Chapter 72: The Emperor Falls Ill

Chapter 72 The Emperor Falls Ill

Hong Li and Hong Zhou entered the palace and stayed at the Princes' Quarter. Most of the imperial sons, except for the younger ones, had already established their own mansions outside the palace and moved out, leaving the Princes' Quarter rather empty.

Fang Yu went to visit them. Both Hong Li and Hong Zhou were eight years old this year—children truly grew up in the blink of an eye.

"Grandmother, I don’t want to go to studies," Hong Zhou said, looking up at her with a pout.

Fang Yu couldn’t help but laugh. Why did this child take after Yin Zhu? He was clearly Yin Zhen’s son. Hong Li’s temperament was much steadier than Hong Zhou’s. Indeed, one could tell a person’s future from the age of three. She patted Hong Zhou’s head and asked, trying to hold back a smile, why he didn’t want to go to studies.

"I want to play. Studies aren’t fun, and Grandfather Emperor is a bit stern."

"Is your Grandfather Emperor stern?"

Both Hong Li and Hong Zhou nodded at the same time.

Fang Yu hadn’t realized that the Emperor left such an impression on Hong Li and Hong Zhou. She had thought they would see him as kind and amiable. However, they didn’t spend much time with the Emperor—they might not even see him once a month. Yin Zhen and the others had probably warned them privately not to act recklessly or make mistakes in front of the Emperor, which was why the Emperor left such an image in their minds.

"Then do you think Grandmother is strict?"

"Grandmother isn’t strict at all. I love playing with Grandmother, and Grandmother always gives us delicious treats." Hong Zhou took her hand and shook it, looking utterly adorable.

"Tell Grandmother what you’d like to eat, but you still have to go to studies. Don’t follow your Sixth Uncle’s example. He didn’t study much, his handwriting is poor, and he’s a bit slow."

Hong Zhou let out a long "oh" and made a face at her. "Grandmother, you’re speaking ill of Sixth Uncle behind his back. I’m going to tell him."

Fang Yu pretended to cover Hong Zhou’s mouth.

Hong Zhou laughed and ran away.

By noon, Fang Yu joined them for the meal. The dining table was set with mutton, organ meat, tripe soup, and a few light side dishes: sugar-pickled garlic, sweet and sour radish, and soy-pickled cucumbers.

The organ meat and mutton were stewed until tender, and the tripe soup was seasoned with scallions and pepper. Fang Yu couldn’t resist having a bowl first.

Hong Li and Hong Zhou ate heartily as well. After they finished, Fang Yu took them for a walk in the imperial garden to aid digestion.

Although the Emperor had said he would personally teach them, it certainly wouldn’t be an everyday occurrence where he watched over them and taught them to read characters. After all, the Emperor was very busy. Bringing Hong Li and the others into the palace was merely to pave the way for Yin Zhen. The throne would belong to Yin Zhen in the future, and eventually to them, making their eventual ascension more legitimate.

On the second day in the palace, Hong Li and Hong Zhou began attending classes at the Imperial Schoolroom with their study companions. The Emperor occasionally checked their progress, and Fang Yu also visited them from time to time.

After a month in the palace, Hong Li and Hong Zhou left.

The Emperor gradually began handing memorials over to Yin Zhen, allowing him to handle state affairs, and started intentionally stepping back behind the scenes.

In the early spring of the 57th year of Kangxi’s reign, the Empress Dowager passed away. Perhaps the elderly Empress Dowager had sensed her time was near, which was why she had insisted on returning to the Khorchin tribe the previous year.

After marrying the late Emperor and settling in the capital, the Empress Dowager had never returned to the Khorchin tribe. People always held a deep attachment to their hometown—the place where they grew up.

The Empress Dowager lived her life without regrets.

After the Empress Dowager’s funeral, the Emperor fell ill again—or rather, his old ailment flared up. His left foot began swelling. This wasn’t the first time it had swollen; in severe cases, it would fester and make it difficult for him to walk. As people age, their bodies inevitably develop problems.

Fang Yu moved into the Palace of Heavenly Purity to personally care for the Emperor. After the Emperor fell ill, state affairs were largely handed over to Yin Zhen.

Fang Yu had just woken from her nap and stepped out of the bedchamber when she heard the Emperor scolding the imperial physicians.

"A bunch of useless fools! What use are you to me? You can’t even cure a minor illness. Are you deliberately keeping me from recovering? Are you all waiting for me to die?"

A group of physicians knelt, not daring to raise their heads, trembling with fear.

