"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager!"
When Harigana saw the person approaching, he quickly stood up. However, his manners weren't quite up to par, given his large belly.
"Royal Grandmother!"
As soon as Kangxi spoke, Bumbutai confirmed her guess. Although she wanted to teach Harigana a lesson, Xuan Ye was ultimately more important.
"Xuan Ye, you still remember that I am your Empress Dowager? Why did you hide such a terrible thing from me!"
Bumbutai was putting on quite a show, if the occasion weren't so bizarre.
Li Dequan brought in a chair when the Empress Dowager entered, so now Harigana was led by Kangxi to sit on the edge of the bed, while the Empress Dowager sat on the chair directly opposite them.
This feeling just doesn't feel right.
"Grandmother, what has happened that has made you so angry? I have no idea!"
Kangxi's voice was still very weak, but it had lost its usual domineering air.
Bumbutai choked, having no idea what had happened. She couldn't very well say she was just guessing.
"Xuan Ye, why did you hide such a serious illness from me? Do you even care about me anymore?"
Harigana rolled his eyes inwardly. This was clearly a case of trying to appeal to emotions instead of reason. Who would have thought the future renowned Empress Xiaozhuang would be such a master of manipulation!
He wanted to catch a glimpse of Emperor Kangxi, but ultimately dared not make any move.
Now it's a contest between the two of them, grandmother and granddaughter. If that old hag doesn't like her and finds an excuse to scold her, she won't be able to talk back.
"Grandmother, have you ever taken Xuan Ye to heart?"
I've heard Kangxi say this countless times, but this is the first time Harigana has personally heard the argument between the two of them. He feels there's more to their words than meets the eye, and it's quite exciting.
However, it seems that the two forces are evenly matched at present, and it is not yet known who will win.
"Xuan Ye! I am your Empress Dowager!"
"Royal grandmother! I am the emperor!"
It wasn't until this point that Kangxi's heart truly hardened.
Anyone with eyes can see that he is sick in his current state!
But the first thing the Empress Dowager asked him when she came in wasn't about his health; she's still questioning him about why he kept it from her.
"I was feeling unwell and summoned the imperial physician. Before I fainted, I instructed Harigana to make all the decisions regarding this matter, to have Li Dequan obey her, and to give her the authority to mobilize the Imperial Guards."
Harigana was shocked, never expecting that Kangxi would take the blame upon her, but she couldn't do anything about it now.
That old woman was far too perceptive; she was afraid of being discovered.
He simply tightened his grip on Kangxi's hand, since it was covered by his sleeve.
"Xuan Ye, you!"
Bumbutai realized her mistake: she hadn't asked anything about Xuan Ye's illness until now, and had only been thinking about blaming the two people in front of her.
Moreover, his words were clearly a warning; he was the emperor, and what Li Dequan conveyed was an imperial edict.
As a member of the harem, even though she was the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's grandmother, she still could not disobey the imperial edict.
What she did today was a defiance of the imperial edict!
Emperor Kangxi knew that some things didn't need to be said explicitly; the Empress Dowager would understand on her own.
But now that things have come to this, he can no longer allow his grandmother to harbor any ulterior motives towards Harigana!
“Grandmother, I have said that there will be no one but Harigana in this life, so from now on Harigana’s words will be my will.”
Although I cannot immediately make her empress because of the affairs of the previous dynasty, I will give her the Phoenix Seal after she gives birth to her child.
From now on, she will be the mistress of the harem!
Kangxi spoke with force and conviction, especially the last few words, which he pronounced slowly and deliberately.
Harigana looked up instantly, staring at him in shock, but then coughed. Harigana tried to pat his back, but the man held his hand tightly and wouldn't let go.
Her heart was struck hard at that moment, but she quickly calmed down.
Not enough. Not enough time, not enough energy, and not even enough motivation!
Kangxi sensed the change in her and then squeezed her fingers, but did not look at her.
"Your Majesty, let's have a royal physician take your pulse first! You've just woken up, you need to take care of yourself!"
The Empress Dowager opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately did not utter a word.
The damage has already been done, and her words will be of no use.
Sumalagu stood by and watched all of this unfold. Although she felt a sense of wonder, she had already anticipated the outcome.
She thought to herself: People! No matter what, you can't take yourself too seriously. After all, you may think you're very important, but others have people who are more important to them!
When Li Dequan asked for the imperial physician in Harigana, he quickly went out and called in Physician Zhao. If it weren't for the fact that this person was Li Dequan, people would have thought he was a servant of Qingxi Palace!
Kangxi was indeed feeling unwell, so after his cough subsided a bit, he lay down on the bed with Harigana's help.
Physician Zhao already knew that the Emperor had woken up, and he wanted to take the Emperor's pulse as soon as possible. It wasn't that he cared too much about the Emperor, but it was because his own life was at stake!
"Imperial Physician Zhao, how is the Emperor?"
Harigana saw that Physician Zhao had stopped, and he hadn't intended to ask first, but out of the corner of his eye he saw that the Empress Dowager was about to open her mouth, so his lips spoke before his brain could process the question.
Bumbutai was filled with rage and wanted to tear Harigana to pieces!
Harigana did it on purpose. Kangxi had just finally become disappointed in that old woman. If he softened because of a greeting, wouldn't all the bullying she had suffered before have been for nothing?
"Your Highness, please rest assured, His Majesty's health is much better now. However, he still needs to take the medicine for a few days and should not overexert himself!"
You need to rest and avoid getting angry! Otherwise, it could lead to future health problems!
Physician Zhao is truly a lucky star for Harigana!
These few words all touched on the Empress Dowager's sore spots.
Emperor Kangxi had just woken up today, and it was because that old woman had done all the taboos that the imperial physician had mentioned.
She desperately wanted to see the Empress Dowager's expression, but ultimately she didn't, fearing she would be implicated.
You can watch a play anytime; the most important thing is to protect yourself.
"Go and prepare the herbal medicine!"
Physician Zhao hurriedly kowtowed and retreated, followed by Little Li.
"Dulan, go to the small kitchen and get some porridge! Li Dequan, go and fetch some warm water for the Emperor to wipe down."
Harigana acted as if he hadn't seen the Empress Dowager, explaining everything in detail, big or small.
Kangxi's eyes were full of tenderness. He felt that the only person in the world who would truly think of him and miss him wholeheartedly was this little woman in front of him!
"Xuan Ye, I'm going back now. You should take good care of yourself!"
The Empress Dowager couldn't take it anymore; she needed to go back and think things through.
Emperor Kangxi rose to his feet: "Grandmother, please forgive me for not feeling well. I will visit you at Cining Palace in a few days!"
Bumbutai came in full force, but ultimately returned defeated.
In the Qingxi Palace, only Harigana and Emperor Kangxi remained, speechless.
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