Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Three days before the Minor New Year, a heavy snow fell in the middle of the night and didn’t stop until mid-morning.

The snow in the twelfth lunar month feels more auspicious compared to the usual winter snow.

Even though it’s still bitterly cold, some people staying indoors during winter are so poor they can’t afford two pieces of high-quality charcoal for three coins. They might even fall ill from the cold, yet they are still delighted by this snow.

Everyone knows that a timely snow promises a good harvest.

As the New Year approaches, the swirling snow seems to bring the taste of a bountiful harvest, and perhaps the next year won’t be a hungry one!

Even the palace maids serving their masters smile more genuinely as the year winds down.

The hot spring palace was no exception in the past.

On the Laba Festival, everyone received a bowl of thick and sweet Laba porridge.

For the Minor New Year, the managers wouldn’t skimp on clothes, lest it reflect poorly on the masters.

Although the masters were not present on New Year’s Eve, the managers and nannies would still ensure that the eunuchs and palace maids had a good meal, and the more well-behaved ones could even receive red envelopes.

They used to wake up every day looking forward to it, but this year, they just couldn’t bring themselves to smile—

“There’s still an hour and a half before serving the masters their lunch. Get the fire going!”

“Turn the racks diligently, ensuring the herbs and seasoning water soak through.”

The servants in the front and rear halls all wore pained expressions. Here we go again!

Accompanied by the crackling sound of the fire, a particularly domineering aroma of meat soon spread throughout the palace.

Only the guards at the palace gate, being farther away, were a bit better off. Everyone else, even if not hungry, was clutching their stomachs, drooling, and their eyes turning green.

How could it be so fragrant?

The servants serving the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were not inexperienced; they had seen plenty of fine wine and good meat, and ordinary flavors wouldn’t cause them such torment.

But... how could it be so fragrant!!

The slightly bitter herbs in the lamb’s belly, wafting from the skewer, created a sweet yet not sweet aroma.

The sugar substitute juice brushed on the lamb’s skin, mixed with some unknown seasoning, was slightly sour and spicy, making it particularly appetizing.

Paired with the cumin and Sichuan pepper powder that made one want to sneeze, the meaty aroma in the air, with its charred flavor, was like a hook, making people unable to resist peeking back and forth.

Yes, both the front and rear halls were roasting, fearing that the masters, especially the Empress Dowager, couldn’t resist, it was all done outside the halls.

It was absolutely unbearable!

*

Even Emperor Kangxi couldn’t resist, hurriedly taking a sip of tea.

“Close the windows,” Emperor Kangxi impatiently ordered, glancing at Geng Shuning, who was attentively listening to Qiao He’s report at the round table, his expression particularly complex.

It was hard to say whether he was more tempted or annoyed, but he no longer had the sense of control he felt half a month ago, and even felt some regret that Geng Shuning wasn’t a man.

On the first day this troublesome girl came to the front hall, Emperor Kangxi thought she was following the plan, actively entering the trap to be trained.

Dissatisfied with the Ulanara clan, Emperor Kangxi, for the sake of the Qing Dynasty, wanted to train a qualified empress for his son.

Who would have thought that as soon as this girl entered, she would be full of sweet talk, mentioning braised pork ribs today, beggar's chicken the day after, and jarred meat in a few days.

Every other day, the dishes, devoid of any medicinal taste, were even more delicious than what Emperor Kangxi had enjoyed in his youth, and surprisingly, the Imperial Physician did not stop her.

But strangely... the Empress Dowager and Emperor Kangxi ate and drank as usual, and even their trips to the privy were smooth, with the Imperial Physician saying their pulses were strong.

Emperor Kangxi had indeed asked the Imperial Physician.

The Imperial Physician listed all the medicinal herbs used in these rich dishes but still couldn't explain why these dishes, which were previously to be avoided, now did not need to be.

The Imperial Physician speculated that the seasonings and sugar used in cooking were different from the usual, but they couldn't specify how.

All they knew was that the Empress Dowager was as happy as if it were New Year's, drinking her medicinal soups in one gulp, as if she had seen a ghost.

In just half a month, the health of both masters had improved significantly, and some Imperial Physicians had secretly set up a longevity tablet for Geng Shuning.

When asked, Geng Shuning was quite open.

"Of course, I saw it in a dream!"

Geng Shuning couldn't explain the principles of xylitol and nutrition science.

When in doubt, turn to a bit of immortal wisdom.

"It must be because Sui Ning has been with you and the ancestors for so long, gaining more and more spiritual light, that she can remember these miraculous things. It's all the fate given by the immortals."

In short, she offered no useful information, and Emperor Kangxi was instead coaxed by Geng Shuning's eloquent mouth into revealing many secrets of the capital.

Although this was something Emperor Kangxi had planned to do, seeing Geng Shuning confidently report every day, sitting down to eat and drink as soon as she entered...

