The Chuxiu Palace is filled with warmth and affection.
The Chengqian Palace was shrouded in gloom; the curtains in the sleeping quarters were drawn, and it was so dark that not a single ray of light could be seen.
Deeply affected, Consort Tong lay on her sickbed, her cheekbones sunken, and her once jet-black hair now faintly visible as snow-white strands.
She looked unusually old.
Consort Hesheli entered through the door and glanced at the woman, her eyes reddening slightly. However, crying was forbidden in the palace, so Consort Hesheli merely raised her head slightly to stop the tears from falling.
Following Empress Hesheli into her bedchamber were a group of palace maids, each carrying a tray laden with fragrant food. The lead maid stepped forward and called out tremblingly, "Your Highness, it's time for your meal."
After saying that, the palace maid stood still.
Consort Hesheli's face stiffened, a hint of anger flickering within her, yet she was powerless to discipline them. After all, following this incident, the palace servants who had been deeply trusted by the Consort and Consort Tongjia had been purged by the enraged Emperor, and the palace servants before her were all newly selected from the Imperial Household Department.
The newly arrived palace maid dared not offer advice, nor did she dare not offer any. Every day, she carried dishes in and out, appearing diligent but actually watching the Imperial Concubine grow thinner day by day.
Hesheli was very depressed.
What worried her even more was that she was leaving the palace today. In the past, she had her own help to take care of the concubine, but what would happen to her? Empress Hesheli wanted to stay in the palace, but she also understood that being able to accompany her daughter until childbirth was already a favor from the Emperor. As for staying until now, it was mostly due to the Empress's consideration.
Seeing that the palace maids had called out several times but Consort Tong had not responded, Empress Hesheli, who had been lost in thought, finally could no longer sit still. She ordered the palace servants to leave first, and when the hall was empty, she walked to the bedside and called out, "Nannan."
"..." Consort Tong remained silent.
"..." Hesheli sighed softly, a fleeting sadness crossing her eyes. She took her daughter's hand and said gently, "Now that things have come to this, we can't wallow in grief. We need to think carefully about the child's future."
Compared to her disabled grandson, Hesheli was more worried about her daughter's condition. She had finally recovered from the shock of the eleventh prince's untimely death, and now... Her lips were dry as she gently patted her daughter: "At least... at least the seventh prince is still in good health."
Consort Tong remained silent.
Empress Hesheli sighed and squeezed Consort Tong's hand: "Your mother has to go back to the manor today... Daughter, you must think carefully about what your father said."
"...Xiaoqi is my child..."
“Silly child, Prince Chun has already passed away. Even if you were adopted into his family, he would still raise you by your side and still call you ‘Mother’,” Hesheli said gently.
Besides, Prince Chun is a prince.
If he were raised in the palace, it would be uncertain whether he would even receive this title in the future!
"..." Consort Tong remained silent.
"..." Hesheli waited for a long time, and finally couldn't help but wipe the Consort's cheek: "Do you know where the Emperor went today?"
Consort Tong remained motionless.
Hesheli said in a deep voice, "They went to Chuxiu Palace."
Consort Qi of Chuxiu Palace was not only a thorn in the side of Consort Tong, but also a thorn in the side of the Tongjia clan. Consort Qi gave birth to a healthy Fifth Prince, saved the Emperor's life in an earthquake... and smoothly rose to become the head of all the consorts.
Hesheli bit her lip.
She whispered in her daughter's ear, "Actually, before I entered the palace, the family had already heard about something."
Consort Tong's gaze shifted.
Hesheli continued, "Before the New Year, the Emperor had the Imperial Astronomical Bureau select an auspicious date and ordered the Imperial Household Department to prepare ceremonial robes and celebratory gifts, hoping for a sign of a grand investiture."
There are no major events happening in the palace at the moment.
The Emperor's order to prepare these things undoubtedly indicates his intention to bestow honors upon the concubines. This is not unusual, given that a string of pregnant concubines are involved, while only Consort Dai and Lady Wei remain, whose ranks, however high, are merely those of Noble Ladies.
There's no need for Hesheli to continue...
With just a little thought, Consort Tong would realize that Consort Qi would most likely be promoted to the rank of Consort.
