The Virtuous Concubine

While helping Malu tidy up her drooping sleeves, she said softly, "My lady, I know you must have encountered something sad today, but you have to cheer up. If someone with ulterior motives sees you like this, they will definitely be suspicious."

Malu moved her lips slightly, but no sound came out, and new tears welled up in her eyes.

Malu was filled with bitterness now. But she couldn't tell anyone how much she regretted that she might have ruined the prince's life today.

In addition to regret, there is also the regret that I can never get rid of.

Seeing this, Bai Fu scolded the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair and the maids beside them: "You all have no sense at all. The queen is worried and crying because of Concubine Wenxi's illness, don't you know how to walk faster?"

Seeing that Bai Fu had thoughtfully found a reason for her to cry, and that they would soon arrive at Yongshou Palace, she was like a child who had suffered a great deal of injustice. She no longer had to suppress her emotions and burst into tears.

The sedan finally stopped in front of Yongshou Palace, and Bai Fu hurried forward to support Malu. Malu's body was shaking slightly, and she was crying so hard that she could hardly stand. Bai Fu comforted Malu softly while supporting her and walking into the palace.

Kangxi has already arrived, and so have Concubine Yi, Concubine Rong, and Concubine Wang who came with Kangxi.

Concubine Yi and Concubine Rong were in the six western palaces, which were relatively close to Yongshou Palace, so even though it was an emergency summons late at night, they arrived quickly.

The Yongshou Palace, which was originally in chaos, is now in order. The Tenth Prince is still guarding by the bedside of Concubine Wenxi and refuses to leave, while the Eighth Prince kneels beside him.

When Malu saw Kangxi, she calmed down a little and tried to salute, holding back her tears.

Kangxi waved his hand and said, "Forget it. You are also worried about the death of the imperial concubine. I know it all."

Malu thanked him in a low voice, and her eyes inadvertently met with the princess's. A barely perceptible scrutiny flashed in the princess's eyes.

When did Imperial Concubine Dezhao and Imperial Concubine Wenxi become so close? She could cry so miserably for her.

After a brief loss of consciousness, Kangxi quickly regained consciousness due to the effects of the medicine. He asked the imperial physician to announce the diagnosis of Concubine Wenxi made by several people before, and then began to arrange Concubine Wenxi's funeral.

He did not plan to bury Wenxi with an extra-standard ceremony, so he gave her the funeral of a noble concubine. As the only noble concubine in the palace, it was natural for Malu to preside over the funeral.

By this time, Malu had controlled his emotions, knelt down and accepted the assignment.

The Eighth Prince got what he wanted. He stole the show when Malu was not there. He flattered Kangxi and comforted the Tenth Prince with sincere words, which seemed to come easily to him. This made Kangxi take this son seriously for the first time, and he was entrusted with the task of having the princes in the palace and the court officials and royal family members mourn for Concubine Wenxi.

Originally, if Malu was to preside over the funeral, this matter would fall on the Fourth Prince or the Seventh Prince. Now that they are "all" in Jiangnan, there is naturally nothing they can do. But no matter how inconvenient it is for the Fourth Prince or the Seventh Prince, it is reasonable that the Tenth Prince, the biological son, should come.

Kangxi gave it to the Eighth Prince to do, and the Eighth Prince was secretly delighted after receiving the task. The Tenth Prince was immersed in the grief of losing his mother and had no time to take care of these arrangements.

His heart was filled with grief for the loss of his mother. In addition, he was a rough person in normal times. At this moment, he had no intention of dealing with these complicated affairs. He just wanted to stay in front of his mother's spirit.

After Kangxi arranged all this, he returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. He had no feelings for Wenxi, but even if he was heartless, he could not continue to favor his concubines on the night of Wenxi's death.

He is very sleepy now and just wants to have a good sleep.

The next day, when he was in court, Liang Jiugong tactfully reminded Kangxi, "Yesterday, someone from Yuqing Palace came to report that the emperor was going to move to the Yuqing Palace of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but Concubine Wang——"

Kangxi denied it calmly: "What could possibly happen to the prince? Didn't the prince go to bed early yesterday?"

Wen Xi is the same. He has been holding on for so long, but he has to choose the day when the prince is trying out marriage!

Kangxi had no other choice but to deny the existence of the trial marriage for the prince. Otherwise, some ignorant censors would accuse the prince of being unfilial and indulging himself in pleasure on the night of Concubine Wenxi's death!

You and this bunch of flies are explaining the order of precedence to the imperial censors? They won't care, let alone believe it!

Liang Jiugong failed to apply eye drops to Wangpin, but he was not discouraged. He certainly knew what the emperor was thinking, so he nodded: "Do you want to..."

This is to ask Kangxi what should be done with the palace maid who was originally accepted by the prince for a trial marriage tonight.

Should I silence her to prevent the news from leaking out, or should I keep her for now and make arrangements after the mourning period is over?

Kangxi thought for a moment, nodded slightly and said, "You have considered it very carefully. Let Chen Xin deal with it, and make sure it is clean and neat. This matter ends here, and there is no need to report to me about the rest. Let De Zhao find him another one."

Liang Jiugong received the order and hurriedly withdrew. He did not dare to delay for even a moment, and after serving Emperor Kangxi in court, he immediately went to look for Chen Xin when he had a chance.

Chen Xin was delighted when he heard this. This was much better than arranging for the maid to suddenly die or having someone pretend to describe it. He nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, Eunuch Liang, for your advice."

At this point, the trial marriage was covered up.

Next, many princes began to observe mourning for Concubine Wenxi.

Malu had a sleepless night and got up the next day with dark circles under his eyes to take care of the funeral of Concubine Wenxi.

Perhaps because they were both imperial concubines, Malu even had hallucinations occasionally. If the Fourth Prince had failed... would her future funeral be like this?

Life and death, honor and disgrace, all depend on the game of power.

But she couldn't help but think of the prince. If it wasn't the Fourth Prince, then it would be him, right? If she died one day, what would happen to him?

Will he, like he did yesterday, disregard palace rules and opposition from court officials and hold his own funeral according to the queen's funeral standards?

This way, when I die, she can be considered his wife.

Malu didn't dare to think about it anymore. The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't help herself. She was busy all the time until the evening. Kangxi felt sorry for Malu's hard work in handling the funeral ceremony and sent her three dishes.

Bai Xia was a little curious. Since they were old acquaintances, she asked directly: "Eunuch Liang, didn't you say there were three dishes? Why are there five dishes here?"

Liang Jiugong flicked his whisk and smiled, "When His Royal Highness accompanied the Emperor, he said that the Imperial Concubine had worked hard, and asked the Emperor to give her some food and accompany her here, in return for the favor, to thank the Imperial Concubine for the peony bird's nest she prepared a few days ago. His Royal Highness specially selected the chicken abalone tart and red bean cake from his own portion, and sent them along with the Emperor's food."