The task displayed on the Jingrou system has been completed, just a little later than the time specified by the system. She has earned more than 30 points, but Jingrou is already very satisfied.
The system is very user-friendly in this respect; it doesn't stop distributing rewards just because the time limit has expired, but it does deduct a portion.
Throughout this whole affair, she remained a mere spectator (although this spectating was rather dangerous; if she had accidentally discovered any secrets, her life could have been in danger!).
Fortunately, the final result was acceptable.
Jingrou didn't do anything at all, yet she still got points.
However, Jingrou also understood why she hadn't received any points after scaring away the palace maid earlier. It turned out that Consort De had sent another person afterward. Well, since the task wasn't completed, the system didn't recognize it as a success, which was reasonable.
This matter truly left her speechless…
Because in her opinion, Consort De was definitely not a fool! If this path was blocked, there were other paths or other methods. Why take such a big risk to send someone to find Yinzhen? Was it to ask him for help?
This would seriously damage the beautiful image of "Mother" in Yinzhen's mind!
Moreover, Jingrou felt that Yinzhen, being just a child, couldn't possibly be of much help. Even if he did say something, it was still unknown whether Emperor Kangxi would believe him or listen to him.
Actually, if she were to approach him directly, it would be far less effective than her personally whispering sweet nothings in Emperor Kangxi's ear, or even bribing some minister. All of that would be more efficient than what she's doing now!
Jingrou didn't understand; she simply hadn't been able to see Consort De. She had been staying in the side hall with Consort Yi, and dared not watch the commotion in the main hall. The less she knew, the safer her life would be!
"Zhuzhu was really frightened today. It's all your fault, Auntie. I can't take you to these kinds of occasions anymore. Let's just stay in the Empress Dowager and Grand Empress Dowager's Cining Palace!" Consort Yi looked at Jingrou with affection, somewhat worried that she had been frightened by this incident.
Since Jingrou entered the palace, Consort Yi never hesitated to take her to various palaces to talk to the ladies. The lovely Jingrou won the favor of many people, so Consort Yi became careless. This time, she naturally took her along, never expecting to encounter such a scene.
Everything had been perfectly normal before, and nothing like this had happened. Who would have thought that De Guiren's intelligence would suddenly plummet!
But Jingrou has already quietly accomplished several great things on her own, and has even gotten to know the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince. How could she be frightened by something like this?
Her aunt really underestimated her, but Jingrou still appreciated her aunt's attention and care.
“Jingrou is fine, it’s just that the Fourth Prince… is so pitiful…” Jingrou frowned.
Consort Yi ruffled her head, only removing her hand before Jingrou got angry, as her hair was already disheveled.
What child in the palace isn't pitiful? Even the carefree Fifth Prince who's by her side now was a pitiful child before. There's no way she can keep him by her side forever!
Because when she gave birth to her fifth child, her rank was not high, and she was not yet qualified to raise the child.
Especially at that time, there were many high-ranking concubines in the palace who did not have children. After she gave birth, several people secretly contacted her, which terrified Consort Yi. She was worried that if her child was sent to another concubine, it might never come back.
Even if she returns to her side in the future, what if she gets spoiled by another concubine and becomes distant from her? Wouldn't Consort Yi be heartbroken?
Therefore, she immediately sent the child to the Empress Dowager's side. The Empress Dowager was a powerful figure in the palace. Although it would cut off her child's chances of inheriting the throne, at least the child would be safe and sound, and there would be no separation between mother and child.
Her situation was different from that of Consort De. Perhaps she was smarter, because she directly ingratiated herself with the Empress Dowager, who then kept the Fifth Prince by her side, allowing her to see him frequently.
Therefore, the bond between mother and child has never grown distant.
However, Consort De was different. She came from a humble background and was forced into this situation by circumstances. In addition, Consort Tongjia was very powerful, so her situation was much more tragic than Consort De's.
Although the Guoluo Luo clan was not among the top Manchu nobles, they were still legitimate members of the Plain Blue Banner, and were not on the same level as the bondservant families!
Perhaps it wasn't that Consort De wasn't smart enough, but that she was ruthless enough. She raised her child by Consort Tongjia's side, gained the Emperor's pity, and then got on Consort Tongjia's side. At the same time, she was able to downplay her previous experience as a palace maid who climbed into Consort Tongjia's bed. Wasn't that killing multiple birds with one stone?
Moreover, in earlier years, it was common for concubines of low rank to have their children raised by high-ranking empresses. However, most of those children raised by empresses were princesses, and princes were relatively rare.
However, the current emperor and his sons are not many, so that's a different story.
Those children in the palace are all pitiful!
Despite their noble status, they were quite miserable in this era. After all, Emperor Kangxi faced internal and external troubles in his early years. He was still young and devoted most of his energy to national affairs.
The power struggles within the harem were quite intense, with many high-ranking concubines vying for the emperor's favor. The Hesheli, Niohuru, Tongjia, and Borjigit clans were among those who had gathered all the powerful women in the harem. This was unlike the later years of Emperor Kangxi's reign, when the favored concubines were mostly Han Chinese, and none of them held particularly high ranks. This allowed the emperor to devote more energy to the harem and had several beloved young sons.
Consort Yi gently rubbed Jingrou's cheek, instantly captivated by its soft touch. However, she couldn't say these words to the still young Jingrou.
******
Lord Uya was not sentenced to death. After the investigation was completed, Emperor Kangxi dismissed him from his post and reduced his salary. He then dismissed several officials from the Imperial Household Department who came from wealthy families, making an example of them.
It should be noted that the bondservant families are impossible to eradicate completely. Since the Qing Dynasty entered the Central Plains, the bondservant families have always been associated with the royal family. Although they are not of high status, they are the people closest to the emperor and handle internal affairs for the royal family.
Even if the powerful bondservant families are punished or exiled, new ones will rise. It would be better to let Emperor Kangxi choose people he finds pleasing or useful. If they have ulterior motives, a punishment would suffice.
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