Consort Qi is already the head of all the concubines.
If she were to be promoted to the rank of Consort…? Consort Tong’s mouth tasted bitter. She turned to face inward and said, “Mother… I need to think about it some more, think about it some more.”
Hesheli sighed once again.
She ordered the palace servants to come in and attend to her, and then left the Forbidden City with them. Empress Hesheli stayed in the palace for two months. After returning to her residence, she had to discuss matters with dozens of people from the Tongjia clan. After finishing her work, she was scolded by her husband. Feeling frustrated, she clutched her head and cried out in pain.
The Tongjia residence was in complete disarray.
Consort Tong in Chengqian Palace was not much calmer either, her mind still echoing with Empress Hesheli's words. She stared blankly at the dome until a soft sob brought her back to her senses.
That was the sound of the Seventh Prince crying.
The wet nurse gently shook the child, but she couldn't stop the crying. The crying gradually grew louder and eventually became heart-wrenching.
The wet nurse was so worried that she broke out in a cold sweat.
Consort Tong twitched her fingertips slightly, her eyes turning towards the direction from which the crying was coming.
Consort Tong propped herself up, her gaze fixed on the outer room. The head palace maid didn't hesitate long before quickly summoning the wet nurse.
The wet nurse rushed in.
The Seventh Prince, who had been crying his heart out, entered the room and his sobs gradually subsided, eventually fading into soft sobs.
The wet nurse tentatively handed the little prince over to Consort Tong. If one could not see the shocking sight of his left foot, with toes twisted into a ball and even stuck to the sole, the Seventh Prince would be a very cute child.
Consort Tong reached out and took the young prince in her arms.
The Seventh Prince bore a striking resemblance to Consort Tong, with fair skin and tears welling in his eyes. The little prince, who had been sobbing and crying incessantly just moments before, quickly stopped crying after being held in Consort Tong's arms.
His small body curled up into a ball, his big, dark eyes glanced at Consort Tong, then narrowed into slits, and he whimpered and fell asleep.
Consort Tong couldn't help but tear up.
Her nose stung with tears, and she held the little Seventh Prince tightly, refusing to let go: "My...child."
Consort Tong is holding the young prince.
She forced herself to sit up and ordered the palace servants to bring her a meal.
The Chengqian Palace was filled with jubilation.
The palace servants came and went in a hurry, and soon a small table was placed on the bed. On the table were a plate of fragrant Dongpo pork, two plates of seasonal vegetables, and a large bowl of milky white pork belly and fish soup, as well as a bowl full of rice.
Consort Tong ate a little bit casually.
She had no appetite but still managed to swallow two mouthfuls of rice with difficulty. She looked down at the little Seventh Prince, her mind still filled with Hesheli's words.
Should the young prince be adopted by Prince Chun, Longxi?
Consort Tong instinctively wanted to refuse the suggestion, but at that moment her mother's admonition rang in her ears again—being adopted by Prince Chun, Longxi, would be a great thing.
Consort Tong's heart skipped a beat.
The Emperor's anger, the Empress's shock—their gazes flashed repeatedly in her mind. Consort Tong, clutching her child, thought for a long time, and finally, that one sentence came to mind.
"His Majesty has gone to Chuxiu Palace."
"..." Consort Tong was stunned and lost in thought, feeling a sharp pain in her heart.
Consort Tong did not sleep well all night.
Meanwhile, in the Chuxiu Palace, the Emperor and his concubine were sleeping... well? It's hard to change a habit that's been ingrained for decades. Even after drinking several large jars of wine, Kangxi still opened his eyes the next morning.
Compared to his usual refreshed state, today his head ached so badly that it felt like he had been slashed with a knife, or like a hundred silver needles were piercing his forehead.
What happened yesterday?
Kangxi vaguely remembered that he had thrown a tantrum in the Qianqing Palace and then ran to... uh, the Chuxiu Palace? He looked around and the slightest movement woke up Wan Anran, who was lying by the bed.
Wan Anran rubbed her eyes.
She yawned: "Your Majesty... is awake?"
Yesterday, Emperor Kangxi was completely drunk and passed out.
