Chapter Fifty-Four

  A woman wearing a jade-colored cheongsam with floral patterns sat quietly in front of a peony flower, her beauty as calm and serene as a still pool of water. She didn't say a word, but the maid standing before her bowed her head and body like a bow, filled with reverence and fear.

  The new Western-style grandfather clock struck the time and a bird emerged from its case to chirp, exceptionally clear and pleasant. The birds under the eaves all followed suit, singing in harmony. The servant girl presented a small, unassuming box: "Newly arrived Western pigeon bloodstone, every piece is top-grade, extremely valuable. This will serve as the medical fee for Madame Fu."

  Quan Pei loves these luxurious and beautiful things. When she opens the box, it's really dazzling like fresh blood, without a single impurity: "I was just thinking about what medicine to bring when I go."

  That's what I'm willing to go for. The old lady's face smiled like a chrysanthemum: "As long as the Fourth Lady is willing to go, the medicine is not a problem!"

  The light that came in through the window shone on the woman in front of her, with clear eyes and a faint smile, everything seemed to be full of beauty. The maid's eyes narrowed slightly, seeing Guan Yu getting up to change clothes, she took a step forward and spoke: "Madam, wait a moment, I have something else to say."

  The eunuch saw the queen stop and look at her, then lowered his voice: "Our empress wants me to bring a message to you. The emperor is on an expedition outside and has entrusted the fourth master with managing the horses. This is a heavy responsibility. If it's done well, it will naturally be a great achievement. But if the horses are lost due to the harsh weather in the northwest, it would be a serious crime."

  Kang Qinwang's wife was seriously ill, but she was also an interesting person. She would only reveal such news when Quan Pei was willing to help herself. If Quan Pei was unwilling to go, wouldn't she not bother saying anything?

  The fourth wife didn't see the expected scene, but only heard a faint "en" from the fourth wife, and she walked past the screen. She herself was stunned on the spot, these masters' minds were really hard to guess, what did they mean by being so calm in such a critical situation...

  The two daughters-in-law of Kangxi Emperor's wife were serving in front, and the Crown Prince's wife, Lady Chaojia, couldn't help but cry. In the end, she fainted from anger, making Kangxi Emperor's wife feel guilty, so she had to pretend to be even more sorrowful and ashamed.

  A woman suddenly appeared in front of her, and the large red gemstone hairpin on her black bun sparkled, making Zhaojia's eyes widen. Only when she looked closely did she realize that it was the Fourth Prince's consort who had arrived. The bedridden Kang Shu, who couldn't speak, also lit up, and with great effort stretched out her hand to Quan Pei. A maid attending beside her quickly helped Kang Shu sit up.

  Zhao Jia saw Quan Pei was not feeling well at all, but had to come up and exchange pleasantries: "I didn't expect to disturb the Fourth Lady, my mother's illness is an old one, even the imperial physician can't do much about it, it's really...". She started crying again.

  Quan Pei sat down beside the bed of Kang Shu Wang Fu Jin, holding the hand that Kang Shu Wang Fu Jin had extended to her. She paused for a moment before speaking warmly with Kang Shu Wang Fu Jin: "Don't worry too much, you'll get better slowly but surely. Illness comes like a mountain and goes like pulling out silk threads, it just takes some time..."

  Kang Qinwang's consort nodded with a great deal of effort, but her eyes were somewhat moist.

  Quan Pei sighed, and gently wiped away her tears: "You're a person destined to be happy, so you'll definitely turn bad luck into good fortune. Take care of yourself, I have some calming pills here that might help you feel better."

  The old woman who was following beside her even took the medicine from Quan Pei's hand with some anxiety, turned around to find a clean tea bowl and went to get clear water to give Kang Shuang Fu Jun one pill.

  Heavy footsteps came from outside, and the eyes of Princess Consort Kang changed. The wet nurse beside her even shrank back, and the maid lifted up the curtain. Prince Kang strode in with big steps.

  This is a man who does not look old, and even now has a few dignified airs, his black eyes scanning the room before exchanging pleasantries with Quan Pei: "I didn't expect to disturb Fourth Mistress."

  "It was originally some shopkeeper's business that came to find Madame Fu, didn't expect to encounter such a thing, Master Wang shouldn't worry too much either."

  Kang Qinwang seemed to have no patience for small talk with Quan Pei: "The household is in a mess, it's not good to entertain the Fourth Lady, I'll make amends another day."

  Ruan Yu lightly grasped the hand of Consort Fu, turned around and smiled at Prince Gong: "Then I'll come visit Consort Fu another day."

  The woman smiled faintly, with an inexplicable flavor that made Kang Shuang's heart tighten. After sending off Quan Pei, he turned back to ask Ya Tou: "What did your mistress and the fourth mistress say?"

  "He had just said a couple of casual words when the king entered."

  That's when nothing happened, and he let out a slight sigh of relief upon hearing that.

  The horse carriage was moving slowly on the street, Quan Pei opened her hand and saw a small paper ball. This was what Princess Consort of Gong gave to her when she held her hand. Slowly unfolding it, the words on top were somewhat blurred due to being held in her hand for a long time and being soaked with sweat, but the content written could still be seen clearly:

  "Suo Ertu plans to rebel, Fourth Master is in danger."

