bookrebus Chapter 168 Nanshang Eye Drops Completes the Transaction (Revised)
Chapter 168 Nanshang Eye Drops Completes the Transaction (Revised)
Kangxi chuckled. Knowing that the little girl was shy, he did not expose her stiff attempt to change the subject. Instead, he continued:
"There is also Imperial Concubine Niuhulu and several ladies in her palace."
"Are there only the imperial concubine and a few others?" A hint of contemplation flashed across Shi Nanxi's lowered eyes, and when she raised her head, her expression turned to confusion.
Kangxi didn't care.
"Some people don't like to go out. The Ministry of Internal Affairs also provides ice mirrors, so they can stay in the palace and feel comfortable."
"So that's it." Shi Nanxi nodded in sudden realization, then she thought of something and looked a little uncomfortable, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Kangxi was curious. The little girl was gentle and honest with him and rarely showed this expression.
As if he was afraid of scaring her, he lowered his voice and asked:
"What's wrong? If you have anything to say, just tell me."
Shi Nanxi's fan-like eyelashes trembled violently, casting a shadow under her eyes, which made people feel pity for no reason.
"Your Highness, your Highness just wants to ask Sister Guo Luoluo if we can go to Changchun Garden together the day after tomorrow?"
After saying that, he added in a panic:
"The Fifth Prince, the Ninth Prince, and the Eleventh Prince are all in Changchun Garden. I thought Sister Guo Luoluo would go with them?"
The Fifth Prince and his companions have been in Changchun Garden for a month. As his mother, she is definitely worried. After being released from confinement, Concubine Guo Luoluo did not want to go to Changchun Garden to visit her son, but stayed in the palace instead. No matter how she looked at it, she felt something was not right.
In addition to the last time when Pingpin's youngest prince died, people slandered her for being unlucky. At that time, she suspected that Pingpin was being used as a pawn and her temperament seemed a little strange. Afterwards, she asked someone to investigate, but unfortunately there were too few people and the clues were cut off in Changchun Palace.
But one thing was confirmed, that is, Pingpin was indeed used as a gun. As for her temperament, it was found that after giving birth to the little prince, her emotions had indeed become more arrogant, irritable and impulsive than before.
All this indicates that there is someone hiding behind Pingpin and has ill intentions towards her, and she has two suspects.
One was Concubine Nianhulu who plotted against her when she came to pay her respects on the first day, and the other was Concubine Guo Luoluo who was confined to the palace.
The latter one, after being released from confinement, did not go to Changchun Garden to compete for favor or visit her son, but chose to stay in the palace instead. She was somewhat suspicious whether the other party was deliberately avoiding her.
When Kangxi saw the girl's panic and embarrassment, he also remembered what happened during the re-election and instantly understood that the girl didn't know how to face Concubine Guo Luoluo.
"You worry too much." Kangxi said, and then he remembered something, and his hand that was stroking the jade ring paused.
"Yesterday I received a report from Yikun Palace saying that Concubine Guo Luoluo had used too much ice in the past few days and had caught a cold. I went to take a look and found that she had a cough. I wanted to wait two more days before leaving, but she didn't want to bother and told me that she would stay in the palace to recuperate this time."
As he spoke, he began to rub the jade ring again, his tone showing both joy and anger:
"As for the three princes in Changchun Garden, they are being taken care of by Concubine Guo. Since Concubine Niuhulu has left the palace, there is no one to manage the harem. Concubine Guo Luoluo can stay here to recuperate while taking charge of the harem. I can rest assured."
Before Concubine Guo Luoluo was put under house arrest, she assisted Concubine Niuhulu in managing the six palaces together with Concubines Hui, De and Rong. Concubine Niuhulu had to go to Changchun Garden again because the women of Languan were punished, and Concubine Guo Luoluo wanted to take this opportunity to regain control of the palace.
Shi Nanxi looked at Kangxi's reaction and also thought of Gong Quan. She had to say that this opportunity was rare, and it was understandable that he delayed the meeting with her because there was some awkwardness between the two of them.
Her doubts were not dispelled, but became even more suspicious.
Concubine Guo Luoluo has served Kangxi for more than ten years, and was a favorite concubine before. She must know Kangxi better. How could she not know that her words would be linked to the palace power? But this way she can hide her true purpose more reasonably.
Moreover, the other party has three princes and has been assisting in managing the six palaces for many years. Kangxi must have feelings for her. After Concubine Nianhulu made a mistake, Kangxi might have let her assist in managing the six palaces again in order to balance the harem, thus killing two birds with one stone.
After figuring out most of Guo Luoluofei's actions in a short period of time, Shi Nanxi lowered his head, as if relieved.
Kangxi laughed when he saw it, and then he felt heartbroken.
