Chapter 31 Benefits

Driven by profit

Emperor Kangxi used swift and decisive measures to quell the rumors circulating in the harem, but he could not eradicate the greed in people's hearts.

Self-interest can always win people's hearts.

"Lord Chen, how have you been?"

"Lord Wanyan."

Chen Da injured his leg and has been on leave to recuperate ever since. Once his leg was feeling better, he went out for tea, only to run into Wanyan Natu.

Wanyan Natu glanced at his leg injury and shook his head with regret, "It's a pity that Lord Chen fell like this. I wonder if Consort Chen's investiture ceremony will be alright."

Chen Da was shocked upon hearing this, "Chen...the Imperial Concubine?"

"Lord Chen, you have no idea? Your family has produced a golden phoenix, how come the news hasn't reached you?"

Wanyan Natu seemed to have seen through some of the inside story. Seeing Chen Da's gloomy expression, he quickly changed the subject.

"Alas, the palace has suddenly gained two new imperial concubines. Consort Tongjia truly deserves the title, while the other has prompted many officials to submit memorials, but the Emperor has ignored them all, even picking up his pen to hurl a few curses..."

At this point, Wanyan Natu suddenly stopped, cautiously looking around, appearing guilty.

Then he added, "The ladies in the palace are also so worried that they can't eat."

Chen Da wasn't stupid either. Anyone who would think of using their daughter to advance their career was a shrewd and meticulous person. Hearing this, he chimed in.

"Your Highnesses are right to worry. It is against the rules for someone to become a Noble Consort solely based on the Emperor's favor."

Chen Da was also extremely frustrated and confided his feelings to Wanyan Natu.

He still didn't understand the principle that trouble comes from the mouth.

Some of the things the two said in the teahouse were presented to Emperor Kangxi verbatim, while others were said in hushed tones because they were standing close together.

Kangxi coldly looked at the paper, and after reading it, he ordered Liang Jiugong to put it away.

"idiot."

They were taken advantage of, yet they felt like they had gotten a great deal.

"Have someone break his arm." If you don't understand, then you don't need to.

Kangxi could guess what they were planning to do: cause some trouble during the investiture ceremony, or have Madam Chen say something unpleasant when she entered the palace.

But he didn't know how the Wanyan family had gotten involved.

The Wanyan family is an ancient Jurchen surname. They came from outside the Great Wall and have never been prominent. They also have no close relationship with the palace. Who could possibly get them to take action?

After thinking for a while, Kangxi realized that he had not been able to control these servants well enough.

"Have someone investigate the marriage ties between each family over the years, and also investigate which family has kept any mistresses or mistresses."

They're all highly intelligent beings; without kinship ties, they wouldn't easily get on the same boat.

Furthermore, regarding interests, the Wanyan family isn't someone you can just board the ship for the sake of profit.

This matter cannot be rushed; Emperor Kangxi did not expect a result in just one or two days.

Chen Guanxue didn't sense the impending storm in the Qianqing Palace. She simply played with the awakened child, looked at the newly made clothes, and ate some nourishing medicine and soup. She was radiant with health.

When Kangxi entered, Chen Guanxue had just changed her clothes and emerged from behind the screen.

The food has been good these days, but the clothes are often soaked from childbirth. Apart from occasionally feeding Fu Shou, the only other thing to do is hide behind the screen and let out the excess food.

"I see that your complexion has become better and better these past few days." He said, then pulled Chen Guanxue into his arms and inhaled her sweet scent.

Chen Guanxue had gotten used to being held by him and adjusted to a comfortable position. "If you keep eating like this, I'm afraid you won't be able to get your waist back in shape after you finish your postpartum period."

Her tummy is still soft.

Kangxi smiled with an inscrutable expression.

"Have the imperial physician examine her. If there's nothing wrong, we can stop the medicine." Even if she didn't want to, she couldn't risk her health.

Chen Guanxue was just saying it casually and didn't take it to heart.

Seeing that she didn't seem to care much, Kangxi talked to her about Wanyan Natu and Chen Da, and quietly touched her waist.

It's really soft; it feels like it would be easy to bite.

Chen Guanxue hadn't paid attention to his actions at first, but when she heard him speak more slowly and the hand on her waist became heavier, she couldn't help but frown.

She placed her hand on Kangxi's wrist, pulled his hand away, and freed the soft flesh around her waist.

"Not one of them is honest." This is a double entendre.

Kangxi was not annoyed when he was pulled away, and replied, "Indeed."

Chen Guanxue couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

"The Chen family's methods are not sophisticated; they just say things that don't really matter. I'm not afraid of those. What I'm afraid of is that the Wanyan family and the harem might make some big moves."

Kangxi pretended not to see it and analyzed the situation with her.

"There are only a handful of women in the harem who are capable of taking action. They are ruthless and have many spies in the palace, making them easy to catch off guard."

He had seen many methods, understood everyone's ambitions, and knew their thoughts.

As Kangxi introduced the women of the harem to her as if they were his own treasures, Chen Guanxue didn't know what to say.

All I can say is that living in his harem must have been quite difficult.

Having an emperor who knows all your little tricks but lets them go unchecked, and even secretly stirs things up at times, makes life quite miserable for the concubines.

Chen Guanxue never expected him to enjoy watching the excitement so much.

Not only did he talk about the current situation of the concubines, but he also brought up events from ten or twenty years ago and recounted them in detail.

From minor squabbles among concubines to major disputes over who poisoned whom.

However, the use of drugs was relatively rare, and it wasn't an abortion pill, but rather some allergy or cold medicine.

Listening to the stories of the deceased Empress Tongjia and Consort De.

Chen Guanxue looked at him strangely.

It's no wonder she thought Kangxi had a strange personality; in fact, he wasn't a normal person either.

