Chapter 33 Undying Ambition
It has to be said that overthinking is a disease.
Emperor Kangxi did not give Fanghua a definite answer, only telling her not to interfere.
It was Fanghua herself who, not wanting to miss out on the excitement, stirred things up here.
Although I was angry with myself, I didn't lose out, because I saw through the schemes of these two.
If you want her as empress, you'll have to see if she agrees.
Once Xiao Feng comes out, the Empress Dowager will have to deal with her.
What Fanghua didn't know was that the Empress Dowager, a woman who had served three emperors, was not someone she could simply eliminate at will.
The Empress Dowager was a little anxious about her niece and was about to speak when she was stopped by the Grand Empress Dowager.
"The Empress is right. I really can't bear to part with them. We must let them stay a few more days."
"Since Your Majesty is here, you can arrange their stipends and have the Imperial Household Department send them to Cining Palace later."
The people in the Imperial Household Department were all promoted by the Empress Dowager. Fanghua sometimes has to pay them to do things.
Fanghua felt she was still too merciful to use the Imperial Household Department as a threat.
She didn't need to keep those who didn't want to live.
"Yes, I will do whatever my grandmother says."
After leaving Cining Palace, Fanghua went to Qianqing Palace with a face full of anger.
Upon learning that the Emperor was in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she immediately rushed over there.
This was the first time the servants below had ever seen the Empress so anxious.
This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened, but the Empress always left a message and then went back.
Something big must have happened today.
Emperor Kangxi was reviewing memorials in the Hall of Mental Cultivation when he heard the Empress arrive. He immediately put down his pen and said, "You worthless wretch, why don't you quickly invite your mistress, the Empress, in?"
Emperor Kangxi understood the Empress; she would never come to his Hall of Mental Cultivation unless it was an urgent matter.
Fanghua entered the main hall quickly, but before she could even bow, Emperor Kangxi, who had been waiting for her, helped her up.
"Why are you in such a hurry to see me, Fang'er? Has something happened?"
Fanghua felt a slight pang in her heart when she saw the anxiety on his face.
In my previous life, he cared about me just the same way. He would act the same way whenever I looked for him too urgently.
"Your Majesty, please don't worry, it's nothing serious." Fanghua comforted the Emperor, patting his large, strong hand that was holding hers. "I'm tired from my journey. How about I have a cup of tea before we talk?"
This was a tacit understanding between husband and wife, a way of telling Kangxi that the servants needed to be kept out.
Kangxi understood Fanghua's implication. "It was I who was in a hurry. Guards, quickly serve your mistress and empress tea."
After sitting down and drinking tea, Kangxi ushered the person out. "Fang'er, has something happened in the harem?"
The fact that the Empress is in such a hurry suggests that something serious is at stake.
Fanghua put down her teacup and then asked, "Does Your Majesty know that the Empress Dowager has brought several Mongolian princesses into the palace?"
She wouldn't get involved in the conflict between the Manchus and Mongols; if she did, she'd be disliked by both sides.
She wasn't going to bother with that.
Besides, she is the Empress, so she is naturally on the same side as the Emperor.
"What?"
Emperor Kangxi was very surprised when he heard this. "When did this happen?" The Mongol troops had just entered the capital, and the Ministry of Rites had not yet reported to the palace. Yet the Empress Dowager had already brought them into the palace.
It seems that the Empress Dowager has great influence and connections.
The more Kangxi thought about it, the angrier he became, and his face turned frighteningly ugly.
"Your Majesty did not know, but I was recently summoned to Cining Palace by the Empress Dowager to arrange accommodations for several princesses."
Fanghua was indeed unaware of this, and she hadn't expected the Empress Dowager to act so quickly.
"Your Majesty, I have arranged for several princesses to stay in Cining Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager. Do you have any other arrangements?" Fanghua asked tentatively.
Emperor Kangxi's face darkened. When Fanghua asked this question, he said irritably, "Since the Empress Dowager misses Mongolia, let them keep her company. It's fine for her to stay in Cining Palace. Fanghua, thank you for your hard work."
My heart is heavy with sorrow. In my grandmother's heart, I am still not as important as the interests of Mongolia. It would be a lie to say that I am not heartbroken.
"Don't worry about this. I will talk to the Empress Dowager. Fanghua, the Mongol envoys will be coming to the palace to pay their respects in a few days. Spend more time with the Empress Dowager then and don't let her work too hard."
Oh, that's a double entendre.
This is to send her to monitor the Empress Dowager.
Unfortunately, she couldn't refuse, because she was the empress.
"Of course, as the Empress, I will see any consorts who come to the palace."
When Kangxi looked up, he saw the heartache in Fanghua's eyes.
He trembled. "Sister." Just like when he was a child, Kangxi hugged the Empress's waist and called out to his sister in his most helpless tone.
Yes, Fanghua was a year older than Kangxi, and they addressed each other as brother and sister when they first got married.
After they consummated their marriage, the Empress used the term "臣妾" (chenqie), while Emperor Kangxi used "朕" (zhen).
The Emperor hasn't called her "sister" in a long time.
Fanghua couldn't help but pat his back lightly, then stroke his neck, her movements both natural and awkward.
"Don't be afraid, your sister is always here. Xuan Ye, don't be afraid." She comforted him with the most affectionate and gentle voice.
After a long absence, Wen Qing's sudden reappearance caused both of them to fall for her.
After a while, Kangxi finally emerged from Fanghua's embrace.
"Fang'er, Grandmother is trying to force me to make them my concubines. What should I do?" His eyes were filled with sorrow, but it was not because of the Empress, but because of his Grandmother.
In this matter, Fanghua in her previous life did not advise the emperor to let go or agree with the Empress Dowager's actions, and she would be even less likely to do so in this life.
She remained silent, because she knew that what the emperor needed at that moment was not her answer, but rather an outlet for his frustration.
As Kangxi spoke, he became somewhat out of control. When he came to his senses, he said somewhat awkwardly, "Fang'er, I'm sorry, I've troubled you again."
"What nonsense are you talking about? We are husband and wife. If Your Majesty has troubles and doesn't even come to me, then I should think carefully about what I did wrong to make Your Majesty dislike me."
Fanghua handed him tea, saying, "Now that things have happened, Your Majesty should think about what to do next. I will follow Your Majesty's lead."
"Yes, I understand. Fang'er, don't worry, I will never let you down in this life."
After the emperor and empress spoke for a while, Fanghua left the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
What happened here naturally reached the inner palace as well.
But what does all this have to do with Fanghua?
Upon returning to Kunning Palace, she had the items used by the four Mongolian princesses sent over, and treated them with the respect due to an imperial concubine.
This shows how much she cared about the princesses.
"Your Majesty, Li Changfu has returned from outside the palace." Zhang Mama led the slightly out-of-breath Li Changfu in from outside the palace.
Fanghua was writing something when she saw the two of them and waved for everyone to leave.
"Do you have any news from my mother?"
"Your Majesty, the Fujin instructed me to tell Your Majesty that the Xiborjigit clan has never had any other intentions, and that Your Majesty should be aware of this."
After saying that, Li Changfu took out a letter.
"Your Majesty, I told you not to send messages, but the Princess Consort said it was too complicated to explain in just a few words, so she asked me to bring the message into the palace."
Fanghua took the letter, weighed it in her hand, and knew it was quite a lot. "Alright, you're innocent this time. Go down and collect your reward from Qiaoruo."
"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com