Change of custody?

Are we playing this high?!

Even if the Empress Dowager hadn't actually thought of it, she couldn't have voiced it.

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, the Empress Dowager was instantly dumbfounded, her eyes widening in disbelief.

No, something's not right. This shouldn't be something the Empress Dowager would say. Given her personality, she would only try to make up for the situation as it was. She would be the first to disagree with changing the caregiver.

"What, do you think I won't agree?"

The Empress Dowager only needed to glance at him to see through his thoughts completely.

With a light laugh, the Empress Dowager sighed, "In the past, I certainly wouldn't have said such a thing."

But times have changed, Aruna. Neither we nor Mongolia can withstand another blow.

If the Empress Dowager still harbored some lingering thoughts before this, she realized the truth after Xiuning came to her and indirectly indicated that Ningchuge would marry into Mongolia.

The Emperor will no longer give the Mongols a chance, even if it means sending a weak and delicate princess to marry a foreign ruler, or even sending his own daughter, whom he raised, to her death.

A hint of disappointment lingered in her calm eyes. The Empress Dowager lamented that she had realized the truth too late; if she had acted sooner, she wouldn't have found herself in such a passive situation.

After hearing what the Grand Empress Dowager said, the Empress Dowager became even more bewildered.

So it turns out it's not just talk; does it really mean we have to do it?

No, no, even though times have changed, we still have to consider the Emperor's thoughts. Besides, where else in the harem can we find other children to replace them?

“Grandmother, this matter needs to be considered carefully. Furthermore, since Consort Wuya has just had an accident, it would be detrimental to Mongolia’s reputation if I were to send Yinzhen back immediately.”

We should at least drag it out until things have calmed down, and then find an excuse to implement it.

"Would it be detrimental to Mongolia's reputation? No, sending Yinzhen back now would be the best thing for Mongolia."

The Empress Dowager had been handling affairs for many years, and her perspective on issues was completely different from that of the Empress Dowager.

What the Empress Dowager was worried about was not the main point in the eyes of the Grand Empress Dowager. The main point was that everyone knew that Wuya Chenglin was playing tricks, and Yinyu was just an unlucky child who was implicated (because given Yinyu's age and personality, he would not have pushed Wuya Chenglin).

The problem with this whole affair is that when it happened, Yinyu had no family members around him, and Wuya Chenglin had just lost her child. From any perspective, she was in the right, since Wuya Chenglin had clearly suffered a loss.

"From the fact that she used Yinzhen to clear herself of suspicion, you should understand that you can't afford to raise Yinzhen."

How will they support her? Her own mother is the kind of person who can't sit still and always likes to cause trouble. So when Yinzhen grows up, whether he gets married or something else, will Wuya Chenglin be able to stay idle?

The Empress Dowager raised Yinzhen with the hope that he would take care of the Mongols in the future, not to raise a treacherous wolf who only knew how to leech off the Mongols to strengthen himself.

Shaking her head, the Empress Dowager whispered two pieces of information she had gathered to the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager: ...?!

"Uya clan, how dare you!"

If a child cannot be born, it is understandable to use it to scam people.

But Wuya Chenglin actually chose to harm children, which shows she has no moral bottom line. How can such a person live in the harem?

A feeling of disgust instantly rose in her heart, and the Empress Dowager frowned. "Grand Aunt, this person is vicious and should not be kept in the harem."

The best place for this kind of venomous snake is in the cold palace.

“Aruna, you are wrong,” the Empress Dowager said, her gaze fixed on the Buddha statue not far away. “Such a person is born to be in the harem.”

Because the imperial harem is a dangerous place, without any ability to protect oneself and ruthlessness, one cannot survive in the harem.

From the moment she married Huang Taiji, the Empress Dowager spent her entire life in the inner palace.

She had experienced so much. Regardless of why she entered the palace or how much she paid for Shunzhi's smooth ascension to the throne, the Empress Dowager herself was a ruthless person.

It's not just Wuya Chenglin who's ruthless in this harem; the others are just as formidable.

The Empress Dowager fell silent, realizing that she was still far inferior to the Grand Empress Dowager.

"Aruna, what do you think of Consort De?"

"Consort De?"

Who is Consort De? There is no such consort rank in the imperial harem.

"A concubine title that is about to be conferred," the Empress Dowager said directly, "I believe that this title is very suitable for Consort Wuya, who has just suffered a miscarriage."

Whether it's the rank of concubine or the title, both perfectly satirize Wuya Chenglin's actions and attitude.

Ha, isn't she trying to maximize her profits by exploiting a child who can't be born? Then she'll give Wuya Chenglin that opportunity.

Empress Dowager: ...?!

"Master, what's wrong?"

Since returning from the Empress Dowager's residence, the Empress Dowager had been absent-minded, and the maids serving her were very frightened, speaking cautiously.

The Empress Dowager shook her head after regaining her senses. "It's nothing, I was just thinking about some things."

Or was I just not smart enough? Was life in the harem really this treacherous? How did I manage to survive in the late emperor's harem?

Unable to resist letting her thoughts wander, the Empress Dowager smiled again. Although her life after entering the palace was not pleasant, she was still lucky enough compared to some concubines who died tragically.

The Empress Dowager's words were still fresh in her mind, and she could only lament that she still needed to hone her skills.

She was promoted to the rank of Consort, given a title, and given a child... Ha, Uya Clan is still quite lucky.

...

Because Wuya Chenglin's accident occurred two days before their return to the palace, the main group did not take Wuya Chenglin with them on their return trip.

Wuya Chenglin had no choice but to recuperate together with Consort Jia, who remained in the palace awaiting childbirth.

However, before taking a break, Emperor Kangxi still promoted Wuya Chenglin's rank and bestowed upon him the title of "De".

"Pfft, I heard that the title was decided by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager together. It suits Consort Wuya very well. Oh, she is now Consort De."

Sitting in the carriage on their way back to the capital, Xiuning and Chunyu complained about the outcome of the Wuya Chenglin incident.

"Your Majesty, Consort De has become the head of a palace, which is something to celebrate."

Chunyu continued sarcastically, thinking to herself that this title, given the current time of year, was... well, let's just say that justice will prevail.

"Yes, but whether Consort De can be happy is another matter."

Xiuning sighed, then casually picked up a piece of pastry and put it in her mouth to chew.

The smooth texture and slightly sweet taste made Xiu Ning squint her eyes. Well, to be honest, the two chefs sent by Kangxi were quite capable. Her appetite was getting better and better, even though she was pregnant.

Everyone knows that it was Wuya Chenglin who caused the trouble, but the Empress Dowager was willing to help cover it up. Tongjia Rongyue really couldn't produce any evidence, and Wuya Chenglin really did miscarry, otherwise Kangxi wouldn't have so easily agreed to grant Wuya Chenglin the rank of concubine.

Of course, she was given the rank of concubine, but what happened next was that the title of "Virtue" was quite a slap in the face, it seems that the emperor was also dissatisfied with Wuya Chenglin's actions.