Because the young prince was born with a heart ailment, and because he had previously rejected the prince, Emperor Kangxi felt a pang of guilt and thus spoiled him even more.
I've been visiting Chengqian Palace more often these past few months.
As I visited Chengqian Palace more often, I naturally visited other palaces less frequently.
Emperor Kangxi was a single man, and he spent most of his time handling official duties, limiting the amount of time he could spend in the inner palace each month.
Consort Tong had already finished her postpartum confinement. Under the strict care of her wet nurse, her health had recovered quite well. Most importantly, Consort Tong herself was in good spirits and was full of vitality all day long.
In particular, rumors are circulating in the palace that Emperor Kangxi will soon hold his second grand investiture ceremony for his consorts since his ascension to the throne.
Everyone in the harem was overjoyed, hoping that their rank would be promoted.
Those concubines who were somewhat favored were all very excited. Recently, more and more people were trying to seduce Emperor Kangxi, hoping to become a principal consort and have their own palace during the second grand conferment of titles upon the harem.
Especially the few who recently became pregnant, their faces were flushed with excitement, no wonder they were so excited.
Emperor Kangxi was very stingy when it came to rank and titles. Most of the time, he would only give a concubine to those without a strong background.
Even after they had sons and daughters, they were never given any special treatment.
Except for Consort De, of the Uya clan, who was an exception.
Consort Tong's complexion was now radiant with a touch of blush, making it impossible to tell that she had recently been diagnosed by the imperial physician as being on her deathbed.
The wet nurse was not blindly optimistic; this was only the surface. Her internal body was still severely damaged and had not yet been fully repaired.
Currently, Consort Tong possesses an immense will to live, coupled with the joy of the birth of her youngest son, all of which contribute to a positive outlook for her.
If she were to fall seriously ill, it would completely bring out all the diseases in the Imperial Noble Consort's body, and at that point, even a miracle worker couldn't save her.
The wet nurse has recently managed Chengqian Palace like an iron barrel, preventing any bad news from reaching Consort Tong's ears.
There were no fools in Kangxi's harem. Not long after Consort Tong gave birth to the Fifteenth Prince, the news spread throughout the harem that the Fifteenth Prince was also in poor health, suffering from a congenital heart disease, and might not live to adulthood.
I wonder how many people who disliked Consort Tong were secretly mocking her.
Who told her to always act so arrogant and look down on everyone?
Now it's all right.
For every one born, one must die.
They didn't think the prince, who was born with a heart condition, could survive safely.
Even if no one physically harms someone, the slightest disturbance in the harem can be fatal.
Even now, Consort Tong still believes she has given birth to a healthy prince.
Under the careful care of his wet nurse, the fifteenth prince was raised almost like a normal child, except that he was not very active and his cries were soft and small.
Consort Tong only thought that the young prince had been quiet since childhood and did not think of the worst possible outcome.
The wet nurse knew, however, that it wasn't that the little prince didn't want to move, but rather that he simply didn't have the strength to move.
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Consort De, of the Uya clan, heard that the Fifteenth Prince had a congenital heart ailment and secretly laughed countless times at night.
This is all karma.
Who told that vile woman from the Tongjia clan to steal her child?
Now look what happened! She finally gave birth to a son, but he turned out to be disabled.
If she hadn't been His Majesty's cousin, she would have been disliked by His Majesty long ago, just like the Seventh Prince's birth mother.
Where would it be now?
Just a few days ago, I was worried that His Majesty would make Lady Tongjia the Empress during the second grand conferment of titles upon the harem. She had given birth to a disabled son, and His Majesty could never possibly make such a person the Empress.
Consort De, of the Uya clan, had a broad smile on her face; she hadn't laughed so heartily in a long time.
Didn't she want to be empress?
When the time comes, she'll see what else Tongjia has to be so arrogant about.
She gave birth to an unhealthy son for His Majesty, so she shouldn't be qualified to be an Imperial Noble Consort.
Consort De, of the Uya clan, thought that in the past few months, Imperial Noble Consort Tong had not sent anyone to pay her respects.
Think back to when she wasn't pregnant; it was normal for her to see a royal physician seven or eight times a month.
She would often use her frail health to seduce the Emperor from other palaces.
This is hardly the behavior of a high-ranking concubine. She kept advising them to distribute the emperor's favor equally and not to monopolize him. Who in the harem is as domineering as she is?
Despite being a noble lady from a high-ranking family, Consort Tong resorted to the seductive arts of a lowly servant. She truly had the audacity to lower herself.
Although Consort De, of the Uya clan, was no less powerful, it was in accordance with her status. She relied on the Emperor's favor to survive, so she didn't care about appearances or substance.
Consort De, of the Uya clan, was much more open and honest in this regard than Imperial Noble Consort Tong.
She originally rose to power by seducing others, and even now, people in the harem are spreading all sorts of gossip about her.
Consort Tong has been quiet for so long, which is not like her at all. Perhaps she gave birth and suffered a difficult labor with severe bleeding, which has completely ruined her health.
He dared not leave the palace to greet people and stayed in Chengqian Palace to recuperate.
Consort De, of the Uya clan, thought about it more and more and felt that it made sense. Otherwise, Imperial Noble Consort Tong would have come out to show off in various ways long ago, and the harem would not have been so quiet.
It must be because of her poor health; no messages can get into Chengqian Palace now.
Consort De, of the Uya clan, was still somewhat uneasy and wanted to call the imperial physician over for reassurance.
She remembered that the old imperial physician Liu had visited Chengqian Palace to examine Consort Tong some time ago. He must know something. Unable to contain her excitement, Consort De, Uya, felt that she was getting closer to the truth.
"Granny, go and fetch Physician Liu. Tell him I am feeling slightly unwell and ask him to come and give me a proper diagnosis."
"Remember, only Doctor Liu."
Consort De, of the Uya clan, paced back and forth in her bedchamber with some excitement. If her idea was true, Imperial Noble Consort Tong might not live past the end of the year.
She knew very well that postpartum hemorrhage, coupled with physical weakness, would be compounded by another emotional blow.
There was no chance of survival.
The fact that Chengqian Palace is keeping the news under wraps means that Consort Tong must not know that her precious son is disabled.
Being born with a heart condition is a disability, isn't it?
Consort De, of the Uya clan, became increasingly anxious as she thought about it. She instructed the servants beside her to inquire why the old imperial physician Liu had not yet arrived.
Two palace maids hurriedly left Yonghe Palace, wanting to see where the old imperial physician Liu was.
In other palaces, anyone with a modicum of common sense would have noticed the unusual nature of Chengqian Palace.
It's also possible that Consort Tong's virtuous and gentle demeanor was a temporary act to ensure her success in ascending to the throne of Empress during the second grand investiture ceremony, thus avoiding causing trouble for the other members of the harem.
Not to mention Consort De, of the Uya clan, who knew Consort Tong best, even those newcomers who had only been in the palace for a year or two had been suppressed and ridiculed by Consort Tong.
It's simply unbelievable that this is the way Consort Tong herself willingly presented herself.
There must be some reason why they had no choice but to stay in Chengqian Palace and not take a step.
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