mtl008 Chapter 175: Going South to Eliminate Prejudice
Chapter 175: Going South to Eliminate Prejudice
The Empress Dowager paused after hearing this, glanced at Concubine Xian, then glanced at Kangxi, and said slowly:
"It's none other than Concubine Xian's child who presented me with a copy of the Diamond Sutra. When the imperial concubines saw it, they remembered the Wanshou Festival in April and kept praising Concubine Xian for her good handwriting."
Her eyes swept lightly over Concubine Nianhulu and the others, and their bodies stiffened slightly.
After a while, the Queen Mother withdrew her gaze and slowly twirled the Buddhist beads with her well-maintained hands.
"It's just that Concubine Xian is thin-skinned and very modest. I would say that the harem is full of old people, and the arrival of new people makes it more lively and lively."
As he spoke, he thought of Prince Yinji whom he had just mentioned, and added:
"Also, there are many children in this palace, but most of them are still young. We still need to bring in more new people to continue the royal family's lineage."
After hearing these words, the clever Kangxi roughly understood what was going on. His expression remained unchanged, and his narrow and long phoenix eyes swept across the concubines.
"What the Empress Dowager said is true. The people coming and going in the palace are all old people. It's better to have some fun. As for the children..."
He glanced at the little girl below him inconspicuously, with a smile flashing in his eyes.
"Having many children and grandchildren is a blessing."
Shi Nanxi below seemed to lower her eyes shyly, but her heart sank.
Old Liu is old and not from the Imperial Hospital. He left the palace after Concubine Ping's young prince died.
Before leaving, she asked someone to see her off, and Old Liu told her that his son Liu Yuanpan would take good care of her in private, but would not go against the principles.
Yuanpan Liu is the judge of the Imperial Medical Bureau and the emperor's confidant. Unlike Old Liu, Shi Nanxi understands and is very grateful.
However, in this case, no one would replenish her supply of the health pills with added contraceptive ingredients. One less pill would be needed, and she needed to make it clear as soon as possible that she did not want to get pregnant or have children for the time being.
Shi Nanxi's mind was in turmoil, and at this moment an idea suddenly occurred to her: perhaps this could be an opportunity.
Thinking of something, she suddenly glanced at Kangxi secretly, her eyes shy and timid.
Kangxi felt the gaze and looked over. Their eyes met and Shi Nanxi pretended to be panicked and quickly looked away, then lowered her head again.
There was a gleam of light in his eyes. The bait had been put down, and now it depended on who would take the bait.
This scene was seen by some attentive people.
Among them, Concubine Niuhulu tightened her hands on her knees again and again.
How shameless she is! She actually dared to seduce the emperor in public. I was furious and fearful at the same time.
Empress Xian was young, and although she had been sickly since childhood, she was cured by Old Liu, and the Emperor often stayed at her place. I guess what I said came true, for Empress Xian soon brought good news.
If this is true, Concubine Xian is so favored now. If she gets pregnant and gives birth to a prince, given the Emperor's favor towards her and her origin of a prominent Manchu family, she might be promoted to a higher rank, and the rank of concubine will be promoted to noble concubine!
Her breathing became heavier unconsciously. Jealousy and fear kept churning in her heart. Concubine Nianhulu made a decision in her heart.
Concubine Xian must not be allowed to get pregnant.
The eyes of others also flickered slightly.
At this time, the Queen Mother stopped talking and turned to mention the Crown Prince.
"The weather is getting hotter and hotter. The Crown Prince has been focusing on government affairs recently. As the Emperor's father, you should pay more attention to him and give him more advice. Government affairs are important, but health is more important. You can't let him get too tired."
Kangxi loved the prince the most, and upon hearing this he immediately said:
"Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your concern. I asked the Crown Prince to do the job because I saw that he was old enough and wanted him to gain some experience. I didn't expect that the child was so stubborn. After receiving the job, he worked day and night and devoted himself to it. The ministers in the court praised the Crown Prince highly. He is indeed young and still a child."
He said this, but his face showed undisguised pride and love.
