Back in the Qianqing Palace, after much deliberation, Kangxi, forcing himself to stay healthy, wrote two imperial edicts and instructed Liang Jiugong to send something to Yunyi.
Chengqian Palace
Liang Jiugong respectfully held a small box and said to Yunyi, "Your Majesty, His Majesty said that you have been feeling unwell lately. This is a health-preserving pill that he instructed me to bring you. Please take it quickly!"
Yunyi initially thought it was some kind of reward, but after hearing Liang Jiugong's words, she understood that what was meant to come would eventually come.
Her expression remained unchanged. She smiled and thanked Liang Jiugong, took the pill, and swallowed it without hesitation.
The palace maids beside him knew nothing and, at Yunyi's command, escorted Liang Jiugong out.
Yunyi was the only one left in the hall for the time being. She couldn't describe how she felt. All she knew was that the person in the Qianqing Palace could finally rest easy.
In the evening, just after Yunyi finished her dinner, she saw Ruoshu walk in, looking unusually flustered.
"Your Majesty, a eunuch from the Qianqing Palace just reported that His Majesty... he seems to be unwell. His Highness the Crown Prince has already gone there; you should go there soon too!"
Everyone knew about Kangxi's health during this period. Today, the emperor was able to go out for a walk, and those who did not know the situation thought that the emperor had recovered. Little did they know that at this time, news came that Kangxi was critically ill.
Ruoshu knew what this news meant, so she, who was usually calm and composed, was now somewhat flustered.
Upon hearing Ruoshu's report, Yunyi dared not delay and quickly changed her clothes before rushing to the Qianqing Palace.
Upon arriving outside the palace, a group of ministers summoned by Kangxi to discuss some matters were kneeling at the entrance, along with several princes.
Liang Jiugong did not stop Yunyi, so she was able to enter the inner hall of Qianqing Palace without having to wait at the door.
They arrived at Kangxi's bedside, where only Yinzhen was present.
At this moment, Kangxi had just finished speaking with Yinzhen. He looked at Yunyi and gestured for her to come forward. Then he looked at Yinzhen beside him and told him to go out first.
Yunyi had pinched herself hard on her way here, and now her face was filled with worry, and her eyes were slightly red.
"Cousin, my time is up, and I fear I will not be able to stay with you any longer. Do you still remember what I said today?"
Yunyi covered her mouth, looking very sad, and nodded.
Kangxi spoke again, "Actually, what I had Liang Jiugong deliver to you wasn't a health-preserving pill, but rather..."
Yunyi interrupted him, tears welling in her eyes, "Cousin, you don't need to say anything. I know everything. I am willing to follow you."
Hearing Yunyi's words, Kangxi was moved. He hadn't expected that his cousin would know all this, yet still...
With his last shred of imperial guard lifted, he reached out and gently stroked his cousin's face one last time, wiping away her tears and etching her image deep into his heart.
Nodding, Kangxi said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Alright, I understand your feelings for me. Let Yinzhen in. I have a few last words to say to him."
Yunyi nodded, got up and went to the door to call Yinzhen in.
Yunyi, like everyone else outside the door, had no idea what the father and son from the Tian family were saying.
After a long while, Yinzhen came out and called in the ministers, the Imperial Noble Consort, and the princes who were waiting outside.
After speaking for a long time, Kangxi was extremely weak. His face was pale, his spirit was low, and he no longer had his usual majestic and solemn demeanor.
With his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, Kangxi slowly began to speak: "It has been forty-one years since I ascended the throne. Crown Prince Yinzhen is of noble birth, born to Imperial Noble Consort Tong. He is intelligent, wise, and virtuous, and filial. After my passing, I hope that all of you will assist the new emperor well in order to secure the country and the nation."
After saying this, he instructed his sons to help their brother and work together to protect the Qing Dynasty.
Finally, Kangxi glanced in Yunyi's direction and gestured for Liang Jiugong to read the imperial edict.
Yunyi originally thought that Kangxi was going to talk about the matter they had just agreed on, but Liang Jiugong announced something else entirely.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I, the Emperor, believe that virtue aligns with the imperial robes, and the royal influence originates from the palace. Your virtuous deeds will be recorded in history, and your exemplary conduct will serve as a model for the nation. Upholding these virtuous principles, you will receive blessings. Therefore, I bestow upon you a grand title and establish you in the rightful place. Therefore, I hereby decree that you, Imperial Noble Consort Tong, daughter of Tong Guowei, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Guard, be established. You are of noble lineage and auspicious family ties. You have been diligent and frugal in your service, and filial in your household. Your kindness is evident in your nurturing of children, and your virtue is impartial and equitable. Your virtuous conduct is exemplary, and you are worthy of this prestigious title. Therefore, I hereby, in accordance with Your Majesty's decree, bestow upon you the imperial seal and establish you as Empress. May you reverently accept this auspicious mandate, safeguard your health, and extend your influence to all, further demonstrating the continuation of your virtuous legacy. May your honor and glory shine upon the imperial seal and ribbon, and may you forever enjoy abundant blessings. Respectfully Your Majesty."
Upon hearing the imperial edict, Yunyi stood there stunned, somewhat incredulous. Wasn't she supposed to accompany Kangxi to that place?
How could she suddenly become empress? This is too sudden.
Somewhat stunned, Yunyi stared at Kangxi on the bed, but seeing him looking at her with a smile, she finally reacted and knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
"Your Majesty, I, Tong, accept the decree and thank you for your grace!"
After receiving the imperial edict, Yunyi rose with mixed feelings. She didn't know why Kangxi had changed his mind at this moment and wanted to make her empress.
Everyone in the hall knelt down and paid their respects to the Empress.
"Your subject/servant greets Your Majesty the Empress, congratulations on your ascension to the position of Empress!"
Seeing everyone kneeling before Yunyi, Kangxi's feelings were quite complicated.
The two people with the highest status in the hall both had complicated feelings, but their complicated emotions were different.
After the ceremony, Emperor Kangxi said a few more words.
He looked deeply at the world, then reluctantly closed his eyes and passed away.
Emperor Kangxi, a great emperor of the Qing Dynasty, whose life was filled with great achievements and legendary achievements, passed away today at the age of forty-nine.
On the fourth day of the eleventh month of the forty-first year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the Kangxi Emperor passed away.
His posthumous title was: Emperor Ren, who was of great virtue and talent, and whose virtues were in harmony with Heaven.
The following year, at the age of 25, Yinzhen changed the reign title to Yongzheng, which became the first year of the Yongzheng reign.
This also marked the official start of his imperial career.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
