Chapter 113 The Conflicted Empress
"Investigate for me! I want to see how much shady business the Imperial Household Department is involved in. My concubine has been eating the wrong things every day. I want to find out where these things came from."
Once the emperor spoke, the matter was naturally investigated extensively.
Fanghua didn't have a chance to speak the whole time. Ma Jiashi on the bed didn't know if she was scared or what, she didn't say a word, she covered her stomach with her hands, and tears fell one by one, which was very pitiful.
Emperor Kangxi changed his previous attitude of treasuring and showed great care for Lady Majia.
Wei Zhu was capable; after some investigation, he actually found some things.
Unfortunately, this matter had nothing to do with Empress Fanghua.
Even if Emperor Kangxi wanted to pin the blame on her, he couldn't.
"Hmph, you traitors, drag them all away and beat them to death."
It turned out that it was someone close to Lady Ma Jia who did it, and there were others behind that person. Emperor Kangxi didn't know what happened either, and had him beaten to death. It seems that he didn't want to investigate any further.
It's enough to give Ma Jia an explanation; more importantly, it's about giving an explanation to Tu Hai and others.
Emperor Kangxi comforted Lady Ma Jia until she fell into a deep sleep before getting up to leave.
Seeing Fanghua still standing not far away, a hint of annoyance and embarrassment flashed in Kangxi's eyes.
He knew he had taken his anger out on the Empress today.
It was precisely because of these events that Fanghua saw things more clearly: men can never be relied on.
It was the same in the previous life, and it is the same in this life.
I'm increasingly convinced of the decision I made.
"Empress, come for a walk with me."
On the way back to Kunning Palace, Kangxi held the Empress's hand, while the servants behind him kept their distance.
"I acted impulsively today, Fang'er, I'm sorry." Kangxi was a man who could take things in stride, and he immediately apologized to the Empress.
"Your Majesty, you are exaggerating. It is indeed my fault for not managing the harem well. One thing after another has happened." Unlike before, Fanghua did not immediately appease him after his apology, but instead acknowledged her own fault.
"Whether it's Consort De or Consort Ma Jia, I was at fault for not taking good care of them. Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly," Fanghua said, testing the waters.
She wanted to see if the Emperor truly didn't want to know who was behind it all.
Unfortunately, she was destined to be disappointed; the Emperor truly didn't care.
"No need. Wei Zhu has already investigated. Let's leave it at that. Your Majesty, there will be more and more pregnant concubines in the harem. You've worked hard, Your Majesty."
As he said this, Kangxi tightened his grip on the Empress's hand.
Fanghua felt a sharp pain in her chest. Although she didn't understand his intentions, she knew that there was going to be a change in the harem.
Because of her, the Three Kingdoms War was brought forward, but it's unknown whether this will change the harem layout.
If what she thinks is true, then the changes are indeed too great.
"Your Majesty," Fanghua's voice choked with emotion, not out of genuine sadness but because she needed to feign it, "but have new concubines entered the palace?"
Emperor Kangxi sighed, "Fang'er, I want to reduce the power of the Three Feudatories. The ministers will naturally try to win me over. Fang'er will definitely help me, won't she?" After saying that, he stopped and put his hands on the Empress's shoulders, "I have no choice but to consolidate my power."
He did not want the court to be controlled by his ministers as before, nor did he want to be controlled by the harem in every matter like the late emperor.
Therefore, he wanted to reduce the power of the princes and consolidate all imperial power.
Feudal kings should not exist.
"Fang'er, can you please understand me?"
What else can Fanghua say?
“But Your Majesty, the mourning period has just ended. If a large number of concubines enter the palace, it will damage Your Majesty’s reputation.” She neither agreed nor refused, only caring about his reputation.
If he himself doesn't care, then she, as the empress, will naturally not say anything more.
"Not so soon, next year, next year."
Emperor Kangxi loosened his grip on the Empress's shoulder, but internal strife persisted, forcing him to make some sacrifices.
The harem is the best place to maintain balance and harmony.
Next year, Fanghua breathed a sigh of relief, as she could prepare in advance.
Before escorting the person back to Kunning Palace, Kangxi stopped and said, "Chenghu has been staying for some time now. Empress, please go and fetch Chenghu back when you have time. I have been very busy lately and cannot take care of him."
His voice was as gentle and affectionate as ever.
But what he said was chilling.
This is a warning to her.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will have Zhang Mama pick you up in a moment. Your Majesty is busy, and I have been inappropriate." Since he treated her like this, her words naturally became a bit harsher.
Emperor Kangxi sighed again, looked at the Empress for a long time, and then turned and left.
In the tenth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the imperial family gained two new members: Princess Xizhu and the Third Prince, born to Lady Magiya.
Yes, Ma Jia gave birth to a son.
Immediately after her birth, Emperor Kangxi bestowed a title upon her, though it is unclear whether this was to appease Lady Magiya or Lady Magiya Tuhai.
This third prince was also raised by Lady Ma Jia herself. The child was born weak, and the imperial physician said that if he was well cared for, he would recover after his first birthday and grow up healthy.
Yehenara's belly grew larger and larger. Because she was carrying twins, the five of them looked like an eight-month pregnant belly, which was quite alarming.
Fanghua has ordered her to stay at home, and the number of imperial physicians has been increased to four. The Imperial Household Department has also been instructed to prepare midwives and other midwives.
She did her best in this matter to ensure the child was born healthy.
She couldn't guarantee anything else; the royal family only valued offspring.
As long as her offspring are intact, she, as the legal mother, has done nothing wrong.
The Yehenara clan was also very capable. They not only secured many positions in the previous dynasty, but also arranged for someone to enter the palace to help Consort De give birth.
Fanghua turned a blind eye to this.
What upset Fanghua the most was that, more than half a year had passed, and she still hadn't come up with a perfect plan to end her lineage.
The eleventh year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign was fast approaching. Although there was still a long time to go, she was still somewhat unsettled.
She didn't know what to do with these children. Should she let them perish in the palace intrigue, as she had in her previous life, or should she save them?
She had no intention of letting her child be born, except for the so-called Kowloon.
No matter how capable they are, she will not allow them to come into this world and threaten her children.
As the Imperial Concubine once said, "Even if it's not for yourself, you should be ruthless for the sake of your children."
After winter set in, Fanghua also fell ill.
She wasn't really sick; she just didn't want to organize the Third Prince's full-moon celebration, which is why she fell ill.
"Your Highness, someone from the Imperial Household Department has arrived." Fanghua was reading in bed when Qiaoyun came in to report.
"What is it?" Fanghua asked without moving an inch.
"It seems they want to discuss the Third Prince's one-month celebration with Her Majesty," Qiaoyun replied.
"Does His Majesty have any other arrangements for this matter? If not, then let them handle it according to the rules." She was merely the legal mother, and only the Third Prince; there was no need to take it too seriously.
Even if the Ma Jia clan originated from the Ma Jia Tu Hai lineage, they could not surpass her Cheng Hu lineage.
"Yes, this servant will go and report to the messenger immediately."
Fanghua waved her hand, "Go ahead. Oh, and have someone keep an eye on Jingyang Palace. I don't want anything to happen to him." She was going to see him off to the very end; she didn't want to be schemed against.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, Li Changfu has people keeping an eye on things, nothing will happen," Qiaoyun replied.
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