Kangxi wanted to investigate further, but he couldn't find anything out no matter how hard he tried. He knew this couldn't be rushed, so he decided to take it slowly. On the surface, the matter was considered closed.
He believed in Youqing, but others might not. He had just had the so-called evidence dealt with when it suddenly became known throughout the palace.
Emperor Kangxi was furious this time. The person behind the scenes was really unwilling to give up and his target was Youqing.
In the past, Emperor Kangxi would not have cared so much. If it weren't for the fact that he could see ghosts whenever he touched a woman, he wouldn't have doubted the authenticity of Consort Chun's pregnancy. So the person behind this is truly skilled.
Emperor Kangxi himself was puzzled as to when such a capable person had appeared in his harem.
Before Kangxi could find out how the news had spread, people from Cining Palace came over, saying that the Empress Dowager wanted to see him.
Upon arriving at Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager spoke directly: "The matter of Consort Chun's miscarriage has caused quite a stir, yet there's still no resolution?"
Emperor Kangxi wanted to provide an answer, but he couldn't find anything.
"Grandma, please don't be angry. Your grandson is already investigating."
The Empress Dowager glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "I've heard that a palace maid by Consort Chun's side has a close relationship with Consort Shu's mother. Is that true?"
Kangxi thought to himself, "Sure enough, I knew it was about this."
"That is true, but Consort Shu's mother entered the family later and had a distant relationship with Consort Shu."
The Empress Dowager said with a hint of anger on her face, "Is it because our relationship is not close, or because you can't bear to part with Consort Shu?"
Kangxi felt extremely wronged, but he still had to explain, otherwise if Youqing really got a bad reputation with the Empress Dowager, her future days would probably be difficult.
"Doesn't Grandmother trust her grandson's character?"
Previously, the Empress Dowager had believed it, but recently Kangxi had been spoiling Consort Shu too much. If she hadn't been so obedient, the Empress Dowager would have been restless.
What do you think?
Kangxi: ...
Emperor Kangxi was always reluctant to reveal that he could see ghosts, as it was too fantastical and others might not believe it even if he told them.
However, we still need to give an explanation to the Empress Dowager.
After dismissing the palace maids and eunuchs, Kangxi said, "Consort Chun's pregnancy is a false pregnancy. I have discovered that there are some people in the palace who are not very honest and are constantly making small moves. I cannot let this go unchecked, so I want to find out who is making these moves, but I have not found out yet."
Upon hearing this, even the Empress Dowager was shocked. A false pregnancy?
This was the first time she had heard of such a thing since entering the palace. Such matters were only recorded in some secret histories, and it was difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. It turned out that there was a real story behind it.
Are you sure she's faking a pregnancy?
“Your grandson would not be careless about such a matter. Consort Chun was unaware of the situation at first. Later, when her pregnancy was more advanced and she did not show, she found out. She probably thought of finding someone to take the place of her child. She fell down with the Imperial Noble Consort on the day of her miscarriage. Originally, she was going after Consort Shu, but your grandson blocked her.”
The Empress Dowager could still sense Kangxi's favoritism towards Consort Shu from his words. However, seeing that Consort Shu was honest and did not cause trouble, she stopped pressing her for an answer and began to inquire about Consort Chun's alleged false pregnancy.
Even Emperor Kangxi himself couldn't figure it out, leaving the Empress Dowager completely baffled.
As Kangxi was leaving, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but say, "I am getting old and don't know when I will be gone. I think Consort Shu is honest and sensible, but you must know what you should and shouldn't do. Don't lose your dignity. I don't want you to repeat the mistakes of your father."
Emperor Shunzhi, the father of Emperor Kangxi, caused the entire harem to be filled with sorrow because of Consort Dong'e. Emperor Taizong and Consort Hailanzhu were also deeply in love, but what was the result? In the end, it could not last.
They loved passionately while they were alive, but all of them died tragically.
The Empress Dowager was old and afraid, fearing that another philanderer would emerge in the Qing Dynasty.
Kangxi heeded the Empress Dowager's "advice," then remained silent for a moment before saying, "Grandson understands, and grandson will not repeat the same mistake."
The Empress Dowager nodded: "It's good that you understand. The Crown Prince's mother passed away early, so you should also be careful not to let anyone bully him."
"Grandson will. Bao Cheng is my and the Empress's own child, and I will certainly not mistreat him."
The Empress Dowager was reassured about this. Her grandson was better than her son, perhaps because he had suffered as a child and was more insightful and clear-headed. Regardless of what happened in the harem, she valued her child very much.
This is also why the Empress Dowager didn't particularly care about Consort Shu's favor.
After everything was explained and clarified, the Empress Dowager let Kangxi leave. Everyone else was waiting for the Empress Dowager to deal with Yongshou Palace. However, after two days, there was still no movement from Cining Palace.
The rumors circulated in the palace for two days. After Liang Jiugong punished a few people with a cane, no one dared to spread them anymore, and the matter seemed to have passed.
In Jingren Palace, Consort Tong looked on incredulously: "Even at this point, His Majesty is still protecting that one from Yongshou Palace. I really don't know what kind of bewitching potion she gave His Majesty. What a clever trick."
The old nanny standing nearby was also puzzled. Things had come to this point, yet Consort Shu hadn't been punished at all. This was too strange.
The maid next to the old woman spoke up: "Your Majesty, I suddenly remembered something. On the night that Consort Chun miscarried, she seemed to be intentionally moving closer to Consort Shu. However, His Majesty was with Consort Shu, so in the end, you and Consort Chun fell down together. At that time, I was standing behind you and I vaguely saw that Consort Chun seemed to be deliberately leaning against you."
Consort Tong's expression changed drastically: "You're not mistaken?"
The palace maid said, "I didn't see wrong."
If Chun agreed that it was intentional, then it would mean that she was suspected of orchestrating it herself.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
