Consort De believed she understood the Emperor well. She thought that even if the Emperor didn't approve of her maternal heart, he would at least not listen to the "slander" of others.
As for asking His Majesty for ginseng, Consort De had asked for things in the past because of her background, and His Majesty had always agreed and was even happier.
Consort De did not see anything wrong with it.
Upon hearing this, Kangxi harbored even more resentment towards Consort De. Didn't she know to inquire where he had sent Yinzhen a considerable amount of ginseng yesterday?
If she had even a slight interest in Yinzhen, she would have sent someone to inquire and found out about this matter.
Kangxi did not intend to expose her for the time being.
Kangxi: "You're very thoughtful. I'll send someone to deliver the ginseng to Yinzhen later."
Consort De: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace."
Kangxi nodded, then said, "Have someone prepare the meal!"
Consort De thought to herself that this matter should be over and His Majesty should no longer dwell on it, so she was completely relieved.
And so, Consort De served Emperor Kangxi his meal. Emperor Kangxi ate a little, and after the meal, Consort De personally helped Emperor Kangxi rinse his mouth and wash his hands.
"I have some matters to attend to, so I will not stay any longer."
Consort De said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."
Kangxi nodded and then said, "By the way, I sent two ginseng roots to Yinzhen yesterday. Ask about Yinzhen's affairs more often. Even if you're worried about catching his illness, there are so many servants in Yonghe Palace at your beck and call. It won't be much trouble to send someone to ask him a few more questions."
Upon hearing this, Consort De's smile froze.
Seeing her change of expression, Kangxi felt somewhat relieved.
After Kangxi finished speaking, he left, leaving Consort De standing there in a daze.
After a long while, Consort De finally spoke to the nanny beside her, "Nanny, what do you think His Majesty meant by those words? Does he mean he's blaming me for not caring about Yinzhen?"
The old woman thought to herself, "Isn't this obvious?"
However, she dared not say it aloud, and could only comfort him, "I suppose His Majesty did not mean anything by it. Didn't His Majesty just agree to the ginseng that Your Highness asked for for the Fourth Prince?"
Upon hearing this, Consort De kept reassuring herself that she was overthinking things and that His Majesty probably didn't blame her.
On the surface, Consort De appeared to be fine, but in her heart, she felt as if a stone was hanging over her head, and she was extremely uncomfortable.
Consort De was relieved to receive no further news until just before dinner.
Just as Consort De was about to have a proper dinner to calm her nerves after she had finally put her mind at ease, she heard from her nanny that someone from the Emperor's court had arrived.
Consort De went outside to receive a summons before she had even finished her meal.
The imperial eunuch brought Emperor Kangxi's decree: "...Consort De, of the Uya clan, has acted improperly and behaved inappropriately before the Emperor... Her title is stripped, and she is demoted to the rank of Consort."
Consort De—no, Consort Wuya—turned deathly pale upon hearing this.
The eunuch who came to the emperor's side looked at Consort Wuya without any ripples in his heart, and said with a smile: "Consort Wuya, His Majesty also asked me to pass on a message to you. His Majesty said that he has been dreaming of Empress Xiaoyiren recently and misses her very much. Remembering that you once served the Empress, he specially ordered you to copy scriptures and pray for Empress Xiaoyiren at Yonghe Palace to comfort the Empress's spirit in heaven."
After hearing this, Consort Wuya didn't even know when the imperial eunuch had left.
After a long while, Consort Wuya finally came to her senses. Ignoring the fact that she was surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, she spoke directly: "Why is Your Majesty treating me like this?"
Upon hearing this, the old woman's expression changed. Both thunder and rain were expressions of imperial favor, and His Majesty would not tolerate the Empress's questioning, especially in such a public setting.
The old woman said coldly, "What are you all standing there for? Go do what you're supposed to be doing."
The crowd's expressions varied, and then they scattered in panic.
After everyone had left, the old woman whispered, "Your Highness, be careful what you say."
Consort Wuya then realized what she had just done.
"Help me back to my room."
Consort Wuya placed her hand on the nanny's and slowly walked into the room.
Normally, she would hold onto the nanny's hand when she walked, but in the past it was for the sake of walking gracefully and beautifully. Today, however, it was because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to walk without someone holding her hand.
The Emperor Kangxi's edict was a huge blow to her.
I couldn't accept it for a while.
She had just returned to the room with the help of the old woman, and before she could even catch her breath, people from the Imperial Household Department came over, saying that His Majesty had ordered that all items that did not conform to the rank of a concubine be taken back.
Upon hearing this, Consort Wuya almost fainted.
The news came as a complete surprise. It was dinner time, and the nobles in the palaces received the news while they were eating. Some of them burst out laughing, while others were more reserved and ate an extra half bowl of rice.
Consort De was demoted from Consort to Concubine and stripped of her title, which made many people in the harem feel relieved.
This was especially true for the noble ladies and concubines who came from legitimate Manchu banner families. After all, she was just a servant who came from a bondservant family, yet she was able to "act arrogantly" over most of the noble ladies who came from prominent Manchu banner families, which made these noble ladies very uncomfortable.
However, Emperor Kangxi was happy to pamper and promote her, so they could only keep their feelings bottled up inside. Now that Lady Uya had been promoted from a concubine to a high-ranking concubine, they felt a surge of satisfaction.
Since Consort Yi was sidelined by Emperor Kangxi because of Yinzhen's affair, she has been the most favored person in the harem. Those of higher rank than her are not as favored, and those who are favored are of low status. She lives an exceptionally comfortable life.
Now that she heard that Consort De had been demoted, Consort Yi laughed on the spot and said, "Consort De—oh, it should be Consort Wuya, she really is something. For a palace maid from a bondservant family to become a consort is already a blessing that her ancestors prayed for for several lifetimes. But she ruined it herself, and His Majesty demoted her and took away her title. I don't know what foolish thing she did this time."
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