That incident was originally caused by Concubine Guo Luoluo's violation of palace rules, and the little girl should not be made to bear the consequences. Thinking of this, the idea of letting Concubine Guo Luoluo assist in managing the six palaces again to balance Concubine Niuhulu was suppressed. It would be better to wait and see.
Princess Guo Luoluo didn't know that her plan was ruined by Shi Nanxi's invisible eye drops.
Shi Nanxi breathed a sigh of relief, then quickly raised his head and explained:
"Sister Guo Luoluo, are you okay? I didn't even know you were sick. I'll go see you later when I have time."
Although she said she was going to take a look, she felt a little restless. Given her deep connection with Concubine Guo Luoluo, she didn't know what to say when they met.
Kangxi held the little girl's hand and comforted her:
"No need. You are weak. Don't catch a cold. Just let the maid go and check on you. Concubine Guo Luoluo will definitely understand."
"...Okay, I'll listen to the emperor." Shi Nanxi felt relieved when Kangxi held her hand. She looked up and smiled at Kangxi.
"Xixi" also meowed at this time, and the atmosphere became warm again. Kangxi raised his hand and tucked the little girl's hair behind her ears. He didn't even realize how gentle his eyes were at this moment.
"Just when I walked in, I heard you say that you got up early and went to visit the Imperial Garden?"
The shy Shi Nanxi's body stiffened slightly. Although she recovered quickly, Kangxi still noticed it and frowned.
“What’s wrong, but someone bullied you or disrespected you?
Shi Nanxi avoided Kangxi's sight and quickly denied:
"No one bullies me, and no one disrespects me."
Kangxi didn't believe it, but Shi Nanxi shook her head and said nothing. Finally, Hongying, who was packing her luggage not far away, couldn't help but interrupt.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so nosy. Your Majesty got up early this morning and was in a good mood. It was a rare opportunity for her to take Xixi to visit the Imperial Garden. As a result, on the way, I heard some ladies talking behind your back, saying that before Your Majesty entered the palace, everyone in the palace was treated equally. But when I came, I monopolized you and received your favor alone, leaving no room for others. When we arrived at Changchun Garden..."
Shi Nanxi was stunned at first, then quickly interrupted after she realized what was going on.
"Hongying, stop talking."
"Let Hongying speak." Kangxi's expression remained unchanged, but it made people's scalp tingle for no reason.
Hongying suddenly knelt down, bit her lip and said boldly:
"When we get to Changchun Garden, the Empress Dowager will not spare you."
The inner room suddenly fell silent.
Kangxi's expression remained unchanged, but his thin lips were pursed into a straight line. Shi Nanxi's face turned pale, and she was rarely angry.
"Hongying, you have no right to interrupt me when I am talking to the Emperor. It seems that I have indulged you. I will fine you three months' salary. If you do this again next time, I will not let you off easily."
"My lady, I was wrong. I know I was wrong and I will never do it again."
Hongying cooperated with him, showing an expression of annoyance and fear, and quickly kowtowed to apologize. At this time, Kangxi said:
"Hongying was wrong to interrupt, but someone offending you is even more wrong. I see that Concubine Niuhulu only wants to go to Changchun Garden and has a loose management of the harem. How dare someone openly discuss the position of the mistress? I have an oral order that the concubine who offends the superior must copy the palace rules twenty times and be fined for three months."
As he said this, he narrowed his eyes:
"Noble Concubine Niuhulu has repeatedly failed to discipline the concubines strictly. She will be fined for half a year and made to copy the palace rules twenty times. If she does it again, she will be stripped of her power in the six palaces and reflect on her mistakes."
Liang Jiugong secretly glanced at Empress Xian, and sighed in his heart, this Empress has only been in the palace for a short time, and the harem is almost wiped out.
He did not dare to delay and was about to deliver the order in person. As soon as he reached the door, he heard the emperor say:
"Pass on my oral order again. The concubines who have just entered the palace this year will follow me to Changchun Garden the day after tomorrow."
The little girl he had been waiting for several months finally entered the palace. During this period of time, he stayed in the Qianqing Palace and Chuxiu Palace, and he had forgotten about everyone else.
Of course he knew that this would cause dissatisfaction and resentment from his concubines, but as an emperor with great power, he could go to any palace he wanted without any scruples, and his concubines did not dare to act unruly in front of him.
The only difference was the Empress Dowager, who was his biological mother and whom he respected very much. He was about to go to Changchun Garden again. Because of Shi Rongyue's incident, he still felt guilty towards the Empress Dowager and was worried that she would vent her anger on the little girl.
Liang Jiugong was surprised, but quickly turned around and responded.
Shi Nanxi's eyelashes trembled slightly, hiding the smile in her eyes. "Nara Changzai, I told you to accompany me to Changchun Garden, but I didn't say that you were the only one among the new people left in the palace."