"Your Majesty, I am wronged! As you know, I have been heartbroken ever since the Sixth Prince passed away. I feel that I am not a good mother. The Fourth Prince is not by my side, and I could not keep the Sixth Prince either."
"I really envy Consort Hui and the others. Their children are all by their side. Why can't my son have that?" Consort De said with such sincerity!
Consort De's words moved Emperor Kangxi. He had been unable to stay by his mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang's, side, and she often wept.
How heartbreaking it must be for a mother to not be able to raise her own child!
When Yinzhen was given to his cousin, it was partly because Consort De's rank was too low to raise the prince herself, and partly because he wanted to ease his relationship with his cousin. He thought that once his cousin had her own child, Yinzhen would return to Consort De's side. However, the eighth prince did not survive.
He could also see that his cousin truly loved Yinzhen, which was why he didn't mention letting Yinzhen go back!
But now it seems that he never considered Consort De's feelings while caring for his cousin.
Judging from Kangxi's expression, Consort Tongjia knew that Consort De's words reminded Kangxi of her and her aunt.
Consort De is truly skilled; she managed to sway her cousin's thoughts with just a few words.
Seeing that Kangxi's expression had softened, Consort De continued, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Imperial Concubine is not in good health, so I was thinking of having the Fourth Prince return to my side, so as not to exhaust the Imperial Concubine by taking care of him."
"This concubine is also trying to share the burden for Her Highness the Noble Consort!"
He Xue rolled her eyes at Consort De's words, "How old is Fourth Brother? Does he still need someone to take care of him? Is he going to end up like his future giant baby son, Hongshi?"
"Hmph! Do you think you can share my burdens? Do you even deserve to share my burdens? Don't you know your own status?" Consort Tongjia looked at Consort De with disdain.
Consort De was surprised that Tong Jia Qingyao would bring up her background again. She knew that many people in the palace looked down on her, thinking that a palace maid like her dreamed of climbing into the emperor's bed and becoming a mistress.
She was unwilling to accept this. She wanted to show everyone that she, a palace maid, could not only become a mistress, but also the most honored woman in the Qing Dynasty.
"Your Highness, no matter what my background is, I am now the Emperor's concubine and the birth mother of the Fourth Prince!"
"If it weren't for you, how could Yinzhen and I have been separated? You stole my child!" Consort De became hysterical at this point.
"Please trouble Your Highness to take Yinzhen and Xue out!" Consort Tongjia said to the Crown Prince. There were some things she didn't want the Fourth Prince to know, as the child was rather sensitive and prone to getting stuck in dead ends.
"Mother, I want to stay!" the Fourth Prince said stubbornly. This matter concerned him, and he could accept anything. Moreover, he needed to become strong enough to protect his mother and Xue.
"Aunt, I'm not leaving either! I want to protect you!" He Xue wasn't worried about Consort Tongjia facing Consort De alone. Although Emperor Kangxi was there, what if he lost his mind and helped Consort De bully Consort Tongjia?
"Yinzhen, your mother is fine, don't worry. You are your mother's son, your mother will never abandon you!" If Consort Tongjia hadn't witnessed with her own eyes that it was Consort De who gave birth to Yinzhen, she would have doubted whether Yinzhen was really Consort De's biological son.
How could someone like Consort De give birth to such a sensible child as Yinzhen?
This made Consort Tongjia even more determined to keep the Fourth Prince by her side.
Hearing Consort Tongjia's comforting words, the Fourth Prince felt a surge of strength, knowing that his mother would not abandon him.
"Yes, Mother! Your son understands!" the Fourth Prince replied.
"He Xue, please comfort your fourth brother for your aunt, okay? Your aunt has your emperor uncle here!" After comforting Yinzhen, Consort Tongjia began to persuade He Xue.
He Xue glanced at Kangxi and reluctantly replied, "Alright!"
Emperor Kangxi was amused by He Xue's gaze. "What kind of look is that, girl? Why do you seem to distrust me?"
“Uncle Emperor, be more confident! You can remove the ‘seems’ part!” He Xue said.
"Let's go out!" Upon seeing this, the Crown Prince quickly pulled He Xue out.
"Cousin, what does she mean by this?" Kangxi asked Consort Tongjia, pointing at He Xue's retreating figure. Why couldn't he let He Xue believe him?
"Cousin, we're talking about serious matters!" Consort Tongjia said to Emperor Kangxi.
Kangxi could only shut his mouth awkwardly, knowing he would definitely ask Xue what she meant later.
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