After some consideration, Emperor Kangxi decided to reconsider.
Qi Fei's initial intention was good, but she didn't realize how expensive animal maintenance was. Even if such a zoo were built, it would be a pipe dream to recoup the costs through ticket sales.
Of course, preparing a mini zoo to satisfy Consort Qi's interests was a good idea. Therefore, in addition to having people search far and wide and ordering rare animals from foreign countries, Emperor Kangxi also personally wrote a plaque for the courtyard, naming it 'Rare Animal Garden'.
For Emperor Kangxi, this was an unprecedented move.
Not only were there many discussions in the inner palace, but there were also many voices in the court. Although Consort Qi was the head of the four consorts, she had never been well-known. She was friendly, low-key and calm. Her father, as the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, was also deeply trusted by Emperor Kangxi and had done a lot. Moreover, she had two princes under her wing, and she seemed to have a bright future.
The once quiet Wanliuha family mansion has become much more lively.
Many officials and businessmen saw an opportunity and frequently visited him under the pretext of providing rare animals. Although Wanliuha Tuoerbi was efficient, he disliked socializing and had to choose to close his door to visitors.
He closed his doors to visitors, cultivating his character.
Having put aside a mountain of affairs and taken a good rest at home, Tuo'erbi had a new idea. He sent word to the emperor while simultaneously instructing his wife to send a letter requesting an audience with Consort Qi.
When her mother arrived, Wan Anran realized that her casual remark had caused quite a stir, even involving Wan Liuha's family. She immediately felt a little guilty, waving her fan and muttering, "Daughter..." She felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward and said it subconsciously.
I just didn't expect the Emperor to take it seriously.
The problem is that it's not easy to tell her mother about this... A blush rose on Wan Anran's cheeks as she sat in the chair, feeling deeply conflicted.
Lady Wanliuha sighed.
She didn't come today to reprimand her daughter, but to tell her something else: "Your father is planning to abdicate."
Wan Anran panicked: "Could it be—"
Madam Wanliuha quickly pulled her back: "This has nothing to do with you. Your brother is probably going to be transferred back to the capital. Although there is no rule in our Qing Dynasty that prohibits fathers and sons from serving in the same court, the position of Director of the Imperial Household Department is a very sensitive one. Your father has this plan."
Wan Anran's brows were tightly furrowed.
Lady Wanliuha patted the back of her hand: "Your mother sent your mother here mainly to see if you are alright. As for the memorial, it has already been submitted."
Wan Anran, who had been preoccupied with her own thoughts and weighing the pros and cons, was speechless upon hearing this.
So, they just came to let me know?
Meanwhile, Emperor Kangxi, who was reviewing memorials at Qingxi Study, also happened to see the memorial presented by Wanliuha Tuoerbi. He thought it was a response from Tuoerbi, but when he opened it, Kangxi was immediately stunned.
This was actually Wanliuha Tuoerbi's letter requesting resignation.
Kangxi's face was blank. He rarely showed a puzzled expression. He even closed the memorial, rubbed his eyes, and then opened it again.
The Emperor's unusual behavior made Liang Jiugong look puzzled, and he slightly raised his head to watch the Emperor's every move.
Emperor Kangxi held his breath and opened the memorial again.
He read it word by word, confirming that he had not misread it and that Wanliuha Tuoerbi's memorial was indeed a request to retire.
Emperor Kangxi rubbed his forehead and fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he closed the memorial and summoned Tuoerbi to ask him questions. The eunuch who delivered the decree had just left when he met the Crown Prince at the door. Upon hearing Tuoerbi's name, the Crown Prince's eyes flickered slightly.
He walked into the bookstore as if nothing had happened.
Emperor Kangxi's expression relaxed upon seeing the Crown Prince approach, and he happily instructed him to sit down. Several simple memorials were already laid out on the Crown Prince's desk. The Crown Prince lowered his eyes and flipped through his own stack of memorials, which, as usual, were all greetings and inquiries.
The crown prince showed little interest and his mind was elsewhere.
While reviewing memorials, he was still pondering matters. This morning, when Songgotu came, he told him about a major event: Tuoerbi, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, had submitted a memorial requesting to retire.
Songgotu had a very high opinion of Tuoerbi.
He stroked his beard and sighed, “The position of the head of the Imperial Household Department is not limited to one person. There are at least two or three people, and sometimes four or five. Although Tuoerbi rose to power because of Consort Qi, his position was not stable at the time of his ascension. However, in just half a year, he transformed from the head of the Imperial Kitchen to the head of the Imperial Household Department. He frequently served the Emperor and was praised repeatedly, which shows the Emperor’s high regard and trust.”
"Most importantly, Tuo Erbi was a loyal minister."
"...Torbi embezzled a considerable amount of money!" Yinreng was quite aware of this: "Not to mention the profits from selling wool products, glass products, etc., there was also the money for charcoal handed over by officials and merchants. The amount that Torbi embezzled could hardly be considered that of a lone official."
Soetu laughed heartily.
He explained to the Crown Prince in detail: "Indeed, a loyal minister should refer to someone who is not sentimental and does not curry favor with the powerful, but it can also represent a minister who is only loyal to the emperor. Tuoerbi just does this. The emperor may know about his corruption, but he will ignore it because of his loyalty."
The crown prince snorted coldly.
He changed the subject: "It's fortunate that Tuo Erbi has some sense. I think Lingpu is quite good from the perspective of the Imperial Household Department."
It's not that the Crown Prince is short of money.
Everything the crown prince needed came from the emperor's private treasury, requiring no thought from the prince whatsoever. However, the emperor didn't fulfill all of the crown prince's needs; only those approved by the emperor were met.
This is also why the Crown Prince was dissatisfied with Törbi.
