Kangxi initially didn't want to pursue the matter further, but when he turned around and saw Harigana sitting to the side, clutching his handkerchief tightly, his reluctance overcame his reason.
"Granny Hu, tell me, who exactly angered the Empress Dowager!"
When Harigana mentioned Granny Hu, they didn't realize it at first, but now that Kangxi had called her Granny Hu, everyone present remembered that she was from the Qianqing Palace and an elderly woman from Kangxi's residence.
She now only handles affairs in the Imperial Palace and rarely comes out, but unexpectedly, the Emperor has sent her to his side.
The Empress Dowager had been momentarily blind and failed to recognize Hu Mama's identity. Thinking of what had just happened, her expression instantly turned even more grim.
"Xuan Ye!"
The Empress Dowager rarely spoke, as she took these matters in stride. However, with so many people present, if this old woman Hu were to say something detrimental to the Empress Dowager, things would truly become unmanageable!
"Empress Dowager!"
Kangxi understood the Empress Dowager's meaning, so he turned to look at her.
Seeing that things were not progressing smoothly, Harigana stopped talking and sat there quietly. Things don't happen overnight; they have to be done gradually!
To be fair, Emperor Kangxi simply didn't read picture books much; otherwise, given his petty nature, he would have definitely noticed the problem. However, Harigana wasn't stupid. After seeing this plot, she memorized it and then secretly instructed Dulan to dispose of the book.
It's better to be safe than sorry. If one day Emperor Kangxi suddenly decides to read to her, and happens to discover something amiss while reading a certain chapter, it would be a huge loss.
"When is the investiture ceremony scheduled? I'll have to prepare a fine gift for it!"
The Empress Dowager didn't know what to say, so she simply went along with Kangxi's mood and asked about the matter. She planned to prepare two extra layers of lavish gifts for the girl from the Borchijin tribe.
Sure enough, these words struck a chord with Emperor Kangxi.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Observatory has already calculated the dates. The investiture ceremony for the Noble Consort will be on the 18th of next month, the investiture ceremony for the Consort will be on the 5th of November, and the investiture ceremony for the Concubine will be postponed for the time being!"
The Empress Dowager was truly enraged this time!
What do you mean by saying that the consort title is no longer being awarded? The Borjigit clan finally managed to produce a consort, and now they're saying they're not going to do it anymore!
"You may all step back now!"
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, the Empress Dowager quickly dismissed all the concubines. However, in her attempt to quell the situation, she forgot about the very task that was supposed to be performed that day.
Harigana was truly speechless; these two people's IQs really didn't seem very high. If she hadn't served tea and had just left, although she would have been criticized, this feud would have been cemented!
Moreover, tea was served morning and evening; after all, Emperor Kangxi wouldn't let her suffer such injustice. But time has passed, and they really have a big heart!
She wanted to remind them, since even if they added the tea ceremony later, it wouldn't sound very nice.
But this was not her fault in the first place, and she didn't want to save face for the Empress Dowager.
They glanced furtively at Su Rina, then at Granny Hu. Both of them were momentarily at a loss, as something like this had never happened before!
"Royal Grandmother!"
Kangxi's voice was somewhat displeased. After speaking, he picked up the teacup that Su Ma La Gu had just placed beside him, took a sip, and then put it aside.
"Su Ma! Go check! Why hasn't the tea been served yet!"
Seeing Kangxi's actions, the Empress Dowager instantly understood his meaning. She turned to Su Ma La Gu and shifted all the blame onto the servants below.
"Yes! This servant will go and take a look right away!"
The hall was quiet. The Empress Dowager regretted her haste in dismissing the people. She glanced at Harigana, but he kept his head down, so she could only awkwardly look away.
Everyone present was shrewd, but no one dared to go out and say anything out of line, since this matter involved the Emperor, and if anything went wrong, they could very well be implicated.
A short while later, Sumalagu herself brought in a bowl of tea.
"Empress Dowager!"
Sumalagu considered finding an excuse after entering, but no one present was a fool. If she said too much, it would not only embarrass the Empress Dowager, but also the royal family.
Go!
Kangxi walked to Harigana's side, personally placed the teacup on Sumalagu's tray into her hands, and stood steadily to her right.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects and wish you good health and longevity!"
As he spoke, Harigana knelt before her, raising his hands high above his head.
This time, the Empress Dowager didn't say anything more. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then put it aside.
"Once you enter the palace, you become a member of the royal family. From now on, you must consider the Emperor's needs more! Now that you are a Noble Consort, you must get along well with the other concubines in the harem and share the Emperor's burdens!"
Harigana rolled her eyes inwardly, but said softly, "Yes! Your Majesty, I will obey the Empress Dowager's decree!"
"Get up! Su Ma, go and get a copy of the Buddhist scriptures and palace rules that I wrote myself for the Consort, as well as that Guanyin statue that grants children and the jade ruyi."
Emperor Kangxi's face was ashen. Giving Guanyin and a jade ruyi was one thing, but what did palace rules and Buddhist scriptures mean?
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your generous gift!"
Harigana was utterly speechless. Even the most shrewd person can become childish in old age. However, Bumbutai had misjudged her; trying to bind her with palace rules was wishful thinking!
Kangxi held Harigana's hand, his heart aching with heartache. But at this moment, whatever he said would be wrong, and might even bring trouble to Harigana.
He looked at Kangxi with a pale face, his lips twitched slightly, his head bobbed gently, and then he stopped looking at him.
On the way back, Harigana was swaying uncontrollably, but fortunately, Emperor Kangxi sent Li Dequan with the imperial carriage to pick her up, so she didn't faint on the way.
In the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was too exhausted to say anything. She opened her mouth several times, but in the end, she swallowed it back.
"Grandmother! I hope this is the first and last time this will happen!"
Kangxi's voice was cold and indifferent. After speaking, he stood up and left. If it weren't for saying those words, he would have already left with Harigana.
"Xuan Ye! Are you really going to fight me like this over a woman? How much have I sacrificed for you, and this is the reward I've received?"
"Mother!"
The Empress Dowager was surprised that the Grand Empress Dowager would say such a thing, but it was too late for her to stop her.
Kangxi stopped in his tracks. Although his face remained dark, his shock was evident.
"Grandmother, are you questioning me?"
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