"I’ll give you three more days. If you still can’t cure me, prepare to lose your heads!"

"We will do our utmost, Your Majesty."

"Get out, all of you!"

The physicians scrambled away in panic, afraid the Emperor might change his mind and order their execution immediately.

Fang Yu could understand the Emperor’s anger and unease. Anyone who had been able to walk suddenly becoming unable to do so, having to rely on a wheelchair to get around, would feel unsettled. This was especially true for the Emperor, who had lived his entire life in a position of supreme authority. Accepting his aging body and the fact that he had become a "cripple" who could no longer walk was not easy. If she suddenly lost the ability to walk or to see, she would be terrified too.

The Emperor tried his best to act normally in front of her, neither losing his temper nor showing vulnerability.

Fang Yu wasn’t sure if she should approach, but the Emperor had already seen her, so she went over and asked what he would like to eat later.

"Anything will do."

Suddenly, both fell silent, the atmosphere growing heavy. Fang Yu knelt before the Emperor and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, you will recover. This is only temporary. The physicians will surely cure you."

Kangxi knew he was truly growing old, but accepting it was another matter entirely. He didn’t want Wuya Shi to worry about him, so he replied, "Yes, I know. I’m fine. Push me out for a walk."

Fang Yu wheeled the Emperor out to the imperial garden for a stroll before returning to the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Yin Zhen came to report on state affairs to the Emperor, so Fang Yu gave the father and son space to speak privately.

Half an hour later, after Yin Zhen left, two physicians came to change the Emperor’s dressing. Fang Yu watched from the side.

The Emperor’s left foot had begun to ooze pus. As the pus seeped out, it caused the skin on his foot to fester. She couldn’t help but frown.

The two physicians worked carefully, squeezing out the pus, applying medicine, and wrapping the foot in bandages. The process took a long time.

"I don’t like the smell of this."

The combination of medicinal and rotting wound odors was indeed unpleasant. Fang Yu comforted the Emperor, saying it wouldn’t last long and that the wound would scab over in a few days.

But clearly, comfort alone couldn’t lift the Emperor’s spirits. In the following days, as the physicians failed to find a better treatment, the festering on the Emperor’s left foot worsened. His outbursts became more frequent, and he no longer held back in front of her. He even executed one of the physicians.

Privately, Fang Yu urged the physicians to find a cure quickly. They couldn’t afford to delay any longer—the situation would only worsen. Amputation was out of the question. The only way to save their own lives was to heal the Emperor as soon as possible, by any means necessary.

The Emperor’s moods were unpredictable these days. The servants in the Palace of Heavenly Purity tread carefully, fearful of making a mistake and being dragged away for execution.

One day, when Eunuch Liang served tea to the Emperor, he failed to hold the cup steady, and the tea nearly spilled on the Emperor. The Emperor shot Eunuch Liang a glance and ordered him to be punished with ten strokes of the rod.

Fang Yu happened to be nearby and pleaded for leniency on Eunuch Liang’s behalf. After all, Eunuch Liang was no longer a young servant in his twenties—he was advanced in age. Even five strokes might be more than his old bones could bear.

In the past, the Emperor might have forgiven Eunuch Liang and not punished him for such a minor mistake. But these days, the Emperor was in a foul mood, and any servant who failed in their duties was dragged away for a beating.

Fortunately, the Emperor listened to her and revoked the punishment, only ordering Eunuch Liang to get out.

Fang Yu sighed inwardly. Serving the Emperor was truly like living with a tiger. As long as his foot remained unhealed, he would find fault with everyone, and even the smallest things would anger him.

A while later, she stepped outside and found Eunuch Liang still standing outside the hall. She went over to speak with him.

"Eunuch Liang…"

"My Lady…" Eunuch Liang bowed to her.

"Eunuch Liang, these next few days, perhaps you should steer clear of duties in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. There are others who can care for the Emperor."

Liang Jiugong also knew that he had grown old. In the past, he would never have made such a mistake, but now, with age, his hands and feet no longer obeyed him, making it difficult to even hold a small teacup. Consort De had his best interests at heart, and of course, the Qianqing Palace was not short of servants to attend to the Emperor—those who were younger and steadier.

"Your Highness, I wish to leave the palace."

Liang Jiugong had served the Emperor for nearly a lifetime. In the past, he feared leaving the palace, having spent his entire life within its walls and grown accustomed to its ways. But today, he realized he was old, and the Emperor no longer had much need for him. Rather than staying by the Emperor's side and risking his displeasure, it was better to leave. Outside the palace, he could use his savings to buy a modest two-courtyard house, hire a few servants to attend to him, and live out his remaining years in peace.

