Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Suo'etu remained inside for a considerable time before emerging. As he replaced his official hat, it hid the wounds on his forehead, making him seem unaffected.

"Lord Suo, please proceed with caution," Liang Jiugong said with lowered eyes, stepping aside to make way. He appeared entirely unaware of what had transpired in the hall, neither knowing what the Emperor and Suo'etu had discussed nor noticing the injuries on Suo'etu's head.

"Eunuch Liang, you are most gracious," Suo'etu replied, his demeanor unchanged from when he had arrived, showing no signs of distress. Both were seasoned and cunning, after all.

Returning to the Hesheri estate, Suo'etu found the study still occupied by those awaiting his return. They were anxious to learn the next steps.

Upon the servants' announcement of Lord Suo's return, the waiting group's tension eased. Did Suo'etu's return signify the Emperor's leniency?

Upon Suo'etu's entrance, all rose, their faces briefly reflecting relief. "Lord Suo... your forehead?!"

Suo'etu doffed his official hat, exposing the injuries from his kowtow before Kangxi. "This matter is over. My injuries are of little consequence."

This self-inflicted injury was a necessary ploy. Even absent public reproach, the Emperor's lingering resentment toward the Hesheri family was inevitable. Suo'etu had no choice but to do this.

"Tomorrow, I shall feign illness until these wounds mend. As for Boweige, we need no longer concern ourselves with him. The Emperor will appoint him to promote the smallpox inoculation method among the princes. The Crown Prince's grave illness resulted from the White Lotus Sect's remnants infiltrating the palace. The Hesheri family bears no responsibility."

This maneuver shifted all blame to the White Lotus Sect, exonerating the Hesheri family. His forehead wounds barred him from court, lest the astute deduce and exploit the incident.

Having spoken, Suo'etu directed the steward to escort the guests out and dismiss them.

Seated in the study, Suo'etu ignored his swollen, broken, and bleeding forehead wounds.

Portions of his speech had, in fact, originated from the Emperor.

Had the Crown Prince's smallpox been managed via inoculation, the illness would have been less severe. However, the White Lotus Sect's remnants had exploited the situation.

Hearing this, Suo'etu's feigned remorse intensified from five to eight parts. But for the Crown Prince's fortune and the imperial physician's expertise, Suo'etu would have been the Hesheri family's gravest offender.

Now, Suo'etu genuinely felt dread. Overconfident, he had believed all was under his control, never foreseeing the White Lotus Sect's remnants exploiting his plans.

The Emperor insinuated that another party had abetted the White Lotus Sect, enabling their palace infiltration, evasion, and the Crown Prince's endangerment. Ultimately, the Hesheri family alone would have borne the blame.

Had that happened, the Hesheri family would have endured the Emperor's wrath and the tragedy of losing the Crown Prince, suffering a devastating blow.

Originally, Suo'etu had come to seek forgiveness, hoping the Emperor would let the matter pass.

He never expected to learn that he had been used and had nearly caused harm to the Crown Prince.

How could Suo'etu not be alarmed?

If the Crown Prince had died, who would have benefited?

The Crown Prince was the heir apparent and the eldest son. As long as he lived, the other princes would always be subordinate to him, even the eldest prince, who, despite being the eldest brother, had to pay his respects to the Crown Prince.

Among the concubines in the palace, only a few had sons, and their influence was not yet strong enough to pull off such a scheme. Consort Hui was still only of concubine rank, and Mingzhu was not yet a significant threat, unable to rival the Hesheri family.

To provide cover for the White Lotus Sect within the palace, it would require a high-ranking concubine with deep-rooted influence.

The only high-ranking concubines in the palace were the Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Tongjia.

The Niohuru family and the Tong family.

Both held high positions. Although neither had sons yet, once they did, they would become formidable rivals to the Crown Prince!

If the Crown Prince were to die, the position of the heir apparent would become vacant again. If these two concubines were to have sons at that time, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Suo'etu is also a man of suspicion. Once this thought crossed his mind, he couldn't help but delve into conspiracy theories.

After recalling the Crown Prince's recovery from illness, the Imperial Noble Consort was subsequently reprimanded by the Grand Empress Dowager and stripped of her palace authority. Now, the palace authority has been handed over to Consort Tongjia.

Suo'etu, who had previously overlooked this matter, now had to ponder deeply. If the Imperial Noble Consort had made a mistake in managing the affairs of the inner palace, it wouldn't have led to her immediate loss of palace authority.

