Qixiang Palace Side Hall
It was another afternoon, and Xiuning stood by the window as usual, gazing at the somewhat gloomy clouds on the horizon, and sighed inwardly that a storm was brewing.
Astute people know that something big has happened in the palace, and everyone is on edge, ready to be noticed at the slightest sign of trouble.
Xiuning didn't participate; she was just waiting for someone to make a move.
"Your Highness, a palace servant just reported that something has happened at Chuxiu Palace."
I could hear Chunyu's slightly rapid breathing; it was obvious she was running too fast.
Without turning around, Xiuning continued looking out the window. "Is that Prince Baoqing?"
Chunyu breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Brother Baoqing has blossomed."
"Smallpox" refers to a highly contagious disease that was almost always fatal in the early Qing Dynasty.
How did Emperor Shunzhi die? Smallpox was the primary cause.
The fact that Baoqing has been diagnosed with a disease by the imperial physician is practically a death sentence for him.
Tsk tsk, the harem has only added five princes so far, and they can't keep any of them?
Consort Nara wept bitterly upon hearing the news. She knelt down and begged Emperor Kangxi to save Baoqing, even offering to stay in the palace and take care of him personally until he recovered.
"Consort Nara, don't be confused," the Empress Dowager frowned. This wasn't about whether or not to seal off the palace, but rather that smallpox was highly contagious. Given that most people in the harem hadn't been vaccinated, leaving such a 'time bomb' in the palace would have far more devastating consequences than anyone imagined.
"Your Majesty, there is no time to lose. Before Baoqing's flowers fully bloom, we must send her outside the palace for treatment."
Staying in the palace was out of the question.
Upon hearing this, Consort Nara could only lower her head and wipe away her tears, trying her best not to make a sound.
Kangxi looked at Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang beside him, then glanced at Consort Nara kneeling on the ground. After much deliberation, he finally agreed to Xiaozhuang's suggestion. "Liang Jiugong, take the imperial physicians and send Baoqing to the Imperial Estate to recuperate as soon as possible. Also, summon the Minister of the Imperial Household Department."
After saying this, Kangxi turned and left without looking back.
The Empress Dowager watched Kangxi leave and then called out to Consort Nara, who was still kneeling on the ground, "Alright, your wish has been fulfilled. Do not use such methods in the future."
Upon being spoken so plainly, Consort Nara paused in her weeping. She opened her red eyes and said, "No, I don't understand what the Empress Dowager means. I don't get it."
The Empress Dowager looked at Consort Nara, who was pretending to be stupid, and just smiled. "You know very well that I didn't expect you to act so decisively. Have you ever thought about how you would continue this play if the Emperor really agreed not to send Bao Qing out of the palace?"
Chickenpox and smallpox are not the same thing. Initially, you could use the time difference to fool them, but Emperor Kangxi had had smallpox, and some of his symptoms couldn't be hidden.
"Consort Nara, remember to rein in your petty thoughts. If there is a next time, I will not let it go so easily."
Having said that, the Empress Dowager, without caring what Consort Nara thought, took Sumalagu's hand and turned to leave.
Consort Nara: ……
Consort Nara remained calm, seemingly not taking the Empress Dowager's words to heart.
Chengxin walked to Consort Nara's side, "Your Highness, everything has been prepared for Prince Baoqing."
Consort Nara shook her head, "I'm fine. Going out is better than staying in the palace and waiting to die."
I'm useless myself, unable to protect Baoqing. Since we've chosen this method, we might as well see it through to the end.
Even if the Empress Dowager knew, as long as she didn't expose it immediately, she would consider it as approval.
The Empress is truly insane. Since the Emperor never actually takes any action against her, she retaliates on her own.
Kunning Palace
Hesheli Fangyi was leisurely sipping the tea that Tan Yunduan had brought.
"Has the Emperor sent Bao Qing out of the palace?"
They acted quickly, but with smallpox and such a sickly baby, it's not certain he would survive even if he left the palace.
Thinking that her plan had been successfully completed, Hesheli Fangyi couldn't help but feel overjoyed, and even the gloom that had been weighing on her heart all day was swept away.
There's a saying that goes, "Your own fate may be tragic, but the fate of others makes you happier."
People develop a sense of superiority through comparison, and Hesheli Fangyi currently has this mentality.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Liang from the Imperial Palace has already gone to the temporary palace with the imperial physicians and others."
As Tan Yun replied, she moved the fruit plate on the table toward Hesheli Fangyi.
"Going to the imperial palace is good; staying in the palace is just an eyesore."
Hesheli Fangyi closed her eyes slightly and let out a sigh of frustration.
She stood up and handed her hand to Tan Yun, "Is everything ready at Jingyang Palace?"
Tan Yun didn't understand. "Your Highness, are we really going to promote Consort Hesheli to the position of Empress?"
Hesheli Fangyi frowned and then relaxed. "My family has been pressuring me a lot lately, and the Emperor hasn't touched me for some time now." It was clear that the Emperor still suspected her, but because he had no evidence, he was still trying to save face for Kunning Palace and her.
"Let Consort Hesheli give it a try. If I want to conceive again, I need to take care of myself for a while. My family doesn't want to put all their eggs in one basket, so I'll give them another option." Let's see what miracle Consort Hesheli can create to satisfy my family.
In any case, Hesheli Fangyi didn't think much of her cousin's abilities. After more than three years in the palace, she hadn't made any progress. Did Hesheli really expect her to create value? Dreams are unrealistic.
Qianqing Palace
Emperor Kangxi has not visited the inner palace in recent days, and has been going to bed alone after handling his daily affairs.
Today was no different. After finishing reviewing the memorials in vermilion ink, Kangxi rubbed his slightly sore wrists and got up to walk around the table to relax.
Upon hearing the commotion at the door, Liang Jiugong quickly brought in the pastries and snacks he had prepared.
"Is Baoqing feeling any better?"
Emperor Kangxi pinched a small, delicate piece of pastry and put it in his mouth, then took a sip of tea to cleanse his palate.
"Brother Baoqing is almost fully recovered, and Lord Gali is arranging for people to take care of him closely."
Liang Jiugong took a step back to ensure that his voice was at an appropriate volume.
"Okay, once Baoqing is better, let Gali take her home."
Brushing the crumbs off his hands, Kangxi thought for a moment and said, "Send someone to Chuxiu Palace to tell Nala to put her mind at ease." After all, she is the child's birth mother, and no matter what she does, it is all for the child's survival.
Liang Jiugong nodded, then hesitated slightly before asking, "Then what about the Empress?"
“No need to tell the Empress,” Kangxi replied. Liang Jiugong immediately lowered his head even further. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
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