Emperor Kangxi couldn't quite discern whether he and the Empress Dowager had managed this girl properly, or if this dead girl had taken advantage, pretending to be obedient to learn from them.

Emperor Kangxi originally did not want to tell her too much, but this dead girl progressed too quickly, and teaching her was too rewarding, so unconsciously... he said more.

This girl even persuaded Fourth Master to relay all the palace news to the resort, saying it was convenient for immediate learning and application.

Emperor Kangxi chuckled in frustration several times, but upon closer observation, this girl was even clearer-headed than most ministers in the court, making him regret even more that she was not a man!

*

While Emperor Kangxi was inwardly grumbling, Qiao He stood by, bowing and reporting the situation in the capital with lowered eyes.

"Yesterday at the morning court, His Majesty reprimanded seven officials from the Ministry of Rites, and Lord Hesheri was fined half a year's salary."

Geng Shuning knew it was about Songzhu.

Previously, Kang Shifu had informed her that among the major families in the capital now, there was the Hesheri family, which he had personally promoted.

But since Suo'etu died in the Imperial Clan Court, the old master had been quite harsh on the Hesheri family, unlike his treatment of the Tong family.

Although the two families were not of the same branch, now Songzhu was the head of the Hesheri family.

Was the retired emperor helping Fourth Master suppress the maternal clan of Emperor Duane, making room for the new queen's maternal clan?

Emperor Kangxi observed Geng Shuning's frown and spoke with a cool tone.

"Without Suo'etu, the Hesheri family would have long declined, not thinking about how to serve the court, and the younger generation is also not striving, only knowing how to scheme."

"Songzhu has married two wives, Majia and Niohuru, and has several granddaughters of marriageable age, hoping to restore the Hesheri family to its former glory."

Under normal circumstances, Emperor Kangxi, out of consideration for Yinreng, would not openly suppress them.

He had always been adept at maintaining a balance, keeping the Heshenli and Nala clans in check to stabilize the court.

But when it came to war, just like during the suppression of the Three Feudatories rebellion, he had to promote families with military talents.

Geng Shuning understood that neither the old master nor her boyfriend wanted the Heshenli clan to produce another empress.

They wanted the Heshenli clan to step aside as quickly as possible for families with military prowess.

Geng Shuning didn't understand why the Qing Dynasty was so fond of relying on women in families to vie for power and influence, yet looked down on women in general. It made her uncomfortable just thinking about it.

Geng Shuning asked Qiao He, "Has anyone brought up the matter of appointing a new empress?"

Qiao He replied, "Your Highness, His Majesty said it would be discussed after the New Year."

"But the matter of deposing the empress is still widely discussed in the capital, especially during the New Year when families visit each other more frequently, leading to more rumors."

"Yesterday, a censor petitioned, saying that the deposed empress was misled by the Duanhe Empress and acted out of a mother's heart, which is understandable. He requested His Majesty to allow the deposed empress to be granted the title of consort and be buried in the imperial mausoleum after her death."

Mentioning this, Geng Shuning was also impressed.

The Ulanara clan seemed on the verge of death, but three months had passed, and she was still alive and well, even able to sway the court in her favor. Regardless of right or wrong, she was a formidable person.

If it weren't for the Ulanara clan's inability to hold on, Geng Shuning would have considered including her in her plans.

Emperor Kangxi caught the underlying meaning.

Fourth Brother had released the father and son of the Ulanara family. It seemed someone was unwilling to step back, and Yinzhen was using the Duke of Wu's mansion to stir up trouble.

The structure of the major families in the capital was mostly the same as during his reign. These families were deeply intertwined in the court, with many marital connections, making them difficult to suppress.

Fourth Brother wanted to reshuffle the deck and install his own people, but he needed a pretext. Geng Shuning pondered and immediately followed up with a question, "Has the Duke of Wu and Xingde been released from the Imperial Clan Court?"

If the Duke of Wu's mansion hadn't taken any action, no one would have spoken up for the Ulanara clan at this time. A dying camel is still bigger than a horse. The Duke of Wu's mansion might have exchanged something with others for benefits.

The most attractive thing was the deposed empress's knowledge of the Emperor and the palace, as well as the hidden spies that hadn't been caught yet. There were plenty of people in the capital who wished to stir the waters even more.

The Emperor frequently summoned ministers to the imperial study. As long as one wasn't a fool, they knew that after the New Year, the Emperor would make significant moves. No one wanted to give up the wealth they held in their hands.

Geng Shuning asked confidently, "What's happening in the imperial harem?"

Qiao He glanced at her mistress with admiration and nodded.

"The Empress Dowager received noble ladies in the Cining Palace. Some spoke up for the deposed empress, and the Empress Dowager, remembering the deposed empress's filial piety during her time in the prince's residence, sent someone to visit the Jingyang Palace."

