Kangxi Year 6
The court was in turmoil, and the struggle between the four regents intensified.
In June, one of the regents, Soni, who was also Empress Heseri's grandfather, died at home from illness.
However, before his death, considering his granddaughter who was not yet pregnant in the palace and his vast family descendants outside the palace, Sony took a decisive step and directly requested permission from the emperor, saying that Kangxi had been married for two years and could take over the government.
Sony's sudden move caught the other three off guard. Especially after Sony's death from illness, less than a month later, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the fourteen-year-old Kangxi naturally began his formal path of ruling in his own right.
Although he nominally ruled in his own right, the remaining three ministers each had their own agendas, and Kangxi had not been able to handle many political affairs so far (it could be said that he only held the title of ruling in his own right, but in reality, those important political affairs did not pass through his hands).
On July 17, Ao Bai killed Suksaha, a fellow regent minister, due to personal grudges. After the murder, Suksaha showed no restraint.
In order to maintain stability and protect imperial power, several days later, Ao Bai and Ebilun, the father of Consort Shu, who had not been punished at all, were directly promoted to the rank of First-Class Duke by imperial decree.
Although the decree was issued by Emperor Kangxi himself (with the Empress Dowager's authorization as well), this move was tantamount to trampling on the face of Emperor Kangxi and the imperial family.
Emperor Kangxi suppressed his anger and had to be amiable to the two remaining regents in court. When he returned to the inner palace, he even more reluctantly pampered Ebilun's daughter, Consort Shu.
It was at this time that Kangxi and Empress Hesheli, who had lost her grandfather's protection and was frequently targeted and challenged by Consort Shu, developed a sense of kinship. Kangxi, who had originally been indifferent to the Empress, gradually began to visit Kunning Palace more often.
Of course, the situation on Kangxi's side does not affect Xiuning, who is in the inner quarters, for the time being.
Xiuning continues to carry out her daily plans and complete them diligently.
Time is a very cruel thing. It can mercilessly take away the beautiful aspects of things, leaving only ruins. But just as it can be, it can also bring new life and hope, like a gentle breeze.
"Princess, Madam requests your presence."
As Chunyu grew another year older, she became more and more composed. Although she still loved to talk and joke with Xiuning in private, she was already a qualified servant in public.
Xiuning stopped and put down the several calligraphy samples she had already traced.
Compared to the elegant and unrestrained style of others, Xiu Ning's small regular script calligraphy is just like her personality—refined, quiet, gentle, and beautiful.
"What did Mother say?"
Xiuning picked up a handkerchief from the side and wiped her hands briefly before coming to Chunyu's side.
"Since the lady didn't say, I guess it's nothing more than some trivial matter in the manor."
Chunyu tilted her head, thinking to herself that the young masters were getting older and all sorts of thoughts were emerging. Although Aunt Qin and her two daughters served as a simple deterrent last year, a year had passed, and those who had settled down were now frequently testing the waters again.
Xiuning smiled indifferently, "This is the norm in the backyard."
Everyone lives in this small, square place; that's about all we can think about.
It was a self-deprecating remark, but Xiu Ning wasn't being pretentious. If nothing unexpected happened, she would have to live this kind of life for the rest of her life. If she couldn't get used to it early, what would she do in the future?
"It's getting late, and I have a chess lesson later," Xiu Ning said, quickening her pace and arriving at the main courtyard in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
"Big Princess An"
"Please be well, Princess."
"..."
Nodding as she passed by, Xiuning entered the room and appeared before Fucha Shi with a clear and serene demeanor.
Mother
Xiu Ning smiled sweetly, revealing her pearly white teeth.
"Ning'er, sit down quickly."
Fucha smiled slightly, her previously serious expression softening instantly.
"Mother, did you call me here because you need something?"
After getting used to each other, Xiuning preferred to ask questions directly.
To this, Lady Fucha simply shook her head, then announced some joyous news from the palace: "The Emperor has a prince."
Xiuning was taken aback, then remembered that before Kangxi's sons officially settled down, a group of Kangxi's children had died one after another.
This young prince, born in September of the sixth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, certainly did not live long enough to be eligible for a place in the imperial family line.
"Mother, this is a good thing, but since the prince is not born to the Empress, I'm afraid some people will be dissatisfied."
Xiu Ning briefly reviewed the unfortunate child's life story in her mind, her expression remaining unchanged.
"Not only will there be dissatisfaction, but giving birth so early will also cause considerable damage to a woman's body."
"Ning'er, you will be entering the palace for the imperial concubine selection next year. Don't rush to have children yet."
Empress Fucha summoned Xiuning to teach her daughter a lesson by mentioning the matter of the eldest prince in the palace.
"The Empress must bear a royal heir. If possible, do not give birth before the Empress."
Xiuning turned her gaze to Empress Fucha, "Is Mother worried that the Empress will take action?"
Fucha nodded, "Heseri will not give up the benefits brought by the eldest son."
Xiuning and the Xitala clan are no match for them. In the palace, apart from the Niohuru clan where Consort Shu resides, no one else is a match for the Empress.
Even if the Emperor were to discover something, he would only consider the situation and choose to sacrifice you.
Although cruel, the harem operates on the same survival model as the inner palace. For example, in order to warn Xiu Ning, Xi Ta La De Bao was willing to sacrifice Qin Yiniang and the other two without hesitation. In the palace, if the emperor wanted to protect his legitimate son and empress, then Xiu Ning and the others were destined to be cannon fodder.
The distinction between嫡子 (legitimate son) and 庶子 (illegitimate son), and between superior and inferior sons, is something the royal family disregards the most, yet it is valued more highly than anyone else.
Xiu Ning didn't say anything, but she did agree with what Fucha said. In such a world, some theories are completely distorted.
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