In the camp in the remote border town, everyone was enjoying themselves. Meanwhile, in the capital, dark clouds loomed, and the Empress Dowager, upon learning of the news concerning the Hesheli family, frowned.
Back then, her strong support for Empress Hesheli was simply to suppress the Tongjia clan. Now that Empress Hesheli has passed away, she has no choice but to support Yinzhi for the sake of the future of Khorchin. However, while her wishes were noble, reality has been exceptionally cruel.
A few days ago, she wanted to use this expedition as an opportunity to get rid of Yin and Qingyan.
These two were Yin's primary enemies, and some of Yin's actions were more in line with the demeanor of an emperor. She had personally nurtured Kangxi, and was very familiar with every stage of his reign. Yin's innate aura of authority made the old lady very uncomfortable.
"Su Mo'er, how is Wuya's situation?" Yin is Wuya's son. When Consort Tong first entered the palace, the Empress Dowager gave her a secret medicine from Qiyan. She would not allow Tongjia to have another prince.
The death of Empress Dowager Tong became a thorn in the side of the Tongjia clan. On the surface, they were very respectful to the Grand Empress Dowager. Tong Guolai and his wife had complicated feelings towards the Grand Empress Dowager, the murderer who killed their own daughter. Because the Grand Empress Dowager held a high position, they were unable to avenge Empress Dowager Tong.
Using the power of the bondservant families, they informed Emperor Kangxi of the cause of Empress Dowager Tong's death. To give outsiders an excuse, Kangxi favored Lady Uya.
From that time on, Uya became a bargaining chip in the struggle between the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kangxi.
"Princess, this servant has not seen Lady Uya." Su Mo'er shook her head helplessly. Even though Emperor Kangxi was not in the capital, Lady Uya had been surrounded by layers of obstacles, and the Mongol forces could not get close to her.
What!
The Empress Dowager's eyes widened. In the vast inner palace, she could come and go freely. Since when had Kangxi become wary of even her?
"Xuan Ye issued an edict?" The Empress Dowager could not believe that the child she had always cared for had completely lost touch with her.
Su Mo'er nodded with difficulty. The Empress Dowager should not take action against the Tongjia clan. Since the Empress Dowager is still alive, she can mediate between them, and the Khorchin clan can gain more benefits.
At this moment, in a side hall of Yonghe Palace, Lady Uya was wearing a blue floral cheongsam, her long, jet-black hair tied up with a silver hairpin. She was originally chosen by Lady Tongjia for Emperor Kangxi. The high-ranking officials had already learned that Lady Tongjia had been drugged by the Empress Dowager.
"My lady, please have your lunch first," Cuilu said softly to Wuya as she walked into the side hall.
After being demoted from Consort De to Noble Lady Wu by Emperor Kangxi, Lady Wu rarely went out. Unless she had to pay her respects to Consort Tong, she would never leave the palace gates of Yonghe Palace.
Many people outside were laughing at Uya, and Consort Yi often traveled a long way from Yanxi Palace just to see Uya bow and greet her. Seeing her mistress's aggrieved expression, Cuilu felt even more distressed.
"Alright, let's use it first." Wuya stood by the window, carefully recalling what Su Mo'er had mentioned to her.
She didn't have many options. Tongjia clan members used their family to leak the cause of Empress Dowager Tong's death to Emperor Kangxi, and she didn't believe that the Empress Dowager wouldn't know.
Perhaps the Empress Dowager only hoped that she would fight with Consort Tong, one side being a bondservant family and the other being the Tongjia clan of the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner.
"Cuilu, you've sent a letter home again?" Lady Wuya disliked Consort Tong, and by extension, she also disliked Yin.
Ever since Consort Tong took Yin away, she considered her son dead. After that, none of the children she bore for Emperor Kangxi could compare to Yin's favor.
Her resentment grew stronger. Last time, it was because she saw Yin standing at the door that she blurted out those complaining words.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Kangxi directly blamed her, saying that Consort Tong had failed to take good care of Yin, causing him to have a persistent high fever.
"Yes, Your Highness. This servant thinks we should discuss this with you. The Empress Dowager has extended an olive branch to you." Cuilu was a talent carefully cultivated for her by the Wuya clan. When she became a Noble Lady, Wuya Dehong bribed a servant of the Imperial Household Department to secretly send her to Yonghe Palace.
Uya's eyes flashed with resentment. When she was demoted, Emperor Kangxi forced her to move from the main hall to a side hall on the grounds that noble ladies could not live in the main hall.
This small place fueled her resentment. After becoming Consort De, countless noble ladies from the Eight Banners had to pay their respects to her. That feeling of being high above her made her somewhat arrogant.
Now, everything has been reduced to its original state. Those noble ladies are now her equals, and some even rank ahead of her because of their titles. She has to respectfully greet them, and every time she does, they make sarcastic remarks, which greatly annoys her.
“Cuilu, my rank has been demoted and my title has been stripped. Can my family still help me?” Wuya said coldly.
After witnessing the example of Lady Uya, the powerful families of bondservant status began to diligently cultivate the daughters of their own clans. Had Lady Uya continued to be favored by Emperor Kangxi, these families probably wouldn't have bothered to train her. Now, their ambitions were becoming increasingly apparent, and they were no longer as respectful to Uya Dehong as before.
Regarding family matters, Uya's mother often sent her messages through the Guoluoma method, and there were people in the imperial kitchen who could help her, which is why Uya was able to get by so smoothly.
“My lady, the master and madam are on your side.” Cuilu looked at Cuiying waiting outside the door. She knew that Cuiying had been sent to the master's side by another noble family; they only hoped that the Uya clan could get her into Emperor Kangxi's bedchamber.
Uya shook her head. Under pressure from her family, Uya Dehong had already sent someone to deliver a message to her, urging her to send Cuiying to the emperor's bed.
"That wretched woman, how dare she speak ill of me to my family." Uya glared venomously at Cuiying's retreating figure. Kangxi was a picky man; someone as beautiful as Cuiying was nothing more than a toy.
Uya was considered the most beautiful among the noble families, which gave her the opportunity to get close to Emperor Kangxi.
"Master..." Before Cuilu could say much to Wuya, Su Mo'er led her people into Yonghe Palace.
"Noble Lady Wu, the Empress Dowager has discovered that Cuiying is secretly exchanging messages with people outside the palace. This servant has been ordered to arrest her." The Empress Dowager's people planted in the Imperial Household Department secretly delivered the message. Cuiying was preparing to make her move when the opportunity arose. Her actions were nothing more than currying favor with Lady Wuya.
Uya was stunned. The Empress Dowager had actually helped her get rid of the culprit. Perhaps she should repay the Empress Dowager properly.
"Granny, are you saying that Cuiying secretly passed on a message?" Uya looked incredulous. She absolutely could not give the Empress Dowager any leverage. The Empress Dowager had extended an olive branch, and she had to accept it flawlessly.
Su Mo'er nodded. This girl is clever; she understands things immediately. No wonder Tong Guolai would use Wuya to achieve his goals.
As time went by, Consort Tong's health deteriorated further, and the Empress Dowager had to prepare for contingencies. As long as Yinzhi did not leave Chengqian Palace, the Empress Dowager became increasingly uneasy.
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