"After the Uya and Majia clan's young ladies visited the Jingyang Palace, they actually supported the deposed empress to the imperial garden, where they encountered the imperial carriage."

"The two young ladies... cried pitifully, saying they were willing to take care of the deposed empress, causing quite a stir."

She cautiously glanced at her mistress. In reality, the message from Lin Main Officer said that the Empress Dowager's niece had also pleaded for the deposed empress.

She kept calling out "cousin," mentioning the early days of the Hui Consort, saying that the deposed empress's crime didn't warrant death and that she was a pitiful person.

It didn't stop the Uya young lady from crying so hard that she almost fell into the Emperor's arms.

When the deposed empress fainted, no one mentioned sending her back despite the cold weather. Lady Ma Jia and Lady Wu Ya had already mourned her as if she were dead, crying so loudly that many palace maids came out to watch.

Qiao He didn’t dare to elaborate, fearing it would offend her mistress's ears.

Lady Wu Ya, eager to show her kindness and her special bond with the emperor, used the deposed empress as a stepping stone, aiming to become the next Tong family.

Emperor Kangxi also figured out the intentions of Lady Wu Ya and Lady Ma Jia.

The Uya clan had been quite active since Empress Dowager De became the Empress Dowager.

As for the Ma Jia family... his eyes darkened. After the Third Prince's decline, they had set their sights on the Fourth Prince's descendants.

He looked at Geng Shuning with interest and asked, "If you were to become the empress, would you treat the consorts in the rear palace so kindly?"

To be an empress, one must appear virtuous and magnanimous on the surface, and skillfully balance these families, knowing when to offer rewards and when to enforce discipline.

Although the deposed empress had been deposed, she managed to come out with these two and even used herself to elevate Lady Wu Ya and Lady Ma Jia, showing some capability in this regard.

Geng Shuning smiled at him and said, "You, old man, have already seen through my nature, haven’t you?"

After accepting the sugar-coated words from Emperor Kangxi, she rushed to the front hall to flatter the old man, revealing some of her true nature.

She lacked the skills of a native lady of the family. She could understand, but she would never join in.

She had her own logical system: if someone didn’t obey, she would force them into submission; if something wasn’t useful, she would replace it. She believed in doing practical work rather than engaging in petty scheming.

She didn’t deny the role of scheming, but she would never be a qualified politician, nor did she want to be.

Emperor Kangxi realized this and felt much more at ease.

It didn’t matter if the women in the rear palace had talent, as long as they didn’t interfere in politics. Emperor Kangxi was more accepting than the average emperor.

He smiled wryly and pointed at Geng Shuning with a chess piece, asking, "The proposal you showed me about the elementary and middle schools, with female teachers, are you planning to have the consorts in the rear palace serve as teachers?"

Although it wasn’t explicitly stated, the teaching arrangements for the palace consorts were clear. Emperor Kangxi understood immediately.

This was preparing to turn the school into a retirement place for the Fourth Brother's inner court, like a family temple, but without letting people be idle.

Even a mouse passing by would have to pay a price.

Not to mention the rules, the families behind the consorts and concubines would not agree.

"Aren’t you afraid that the Fourth Brother will find out and set rules for you?" Emperor Kangxi thought of his son's stern face and didn’t even want to scold Geng Shuning for her naivety.

He just smiled slyly, waiting for her to stumble and learn the hard way.

Geng Shuning raised an eyebrow slightly. Who would set rules for whom was not certain.

But some things could be said to a boyfriend, but saying them to Kang Shifu would be suicidal.

She showed the proposal to the old man to let him know about it and prepare mentally, so he wouldn’t get too upset.

Geng Shuning suppressed her excitement and recalled what Emperor Kangxi had told her about the situation in the capital, understanding the key to the palace farce.

"These two families were instigated to be the scapegoats... Is the Empress Dowager at odds with the emperor again?"

Qiao He blinked at her mistress, "The emperor has decreed that Dong E Zengshou be appointed as the Duke of Wu, replacing the Duke of Wu as the minister of the interior and the commander of the imperial guards, and will take up the post of Shanxi governor after the new year."

"The emperor has also decreed that First-Class Duke E Lundai replace Lady Sotoro as the minister of the interior and be under the jurisdiction of the infantry office."

"The illegitimate brother of the first-class duke, Fahai, was promoted from a clerk in the Ministry of War to the position of vice minister, replacing the official position of the heir of the Duke of Wu's mansion."

"The eldest son of the Uya clan, Bai Qi, the brother of the Empress Dowager, wanted to accompany Nian Gengyao to Shanxi, but the Emperor did not permit it."

"The second son of the Uya clan tried to follow the path of the eldest son of the Ma Jia clan and Dingliuha clan in late autumn, aiming to become a cavalry captain in the infantry yamen... but failed."

