Chapter 11: The Grand Empress Dowager

Upon hearing that his Imperial Grandmother had summoned him for a meal, Kangxi thought for a moment and immediately understood the reason. If there was anyone in this world who most hoped to see peace and stability in the former dynasty’s harem, it would be the Grand Empress Dowager, who had lived through three reigns.

Well, it was his own impatience to blame. Kangxi lowered his head, fiddling with the coiled dragon jade pendant he wore at his waist, reflecting on his recent actions. Right now, the most urgent matter was how he would explain himself to his Imperial Grandmother.

With that thought, Kangxi no longer hesitated. He strode out of the palace hall and instructed,
“Liang Jiugong, prepare the carriage for Cining Palace. I am going to pay my respects to the Grand Empress Dowager.”

“Yes—certainly, Your Majesty! Oh, please slow down, wait for your servant…!” Liang Jiugong hurried to catch up. Lately, he didn’t know what had gotten into the emperor. His Majesty was acting on impulse more and more often—making life difficult for the servants. One misstep, and they’d end up on the emperor’s bad side.

Kangxi made his way toward Cining Palace.

Meanwhile, in Cining Palace, the Grand Empress Dowager was already waiting. Now in her seventies, she was an old woman—if she had been a commoner, she would’ve long returned to dust. But here she was, still enjoying her twilight years in Cining Palace. Over the years, Xuanye had done well as emperor, never once making a serious error. She felt she had done right by the entire Great Qing Dynasty.

But lately, Xuanye’s behavior had puzzled her, so she could only summon him for a direct talk.

And speak of the devil—

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!” came the eunuch’s announcement from outside.

No sooner had the words been spoken than Kangxi strode into the hall and knelt before the elderly woman seated before him.

“Grandson pays respects to Imperial Grandmother.”

“Good child, rise! Do you know why I summoned you today?”

“Thank you, Imperial Grandmother!” Kangxi stood and moved forward, taking a seat on the small stool in front of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. Hearing that his elderly grandmother was still concerned about the affairs of the previous dynasty, he paused briefly, a rare trace of guilt flashing across his face before he answered,
“Your grandson understands. I have worried you.”

“But everything I’ve done has its reasons,” he mumbled in a low voice, trying to excuse himself.

Xiaozhuang looked at Kangxi sitting beside her. Her grandson now carried a powerful presence and growing authority. Gone was the thin, frail child who had once been unloved by the late emperor. She remembered the uneasy look on his face when he first took the throne and sat alone on the oversized dragon throne.

A flood of memories filled her mind, all of which eventually settled into the image of the man before her—the Emperor. She slowly raised her now mottled right hand and gently patted Kangxi’s back.

“Xuanye, how long has it been since you last visited your Imperial Grandmother?” At that moment, she was not the Grand Empress Dowager who had lived through four reigns—just a loving grandmother fussing over her grandson.

Kangxi thought back. Lately, he had been so busy trying to uncover the soul from another world. Other than court sessions and administrative matters, his days were filled with meeting ministers. It had indeed been nearly a month since he last visited his Imperial Grandmother and his birth mother.

“Your grandson was wrong,” Kangxi lowered his head to hide the expression on his face. He realized he had been too narrow-minded. He shouldn’t have stirred up panic over mere ominous warnings. Who could truly know what the future held? A trace of murderous intent rose in Kangxi’s heart. Whoever dared threaten the foundation of the Qing dynasty—he would eliminate them without mercy.

After that, the two said nothing more. The two most powerful people in the Forbidden City quietly enjoyed this rare moment of family affection.

After lunch, Kangxi rose to take his leave.
“Imperial Grandmother, there are memorials yet to be reviewed in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Your grandson will take his leave for now and come visit again soon.” He hesitated, then added, “Lately, your grandson has acted without sufficient thought. From now on, I will reflect more carefully before taking action and will not make the same mistake again.”

Xiaozhuang remained seated on the couch, looking at his upright figure standing in the light.
“As long as you are aware of this, that’s all I could hope for.” She then patted the maid standing beside her.
“Suma’er, see Xuanye off for me.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” replied Su Ma La Gu—Xiaozhuang’s personal maid, brought with her from the grasslands as part of her dowry. She had stayed by her mistress’s side through multiple imperial transitions and was deeply trusted.

