Borjigit looked at Kangxi with teary eyes. She was supposed to go to the Ovoo worship ceremony with the main group, but for some reason, she was left behind.
Later she learned that they wanted her to be the last one standing, so that they would find a way to introduce her to the emperor after the Empress Dowager returned to Khorchin.
She only learned a few days ago that she bore a striking resemblance to the newly appointed Imperial Noble Consort Chen. She had seen Emperor Kangxi from afar before, though she was only twelve years old at the time. At that time, she didn't understand anything about romantic love, and since the leader intended to groom her for the palace, she always knew that her husband was the emperor.
She never imagined that while her wish to enter the palace would be fulfilled, the price would be so high. If what the Emperor said was true, wouldn't she be destined to live a life of widowhood in the deep palace for the rest of her life?
Everyone says she looks like Consort Chen, so why doesn't the Emperor like her?
But Emperor Kangxi didn't even look at her, and neither did the Empress Dowager.
Bumbutai never expected that Kangxi would be so disrespectful to her. Although she had prepared herself mentally, she was still shocked by Kangxi's words!
This scene is strikingly similar to how Emperor Fulin once wanted to depose Qiqige because of Dong E's affair.
"Grandmother, please let Consort Borjigit stay here with you. I must return to attend to state affairs now!"
Emperor Kangxi originally wanted to discuss the matter with the Empress Dowager, but since she insisted on her own way, he decided that he would make the decisions regarding Jiaojiao from now on.
He wasn't unaware of the Empress Dowager's intentions, but he wouldn't have been so angry if it were anyone else. These were all Mongol concubines trying to elevate the Borjigit clan's status by stepping on the reputation of the Borjigin tribe. If it weren't for Harigana, he might have been indifferent, since it was all a matter between the Mongols.
But things are different now. If he tolerates this, and it gets out, not only will Baoliri and the others be ostracized, but Harigana will also lose face in the palace. Even if she becomes empress, she will still be criticized because of this.
Therefore, regardless of whether the Empress Dowager would be angry, he had to protect Harigana's reputation.
"Agate, you may leave now! I have something to discuss with the Emperor!"
The Empress Dowager would never let Kangxi leave like this. If she didn't like Manao, she could just find someone else! It would be such a waste if she were to develop a rift with Xuan Ye because of Manao!
Although Borjigit Manau was unwilling, the current situation was very unfavorable to her, so she could only obediently withdraw. In any case, she was now the emperor's concubine, and as long as she remained in the palace, she refused to believe that with her talent, she would not win Kangxi's favor.
"Yes, this concubine takes her leave!"
After Kangxi finished speaking, he intended to stand up and leave, but since the Empress Dowager said she had something to discuss, he had no choice but to stay. After all, the Borjigit woman was gone, and it would be more convenient for him if the Empress Dowager wanted to say something.
"Your Majesty! I have no objection to your desire to favor that woman from Borchijin! But your exclusive favor towards her is absolutely unacceptable! Or do you intend to make her your empress?"
The Empress Dowager's voice was authoritative without being angry. After all, she had lived through three dynasties. Although she was old, she still had the confidence she once had.
Emperor Kangxi sighed. He only wanted the Empress Dowager to accept Harigana, but he did not expect that the old lady would be so quick to think about things in the future.
"Grandmother, I love her! Why can't I make her Empress?"
Kangxi did not look away, but looked at the Empress Dowager, wanting her to know his determination.
Bumbutai tried hard to suppress her temper, somewhat regretting that she had listened to Wenduer and left Agate here. If she had brought her with her from the beginning, would none of this have happened!
Kangxi didn't want to speak to the Empress Dowager. Since things had already come to this point, he might as well just make things clear to avoid the old man doing anything else.
“Grandmother, I know that what happened to Father Emperor has been a great blow to you, but you must know that Xuan Ye was raised by you. Now that I hold the reins of the court, what concerns do you have?”
I know that establishing an empress involves many complexities, so I have never considered making Harigana empress now. Moreover, Harigana herself has never desired the position of empress; it's just that Xuan Ye likes her and wants to give her the best he can offer!
The Empress Dowager was even more upset!
She only became Empress Dowager after Fulin ascended the throne. Qiqige's position as Empress Dowager was something she had to maintain after countless arguments with her own son and finally by using filial piety! In fact, Qiqige is still a virgin. Fulin only gave her the title of Empress, and nothing else.
How come that woman from the Keboer Chijin tribe is so lucky? She clearly didn't want to enter the palace, but she was still favored by the emperor. Now, the emperor even wants to dote on her exclusively, achieving a lifelong monogamy that is difficult even for ordinary couples!
"Xuan Ye, you've done so much for her. Are you sure she loves you the same way? Don't you really want the Empress's position?"
The Empress Dowager didn't believe it; she couldn't believe that someone truly didn't covet that high position. She felt that Harigana was playing hard to get, using her looks to bewitch Kangxi.
Kangxi chuckled lightly, and when the topic of Harigana came up, he was completely relaxed!
"Grandmother, I, Xuan Ye, swear that Harigana loves me! Although I forced her into our relationship, I assure you that Harigana's heart is full of me!" Kangxi paused, suppressing his discomfort, and said, "If her 'Egeqi' hadn't been able to successfully drug me, perhaps Harigana wouldn't have accepted me!"
The Empress Dowager was startled. Kangxi wouldn't bring this up without a reason, so it was clear that he had found out the whole story.
But he hasn't said anything for so long, I don't know if he hasn't really found anything about her, or if he wants to use this as leverage to force her to compromise.
"You said it yourself, she only agreed because you forced her! Have you ever considered that she was just going with the flow, trying to advance by retreating?"
The Empress Dowager did not mention Habril's matter. If she did, given Xuan Ye's attitude, she would definitely hold Wenduer and the others accountable.
Kangxi shook his head, looking at the Empress Dowager with tenderness in his eyes: "Grandmother, if she didn't truly love me, would she have shielded Xuan Ye from the brown bear's attack? Tell me, which of the concubines in the harem would have done that? They all claim to love me, but Grandmother, tell me, who is like Harigana, willing to die for me?"
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