Although the Empress Dowager's maternal family is also a first-class duke, during such reshuffling times, the Emperor did not show any consideration for his external family.

He even promoted Tong Siya, who was particularly at odds with the Empress Dowager, making it hard for the Empress Dowager to calm her anger.

*

Geng Shuning drank the bird's nest soup sent by the Empress Dowager, silently pondering.

Prince Cheng had no heirs, and only three sons survived.

The legitimate son, Hongsheng, was in poor health, while the sons born to concubines, Hongxi and Hongjing, were of lesser status.

Prince Cheng's merits were insufficient to establish an heir, and the Emperor's decree was to win over the Donggo Shi clan, which had many members and more military achievements.

As for the Tong family, even considering the old master's face, suppression was possible, but they could not be denied dignity.

Tong Guowei had already died, and his legitimate son, E Lundai, and illegitimate son, Fahai, were at odds, but both had significant military talents. Historically, these two were part of Yinzhen's military team.

At Tong Guowei's place, Longkodo was ruined, and the other sons had not yet grown up.

But based on Geng Shuning's understanding of the Fourth Master, he would still promote Qingfu and Qingyuan after they grew up, to restrain the particularly unruly E Lundai.

As for the Uya clan... they excelled in eating, drinking, and having fun, but were useless in serious matters, so it was normal for the Emperor not to favor them.

The Empress Dowager was a smart person when she was a consort, but when it came to her family and Yun Ti, she became blind.

So those with ulterior motives could easily use the Empress Dowager as a pawn.

The Empress Dowager might not be unaware of the calculations behind it, but for the sake of her family and Yun Ti, she pretended not to understand and went along with it...

After sorting out the relationships, Geng Shuning picked up the bowl and drank the remaining half bowl of bird's nest soup in one go.

She asked, "Shouldn't the news of the selection of concubines be out by now?"

Qiao He widened her eyes and immediately replied, "You're right, mistress!"

"After the morning court yesterday, His Majesty summoned the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites for an audience."

"In the mid-afternoon, His Majesty left the palace to visit the residence of Songzhu to see the elders of the Ula Nara clan, rewarding Lady Hesheli with a complete set of palace-regulated headwear."

"After returning to the palace, His Majesty went to the Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager rewarded the Uya and Ma Jia ladies with a lot of fabric. It is estimated that the news of the selection of concubines will come out today."

The roasted lamb outside was almost ready, and the aroma wafted through the cracks in the window into the hall.

Emperor Kangxi couldn't sit still and went out with Liang Jiugong, regardless of Geng Shuning still scribbling with pen and paper.

Her maidservant was permitted to enter the hall to serve.

He wanted to see how far she could go, letting her do whatever she loved.

After Emperor Kangxi left, Geng Shuning's head ached from thinking, so she put down her pen and asked Qiao He and Qingfang.

"What do you think of the current situation in the capital?"

Qiao He and Qingfang exchanged glances, feeling excited, knowing that their mistress was giving them an opportunity.

Qiao He cautiously said, "In my opinion, the selection of new consorts will greatly change the situation in the capital. This time, the rear palace... is likely to admit many new consorts."

Geng Shuning smiled without speaking, as this had been agreed upon on the way to Huangxin Village, and she was not at all surprised.

Seeing that her mistress's expression remained unchanged, Qiao He continued, "The empress has been deposed. To stabilize the Eight Banners, His Majesty has kept the Duke of Wu's first-class dukedom to keep the nobles happy, and may replace the current Duke of Wu."

Qingfang added, "The eldest son of the old Duke of Wu, Xingchan, is currently serving as the governor of Sichuan. The legitimate eldest son, Fuchang, has always been frail, and the third legitimate son, Fucun, who is now nineteen years old, is more suitable to become the new duke."

She paused, then added, "The old Duke of Wu's wife died in childbirth, and the deposed empress, Ulanara, has always disliked Fucun. The Duke of Wu has also been suppressing Fucun. If he becomes the duke, the Geng family and the Qi family can win him over."

Even though the Duke of Wu's mansion and the Geng family are sure to clash due to the deposed empress and Geng Shuning, there are no permanent enemies, only insufficient benefits.

Being kind to the new duke could help Geng Shuning build a reputation for being virtuous and also counter the families behind the other consorts entering the palace.

Everyone assumed Geng Shuning was keeping an eye on palace gossip to solidify her spot as empress.

If they knew that Geng Shuning was planning to deceive the Grand Empress Dowager and play a major trick on the Grand Empress Dowager and the Duke, they would certainly not have given her such advice.

Geng Shuning's eyes lit up with inspiration from their words.

Not only can we win over the Duke of Wu's mansion, but we shouldn't just focus on the boyfriend's harem. The consorts in the rear palace of the old man also have considerable influence behind them!

Even little Xiao Nian Gao is six now—time for kindergarten!