The other party refused to help him because he had not obtained the emperor's permission. After realizing this, the crown prince made up his mind to release the person from the Imperial Household Department.
Originally, the prince was planning to find a way to get rid of Tuoerbi, but Tuoerbi was quite perceptive and directly submitted a letter requesting to resign. The prince's plans were going smoothly, but his good mood came to an abrupt end when Tuoerbi arrived.
Kangxi did not avoid the Crown Prince, but instead held Tuoerbi's hand and sighed, "Since you took office as the head of the Imperial Household Department in the sixteenth year, you have worked diligently for ten years, and everything has been excellent. Now you suddenly say that you want to resign, how can I... bear to part with you?"
Crown Prince: …………
His hand holding the wolf-hair brush trembled.
Törby was also used to the emperor's attitude.
The emperor and his minister chatted back and forth, creating a lively atmosphere. In the end, Kangxi did not grant Tuoerbi's request to resign, and Tuoerbi did not think he could succeed in one go. The two praised each other very harmoniously, and then Tuoerbi chose to take his leave.
After seeing Tuo Erbi off, Kangxi planned to visit Consort Qi to discuss the matter at length. He instructed the Crown Prince to finish reviewing the memorials before leaving, and then Kangxi hurriedly departed, leaving the Crown Prince staring blankly, his whole being radiating coldness.
Kangxi walked into the courtyard.
As soon as I entered the courtyard, I saw Wan Anran on a skateboard, nimbly spinning in an S-shape in front of me. Her steps were light and free, and she changed her steps freely on the skateboard, sometimes stomping on the ground to propel herself forward.
A graceful posture and a radiant smile.
Emperor Kangxi stopped in his tracks, his gaze lingering on Consort Qi for a long time.
At the same time, Yinzhen and Yintao were also looking at Wan Anran.
The two adults and one child exclaimed in surprise from time to time. Yinzhen, who seemed much more lively without his brothers around, couldn't resist the temptation of the skateboard. He put on a helmet, strapped on wrist and ankle braces, and came up to try it out fully armed.
Wan Anran stepped onto the skateboard.
She carefully watched as Yinzhen stepped onto the skateboard, occasionally reminding him to be careful and guiding him as he skated a short distance...
Yinzhen was staring down at the skateboard, and by the time he noticed someone in front of him out of the corner of his eye, it was too late. Fortunately, Kangxi was experienced and easily lifted Yinzhen up by supporting him under his armpits, preventing him from falling.
Yinzhen was stiff all over, and his cheeks were flushed.
He was both surprised and delighted, and a little shy: "Father!"
Wan Anran stepped forward with a smile to greet him.
Kangxi put Yinzhen on the ground and then picked up the skateboard and placed it in Yinzhen's arms: "Go play on the other side."
After saying that, he led Wan Anran inside.
This meant that he had something else to say to Consort Qi. Understanding his father's meaning, Yinzhen led Yintao outside, leaving his mother and father to talk.
Wan Anran looked a little confused.
When Kangxi mentioned Tuoerbi's request to retire, Wan Anran suddenly realized: "I just learned about this from Mother, and it has nothing to do with the rare animal park."
"Of course I know." Kangxi flicked Consort Qi's forehead. "It's just a rare animal garden. If we're going to make a fuss over this, what's the point of building Changchun Garden or the Summer Palace? Wouldn't all the ministers be banging their heads against pillars? So what's wrong with Tuoerbi?"
"Firstly, Father's health has been a bit poor lately, and secondly, Brother also received an excellent grade in this year's assessment, so he might be transferred back to the capital," Wan Anran explained with a smile.
At this point, Kangxi also remembered something.
Qi Fei's brother, Tuoheqi, is skilled in both literature and martial arts. He has been training outside for several years and is now a third-rank military officer. After returning to the capital, he will at least be a third-rank military general or a deputy general. Therefore, it is only natural for Tuoerbi to want to step down.
That makes a lot of sense, but unfortunately Emperor Kangxi wasn't happy about it.
Torbi was honest and kind, decisive and efficient, steady and meticulous, and extremely efficient, truly a man of great care in every aspect. The Imperial Household Department had been able to manage all affairs meticulously and in an orderly manner for the past ten years, and Torbi had played a crucial role in this.
Tuoerbi submitted a memorial, which Kangxi rejected.
Tuoerbi submitted another memorial, which Kangxi rejected again.
After several rounds of back and forth, Kangxi finally reluctantly agreed to let Tuoerbi step down from his position as the head of the Imperial Household Department, but then appointed him as the head of the Changchun Garden.
After this incident, the court officials finally understood Tuoerbi's position in the emperor's heart. In addition, although the chief steward of Changchun Garden and the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department were both in charge, their positions were worlds apart. It was a good way to let him retire and recuperate. For a time, everyone in the court praised him, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Törby was also quite happy to have successfully changed jobs.
But his joy was short-lived, as his first task fell into the hands of Törby.
Expand the rare animal park.
Wan Anran was a little guilty that this matter ended up in her own father's hands.
The guilt only lasts for a very short time.
After turning to study the planning map, Wan Anran once again began to nitpick, striving to make the most of the northeast corner of Changchun Garden, incorporating various animal landscapes while maintaining the original scenery.
Törber: …………
For a moment, she couldn't tell whether the Emperor had chosen her as the head steward of Changchun Garden to appease her, or whether the Emperor had assigned her to be in charge of all matters at Changchun Garden because her daughter was too difficult to manage.
Despite his inner turmoil, Törby remained efficient in his work.
More importantly, when he is occasionally upset, he will secretly hug a little bamboo bear and tease it, completely captivated by the cute little black and white creature.
Emperor Kangxi, who happened to witness this scene, fell into deep thought.
At this point, he discovered that Consort Qi and Törby had some similarities.
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