Harigana listened to the grandfather and grandson talking, not daring to think about anything else, lest something else happen and give her another handle to use against them.
The Empress Dowager recounted some events that had occurred at Mount Wutai, and Emperor Kangxi then spoke of some events that had taken place in the palace.
For a moment, the atmosphere was harmonious, and the previous tension was nowhere to be seen.
Until Zhao Rongxi arrived, the Empress Dowager did not say a word to Harigana.
"How about it?"
Seeing Zhao Rongxi withdraw his hand, Kangxi asked a question.
Looking at her grandson's anxious face, Bumbutai suddenly felt that this might not be so bad.
He glanced at Harigana sitting beside him, dressed in bright red, neither arrogant nor impatient, but well-behaved.
Although I still don't like her, I no longer have the chance to fight that ability.
In just six months since leaving the palace, Harigana has become empress, and the Tongjia clan, whom she valued most, has died. The harem has long since become a mere formality.
Even if she had extraordinary abilities, it would be of no use now.
That's fine, let it be.
She was genuinely grief-stricken by the Empress Dowager's words, but it was also true that she was feeling unwell.
When people get old, they really become useless.
Rather than going against the crowd, it's better to hold onto what you have and live out the little time you have left peacefully.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is exhausted from her journey and is somewhat weak. She needs careful recuperation."
Zhao Rongxi knelt on the ground, never expecting that one day he would be able to take the Empress Dowager's pulse again. He thought she would never return.
However, there were some things even the imperial physicians dared not say: this person's body was far too weak, and even with proper care, it would only last a few years.
It wasn't that her medical skills were lacking, but rather that she was simply too old.
"Go and prepare the medicine, and make sure the Empress Dowager is in good health."
Although Zhao Rongxi did not say it explicitly, Kangxi understood the situation and, suppressing his sadness, gave Zhao Rongxi his instructions.
"Yes! Your servant obeys!"
Zhao Rongxi withdrew and went to find the Empress Dowager's personal physician to inquire about the situation. The two began to study medicinal cuisine.
"Xuan Ye, I see that Xiao Jiu is already so grown up. Aren't you two planning to have another one?"
Harigana was somewhat surprised, for the Empress Dowager was referring to both of them, not just him.
She glanced up at Bumbutai, only to find her eyes meeting Bumbutai's.
She smiled softly, lowered her head, and pretended to be shy, without saying a word.
"Grandmother, preparations are underway."
After giving birth to her two children, the Empress was somewhat weak, so Zhao Rongxi took care of her.
The Empress Dowager nodded, then looked at Harigana and said, "She should be properly cared for. Giving birth is a life-or-death experience for any woman."
This surprised not only Harigana, but also the other concubines, who felt hopeless about their lives.
Especially Consort Rong, who was just at the palace gate thinking that the Empress Dowager would deal with the Empress, was now completely shocked.
Only the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kangxi remained calm, showing no surprise whatsoever.
"Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. Your Majesty, I will ensure that Your Majesty has many children."
He and Harigana stood up and bowed respectfully in thanks.
Although as Empress she should have addressed Emperor Kangxi as "Grandmother" or "Grandma," she couldn't bring herself to say it, nor did she know how.
Even though the Empress Dowager no longer interfered in her relationship with Emperor Kangxi or managed the affairs of the harem, Harigana remembered clearly everything she had done.
They can have no contact at all, but they feel it's impossible to reconcile.
"Get up!"
The Empress Dowager didn't even frown, and she didn't react at all when she heard her call her Empress Dowager.
She only said three words, but that was enough to show everyone her compromise.
"Yes, thank you, Empress Dowager."
Emperor Kangxi sat down with Harigana by the hand and talked for about fifteen minutes before taking Harigana back to Qingxi Palace.
As for the concubines, they didn't even glance at them.
Only the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager remained in Cining Palace.
"Qiqige, you should go back too. I'll take a nap."
Bumbutai waved her hand, never once asking the Empress Dowager to return the items to her.
"Yes! Mother, please rest well. Qiqige will come to pick you up before the palace banquet tonight."
After everyone left, the Empress Dowager did not go directly into the inner palace to rest, but went to the small Buddhist hall to sit for a while, and only went to sleep after having lunch.
Looking at Bumbutai's appearance, Sumalagu could only sigh; all other thoughts had vanished when she doubted her before leaving.
"Xuan Ye, are you still worried?"
In Qingxi Palace, after checking the account books, Harigana looked at Kangxi, who was sitting to the side with his eyes closed, and walked behind him, hugging his neck: "The Empress Dowager is blessed by the heavens, things will get better."
"Yes! Jiaojiao is right, things will get better."
Harigana did not continue the topic. He straightened up and began to massage Kangxi's temples to help him relax.
He still took to heart what Yinzhen had said before.
Jiang had already arranged the manpower by 2010, and was about to send troops to attack the Dzungar Khanate.
When Harigana heard Kangxi tell her about this, she was still amazed, never expecting things to develop this way.
However, this battle against the Dzungar Khanate should result in an immediate victory, given the research conducted by Dai Zi.
"Jiaojiao, take a rest."
I turned around, picked her up and placed her on my lap. The faint fragrance emanating from her made me feel inexplicably at ease.
"Okay, I'll hold you."
Harigana reached out and hugged his neck, finding a comfortable position in Kangxi's arms, and closed his eyes to take a nap just like him.
Both Qingxi Palace and Cining Palace were quiet, but Rongfei's place was shrouded in gloom.
"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"
Seeing Rongfei's dark face, Rongfei's maidservant cautiously went up to her to inquire about her well-being.
"Get out! Bring the Third Prince in for me!"
The maid didn't know what had happened. Hearing her master get angry, she quickly withdrew. A moment later, the wet nurse brought Yinzhi in.
"Mother!"
When Yinzhi saw Consort Rong, he wanted to go up and hug her, but he was scolded after taking only two steps.
"As a prince, how can you be so impetuous and disorderly!"
Yin Zhi paused, his smile freezing on his face.
Seeing her son's stunned expression, Consort Rong felt both angry and heartbroken.
But I really can't bear to let her give up like this!
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