Rong Fei is not honored

Chapter 721 Who doesn't praise Cheng Rui's personality?

Cining Palace

After hearing the Emperor's purpose, the Empress Dowager did not say much and followed his filial piety to the open space.

Although the summer sun was unbearable, even if the Imperial Household Department was short of ice, the Cining Palace would not be short of its share.

So, after the Empress Dowager sat down in the courtyard, the palace servants around her busied themselves. The sun overhead was blocked, and palace servants fanned her and brought her coolness from the ice basin.

"For now, we can only ask for the Empress Dowager's help."

"It's nothing for me to suffer a little, Your Majesty, but has the fish you were trying to catch taken the bait?" The Empress Dowager had been paying close attention to Kangxi's expression, and noticing something amiss, her eyes flickered. "What's wrong?"

Kangxi smiled and said, "It's nothing. How did Grandmother know? Did Consort Rong tell you?"

"Don't blame Consort Rong. How could she not answer my questions?"

"Grandson understands and doesn't blame Consort Rong for being talkative. He's just a little surprised that she knew what I was thinking."

"I thought... there might be some misunderstanding here?"

Kangxi concealed the expression in his eyes and changed the subject, saying, "The Three Feudatories Rebellion has plunged the people affected by the war into misery. They have even colluded with some people in the court, thus angering Heaven and causing it to send down disasters."

However, Heaven is merciful and ultimately could not bear to see innocent people implicated, so it specially appeared in my dream to inform me so that the court could make preparations in advance.

Although I have arranged for the people to evacuate the city, the houses have collapsed and property has been damaged in the aftermath of the disaster. Reconstruction will be a considerable expense. The national treasury will cover part of the cost, and I would like to ask my grandmother and mother-in-law for help with the rest.

"Does Your Majesty intend for me and Uyunna to take the lead?"

"In addition, we will also trouble the Empress Dowager to do some work. The Empress is still ill and may not be able to take charge. The other concubines are not qualified."

The Empress Dowager frowned, as if remembering something, but swallowed her words back. Now was not the time to talk about such things. "This is a good thing, and I will naturally do my best to respond."

"Then thank you very much, Your Majesty."

"Speaking of which, I never knew that there was someone in the palace with such great abilities as Namuzhong. Even you and I were deceived."

Is there any other person who, like that woman, possessed such a powerful ability to bewitch people, so many of whom were still willing to work for her even after her death? Or perhaps, it wasn't someone she knew, but a hidden gem in Fu Lin's harem?

With the two Borjigit empresses she supported in the early period, and the favored Consort Dong'e in the later period, the other party had no choice but to lie low and wait for an opportunity. However, it is not impossible that she failed because of Fulin's early death.

Although Emperor Kangxi was unwilling to see the Empress Dowager's power in the palace continue to grow, he had no reason to hide this matter, just as he had done with the power left behind by Consort Yijing.

"In fact, the Empress Dowager saw them every day, but she just took it for granted and ignored them."

The Empress Dowager, being such a remarkable figure, quickly connected the dots after hearing Kangxi's words. She hesitated, then said, "Your Majesty is referring to them? That's unlikely, isn't it?"

Why does Grandmother think it's impossible?

The Empress Dowager remained silent.

Is it because they were slaves, their status was too lowly?

But how could the Empress Dowager, who had experienced so many trials and tribulations, be so naive? Ants may not lack the courage of bears and leopards; on the contrary, their insignificance can easily mislead others and perfectly conceal themselves.

"I wanted to add a touch of color to the Forbidden City, so I transplanted many trees here. I never expected that these trees would continue to absorb nutrients and grow stronger."

Even the parts above ground remain largely unchanged to avoid pruning, but underground, their roots continue to extend and intertwine. Unless the Forbidden City is turned upside down, who would imagine that the entire underground world belongs to them?

The Empress Dowager's expression changed repeatedly. She knew that the Emperor wouldn't have said such shocking things unless he had discovered something.

"What does Your Majesty intend to do?"

"Perhaps they were too confident and didn't worry at all that the earth dragon might hurt them when it turned over."

Does that mean she didn't take the bait? The Empress Dowager frowned and said, "I remember the Nara clan behind Consort Hui..."

After the commotion at Zhongcui Palace spread, the first and only person to come to the door was Consort Hui, who was originally a bondservant.

Emperor Kangxi had no idea what relationship he had with Consort Hui, but at this moment he could only go along with what the Empress Dowager said: "Nara's influence in the palace is not deep, and I am afraid that I will alert her."

The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement and comforted him, "Your Majesty, don't be anxious. As long as they have this intention, they will eventually be able to resist. If it really doesn't work out..."

If all else fails, we can simply flip the table. The Qing Dynasty has a vast territory; talented people may be scarce, but are we afraid of not being able to find lackeys?

"That's what my grandson thinks too."

After this topic ended, the Empress Dowager seemed to have thought of something and advised:

“Everyone in the palace is uneasy, especially the seriously ill Empress and Consort Yi, who is pregnant and has a newborn child to take care of. The Emperor must go and see them.”

Kangxi knew perfectly well that the Empress Dowager was advising him to spread his favors more evenly. He figured it was because his trip to Zhongcui Palace after court had displeased her.

"I'll stay with you a little longer, and leave after I've seen you and Empress Dowager settled in."

"Your imperial mother?" The Empress Dowager was taken aback.

Kangxi smiled and repeated Chengrui's original words, then said, "I thought he was very thoughtful, so I sent him to Shou Kang Palace to invite the Empress Dowager over. Actually, I should have gone myself, but I was thinking of you here."

The Empress Dowager was truly happy this time, not only because the Emperor cared about her, but also because the father and son were so devoted to Uyunna.

"Chengrui is a good boy," the Empress Dowager praised with a smile.

Su Ma La Gu, who had been listening silently to the whole thing, knew that now was the time for her to interject. She chimed in, "Everyone in the palace praises Prince Cheng Rui's character."

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but sigh. Su Ma was right. Who wouldn't praise him? This child is indeed a good child, but it's a pity that he is too weak. Otherwise, choosing him would have been a win-win situation.

The Emperor has always favored Chengrui. It can be said that this eldest son is the one to whom the Emperor and Consort Rong have devoted the most effort, and unlike Sainchahun, he is not too deeply involved with the Khorchin.

Of all the brothers, he was closest to Sainchahun, even if it was only because of Sainchahun's feelings for Uyunna?

Of course, such thoughts were fleeting. Cheng Rui was never the Empress Dowager's first choice, nor did it involve much sunk cost, so the Empress Dowager only felt regret for a moment before letting it go.