforeseen changes.
After walking for a while, Nanny Qi realized she could barely hold it any longer, so she took Pang Ya to look for a restroom.
Having stayed in Canglan Court the entire time she was in the palace and not venturing out elsewhere, she usually didn’t notice, but when she needed a restroom, she realized just how remote Canglan Court was; beyond it was just a stretch of gardens with few people, let alone a restroom.
But she could not let Nanny Qi go back; if the young girl wasn’t asleep and got up and wandered around, it would be impossible for her to come out today.
When nature calls, especially at an old age, it’s hard to keep in, Nanny Qi, along with Pang Ya and others, searched all over the Imperial Garden for a restroom, walking further and further into isolated areas.
She certainly knew that if she headed towards the harem on the eastern side, there would be plenty of restrooms, including those inside the residences of the Palace Concubines.
But with her status, it was inappropriate; it would not only make her a laughingstock but could also stir up unnecessary speculation.
Pang Ya, seeing her in distress, suggested they handle it right there with their protection as lookouts.
Having lived most of her life, Nanny Qi had never been in such an awkward situation, all thanks to the young girl’s blessing. If people found out, where would she put her old face?
She firmly refused, and finally, in the dire need, found a secluded courtyard and an unused, abandoned privy, where she managed to relieve herself.