Chapter 144 No More Marriage Affection
I ate and looked after the children.
Fanghua felt somewhat disappointed when she didn't see the Emperor in the hall.
"What time is it now, Granny?"
Granny Zhang glanced at the outer room and then announced an hour later. Fanghua, upon hearing this, did not ask any further questions about the Emperor's whereabouts.
"By the way, have you found out who was in charge of my delivery today?" She knew her delivery wouldn't go smoothly, but she never expected that half of the people she had prepared would have been bribed by others.
When the Empress asked about this matter, Zhang Mama's eyes turned red with anger.
There's still no news from the Emperor. He's really heartless. The Empress did give the Emperor a legitimate son, and almost a day has passed, yet the Emperor hasn't made a single move.
Fearing that the Empress would be angry, Zhang Mama did not dare to upset her at this time, so she told the Empress the information they had found out.
"White Lotus Sect, Yehenara Clan, Empress Dowager, heh, you really think highly of me." Fanghua was truly furious.
When the Empress Dowager was alive, she plotted to kill her during her childbirth.
Now that the Grand Empress Dowager is gone, the Empress Dowager has taken over, right?
How dare she do that?
Do you really think she wouldn't dare to deal with her? Hmph, "What's going on with the White Lotus Sect? How did they manage to infiltrate the palace?" The Forbidden City is a place where a mere White Lotus Sect dares to act so presumptuously.
She considered many people, but she never imagined that outside forces would get involved.
"Your Majesty, the White Lotus Sect shouldn't be allowed into the palace. This time, they bribed a midwife, and I don't know how they got past the Imperial Household Department's inspection." Zhang Mama was very angry. She felt that the Imperial Household Department was to blame for this. If they hadn't been so lax in their inspection, Your Majesty wouldn't have suffered this.
In the Imperial Household Department, Kangxi narrowed his eyes, wondering if the Emperor was aware of this.
Hopefully it's not what she thinks, otherwise, she really will disregard all feelings.
"We won't concern ourselves with the affairs of the Imperial Household Department. Just investigate Yehenara and the Empress Dowager thoroughly. I want to see what other tricks they have up their sleeves this time."
Since they failed to harm me, they must have some backup plans. I'd better not let her find out, or none of them will get away with it.
Empress Dowager, now that you've left the palace, why are you still making things difficult for yourself?
If the empress dies, can the Mongol concubines still be made empresses?
Don't forget, Emperor Kangxi was an emperor personally trained by Emperor Shunzhi, and he would never allow a Mongol concubine to be made empress.
And then there's Yehenara. They thought she was a variable and would keep her around as a target, but she actually dared to set her sights on her son. Well then, don't blame her for being ruthless.
If she could investigate something clearly, she believed the Emperor must have found out as well. She just didn't know if he would cover it up this time. If it was like last time, she would give him a big surprise.
She doesn't have the lofty awareness that suffering is a blessing.
All I know is that the person who harmed her deserves to die.
"Yes," Zhang Mama and Qiaoling replied in unison.
As the second son of the legitimate wife, the celebrations for his third-day celebration and full-month celebration were very lively.
Borjigit's wife and others also entered the palace to accompany the Empress during her postpartum period, and Fanghua spent her postpartum period very comfortably.
Of course, some personal items were also smuggled into the palace, such as the Rongyan Pavilion, account books from general stores, and other gifts.
A whole month has passed since she gave birth, and the Emperor still hasn't given her a result, which makes Fanghua very dissatisfied.
Sure enough, on the day of the full moon, when Emperor Kangxi came over, Fanghua immediately asked about this matter.
"Your Majesty, has it been determined who is behind those harmful scourges?"
Emperor Kangxi hadn't expected the Empress to ask so directly, but he knew her well and figured she must have found something out, otherwise she wouldn't have asked such a question.
"Empress, I never expected my mother to be so confused. Please give me some face and let's not pursue this matter any further. You're fine anyway."
Fanghua laughed in anger upon hearing this. How could he say such a thing? What did he mean by saying she was alright?
If she gets away with it, should the person who did the wrong be let off the hook?
Fanghua scoffed, "Does the Emperor intend to overlook the Empress Dowager's crimes? Even if she is the Empress Dowager, she cannot be let off so easily."
The anger on his face grew even darker as the emperor finished speaking.
"According to Your Majesty's opinion, I, the Empress, am nothing more than this. As long as I am safe, I will forgive anyone who tries to harm me."
Seeing her growing increasingly angry, he felt a surge of rage within him. "Your Majesty, do you think this is fair to me?"
But we also need to see if she's willing to swallow this insult.
Emperor Kangxi grasped the hand of the indignant Empress and patted it gently to comfort her, saying, "I know I have wronged you, but Empress, you must also understand me. After all, she is my mother-in-law, and I cannot execute her."
As he spoke, Kangxi looked at the Empress with a wronged expression, "Empress, I will make it up to our son. Don't worry, it won't happen again."