Once the two figures were no longer in sight, Xiaozhuang withdrew her gaze and turned it toward empty space, lost in thought.

As the saying goes, living to seventy is a rare blessing. To reach this age was no small feat. She could see that Xuanye was unwilling to speak further, and she was happy to give him a way out. Xuanye had taken that opportunity—that was enough. As for the rest, she believed Xuanye would handle it well.

She was old and couldn’t manage much anymore. The Great Qing was still Aisin Gioro’s world.

She… would no longer dig deeper.

A few days later, it was reported that a new edict had been issued—His Majesty had rewarded certain officials, from First Rank Ministers to Fourth Rank Ministers.

Was His Majesty too idle? Not only was he testing the princes’ studies, now even the ministers weren’t spared?

For a time, the ministers took great pride in receiving rewards. Those who weren’t rewarded began to reflect—had they done something wrong to displease His Majesty?

Peace returned throughout the entire palace.

The previous rumors collapsed without a trace. The Crown Prince’s position remained solid. The concubines once again swarmed to the Crown Princess’s Chengqian Palace. Since the Crown Prince’s status couldn’t be shaken, it was more practical to curry favor—maybe with some luck, they could bear another prince.

Of course, all of this had nothing to do with Changchun Palace.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has not entered the harem for a month now. The concubines are all anxious and hope you might offer some guidance.” The speaker was Consort Xi of the Hešeri clan—biological aunt to the Crown Prince.

Lady Tong sat in the seat of honor, her expression unreadable as she looked at the group before her. Just look—only a few days had passed, and they were already growing impatient. The Noble Consort of the Niohuru clan, along with Consorts Hui, Rong, Yi, and De—they had all come.

Once Consort Xi opened her mouth, the others didn’t speak, but their faces were all filled with the same plea: that she should persuade the emperor to enter the harem more often. She wished her cousin wouldn’t enter the palaces of these wretched women at all. How could she possibly be willing to help them? Especially when her cousin hadn’t entered her palace either. She hadn’t seen him for a month.

She thought back to the message she had sent to the Palace of Heavenly Purity a few days ago, inviting her cousin to Chengqian Palace—but he still hadn’t come. Her heart felt stifled.

And these shameless women still dared make a fuss!

“Enough. I understand,” she said impatiently. “His Majesty must have his own reasons for not entering the harem. I have no say in this. Instead of pleading with me, you should all reflect on whether you’ve done something to earn His Majesty’s displeasure.”

The hall fell silent.

Eventually, Consort Yi of the Guoluoluo clan spoke up.
“Her Highness is right. I shall return to my palace and reflect, and take my leave for now.”

She gave a graceful bow and walked out.

The rest of the concubines looked at each other and followed suit one after another.

The grand hall, crowded just moments ago, was suddenly nearly empty.

Lady Tong’s face darkened.
“Get out! All of you, get out of my sight!”

The few who had lingered jumped in fright and quickly slipped away.

“That wretched Consort Yi!”

Crash—a teacup shattered on the floor.

But Consort Yi was already far away. A step behind her, Consort Hui caught up.
“Sister, wait up for me.”

Hearing her voice, Consort Yi’s palanquin stopped. Once Consort Hui caught up, the two continued walking side by side.

“Why didn’t you give her any face today?” Consort Hui asked curiously.

Guoluoluo-shi, Consort Yi, was born breathtakingly beautiful. In a palace blooming with flowers, she was the most stunning of them all.

Consort Yi scoffed.
“Everyone knows Lady Tong would rather have the emperor all to herself. Only that fool Consort Xi would go provoke her. Did you see her face? Like everyone owed her something. I told you I didn’t want to come, but you insisted. Fine, I came. But I certainly won’t tolerate her attitude.”

Consort Hui looked at her beautiful face—unchanged after ten years. In the entire harem, only Consort Yi dared act like this.
“She is the Imperial Noble Consort, after all.”

“Imperial Noble Consort? That’s only because of her surname.” Consort Yi sneered. “If the emperor truly respected her, why not make her Empress? ‘Imperial Noble Consort’ sounds grand, but she’s still just a concubine—no different from the rest of us.”