"Has Eunuch Liang thought this through?"

"This servant has. I am old; my hands can no longer steadily hold a teacup. It is time to leave the palace. I beg Your Highness to help me one more time."

Liang Jiugong had taken good care of her over the years, and Consort De did not mind helping him once more—by speaking to the Emperor on his behalf, allowing him to leave the palace and spend his remaining years in peace.

"This consort understands. I will help Eunuch Liang bring this matter to the Emperor."

Two days later, when Consort De saw that the Emperor was in a relatively good mood, she brought up the matter. The Emperor remained silent for a moment before saying, "Very well. He has served me for many years; it is time for him to leave the palace."

Consort De gently squeezed the Emperor's hand, sensing that he, too, might feel a tinge of reluctance to part with Eunuch Liang.

The Emperor agreed to let Liang Jiugong leave the palace. Liang spent a few days packing his belongings. Consort De gave him one hundred taels of silver, and even the Fourth Prince gave him two hundred taels. Initially, he thought the Emperor might be displeased with his request to leave, but the day before his departure, the Emperor sent someone to deliver five hundred taels of silver to him.

The day before leaving the palace, Liang Jiugong held the five hundred taels and wept uncontrollably. His master still cared for him; it had not been in vain to serve him all these years.

Not to mention the savings he had accumulated over the years, with these five hundred taels alone, he would live comfortably outside the palace. Yet, when the day of departure finally arrived, he was still reluctant to leave, turning back frequently.

He was deeply attached to the palace. In truth, he did not want to leave. Having spent his entire life within the palace, he had no idea how to adapt to life outside. But he was old and could no longer serve his master adequately. A servant who could no longer serve had no choice but to leave the palace.

Not everyone was as fortunate as Xiao Fangzi, who had the good fortune to serve an exceptionally kind master. Xiao Fangzi could grow old in the palace and live out his years there. Among eunuchs, Xiao Fangzi had a better fate.

Two young servants helped carry his bundles and escorted him out of the palace. As they approached the palace gates, Liang Jiugong knelt down, kowtowed three times in the direction of the Qianqing Palace, and only then rose to continue walking out.

Consort De, kind as she was, had arranged a carriage outside to receive him. Not many among the palace masters knew of his departure that day.

Even after boarding the carriage, Liang Jiugong wept. He hoped His Majesty would be well in all things.

After having his dressing changed, the Emperor unconsciously called out for Liang Jiugong. When the servants around him informed him that Liang had left the palace, he was momentarily stunned.

Seeing the Emperor's dazed expression, Consort De thought to herself that no one is immune to emotion. Liang Jiugong had been by the Emperor's side for decades; the Emperor must have felt some affection for him, otherwise he would not have sent silver to Liang.

"Your Majesty, shall I summon Eunuch Liang back?"

"He's already left. What would be the point of calling him back? He's old and can no longer serve. What use do I have for a servant who can no longer serve?"

His words belied his true feelings. In truth, it was for the best. With so much silver, Eunuch Liang would surely live well outside. At his age, it was time to enjoy life; leaving the palace meant he would no longer have to serve others.

Fortunately, a month later, the imperial physicians finally found a way to treat the Emperor's foot. The festering wound gradually began to scab over and no longer oozed pus or swelled.

The Emperor's mood also improved.

However, around this time, a rumor suddenly emerged among the people, claiming that the former Crown Prince was the most suitable successor to the throne. They began praising the former Crown Prince's past achievements, including his role in the negotiations of Nerchinsk and the signing of the Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia.

Some ministers seized the opportunity to submit memorials urging the reinstatement of the former Crown Prince, even raising the matter during court sessions.

Yin Zhen came to inform her of this. Consort De asked who was behind it.

"It certainly isn't Second Brother. It must be Old Eighth and his faction. Seeing the situation turning against them, they're bringing Second Brother into the picture to cause trouble for me."

Consort De felt that the former Crown Prince, having been imprisoned by the Emperor for many years, and with Yin Zhen gradually consolidating control over the court, even if some remnants of the former Crown Prince's faction remained, their influence was no match for Yin Zhen's. Thus, there was little to fear.

"Your Imperial Father has already entrusted you with handling court affairs. His intention is clear. You only need to stay steady."