The Imperial Noble Consort must have committed some offense to anger the Grand Empress Dowager, causing her to bypass the Imperial Noble Consort and hand over the palace authority to Consort Tongjia.

It was the Imperial Noble Consort!

She is now the de facto empress, just one step away from being officially crowned empress.

If the Niohuru family were to submit a memorial in due course, suggesting that the position of the empress is vacant and urging the Emperor to establish an empress, wouldn't the Niohuru family also have an empress? If the Imperial Noble Consort were to have a son now, as soon as she is established as empress, her son would become the legitimate heir!

At that point, the Crown Prince would no longer be the sole legitimate heir.

The Imperial Noble Consort!

The Niohuru family has always been competing with the Hesheri family, previously vying for the position of empress. If it weren't for the fact that his father sided with the Grand Empress Dowager, and Ebilun was a fence-sitter, wavering and indecisive, the Grand Empress Dowager promised that the empress would only come from the Hesheri family, which is why the Hesheri family enjoys its current glory.

Ultimately, the Hesheri family emerged victorious.

After the cunning Ebilun passed away, the Niohuru family has long been in decline, now in a precarious state, and it seems they are putting all their efforts into the Imperial Noble Consort, hoping to have an empress from the Niohuru family, or even become the maternal family of the new emperor!

The Crown Prince has always been cared for by the Emperor in the Qianqing Palace. Even if the Imperial Noble Consort had wanted to act earlier, she couldn't. This time, she must be seizing the opportunity to stir the pot.

Indeed, the hearts of women can be the most venomous!

The more Suo'etu thought about it, the more he felt this was the case. His expression grew increasingly gloomy, his eyes filled with malice. He would not let the Niohuru family have their way. If the Imperial Noble Consort wanted to sit on the throne of the empress, she would have to see if the Hesheri family agreed!

After Suo'etu left the palace, Liang Jiugong went in to serve Kangxi.

Seeing the broken pieces of the teacup on the floor, Liang Jiugong simply cleaned them up and told the young eunuch outside to dispose of the fragments. He had accidentally broken the teacup while changing the tea and went to brew a new cup.

Kangxi's expression had now returned to its usual calm. He was resting with his eyes closed, his forehead supported by his hand, showing no signs of joy or anger. Compared to the anger he displayed in front of Suo'etu, this calmness was even more oppressive.

This time, when Suo'etu came to plead for forgiveness, Kangxi raised the issue high but let it down gently.

Although it was partly due to the Crown Prince's illness that Kangxi had to be cautious, it was also because Suo'etu's efforts were still needed in dealing with the Three Feudatories.

The Imperial Noble Consort had her palace authority temporarily revoked by the Grand Empress Dowager, which kept her in check for the time being.

Since the Crown Prince has not yet fully recovered, the Imperial Noble Consort cannot request an audience. Once Baocheng recovers and the Qianqing Palace is no longer sealed off, the Imperial Noble Consort, repeatedly rebuffed by the Grand Empress Dowager, will leak the news to the Niohuru family.

At that time, the Niohuru family would not stand by and watch the Imperial Noble Consort lose her palace authority and be overshadowed by Consort Tongjia. They would certainly take action.

But to regain palace authority, the Tong family behind Consort Tongjia would not sit idly by and would inevitably join the fray.

Under Kangxi's subtle guidance, Suo'etu would think of the Niohuru family and would certainly not let them have their way.

Kangxi could then sit back and observe the conflict between Suo'etu and the Niohuru family.

Without Ebilun and with Aling'a still young, the Niohuru family is now in a transitional phase and no match for Suo'etu. This is exactly what Kangxi wants.

Meanwhile, the Grand Empress Dowager has once again claimed illness and refused to see her Imperial Noble Consort. She had been relatively stable, thinking it was just a temporary whim of the Grand Empress Dowager. But as Consort Tongjia, with her newly acquired palace authority, gradually dismantled her previous arrangements, acting like a new official setting three fires, making bold moves.

She even frequently provoked the Imperial Noble Consort. No matter how composed the Imperial Noble Consort was, she was almost at her limit. Consort Tongjia was simply too arrogant, acting like a petty person who had gained power.

What does the Grand Empress Dowager really mean? What does the Crown Prince's recovery have to do with her? At most, she had a hand in the affairs of Lady Uya. Why should the Crown Prince's situation be blamed on her? This is also being linked to her mismanagement. She can't even express her dissatisfaction.

