Chapter 17 Miscalculation
Emperor Kangxi was frustrated; he couldn't get the information he wanted.
Although she wanted to fall asleep quickly, she couldn't fall asleep no matter what she did after things quieted down.
Lying on her side was usually the position where she could fall asleep quickly, but now she remained wide awake even after closing her eyes for a long time.
It wasn't because Kangxi wasn't by his side, but because he might be in danger if he went out.
She clearly knew that he had another thirty or forty years to live and that nothing life-threatening would happen at this time, but she was still worried.
I was worried that he might get hurt or even die, but he survived.
More than twenty years later, Kangxi did not mention these things to her. He only talked about interesting things that happened when he was young and about his success, but he did not mention when he was injured or how he was injured.
Even if you see scars on him, he will only say when they were left, and then he will tell you what happened to the person who hurt him.
She didn't know enough about Emperor Kangxi in history, only that he died when. She met him too late, and didn't walk with him from his youth, but only into the last part of his life after the storms had passed.
Now that he's reached his prime, it's true what he said: meeting him when you're young isn't the best thing.
Chen Guanxue turned over again, placed her hand on the pillow he was sleeping on, her fingers brushing against the smooth fabric, and all the thoughts in her heart turned into a sigh.
"Master?" Runxi was not asleep. Hearing the sound of her turning over, he asked.
Her fingertips paused, and Chen Guanxue was pulled out of her thoughts.
Since she had already met Kangxi more than twenty years later, he must be fine this time. "Go to sleep. Remember to ask the imperial chef to prepare something light and easy to eat for lunch."
Emperor Kangxi was only slightly abnormal in some ways, but he wasn't some monster addicted to slaughtering people. After being covered in blood, he probably could only eat bland food when he returned.
After saying that, Runxi heard her turn over again, but didn't ask any more questions, and went to sleep peacefully.
Chen Guanxue couldn't sleep. No matter what position she changed, she couldn't fall asleep no matter how tired she felt. She only vaguely heard Runxi getting up when it was almost dawn, and she finally fell asleep after the sound of her footsteps left.
Runxi and the people who serve her never wake her up; they just wait for her to wake up on her own.
She didn't call for anyone for a long time today. Runxi knew she must have gone to bed late. The other palace maids guessed she couldn't sleep, so they took turns eating and then stood guard outside the tent.
Chen Guanxue rarely stays up late, but since becoming pregnant, she needs more sleep. She didn't sleep for most of last night and slept for half a day. She was only awakened by the sound of horses' hooves and people's voices outside.
Runxi.
As soon as Runxi entered, he saw her leaning against the bedside, having already lifted the bed curtains herself, her brows slightly furrowed.
Runxi led people forward to help her wash and dress, but she frowned and said, "Go and see if the Emperor has returned."
After Chen Guanxue gave the instructions, Runxi hung up the bed curtains and left.
After leaving the tent, she went straight to Kangxi's tent. She had heard voices earlier, so the emperor must have returned.
When Liang Jiugong saw her arrive, he led her into the tent before she could ask any questions, walking along the doorway.
Upon returning, Kangxi didn't have time to wash up immediately, as he had other matters to attend to. The tent reeked of blood. Runxi covered his nose with his hand, frowned, and walked in, carefully examining Kangxi from head to toe.
Her armor was covered in blood, but not a single piece was damaged. Her complexion and voice were no different from usual. She turned her head to look at Liang Jiugong and saw him shake his head before she withdrew.
They asked him again to make sure that Kangxi was not injured before returning.
Chen Guanxue had finished washing and dressing, and today she was wearing a simple moon-white dress. She was sitting lazily on the soft couch. When she saw her return, she sat up straight and leaned forward to check on her. "How is it?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is fine. There isn't a single wound on his body." Runxi stepped forward to help her up, saying what Liang Jiugong had relayed to her earlier, "The Emperor said he has some matters to attend to, so he won't be coming for lunch."
Hearing that he wouldn't be coming for lunch, Chen Guanxue frowned slightly, but she was relieved to know that he was alright.
She glanced down at her clothes, feeling a pang of regret. She had deliberately chosen this cool, somber color instead of her favorite bright colors to avoid upsetting him.
Since he wasn't coming, she decided to eat by herself. After sitting down, she said, "Let someone bring the meal."
Anyway, he won't go hungry. He's not a three-year-old who can't talk. He knows she'll worry, and he'll bring her food when he's hungry. She can just eat her own food.
She finished her lunch but still hadn't seen Kangxi. Knowing his personality, she knew it would be good enough if she saw him tonight; she hadn't even considered seeing him during the day.
Kangxi only turned his attention to important matters after seeing Runxi enter and leave.
"Galdan is dead, and the others have been captured. Things will be easier from now on. But who should govern this area from now on? You all have a say." Kangxi would test his sons from time to time when they were young.
This time was no different, so the court officials remained silent, waiting for the princes to speak.
"Yinzhi, you speak first." As always, Kangxi wanted the elder to speak first.
He had considered this issue even before he asked it, so he was able to give the answer quickly: "There are many tribes in the Dzungar Khanate, and they are interconnected and mutually restraining. This place is not suitable for other tribes to take over."
That's how it is on the grasslands: when a tribe disappears, either other tribes divide up everything, or one tribe eats it all up.
During the reign of Emperor Shunzhi, the relationship between the Mongols and the Qing Dynasty was close, and many of the imperial concubines were Mongol. At that time, the Mongol tribes were the source of their confidence in entering the Central Plains, with powerful generals in front and no worries behind.
However, it was Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Emperor Shunzhi who made him realize that the Qing Dynasty could not be too close to the Mongols, at the very least, it could not allow the Mongols to restrain the Qing Dynasty.
During Kangxi's reign, he avoided excessive reliance on the Manchus and Mongols. Only one of his Mongol concubines was still alive, because he did not want the Mongol tribes to become stronger. If other tribes were allowed to grow powerful, they would become the second Galdan.
All the princes knew his attitude, so they said what he wanted to hear.
After that, each of the princes elaborated on this point, explaining all the advantages and disadvantages. The court officials were not oblivious to the implications, so they echoed what the princes wanted to hear.
The outcome was already decided by him, but the process was the key to evaluating the princes.
In terms of understanding of warfare, the seventh prince was most like him, but in terms of employing people, Yinzhen was most like himself.
"Fill your stomachs first, then bring the people over. They've been busy for so long and must be hungry. Go eat." Kangxi dismissed everyone and then hurriedly took a bath.
When your body is surrounded by hot water, it is the most relaxed time for you, but also the time when you are least vigilant.
In this extremely safe situation, he also wanted to know something that would please him: "What clothes is your Master Chen wearing today?"
He thought that she couldn't sleep last night and only got up at noon today, so she must have been worried about him. He also thought that she usually liked to wear brightly colored clothes, so she must have changed them today.
After all, people who have seen blood on the battlefield do not want to see dazzling red when they return.
"Your Majesty, how would this servant know?" Having received the expected answer, Kangxi couldn't help but glare at Liang Jiugong.
Seeing that he was about to get up immediately, Liang Jiugong felt wronged.
The people who reported Chen Guanxue's late rise after Kangxi returned were all guards who had been waiting outside and calculated the time based on the time she served meals.
When Runxi arrived, he didn't say anything else, only asking if he was injured. He had been following Kangxi the whole time, so how could he know what color clothes Chen Guanxue was wearing today?
[Author's Note]
You miscalculated, didn't you? Serves you right for not going to meet them in person!
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