The prince only allowed me to have a baby, so the pressure is a bit high!

Chapter 58 The Truth of the Matter (Part 2)

Nothing happened in Yonghe Palace that night, and Concubine De slept peacefully under the care of the palace servants.

The next day, servants came to report that Nanny Xia had a sudden high fever and a rash on her face. To avoid a contagious virus, Nanny Xia was immediately removed from Yonghe Palace and sent to Anle Hall shortly after her symptoms were discovered.

As for Nanny Xia's fate, it's said that after being sent to An Le Tang, she suffered from a persistent high fever for several days, and no medicine could alleviate it. The medicine boy had no choice but to place her in an empty room and leave her to die. Unfortunately, Nanny Xia died within a few days, and An Le Tang simply rolled her up on a straw mat and threw her into a mass grave.

When this matter was later reported to Concubine De, she just sighed softly, "Poor thing," and let it go.

At the Qianqing Palace, Liang Jiugong firmly guarded the entrance, not even allowing his young apprentice Wei Zhu to approach. Inside, Kangxi was listening to a report from the secret guard An Yi (previously named Xuan Yi, but some readers requested a different name, so it's changed here). He sat at the head of the table, his eyes dark and deep, the fingers of one hand drumming repeatedly on the table as An Yi delivered his report.

"Da da da", as An Yi finished speaking, the sound of Kangxi's knocking also stopped abruptly, and the whole hall fell into deathly silence.

Just when the author was about to cough to break the solemn atmosphere, Kangxi suddenly asked, "Did she do this alone, or was the Daijia clan involved behind the scenes?"

An Yi hadn't moved since he entered the hall and knelt there. Even when the emperor's tone was filled with suspicion, An Yi had no intention of moving. "The Daijia clan leader used all his strength to send the palace maid into Yonghe Palace."

After saying this, An Yi became like an object and did not move at all.

At this time, Kangxi had already obtained the answer he wanted. He sneered, and it was not known whether he was laughing at Depin's recklessness or Daijia's audacity, or perhaps both.

Kangxi waved his hand to let An Yi go, and then called Liang Jiugong. Liang Jiugong quickly pushed the door open and trotted in. Kangxi ordered: "Grind ink for me."

Liang Jiugong did not dare to delay and quickly walked to Kangxi's side, added water to the inkstone and began to grind ink, while secretly glancing at Kangxi who was thinking with the corner of his eye.

At this time, Kangxi had no extra eyes or mood to pay attention to Liang Jiugong's little movements. He was thinking about whether he should write this imperial edict. If he really wrote it, the structure of the harem and the previous dynasty would change.

At this moment, the door of the main hall was suddenly opened from the outside. The loud noise woke up Kangxi who was in deep thought, and also scared Liang Jiugong, and the ink splashed on his cuffs.

The master and servant took a closer look and saw that it was Wei Zhu. Just as Liang Jiugong was about to speak out on Kangxi's behalf to reprimand her, Wei Zhu spoke first: "Your Majesty, the Yongshou Palace has sent a report that the Imperial Concubine has passed away."

"Dong!" The brush in Kangxi's hand instantly fell onto the imperial desk. He didn't care about these things at this moment. Instead, he stared at Wei Zhu and asked loudly: "When did this happen? Why didn't you report it in advance?"

Wei Zhu stammered and could not give a reason. Seeing this, Kangxi had no mood to stay in the Qianqing Palace. Instead, he strode out of the imperial desk and walked towards the gate. As he walked, he ordered: "Hurry up and prepare the sedan chair to go to Yongshou Palace." When passing by Wei Zhu, Kangxi could not help but kicked him directly, making him fall flat on his face.

Liang Jiugong also glared at him fiercely, but quickly went out to call for a sedan chair.

Only Wei Zhu, who was still trying to get up, had an expression of having survived a disaster and was trying to support his body. Fortunately, he was just kicked and he would be fine after recuperation. He saved his life again today.

When Kangxi arrived at Yongshou Palace, there was already crying inside. Among them, the tenth prince Yinzhen was holding the body of the imperial concubine and crying heartbrokenly. He was about to die.

