In the Qianqing Palace, Liang Jiugong received news from the messenger that Consort Tong was pregnant. Overjoyed, he immediately went into the palace to report the good news to Emperor Kangxi.
"What? Say it again, is it true?" Kangxi was shocked and couldn't believe what he had just heard. His cousin was pregnant.
Thinking of his cousin's longing all these years, he was genuinely happy for her. Heaven rewards those who persevere; the child she had been waiting for for four years had finally arrived, and his cousin's dream had finally come true.
"Liang Jiugong, give the order to prepare the carriage for Chengqian Palace. I want to go see my cousin."
Just as Liang Jiugong was about to agree, he caught a glimpse of a figure at the door. Following his gaze, Kangxi was a little angry. Where did this little eunuch come from, so ignorant of etiquette? He glanced at Liang Jiugong and said, "Go and see what's going on."
Liang Jiugong responded and went over to take a look. It turned out to be his apprentice, Li Hui. He was furious and kicked Li Hui hard, cursing, "You little brat, are you looking for death? You serve in front of the emperor and have no manners at all. How have I always taught you? To be steady, to think things through, and to act carefully. Have you forgotten everything I taught you?"
Li Hui dared not refute. After listening to everything, he carefully smiled and said, "Master, please calm down. It's all my fault. Please don't upset yourself."
After calming Liang Jiugong down, Li Hui got down to business, saying, "My disciple had no choice. He knew he shouldn't be here at this time, but he had important matters to report, so he had no choice but to come."
Li Hui smiled wryly and pointed to the door. "Master, Eunuch Zhou from Cining Palace has arrived. He says he's conveying an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager, requesting His Majesty to come to Cining Palace for a talk."
Swallowing back the words he was about to utter, Liang Jiugong froze. This matter concerned the Cining Palace and was indeed a major issue that needed to be reported; he could not be careless.
Liang Jiugong dismissed his disciple and turned to enter the hall. The Empress Dowager Cining Palace's invitation to the Emperor at this time was likely related to Consort Tong; it was unclear whether it was a good or bad thing.
Realizing something was amiss, Liang Jiugong shook his head, stopping himself from thinking too much. He was just a eunuch; he couldn't afford to think too much about his master's affairs.
Upon entering the inner hall, Kangxi wore a smile and radiated joy. When he saw Liang Jiugong enter, he only glanced up at him slightly.
"Your Majesty, my apprentice just came to report that Eunuch Zhou of Cining Palace has been summoned by the Empress Dowager to speak with Your Majesty at Cining Palace."
"Hmm? Your Majesty actually summoned me at this time." Kangxi was a little surprised, and after a moment of reaction, he said, "In that case, I will visit my cousin later. Liang Jiugong, prepare the sedan chair and go to Cining Palace."
Just as he stood up, thinking of his cousin, he instructed Liang Jiugong, "By the way, send someone to Chengqian Palace to tell her that I will be there later, so that my cousin won't misunderstand."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will make the arrangements immediately," Liang Jiugong replied.
In the Cining Palace, Su Mala Gu poured a cup of hot tea and asked softly, "Princess, Consort Tong is pregnant, but you seem rather unhappy?"
With a soft sigh, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang slowly spoke, "Consort Tong is a simple-minded child with a good character, but she is a bit spoiled. She is carrying the imperial heir, and I should be happy about that, but her identity is too sensitive."
Setting down her teacup, she looked at Su Ma La Gu with worry in her eyes. "Su Ma, Consort Tong comes from the Tong family. She is the niece of Empress Dowager Xiao Kang Zhang and the Emperor's cousin. Although I trust her, I must be wary of the Tong family behind her. The Tong family now wields half the power in the court. Their influence is immense. If Consort Tong gives birth to a prince this time, it's hard to guarantee that the Tong family won't have other ideas. This prince will also threaten the Crown Prince's position. If that happens, the court will be in turmoil, and the country will be unstable. That's what I'm worried about."
"This..." Su Ma was shocked. She hadn't realized that Consort Tong's pregnancy involved so many things. She was very worried. "Princess, Consort Tong is pregnant. What should we do?"
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang patted Su Ma La Gu's hand reassuringly and smiled faintly, "It's alright. I have already summoned the Emperor to discuss a solution with him."
What was left unsaid was, if there's truly no other way, then I'll be the bad guy. Consort Tong's child cannot threaten the Crown Prince, nor the empire. For this, I'm willing to do anything, even personally eliminate the child.
Speak of the devil, and he appears; the master and servant had just been discussing Emperor Kangxi when he arrived.
"Grandson pays his respects to Empress Dowager. What brings you here, Empress Dowager?" Kangxi laughed as he entered Cining Palace and respectfully bowed to Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's eyes were gentle, filled with tender affection. She felt proud and honored to be the emperor she had raised herself.
Pointing at Kangxi, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang laughed and scolded, "You! What, can't I come to you even when I have nothing to do?"
Kangxi stepped forward, feigning apology, "Grandmother, please calm down. I didn't mean that. If you want to see it, just send someone to the Qianqing Palace anytime, and I will come immediately without delay."
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang looked at Su Ma and said with a smile, "Look at my grandson, he's so glib. He's just trying to make me happy."
Su Ma also smiled, but did not participate in the conversation between the grandfather and grandson.
"Your Majesty, you have wronged your grandson. Everything I said just now was true, not a single lie." Kangxi said in a slightly aggrieved tone, trying to defend himself.
"Alright, alright, stop joking. I know you're being filial." Although she knew Kangxi's intentions, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang couldn't help but offer a few words of advice: "As the emperor, you can't act like this. You must be composed and dignified."
Kangxi straightened his expression, his playful smile vanishing, replaced by his usual dignified demeanor. "Grandmother, rest assured, I am only like this in front of you. Outside, I know how to behave."
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