"But what the Empress Dowager said is right. I will summon the Crown Prince to talk to him later. It is one thing to want to do a good job, but one should not be too eager for quick success. Fortunately, the child is about to get married, and the Crown Princess can also come along to persuade him."
Even though the concubines of the princes knew that the emperor favored the crown prince, they still felt a little uncomfortable at this moment.
The eldest prince's mother, Concubine Hui, was the most aggrieved. She did not want the emperor to always pay attention to the crown prince, so she interrupted with a smile.
"His Royal Highness follows the Emperor and is a capable man."
Then he changed the subject:
"I suddenly remembered that the weather is getting hotter and it is a good time to enjoy the lotus. I thought, why not have some fun and invite the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and all the sisters to the waterside pavilion of Yunya Pavilion to enjoy the lotus. What do the Emperor and the Empress Dowager think?"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor looked at Concubine Hui and slowly rubbed the jade ring with his thumb.
"Yes, the weather is hot, but Changchun Garden is cool. Concubine Hui, you should make good preparations."
When Concubine Hui saw that the emperor agreed to her proposal, she was delighted.
The Queen Mother didn't want to get involved, so she smiled and declined.
"You young people should have fun. I am going to worship Buddha recently so I won't join in the fun."
Kangxi knew that the Empress Dowager liked quietness, so he said:
"In that case, Concubine Hui, please do not disturb the Empress's peace."
Soon the time for paying respects was over, and Concubine Nianhulu led the other concubines to leave. Kangxi glanced at Shi Nanxi who was leaving with the others, and then glanced at Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong immediately retreated quietly, but Kangxi did not leave.
"Is there something wrong with the Emperor?"
The Empress Dowager put down her Buddhist beads, picked up the tea bowl and drank a sip of tea. She guessed that it might be related to Concubine Xian, and her expression became a little indifferent.
Kangxi pursed his lips and took the initiative to bring up his relationship with Shinan Creek during the re-election, of course, speaking selectively.
The Empress Dowager paused while serving tea, and her originally cold expression turned into a frown when she heard that Concubine Xian had been secretly teased by the Ninth Prince many times.
When he heard that Concubine Xian had been given aphrodisiac by her own sister Shi Rong under the moonlight, he could not help but put down his tea bowl and said:
"That Princess Shi actually gave Concubine Xian an aphrodisiac?"
Kangxi nodded, and he still felt angry and scared when he talked about it.
Seeing the emperor nod, the empress dowager picked up the Buddhist beads, closed her eyes, and chanted "Amitabha". After a while, she opened her eyes and asked in a deep voice:
"So the Emperor canonized Empress Xian for this reason?"
Since she had physical contact with the emperor, Concubine Xian naturally could not be allowed to leave the palace and marry. The Empress Dowager's prejudice against Concubine Xian was slightly reduced. She was also a poor child who was plotted against by her own sister.
Although not entirely true, Kangxi did not explain it, so it was considered as his tacit consent.
The reason why he told the Empress Dowager about this matter was to eliminate her prejudice and dislike towards the little girl. Now looking at the Empress Dowager's expression, he achieved his goal.
On the other side, Shi Nanxi, who was leaving Shouchunyong and preparing to go for a walk in Houhu Lake, was caught up by Liang Jiugong.
"Empress Xian, please stay."
"Madam, it's Manager Liang."
Hongying looked back and reminded her master. Shi Nanxi stopped and turned around, saying in surprise:
"Why is Manager Liang here?"
Liang Jiugong held the Buddhist whisk and greeted them with a smile.
"This old servant greets the Empress Xian. The Emperor has instructed this old servant to ask the Empress to wait for him for a moment. He will be here soon."
"I understand. Please ask General Liang to come and I will be right there..."
Shi Nanxi turned around and looked around. When she saw the pavilion not far away, she said to Liang Jiugong:
"Just wait for the emperor in that pavilion."
Liang Jiugong looked in the direction he was looking and immediately said:
"Okay, then Madam Lao, please wait a moment. I will go back to the Emperor first."
Watching Liang Jiugong walk away, Shi Nanxi led his men towards the pavilion they had just pointed to.