Kangxi strode in, quickly lifted Yin Xi up, and ordered several guards to carry him to the side hall to rest. Yin Xi refused to let go, holding on to the bed rails with both hands. Kangxi gave a look, and one of the guards came out and struck Yin Xi in the back of the neck. Then Yin Xi closed his eyes and fainted.

Kangxi pointed another imperial physician to go over and take a look, then sat down beside the imperial concubine's body. At this time, the imperial concubine's cheeks were sunken and she was so thin that she was almost unrecognizable. He knew why she didn't want him to come over before she died. She probably didn't want him to see her so haggard.

He liked Niuhulu, otherwise he wouldn't have made her a noble concubine soon after she entered the palace. She had a different personality from her sister. Empress Xiao Zhao was the kind of bright and generous beauty that caught everyone's attention the moment she appeared, but she was not. When he first met Niuhulu, he knew that she was a warm and delicate person.

Later, his feeling turned out to be correct. Since entering the palace, Niuhulu stayed in her own bedroom all day long, and never went out unless necessary. She also had her own hobbies, such as flower arranging, calligraphy, and chess.

After more than ten years in the palace, the only person she could count as a friend was Concubine Yi. She was always indifferent and never fought or competed, but her love was strong. Every time she went to see her, she could see the love that came from the heart, the passion that was not mixed with any distractions.

It was at that time that he decided to have children with her. Their first child was Yin?, a very energetic young man. Since having Yin?, she began to become more and more cheerful, and the mischievous side of her character seemed to be stimulated.

He liked Nianhulu like this. When Yinzhen was a little older, he discussed with her about having another little princess. He promised that he would raise her to be the most favored and brightest little princess in the entire Qing Dynasty.

But he broke his promise. The little princess was weak and died less than a month after birth. He personally ordered a thorough investigation and finally found out that it was her mother's family, Tonggiya clan, who was responsible.

At that moment he hesitated. That was his mother's family, the only family that had been kind to him since his mother passed away. Two generations of the Tongjia clan had been loyal to him, and his uncle even sacrificed his life to save him.

He couldn't announce the fact that they had murdered the imperial concubine and the little princess at this time, and the evidence for such a thing was not that complete.

It was from that time on that she became increasingly silent and no longer welcomed his arrival. Yongshou Palace was often closed, and even if Concubine Yi wanted to visit, she was considered lucky if she could get in twice out of ten.

He knew that she blamed him, but she couldn't do anything to him, so she could only stay in the palace and never see him again.

Kangxi reached out and gently stroked Consort Niuhulu's face, whispering, "Rou'er, I miss you so much."

On the same day, the Qianqing Palace issued an imperial decree, suspending court for five days and bestowing the posthumous title of "Wenxi Imperial Concubine". This was the first and only Imperial Concubine with a posthumous title in the Qing Dynasty.

The next day, everyone wore plain clothes and went to Yongshou Palace to pay homage. The Tenth Prince cried in front of the hall like a wounded beast, licking its wounds alone in the dark. The helplessness and despair were heartbreaking.

The prince signaled Burhe to come forward and kowtow with the twins, while he took the ninth prince with him and dragged the tenth prince, who was about to faint from crying, out of Yongshou Palace.

The emperor had already ordered that Concubine Yi should handle the funeral ceremony for Concubine Wenxi. After the twins kowtowed to him, Bu Erhe ordered the servants to send them back to Yuqing Palace, while he stayed behind to help entertain the female relatives.

Those who are older or pregnant only need to stay in the mourning hall for a while before being arranged to rest in the side hall. As for those with lower status or direct relatives of Niuhulu, those who are willing to accompany Concubine Wenxi more often will be arranged by Buerhe to wait in the mourning hall.

Although the weather has become warmer, there is still a slight chill in the air. Buerhe found Concubine Yi and discussed making some ginger tea, which they would give to everyone later. The imperial concubine was a kind and tolerant person when she was alive, and she would not want everyone to fall ill at her funeral.

Concubine Yi was very busy, but she also knew that it was not yet April and the weather was indeed a bit cold, so she nodded in agreement.

