The Virtuous Concubine

Kangxi's heart tightened when he heard the accusation from the Grand Empress Dowager, but he remained calm. He gently agreed, "Grandmother, you are right. I also think that Madam Tong's behavior is inappropriate. How could she stay in the palace for so long? I have already ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to strengthen management to prevent similar incidents from happening again."

The Empress Dowager frowned, and it was obvious that she was not completely satisfied with this answer. She felt that Kangxi was just avoiding the main issue. This was not a question of detention at all. He was using Kangxi's imperial edict to bully Empress Nianhulu.

She sighed and spoke in a slower tone: "Xuanye, although you are the ruler of the world, the harmony of the harem is equally important. Now that you have a queen, if her status is damaged, how can you manage the affairs of the harem? You can't always favor the Tong family, which will make people dissatisfied."

Kangxi was silent for a moment, and he couldn't help but have some opinions about the Tong family in his heart: "My grandmother taught me that my grandson must discipline the Tong family well and prevent them from doing anything excessive again."

The Empress Dowager sighed, her tone softening slightly: "The affairs of the harem are related to the stability of the country. If Concubine Tong cannot respect herself and know herself, she may become a disaster in the harem. You must handle it carefully and don't let personal feelings cloud your wisdom."

Seeing this, Empress Niuhulu knew what the Empress Dowager's purpose was today. She just wanted to make her fight with Concubine Tong. At this time, Kangxi also turned to Empress Niuhulu and asked her to say a few words to help him.

Empress Niuhulu took a step forward and said respectfully to the Grand Empress Dowager: "The Grand Empress Dowager is right. Harmony in the harem is a blessing for the country. I will definitely assist the emperor and jointly maintain the peace of the harem. As for Concubine Tong, if she can reflect on herself in time and no longer miss the big picture because of petty emotions, she will naturally be forgiven by the emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager."

After hearing this, Kangxi's eyes flashed with approval. He knew that Empress Nianhulu's words not only gave Concubine Tong an opportunity, but also made her position clear. By characterizing this matter as missing family excessively rather than offending the empress, the punishment would be limited.

But the Grand Empress Dowager was not willing to give up. She frowned slightly and retorted in a stern tone: "Although the Queen's words are appropriate, I think Concubine Tong has not changed her nature over the years. Your Majesty and the Queen should be more careful and not easily forgive her because of her momentary behavior. The affairs of the harem are no trivial matter. Once indulged, it will become a big problem in the future."

The words of the Grand Empress Dowager made the atmosphere solemn again. Kangxi and Empress Nianhulu looked at each other, and they both knew in their hearts that the Grand Empress Dowager would not let Concubine Tong go easily today.

As expected, the Empress Dowager asked Empress Niuhulu: "I will leave this matter to the Empress, and let the palace see how you can reward and punish clearly."

Empress Niuhulu nodded slightly, knowing that she could not escape, so she spoke decisively: "Then fine him three months' salary as a warning to others!"

The Empress Dowager shook her head: "You are still young and soft-hearted. Come! Send an order to the Tong family to criticize the Tong family for their poor education of their daughter and the misbehavior of the ladies, and to confine Concubine Tong to her home for three months, so that she can reflect on her behavior."

Empress Niuhulu was shocked when she heard this. She knew that any objection at this time would be useless and might even anger the Grand Empress Dowager, so she had no choice but to bow her head and promise: "In accordance with the Grand Empress Dowager's decree, I will arrange it right away."

When Kangxi heard the Empress Dowager's decision, he also felt that it was a bit too harsh. However, considering the Empress Dowager's personality and her dissatisfaction with the Tong family, he knew that if he openly expressed his objection at this time, it would only make the Empress Dowager more determined to punish the Tong family, so he kept silent.

The Grand Empress Dowager was satisfied. They were still two obedient children. She smiled and said, "Are you still calling me the Grand Empress Dowager?"

Empress Niuhulu then shyly changed her words: "Yes, Imperial Grandmother."

