Well, Youqing couldn't refute that reason.
But this is indeed a difficult matter.
Youqing naturally had no good feelings towards the person who wanted her dead. Since the other party was after her life, how could she forgive them? However, the Empress Dowager heard from Kangxi that he only had a few months left, so it was impossible for her to actually do anything to her.
It's really frustrating.
"So how do you plan to handle this?"
Kangxi looked at Youqing and said, "I will make it up to you."
It wasn't that Kangxi lacked responsibility; he dared to tell Youqing about this, which already showed him considerable responsibility—at least he didn't hide it from her. It was just that this matter was indeed difficult to handle.
Emperor Kangxi did harbor resentment towards the Empress Dowager because of this incident, but she was already so old and didn't have many days left. He could only severely punish those who served her to ensure that the Empress Dowager had no one she could rely on, thus effectively silencing her.
Youqing didn't insist on what he wanted. To be honest, she was a living person, so why would she argue with someone who was about to die?
"Whatever you want!"
The Empress Dowager was uneasy as she had not received news of Youqing's death for a long time. She sent people to investigate again, only to find that all of her people had disappeared.
Now the Empress Dowager understood that something must have gone wrong, but Kangxi didn't come to find her. She couldn't very well tell Kangxi herself, and the matter eventually faded away.
Time flew by, and winter arrived. With the New Year fast approaching, devastating news came from Cining Palace.
"Your Majesty, news has come from Cining Palace that the Empress Dowager's condition is not good, and she requests your presence."
When Emperor Kangxi arrived at Cining Palace, there were many imperial physicians surrounding the Empress Dowager's bedside.
Upon seeing Emperor Kangxi arrive, Su Ma La Gu hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Aunt, there's no need for such formalities. How is Grandmother doing?"
Sumalagu said, her face pale, "This is not good. You should go and take a look!"
This might be the last time we see each other.
Upon hearing this, Kangxi's expression darkened.
"Grandma, your grandson has arrived."
When the Empress Dowager heard Kangxi's voice, her face regained some color, a final burst of energy before death.
Everyone made way for Kangxi, who reached the bedside and said in a sorrowful voice, "Grandma!"
"I have something to say to the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, everyone dispersed, leaving only Kangxi and Sumalagu.
"Grandma, please speak."
"You should know what I did to You Qing. I did something wrong, but it was for your own good. Your grandfather and father are both examples of what happens when an emperor of the Qing Dynasty is a womanizer. I don't want you to be one of them. I came to this palace from the grasslands and have lived my whole life here. I have experienced everything and it has not been in vain. I want you to swear that you will never indulge in male beauty. There can be no male concubines in the Qing Dynasty. Do you understand?"
Emperor Kangxi didn't like men either, so he could certainly agree to this.
"Grandson understands. Grandson swears that he will never indulge in male beauty in this life, and will never allow male concubines to appear in the Qing Dynasty."
"Very well, with your words I can leave in peace."
The Empress Dowager said he should put on a smile, which made Kangxi feel uncomfortable, and many images flashed through his mind.
When he was a child, Emperor Shunzhi doted on Consort Dong'e and ignored the other children. His mother was of low rank and had a difficult life of her own, so she could not take care of him. The rare warmth he received in his childhood came from the Empress Dowager.
After ascending the throne, it became a daily struggle of scheming. In retrospect, the Empress Dowager was a pillar of support.
"Grandma, you must be alright."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "I've lived long enough. You've done very well all these years, better than your father and grandfather. I'm very pleased."
"Your grandson will govern the Qing Dynasty well."
"Sumala Gu has followed me her whole life. After I'm gone, don't let anyone mistreat her."
"Grandson will take good care of Aunt Su."
"And about the Crown Prince, I know he has disappointed you, but he is still young. You can teach him slowly what he doesn't understand. Don't condemn him outright. Be patient. Although Empress Hesheli has many faults, the Crown Prince is your only legitimate son and the rightful heir."
“Grandma is right, I’ve remembered it all.”
Although Emperor Kangxi was disappointed in the Crown Prince, he never considered giving up on him.
The Empress Dowager looked at Kangxi and slowly closed her eyes.
The death knell tolled again and again as the Empress Dowager, who had served three reigns and helped two emperors ascend the throne, passed away.
The entire country was in mourning, and weddings and funerals were forbidden. Emperor Kangxi fell ill immediately after the death of the Empress Dowager.
By the time I realized it, it was almost Chinese New Year.
This year's New Year was clearly not as festive as in previous years, but all the usual rituals were still performed, which Emperor Kangxi found quite boring.
In contrast to Kangxi, Youqing had a good New Year outside the palace. She was accompanied by Chengying and Sangzhu, who were closer than family to her. They made New Year's Eve dinner, dumplings, stayed up all night, and set off firecrackers together...
The twenty-sixth year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign has passed, and a new year has begun.
After the New Year, perhaps the festive atmosphere lessened the grief over the Empress Dowager's passing, and the entire capital was no longer so superstitious, gradually returning to its former liveliness and prosperity.
Emperor Kangxi was busy throughout the year before and after the New Year. Even though he missed Youqing very much, he didn't have time to go to her.
It wasn't until the third day of the Lunar New Year that Kangxi finally had some free time to ask someone how Youqing had been doing these past few days. It turned out that she had been having a very happy time. Thinking of his own miserable life, Kangxi suddenly felt that being an emperor wasn't so great after all.
But the emperor couldn't just shirk his responsibilities; there was nothing he could do but accept whatever had to be done.
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