Since the 20th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the Empress Dowager's health had been declining.
In the original timeline, the Empress Dowager passed away in the Cining Palace in December of the 26th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. The Kangxi Emperor even suspended court for several days to mourn her passing.
It can be clearly stated that during Kangxi's reign, the Empress Dowager was someone who provided him with a great deal of help.
Whether it's the bond they've cultivated since childhood, the daily care they received after the emperor ascended the throne, or the power struggles and transitions between the grandfather and grandson, it all reveals the deep connection between them.
Emperor Kangxi felt both gratitude and suspicion towards the Empress Dowager.
It cannot be denied that his successful ascension to the throne was related to the Empress Dowager to some extent. After all, he was not the only prince in the harem at that time. Kangxi's competitiveness was only that he had a cure for smallpox (after all, Shunzhi died of smallpox).
However, later, after the Empress Dowager supported Kangxi's ascension to the throne, both her own mother's early death and the Empress Dowager's desire for Mongolian concubines to enter the palace and occupy high positions threatened Kangxi's own interests. This caused a rift between the two, who were originally close, and they had a very unpleasant falling out.
Currently, with the Empress Dowager's health deteriorating, Kangxi's feelings towards her have become complicated again.
On the one hand, Kangxi hoped that the Empress Dowager would continue to live peacefully. She could be considered half of his spiritual pillar, after all, she had helped him a lot since childhood (even though the power transition was not very pleasant later, the Empress Dowager still taught Kangxi many things).
On the other hand, Kangxi did not want anyone to restrain him. The existence of the Empress Dowager greatly restricted him, and Kangxi's transgressions in certain matters would be suppressed by the Empress Dowager. Kangxi had been in power for many years, and he was eager to get rid of this situation. If the Empress Dowager passed away, then naturally, he would be the only one in the harem, and no one could restrain him.
This contradictory and mutually exclusive mentality made the relationship between Kangxi and the Empress Dowager very awkward. Some of the concubines in the harem who were emotionally sensitive chose to stay far away and not get involved, which could be regarded as a kind of self-protection.
Right now, Xiu Ning plans to use the Empress Dowager's remaining influence to put pressure on her and thus restrict Wu Ya Cheng Lin. It has to be said that her idea is bold.
If this continues and fails, not to mention whether the Empress Dowager will hold a grudge, Xiu Ning will have a hard time explaining herself to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. In the current harem, Xiu Ning is the only one who dares to do this.
"What, you don't think I have a chance?"
Xiuning sat on the tatami mat, listening to the system in her mind chatter on and on.
After the system froze, he paused and said, "There are some, but I think doing it this way is very risky, and it would be difficult to evaluate if it fails."
Xiuning scoffed, "You've learned to use new words, and besides, it hasn't failed yet. Your premature worry is a bit of an overreaction."
Worrying unnecessarily? The system doesn't deny that it has such thoughts, but isn't this still as it analyzed before: high risk and low reward?
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Xiu Ning muttered to the system, then turned to Chun Yu, who was standing nearby, and said, "Help me change my clothes, we're going to see the Empress Dowager."
While she is still able to move around during her pregnancy, we took care of everything that needed to be done.
Chunyu bowed her head in agreement and helped Xiuning to the dressing table to prepare.
"Have all the gifts been prepared as I instructed?"
"Hmm, I was afraid it wasn't enough, so I added two more consecrated Buddhist artifacts."
"Indeed, the Empress Dowager has been a vegetarian and a devout Buddhist for many years, so she will be very happy to receive this."
"It's also because the master is so thoughtful, sending such a comprehensive range of gifts."
"..."
While the master and servant were talking, Xiu Ning's hair was already styled into a bun.
Because you don't need to wear makeup during pregnancy, you save yourself some unnecessary steps.
She stood up, changed into a clean and refreshing qipao, and smoothed the stray hairs at her temples. "Let's go."
"yes"
After being carried in a sedan chair by palace servants, Xiuning arrived at the Empress Dowager's residence in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
"May Consort Jing be well."
"Aunt Su Ma"
Xiuning looked up and glanced inside. "I wonder if the Empress Dowager is here?"
Sumalagu nodded, "Your Majesty, please come inside."
As Xiuning entered the main hall, a sandalwood fragrance immediately filled the air.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
No need for formalities.
The Empress Dowager held a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand and slightly raised her eyelids. "Your Highness, please sit down."
She was pregnant, and the Empress Dowager wasn't a wicked mother-in-law; she didn't have the idea of punishing her granddaughters-in-law by making them stand in the corner.
Xiuning nodded in agreement and, with the help of the spring rain, sat down.
Since she had brought a gift, Xiuning briefly introduced what she had given, saying, "The gift is simple, please don't find it offensive, Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager shook her head. "You've put your heart into this." These are tools commonly used in Buddhist rituals, which is better than other people sending her medicinal herbs that she doesn't need.
Many imperial concubines sent her tonics, but who knows if there were any problems with those sent by others? So most of them ended up in the storeroom.
"Your Majesty, I have come here today to ask you for a favor."
As if she had thought about it for a long time and finally mustered up her courage, Xiu Ning looked at the Empress Dowager with a firm gaze and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask for a few Mongolian nannies to stay by Ning Chuge's side to teach him."
The Empress Dowager paused in her work, "A Mongolian nanny?"
Xiu Ning nodded, somewhat apprehensive and conflicted, "I was thinking that Ning Chuge is naturally unruly, and the princess's studies are not very suitable for her."
However, I have had the privilege of hearing Your Majesty recount some of the daily arrangements in Mongolia, and I feel they are very suitable for Ningchuge. I humbly request Your Majesty's approval.”
To grant a wish?
The Empress Dowager's gaze sharpened as she scrutinized Xiu Ning, trying to discern whether the woman was being sincere.
Xiuning was of course sincere. Kangxi had already revealed his intention to her, so why wouldn't she take the opportunity to gain some sympathy for her daughter? Would she still be a true mother?
"Do you really need a few Mongolian nannies? Once it's decided, there's no going back."
Fearing that Xiuning might not realize the gravity of the situation (or perhaps that Xiuning might think she could change things later), the Empress Dowager spoke with unusual seriousness, “If a princess has a Mongolian nanny by her side, her future will most likely be a marriage alliance with a foreign country.”
"Your Highness, you are Ning Chuge's mother, and Ning Chuge has been raised by the Empress Dowager since childhood. I believe we should discuss this further."
The main reason was that the Empress Dowager was unsure of the Empress Dowager's attitude towards Ning Chuge.
Before the Empress Dowager adopted Yinzhen, she would definitely have hoped that Ningchuge would marry into the Khorchin Mongols, but now, she might not have that thought.
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