Since they are all worn by the Qing Dynasty, you might as well be bold and choose Kangxi!

On that day, Kangxi issued an imperial decree to release a large number of elderly palace maids and eunuchs on the grounds of showing favor. However, some of those released palace maids and eunuchs left the palace and were never heard from again.

As for Shi Yiyao, the incident of trespassing into the Qianqing Palace was too serious to be disclosed. In addition, for the sake of the reputation of Shi Nanxi and other female members of the Shi family, he "died of illness" that day and his body was sent back to the Shi Mansion for burial.

All other palace people involved, except Xiao Ai who provided the information, were thrown into the Xinzheku and sentenced to death.

After the birthday banquet, it was soon time for the re-selection. Kangxi announced publicly that no concubines would be admitted to the palace this year. The selected concubines would either be paired with princes or given to royal relatives and disciples. The selection in the 33rd year of Kangxi's reign passed peacefully.

At this time, a memorial impeaching the first-class duke Tong Guowei for ten major crimes including corruption, bribery, and abuse of power caused a shock in the court.

In the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi was looking out the window with his hands behind his back. At this time, Liang Jiugong came over quietly holding a Buddhist dustpan.

"Your Majesty, Lord Tong requests to see you."

Kangxi didn't even turn his head:

"not see."

Liang Jiugong sighed in his heart and quickly retreated.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, the palace servants passing by couldn't help but secretly glance at Tong Guowei who was kneeling on the ground. Tong Guowei didn't look away and his eyes were fixed on the main hall.

At this time, Liang Jiugong came out, bowed and walked up to Tong Guowei, and said politely:

"Master Tong, the emperor is busy. You should go back first."

Tong Guowei clenched his hands suddenly, still staring at the main hall, and said in a hoarse voice:

"If the emperor doesn't see you, then I will kneel until he sees me."

Liang Jiugong sighed when he saw this:

"Master Tong, why do you have to embarrass me? You should know why the emperor won't see you. For the sake of the past, I will remind you that you touched someone you shouldn't have touched, and the emperor won't see you."

Just as he reminded, Lord Tong could have plotted against anyone else but chose Imperial Noble Consort Xian, and even involved the Crown Prince. How could the Emperor let him off?

After saying that, he shook his head and turned away.

Tong Guowei didn't expect the emperor to be so cruel. Looking at the quiet imperial study, he suddenly closed his eyes. When he opened them, his eyes were full of red bloodshot.

Of course he knew who he was plotting against, but that bitch had harmed his son, his own son, his most outstanding son. Was he wrong?

Even if he was wrong, did the emperor really want to ignore Tong Jia for a woman? Tong Jia was the emperor's maternal clan!

Tong Guowei stared at the imperial study and knelt there motionless.

However, one hour passed, two hours passed, and three hours passed, and there was still no movement in the imperial study. Soon the sun set and night fell, and it was almost time for the palace gates to be locked, but there was still no movement in the imperial study.

"Lord Tong, look, it's almost time to lock the door, right?" A young eunuch in front of the emperor stepped forward and reminded him tactfully.

Tong Guowei looked at the imperial study which was still silent, and suddenly he seemed to have aged ten years. Under the gaze of the palace servants, he stumbled to his feet and left dejectedly, dragging his tired body.

After everyone left, Liang Jiugong came out holding the Buddhist dust and took a look, then hurried back to report:

"Your Majesty, Master Tong is gone."

Kangxi was sitting behind the dragon table, reading a book. When he heard this, he just hummed, gently turned to the next page and continued reading.

Seeing this, Liang Jiugong was about to retreat to the corner. At this time, a voice that could not be told whether it was happy or angry came from behind the dragon case:

"Liang Jiugong, do you know Confucius's explanation of the relationship between ruler and minister in the Analects?"

Liang Jiugong hurriedly stepped back upon hearing this, bowed and smiled:

"Your Majesty, I am a eunuch. I could not read a single word before entering the palace. After entering the palace, I was blessed by Your Majesty and was able to serve Your Majesty. I can read a few words. How can I understand the Analects?"

But then he changed his tone:

"However, I have served Your Majesty for many years. I personally think that the most important thing for a servant is loyalty. Only loyalty can serve Your Majesty well. I hope Your Majesty will not mind my humble opinion."

Kangxi still did not take his eyes off the book and said calmly:

"Confucius said that a ruler should treat his subjects with courtesy, and subjects should serve their ruler with loyalty. On the contrary, if one is disloyal to the ruler, how can the ruler treat him with courtesy? Your opinion is not foolish, but great wisdom. Unfortunately, some people do not understand and act recklessly relying on their status."