Yin Zhen also knew that he only needed to remain steady. But he feared his Imperial Father might entertain second thoughts. He had witnessed how highly the Emperor once regarded and trusted Second Brother. Second Brother had not been deposed for a single act of treason but for many, indicating the Emperor's high tolerance for him.

There was no guarantee the Emperor wouldn't consider reinstating Second Brother.

Second Brother had fallen ill. Yin Zhen was unsure whether to inform the Emperor, fearing that if the Emperor visited Second Brother, he might reconsider making him the successor.

"Yin Zhen, your Imperial Father won't do that."

Unless the Emperor wanted to plunge the Qing Dynasty into utter chaos, he would not reinstate the former Crown Prince. Yin Zhen would never willingly relinquish the throne that was within his grasp. If the Emperor reinstated the former Crown Prince, a fierce struggle would inevitably ensue—brothers turning against each other, armed conflict—which would jeopardize the stability of the Qing Dynasty. She believed the Emperor would not do such a thing.

It was already the fifty-seventh year of Kangxi's reign. Even if the former Crown Prince wished to do something, it was too late.

"Your Imperial Father has no such intention. Right now, he only wishes to rest and recuperate."

Yin Zhen nodded in understanding. Later, he informed the Emperor of Second Brother's illness. The Emperor only sent imperial physicians to examine him and did not visit in person.

Although the Emperor might have had the intention, Yin Zhen knew he could not afford to fail at the final step. He increased surveillance on Second Brother and Old Eighth's factions, recalled his uncle, Uya Futai, from Shengjing, and stationed him at the Fengtai Camp. If there were any unusual movements, he would directly deploy troops to suppress them by force.

By early September of the fifty-seventh year of Kangxi's reign, the Emperor's foot injury had mostly healed, though he could not yet walk as before and still needed support or a wheelchair.

Consort De had been so occupied with caring for the Emperor that she had fewer opportunities to meet with the Imperial Noble Consort and Ying Shan. Finally finding some free time, she went to the Yanxi Palace.

As soon as she entered the front courtyard of the Yanxi Palace, she encountered Consort Hui.

Consort Hui did not look pleased to see her and immediately spoke with sarcasm: "Little Sister, you will soon be the Empress Dowager. Even the Imperial Noble Consort cannot compare to you. You've always been so close to the Imperial Noble Consort. If you become Empress Dowager, do you think she will resent you?"

"I advise Elder Sister to say less of what others do not wish to hear. In the future, it will not be I who depends on you, but you who depends on me. If I truly become Empress Dowager, you might be the first one I deal with."

"How do you intend to deal with me?"

"I will have Yin Zhen dismiss all members of the Nara family serving in the court and make the Nara clan disappear from the capital."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Consort De disliked Consort Hui, who repeatedly spoke harshly to her. She did not mind threatening her in return.

"Elder Sister, you will see whether I dare or not."

Consort De paid no further attention to Consort Hui and walked toward the rear courtyard, heading straight to Ying Shan's room.

"Did you argue with Consort Hui again?"

Consort De nodded.

Ying Shan laughed. "Now everyone knows it is the Fourth Prince handling court affairs for the Emperor, not the Eighth Prince. How does Consort Hui still dare to act so arrogantly in front of you?"

"Probably out of resentment."

When people are unwilling to accept defeat, they refuse to submit. Consort De was not afraid of Consort Hui. No matter what, Consort Hui was merely a consort in the inner palace; her influence could not extend far. As for the Eighth Prince and his faction, they were clearly also unwilling to accept defeat. Seeing their impending failure, they had begun making frequent moves—first bringing out the former Crown Prince, and who knew what they would do next.

She repeatedly reminded Yin Zhen to check his food with a silver needle multiple times and have the food tasters eat first to ensure it was safe before consuming it himself.

"Did Consort Hui give you any trouble?"

Ying Shan shook her head and said no.

"That's good."

"Is the Emperor feeling better?"

Fang Yu said she was much better and should be fine.

Fang Yu sat with Ying Shan at her place for a while before leaving. After the Emperor's injury improved, she returned to Jingren Palace.

The Internal Affairs Department sent her a batch of silk, saying it was all new fabric from the Imperial Weaving Bureau this year. At her age, Fang Yu no longer lacked these things and didn’t want to make new clothes anymore, so she basically gave these materials to her daughters-in-law.

There were too many daughters-in-law; principal wives were different from concubines, and those with children were different from those without. She would still make slight distinctions but ensured that every daughter-in-law received something. If it wasn’t their turn this season, it would be next. Being a mother-in-law wasn’t that easy either.

