Emperor Shunzhi went to Kunning Palace with a resentful look on his face, and had Wu Liangfu accompany him that night.
Sherry didn't mind. Once Shunzhi lowered his guard and the dragon energy had nourished him sufficiently, Sherry would continue to wait for an opportunity to act.
Then, watching Shunzhi's fearful expression gradually turn into "I knew it," and even on many occasions he stopped resisting much.
Three years passed in this way.
Whether Shunzhi had gotten used to being bullied or enjoyed the process, he actually played this cat-and-mouse game with Xue Li for three years.
During this period, Dorgon gradually delegated some power to Shunzhi.
Emperor Shunzhi and Dorgon were evenly matched in their struggle.
The Empress Dowager also gradually transferred most of the palace power to Shirley.
Sherry refused some of them, not for any other reason than that she remembered only one sentence from the end: "If it cannot be decided by me, then let me decide."
Therefore, whether she can make a ruling depends on the Empress Dowager's decision.
Sherry felt that she was being treated like a son, and she didn't like being a puppet, which was exhausting and thankless.
Therefore, the Empress Dowager was both hesitant and pleased by Sherry's refusal.
Shirley ignored all that; she was ready to drug Shunzhi and give birth.
Speaking of children, it's probably because I'm easily fertile.
Ba and Chen had a daughter together.
The Empress Dowager was quite pleased, as the birth of her daughter proved that Emperor Shunzhi's health was improving.
At this time, Bumbutai would curse Dorgon in her heart.
The Dorgon brothers still firmly controlled the military and political affairs, occasionally throwing bait at Shunzhi, who was dissatisfied but helpless.
Dorgon repeatedly declined, citing his lack of a son and his lack of talent and conduct.
The Mongols sent several more noble ladies to the palace. Emperor Shunzhi was displeased but had no choice. Then, his close ministers suggested holding a selection of concubines.
Shunzhi was overjoyed and delighted, and happily went to find the Empress Dowager. Indeed, on one hand, he could win over the court officials, and on the other hand, he could find a kindred spirit.
Fearing that Sherry would stop her, she would fawn over Bumbutai every day.
When Sherry saw this, she thought, "This won't do."
She preferred to see him afraid rather than happy.
Then, without saying anything else, every time she paid her respects to the Empress Dowager, she would gently stroke her belly, her eyes filled with sadness.
It's unknown how much the Empress Dowager and Sumala imagined.
Anyway, the Empress Dowager was keeping an eye on Shunzhi so that he would have a legitimate son, otherwise the imperial concubine selection would be postponed.
Shunzhi thought he could use the fact that the Empress had no children to force the Empress Dowager to back down.
Unfortunately, both mother and son knew who had the health problem. Bumbutai, as always, was domineering, speaking threatening words in a gentle manner, making Shunzhi feel as oppressed and suffocated as he had for the past ten years.
Many times, he really felt that his mother was insatiably greedy!
Emperor Shunzhi was furious but helpless.
He went to Kunning Palace while cursing under his breath.
For three years, every now and then Sherry would either knock him unconscious or tie him up and then torture him—no, she would absorb his dragon energy.
Many times, Shunzhi would wake up with red, teary eyes, looking just like a young man who had lost his virginity.
When Shirley was in a good mood, she used her little red riding crop to gently lift his chin. "It's only natural for me to sleep with you!"
"How dare you!" Shunzhi was furious, but his body wouldn't listen to his mouth.
There are always some people who desperately try to make their presence felt.
Sherry looked at him with a half-smile, clearly liking him but stubbornly pretending.
Emperor Shunzhi left in shame and indignation, feeling as if he wanted to die.
Wu Liangfu, who served Xue Li, always kept his head down and looked at her meekly. Several times when the master came to Kunning Palace, he was pale and trembling the next day.
He felt more than once that the Empress was a vixen, though of course he dared not say it aloud.
The Empress isn't even afraid of the Emperor, let alone these little devils.
Emperor Shunzhi did scold Xue Li in front of the Empress Dowager.
What's the reason?
The Empress's diet was luxurious; everything she ate and used was of the highest quality.
Sherry rolled her eyes at him and said, "If you're dressed in coarse linen, then of course I'm dressed in rags too! Are you implying that you're extravagant by nature?!"
Upon hearing this, both the Empress Dowager and Emperor Shunzhi's expressions changed.
Sherry looked coldly at the mother and son, and Bumbutai realized that Sherry's usual indifference was not due to a lack of temper.
She had very mixed feelings; she was both proud and unhappy.
What they are proud of is that the girls of Horqin have a strong temper; if they don't like it, a daughter-in-law will dare to argue with her mother-in-law and husband.
But the Empress was right.
That belongs to the Empress, not to the princesses or consorts.
Bumbutai remained silent, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense. Just as Sumala was about to break the awkward silence, Shunzhi spoke again.
"But you've been childless for so many years!"
Sherry's big eyes and long eyelashes lingered at the very source of his life.
Suddenly, he burst into an extremely flamboyant laugh: "There's an old saying among the Han people: even a clever housewife can't cook without rice!"
Shunzhi was astonished. He hadn't expected this uncouth woman to dare to say it so bluntly.
She bullied him so much, what right did she have to say there was no rice?
"You, you, you're being insolent! Otherwise, how did the eldest and second princesses arrive? It was clearly you—"
"My lord, with no rice to cook, you've turned Kunning Palace into your study, burning the midnight oil day and night—"
"That's enough!" Bumbutai suddenly said sharply, her eyes full of displeasure as she looked at Xue Li.
Sherry remained calm and composed, glancing at Shunzhi with a look of disdain.
Bumbutai seemed to understand and almost fainted.
He looked at Shunzhi with a displeased expression.
Shunzhi wanted to say something, but he angrily sat down at the lower end and shut his mouth.
"I have acquired a new treasure. Su Ma, take the Empress to fetch it!" The Empress Dowager's expression instantly became calm, as if the fierceness in her eyes just now was an illusion.
Sherry nodded happily in agreement; she didn't want to see the mother and son yet.
Then, carrying the jade tree, he happily returned to the palace.
Because of her baby, Sherry showered him with compliments without restraint.
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