Wan Anran was still somewhat conscious. After drinking the hangover soup, she became a little more sober. Then, together with Liang Jiugong and others, she held down Kangxi, who was trying to act crazy while drunk. After a whole night of this, she finally managed to doze off in a corner.
Kangxi had a headache, but hers hurt even more.
Wan Anran was pale and her brows were slightly furrowed, but she still mustered her spirits and got up to call the palace servants in to serve her.
The palace servants were provided with hot water and towels.
After applying a hot towel to the Emperor's face, Wan Anran then applied a cooling ointment to his temples. The refreshing scent of mint quickly eased Kangxi's furrowed brows. While he was changing clothes and combing his hair, Wan Anran even gave him a massage, a rare sight indeed.
After a moment's thought, Kangxi suddenly realized the truth.
Consort Qi must still remember how arrogant I was yesterday, and fearing that I will settle scores with her, so she is now trying hard to please me!
Emperor Kangxi coughed.
Even a cough would give him a throbbing headache. He paused for a moment before continuing, "What I said yesterday should not be spread."
But after he finished speaking, Kangxi felt a little awkward.
Speaking of which, when he came to Consort Qi's place, he did nothing but eat and drink, but... Thinking of this, he turned around guiltily, wanting to say a few words to comfort Consort Qi.
Turning her head, she saw Consort Qi nodding solemnly, almost raising her hand to swear: "I promise I will never speak of this matter."
There's no need to do that.
Emperor Kangxi chuckled, but before he could speak, Consort Qi asked again, "Does Your Majesty's head still hurt? I've had a hangover soup prepared. How about Your Majesty drinks a cup first and then has some warm snacks?"
After all, he had caused quite a commotion in Chuxiu Palace yesterday, and Kangxi felt guilty. He nodded and said rather reservedly, "Then have breakfast before you go."
Wan Anran smiled.
Soon, a palace servant brought over a bowl of hot hangover soup. Kangxi drank it all in one gulp. The sour and spicy flavor was quite appetizing and made him feel rather hungry.
The emperor and empress entered the flower hall one after the other.
Emperor Kangxi was somewhat surprised when Yinzhen stepped forward to pay his respects: "Why did you get up so early, Yinzhen? It's good for your health to sleep a little longer."
Then Kangxi glanced at Wan Anran and said, "Even if I were here, there would be no need to urge Yinzhen to get up. He's only a few years old, so it's fine for him to sleep a little longer!"
She spoke as if she were a stepmother.
Wan Anran replied irritably, "Yinzhen has always had his own plans since he was a child, and he gets up earlier than the concubines every day."
"...No way?" Kangxi didn't believe it. His suspicious gaze swept over Wan Anran, his eyes filled with doubt: "You lazybones..."
A vein bulged on Wan Anran's forehead.
She tried her best to maintain a gentle smile, but her eyes gradually turned cold.
You say it. Say it again?
Kangxi felt inexplicably flustered, and he subconsciously chose to change the subject: "It's getting late, let's all sit down and have our meal."
Yinzhen calmly took his seat.
He picked up his bowl and chopsticks and ate obediently, his long eyelashes fluttering gently. Yinzhen could feel his father's gaze scrutinizing him. He silently held his bowl and ate attentively, with no intention of saying much.
I wasn't like this in my past life.
From a young age, Yinzhen hoped to get more attention from his father, but no matter how hard he tried, his father's attention was always focused on either the most important Crown Prince or his eldest brother, Yinzhi.
Even if you don't count the Crown Prince and the eldest prince, Yinzhen was no match for his third brother in literature and no match for his fifth brother in martial arts. Among his brothers, he was almost the one with the lowest profile.
He studied desperately, and the result was summed up in eight words: rash and unpredictable. He then spent most of his life trying to change himself, finally earning the four words: noble character.
Looking back now...
Yinzhen gave a self-deprecating smile. He silently lowered his head and ate his rice, feeling that he no longer needed to force his father's attention.
However, this was something Yinzhen had not anticipated.
The next second, he heard his father's worried voice in his ear: "Is Yinzhen not lively enough?"
Yinzhen: …………
Is Khan Ama someone who cares about such things?
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