Harigana wanted to say something, but ultimately didn't, because Dulan didn't see through Li Dequan's scheming.
After taking the medicine, Kangxi started sweating again. Li Dequan and Xiao Lizi changed him into dry clothes and wiped his body down.
By the time this happened, it was almost dawn.
"Your Majesty!"
Seeing that Kangxi was still unconscious, Li Dequan quietly woke Harigana. It was almost dawn, and the palace gates were already open; the court officials would soon be entering the palace!
Harigana squinted and took a while to wake up.
The person beside him still didn't seem to be awake. He glanced at the sky and said softly, "Li Dequan, go to the Empress Dowager immediately and convey the Emperor's decree. Tell her that the Empress Dowager's fall in Qingxi Palace was intentional and that she should keep a close watch on the harem. Without the Emperor's permission, no one is allowed to leave their palace!"
Then have the Imperial Guards surround Qingxi Palace. Anyone who tries to break in, regardless of their identity, should be apprehended immediately! No one should be harmed; just lock them up.
As for the previous dynasty, following what I said last night, if anyone causes trouble, arrest them on charges of disobeying the imperial edict. As for the twins, don't bring them up unless absolutely necessary. Let them run wild, so you won't be in a passive position later.
Go ahead! Li Dequan, I believe in you!
Harigana had no idea what would happen in the next couple of days, but she knew her reputation was completely ruined.
Li Dequan responded without questioning Harigana's words.
Although he is now falsely conveying the imperial edict, if a woman can stand up for the emperor under such circumstances, he would not be a man if he were to cower in fear!
Upon exiting the inner hall, he smiled at Dulan, whose face was filled with tension, and silently said, "Don't worry!" Then he turned around and walked out with a cold expression.
Before long, Qingxi Palace was surrounded by the Imperial Guards. The sharp-eyed palace maids and eunuchs quickly hid, fearing they would be implicated.
Subsequently, the Empress Dowager issued an imperial edict canceling the morning greetings and ordering all the concubines to stay in the palace, forbidding anyone from leaving.
Harigana originally did not intend to falsely convey the imperial edict to the Empress Dowager, but she was afraid that if the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager sent people to see her because of the twins, they would be so smart that they would definitely guess that something was wrong.
If it were her previous personality, she might have told Li Dequan to go directly to the Empress Dowager and let her take charge of the matter.
But that old witch doesn't like her. Who knows if she'll take advantage of Kangxi's coma to fabricate evidence or stir up some trouble to drag her down with her?
In the entire palace, apart from Emperor Kangxi, there was no one who didn't want to deal with her, so it was best for her to take matters into her own hands.
Harigana did the right thing. The Empress Dowager received the news as soon as she woke up that morning, saying that her child might be in danger. She was thinking of sending Sumalagu to see for herself later to see if it was really bad or if she wanted to use this matter to do something to Emperor Kangxi.
When the Empress Dowager came to tell him 'Kangxi's oral edict' in person, he was so angry that he smashed a teacup on the ground.
Fortunately, there were plenty of teacups in the Cining Palace; otherwise, the Empress Dowager might have been the first person to spend money to buy such utensils!
In the previous court, when the ministers saw Li Dequan, they were still wondering what he was doing standing at the entrance of Qianqing Gate instead of serving the emperor. Then they heard something that left everyone speechless: "By imperial decree, the Imperial Concubine's unborn child is in danger, court is adjourned today. Gentlemen, please return!"
As soon as Li Dequan finished speaking, a storm of emotions surged in the hearts of the older ministers, including Tong Guowei.
Since the Emperor assumed personal rule, he would never cancel court sessions even when he was ill. Yet now, he has canceled court sessions just because of a child!
Especially Suo'etu, although he kept his head down, he was already thinking about whether to take action while Harigana's pregnancy was in danger, so that Yinreng's position as crown prince would not be shaken!
"Nonsense! Your Majesty is being ridiculous!"
The remonstrating official stood in the center, kneeling on the ground and loudly rebuking him.
"His Majesty has actually suspended court for the sake of a concubine in the harem! What will the people of the land think of him? I urge Eunuch Li to persuade His Majesty to attend court in person. He cannot allow that vile concubine to influence him and ruin his lifelong reputation!"
Reminded by Harigana, Li Dequan narrowed his eyes and smiled at the remonstrating official, then looked at the officials standing behind him and said, "Gentlemen, do you share the same thought as the remonstrating official? When we see the Emperor later, I will explain everything to him!"
Upon hearing this, the timid and cowardly officials quickly withdrew.
Even Suo'etu and Tong Guowei haven't said a word. Why should they care?
One is the Crown Prince's maternal family, and the other is the Emperor's maternal family. Since neither of these two families has spoken up, they have even less right to do so!
"Your Excellency, I advise you to return home. His Majesty is currently grieving over the matter of the imperial heir! What do you think?"
Li Dequan thought to himself, "I've already advised you. If you still don't know what's good for you, then don't blame me for having you arrested!"
The remonstrating official remained kneeling on the ground, refusing to move an inch, and Li Dequan instantly understood.
"Guards, convey the Emperor's decree: any official below the rank of remonstrator who has disobeyed the Emperor's orders shall be immediately arrested and imprisoned!"
As soon as Li Dequan finished speaking, two imperial guards came in and dragged the remonstrating official away.
"My ministers, this servant will now return to attend to His Majesty!"
The scene of the remonstrating official being taken away left the officials present at a loss for how to react. Only after hearing Li Dequan's words did they come to their senses!
As soon as Li Dequan stepped out of the Qianqing Gate, his legs went weak. If it weren't for the eunuch supporting him, he probably would have fallen to the ground.
Back at Qingxi Palace, Harigana had just finished breakfast. He was feeding Kangxi porridge, which was thin and watery, but it was better than an empty stomach.
Seeing Li Dequan return, her anxious heart finally calmed down.
"How about it?"
Li Dequan did not hide anything and told her everything that happened at the Ganqing Gate and the reactions of everyone.
"Keep him locked up for now, just don't hurt him. Make sure he's properly dealt with!"
"Yes! This servant obeys!"
The Empress Dowager was already angry about the imperial edict, but when she heard that Emperor Kangxi had not attended court, she almost fainted.
"Sumalagu, go and summon Xuan Ye to me!"
Sumalagu quickly responded, fearing that the Empress Dowager might actually faint.
"Empress Dowager, please don't upset yourself! This servant will go right away!"
Su Ma La Gu actually thought that the Emperor might not come. He hadn't even gone to the morning court session because of the Consort, so how could he possibly come to Cining Palace!
However, she dared not say this; there were some things she couldn't say!
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