Just close your eyes and laugh it off.

The fact that Emperor Kangxi brought it up proves that he didn't care about the petty tricks among the concubines, and he wouldn't look for an opportunity to dredge up old grievances.

The affairs among the concubines could not be fully discussed in a day or two, but Kangxi told her these things just to give her some background information.

But seeing that she didn't care at all, I felt a little upset.

"You don't seem to care at all." Kangxi pinched her cheek.

Chen Guanxue chuckled, "It's enough that His Majesty keeps it in mind."

These words warmed his heart.

"Never mind."

There was a sense of helplessness, yet also an overwhelming sense of pampering.

He's definitely enough.

With Kangxi's reminder, Chen Guanxue did not show much emotion when she met Madam Chen.

But after Madam Chen bowed to her, she glanced at her and then sadly lowered her head.

Chen Guanxue watched her silently weep.

She saw Madam Chen's sadness and knew that Madam Chen would not do anything to hurt her as Kangxi had guessed.

"Runxi, bring some tea and snacks."

Originally, I didn't want to waste the tea and snacks, but now I feel that these tea and snacks probably won't be able to appease anyone.

Chen Guanxue didn't know how to start the conversation.

Madam Chen probably realized that she wasn't her daughter, even though they looked alike.

After crying for only a short while, Madam Chen stopped. When she looked up again, apart from her slightly red eyes, there was no trace of sadness on her face.

Chen Guanxue is also a mother, and she can feel the importance of a child to a mother, but she doesn't know how to offer words of comfort.

They sat quietly for a long time without saying a word; the only sound in the room was the soft clinking of teacups against the table.

However, one can learn something from such a soft-hearted mother.

"Runxi, escort Madam Chen out of the palace."

Runxi looked at her upon hearing this, and seeing her nod, she knew what to say.

After leaving the palace, Madam Chen almost couldn't wait to get into a carriage and head in the opposite direction from the Chen family home.

Chen Guanxue tossed and turned in bed all night, like a pancake being cooked, keeping Kangxi awake as well.

As she turned over again, Kangxi pressed down on her shoulder, "Did you drink too much tea during the day? Why aren't you asleep?"

"I just don't quite understand," Chen Guanxue said in a muffled voice, nestled in his arms.

"Is there anything you don't understand?" Kangxi knew her doubts without even asking. "Profit is the most tempting thing. If there is enough profit, I will give up some things, and even take risks."

As an emperor, he understood better than anyone that interests could buy anything, whether it was loyalty or anything else.

The world is bustling with activity, all driven by self-interest.

"However, there are also things I will not change."

She understood what he meant.

The one he will never replace is her.

She would never be traded as an object by him.

"It used to be you, and now we must add Fushou (福寿, meaning longevity and good fortune) to it." Kangxi's words were clear.

"After Fushou, no one else will be added." This indicates that she will not have any more children.

Even now, thinking about it still makes Kangxi feel heartbroken.

“That won’t do. Fu Shou will get married and have children, so we have to include them.” She knew how to push her luck.

Emperor Kangxi chuckled, "Alright, alright, add them all."

After saying these lighthearted words, Chen Guanxue finally went to sleep.

Fu Shou's third-day celebration was not held, since it was still cold in March, and according to the custom, it had to be done outdoors, which his body couldn't handle.

Without the third-day bath, the full moon celebration was already quite grand.

At the end of March, although it wasn't warm, it wasn't bitterly cold either.

Chen Guanxue's imperial concubine attire has been completed and sent over by the Imperial Household Department for her to try on.

She hadn't worn palace attire for a long time.

Looking at her more mature face in the mirror, Chen Guanxue couldn't help but touch her own face.

Although she still looks like a young girl, she already exudes a mother's loving kindness.

So much has happened in less than a year.

The Imperial Household Department sent several sets of palace attire, the most important of which was the court dress, which she was to wear on the day of her investiture ceremony. Because of Kangxi's instructions, it was all newly made, and in addition to the dragon and phoenix embroidery, small pearls and gemstones were added, so that the skirt would sparkle with every movement.

Chen Guanxue liked it very much.

Their clothes were so beautiful, and their court hat and court beads were no less so.

The court hat was made of pearls that had been stored in the palace for many years.

Pearls are not only precious, but also symbolize status.

According to the rules, only the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager could use it, but the pearl chain behind her court hat was made of Eastern pearls.

She had two strings of court beads, mostly made of pearls from the East, each bead about the size of her thumb. The beads used for embellishment were also not ordinary, consisting of emerald green jade beads and lustrous mutton fat jade.

She could imagine the expressions on the faces of those people wearing this outfit at the investiture ceremony.

The clothes were a bit small and needed to be altered by the Imperial Household Department, so they were sent back.

She thought the court beads were beautiful and kept them to play with.

After playing with them for a while, I felt that the beads felt nice to the touch. After looking at them closely, I realized that they looked somewhat familiar.

When Kangxi saw her staring at a few beads, he came over and took the court beads, handing them to Liang Jiugong.

"Is there something wrong with these court beads?" Chen Guanxue asked.

Emperor Kangxi's expression was far from pleasant.

“Those jade beads were Buddhist prayer beads that Empress Xiaozhuang often played with during her lifetime.” He almost gritted his teeth as he uttered the sentence.

Empress Xiaozhuang, who was his grandmother, had only been gone for a few years.

Chen Guanxue understood.

If she were to actually wear those court beads, and they were brought up again after the investiture ceremony to impeach her, she would be in deep trouble.

But seeing that Kangxi was so angry, he left without even eating.

She felt that she wasn't the one who was unlucky.

[Author's Note]

Updated! [eating emoji] (This emoji is so cute, eating like crazy!)