Consort Tongjia has been provoking her frequently over the matter of palace authority. How can the Imperial Noble Consort swallow this anger? If it weren't for the fact that the Qianqing Palace is currently sealed off, and she can't go to the front court to seek Kangxi, she wouldn't be so passive.

Does she really think the Niohuru family has no one left?

A mere consort dares to step over her head!

If it weren't for the fact that this is not the right time to escalate the matter, with Kangxi currently focused on the Crown Prince, aside from political affairs, other matters brought before Kangxi would only be bothersome and not a good opportunity.

The Imperial Noble Consort can only send a message to the Niohuru family to bring up the matter after the Crown Prince recovers.

During this period, she has also closed her palace for reflection and has not committed any major mistakes, so it's not enough to directly strip her of palace authority.

Moreover, Consort Tongjia is just a consort, her status and seniority are not comparable to hers, and she has not committed any major mistakes. The Imperial Noble Consort is equivalent to the deputy empress. How can a mere consort surpass her in managing palace authority? This is a breach of protocol.

Cining Palace

"Grand Empress Dowager, the Imperial Noble Consort has come again," Suma Lagu whispered beside her, her expression neither sad nor happy.

"No matter how many times she comes, as long as the Crown Prince is not well, I can choose not to see her. Even if I do see her, I won't give her the palace authority. She has become too ambitious since reaching this position.

It's a pity for my Baocheng, who lost his mother at birth and has had a difficult time."

The Grand Empress Dowager showed a hint of regret and heartache on her face. Even though the emperor is protecting him now, Baocheng's future situation won't be easy.

As the Crown Prince, his future path is destined to be tough.

Now that Baocheng is still young, it's not yet that time, but once the princes grow up, and there's only one throne, even with a crown prince, how can they be willing not to compete?

As Baocheng grows up, if the relationship between him and the emperor remains unchanged, it would be fine. But if a rift develops, and there's no one to mediate, who knows where the father and son might end up.

Wasn't the emperor also very dependent on his grandmother when he was young?

She raised the emperor, teaching him how to become a ruler.

Now that the emperor has grown up and mastered the art of ruling, he has also started to be wary of his grandmother.

He no longer allows others to interfere with his decisions.

There is still some difference between the grandmother and grandson.

Even though the emperor still respects his grandmother, some things can never return to how they were.

She doesn't want the relationship between the emperor and Baocheng to reach a point she doesn't wish to see.

But although the emperor is Baocheng's father, he is also a ruler.

The Grand Empress Dowager fell into deep thought, and Suma Lagu beside her didn't know how to console her. This is the Grand Empress Dowager's heartache, and as she ages, she often thinks about these things.

The Grand Empress Dowager was once so spirited, even when Ao Bai was in power and acted tyrannically, she never feared or retreated. Now she seems increasingly somber.

Qianqing Palace

When Kangxi arrived, he went straight to Baocheng. Since Consort Rong was taking care of Baocheng, Kangxi took the opportunity to handle the accumulated memorials. He hadn't been seen for several days.

Even though they were both in the Qianqing Palace, they hadn't run into each other.

Despite this, Kangxi would still ask daily about Baocheng's condition. Hearing from the imperial physician that he is recovering, he felt somewhat relieved.

After finishing his state affairs today, Kangxi thought of going to see how Baocheng was doing.

He happened to come across Baocheng and Consort Rong while they were drinking their medicine. Kangxi gestured for silence, then quietly stepped behind the screen to watch.

Baocheng's health had improved. He had lost a lot of weight before, but now his plump cheeks were starting to fill out again.

At that moment, he was holding the medicine bowl and gulping it down in one go. Then, very skillfully, he snuggled into Consort Rong's arms for a hug, frowning and saying how bitter the medicine was.

He then got his wish—a fragrant hug and a sweet piece of candied fruit. The sweetness in his mouth made the little milk dragon squint with satisfaction.

Recently, he could see Consort Rong every day, which made him overjoyed. Although he would usually obediently drink the medicine without anyone coaxing him and wouldn't make a fuss, having Consort Rong coax him felt absolutely wonderful.

Although the little milk dragon looked so happy that he seemed about to burst with joy, he didn't forget the important matter. "Consort Rong, Baocheng has finished his medicine. You should drink yours too."

This was something that couldn't be overlooked.

Su Yi: ... Here we go again.

