That evening, Consort Yi stayed in Qianqing Palace. She dismissed everyone in the room except for Liang Jiugong, whom she couldn't get rid of. Two imperial physicians were also left, but they were waiting outside in the East Warm Pavilion, leaving only Consort Yi and her servants in the West Warm Pavilion.
"Your Majesty, why don't you go and rest for a while? I'll stay here and watch over you." Ruixin glanced at Kangxi, who showed no sign of waking up, and then said to Consort Yi.
"Ruizhen, go ask Eunuch Liang for a quilt. It's a bit cold sitting like this," Consort Yi said to Ruizhen, glancing at the Shiying clock hanging on the wall.
The palace maid Ruizhen curtsied and then withdrew.
Consort Yi looked around again, then beckoned to Ruixin, signaling her to bring her ear close to her mouth.
Ruixin quickly followed Consort Yi's advice and went to the entrance of Xi Nuan Pavilion to look outside. She saw that there was no one outside, and the two imperial physicians were in the East Warm Pavilion. Ruizhen had probably gone with Liang Jiugong to get the quilts.
Consort Yi couldn't help but yawn, gazing at Kangxi's profile, her thoughts beginning to surface. However, she dared not speak them aloud, fearing that if Kangxi were to awaken, her words would be considered treasonous. Besides, in recent years, Consort Yi's official appointments had ceased, and the two were no longer the same as before. The understanding and favor they once shared had been swallowed up by the increasing distance between them.
Looking at Emperor Kangxi lying on the bed, Consort Yi suddenly realized that her once beloved husband had indeed grown old and ill, and was now just an old man suffering from a serious illness. She herself was also a middle-aged woman whose beauty had faded and who was filled with helplessness.
Your Majesty! If you were in good health and lived many more years, I could still rely on your protection. But now, your health is like this? Have you made any arrangements? If not, the Qing Dynasty is going to be in chaos!
Consort Yi looked at Kangxi, but ultimately didn't say anything. She remembered what the Ninth Prince had said to her when he came to see her. She had scolded him then, telling him not to get involved in those things anymore. Since the Ninth Prince couldn't be the one, she should simply stay far away from him. Otherwise, when the new emperor ascended the throne, wouldn't he settle scores with her later?
As a result, Ninth Prince recounted all the things he and Eighth Prince had done over the years to Consort Yi, infuriating her so much that she nearly summoned the imperial physician. Consort Yi had assumed that Ninth Prince, preoccupied with his business ventures, had largely distanced himself from court affairs, and that his close relationship with Eighth Prince was solely due to Guo Nuoluo and Minghui. Consort Yi had previously spoken to Ninth Prince, urging him not to become too intimate with Eighth Prince and to refrain from interfering in his affairs, but he had only brushed it off. She never imagined he would actually do such things with Eighth Prince—each one a capital offense!
Looking at Kangxi's face, which showed no signs of waking up, Consort Yi's thoughts began to stir. The Ninth Prince had asked her to find a way to secretly peek at the edict hidden behind the official document, and she had been furious and resentful at the time, berating him for dragging her into this vortex of struggle for the sake of others. But now, Consort Yi was still thinking about how to avoid being seen and see what the edict actually said.
So, she made a point of being the first to keep watch tonight, thinking that she could sneak in and take a look once everyone was asleep.
"Your Highness, Ruizhen is back." Ruixin stood at the door, keeping watch for Consort Yi.
"Where is Liang Jiugong?" Consort Yi snapped out of her reverie and quickly asked.
“Following behind,” Ruixin quickly replied.
"We need to think of a way to get rid of this old eunuch." Upon hearing the name Liang Jiugong, Consort Yi frowned. Over the years, in her rivalry with Consort De, Liang Jiugong had always protected the one in Yonghe Palace, which made Consort Yi grit her teeth in hatred. However, he was Kangxi's most trusted eunuch, and she couldn't openly offend this old eunuch.
Consort Yi glanced at her long-sleeved nail guards and suddenly had an idea. She then said to Ruixin, "Come closer?"
After hearing Consort Yi's words, Ruixin's face showed a timid expression, and she stammered, "Your Highness, will this work?"
“What’s wrong with that? He’s sixty-five years old, and his eyesight has been failing for a long time. It’s not unusual for him to trip and fall because he wasn’t paying attention!” Consort Yi said in a low voice. She then nervously glanced at Kangxi and, seeing that he didn’t react at all, she gave Ruixin a look of relief.
The night watchman rang the second watch; it was already the second watch of the night. Consort Yi and her servants were so tired that they began to doze off.
The two imperial physicians in the East Warm Pavilion also began to doze off, but Liang Jiugong remained as still as an old monk in meditation, keeping watch over Kangxi. He had lost count of how many nights like this he had spent keeping watch.
"Eunuch Liang, why don't you go back and rest for a while? We'll stay here and keep watch," Ruixin suddenly said to Liang Jiugong.
"Hehe, no need, thank you Miss Ruixin. This old servant is used to it," Liang Jiugong said.
"Eunuch Liang, I feel a bit dizzy. Would you mind going to find some good tea to refresh me?" Consort Yi said personally after seeing that Liang Jiugong was unwilling to leave after Ruixin's words.
Seeing that Consort Yi said this, Liang Jiugong could not refuse, so he said, "Then this old servant will be right back. Please wait for Your Highness."
After saying this, he glanced at Kangxi's unchanged face and then withdrew.
"That old eunuch, acting like he's the Emperor's confidant. I hate his face the most," Consort Yi spat after Liang Jiugong left.
"My lady, I have already sent Ruizhen to fetch Xiaoliangzi. He will do as you say in a moment," Ruixin whispered.
"Okay, go and keep watch at the door," Consort Yi said with a smile.
Ruixin walked out of the West Warm Pavilion and then went to the East Warm Pavilion to take a look. She saw that the two imperial physicians were already dozing off on the table.
After a while, Ruixin returned to the West Warm Pavilion and whispered in Consort Yi's ear, "The two imperial physicians over there are already asleep. Liang Jiugong has probably been infected."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Consort Yi's eyes, and she stood up, supported by Ruixin's hand. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she suddenly stopped. Consort Yi turned around and walked to Kangxi, tucking the blanket around his head with her hand.
Your Majesty, please don't blame me. I am the mother of the Fifth and Ninth Princes. I would do anything for them!
"Your Highness, we need to hurry!" Seeing that Consort Yi was hesitating at this crucial moment, Ruixin urged her in a low voice.
After the two left the West Warm Pavilion, Ruixin made a point of closing all the wooden doors of the Qianqing Palace.
"Your Majesty, that's enough! Liang Jiugong hasn't returned yet, so Xiao Liangzi must have succeeded," Ruixin said.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
