The Virtuous Concubine

As for the fact that the number of concubines had already exceeded the quota, no one cared to see it. Kangxi's words were the rules, and there was no need to offend the emperor and the concubine.

I don't know why, but every time I come to the Yonghe Palace, I always feel very comfortable and reluctant to leave. Kangxi gave up the idea of ​​visiting his youngest son and called his second-youngest son.

Fourteenth was very lively and not afraid of strangers. Kangxi was very happy to get along with him. He felt that the family relationship between him, his lovely wife and young son, and that of father and son was truly beautiful!

Malu dealt with it in the same way, and smiled as he watched Fourteenth Prince stick to Kangxi, asking him all kinds of questions and asking for all kinds of things.

As for the Fourteenth Child, knowing that Kangxi liked children who were studious and curious, he asked Kangxi for reward by asking various questions.

It’s not that Malu didn’t have it, but Malu was more restrained in the children’s behavior, so Fourteen knew that his mother would restrict herself, but his father would not.

Kangxi was troubled by his questions, but he still patiently answered all of Fourteenth Prince's questions, gave him a lot of rewards, and let Liang Jiugong take Fourteenth Prince to choose personally. Only then did he calm down.

Malu waited until the Fourteenth walked away, then she put down her needlework and asked Kangxi with a smile: "How is it, Your Majesty, now you know what kind of life I lead every day, right?"

Kangxi smiled helplessly, his eyes full of doting: "This boy is indeed naughty. But he is also very smart and cute. This Fourteenth Prince, I am very relieved to have you teaching him so attentively."

Malu lowered her head slightly, not looking at Kangxi: "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. I am just doing my duty as a mother."

Kangxi disagreed with Malu's humble words: "You have done a good job. My children are blessed to have a mother like you to teach them. If all the children in the palace could be taught by you, I don't know how much less trouble I would have."

this...?

Malu was confused by the sincerity of his words.

Is this a hint that she wants to be the queen, or does she want to talk to me about the eldest prince?

Only the Queen can legitimately teach all of Kangxi's children. Kangxi's recent worry is probably about the decision on the struggle between the eldest prince and the crown prince.

Malu thought about it quickly several times but still had no idea what Kangxi meant. She didn't know how to answer. She raised her eyes cautiously and saw that Kangxi seemed to be expecting her reaction.

Malu finally decided to change the subject for safety's sake. She smiled and comforted Kangxi: "The dragon gave birth to nine sons, each of them is different. The emperor's children must have their own characteristics, but there is one thing in common, they are all good children."

"Otherwise..." Malu smiled and pointed out the window. The Fourteenth Prince was running around, making the eunuchs and maids around him anxious. "If the whole palace is full of such monkeys, there will be no peace in the harem."

Kangxi looked in the direction Malu pointed and couldn't help but smile.

"It's okay. Children, being lively is a good thing. I think the Fourteenth Prince has great potential and will become a great man in the future. Yinzhen and Yinzuo are both good, and Wenxian can handle things on his own in the palace, right?"

Malu's heart was moved, but she didn't dare to express too much. She just smiled and said, "Then I will take advantage of the emperor's good words. I just hope that this one, and the two in the cradle, can grow up safely."

Kangxi nodded slightly, as if thinking about something. After a moment, he suddenly said, "Malu, I have an idea. Concubine Mi is pregnant again, and she has to worry about the young Fifteenth Prince. I am afraid that her energy is limited. After thinking about it, I think you are thoughtful and good at teaching children. Why not let you raise the Fifteenth Prince? What do you think?"

Malu was shocked when he heard this.

If there is anyone in the palace who has the least need for children, it must be her. Why are they stuffing more children into her hands?

Concubine Mi has been very favored since she entered the palace. After giving birth to the fifteenth prince, she became pregnant again so soon.

"Your Majesty, I know that you have great love for the Fifteenth Prince, and I am grateful for your trust in me. But I have carefully considered that Concubine Mi must be full of love for the Fifteenth Prince, and the mother and son have a deep affection. If I were to hand over the Fifteenth Prince to me to raise at this time, I am afraid that it would hurt Concubine Mi's heart and affect her pregnancy."

"Besides, I already have several children like Yinzhen to worry about, and my energy is really limited. I am afraid I can't take care of the Fifteenth Prince as attentively as Concubine Mi. I beg the emperor to revoke his order."

After saying that, she quickly took Kangxi's hand and nodded at Fourteenth Prince: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please look at Fourteenth Prince. How can I take care of him——"

Kangxi was just acting on impulse, and since Malu told him so, he naturally wouldn't force it.

At the beginning, Kangxi just felt that Concubine Mi always told him that the child was sick, so he thought about finding someone else to raise the child and she would just be responsible for giving birth.

Seeing how well Malu raised the child today, this idea came to him. Kangxi also wanted to see whether Malu was better to the crown prince or to all the children.

If it is the former, then he deserves death.

If it is the latter, then it seems a bit hypocritical.

But Malu's answer today was very good, she was sensible and knew when to advance and retreat, and most importantly, she was realistic. So Kangxi was more satisfied and decided to summon Nan Huairen and other people from the Imperial Observatory to come and take a look.

Let's take a look at Malu's horoscope to see if he is strong enough and worthy of being the successor.

Kangxi's consideration for Malu became more and more profound. If Malu's horoscopes were compatible and she had the potential to be the mother of the country, would he really make Malu his queen?

What should I do to ensure that the interests of a concubine like Malu, who has three sons, will always be aligned with those of the crown prince?

The Fourth Prince's wife was almost certain to observe six years of mourning, and should not pose a threat to the Crown Prince. The Fourth Prince himself also expressed his intention to compete with the Crown Prince by practicing Buddhism and farming, and Kangxi was very satisfied with his attitude.

But we need a higher level of protection.

Kangxi left with a lot on his mind, while Malu sat upright on the chaise longue, carefully pondering every word Kangxi said to her today, as well as every expression and movement.

After thinking about it, he could not detect any dissatisfaction or vigilance of Kangxi towards him. So what was Kangxi's intention in saying these words?

Soon, the Fourth Prince received news from Nan Huairen and the Imperial Observatory that the Emperor was looking through several birth charts and asking who had the best fate among them.

These birth dates flowed out from Nan Huairen's hands and were handed over to the Fourth Prince. The Fourth Prince took a quick look and found that his mother's birth date was listed.

The Fourth Prince was shocked and instantly realized that this matter was of great importance.

With uncontrollable ecstasy, he quickly burned the paper in his hand with the candle. The Fourth Prince paced back and forth in the room, his thoughts flying.

Could it be that the Emperor intends to make my mother the empress?