The Virtuous Concubine

Yinzhen shook his head: "I will come to visit you often, but please don't hurt yourself, mother."

Malu patted his back soothingly and said, "You have to be able to endure loneliness, only then can you last long." Then she sent him off to study, while she herself followed the musician and the boy to see the musical instruments with great interest.

Queen Tong had just passed away, and although the successor queen was not as high-ranking as the first queen, and was not suitable for dancing and music, we had to wait before we could start. Now, it was good to satisfy my craving.

In the following months, Malu immersed herself in the study of music theory and fingering, as if she had found a peaceful haven. To the outside world, she used excessive grief as an excuse, and except for the necessary funeral rites for the late queen, she was quite indifferent to other affairs in the palace, and seemed to have the intention of letting go of everything.

The palace maids in Yonghe Palace were used to it. Their queen liked to mess around with these things, and they were still busy with their work. Favor was not important. Now their queen had both the position and the power of the palace in her hands, and her two sons and one daughter were all healthy. If she still competed for favors, it would be a loss of status.

No matter what rumors are spread outside, they will not prevent us from living our own lives behind closed doors.

Concubine Hui was ecstatic about this. Although she did not fully understand the real intention behind Malu's move, for her, Concubine De's concession undoubtedly meant that she would have the opportunity to take charge of the palace affairs again.

When Kangxi occasionally came to Zhongcui Palace to see her, she would hint that Defei was so sad that she couldn't extricate herself because of the death of the previous queen.

"Your Majesty, Sister Defei has been depressed since the passing of the late queen, and has no interest in even taking care of daily palace affairs." Concubine Hui spoke softly, with a hint of concern in her tone.

Kangxi frowned after hearing this. He knew best why Concubine De was depressed, but Concubine Hui's words made him even more unhappy. He and Concubine De were in a cold war, but it didn't mean that Concubine Hui could humiliate Concubine De in front of him.

"Defei is a sensible person. I believe she can handle her emotions well." Kangxi said in a casual tone, as if he didn't care much about the matter.

He immediately turned his head and looked at Concubine Hui with a sharp gaze: "You have good intentions, but we are both concubines, so why are you still worrying about her? I will naturally arrange the affairs of the palace, so you don't have to worry too much."

Concubine Hui was startled by Kangxi's gaze and realized that she might be too anxious. She lowered her head and said with a hint of panic in her voice: "Your Majesty is right. I was worrying too much. I was just concerned about my sister, Concubine De, and I had no other intentions."

Kangxi sighed softly. He knew what Concubine Hui was thinking, but he didn't want to pursue it too much. He continued, "Yes, I heard from the Crown Prince and me that Concubine De has been feeling down lately, so Xiao Sier specially asked him for a wire piano. But I never saw her play it."

When Concubine Hui heard this, she was moved and quickly replied, "Your Majesty, Concubine De has always loved music. Maybe she is just in a bad mood and has temporarily lost interest. I am willing to go to visit her and bring some musicians from the palace to relieve her boredom. Maybe it will help her feel better."

Kangxi looked at her in surprise and said, "The Fourth Prince asked for the zither because he was very filial to his mother. The Crown Prince gave the zither to show his brotherly love and respect. The Virtuous Concubine did not play because she knew etiquette and rites. It has only been more than two months since Xiaoyi's death. How can there be singing and dancing in the palace?"

After hearing this, Concubine Hui almost fainted. So whatever she said or did was wrong? If Kangxi really cared, and if the Fourth Prince was really sensible, this zither would never have reached Yonghe Palace!

She felt that the emperor just disliked her and was picking on her!

However, she didn't dare to contradict Kangxi. She just blushed and apologized: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was not thoughtful enough. I was just anxious and said something out of concern for my sister, Concubine De. I understand the rules of the palace and I dare not act rashly."

Kangxi shook his head helplessly: "Forget it, I will go back to the Qianqing Palace to take a look at the memorial."

He stood up and walked out of Zhongcui Palace with big strides. Concubine Hui was unwilling to give up, but she could only squat and watch Kangxi's back disappear into the night.

The night was dark, like thick ink spread across the sky, with a few sparse stars emitting dim and distant light. The irritability in his heart was as thick as the night, and it could not be dispelled. The accusation that Concubine De made against him in Baohua Palace that day had been lingering in his mind.

No one has ever dared to speak to him like this! He has always been in control of everything, his will is the law, and no one disobeys. Where does Concubine De get the courage to be so stubborn?

She was really spoiled by herself. Thinking this way, he went to Yonghe Palace to see what she was thinking. Kangxi felt that he just wanted to record the Fourth Prince under the name of Xiaoyi, anyway, the person was gone...

Apart from the difference in status, it would not have any impact on her relationship with the Fourth Prince. Kangxi even thought it was an honor, so he didn't understand why Concubine De reacted so strongly. She was simply ungrateful.

Kangxi was thinking casually, and when he noticed that the sedan had stopped, he was about to ask someone to continue to walk around, but when he looked up, he found that they were outside the Yonghe Palace. He hit Liang Jiugong on the head with his 18-bead bracelet and said, "You are doing your job better and better, and you dare to be my master!"

Liang Jiugong had followed Emperor Kangxi for many years and was familiar with the emperor's every move and expression. As soon as he felt the force, he knew that Kangxi was not angry at all, and even thought he did a good job.

Liang Jiugong sighed inwardly - oh - as a servant, watching the master quarreling, he also felt anxious.

The emperor has not been able to eat or sleep well recently. He has no appetite and can't sleep at night. He sees all this and feels pain in his heart. . . The people in the Qianqing Palace are trembling with fear every day. What's going on?

Now he is risking being fined to help these two people connect with each other. This must be better, right?

Take the bracelet with eighteen beads, for example. It was sent by the fourth prince of Yonghe Palace. Kangxi not only cherished this gift, but also took it to Mount Wutai for consecration. He has been wearing it since then.

In his opinion, this bracelet is not only a symbol of the deep love between father and son, but also a proof of the emperor's undiminished love for the Empress of Yonghe Palace. Based on this alone, Liang Jiugong is sure that the Empress of Yonghe Palace will never really fall out of favor.

Seeing Liang Jiugong only smiling flatteringly, Kangxi shook his head helplessly: "Why, do I have to go and get the cold shoulder myself? You only know her temper on the first day? Wait until she calms down before making plans. Go back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity!"

Liang Jiugong smiled even brighter after hearing this, and replied respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty is wise."

However, she was secretly thinking about how to let Concubine De know that she had put in a lot of effort to help the Emperor and her reconcile.

The eunuchs and palace maids guarding the gate outside waited until the emperor's procession had gone far away before they dared to run to report to Bai Xia Bai Fu, saying that the emperor had been there, but left again for some unknown reason.

Bai Xia and Bai Fu looked at each other, both of them showing surprise and confusion. Bai Xia whispered: "Come here at this time, could it be that the emperor will also give in to our queen?"

Bai Fu frowned and responded in a low voice: "Her Majesty is still angry. Fortunately, the Emperor did not come in, otherwise it would be a disaster. The two of them would have been in an even worse situation... But why did the Emperor leave in such a hurry?"