It's unnerving. Why is the little milk dragon so persistent? Every day after he finishes drinking his medicine, he starts staring at her, "Consort Rong, it's time to drink your medicine."

Su Yi: !!!

The look of pain on her face was almost unbearable.

But there was no escaping it. She wanted to deceive the little milk dragon into putting it aside, letting him sleep for a while, and by the time he woke up, she would have finished drinking it.

But this method only worked once.

Once, Su Yi had just coaxed the little milk dragon to bed. She was about to secretly pour out the medicine when she heard the little milk dragon's adorable voice behind her, "Consort Rong, what are you doing?"

Su Yi froze, then turned around with a strained smile. The bowl was still half-full. She was trying to figure out how to explain it.

Should she say she had already drunk half of it?

Or that she was about to drink it but accidentally spilled half of it?

Su Yi collected herself and said, "Listen to my excuse, no, explanation."

The little milk dragon looked at her, then at the medicine bowl in her hand, and then at the potted plant that seemed to have been watered recently. His big, watery eyes stared at her as he slowly said, "Consort Rong, no excuses. I already know."

His expression, seeming to say "how could you do this," made Su Yi feel a bit guilty.

"Actually, my hand just slipped, and it happened to spill on the plant. Do I look like someone who would secretly pour out medicine?"

Su Yi put on a gentle smile and calmly explained, trying to talk her way out of it.

At this moment, the little milk dragon's small eyes were full of distrust. He put his short arms behind his back, trying to make his expression as serious as possible.

This look was somewhat like Kangxi when he stood with his hands behind his back, but since he was so small, even when trying to look serious, he only managed to look adorable.

The little milk dragon said sternly, "Consort Rong, you're not being good."

Su Yi: Starting to panic.

Then the little milk dragon began to lecture her based on her earlier act of pouring out the medicine. Su Yi's hands holding the bowl were trembling slightly.

Save me?

After listening to the little milk dragon's endless reasoning, Su Yi felt a bit dizzy, and her head started to ache. She was more of a physical type.

She was completely out of her depth here.

Who could tell her why a three-year-old little kid already had such a vast knowledge reserve??

Whenever Su Yi tried to interrupt the little milk dragon, she would be met with his teary eyes, a look that said you're not listening.

"Alright, go ahead, I'm listening," Su Yi said with a look of defeated resignation as she sat down holding the bowl.

The little milk dragon then stopped his teary expression and started talking non-stop again.

It was clear that he had just been putting on a pitiful act. Now that Su Yi was compliant, he stopped his teary act and continued with a serious face, explaining to Consort Rong why pouring out the medicine was wrong.

Su Yi sighed, thinking that the child had grown up and was now using sly little tricks. He was no longer the cute and easily fooled little milk dragon from before.

After the little milk dragon finished his lecture, he asked her if she realized her mistake.

Su Yi nodded with a smile and said, "I know I was wrong, really." She thought to herself, next time, she’d do it again.

The little milk dragon nodded in satisfaction and then ordered someone to bring in the freshly brewed medicine. He had just seen Consort Rong trying to sneakily pour out the medicine.

So he had a new batch prepared, and just as he finished explaining to Consort Rong why her behavior was wrong, the medicine was ready to drink.

The little milk dragon even considerately said, "Consort Rong, this medicine can't be drunk if it's cold, but I had someone prepare a new one in advance. You can drink it now."

Su Yi looked at the steaming bowl of medicine and then at the little milk dragon's innocent smile, confirming in her heart that the little milk dragon was still a wolf in sheep's clothing!!!

"Consort Rong?" The little milk dragon smiled cutely, his eyes full of anticipation.

Su Yi swallowed her tears and drank the newly brewed medicine with tears in her eyes, saying, "You're so sensible, Consort Rong is so touched."

Then the little milk dragon changed tactics. After he finished his medicine, he would watch Su Yi drink hers. Su Yi tried to coax him to sleep first, but this ploy no longer worked.

Whenever she said this, the little milk dragon would give her a look that said, "Consort Rong, you're not listening again."

Su Yi had no choice but to drink the medicine under the little milk dragon's watchful gaze, feeling a twinge of sadness, thinking that the child had grown up and was no longer easy to coax, having become more cunning.

Then the little milk dragon immediately handed her a sweet piece of preserved fruit, saying like a caring little treasure, "Consort Rong, sweeten your taste."

