Chapter 115 Mother of a Nation
"You've put your heart into this."
Fanghua didn't want to talk to them anymore. She just waited and waited, since she wasn't in a hurry.
Lady Dong noticed the Empress's displeasure and respectfully stepped forward to personally pour her tea. "None of us have ever seen a twin birth before. We came here to share in the joy, since it is the first set of twins in the royal family."
This statement clearly expresses their attitude.
Fanghua looked up at her, and finally a slight smile appeared on her face. "You envy the Imperial Concubine. Consort Dong is not far along in her pregnancy. You should take better care of yourself. After all, things are different now than before."
Looking at her slightly protruding belly, Fanghua's tone softened a bit.
She knew that this pregnancy of Lady Dong was arranged by the Imperial Concubine.
This child is not only related to Princess Xizhu, but also to the Imperial Concubine.
If someone takes another child, they should at least return the child.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am perfectly fine." Madam Dong understood what the Empress meant and knew that the Empress was giving her a warning.
Others might not know the relationship between the Empress and the Imperial Concubine, but she knew some things, and the Imperial Concubine had also intentionally revealed some to her.
The two have long been at odds, but their relationship is actually quite good. When nothing goes wrong, the Consort is always the one causing trouble, but when something does happen, they are always united against outsiders.
The Imperial Concubine had warned her that even if she gave birth to a prince in the future, she should not have any improper thoughts, otherwise she would be the first to deal with her without the Empress having to lift a finger.
Mr. Dong had complete faith in this.
"The Imperial Concubine is very kind to me, but I have been pregnant and have visited her less often."
Fanghua smiled at her, and only looked away after a while. "Yes, you're very thoughtful."
Just as the two finished speaking, a very rude voice came from outside.
"Oh dear, could it be that Her Majesty the Empress is talking badly about me behind my back? My ears are very sharp."
Then a beautiful woman dressed in elegant and exquisite attire walked in.
Who else could it be but the Imperial Concubine?
Upon entering, the Consort saw Lady Dong standing in front of the Empress. Without thinking, she blurted out, "Your Majesty the Empress's demeanor is truly remarkable, having a pregnant concubine serve you. Anyone who doesn't know better would think Your Majesty is unkind."
He assassinated the Empress as soon as he arrived; in the entire harem, no one but the Imperial Concubine would dare to do that.
Everyone was so frightened that they dared not look up.
Fanghua glared at her, her eyes filled with displeasure. "It's quite something that the Imperial Concubine is concerned about. I am the Empress, the legitimate mother of the imperial heirs. What's wrong with having them serve me a little? This is a rule left by our ancestors."
"What, does the Imperial Concubine intend for them to disrespect their stepmother?"
That was a rather harsh statement, but the fact that the person who said it had a smile on their face sent chills down one's spine.
The Imperial Concubine realized she had misunderstood. Seeing the wink Dong gave her, she immediately smiled and retorted, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? The princesses and princes are the most filial of all. How could they possibly disrespect their stepmother? It was I who went too far with my words. I apologize to Your Majesty."
The imperial concubine bowed her head; it's a rare sight indeed.
Although the Imperial Concubine usually suffered losses in their daily arguments, she never backed down.
This incident has made everyone realize that no matter what, the Empress is not someone anyone can bully.
"Hmph, the Imperial Concubine is here to visit Consort De, so just wait patiently. It's still a long way from her due date."
Because of the concubine's unreasonable behavior, the entire hall fell silent for a moment.
When Kangxi arrived, he saw everyone waiting in the main hall, and no one made a sound. Even the Empress looked very unhappy.
Kangxi assumed the Empress was unwell, so he didn't wake her immediately. Instead, he went to her side and asked, "Is the Empress feeling unwell?"
Although they had some conflicts in the past six months, Kangxi couldn't help but step forward to show his concern when he saw the Empress in such a state.
The Empress wouldn't disregard the Emperor's concern, so she grasped his large hand in return, saying, "It's alright, I'm feeling fine." Although she said it was nothing, the grievance in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Kangxi frowned and asked, "Who angered the Empress? Humph, I think you've been living a good life for too long and don't want to have any peace, do you?"
The emperor's anger came somewhat inexplicably, but as soon as he said this, everyone knelt down and begged for forgiveness.
“Your Majesty, I am guilty and beg for punishment.”
This time, even the Imperial Concubine knelt down.
They had only performed the curtsy just now, but now they dared not disobey.
Who would have thought that the Emperor would come to show concern not for Consort De, but for the Empress?
Previously, everyone thought the Empress had fallen out of favor, but now it seems they were just being delusional.
"Your Majesty," Fanghua quickly stopped the furious Kangxi, "It's nothing." Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Don't worry, just tell me. Would I ever wrong you?" The Emperor's voice was coaxing; he also wanted to break the ice between him and the Empress.
After all, he did do something that hurt the Empress last year.
They suspected her but didn't say anything, and even wronged her.
Fortunately, the matter is over, and he wants to reconcile with the Empress.
Under the Emperor's 'coercive' gaze, the Empress had no choice but to reveal that the Consort had wronged her.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was furious. "Consort," he roared, "do you know your crime?"
The Imperial Concubine showed no mercy to Kangxi, glaring at him angrily, "What wrong have I done? It was the Empress who bullied the pregnant concubine. What, can't people even say anything about it?"
Fanghua frowned even more. Although she didn't know what the Consort meant, she knew that the Consort was intentionally trying to anger Kangxi.
"She's just a concubine. Can't the Empress even order her around? Hmph, I think it's because the Empress is too gentle that you've all lost your manners." Kangxi thought of something and his anger surged.
"So what if she's pregnant? As the Empress, she's the legitimate mother; does she think she can't be served by them?"
"The Imperial Concubine has disrespected the Empress. She is to be punished by copying the palace rules ten times and confined to her quarters for three months. She is not allowed to leave Yongshou Palace until she has finished copying them."
They really didn't give the Consort any face at all, punishing her in front of everyone.
The imperial concubine was still unconvinced, but when she met the emperor's terrifying gaze, she swallowed her anger deeply.
"Your Majesty, I obey." With that, she rose and left.
Lady Dong was also very shocked. Although she didn't understand what the Imperial Concubine was up to, she knew that the Imperial Concubine must have her own reasons. So, should she also apologize?
Without further thought, Lady Dong immediately spoke up to plead for the Imperial Concubine.
Without saying a word, Emperor Kangxi also put her in solitary confinement, keeping her there for even longer than the Imperial Concubine, for a full six months.
Fanghua was surprised.
"Your Majesty." She wanted to plead for Lady Dong, but the Emperor did not give her the chance.
"Hmph, it's good to tighten their skin so that they won't think that being pregnant is a threat to their master."
These words have a hidden meaning, but it's unclear whether they refer to matters of the previous dynasty or those of the imperial harem.
"Your Majesty is benevolent, but you are the mother of the nation. You should restrain some of your benevolence."
What else could Fanghua say? "Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember this and will not bring shame upon Your Majesty."
"Fang'er, that's not what I meant, but you have indeed been too lenient with them. You should still follow the proper rules. Your health is gradually improving, so it's time to start the morning and evening greetings again."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com