When the people in the inner palace saw that Kangxi had left, and that Yonghe Palace was still guarded, they assumed that Consort De, of the Uya clan, had not managed to please Kangxi.
Little did they know that less than a quarter of an hour had passed.
Emperor Kangxi then ordered a large quantity of nourishing items to be sent to Yonghe Palace, and the delegation was personally led by Liang Jiugong, the chief eunuch who served Emperor Kangxi.
Who wouldn't understand this?
Consort De, of the Uya clan, was still under house arrest, but Emperor Kangxi's favor towards her still surpassed that of many others.
She might not receive the same favor from Emperor Kangxi as the Sixth Prince, but that was still much better than many concubines in the harem who never even saw Kangxi once in a year.
At least Kangxi still had feelings for her.
There were countless women in the harem whom Kangxi had favored, yet he had no recollection of them at all. It was as if he had casually changed into a new outfit and would not have bothered to remember the style of the clothes.
Not to mention those who are not favored and are filled with resentment, those who are favored are also unhappy.
---
Consort Yi looked at her freshly painted nails, which were bright red and very beautiful.
"Your Majesty is sometimes truly compassionate, but this compassion isn't directed at me. I hope that if I make a mistake in the future, Your Majesty will be a little more lenient towards me."
Wang, the old woman serving him, had a big smile on her face.
"Your Majesty's words are inappropriate. His Majesty only pities her for losing her sons one after another. Now, in this harem, who else is like Your Majesty, with two princes? If we're talking about the most favored person in the harem, it has to be Your Majesty."
"Otherwise, why would His Majesty still confine her to her quarters? It's only because of the Fourth Prince..."
"Your Highness is favored by the Empress Dowager and loved by His Majesty. How can she be compared to Consort De, who has lost her sons one after another and has no princes?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Yi's beautiful face broke into a smug smile.
"Indeed, I'm worrying unnecessarily. Consort De... what do you have to fight me with now?"
"I wish I could summon Lady Uya to my presence right now and watch her bow to me."
"Granny, I feel happy whenever I think of that scene."
"I still want to see if she can keep up that pretentious act. Everyone knows how vicious she is. And Your Majesty... I don't know what's wrong with her eyes..."
Wang, the old nanny standing nearby, quickly interrupted Consort Yi's unrestrained words.
“Oh dear, Your Majesty, you mustn’t say that… it was only because Consort De was too cunning that she deceived His Majesty.”
Consort Yi waved her hand dismissively.
"Never mind, go and bring my Ninth Prince here. I haven't seen my precious son yet today. Unlike some people, I don't have a single son."
Wang Mama wanted to add that the Fourth Prince was also Consort De's son, but she didn't want to disturb the Empress's happiness. In reality, the Fourth Prince should be considered Consort Tong's son. As long as Consort Tong was alive, Consort De would never have this son.
A short while later, the wet nurse brought in the chubby Ninth Prince.
The Ninth Prince is almost two years old and is very well cared for. He is chubby and his arms are shaped like sections of white lotus root, which makes him look very cute.
The Ninth Prince, who was in the wet nurse's arms, started to wriggle and try to get down as soon as he saw Consort Yi, calling out "Mother" in his babyish voice.
When Consort Yi saw this scene, her eyes were full of smiles, and her heart was warmed.
He gestured for the wet nurse to bring the Ninth Prince over, then hugged him and kissed him twice.
"My Ninth Prince is the best. Nanny, you should also tell someone to go to the Empress Dowager's place to see the Fifth Prince and bring him all the clothes I made last time. I can't go too often, but the things absolutely cannot be sent less."
"I don't want to end up like that fool, Consort De, who turned her own son into an enemy. After what happened last time, even if Consort Tong dies, the Fourth Prince will never be able to return to her side."
Consort Yi playfully teased her youngest son in her arms, her eyes filled with joy.
"I am happy with both of my sons."
"I never knew before that Consort De was such a fool. It's a shame that I always considered her a rival. She was so adorably stupid that time."
"I don't know when I'll be able to get back up."
Consort Yi's bright and elegant face was always smiling.
Empress Niohuru, who was recently seriously ill and resting in bed, heard the news about Consort De. Her pale, bloodless face was full of mockery.
"Even though I am like this, His Majesty has never come to see me. Does His Majesty dislike me that much?"
A heart-wrenching cough rang out, and Granny Du rushed forward to comfort her.
"This old servant will send someone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to invite His Majesty over. His Majesty will come to see the Empress."
Empress Niohuru's ashen and dejected face already carried a hint of death, giving the impression that she wouldn't live much longer.
"Don't go. His Majesty doesn't want to see me. No matter how much I go to invite him, it's no use. His Majesty just hates me so much."
"I was perfectly fine a while ago, but suddenly I'm on my deathbed. Granny, do you think it's because His Majesty doesn't want me to live anymore..."
Granny Du's face was filled with terror, and her voice was full of disbelief.
"No, no, you were personally appointed Empress by His Majesty. Even if His Majesty doesn't like you, he wouldn't harm his first wife..."
"Even someone of such lowly status as Consort De was treated with kindness by His Majesty, let alone Your Highness. Your Highness, please don't overthink it. This old servant will go and find another imperial physician. It must be that this physician's medical skills are inadequate, and he hasn't been able to cure Your Highness after so long."
"Your Majesty, please don't worry, you'll be fine soon."
Granny Du earnestly advised him.
Empress Niohuru shook her head weakly.
"I have already promised my family that my younger sister will enter the palace to attend to the ailing emperor... and will be presented to His Majesty at a reasonable opportunity..."
"Even if my health improves, I still won't be able to have children. I'm so weak and sickly, so I might as well agree to my family's request that my sister bring her baby to live with me after she gives birth."
Du Mama's initially disapproving face slowly changed, revealing a hint of bitterness.
"My lady has been wronged. When has she ever suffered such an injustice?"
...
As Granny Du spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, revealing a hint of kindness in her face.
Empress Niohuru, having said so much, was already exhausted. She waved her hand, indicating that she needed to rest.
After leaving the room, Granny Du burst into tears before composing herself and making arrangements for the Empress's sister's entry into the palace.
Knowing that the Empress intended to keep her younger sister to serve His Majesty, they found a suitable empty room near the Empress's room.
Looking at everything that had been arranged, Granny Du still felt uneasy. What was going on?
Why should Your Majesty humiliate yourself like this?
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