Rong Fei is not honored

Chapter 694 Heartbroken and Numb

Noble Lady Nara didn't know who the murderer was; she only felt that everyone was a suspect.

However, not long after, Consort Rong suffered a serious injury; her hand was permanently disabled. What was this? A warning? A threat?

Despite her low rank, Lady Nara has her own way of surviving. She tells the Suochuoluo family, who came to inquire, that the murderer is from the Hesheli family.

Why say that? Because the Hesheli family was the prime suspect, and because the former Empress Hesheli was a nightmare for all of them. Sure enough, as soon as she said that, the birth mothers of the princesses all echoed her sentiments.

Actually, there's no need to investigate who attacked Consort Rong; they just need to know if the suspects made any moves before the incident.

Everything seemed normal in Kunning Palace and Chengqian Palace, and similarly in the other palaces. They even checked Cining Palace and Shou Kang Palace. If it wasn't them, then who else could it be?

Don't forget, there's also an illegitimate child left behind by a Hesheli clan member in the palace.

Unfortunately, Crown Prince Yinreng lived with the Emperor, so their reach couldn't extend that far. But it doesn't matter; even without evidence, even if it really wasn't the Hesheli family this time, targeting the Crown Prince wouldn't be entirely unjust.

If he's so obedient, it's because he has such a mother.

For the Hesheli family, the Crown Prince was their greatest hope. Although Consort Xi had taken the blame, they knew what needed to be known. It was only because the Crown Prince was still young that His Majesty was willing to let it go so easily, but it might have an impact in the future.

If the Nara clan dares to lay a hand on the Crown Prince, then they shouldn't blame them for retaliating.

If the Hesheli family really did tamper with Nara's childbirth, then Nara would have two children who died at the hands of the Hesheli family. As long as she lives, she will definitely fight the Hesheli family to the death.

Ji Nai had roughly figured out what was going on, but there were still some parts that she wasn't clear about, or perhaps she was unwilling to accept them.

It is clear that Emperor Kangxi was involved in this matter, and his role was far from honorable. Even if Kangxi's original intention was for her sake, painstakingly aligning Consort Nara with the Hesheli family, she still could not accept it.

Fortunately, Emperor Kangxi explained that Consort Nara's child could not be saved at all, and even if it were forcibly kept, it would be stillborn.

Emperor Kangxi did not stand idly by while the children of the Hesheli family were taken advantage of; he simply kept the children until the Hesheli family made their move.

After hearing this, Ji Nai felt conflicted and asked, "Aren't you sad?"

"Heartbroken? That child is indeed pitiful, but he was abandoned by his own mother before I even knew he existed. What can I do?"

Kangxi's expression was indifferent, or perhaps numb.

Another piece of good news is that Consort Yi is pregnant.

The Guo Luo sisters in Yikun Palace were already favored. Last year, the elder sister became pregnant, and this year the younger sister is pregnant again. How could this not arouse jealousy?

Unfortunately, Consort Yi was clever. As soon as she discovered she might be pregnant, she informed the Emperor, and then the imperial physician confirmed her pregnancy in front of the Emperor.

It's not that no one has made sarcastic remarks, thinking that Consort Yi is too flamboyant. In less than three months, she has spread the news throughout the palace. Isn't she afraid of getting into trouble for being so careless?

As it turns out, announcing the pregnancy wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

First, upon learning of the Guo Luo Luo sisters' pregnancy, the Emperor personally selected experienced nannies and sent them to Yikun Palace. Even without any major action, some people subtly noticed that the security at Yikun Palace had tightened.

Secondly, pregnant women are inherently troublesome, so those with ulterior motives or not dared to approach the Guo Luo sisters at this time, thus eliminating many dangers.

Third, the Empress's illness had worsened to the point of being bedridden, drawing criticism from the court, which felt that Empress Niohuru was no longer fit to fulfill her duties. Some had even petitioned His Majesty to appoint a new Empress, arguing that the current Niohuru, holding the title of Imperial Noble Consort, was more than enough.

Therefore, when a concubine in the palace became pregnant, even if it was to secure her own position as empress, the empress would not allow anything to happen to the children of the Guo Luo Luo sisters, which added another layer of protection.

However, in May, after Guo Luoluo Chang gave birth to a princess, everyone's jealousy turned into a joke.

Even though Consort Yi's pregnancy is not yet complete, there are already rumors that she is carrying another princess. These rumors seem to be supported by evidence, as if one could see the gender of the imperial offspring through her belly.

Consort Yi had to take care of her sister who was weak after childbirth, protect her fragile niece, and force herself to ignore the rumors and allow herself to have a peaceful pregnancy. The pressure she faced was unimaginable.

It was Consort Hui's words, "Consort Yi is favored; even if she's carrying a princess, it's not like she can't have more children in the future," that put an end to the rampant rumors.

Yes, the Guo Luo Luo sisters are favored. If they fail once, they still have a chance to give birth to a son. Even if Consort Yi is unhappy about the rumors, how much of an impact can it have?

On the contrary, if the rumors continue to escalate, although they may not be wrong on the surface, everyone is not stupid and knows the malice behind them. If Consort Yi has any trouble with her pregnancy, will His Majesty, who finds it troublesome, confine them to their quarters for a while again?

They're already unwelcome; if they're further confined to their quarters and constantly trying to get noticed, His Majesty might really forget about them.

As for Consort Hui helping Consort Yi? That's impossible. That woman is a scoundrel who says whatever she thinks and doesn't give anyone face.

“Look, if I said these words, they would only be suspicious and overthink. Only when someone like Consort Hui says them can they be enlightened.”

"Mother, I don't understand."

Ji Nai smiled and said to Rong Xian, "Because they know everything, they're just pretending to be stupid. They act recklessly because they think the law doesn't punish everyone. But once someone exposes their intentions, they'll naturally be 'awakened' immediately."

"But why did Mother help Yikun Palace? She even had my elder brother and the others send a message to Consort Hui through Brother Yinti."

"Firstly, it's for the Empress. Mother is very satisfied with her as the head of the harem. A stable harem ensures peace in the court. Secondly, it's for your father. After all, the child in Consort Yi's belly is also your father's child."

After Noble Lady Nara's child died, although your father didn't seem to react at all, he was actually very sad. Your mother didn't want your father to be heartbroken again.

Of course, this was also for the sake of the future struggle for the throne. If there were too few princes in the palace, the Hesheli family would definitely turn their attention to her children. It's safer when the waters are murky.

Moreover, Ji Nai also wanted to see if the "Fifth Prince Yinqi" in this life would still be taken to Shou Kang Palace and raised by the Empress Dowager.

"Ah? So what Second Brother said is true? Father really does hide under the covers at night, hug Mother and secretly shed tears."

Ji Nai's expression froze. "Your second brother said that?"