Chapter 116 Twins Safely Born, Promoted to Consort
Although she didn't understand what Kangxi was trying to do, she couldn't refuse since he had already said so.
"Yes, starting tomorrow, we will resume paying our respects to the Empress Dowager every day, but I don't know what about her." Fanghua asked somewhat uncertainly.
"It's alright. It's inconvenient for the Empress Dowager to visit. It's better to go on the first or fifteenth of the month," Kangxi said, his voice softening.
"yes."
Even without Consort Gui and Lady Dong, the rest of the people were still waiting there for Consort De to give birth.
An hour later, they finally heard the child crying.
The first cry had barely been heard when another sound followed.
Everyone immediately congratulated Emperor Kangxi.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations on the birth of your twins!"
Even Fanghua offered her congratulations to Kangxi.
If she hadn't known she was carrying a princess, she probably wouldn't be smiling right now.
After all, she didn't want to see a dragon and a phoenix bring good fortune.
"Haha, good, good, good. Consort De has made a contribution in giving birth. She shall be promoted to Consort De. The Ministry of Rites shall select an auspicious day for the investiture ceremony and the imperial seal."
This promotion was unexpected by everyone, but Fanghua could guess it, since she was not completely ignorant of the affairs of the previous dynasty.
Soon the midwife came out carrying the baby to announce the good news.
Upon learning that he had given birth to twin princesses, it would be a lie to say that Emperor Kangxi was not disappointed. However, upon hearing that they were both healthy, his smile became even more genuine.
He took the Queen's hand and personally lifted the swaddling blanket to look at the newborn baby.
Seeing her fair and delicate skin, Emperor Kangxi felt a surge of affection for her.
"Very good, very good."
After rewarding the palace servants, Kangxi left for the Qianqing Palace, as there were still ministers waiting for him to discuss state affairs.
Fanghua stayed behind to handle the aftermath.
Upon learning that the Emperor had bestowed upon her the title of Consort De, Lady Yehenara fainted with a smile.
When Fanghua entered, she saw Consort De lying unconscious.
Judging by the time, she, as a concubine, probably won't be alone for long.
With new concubines entering the palace this year, it's only natural to also mention the meritorious consorts.
When Fanghua returned to Kunning Palace, she was surprised to learn that the Emperor was already waiting for her.
"Did His Majesty say anything when he came?" Fanghua asked curiously on the way into the main hall.
Li Changfu, who was guarding the place, shook his head. "The Emperor doesn't look well. He may be angry. Your Highness, please be careful."
The two of them spoke very softly, so their voices did not reach the ears of others.
"I understand. You may leave now, and while you're at it, inquire what else happened today besides the birth of the twins." She didn't believe that Kangxi would come to see her without a reason.
Although his attitude had changed today, she didn't believe he could so easily set aside his status.
"Yes, this servant will go right away."
Fanghua strode into the main hall of Kunning Palace. As soon as she entered, she saw Emperor Kangxi accompanying Chenghu in his studies. To be honest, it was the first time she had ever seen him teach Chenghu so earnestly.
Previously, perhaps because Chenghu was young, his father, the Emperor, had not mentioned the matter of enrolling in school.
This was the first time I had ever read a book with Chenghu.
"Your Majesty has arrived. Is it about Consort De's childbirth?" Fanghua approached the two as if nothing had happened, a smile on her lips and a happy tone in her voice. "Both princesses are healthy. Consort De suffered some damage from giving birth to twins and may need to recuperate for a year or two before she can conceive again for Your Majesty."
"But Your Majesty, rest assured, the imperial physician said that with proper care, it might be possible to recover sooner."
Today, she, as the emperor, is doing her best.
"You've worked hard, Empress. I feel much more at ease with you managing the harem." Kangxi beckoned to the Empress to come to his side.
"Chenghu is three years old now, the age for his formal education. It was my oversight. I will send him to the Imperial Study in a couple of days." Although the Imperial Study has been without a tutor for a long time, as the eldest son, Chenghu can still be properly tutored by the emperor.
Fanghua didn't say much about the matter. "I'll leave everything to His Majesty's arrangements. However, Chenghu doesn't usually pay much attention to his studies, so I'm afraid His Majesty might be disappointed." It's better to explain some things in advance.
After all, she knew her son well; he was outstanding in every aspect.
She had made preparations for going to the study, not intending for her son to be too dazzling, or at least not too outstanding.
"Haha, it seems the Empress doesn't trust Chenghu." Kangxi patted his son's shoulder, who was quieter than when he was a child, and then said confidently, "I believe in my children; each and every one of them is a dragon among men."
Fanghua was not in a good position to respond to this. "Your Majesty hopes that your son will become a dragon among men. I am afraid that Chenghu will disappoint Your Majesty." A look of unease appeared on her face.
Chenghu was precocious from a young age and naturally understood what the Empress Dowager was all about.
So he said, "Father, I want to be a Baturu (a high-ranking official in the imperial court), I don't want to go to school, I want to learn to ride horses." The child's voice was very clear, and he looked at his father with expectation in his eyes after he finished speaking.
Kangxi wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, he was quite pleased and pulled the man to his side. "Good, to be the most outstanding Baturu of the Qing Dynasty. Chenghu wants to ride a horse? Alright, in a few days, Father will take you to the horse farm, how about that?"
Upon hearing this good news, Chenghu was naturally delighted. "Really?" This time he was genuinely happy.
"Really? Would Father Emperor lie to you?" The matter of the Three Feudatories has made progress, and he can relax for a while. It wouldn't hurt to spend some time with the children.
"That's wonderful, Your Majesty! Your son can ride a big horse now!" Cheng Hu was incredibly excited, and he immediately started showing off to his mother.
Fanghua looked at Chenghu, who was dancing with joy, with a doting expression and her eyes full of smiles. "Okay, you must not embarrass your mother then."
"Hmph, no way."
After promising his son a good life, Kangxi had someone take Chenghu away and come back for dinner.
It is clear that he had something to say to the Empress.
Chenghu happily followed his wet nurse back to the backyard.
"The Emperor wants to dine here?" Fanghua asked, somewhat surprised, though she was feigning surprise.
"Yes, it has been a long time since I have dined with the Empress."
Fanghua had witnessed all his changes. Before, when no one was around, he always liked to call himself Fang'er, but she didn't know when it started, he stopped calling himself that.
The words "Empress" were all on the exported items.
Is there truly no affection left between husband and wife?
"Very well, Your Majesty, I will have someone make the arrangements immediately." Fanghua appeared very excited, as if she was looking forward to dining with the Emperor.
But only she knows what's really going on in her heart.
"No need." However, Kangxi immediately stopped the matter, "I have Wei Zhu prepare it. Come, Empress, keep me company and let's talk."
Fanghua had no choice but to stop and then dismiss the servants.
When no one was around, Kangxi's guarded expression lessened.
"Your Majesty, Consort De's pregnancy with twins is an auspicious sign. I had no choice but to grant her the title of Consort without your approval. You won't blame me, will you?"
Fanghua never expected that the Emperor's first words would be to explain what had happened that day.
"The Emperor is the Son of Heaven, and the harem consists of your wives and concubines. They are all just in rank, and it's all up to the Emperor to decide." To be honest, she really didn't care.
In her opinion, as long as no one becomes an imperial concubine, everything else is just a concubine.
After all, in the Manchu people's understanding, the Imperial Noble Consort was a secondary wife.
She didn't want such a presence to disgust her.
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