As Bumbutai entered the Imperial Study, Emperor Kangxi stood up to greet her: "Grandmother, why have you come in person? I was just thinking of visiting you after I finished reviewing the memorials!"
He helped the person sit down in a chair and returned to the dragon throne to wait for the Empress Dowager to ask questions.
Bumbutai had already searched every nook and cranny of the Imperial Study, but found no trace of that vile woman.
His gaze inadvertently drifted to the rest room of the imperial study, and he felt that someone must be hiding inside, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
[Deeply scheming!]
Bumbutai gave Harigana a new definition.
"Your Majesty, I am getting old, and walking around more is good for my health. You are so busy with state affairs, I cannot take up your precious time."
"You are the Emperor, and should prioritize state affairs. If I didn't truly have something to discuss with you, I wouldn't have come to the Imperial Study to disturb you."
Kangxi chuckled to himself. Once you see through someone, you can understand their heart with just the slightest movement.
Just like the Empress Dowager at this moment, although she said it was for his own good, she had been quietly looking around the Imperial Study since she entered the room, and even glanced into the inner room several times.
It's obvious that Sumalagu must have gone back to tell her that Harigana was in the Imperial Study. Seeing that he hadn't gone to Cining Palace by this hour, she was just looking for trouble.
Grandmother, you are still the same person you always were. All those things we did during those two previous visits to pay our respects were just an act for her.
Or rather, it's a performance for everyone to see.
She wanted to play a long game.
“Grandmother is right!” Kangxi chuckled. “I didn’t expect that Grandmother and Imperial Noble Consort had the same idea.”
Bumbutai was completely confused. What did she have in common with that bitch?
“Grandmother, the Imperial Noble Consort said the same thing to you. So Xuan Ye asked her to stay in the Imperial Study with me, but she went to the Empress Dowager's place after lunch.”
Bumbutai almost lost his composure; the emperor was doing this on purpose, absolutely on purpose.
She was the Empress Dowager, a woman who could assist two generations of emperors.
That wretched woman from the Borchijin tribe, what right does she have to be compared to her?
"Is that so? The Imperial Noble Consort is quite righteous!"
Kangxi said these things only to prevent the Empress Dowager from misunderstanding Harigana. Whether she believed him or not was irrelevant; as long as she wasn't accused of being a seductive temptress, that was enough.
His sweetheart has a great sense of propriety and would never interfere with any of his decisions.
"Grandmother, you said you had something to discuss with Xuan Ye. What is it?"
Bumbutai snapped out of her thoughts and realized that she really should have a good talk with Emperor Kangxi.
It's not wrong for him to have power, nor is it wrong for him to want to eliminate dissidents, but his actions are too drastic and could easily cause unrest.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that you have imprisoned Songgotu. Is this an attempt to undermine the foundation of the Hesheli clan?"
Have you ever considered that once you take action against Suo'etu, Bao Cheng will have no powerful backing?
I know that women in the inner palace should not interfere in politics, but you are someone I raised myself, and my greatest wish is for you to live a good life.
"I think you should think this over carefully. Don't act impulsively and regret it later."
Bumbutai was actually right. Moreover, if it weren't for Suo'etu's intention to target Harigana and the two children, he wouldn't have made those crimes public for the time being. He would have given them a small punishment as a warning to make them repent.
But now, Suo'etu can no longer be kept. Not only are Harigana and the children in danger, but even Baocheng has been corrupted by him. Keeping such a person around would only be a disaster.
After listening to the Empress Dowager's words, Kangxi was certain that she would not speak again, so he moved his body and chuckled: "Grandmother, does the succession of the Qing emperor depend on the emperor himself, on bloodline, or on the attitude of outsiders?"
"When did this rule come about? Xuan Ye has never heard of it before!"
Since she can't speak properly, he won't give her any face.
What do you mean that Bao Cheng has no powerful backing? Isn't it enough that he, the emperor, is as a support? Does he have to depend on the whims of a mere Suo'etu?
Bumbutai realized her slip of the tongue, but that wasn't what she meant.
"Xuan Ye, what are you saying?"
Before Bumbutai could finish speaking, Kangxi immediately interrupted: "Grandmother, Xuan Ye said that Xuan Ye has grown up and you are getting old. Don't worry about things that are not your concern."
Now is not the time for you to rule from behind the curtain. You are not familiar with the affairs of the previous dynasty. You should not do such physically and mentally exhausting things anymore.
Kangxi's words were like a slap in the face, and Bumbutai's face finally darkened.
"Xuan Ye, are you blaming me for meddling in other people's business?"
Whom is she doing all this for? Why doesn't anyone listen to her?
"Grandmother, the affairs of the court are the responsibility of the emperor, and the affairs of the harem are the responsibility of the empress."
Throughout history, dynasties with clear divisions of labor and where relatives interfered in politics all declined.
What's wrong with me, as the emperor, making a little arbitrary decisions?
Is it because the common people are starving and deprived of food and clothing, or is there some kind of riot that has broken out, and people are calling me a tyrant?
Since none of these apply, then my decision is correct and proper.
Grandmother, let me repeat myself: I am the Emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty. I have reached the age of thirty, and I have my own thoughts and decisions. I neither like nor want to listen to the advice of others.
The remonstrating officials are a perfect example!
He always uses the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials" to tell me his own ideas, which I disapprove of. So I sent him back to the countryside, so he can reflect on why I did what I did in the fields.
After Kangxi finished speaking, the Empress Dowager staggered slightly, but fortunately she was holding onto the handrail and was not seriously injured.
"Xuan Ye, I underestimated you!"
Bumbutai stood up to leave, but Kangxi loosened his clenched fist, stood up, and walked to her side. He felt heartbroken looking at her graying temples, but there was nothing he could do.
Some things are said and that's that. Some things weren't his fault, and he can't back down just because he feels sorry for them. Not everything can be resolved by taking a step back.
"Grandmother, Xuan Ye never intended to hurt your feelings, but can you please live a peaceful old age and enjoy your grandchildren?"
"You're getting old, and you've planned for them for so long. Now, can't you put aside all those things in your heart for Xuan Ye's sake?"
Kangxi's words came from the bottom of his heart. He was truly grateful to the Empress Dowager, and if there had been even the slightest chance, he would never have let things develop this way.
Bumbutai closed her eyes and refused to look at Kangxi. She paused in her steps as she walked out and said in a cold voice what chilled Kangxi to the bone.
"Xuan Ye, I have experienced so many ups and downs over the years and I understand what is right and wrong. I will absolutely not watch you continue to make mistakes like this."
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