Su Yi looked at the little milk dragon, who was smiling sweetly, his teeth showing, looking like an adorable little charmer. "Hmph," she thought, biting into the preserved fruit angrily, thinking that the little one had become too clever and was no longer easy to fool.

Kangxi stood there watching for a while, his gaze gentle, a slight smile on his face. The interaction between Consort Rong and Baocheng was quite amusing.

"Ahem," Kangxi cleared his throat, announcing his presence as he walked in.

Baocheng hadn't seen his imperial father for several days and had been asking about him. Knowing that his imperial father was busy with state affairs, he had been sensible and didn't fuss about wanting to see him.

Even with Consort Rong accompanying him, he still missed his imperial father. Now that his imperial father had arrived, and after Su Yi had been holding and coaxing him these past few days, Baocheng, who wasn't very good at acting spoiled before, now happily ran towards his imperial father.

Normally, Baocheng wouldn't act like this. Even when happy, he would obediently bow. But now, seeing Kangxi, he rushed over to be held by his imperial father.

But being too short, he could only hug his imperial father's leg, "Imperial Father! You're here!"

Kangxi saw Baocheng rushing over like a little whirlwind to hug his leg. He was about to say that as the crown prince, he shouldn't be so reckless, but when he looked down and met Baocheng's sparkling, joyful eyes, with some lingering pockmarks on his face, his heart softened.

Due to the Manchu custom of favoring grandsons over sons, Kangxi rarely held the little milk dragon. But seeing Baocheng, still recovering from illness but overjoyed to see him, Kangxi couldn't help but reach out and pick him up. "Have you been behaving these past few days, Baocheng?"

Even though he hadn't visited Baocheng, Kangxi had been keeping an eye on his condition. Knowing Consort Rong had been caring for him well, Kangxi felt somewhat reassured and focused on handling state affairs.

Baocheng was thrilled when his revered father picked him up, his smile beaming as he began to chat with him. "Yes! Baocheng has been very good! But Consort Rong hasn't been behaving."

Kangxi glanced at Consort Rong, who was sitting there drinking water. "I didn't do it, stop making things up," Su Yi put down her cup with a triple denial, looking completely unapologetic.

She wasn't the same Su Yi from a few days ago. What did the Su Yi who poured out medicine have to do with her now?

"Oh?" Kangxi sat down with Baocheng in his arms. Baocheng, sitting in his lap, spoke with a proud sense of accomplishment, "Hmph, Consort Rong tried to secretly pour out the medicine, but Baocheng caught her. But Baocheng already told her off, and now Consort Rong is being good and won't secretly pour out the medicine anymore."

Su Yi: You're already watching me drink it, how could I possibly pour it out?!! And you dare to say it!

Su Yi turned her head to drink tea, pretending to be calm and acting as if she wasn't the one being talked about.

"Oh, so that's what happened. I was already aware," Kangxi said with an expression that suggested he was well informed. "Your Consort Rong was caught by me once before."

She's a repeat offender.

Then the little milk dragon turned around, "Consort Rong?"

No wonder Father had him watch Consort Rong to ensure she took her medicine on time. It turns out Consort Rong wasn't caught for the first time.

"I've already changed, really, you know that, right?" Su Yi quickly changed her expression, looking pitiful. "Haven't I been drinking the medicine with you these past few days?"

She looked like she was about to cry but held back, "Are you still going to tell on Consort Rong?" She started to pull out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

'I didn't mean to trick you, baby, but you were so convincing that day, I was scared!!'

Thinking this, Su Yi's eyes actually welled up with tears. It was too heartbreaking; she had been drinking medicine for days and was about to vomit. When will this nightmare end?

Kangxi, seeing Consort Rong like this, knew she was acting again and didn't bother to respond.

But the little milk dragon couldn't tell. Seeing Consort Rong on the verge of tears, he panicked.

"Consort Rong, don't cry, I won't scold you anymore," he said, moving closer to comfort Su Yi, his little hands flustered.

Hearing this, Su Yi immediately put away her handkerchief and her expression returned to normal. "Okay then, you can't go back on your word. Let's pinky promise," she said, extending her little finger.

The little milk dragon was a bit confused. How did Consort Rong suddenly stop crying?

Then Su Yi took his little hand and hooked her little finger with his. "Okay, after a pinky promise, you can't go back on your word."

Kangxi watched from the side, reaching out to pat Baocheng's head. Consort Rong's mouth is a deceitful ghost; Baocheng will come to understand that in time.