The sky was getting light, and the day was brewing in the winter. Gradually, morning light came through the window, illuminating a corner of the imperial study.
It was the New Year holiday, and the grand court meeting with all officials would be held in three days. When the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince asked for an audience, the Emperor had just finished his breakfast. He held a memorial in his hand, but did not open it for a long time. He just leaned on the table with his eyes closed to rest.
Liang Jiugong was serving beside him, lowering his head, moving very lightly, not daring to breathe.
His Majesty has always been diligent. Since he took power, he has almost never seen such a lazy scene. Alas, I think the Imperial Concubine really touched the Emperor's heart...
Kangxi closed his eyes, feeling mixed emotions. Although no one had arrived at the Cining Palace and the Ningshou Palace yet, there was such a big commotion yesterday, the ancestors and the Empress Dowager must have known about it.
He sighed secretly. He must not be careless in his words to the two queen mothers. Besides, the interrogation of Liu Qin, the dog slave, was still going on. He sent guards to investigate the secret of Yinzuo's poisoning and the source of all the rumors. When the day came when the testimony was presented, if it was not an injustice, Tong Jia would never be her imperial concubine again.
Hehe, Imperial Concubine. He had been deceived for many years and never recognized this cousin. She was used to pretending to be nice, but she didn't know what kind of vicious heart was hidden under her appearance.
Even if he had a disagreement with Concubine Wu, what was Yinzuo's fault
How could such a vicious woman deserve to be the head of Chengqian Palace
It would be better to accompany Uya!
The emperor's thoughts were in a mess, his face gradually became cold, and he slowly put down the memorial. Tong Jia was not worthy of being a mother and only made Yinzhen suffer.
Yinzhen's admiration for Tong Jia could not be fake, how could he not see it
The six or seven-year-old child longed for his mother's care, but his biological mother turned a blind eye and his adoptive mother had ulterior motives...
Whenever I think of this, a raging rage sweeps over my heart, and a bit of guilt and heartache follows. He really didn't know people well enough. He really didn't know people well enough.
Later, Tong Jia was gone, and Yinzhen was left without a mother. Looking at the entire harem, who could be a good mother
This child has suffered enough!
He needs to discuss the matter of registration with his ancestors.
Just as he was thinking about it, Liang Jiugong reported that the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince had arrived.
**
I didn't expect Yinzhen to say that. He didn't want to change the jade book, and he didn't want to make his second brother worry...
—This child is too sensible.
While feeling distressed and relieved, the emperor sensed something was wrong. What did it mean to not let the second brother worry? Where did Xiao Si hear this
Putting all this aside for now, he sighed gently and said to the little kid in front of him, "Get up, get up. I have already rescinded the order. The Imperial Concubine is not qualified to be your mother after what she did."
Kangxi paused, wanting to say something soothing, but Yinzhen stood up, raised his chubby face, nodded, shook his head, his eyes reddened, and whispered, "Father, what I mean is that I will never change again."
He tightly grasped his sleeves with his hands, as if he was having a fierce struggle with himself. Finally, he made up his mind, lowered his head, mustered up great courage, and stammered: "I heard Mother... No, the Imperial Concubine was talking to Nanny Zhen. Nanny Zhen wanted me to change my status and compete with my second brother... I, I won't, Father Huang. I don't want to..."
Yinzhen spoke haltingly and ended up crying. Kangxi listened attentively and actually understood what he wanted to express.
Changed his identity and competed with the prince... So that's how it is!
What else doesn't he understand
Concubine Wu was no longer Concubine De. She was from the bannermen and was demoted to Jingqi Pavilion. Yinzhen's background could no longer be compared with Yinzhi and others, and was naturally inferior to them.
Although the child was young, he realized early on the special aspects of changing the jade book, and knew that if it was recorded under the name of the Imperial Noble Consort, his identity would be different from before.
Kangxi's face darkened. What the old ancestor worried about finally came true - Tong Jia wanted to become Yinzhen's biological mother, not out of kindness? It was probably to satisfy her own desires, and to shake the country's foundation and pull down the prince's ambition!
The doubt was immediately solved. At this moment, he had no time to be surprised or angry. He was silent for a long time, and then said, "Good boy, come, come to the emperor."
Yinzhen's eyes were as red as a rabbit's. Hearing this, he hesitated for a moment, pursed his lips, moved his feet, and did as he was told.
Kangxi reached out and rubbed his head, revealing a faint smile that was inappropriate at the time.
Man proposes, God disposes. Tong Jia never expected that her instigative words would have the opposite effect, making Xiao Si feel guilty and uneasy. He was afraid that after the jade certificate was changed, he would become a threat to his second brother.
Look at what Yinzhen said, I will never change it again...
He must be scared.
The emperor felt a little sad and moved. His fourth son, although obviously attached to his mother's care, was also able to distinguish right from wrong and remembered the kindness of the prince to him.
He hopes that the children will support each other and be as close as brothers and sisters. Isn't this what he hopes for
"I understand." Something inexplicable surged in his chest. Kangxi closed his eyes and said softly, "Don't be afraid. The Emperor is watching. Our Yinzhen is a good boy. Why should he worry about these things? And don't worry about your second brother. The Emperor will definitely handle everything properly."
Yinzhen clearly felt the emperor's happiness. A huge weight was lifted off his chest and he relaxed all over.