The Grand Empress Dowager nodded, her expression slightly relieved: "You are the Queen, the head of the harem, and the Emperor's wise wife. I hope you can add a child to the royal family soon, and supervise the concubines in the harem to have more children."

Two red clouds flew up on Empress Niuhulu's face, and her voice was as low as a mosquito's hum: "Grandmother, I understand, and I will definitely live up to your expectations."

The Empress Dowager smiled and waved her hand again: "Okay, I am tired too, you can leave now."

Kangxi and Empress Niuhulu exchanged greetings and left the Empress Dowager's bedroom together. As they walked along the long palace path, Kangxi suddenly held Empress Niuhulu's hand and said softly, "Queen, thank you for your hard work."

Before Empress Nianhulu could say anything, Kangxi began to perform a ritual: "As for my cousin... you need to take care of her. She is young and not in good health. You need to take care of her in the harem."

Even though Empress Niuhulu was very good at cultivating her temper, she was still somewhat dissatisfied with Kangxi's partiality. Calling Concubine Tong "cousin" in front of her was nothing more than pointing out her, saying that Concubine Tong was different from ordinary concubines in his heart, and asking her to do special things for her. Otherwise, it would be intolerant and ungenerous, right?

But what kind of person is Empress Niuhulu? She is well versed in the ways of the harem and knows when to insist and when to give in. Although she was unhappy in her heart, she did not show it on her face. Instead, she showed a more gentle smile: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand. All the sisters in the harem are your relatives. I will treat them equally and take good care of them."

Kangxi was very pleased to hear this. He knew that his queen was not only beautiful, but also had a tolerant and generous heart. He gently squeezed Queen Niuhulu's hand and expressed his gratitude: "I am relieved that the queen thinks so. I will leave all the affairs of the harem to you."

Empress Niuhulu nodded. This was exactly what she wanted. She responded softly, "Your Majesty, I will definitely fulfill my mission."

As for Concubine Tong, she fainted again when she heard the imperial decree that she would be confined to her home for three months, fined for three months' salary, and the Tong family would be reprimanded for not educating their daughter properly. This time, Rendong was not there, so Liuying had to call the imperial physician.

Everything else was easy to deal with. With Kangxi's favor, house arrest and salary deduction were minor matters.

The Tong family was accused of not educating their daughter properly. How will the Tong family's daughter get married in the future? !

At the same time, the pressure on the Tong family was also increasing. The patriarch of the Tong family called together the elders in the family to discuss countermeasures. They all realized that the damage to Concubine Tong's status in the palace would have a great negative impact on the reputation and future of the entire family.

They decided to strengthen their ties with other powerful families, while looking for opportunities to show their loyalty to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and it would be best if they could send another smart girl from the Tong family into the palace.

This matter quickly spread in the harem, and some people with ulterior motives took advantage of Concubine Tong's situation in the palace. For a time, the harem was in a state of panic, and everyone was in danger. Everyone was a little bit afraid to behave themselves.

It is well known that a new official has three major actions to take upon taking office, so how come Empress Niuhulu is so quick to attack Concubine Tong? In this environment, Empress Niuhulu's pressure is also increasing.

Who would believe what the Empress Dowager said?

At least Imperial Concubine Tong didn't believe it. Malu found it interesting. After she and the system pondered for a long time, she felt that the Empress Dowager wanted to sow discord between the two of them and then sit back and watch the fight.

But Malu didn't understand: "What is the purpose of the Empress Dowager?"

The system thought for a moment and guessed, "Perhaps she wants to intensify the conflicts in the harem and make the queen busy with internal struggles, so that Kangxi and Queen Niuhulu will have to rely more on her. If possible, you all fall down, and the girls from Korchin can come."

Malu felt that this old lady was really a bit like a modern weird mother-in-law, with a strong desire for control. She wanted everyone in the family to listen to her in everything, always wanting to control who to control, and she also loved to subsidize her parents' family. But she also had outstanding wisdom and power, and her ideas were very destructive. If Kangxi himself was not strong, the harem might have been in chaos.