I've seen shameless people before, but I've never seen anyone as shameless as him.
What do you mean by "there won't be a next time"? What if she hadn't been lucky this time, and had died like in her previous life?
Did he ever consider what burdens his child would have to bear?
In her previous life, her son Yinreng never celebrated his birthday because that day was the anniversary of his mother's death.
He also had to attend his brothers' birthday banquets to celebrate their birthdays, but who could he tell about his suffering?
It's such a tragedy! If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's selfishness, how could her son, Yinreng, have lost his mother right after birth and been branded as a mother-killer?
"Your Majesty," Fanghua said, pulling her hand away from his grasp and glaring angrily at the Emperor, "is this a matter of whether or not I forgive Liang?"
Fanghua was trembling with anger. She felt that the Emperor was treating her like a fool.
Is the life and death of the mother of the nation really so unimportant?
"If someone were to plot against the Emperor, would he be able to get away with it so easily?"
Upon hearing the Empress's retort, Kangxi's face turned as black as ink.
"Empress, watch your words." Kangxi stood up angrily and looked at the Empress, who was filled with grievance, stubbornness, and resentment. Kangxi closed his eyes. He knew she had to do this, but he also had his own difficulties.
"I owe you for what happened to the Empress Dowager. Empress, please be understanding?"
Seeing him feigning affection for her again, Fanghua felt disgusted and realized she shouldn't have had any illusions about him.
"Since Your Majesty has spoken, how could I possibly disobey? Since Your Majesty forbids me from pursuing the matter of the Empress Dowager, then may I ask, how should Consort De be dealt with?"
It's been a month, and the Empress Dowager hasn't moved. She knows it's because the Emperor is concerned about filial piety, but what right does Consort De have?
Just because she's so open-minded, daring to make love with the emperor in public?
snort.
Shameful.
Emperor Kangxi was speechless. He had thought the Empress wouldn't be able to find out, since he had helped cover it up.
But unexpectedly...
Yes, after Kangxi investigated Consort De's underhanded actions, he helped cover them up. It wasn't that he liked Consort De that much, but rather that he needed to use the Yehenara clan now.
At this time, the Yehenara clan could not be touched.
Otherwise, someone who plotted to murder the Empress should at least be exiled to the cold palace.
Kangxi opened his mouth, but had to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
His throat tightened; after all, there were some things he felt he couldn't say at this moment.
"What, does Your Majesty also intend to protect her?" Fanghua burst into tears. "So, in Your Majesty's heart, I am not even as good as Consort De. I was just being presumptuous."
Fanghua glanced at Kangxi with a sorrowful expression before looking away.
The sight of the beautiful woman shedding tears did indeed stir Emperor Kangxi's heart, but he knew that the Empress was no ordinary beauty, and while he felt pity for her, he also had to consider the bigger picture.
“Your Majesty, Consort De cannot be touched right now. There are many members of the Yehe Nara clan on the front lines during the War of the Three Feudatories. I cannot discourage the soldiers on the front lines.”
This won't work, that won't work, Fanghua was so angry she almost laughed.
Where is the deep affection you promised?
What happened to the promised pampering?
Fortunately, given a second chance at life, she did not choose to place her wholehearted trust in him.
Otherwise, she would have been driven mad by him even if she hadn't been killed.
She said that the relationship between husband and wife had been severed.
After a long while, Fanghua finally composed herself and looked up at Kangxi.
"Empress, I will make it up to you, really. You will understand what my compensation is after tomorrow."
Kangxi moved his feet. The matter wasn't urgent, but at this moment he had to make a promise to the Empress.
Because the Hesheli clan was not to be trifled with.
Although the Hesheli clan had few outstanding descendants after being suppressed, people like Gabula were serving in the court and could not neglect the rear because of the front lines.
Hearing his somewhat disordered footsteps as he left, Fanghua raised her head, her eyes filled with coldness.
"Ha, you think you can get away with this by making my son the crown prince? No way."
The Empress Dowager is untouchable; do you think you, the Yehenara clan, can escape unscathed?
Since you are heartless, then don't blame her for being ruthless, Your Majesty. You chose this path yourself.
Just as Fanghua had expected, the imperial edict appointing the crown prince resounded throughout the palace and the imperial court early the next morning.
No one expected the Emperor to appoint a baby who was only a month old as Crown Prince. Even if he were to appoint a Crown Prince, wouldn't the First Prince be the most qualified?
No one could understand what the Emperor was up to.
However, this did not prevent the Hesheli clan from receiving congratulations.
Fanghua's Kunning Palace was also filled with people, but Fanghua was nowhere to be seen.
Even when the Imperial Concubine personally came to offer her congratulations, she was turned away, which was quite unusual.
Having noticed something amiss, the imperial concubine stopped insisting on seeing him and immediately ordered her people to investigate upon returning to the palace.
After searching for a long time, I didn't find much information, but I did learn one thing: the Emperor did not discuss the matter of appointing the Crown Prince with the Empress.