Then, he clenched his fists and opened his mouth, wanting to ask for mercy to go to Chengqian Palace to meet the Imperial Concubine, but in the end he hesitated and didn't say a word.
If he told it to others, the Emperor would be angry, and his second brother would be angry too. He... couldn't let his sixth brother down.
At this time, the sad Fourth Prince, with his head down, heard the Emperor gently ask him, "Which empress in the harem do you think is the kindest and would be a good mother?"
******
At the same time, Yikun Palace.
"I don't know as much as you do about the past events in the early years." The imperial concubine withdrew her gaze from the distance and said softly, "It's nothing more than her children who died young. Maybe they have a great connection with the imperial concubine."
The Imperial Concubine entered the palace later than Yunxiu. Because Empress Xiaozhao was seriously ill, Duke Niuhuru's mansion sent the Imperial Concubine to the palace to take care of her.
She only knew that Concubine Rong was favored in her early years and gave birth to five sons and one daughter for the Emperor. However, they died one after another, and in the end she only raised the second princess and the third prince, which was truly a pity.
Hearing this, Yun Xiu nodded and said, "Rong Fei has always been cautious, but this time she is willing to risk her life, which is very different from her usual style."
"As early as when she was fighting for power with Concubine Hui, she was quite eager, and I noticed something was wrong... Who would have thought that her obsession was the one in Chengqian Palace." The imperial concubine sighed, "If the truth is found out, and it is really as Concubine Rong said, she doesn't know if she will be blamed."
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Imperial Noble Consort's crimes were exposed in public. Although this pleased everyone, it also disrupted the banquet, making the Emperor's New Year's Day not very comfortable.
Yunxiu understood Rong Fei's thoughts. How could a private accusation be as shocking as being exposed in public
Speaking of which, Rong Fei's finding out Liu Qin, the servant who was doing bad things behind the scenes, was a great help to her.
She said, "You will be fined for disrupting the festival. The emperor has his own standards, and the punishment is just symbolic, far from breaking any bones."
"You do understand the emperor." The imperial concubine nodded at her with a smile, "I am far inferior to you!"
Seeing that the imperial concubine still had the leisure to tease, Yunxiu glared at her and said helplessly: "You are already overwhelmed by palace affairs, and you still have time to come and talk to me. I'm afraid Yin'e has not seen his mother as many times as I have, right?"
"..." The imperial concubine was not happy at once, "You are such a ruthless person. I have a little leisure time, so what's the harm in seeing Xiao Jiu?"
After laughing for a while, the Imperial Concubine talked about the one in the Yanxi Palace, and said mischievously: "Didn't you see how anxious Concubine Hui was? She wished that Liu Qin would die as soon as he entered the Ministry of Punishment... She thought she had won, but she was fooled by the Imperial Concubine and her servant for so long. The big joke she made this time is comparable to the poor treatment of the Eighth Prince by the servant."
The Imperial Concubine had always known that Concubine Hui had already placed spies in the Qianqing Palace, and she had guessed that it was Deputy General Manager Liu Qin. Seeing his performance at the banquet, she was now even more certain.
What if Liu Qin revealed everything and the Imperial Concubine was in trouble? What good would she get out of it
Speaking of this, Yun Xiu laughed: "I was wondering why she was so sure that Fulu was brave and powerful. It turned out that Liu Qin was behind it. Mingzhu was so glorious in the previous dynasty, and she had to fall to balance."
"Really..." The imperial concubine shook her head, not knowing how to comment, "She is just tying herself up in knots."
As they talked, the topic turned from Concubine Hui to Tong Jia.
"The Imperial Concubine is about to collapse. The Tong family was badly hurt before, and now without the care of the palace, they must be even worse than before." The Imperial Concubine smiled slightly and said slowly, "The Emperor is upset about having such a cousin, so who says he won't be upset about the Tong family? Tong Guowei is going to be in a state of panic again."
Yun Xiu took a sip of tea and chuckled, "Even without the Imperial Concubine, don't we still have the Second Young Lady?"
The imperial concubine paused and said, "Did they plan this a long time ago?"
"That's right."
"Will the Emperor approve?" The imperial concubine thought for a moment, her smile fading. "This Sima Zhao's intention..."
Yun Xiu put down the teacup and said meaningfully, "I didn't have that thought originally, but after seeing that second young lady, I'm not sure."
*****
Tong family.
Seeing Tong Guowei walking back and forth in the hall, Mrs. Tong, Hesheli, looked at him irritably and sadly, and said weakly: "Stop shaking, it makes me dizzy."
Tong Guowei looked at his wife and sighed deeply, "The Queen is locked up in Chengqian Palace, and you can't get in. What's the point of repeatedly submitting cards to the palace? Forget it, the Emperor won't allow it."
Upon hearing this, Madam Tong burst into tears, and her voice suddenly became sharp: "What do you mean by spare me? She is your biological daughter! The niece of Empress Xiaokang... How could the emperor be so cruel..."
Tong Guowei turned his face away and remained silent.
"Father, mother..." A graceful figure stood outside the hallway. She said softly, "My daughter also wants to go to the palace to visit her sister."
If Liang Jiugong were here, or if someone else had seen Empress Xiaokang in her early years, they would certainly be surprised.
The younger sister of this imperial concubine, the second daughter of the Tong family, is surprisingly 70% similar to the late Holy Mother Empress Dowager!