Fast forward to November, snow is falling, and winter has arrived overnight.
The Forbidden City has entered its coldest winter, and due to the limited means of heating in this era, everyone unconsciously reduces the frequency of going out in order to protect themselves.
People like Xiuning rarely went out, except occasionally when they needed to visit Cining Palace to attend to the sick and pay their respects.
Speaking of Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was already terminally ill, and her health was changing almost every day, constantly deteriorating in the worst possible direction.
For this reason, Emperor Kangxi announced a suspension of court for several days in order to take care of his grandmother, who had given him much help when he was a child.
The relationship between Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager was complex, containing both genuine affection and feigned indifference, as well as moments of testing and warmth. However, this did not diminish Kangxi's respect for the Empress Dowager.
Although the Empress Dowager did have some flaws, Emperor Kangxi relied on her to grow up safely and smoothly assume power during his childhood and adolescence.
Now, Emperor Kangxi has been an absolute emperor who has held power for decades. He is not weaker than the Empress Dowager, but he still remembers the kindness shown to him in the past.
"Your Majesty, it's getting late, you should go back."
Inside the main hall of Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager had already drunk her medicine and was fast asleep. Su Ma La Gu held the empty soup bowl and spoke softly.
Kangxi sat on a round stool by the bed, his gaze calm as he looked toward the bedside.
“Aunt Su Ma, I have nothing to do when I go back, so I’ll stay and keep Grandmother company for a while longer.”
Emperor Kangxi lamented that it seemed like he hadn't spent much time with his grandmother before she was about to leave him.
Time flies. It seems like only yesterday that he ascended the throne, but now his grandmother is bedridden.
His earlier dissatisfaction with the Empress Dowager was like smoke blown away, easily disappearing. Now, all he could recall were the little things he did with the Empress Dowager in their daily interactions.
It is said that when a person is about to die, their words become kind. Whether it is the person themselves or others, when facing a dying person, the bad memories in their minds will become very faint. This is a normal human psychology, accompanied by some unnecessary pity, feeling sorry for the person who is about to reach the end of their life.
Sumalagu understood Kangxi's intentions perfectly well, but she did not stop him.
Having served her master for many years, she could certainly understand his thoughts to some extent.
Whether the emperor's actions are sincere or not, they only benefit his master and the Mongol people behind him.
The master's body was already on its last legs, but he was still holding on, relying on the tonic prescriptions given by the imperial physician to prolong his life.
But that day would eventually come. Su Ma La Gu had long been prepared, and her mistress had arranged everything that needed to be arranged. It could be said that their Cining Palace was already ready, just waiting for the final outcome.
Nodding slightly, Su Ma La Gu wisely refrained from disturbing Kangxi and turned to leave.
A little while later, Su Ma La Gu brought over some pastries and tea, in case Kangxi wanted to eat or drink something but there was nothing to eat.
The Empress Dowager was still fast asleep, showing no signs of waking up. Her face was terribly pale, as if she had lost all vitality. Just looking at her, one could tell that her fate was grim.
With a sigh, Kangxi rose and walked toward the main hall.
No matter how long he sat, his mind was not at peace; Kangxi couldn't explain why.
Not far from the main hall, Sumalagu was burning incense and chanting scriptures. This was her daily ritual, which the Empress Dowager could not perform, so she, as a servant, had to continue it for her mistress.
“Aunt Su Ma, after Grandmother passes away, you should move to the Qianqing Palace.”
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes. Kangxi paused for a moment and then began to make arrangements for Su Ma La Gu's future life.
Su Ma La Gu was not surprised by this. She had taken care of Kangxi since he was a child. At that time, although Kangxi was nominally raised by the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager was the master and there was also the rebellion of the late emperor. She could not take care of Kangxi for long. Most of the time, Su Ma La Gu took care of him personally.
Therefore, Emperor Kangxi also had deep feelings for Su Mala Gu.
“I am just a servant. Now that my master is gone, I will never enjoy any privileges.”
"Your Majesty, I will only remain in Cining Palace; my mistress needs me here."
A distant fragrance lingers in the air, and living in the Cining Palace was far better for her than going to the Qianqing Palace.
Regardless of whether Kangxi had a sense of territory, Su Ma La Gu alone was not used to readjusting.
Moreover, going to the Qianqing Palace not only meant having to be mindful of Emperor Kangxi's feelings, but also how she was supposed to deal with Liang Jiugong, who had long considered himself the most important person after Emperor Kangxi.
Even if it's just a father-in-law and a nanny, a conflict between them will inevitably lead to trouble.
After Su Ma La Gu finished speaking, she recited a Buddhist scripture in her mind, and her whole body was peaceful as if there was no fluctuation.
Seeing this, Kangxi's expression remained unchanged. He wanted to say something but ultimately stopped.
"In that case, Aunt Su Ma will stay in Cining Palace. If anything happens, you can send me to Qianqing Palace to find me. I will not let Aunt Su Ma suffer any injustice."
The saying "When people leave, the tea grows cold" applies everywhere.
Emperor Kangxi would not force Su Ma La Gu to act according to his wishes; within his capabilities, he was willing to satisfy her.
Su Ma La Gu bowed her head to thank Kangxi. At the same time, she glanced at the Empress Dowager on the bed in the inner room. She still showed no signs of waking up. During this time, her mistress had been sleeping for longer and longer periods of time.
...
In late November, bad news about the Empress Dowager frequently came from Cining Palace.
As a result, the Emperor was furious, and all the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy had to be stationed at Cining Palace in case of emergency.
Everyone in the harem acted with extreme caution, including Xiu Ning and others, none of whom dared to displease Kangxi.
"Your Majesty, you have been busy for so long, you should take a rest."
Xiu Ning kneaded Kangxi's shoulders with both hands and spoke softly.
It was already dark outside. Kangxi's sudden trip from Cining Palace to Qixiang Palace in the middle of the night startled Xiuning, who was already asleep.
Seeing that Kangxi's expression was really bad, Xiuning couldn't say anything even if she was dissatisfied.
They could only feign gentleness and consideration to try and gain some face from the emperor.
A faint nasal sound came from Kangxi's mouth and nose. He hummed in agreement and then raised his hand to grasp the back of the hand resting on his shoulder.
"Sit down and rest, and talk to me."
Kangxi's gaze was calm, but a murderous intent lurked within. He had been holding back his anger for a long time recently because of matters concerning the court and the Mongols.
Xiu Ning obediently replied "Yes," and then took small steps to sit down next to Kangxi.
In the candlelight, Xiu Ning's body appeared too thin.
Dressed in her nightgown, Xiu Ning lost her dignified demeanor and appeared more delicate.
"emperor"
Xiu Ning spoke, her breath as fragrant as orchids.
Kangxi's eyes flickered. He lowered his head and took Xiuning's hands in his palms. "You've had a hard time these past few days."
Grandmother told me not to mistreat you, Ning'er. I am so happy to have you by my side all this time.
Xiu Ning smiled radiantly, "Your Majesty's words are etched in my heart."
"These are all things I should do. I am deeply humbled by the Empress Dowager's kindness towards me."
Kangxi smiled and said, "You're always too cautious."
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