The Empress Dowager was the person Emperor Kangxi trusted most in the land.
Over the years, she never spoke up for the Khorchin people, much less supported or interfered in the affairs of the Manchu clans. Whatever Kangxi did, the Empress Dowager always gave her full support without a word.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang gave Kangxi imperial education, but also maternal warmth.
Therefore, Emperor Kangxi took every word he said to the Empress Dowager very seriously.
He listened quietly to the Empress Dowager's words, trying to discern from the details the purpose behind Consort Tong's act of cursing him.
Kangxi, who was used to scheming and plotting, was unwilling to believe that Consort Tong was truly just being naive and had simply been spoiled.
Consort Tong, who had been confined in the small Buddhist hall for many days, was finally able to come out of the hall and see the sun at the order of Emperor Kangxi.
In order to complain to Emperor Kangxi, Consort Tong specially chose a light autumn-colored cheongsam and a few hairpins in her hair, which made her look old and frail.
The anger and restlessness she felt from chanting Buddhist prayers in the temple made her resemble a middle-aged widow who had lost her husband and children and had no zest for life.
"Your Majesty, have you come to save me? I live a miserable life in this shady little Buddhist shrine."
“That day, I only went to Yuqing Palace to visit the eldest princess and Prince Hongzhao. However, Consort Tong glared at me and spoke rudely to me. I thought the Empress Dowager would stand up for me, but who would have thought that she would favor the Crown Prince and Consort Tong and choose to let me suffer.”
When Consort Tong saw Emperor Kangxi, she immediately knelt down and complained bitterly.
She often did this, her tone and actions perfectly controlled, as if she had truly suffered a great injustice.
But she forgot that she was able to have everything go smoothly in the harem before because the Imperial Noble Consort protected and guided her.
It was a minor matter, and Emperor Kangxi was willing to give the Tong family face.
If something big were to happen, Emperor Kangxi wouldn't have the patience for it.
The first rule of the imperial harem is to be careful with your words.
Consort Tong, accustomed to her lawlessness, had forgotten that some things were forbidden in the palace, and some people were simply off-limits.
Judging from his harsh words, Kangxi felt a surge of disgust.
He originally thought that Consort Tong was his cousin after all, and was destined to have no children in this life. As long as it was found out that she did not have the intention to curse the emperor, the matter would be over.
Seeing this arrogant demeanor, Kangxi was filled with rage.
"I heard from the Empress Dowager that when I was personally leading the expedition against the Dzungars, you said that you had rebelled against Heaven?" Kangxi's voice was deep, letting Consort Tong make a fuss.
"This concubine..." Consort Tong froze, speechless for a moment.
She never expected that Kangxi would ignore her complaints and instead ask her directly about that matter.
"You only need to say yes or no," Kangxi asked impatiently.
"Your Majesty, I never..." Consort Tong stammered. She would rather let Kangxi misunderstand that she had an affair with the Crown Prince than reveal such a treasonous statement.
Kangxi narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, the bloody scent he had just brought back from the battlefield making him even more imposing and intimidating than before.
Consort Tong shrank back against the chair leg, seeking a sense of security and protection.
"I don't want to hear you lie," Kangxi said.
Consort Tong trembled, her face contorted with grief. It was all over; the Emperor knew.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I only spoke carelessly and misspoke. But it was because the Crown Prince's Consort Tong was too bullying and her words were too aggressive, which angered me greatly."
"I have been foolish and impulsive since childhood. When my sister was alive, she often scolded me for speaking without thinking and told me to be careful with my words and actions. Now that my sister is gone, there is no one by my side to remind me, so I have forgotten the taboos." Consort Tong had a flash of inspiration and remembered her life-saving trick.
It would have been better if the Imperial Noble Consort hadn't been mentioned. But once she was, Kangxi's anger surged to the heavens, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent.
"Don't use your cousin as a shield for you. She's such a good person; it's bad luck for her to have a sister like you." Kangxi tried his best to suppress his anger.
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