Chapter 31 The past is not the glory of wealth, but filth.
"There's no need to rush, but Fang'er does have something to discuss with the Emperor."
As she spoke, Fanghua handed the list she had obtained from the Empress Dowager to Kangxi. “If it were any other concubine, I would make the decision myself. The harem is already quite empty, and having more sisters would give me more company. But I cannot make the decision for these few.”
Fanghua's eyes showed pity. "Your Majesty has not forgotten the instructions Your Majesty gave me."
Seeing that it was a serious matter, Kangxi released his grip on the Empress's hand, and all ripples vanished under Fanghua's pitying gaze.
He recalled the words he had spoken to the Empress when he was at his most helpless. If he could turn back time, he would definitely take back those words.
After all, that was his father's entrustment to him.
Emperor Kangxi looked at the list of names and remained silent for a long time. Fanghua was not in a hurry and personally poured him tea.
"What is the Empress thinking?"
After a cup of tea, Kangxi finally spoke, but he asked the Empress.
Fanghua rolled her eyes inwardly. What could she possibly think?
Whether she can or cannot do something is not up to her to decide.
"Your Majesty, I think they are too young. Although Your Majesty and I were about the same age when we got married, I was still a bit lacking in temperament."
Fanghua didn't say much, only comparing herself to the person she came from back then.
Anyway, the Empress Dowager has already said this, so she's not afraid.
"It's a pity for Fang'er. If I hadn't been so incompetent back then, Fang'er wouldn't have been trapped in this deep palace at such a young age."
The affection between young people is priceless, and he cherishes it.
"Your Majesty," Fanghua immediately interrupted Kangxi, "it's all in the past. Everything is progressing according to Your Majesty's wishes. I believe that under Your Majesty's leadership, the Qing Dynasty will definitely become a prosperous and powerful one."
Some things are better left unsaid; saying them aloud carries a different meaning.
Therefore, it's best to avoid mentioning it if possible.
"Your Majesty, what should we do with these people?" Fanghua quickly changed the subject. "The day when the Mongols come to the capital to pay tribute is coming soon. If we don't come up with a plan, we will be neglecting the princesses."
She didn't want to touch upon things or people that were off-limits.
Some people can share hardship, but not necessarily wealth.
They might think that the hardships they endured in the past were flaws and filth in their journey, that they could be proud in front of others but not let others know about their filth and wretchedness.
Emperor Kangxi stared at the names for a while before saying, "Since the Empress Dowager thinks they are suitable, let them all be raised in the palace. When they are older, the various tribes can take them back for marriage."
Fanghua rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky.
That's too simplistic.
Nowadays, the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager won't be satisfied without a Mongolian concubine in the harem.
What are they guarding this deep palace for?
It's all for the sake of his maternal clan.
If the Emperor can't even satisfy them in this much way, this matter will cause quite a stir.
"Is this okay?" Fanghua asked timidly.
"Why not? You don't need to worry about this. I will discuss it with my grandmother. The Empress can arrange the rest of the people."
Ah, it sounds like the remaining seven will all be taken into the harem.
As expected of the emperor, he wants it all.
"Very well, Your Majesty, I feel at ease having more sisters to serve you, after all, I now have Chenghu." Fanghua looked at the warm pavilion with a loving expression.
"It's a good opportunity to give Chenghu more younger brothers and sisters, so that the palace will be more lively in the future."
Whether these words were true or false, Kangxi was very pleased to hear them. "I knew Fang'er was the most considerate." He then put down the slightly crumpled paper in his hand. "But Fang'er is the most important person in my heart."
Just listen to this, don't take it seriously. Anyone who does is a fool.
"Your Majesty, I am aware of this."
That night, Kangxi stayed overnight at Kunning Palace, and naturally they went to Wushan together again.
Having been injured before, she barely managed last night, and tonight she only cried out twice before resting.
The next day, Fanghua sent word that, except for paying respects on the 1st and 50th of each month, the morning and evening greetings were to be waived at other times.
Although yesterday was not the first day of the new year's pay of 150 taels of silver, it was the first day after the Empress's confinement period ended, so the concubines naturally had to go to pay their respects to the Empress.
Today is the seventh day of the lunar month, so after receiving the imperial decree, everyone went back to sleep.
The things I asked Li Changfu to buy yesterday have been bought. Since the Emperor was there in the afternoon, Li Changfu didn't come over to cause trouble. So this morning, after learning that the Empress had gotten up, he waited outside the palace.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Li is here."
Qiaomeng, who served Fanghua, whispered the message.
"Okay, let him in in a bit."
After washing up, Fanghua went to the front hall for breakfast. The child woke up early today, and the wet nurse carried him to the front hall.
The little baby's small eyes looked around, but it was impossible to tell what he could see.
She doesn't cry or make a fuss; she's very well-behaved and adorable.
"Chenghu, do you want to eat some too? When you're older, your mother will give you some, okay?"
After playing with the children for a while, the meal was laid out, and Fanghua began to eat her breakfast with the help of the palace servants.
Li Changfu also came in.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Get up. Did you buy everything I asked you to buy yesterday?"
She bought some children's early learning toys from the common people.
There are rattles, sugar figurines, and dough figurines, among other toys.
Although the child is still young, she, as his mother, just wanted to prepare it for him.
"Your Majesty, everything has been bought and examined by the imperial physician. It can be given to the young prince to play with directly," Li Changfu said, pushing the tray forward.
Fanghua was immediately drawn to the rattle drum. She picked it up and shook it at Chenghu, who was being held by the wet nurse.
Chenghu seemed to be attracted by the sound, turned his head, and waved his little hand.
Fanghua dared not let him hold it directly, as it would be bad if he hit her, so after playing with it for a while, she handed the rattle drum to the wet nurse.
"I'm just teasing the prince. The clay figurines are all colored, so the prince can recognize the colors later."
The wet nurse respectfully accepted it, then stepped aside to play with the prince.
"Did your mother ask you to bring back a message?" Her mother must have told her something about what happened yesterday.
“Your Majesty is wise. The Princess Consort did indeed send a message through this servant.” So Li Changfu relayed the words of the Princess Consort Borjigit.
After listening, Fanghua smiled and said, "Mother is very insightful. I just don't know how that uncle will choose."
"Alright, go out of the palace after the Mongol delegation arrives. Take a message, but not a letter." Although the transmission of messages from the inner palace to the outside world is not strictly controlled now, it is still a source of leverage, and it is better to have fewer sources of leverage.
The harem will soon be reorganized, and she, as a virtuous empress, cannot afford to have any weaknesses in the hands of others.
"Yes, this servant has noted it down."
Fanghua glanced at Zhang Mama, who immediately understood and stopped Li Changfu, saying, "Eunuch Li, you've worked hard. I haven't seen the Fujin for a long time. Come with me and tell her how she's been lately."
After the two left, Fanghua had almost finished her breakfast.
Seeing that the child was still awake, she went over to coax the child to sleep, and in no time she actually managed to coax the child to sleep.
"When the prince wakes up, remember to give him some warm water, Qiaoling, don't forget."
Now, Qiaoling and Qiaoyun are in charge of the spiritual spring water; she trusts them to handle things.
"Yes, I've got it."
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