"Your Majesty, I have prepared some cold noodles for you, along with some watermelon juice," Consort De said after sitting down with Emperor Kangxi.
"Everything is fine!" Kangxi said sullenly. He was actually more than ten years older than Consort De, but in her presence, he was like a son, or rather, Consort De's maternal instincts gave Kangxi a sense of maternal love. In any case, he favored this concubine who came from a palace maid background for more than thirty years. Others didn't know why Consort De had such influence, but she herself knew that Kangxi could be more like a man with ordinary emotions and thoughts in her presence.
"Is Your Majesty troubled by something?" Consort De asked, observing Kangxi's expression. She knew that Kangxi had chosen Consort Shu tonight, so his coming to her palace at this hour must mean something had spoiled his mood.
"It's nothing, I just feel like it's been a long time since I've come to sit here with you," Kangxi said.
"Your Majesty, the Fourteenth Prince has grown up quite a bit. He went out with Your Majesty this time to gain some experience, and he is indeed different from before." Seeing that Kangxi did not want to talk about it, Consort De immediately changed the subject.
"Yes, the Fourteenth Prince should be growing up by now. The bond between the Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince has strengthened considerably during their time away from home," Kangxi said.
"It's all thanks to His Majesty's ability to keep these two brothers in check; otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to handle them," Consort De said with a smile. Everyone in the palace knew that the two brothers, the Fourth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince, were at odds.
"The fourth prince is steady and reliable. The fourteenth prince is a bit impetuous, but he's a very good military general." Kangxi's expression indeed improved considerably; he was still very proud when talking about his sons. Anyone would be happy to have so many handsome and capable sons!
Consort De smiled gently. Just then, Granny De, accompanied by a young eunuch, brought up Emperor Kangxi's late-night snack.
Consort De personally set out the bowls and chopsticks for Emperor Kangxi, and then personally served him his late-night snack. Kangxi was very pleased; only with Consort De could he feel so relaxed and at ease. The other concubines were either afraid of him, lacking a sense of closeness, or they acted coquettishly and childishly in front of him, lacking a naturalness. Only Consort De cared for Kangxi's every need like an ordinary wife. She regarded him as her heaven and earth, and put him first in everything. This is the reason why Kangxi's favor towards Consort De lasted for more than thirty years.
Consort De watched Emperor Kangxi dine with a calm expression, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection. Should she bring up the matter of the bewitching incense at this moment? Consort De wondered to herself.
"I remember that the fourth prince's concubine is pregnant with twins?" Kangxi said while eating noodles.
"Yes, it's been more than eight months now. They say twins are born early, so I reckon it'll be soon," Consort De said with a smile.
"Hmm. That's rare. No one in the royal family has ever given birth to twins before," Kangxi said happily.
Seeing Kangxi's expression, Consort De made up her mind and said, "Your Majesty, something almost happened recently. Lady Niohuru's unborn child was almost lost."
Kangxi raised his head and asked, "What happened?"
Consort De then recounted how Lanqin had come to the palace to pay her respects, and hinted to Emperor Kangxi that she had been secretly poisoned with a bewitching incense.
Emperor Kangxi was always aware that the women in the harem used various tactics to vie for his favor. As long as things didn't escalate too much, he usually wouldn't interfere. Moreover, the management of the harem was primarily the responsibility of the Empress, and he rarely intervened.
"Bewitching incense?" A look of surprise appeared on Kangxi's face.
"Does Your Majesty still remember that I was once ambushed using something like this?" Consort De asked.
"Yes, I have kept Consort Qi in the Cold Palace for over thirty years," Kangxi said.
"Your Majesty, Consort Qi died suddenly just a few days ago!" Consort De said cautiously.
"What's the reason?" Kangxi, of course, understood the meaning behind Consort De's words. How could someone like Consort Qi, who had lived for thirty years without dying, suddenly die? There must be a reason.
"I sent people to investigate, and they found out she was suffocated by being covered under the covers!" Consort De said.
Emperor Kangxi's brow furrowed slightly, even though he had long since lost any affection for Consort Qi. Her death wouldn't have stirred any emotion in him, but the fact that someone was making a fuss right under his nose displeased him.
“She has been in the Cold Palace for thirty years. Who would come to take her life at this time?” Kangxi said.
Consort De immediately stood up, walked to Emperor Kangxi, and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, I am guilty and beg for your punishment!"
Emperor Kangxi, seeing Consort De's actions, asked in surprise, "What is my beloved consort doing?"
"After hearing what Consort Niohuru said, I couldn't help but think of what Consort Qi had done to me back then. So I sent Granny De to the Cold Palace to ask Consort Qi who gave her that thing back then, and how it still exists now, even having been left to enter the Fourth Prince's residence. But unexpectedly, a few days after my person went there, Consort Qi was silenced. I suspect that someone doesn't want me to know much," Consort De said, word by word.
After looking at Consort De for a moment, Emperor Kangxi personally reached out and helped her up, asking, "My dear consort, do you have any doubts?"
Consort De said, "Consort Qi once told Consort Hui that the person who gave her that thing back then was someone I could not resist."
Emperor Kangxi was taken aback, pondering Consort De's words.
"Wanxiu, do you mean Yongshou Palace?" Kangxi asked, almost in disbelief.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty. I dare not speak ill of Your Majesty. But the thought that this thing actually flowed from the Imperial Household Department into the Fourth Prince's residence and poisoned Your Majesty's own grandson is unbearable. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!" Consort De bowed again.
"Wanxiu, let me think about this carefully. Let this matter rest. I will send people to investigate, but we must not alert anyone!" Kangxi made a quick decision.
Consort De nodded naturally; she dared not openly question the Empress Dowager. After all, Emperor Kangxi had always ruled with filial piety in mind. If he were to openly investigate or interrogate his adoptive mother, how would the people view him as emperor?
Kangxi ultimately did not stay overnight at Yonghe Palace. Consort De respectfully saw him off at the palace gate, watching his palanquin disappear into the night.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor intends to investigate secretly,” said Granny De.
“Judging from the Emperor’s expression, he doesn’t seem surprised. Could it be that he has long harbored suspicions about the Empress Dowager?” Consort De asked.
"That's good for us. If it really was the Empress Dowager who did it back then, it would be absolutely terrifying," said Granny De. "What about Consort De?" said Consort De.
Meanwhile, Emperor Kangxi, seated in his palanquin, was also asking the same question. The Empress Dowager had lived a life of unparalleled grace and respect; he had always treated her with the utmost courtesy and enjoyed all the riches and privileges of the world. What more could he ask for?
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