Imperial physicians are human; there are some things they can only do their best to accomplish.

Apart from Xiuning, who was less than three months pregnant and simply startled, the other four people suffered obvious harm in this incident.

First was Consort Ma Jia, who was stabbed in the waist, and the cut was very deep. In addition, Consort Ma Jia was almost seven months pregnant... In short, Consort Ma Jia did not survive, and even the child in her womb died after birth.

Then there were Consort Zhao Jia and Consort Zhang. Whether they were fortunate or unfortunate, they managed to escape danger by relying on the railing around the pavilion, but they also witnessed the actual murder because of the railing.

Consort Zhang was alright, having had a previous child as a foundation, she knew that this pregnancy might be the last one, so she gritted her teeth and endured it to protect her belly.

Consort Zhaojia, being young and inexperienced, lost her composure in fear. Although she didn't suffer any immediate harm, she couldn't control herself once she returned to Changchun Palace. Not only did she give birth prematurely, but she could only deliver the stillborn fetus (after all, the fetus was only six months old and had no chance of survival).

Finally, there was the Empress, whose condition was less severe than that of Consort Ma Jia, but more serious than that of Consort Zhang, because she had bumped her stomach.

Kunning Palace Main Hall

A whole day had passed, and Kangxi and the Empress Dowager were still guarding the Empress in the room, both looking tense.

As news of the other concubines arrived intermittently, Kangxi gradually became irritable.

"Isn't it expected that the Empress will be able to keep this pregnancy?"

How did it end up with Consort Ma Jia dying and Consort Zhao Jia giving birth prematurely?

"Your Majesty, the imperial physicians are trying to save the Empress. If all goes well, the Empress will be alright."

The Empress was different from the others. Even when chaos broke out, the Empress Dowager arranged for palace servants to protect the Empress. If the Empress hadn't been pushed and tripped during the evacuation, she would not have been in any danger.

After her brows furrowed and then relaxed, the Empress Dowager walked to Kangxi's side. "There are always various possibilities in the implementation of things. The most important thing is the outcome." This time, the complete annihilation of the forces in the harem has also indirectly ensured the safety of the concubines and imperial heirs in the future.

Only after being reminded by the Empress Dowager did Kangxi realize that his emotions were not right.

He paused for a moment, his tone tinged with regret, "I only thought of these children."

It's not that they all should have perished in the palace; at least half of them survived.

The Empress Dowager naturally understood. She reached out and patted Kangxi's arm, saying, "Xuanye, you are still young and will have many more children in the future."

I know you are suffering, but all of this is for the foundation and future of the Qing Dynasty.

The harem could not be allowed to remain in chaos indefinitely. Kangxi and the Empress Dowager had thoroughly investigated the causes of the deaths of the previous princes, and they did not truly intend to protect the Empress. Rather, some of the deaths appeared to be the Empress's doing, but in reality, she was merely a tool in the hands of the other side. The real masterminds behind the scenes were the anti-Qing forces.

This purge was something that both Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager understood clearly and knew they had to do, even if it meant making many sacrifices.

As an emperor, Kangxi could not freely express his emotions like others.

He closed his eyes, and as if unable to withstand the blow, he took a few steps back, bracing his hands on the table beneath him, causing the backs of his hands to fade.

“Grandmother, I will punish these people severely.” Kangxi will not let those who have been caught off guard. “As for Consort Ma Jia, she shall be buried with the honors due to a concubine.”

She was, after all, a concubine who bore him two children. Emperor Kangxi had favored her for a time, and now that she was gone, the proper etiquette should still be observed.

The Empress Dowager did not object to this. No matter how weighty the title of a dead person was, it was just a fleeting thing, and the Emperor could grant it if he wanted.

The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes to conceal her emotions; she had not wanted things to turn out this way.

Taking a deep breath, the Empress Dowager fiddled with the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her tone softening considerably, "Your Majesty's health is paramount; please don't be too sad."

Of course, this is pure nonsense. If a few words could dispel Kangxi's inner emotions, then the Empress Dowager would be the one to worry.

Emperors must avoid emotional entanglements, yet they cannot be without them.

While the grandfather and grandson were talking, Liang Jiugong, who was guarding the door, rushed in.

What's all the rush about?

Looking at Liang Jiugong's appearance, Kangxi felt irritated and couldn't help but scold him in a low voice.

Startled by Kangxi's words, Liang Jiugong looked up and bowed to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, saying, "This servant greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"Get up. Is this the Empress's quarters?"

Kangxi had already figured out the key point: the only reason Liang Jiugong dared to rush in at this time was because of the Empress in the side hall.

Liang Jiugong nodded, his tone rising considerably, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician has just delivered news that, fortunately, the Empress's unborn child has been saved."

It's saved?!

Emperor Kangxi was overjoyed and involuntarily stepped forward. "Is this true?" He could finally breathe a sigh of relief, at least his eldest son was still alive, and some ministers from the previous dynasty wouldn't cause too much trouble.

Of course it's true. Even if Liang Jiugong had the greatest courage, he wouldn't dare to hide anything in this regard, especially since the Empress's pregnancy concerns the entire court.

Although the situation was saved, it is still somewhat complicated.

After delivering the good news, Liang Jiugong reluctantly told Kangxi the bad news: "...Her Empress's body cannot withstand any further damage. The imperial physicians recommend that she rest in bed for the next few months before giving birth to avoid any accidents."

Kangxi: ...

Well, it's better than losing the child.

"Go tell the imperial physician that the Empress and her child must be saved in the next few months. Now you may leave."

Kangxi waved his hand, no longer in the mood to continue scolding Liang Jiugong.

Upon seeing this, Liang Jiugong quickly responded and breathed a sigh of relief as he left. Luckily, he was clever and quick-witted, otherwise he would have been subjected to a few more days of cold treatment.

...

Qixiang Palace Side Hall

Xiuning, who was three months pregnant, chatted with Chunyu while eating breakfast.

All Chunyu could talk about was the harem, but recently the harem had been very quiet, especially after the tragic events in the Imperial Garden. Each palace had suffered varying losses of manpower, and even those with ambition would not choose to emerge at such a time.

Originally, one could say that the master and servant were arguing and bickering, but now one can only say that the servants are restless and spreading lies. Chunyu simply followed the trend and launched a wave of consumption downgrade. Although the content was a bit vulgar, the entertainment value was greatly increased.

Xiu Ning covered her mouth and laughed out loud. She had just heard Chun Yu say that the palace maids were using all sorts of tricks to get into Kun Ning Palace. "Things are really different now. The Empress has to endure it because of her pregnancy, which has become a means for some people to climb the social ladder."

Chunyu nodded in agreement. Who could have imagined that Kunning Palace, which should have been the most peaceful place, would turn out like this?