Chapter 36 The Dust Settles
The dust has settled
Consort De stopped decisively, and the Uya family also quickly cleaned up their mess.
They seemed to have a habit of withdrawing plans that were only halfway through, and when the Chen family asked them again, they acted as if they knew nothing.
Those who become prominent families rely entirely on their strength and forbearance, aside from a bit of luck.
They were very patient; even when Chen Qifu shouted and cursed at their door, it didn't attract any attention.
But they underestimated a family that wanted to improve itself.
"Take a look." Kangxi held a memorial in his arms and slowly unfolded it.
There was nothing wrong with reading the memorials, and Chen Guanxue had no intention of avoiding them, so he looked down and glanced at them.
It turned out that Chen Qifu had impeached Wuya Chenghou.
The written record, in black and white, details the conversations between Wuya Chenghou and him, even suggesting that the medicine found in Changchun Garden might have been the work of Wuya's family.
That's why the Chen family is so stupid; they just make wild guesses.
However, this memorial is also a good way to punish the Wuya family as a warning to others.
How could Emperor Kangxi not know that some people were stirring up trouble, reaching not only into the palace but also into the private quarters of the princes?
But under his intimidating presence, no one dared to do anything out of line.
"How so?" Kangxi asked her.
Chen Guanxue said, "Of course, it will be handled according to the rules."
She quite liked Consort De's praise, so she didn't kick her while she was down, lest they become mortal enemies.
She wasn't a generous person, and even her little schemes were seen through by Emperor Kangxi.
Kangxi immediately issued an imperial edict: the male heads of the Chen family were beheaded, the adult males were imprisoned and exiled, and the female relatives were not prosecuted. Marquis Wuya was imprisoned and exiled, and all the adult males of the Wuya family were given ten strokes of the cane.
As for Consort De, she received a meager six-month salary deduction, without even being confined to her quarters.
After Consort De was punished, her first action was not to reflect on her actions behind closed doors, but to prepare gifts for Chen Guanxue.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness." Consort De knew all too well the consequences of being exposed; the punishment she had received was already lenient enough.
Although Emperor Kangxi was known for his harsh punishments, he would punish his subjects and then forgive their mistakes, ensuring that capable members of the Uya family would still be able to rise to prominence in the future.
As long as she, the Consort De, remains in power, she will be the backbone of the Wuya family.
After the poisoning was discovered, Consort De was used as a scapegoat, fearing she would lose her rank, but the punishment was unexpectedly lenient.
A quick thought told me that Chen Guanxue had said something nice.
She guessed wrong, but the compliment was so sweet that Chen Guanxue felt she hadn't kicked someone when they were down, and accepted the praise without a second thought.
"Alas, it's probably hard to find someone in the palace who speaks so kindly," Chen Guanxue sighed after Consort De left.
Runxi fanned her from the side, "It's not hard for the master to find someone who speaks nicely. Just have people come up to her one by one and ask them to say a few words of praise. Whoever praises her the best will be rewarded. I guarantee you'll find someone."
That's a good idea, but don't say it again.
Chen Guanxue enjoys the feeling of being praised without having to say a word.
Changchun Garden was calm and peaceful, but the Chen family's home was filled with the sounds of crying and wailing.
Madam Chen sat in the small Buddhist shrine in the house, which was half demolished, chanting scriptures while turning the prayer beads in her hand.
"Madam..." the maidservant beside her called out.
She remained unmoved, and only after reciting the entire Diamond Sutra did she kowtow, rise, and burn the sutra she had already written.
"Don't worry about it, we don't have any men in our family," Madam Chen said casually.
But her husband is still in jail.
The old woman moved her lips slightly, but ultimately said nothing.
The lady is right; there are no men or girls left in their family.
Only the wife is left to keep the family afloat.
The old woman guessed the truth when she brought home a statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva from the temple from Madam Chen and visited the grave of another girl every day.
Her beloved young lady, whom her wife cherished like a precious jewel, is gone.
He was murdered by several powerful men.
This is good, so the lady won't have to face the master every day, and the Buddhist hall won't be demolished.
The fate of the Chen family left the officials utterly bewildered.
