As expected, the Empress Dowager's previously stable health deteriorated rapidly, and the imperial physician in charge of taking her pulse had already subtly announced her death date.
During this period, Cining Palace became particularly sensitive because of the Empress Dowager's affairs.
As the highest-ranking concubine in the harem, Chen Yuwei also frequently appeared at Cining Palace.
Whether or not she gets to see the Empress Dowager is another matter; Chen Yuwei needs to make arrangements for what follows.
"Xingkui, what did the people from the Imperial Household Department say? These are all things that the Emperor himself instructed us to do."
The son couldn't wait to prepare his mother's funeral, and although all the arrangements were top-of-the-line, something just didn't sound right.
Chen Yuwei would occasionally complain to Xingkui that the Emperor was too impatient in doing things.
Can't they wait a few days? They're only doing this because the Empress Dowager is currently unconscious and unaware of her eldest son's affairs; otherwise, she would surely be executed for filial piety.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, the people from the Imperial Household Department will do as Your Majesty instructs."
The Imperial Household Department has now completed all preparations and is awaiting any action from the Cining Palace.
In other words, while things seemed a bit better in the front court, the people in the harem were truly focusing their attention on the Cining Palace.
"Hmm, tell them to be more alert," Chen Yuwei said, fiddling with the beads on her clothes. "Has the Emperor been frequently summoning his concubines lately? What's the Imperial Hospital saying? Is the Imperial Kitchen providing supplies normally?"
Xingkui lowered her head slightly and said, "His Majesty has been resting and cultivating his mind in the Hall of Mental Cultivation recently. The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital have been taking his pulse every three days without fail. The food in the Imperial Kitchen is all normal, except that the amount of food prepared has been reduced by 30%."
Chen Yuwei scoffed at Hongli's idea of cultivating his character.
If his body hadn't been unable to withstand it, Hongli wouldn't have been able to cultivate his character and temperament.
Furthermore, given the sensitive nature of this period, it's normal for Emperor Qianlong not to summon his concubines.
Otherwise, his own mother is about to die, and his own son is still indulging in debauchery in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. What would become of his reputation if word got out?
The Imperial Medical Academy's pulse diagnosis time was normal, but the amount of food used by the Imperial Kitchen had decreased, indicating that the Emperor's health was still problematic.
“A few days ago, I requested an audience with His Majesty, and His Majesty looked to be in excellent health.”
As it turns out, things still didn't work out in private, so it seems that hiding it was pointless.
"Xingkui, how is the Emperor's health?"
Xingkui was taken aback, not expecting her master to choose such a direct approach.
"This servant believes that Your Majesty's good health is a joyous occasion for the Qing Dynasty."
Chen Yuwei burst out laughing, and Xingkui was so frightened that she immediately lowered her head, her expression visibly terrified.
After a while, Chen Yuwei waved her hand, indicating that Xingkui didn't need to be so nervous.
“You’re right. Having such an emperor is a great joy for the Qing Dynasty.”
As for the specific nature of this joy, there's no need to make it too explicit.
"Go and make the arrangements. Although there isn't much going on at Yikun Palace lately, there are some things we absolutely cannot neglect."
"Yes, I understand."
After Xingkui left, Chen Yuwei was left alone in the entire hall.
Once she got used to this solitude, Chen Yuwei enjoyed her free time.
He doesn't need anyone to accompany him, nor does he want anyone to disturb him. He sits quietly alone in the tatami room, gazing at the scenery outside the window.
Scenes like the one just described happen frequently in Chen Yuwei's life.
There was nothing she could do; as a concubine, Chen Yuwei had grown accustomed to being alone.
The system in her mind was unusually quiet, but as soon as Chen Yuwei spoke, it would immediately appear.
"The Empress Dowager has only been involved in these few days. She suffered for decades when she was young, but now she has lived a carefree life for decades."
The Empress Dowager's life was not in vain. Compared to other women who died in the palace without a name or surname, the Empress Dowager's life can be described as fortunate.
The Empress Dowager is nearing the end of her life, which is not good news for Consort Qing and Consort Ling.
Host, aren't you worried that those two might take this opportunity to cause trouble?
After the system finished speaking, a transparent panel appeared out of thin air in front of Chen Yuwei.
It is a probability statistics table generated by the system based on the personalities of the two people.
Chen Yuwei glanced at it, 'Afraid? Afraid of what? Can Yongxing and Yongyan compete with my descendants?' What do they have to compete with?
The courtiers of the previous dynasty were the type who wouldn't act until they saw a clear benefit.
Do you think they'll stand behind you for no reason? Unless you're really capable.
Yongxing and Yongyan, one married a Fujin (principal wife) but it was as if he hadn't married at all, and he didn't even have a presence in front of the emperor, unlike Yongrong and Yongqi.
One of them is not yet married, so marriage can be used as a bargaining chip to win him over, but there is only one position for the wife, and there must be a calculation about who gets it and who doesn't.
Moreover, since Yongyan's birth mother, Consort Ling, had lost her family, she offered him no help whatsoever.
Chen Yuwei didn't think Yongyan was competitive under these circumstances.
Historically, Yongyan's ascension to the throne was due to the fact that Hongli had very few sons left at that time, and the youngest of them was Yongyan's younger brother Yonglin, who was born of the same mother as Consort Ling.
Now, Consort Ling only has one son, Yongyan, and her daughters are already married.
Without his innate advantages, unless something happens to the other people competing with him, the throne will not fall into Yongyan's hands.
Chen Yuwei retorted to the system, "You don't actually think Consort Ling has the ability to incite Consort Qing to attack me, do you?"
system:……
'Host, this is very likely,' Consort Ling is really capable of doing it.
'Then I must thank Consort Ling properly; I was just worried about not being able to find any fault with her.'
If Consort Ling couldn't resist rushing over to offer herself up, she would definitely accept it without hesitation.
'Consort Qing wouldn't dare; that person is timid. It would be better for Consort Ling to instigate Consort Ning than Consort Qing.'
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