Liang Jiugong quickly lowered his head and dared not say a word. Kangxi continued to read. The imperial study was silent with only the flickering candlelight.

The next day, in the morning court, in the Golden Palace, Liang Jiugong said loudly:

"I have a petition to report. If there is nothing else, I will leave the court."

Upon hearing this, an imperial censor stepped forward, holding a memorial in both hands, and spoke loudly:

"Your Majesty, I have a petition to impeach First-Class Duke Tong Guowei for blatantly buying and selling official titles and illegally occupying farmland, among other fifteen serious crimes. I ask Your Majesty to make a judgment."

The entire court suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked at Tong Guowei in the front row. Tong Guowei stepped out and knelt.

"I am wronged."

Sitting on the dragon throne, Kangxi was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown on his head. He looked majestic. He said in a deep voice:

"The memorial is presented."

Liang Jiugong immediately came down with a whisk and carefully took the memorial from the censor's hand. Kangxi took the memorial and gently opened it.

The Crown Prince, princes, ministers and others in the court all looked at Censor Chen who had made the report.

Censor Chen was well-known in the court for his upright character and impartiality. When he impeached someone, he never cared about the person's identity. No matter if the person was a royal relative, he would impeach him if he said so.

People usually try to avoid such an imperial censor and don't want to provoke him. No one knows how Tong Guowei was targeted by him.

But some people with deep thoughts smelled something unusual behind the scenes. Yesterday, Tong Guowei knelt in the Qianqing Palace for the whole afternoon but the emperor didn't see him. This news had already spread. Censor Chen was just there, but the emperor's attitude was a little unpredictable.

Time passed by minute by minute. Kangxi, sitting on the dragon throne, slammed the memorial shut and threw it at Tong Guowei's feet. He said angrily:

"Tong Guowei, you said you were wronged, then why don't you take a good look at what is written in the memorial?"

The court suddenly became as quiet as a cold pond.

Tong Guowei tremblingly picked up the memorial at his feet and looked at the evidence listed on it. These trivial matters would never be brought to the court in the past. Which big family did not do these things in secret? But now these trivial matters became the reason for the emperor to settle accounts with him.

His lips trembled, and he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he bowed his head and said with difficulty:

"I know I am guilty, but these were all my private instructions and have nothing to do with Tong Jia. Please investigate clearly, Your Majesty."

There was a sudden sound of gasps in the court. No one expected that Tong Guowei would confess his guilt on the spot. Everyone was shocked and confused.

Compared to the others, the eyes of the prince at the front flickered slightly, remembering the day of the emperor's father's birthday banquet a few days ago. Wenxi reported to him that there were eunuchs and guards in the imperial court riding fast horses in and out of the palace, and there were also people in the imperial court who went to Jingren Palace where Empress Xiaoyi once lived.

He guessed that what happened today was related to that day, but Tong Guowei was the emperor's uncle. No matter how angry the emperor was, he would definitely take blood relatives into consideration.

After thinking for a while, the prince suddenly straightened his face and walked out.

"Your Majesty, Lord Tong may have made a mistake out of confusion, but knowing one's mistakes can help one improve. Please give him a lighter punishment."

Seeing the crown prince come forward, the eldest prince was afraid of being a step slower, so he also hurriedly stood up. Seeing the two princes come forward, ministers began to come out one after another.

"Your servant seconded the proposal, Your Highness the Crown Prince/Eldest Prince."

"Your servant seconded the proposal, Your Highness the Crown Prince/Eldest Prince."

"I second this proposal, Your Highness the Crown Prince/Eldest Prince."

Kangxi looked at the ministers who came out one after another with a blank expression on his face. When the court finally quieted down, he looked around with majestic eyes.

Everyone subconsciously lowered their heads, and when he looked at the Crown Prince and the eldest prince, his eyes deepened imperceptibly:

"The Crown Prince and the eldest prince are kind, which comforts me greatly. However, in ancient times, it was said that being able to correct mistakes is the greatest virtue. There are also cases in the world where people who break the law are punished the same as ordinary people, let alone court officials. There is no need to talk about this."

Then his eyes fell on Tong Guowei, and he said in a dignified tone:

"Tong Guowei, as an important official of the court and a relative of the emperor, you should set an example for the court officials and the world. However, you took the lead in breaking the law. I am deeply saddened. If I don't punish you, I will not be able to explain to the people of the world. Today, I will remove all your positions, and your first-class merit rank will be increased by one level. Your eldest grandson Yue Xing'a will inherit it, and you will retire from the court."

After saying this, Kangxi stood up and left, leaving everyone behind in stunned silence.

The weather in the capital is about to change!

……

Chuxiu Palace

"Liu Yuanpan, how is the queen? Is she pregnant?"