When did the emperor start imposing the same punishment on his family and female relatives? Hasn't the emperor always liked to eliminate all potential threats?
Unable to understand, they could only stop thinking about it.
Perhaps the Chen family offended the Emperor somewhere.
Guessing this, they knew that Kangxi was warning them, and they all became very respectful and obedient.
With the officials quieting down, they stopped bothering Kangxi with trivial matters, greatly reducing the time he spent reviewing memorials and allowing him more time to spend with Chen Guanxue.
I also did something I'd always wanted to do.
Under the tense gaze of the Imperial Physician, Emperor Kangxi drank the medicine.
Aside from some hardship, there was nothing else to worry about, just as the judge said.
That evening, Kangxi clung tightly to Chen Guanxue, almost suffocating her.
After a night of frantic activity, she didn't even have time to think, and her mind was in a daze.
The next day, I felt unwell, but my mind was clear, and I realized something was wrong.
Kangxi's behavior was unusual; he was even more excited than they had been the first time a few months ago.
This is not normal.
Based on Chen Guanxue's understanding of him, during the months she was pregnant, Kangxi was already extremely pent up. When he met her, he was like a firecracker ready to explode at any moment, so naturally he wanted to release his emotions to the fullest.
During this time, she also got used to the young and vigorous Kangxi and understood his pace very well.
Something was wrong last night.
Nothing is right.
Both their body temperature and their rhythm were exceptionally enthusiastic.
She couldn't understand it.
I asked directly that evening.
Chen Guanxue used her hand to push against Kangxi's body, frowning as she asked, "Is Your Majesty going to torment me again tonight?"
Kangxi took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently, answering her question with his actions.
As he leaned closer, Chen Guanxue turned her head to avoid the kiss that was about to land on her lips, pushing him away with both hands.
"The Emperor has not replied to me yet."
Even though Kangxi's movements weren't urgent, his body was already showing some abnormalities.
The scorching temperature, the trembling skin, and the loud, rapid heartbeat.
"Yes, I will tease you again tonight." After saying that, Kangxi covered her mouth and nibbled her ear. "Be good, it will be over in a little while."
It's not been a while at all!
Chen Guanxue fainted again.
For half a month, Chen Guanxue couldn't take it anymore. She could still endure it for the first few days, managing to get a few words out of him every day. But later on, she practically fled to other concubines' quarters.
But Kangxi disregarded all shame and went straight into the house to carry her away.
This ordeal not only made her uncomfortable, but also made the concubines very uncomfortable.
Chen Guanxue simply stopped hiding and spent her days lying down to recuperate.
Runxi massaged her body during the day to relieve her muscle soreness, and she lost interest in even teasing Fushou.
When evening came, before Kangxi even touched her, she began to tremble reflexively.
Chen Guanxue noticed the changes in her body, and when Kangxi pressed himself against her, she became furious and kicked him off the bed.
"If the Emperor doesn't make things clear today, whether you go to the harem or drag a palace maid away, don't touch me."
Chen Guanxue was genuinely angry.
She knew that after Kangxi had her, he had not been close to anyone else. It was as if they had an unspoken understanding: they would not talk about the past, but only look to the future.
His awareness was so high that even Chen Guanxue was amazed.
But she couldn't stand it. If she continued like this, her body would get sick and become uncontrollable.
When Kangxi fell, he braced himself with his hand and only sat on the ground without being injured.
Despite being interrupted, he remained highly excited.
Kangxi climbed up, hugged her, and said in a relaxed tone, "It's just that the Imperial Physician prescribed a sleeping potion. She'll be fine after tonight."
Chen Guanxue frowned.
His behavior was even worse than drinking deer blood; what good medicine could have such an effect, especially for half a month straight?
But his abilities don't warrant needing to take medicine.
"Please specify what kind of medicine it is."
Seeing her seriousness, Kangxi had no choice but to tell her the truth: "It's an aphrodisiac that can kill off your offspring. You have to touch a woman for half a month, and after half a month you'll be back to normal."
He looked nonchalant, but Chen Guanxue knew he wasn't lying.
But this is a huge deal.
[Author's Note]
I updated a little less today, I'll make up for it tomorrow.
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