Upon hearing Kangxi's words, the Empress's expression turned solemn.
Consort Niohuru and Consort Tongjia both felt a sudden jolt in their hearts, and their expressions changed simultaneously.
Ma Jiashi, Zhang Shi, and others were completely baffled and had no idea what was going on.
Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly, trying to minimize her presence.
A slight smirk appeared on his lips.
"My favor with Lady Xu that day was an accident. For the sake of peace and tranquility in the harem, the Empress and I originally decided to let bygones be bygones. However, in the past two days, there have been many rumors in the harem because of Lady Xu's favor and the fact that she was granted the title of concubine."
After Kangxi finished speaking, he looked at Niohuru and Tongjia.
Niohuru trembled, then quickly knelt down, her voice trembling as she said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me, Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your concubine..."
"Your Majesty, I shouldn't have been so anxious because the Empress is pregnant that I sent the palace servants to deliver the 'Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup' to you, hoping that Your Majesty would remember me and come to my palace."
"Your Majesty, I am foolish and only wish to become pregnant as soon as possible, like the Empress, and give birth to a son or daughter for Your Majesty."
Lady Niohuru lay prostrate on the ground, filled with regret for her rash decision to send soup to the emperor that day!
If she hadn't rashly sent the emperor the "Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup" that day, there wouldn't have been another concubine, Xu Shi, in the harem.
Emperor Kangxi and the Empress beside him exchanged a glance.
The Empress pondered for a moment, "Sister Niohuru, you are so foolish. Fortunately, the Emperor favored Consort Xu that day, otherwise, if the Emperor's health had been harmed, you would have been guilty even if you were to die ten thousand times."
"Your Majesty, please forgive Niohuru this time, considering her eagerness for a child and her pure heart."
Upon hearing this, Niohuru looked up at the Empress in surprise.
When did the Empress become so 'virtuous'?
Xu Lejin lowered her head, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Emperor Kangxi gave the Empress a meaningful look and said in a cold voice, "The death penalty can be waived, but punishment is inevitable. Although Niohuru's 'Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup' was not the real reason why I favored Consort Xu, it certainly contributed to the situation."
"The Niohuru clan punished him with a three-month salary deduction as a warning to others."
The Empress's expression changed, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.
Niohuru breathed a long sigh of relief and said respectfully, "Yes, thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. After I return, I will definitely reflect on my actions and never repeat them."
"Um."
Kangxi paused, his gaze softening as he looked at Niohuru. "You and I are still young. We'll have children sooner or later. There's no need to rush."
Upon hearing this, Niohuru looked up with delight and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you."
Xu Lejin smiled, while the Empress looked solemn, her brows furrowed deeply. Consort Li, Consort Wanyan, and others looked at Consort Niohuru with envy.
Immediately afterwards, Kangxi looked coldly at Tongjia, whose expression was unpredictable, and said in a cold voice: "Cousin, you know best what was in that 'Eight Treasure Duck Gizzard Soup' that day."
"Now, will you confess yourself, or will I reveal the whole truth to the public?"
Lady Tongjia looked at Emperor Kangxi with a terrified expression, "Cousin, I..."
Inside the main hall of Kunning Palace, it was so quiet you could drop a pin.
After a long while, Lady Tongjia raised her head and looked at Kangxi with a sorrowful expression. "Cousin, as you know, I have always loved you. I entered the palace at the age of fourteen, and it has been five years now. In these five years, the concubines in the palace have been pregnant one after another, but I have not been able to conceive."
“Cousin, a woman’s youth fades quickly. You have three thousand beauties in your harem, and over the years, the Empress, Consort Ma Jia, and Consort Na La have all borne you children, while I have never had a child.”
"Cousin, I just want to have a child of my own, and I want to be a mother."
Tongjia's eyes were filled with sorrow, and her voice choked with emotion.
Those who see it weep, and those who hear it feel sorrow.
After these words, Kangxi's gloomy expression softened considerably, and his gaze toward Lady Tongjia became much gentler.
As an emperor, how could he not know this?
His cousin had entered the palace but had not conceived, and he understood her anxiety.
However, my cousin should never have put an aphrodisiac in the "Eight Treasure Duck Gizzard Soup". Although the dosage was small and not enough to harm his body, if this set a precedent, wouldn't the concubines in the harem follow suit and stop at nothing to compete for favor and have children as soon as possible?
Xu Lejin lowered her head, sneering without saying a word.
The Empress's expression changed, noticing the hesitation in Kangxi's eyes, and she glared fiercely at Tongjia. "Sister Tongjia was confused for a moment and did something wrong. Fortunately, Your Majesty's health is not seriously affected."
"I have considered this matter. Your Majesty, Sister Tongjia is truly devoted to you. Perhaps we should let the matter of her drugging you go. I believe that with the examples of Sister Tongjia and Sister Niohuru, the concubines in the harem will not do anything to harm Your Majesty's health again."
On the surface, the Empress's words seemed to be pleading for Tongjia, but upon closer examination, it becomes clear that every word she uttered was loaded with hidden meaning, implying that the concubines in the harem were harming Kangxi's health in their struggle for the emperor's favor.
Xu Lejin raised her eyes, glanced at the 'kind-faced and benevolent' Empress, and then lowered her head.
Ah, this is the real empress!
What is this so-called "Four-Complete Girl"?
Born into a noble family, the most beautiful woman in Manchuria, and the most talented woman in Manchuria—that's fine.
But the Empress was not 'virtuous and kind' at all...
Perhaps any woman who is indifferent to worldly affairs would change her temperament and start vying for power once she enters the imperial harem!
After all, power, status, wealth, and luxury are so alluring.
Lady Tongjia glanced coldly at the Empress, inwardly cursing her as a vile woman who had not only stolen her brother, the Emperor, but also her position as Empress.
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