In other words, the Empress was unaware that the Emperor had suddenly appointed the Eleventh Prince as Crown Prince.
Then, recalling the scene of the Empress giving birth, the Consort understood.
It must have been that the incident involved the Emperor and Empress Dowager, or members of the imperial family; otherwise, the Emperor would not have been so decisive in appointing the Crown Prince.
Empress Niohuru, who thought she had discovered the truth, wore an expression of watching a show unfold.
Unfortunately, no one appreciates it.
The women in the harem all tried their best, but they didn't have much power. No matter how much they investigated, they couldn't find out why the emperor had appointed the crown prince. They could only place their hopes on the maternal family of the empress.
Unfortunately, the emperor kept it a secret, and no one except those directly involved knew the truth.
However, Emperor Kangxi also suffered indignation at the hands of the Empress, and he vented his anger directly on the White Lotus Sect, launching a full-scale crackdown on the White Lotus Sect in Jiangnan and other places.
However, it was during the Three Feudatories War, and the army was short of troops. The war between the army and the White Lotus Sect was back and forth, and the people of Jiangnan were suffering greatly.
Of course, none of these things had anything to do with the Empress.
She was taking care of her child in Kunning Palace, plotting revenge.
The Empress Dowager was too far away for her influence to penetrate, which greatly angered her.
They could only focus their attention on the Yehenara clan.
The pressure was suddenly put on the Yehenara clan.
"Qiaoling, are there any of our people among Consort De's close associates?" Since she's courting death, we won't let her go.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Qiaoling knew that Her Majesty had been very troubled these days, and naturally wanted Her Majesty to vent her frustrations.
"That's good. I remember that Consort De likes bird's nest." Fanghua knew that the Emperor had made her the Crown Prince to make amends, and she couldn't kill Yehenara clan all at once, as that would make Kangxi more wary of her.
With Xiao Feng, her spatial ability, and countless medicinal herbs, dealing with a member of the Yehenara clan would be a piece of cake.
"Yes." Qiaoling didn't know what the Empress wanted to do, but she told the truth.
"That's good."
Fanghua smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; instead, it was filled with malice.
He called out Xiao Feng's name in his mind.
Xiao Feng has been communicating with Long Ling recently.
As soon as Yinreng was born, Xiaofeng brought Longling over to acknowledge him as her master.
Whether it was Heaven's compensation to Yinreng or not, Yinreng was very suitable to be the next emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
Sure enough, as soon as Yinreng appeared, he was recognized as the master by the Dragon Spirit.
Now Xiaofeng and Longling are as close as family.
"Master, Xiao Feng is here." It just went to find Long Ling, and Long Ling really coaxed its master, even appearing in his dream to reunite with Yinreng.
Yinreng didn't know what was going on. Although he was just a tiny baby, his eyes revealed a depth of understanding far beyond that of an infant.
Although the dragon spirit did not understand, it did not prevent it from befriending its master.
"Bring me some colorless and odorless slow-acting poison." Fanghua had already decided on the method of death for Yehenara: poisoning.
"Yes, Master." Xiao Feng entered the space and began refining medicine using her own strange fire. Before long, a bottle of white powder was ready.
"Master, take this poison. After taking it for three months, you'll die suddenly, and even the imperial physicians can't figure out if you've been poisoned." It was very confident in its alchemy skills.
Fanghua took the medicine bottle from Xiaofeng, and this time her smile reached her eyes, showing that she was in a good mood.
"Yes, go and keep an eye on Yinreng." Since Long Ling had just formed a contract, she was somewhat distrustful.
"yes."
Xiao Feng turned around and left the space, disappearing without a trace.
Fanghua pretended to take out a jade bottle from her bosom and handed it to Qiaoling, saying, "Give this to our people and have them give it to Consort De. She should take it for three months to prolong the duration of her illness, but it must not be shortened."
Three months, or even longer, it doesn't matter, she can wait.
So what if there are members of her Yehenara clan at the front lines? Her Hesheli clan isn't without them either, well, there aren't many, they're just some minor, insignificant members from collateral branches.
They are indeed not as good as the Yehenara clan, but so what?
How could an empress be afraid of Consort De?
What's wrong with giving her six months? Hmph, she's a dead person anyway.
"Yes, I've got it. I'll make sure to give the instructions properly."
Fanghua seemed to have been appeased by the matter of the Crown Prince and did not cause any trouble for Consort De. Kangxi was relieved and focused all his attention on the War of the Three Feudatories.
Consort De thought she was being discreet, and when she came to Kunning Palace to pay her respects, she always acted as if everyone else was a fool and she was the only one who was smart, which made Fanghua's teeth ache.
If she weren't afraid of making things worse, she would have liked to drug her herself.
Now that the crown prince has been chosen, the issue of succession must also be settled.
Even if offspring are born in the future, they can only be born once every few years, and Fanghua will strictly control the number.
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