Then the small kitchen in Yongshou Palace began to prepare ginger soup and distributed it one by one. The result was that no one got sick at this funeral, and even the older people did not feel unwell at all. For a time, the reputation of Concubine Wenxi for her kindness and goodness spread among women.

Afterwards, the emperor rewarded Concubine Yi and Buerhe with many good things, and even the tenth prince Yinzhen came to express his gratitude.

However, the tenth prince Yinzhen came not only to thank Xie Buerhe, but also to thank the crown prince Yinreng.

That day, after the Ninth Prince and the Crown Prince took Yin? away, they did not go far. Instead, they found a relatively secluded pavilion. The two of them held Yin? on the left and right, making it impossible for him to break free.

The Crown Prince said, "Tenth brother, I understand how you feel right now, but Empress Wenxi has just passed away, and there are still many things for you to do. You can't collapse now."

The ninth brother also continued, "Yes, tenth brother, we grew up together. If you need anything, just ask me, and I will never refuse. But you really have to do it yourself to send Empress Wenxi off. Just like what the second brother said, if you collapse and your body collapses, how can Empress Wenxi pass away peacefully? I also grew up in front of Empress Wenxi, and I am also very sad about her departure. But now I just want Empress Wenxi to pass away with dignity, and everything else is put aside for the time being."

After saying this, the Ninth Prince hugged Yin Xi tightly, encouraging him. The two of them sat with Yin Xi in the pavilion for a while. Yin Xi finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "Thank you, Second Prince and Ninth Prince. I understand what you mean. I will take care of myself. Mother just misses my sister too much. She told me she went to look for her. I'm grown up now, and my sister needs your company more. I know that. I will be fine, and let Mother go in peace. Don't worry."

Yinreng and Yin'er looked at each other and answered in unison: "Okay." In fact, they had already made up their minds not to go back tonight and stay with the tenth brother. They had to see it with their own eyes before they could feel at ease, right?

When the three brothers regained their composure and returned, Bu Erhe had already helped Concubine Yi to deal with the matter. The emperor had previously issued an imperial decree saying that the imperial concubine's coffin would be kept in the Yongshou Palace for a day, and then it would be sent directly to the concubine's tomb in the Jingling Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing Tombs according to the rules.

The first person buried there was Huifei from the Borjigit clan. Having her as a companion tomb would not be considered an insult to Concubine Wenxi.

The emperor did not appear again during the day except for one appearance, but he was not in the Qianqing Palace, but in the Empress Dowager's Shoukang Palace.

Kangxi: "Empress Dowager, what do you think about Xiao Shi's marriage? How about I give him a Mongolian wife?"

The Queen Mother heard this and did not rush to answer. Instead, she thought for a moment. After confirming that the Emperor was not joking, she looked at him puzzledly and asked, "Emperor, what do you think? Talk to me."

Kangxi pursed his lips and said seriously, "Rou'er has gone. There is no one else in this palace who can protect Xiao Shi except me. But as the emperor, I am very busy on weekdays and there are always places I can't see. If Xiao Shi is bullied at that time, what should I do? That is the child that Rou'er gave birth to for me at all costs. It is the only thing she left for me in this world.

I understand Xiao Shi. He has no desire to inherit the throne. For Xiao Shi's future, I want to find him a legitimate wife from a prominent Mongolian family. With the support of the Mongols, even the Crown Prince won't dare to bully him.

The Queen Mother nodded and said, "Does the Emperor have any candidates?"

Kangxi: "I think the daughter of Abagai Borjigit, Prince of Wuerjin Galapu, would be a good match. What do you think, Empress Dowager?"

The empress dowager felt uncomfortable for a moment when she did not hear the list of names of her own Khorchin people. However, after being married into the Qing court for so many years, she was well aware of the emperor's suspicion and vigilance towards the Khorchin people. Although this branch was from the Mongolian south of the desert, she was a Mongolian woman after all, which reassured the Mongolians a little.

Thinking of this, the empress dowager felt quite satisfied and nodded to Kangxi. The wife of the tenth prince Yinzhen was thus decided. The rest depended on whether the girl could adapt to the situation when she came to the capital and become a good tenth concubine.