After organizing everything, Fang Yu had someone deliver the gifts.

A few days later, Wulanala Shi led Yin Zhen’s secondary wives and concubines into the palace to express their thanks and also to pay their respects to her.

She also reminded Wulanala Shi to strictly monitor the people coming in and out of the residence during this period. If any servants in the residence seemed suspicious, they must be dealt with promptly. Those serving Yin Zhen had to be completely trustworthy.

"Please rest assured, Mother. The servants serving the master have been with him since childhood and have worked by his side for many years. They are trustworthy. The residence has also added many guards, and Lord Long Keduo has sent many guards to guard the prince’s residence. There shouldn’t be any issues."

"Hong Li and Hong Zhou must also have guards accompany them when they go out. They should not go out alone."

Wulanala Shi agreed to each point and made assurances.

Fang Yu invited them to stay for a meal. After all these years of interaction, they were much less reserved in front of her and spoke more freely, sharing some stories about their relationships as sisters-in-law.

Wulanala Shi mentioned that Yin Ti’s consort, Wanyan Shi, was pregnant.

"Pregnant? When did this happen?"

"Just recently. Yin Ti told the master. My sister-in-law originally wanted to tell you, Mother, but since you were taking care of the Emperor, she didn’t mention it. It hasn’t been three months yet."

Yin Ti’s consort, Younger Wanyan Shi, and Yin Zhu’s consort, Wanyan Shi, are cousins. She and Yin Ti often argued, and Fang Yu didn’t bother to intervene. Though they quarreled, they had two children already, and with this pregnancy, it would be their third. So, she felt Younger Wanyan Shi and Yin Ti were quite well-matched.

Recently, she had been staying at the Qianqing Palace to take care of the Emperor, and the Emperor was in a bad mood. Perhaps Younger Wanyan Shi was afraid of troubling her and didn’t rush to tell her.

"I understand. I’ll go see her when I have time."

The next day, Fang Yu went to the A-ge suo to see Younger Wanyan Shi. Yin Ti hadn’t moved out of the palace yet, so it was convenient for her to visit. As soon as she saw Younger Wanyan Shi, she could tell she was pregnant. Those who had given birth could detect a slightly protruding belly even before three months.

She asked Younger Wanyan Shi if she was feeling unwell, and Younger Wanyan Shi said no, that everything was fine.

"Since you’re pregnant, try not to argue with Yin Ti during this time. Be careful not to upset yourself."

Younger Wanyan Shi smiled sheepishly: "Mother, I know. I promise I won’t argue with him during this period. I’ll yield to him."

"He should be the one yielding to you."

Younger Wanyan Shi immediately agreed: "Mother, I think so too. I’m pregnant, and if he doesn’t yield to me, I’ll definitely have to argue with him."

Fang Yu chuckled after hearing this. Younger Wanyan Shi’s personality was truly interesting. She didn’t have the conditioned sense of submission or husband-worship typical of ancient women. She spoke her mind, expressed anger on the spot without holding back, and was straightforward—making her actually easy to get along with.

Fang Yu sometimes had to admire the Emperor’s eye for choosing daughters-in-law. All three daughters-in-law had good personalities and were well-matched with Yin Zhen and the others.

In the past, she had worried that these young couples might not get along, given that they were arranged marriages decreed by the Emperor. But now she felt that as long as both parties were committed to building a life together, they could always find a way to get along.

"Mother, don’t laugh at me. I know the master and I often argue, and it worries you. I promise we’ll try not to argue in the future and not make you worry."

"It’s fine. At my age, I’ve seen everything. Argue as much as you want—I can’t control you anyway. Just remember, argue all you like, but don’t harm the child."

Younger Wanyan Shi nodded again.

Fang Yu offered a few more words of advice before leaving. On her way back to Jingren Palace, she looked up at the sky, which was overcast with dark clouds. It looked like rain was imminent, so she quickened her pace.

But halfway there, raindrops as big as beans began to fall.

"Your Highness..." Gui Yun tried to shield her from the rain with her hands.

"Let’s just walk faster."

Seeing the rain growing heavier and with a stretch of road still ahead to Jingren Palace, Gui Yun was afraid her mistress would get drenched. Her mistress was in poor health and absolutely must not be exposed to rain. She suggested that Fang Yu take shelter under the eaves nearby while she went back to fetch an umbrella.

Fang Yu felt it was only a short distance left and insisted they could make it by walking faster. There was no need to wait. Under her insistence, the group hurried back to Jingren Palace.