The gifts were carried all the way from Qianqing Palace to Yuqing Palace without any concealment or disguise. They were carried in a swaggering manner for quite a distance, passing by the gates of several palaces.
With such commotion, and after inquiring around, and finding no one to hide it, everyone knew that Hongzhao was ill.
Then, a series of gifts and medicinal herbs were sent to Yuqing Palace.
Upon learning this, Yinreng couldn't help but remark to Tong Wanyan, "Hongzhao is quite popular. Even when I was ill, I didn't receive this much genuine care."
“Isn’t it enough that you have me and the children? Besides, Father Emperor…” Tong Wanyan said the first half of the sentence, but didn’t want to say the rest.
It's hard to judge Kangxi's thoughts. If we say he was good to Yinreng, it was because he truly cared deeply for him.
If anyone showed even the slightest disrespect to the Crown Prince, Emperor Kangxi would be the first to forbid it, and would be furious.
What allowed those people below to harbor ulterior motives was none other than Kangxi secretly stirring things up.
Yinreng looked at her amusedly: "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"There's nothing to say," Tong Wanyan said angrily.
"Don't worry about me. What should have happened years ago has been delayed until now because of the deep bond between me and Father Emperor. Life can never be perfect. I have no other desires besides you."
Yinreng was open-minded; he had known since childhood that his father, the Emperor, did not belong to him alone. It's just that people love to have delusions.
Yinreng chatted with Tong Wanyan with a smile, talking about whatever came to mind, and she always managed to keep up.
If there was anything Tong Wanyan couldn't understand, she would rest her chin on her hand, her eyes bright, and look at him with admiration.
As the days went by, the power struggles between the emperor and his son became less pronounced, while various policies benefiting the people were steadily implemented in the court.
In early September, Sumalagu fell seriously ill, causing panic among the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kangxi.
She was in good health during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but how come she became so ill after only half a month?
The imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy held repeated consultations, but all of them shook their heads in dismay.
Su Ma La Gu is over ninety years old. At this age, she can't take strong medicine when she gets sick and can only rely on herself to get through it. Besides, Su Ma La Gu is someone who never takes medicine when she's sick.
On the seventh day of the ninth month, Su Ma La Gu passed away, and the Empress Dowager also fell ill.
Tana and Tong Wanyan moved directly into Ning Shou Palace and took care of the old man without taking off their clothes.
"The old people in this palace have all passed away. I used to have Sumala with me, and we could often chat about my aunt's life and the Mongolian grasslands. Now that she's gone too, my life is so lonely." The Empress Dowager was very sad.
She entered the palace in place of the deposed empress. At that time, she was terrified of the late emperor and of this cannibalistic court. Although the Empress Dowager was her aunt, she was also the Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty, and there were many things she would not say to her.
Sumala helped her a lot, allowing her to adapt to life in the Qing emperor's harem more smoothly.
Tong Wanyan quietly accompanied the Empress Dowager, listening to her recount stories from her youth.
She tucked the Empress Dowager in until she was tired, then lowered the bed curtains and quietly withdrew.
Tana frowned, anxiously peering into the inner sanctum.
"Mother, I want to spend more time with the Empress Dowager," Tana whispered, holding Tong Wanyan's hand.
“Of course. I can’t stay away from Yuqing Palace for too long, at most I’ll stay in Ningshou Palace for ten days or so. The Empress Dowager dotes on you, so if you keep her company, she’ll feel better,” Tong Wanyan said.
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