Even so, rumors still flew around and reached her.
"I heard that the child of Consort Nian is not hers."
“I heard that too. Apparently, they were brought back from outside.”
"Nonsense, it was clearly just like in the script, and they swapped it with someone else."
"I never expected that Consort Nian would do such a thing."
Even Qianxue, who loved gossip as much as she was, couldn't stand it anymore. Just as she was about to speak, her own princess spoke first:
"Xiao Anzi, find a slave trader and sell these unruly lackeys who are trying to confuse the public and insult the royal bloodline!"
"Yes, sir."
When those gossiping people heard that the usually good-natured Geng Gege was going to sell them out, they all knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.
But Geng Youran wasn't buying it and led Qianxue to Niohuru Wanru.
"Princess, Princess Geng is here."
"Please come in quickly."
It's already November, and the weather has turned cool. When Geng Youran entered the room, she saw needles and thread on the table.
Are you making clothes for the children again?
"No, this is a headband made for Consort Nian. I plan to give it to her when she finishes her postpartum confinement. There are also a few children's clothes made for Fuyi."
"You're very thoughtful."
Wanru welcomed Geng Youran to the couch and had tea prepared.
"Why did you suddenly think of visiting me today, sister?"
Geng Youran took a sip of tea, then placed the teacup on the table:
"It's nothing serious. Have you heard the rumors circulating in the manor lately about Consort Nian and Fuyi?"
"I've heard about it. There's been some gossip circulating in my yard too. I've already had Huangli drive all these people to the estate down below."
“You’ve been quite decisive this time. I ran into him on the road too, and I just had Xiao Anzi find a slave trader to get rid of him. Keeping such a servant around is just bringing trouble to the Prince and us.”
Wanru responded while embroidering the pattern:
"Who can argue with that? General Nian is serving the country at the front, and Consort Nian has just given birth to a little prince. His Highness is overjoyed right now. To say such inappropriate things at this time is not only for their own good, but also to send them away. If our Prince were to hear these words, he might lose his life."
"That's exactly what I mean. Hopefully, doing this will make these lackeys more aware. They won't spread rumors and get themselves into trouble."
Wanru paused for a moment:
"Sister, who do you think spread these rumors? There must be a source."
"No matter who it is, I don't think they'll have a good ending. By the way, there's something else I wanted to ask you for advice on today."
“My sister is always very clever, she doesn’t need me to come up with any ideas.”
"You're making fun of me again."
Wanru covered her mouth and laughed.
"Let's get down to business. It's like this, the Prince has been so busy lately that he's barely having time to breathe. Gao Wuyong told me that he only gets about two hours of sleep a day at most. The Princess Consort even came to see me about this."
Upon hearing this, Wanru put down her needlework:
“I noticed that too. The day before yesterday evening, Gao Wuyong came to deliver a message, saying that the Prince would be coming to dine that night. Who knew that the Prince would come with a memorial? After dinner, he was busy in his study until late at night, and got up before dawn.”
Geng Youran sighed:
"I heard that His Majesty has been unwell recently, and therefore many things have been entrusted to the Prince."
Wanru was also anxious:
"Yes, there is a famine in Shaanxi, and earthquakes have occurred in Bao'an, Huailai and other places. Just disaster relief alone will keep our prince busy."
But it's not just these things.
Because of dizziness and weight loss, Emperor Kangxi summoned his sons and ministers many times to discuss the important matter of establishing an heir, but no clear answer was reached.
In particular, the Fourteenth Prince's performance in Tibet led many ministers in the court to side with the Eighth Prince.
Yinzhen was extremely anxious, but he still gritted his teeth and endured it.
In any case, his situation is much better than that of the "deposed crown prince" who was deposed repeatedly.
He didn't really understand what his second brother was thinking.
Soetu has already been deposed, but this second brother actually pretends to be repentant and secretly continues to cultivate his own power. He even dares to have an affair with the Emperor's concubine!
"Fourth Brother, how is Father Emperor?"
After hearing about what Yinreng had done, Kangxi fell ill.
"The imperial physician is treating him inside; hopefully nothing bad will happen."
"Second Brother is too bold. He's really disappointing."
Yinzhen also felt that his second brother was like a madman. He still vividly remembered how his brother had talked to him before. He never expected that his brother would dare to plot to seize power. It really hurt his father’s heart.
An hour later, Liang Jiugong brought out the imperial physician. Several princes, including Yinzhen, were still waiting at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your Highnesses, I have already administered acupuncture to His Majesty and prepared the prescription. However, I urge you all to advise His Majesty not to overexert himself or lose his temper."
"Thank you, Imperial Physician."
After the princes saw the imperial physician off, they wanted to go in to visit their father, but were stopped by Liang Jiugong at the door.
"My lords, His Majesty has decreed that he does not wish to see anyone at this moment. My lords, please return."
"Then I'll trouble you to take good care of me, Father-in-law."
"It is my duty as an old servant."
Liang Jiugong turned and entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where Wei Zhu guarded the entrance, preventing anyone from entering.
Wei Zhu was a man who wouldn't listen to either soft or hard tactics, but Emperor Kangxi appreciated this attitude. Yin Tang tried to bribe him with money, but failed.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Kangxi propped himself up on his arms and sat up.
"The Emperor is awake? Why didn't you call for me?"
"I'm fine. Go and make me a cup of tea."
"Yes, sir."
After the ginseng tea was brewed, Liang Jiugong handed over the teacup, but Kangxi, who had just received the teacup, stared at it in a daze.
"Your Majesty. Your Majesty? What are you thinking about? This tea will get cold if you don't drink it soon."
Emperor Kangxi drank the tea in his cup in one gulp, and then kept playing with the teacup in his hand.
After a long while, Kangxi finally spoke:
"Liang Jiugong, tell me, did I make a mistake from the very beginning?"
"His Majesty is the supreme ruler, and has been working tirelessly for the common people for many years without ever stopping. How could he be wrong?"
"No, I am not talking about the common people, but about my own sons."
Liang Jiugong immediately understood that the Emperor was referring to the Second Prince, Yinreng.
"This tea set was a gift from Yinreng, wasn't it?"
"yes."
“Back then, the Empress passed away not long after giving birth to Yinreng. I took pity on this child and raised him by my side. I still remember that when Yinreng was not even as tall as a table, he could already recite many books and write very well.”
"Do you remember what I did on Yinreng's wedding day?"
"Of course I remember. You sat in the late Empress's palace all night long, and no matter how I tried to persuade you, you wouldn't leave."
"Yes, I wanted to tell her that I have raised my son very well, that he is both scholarly and martial, and that I have found him a virtuous and proper wife. I wanted to put the Empress at ease."
"The late Empress must already know."
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