  The words of the eunuch who came to report the news were connected, and the matter quickly became clear. Suo Ertu wanted to rebel and support the crown prince's ascension to the throne, starting with the horses under Yongzheng's supervision, so that Kangxi would be defeated by Galdan in Mongolia, and it would be best if he died in Mongolia due to war or other reasons, then the crown prince left in the capital could ascend to the throne in a legitimate manner.

  At first, I didn't understand why Consort Kang was unwilling to speak early about Yongzheng's misfortune. Now I see clearly that Consort Kang wasn't entirely trying to drag her into this matter; if she hadn't gone, she wouldn't have known too much.

  Quan Pei closed her eyes and leaned against the carriage wall, handing the note to Xiao Yue. After reading it, Xiao Yue directly stuffed it into her mouth. It wasn't until Quan Pei opened her eyes again that she spoke up: "What does Madam Fu plan to do?"

  "Princess Consort Kang must have unintentionally overheard Prince Kang's secret, so she was drugged and confined by him. She is actually a good person, I want to help the Fourth Master and also save her."

  Kang Shizi Wang should just not want to let Kang Shizi Wang Fu Jin spread the news, and does not want Kang Shizi Wang Fu Jin's life. When the Crown Prince wins a great victory, Kang Shizi Wang Fu Jin will naturally be fine. But in this mansion, apart from Kang Shizi Wang, there are others. Someone might take advantage of the chaos to make a move, such as Shi Zi Fu Jin Zhao Jia Shi. If she gets rid of Kang Shizi Wang Fu Jin, she can truly become the queen and dominate.

  If the Dark Guard had been established now, it would be much easier to get things done. Yongzheng is far away in the sky, and the most important thing is to pass on the news to him. When Yongzheng left, he specifically left behind a trusted person who was brought back from outside at that time, wrote a letter, and also left a few words verbally. According to their previous private agreement, Yongzheng can see what Quan Pei wants to say, but outsiders cannot understand it.

  Bao Ge'er wore a bright blue crane cloak and looked up at Quan Pei: "Mother, let's ride horses!"

  Quan Pei stopped and bent down to touch Bao Ge's head: "Mother is busy these days, Bao Ge can ask someone to take him to the horse enclosure to see the little horse. One must take care of one's own things, otherwise when you grow up, the horse won't be well-raised and even if you want to run, it won't be able to run fast."

  Bao Ge'er spun his dark eyes and understood that he had to take care of the little horse himself, so he felt happy again and smiled in agreement: "Okay!"

  The only one who can rival the Crown Prince and is willing to rival him is Da A Ge's faction. Consort Hui and Empress Dowager have a considerable handle in Quan Pei's hands, it's time to use it.

  The Empress Dowager was coaxing the young prince to sleep, looking at the chubby child with a heart full of pity, and ordered the maid to make the charcoal brazier burn more fiercely, fearing that the young prince would catch cold.

  Yāo Tóu slipped in quietly, not daring to speak yet, for fear of disturbing the young master who had just fallen asleep, and waiting until Dà Fú Jūn got up and came out of the inner room before saying: "Fourth Mistress wants to see you."

  She had a deep grudge against Quan Pei, what was there to see her for? She wanted to speak up, but then she heard the servant girl say: "Fourth Madam said that it's really an important matter, otherwise she wouldn't have come over easily."

  "Very well, then please come in."

  Dafuren wore a crimson cheongsam with a deep purple sheepskin jacket draped over her shoulders, sitting upright on the couch. Seeing Quan Pei enter, she didn't get up, but merely took a sip of hot tea and said lightly: "Fourth Brother's wife is a rare guest, I don't know what earth-shattering matter brings you to my place?"

  Quan Pei took off her cloak, revealing a light green dress underneath. She picked up a chair and sat down: "It's really a big deal, otherwise, knowing that Eldest Sister doesn't welcome me, why would I still come and force myself on her? Isn't it just asking for trouble?"

  Although being ignored by the host family, which should be embarrassing and at a loss for what to do, Quan Pei still had a casual and lazy attitude, as if she were leisurely in her own home. With just a slight movement, one could see the dazzling red gemstone bracelet on her wrist, exuding endless wealth and elegance amidst her relaxed demeanor.

  "Very well, let's get it over with."

  The tone is indeed not good.

  Quan Pei didn't have the energy to beat around the bush: "The Emperor is on a campaign outside, leaving only the Crown Prince in the capital to oversee the country, and with Suo Ertu helping from the side. You say if the Crown Prince wants to do something, what can we do?"

  Dai Furen was shocked: "What do you mean by this?"

  "I also heard the news from someone else, it's said that the prince wants to harm our family and also wants to lay hands on the emperor. You know we don't have any power or influence, everything relies on ourselves, but this matter is likely to be a bit too much for us to handle alone, so I can only seek help from brother and sister-in-law."

  It's better to believe it exists than not, regardless of whether what Wengui said is true or false. In essence, it doesn't cause any loss for them.

  The Grand Lady frowned and fell silent, then heard Quan Pei say: "Sister-in-law shouldn't delay any longer, I'm afraid if we delay further, disaster will befall us."

  Dai Furen looked at Quan Pei, the eldest prince and the crown prince were irreconcilable, if the crown prince became emperor, the outcome of the eldest prince could be imagined. Quan Pei was precisely because she grasped this point that she would say such things to her, it was certain that they would take action, perhaps even if things weren't really true, they would fabricate something to make the crown prince embarrassed...

  Wei said, "I have another matter that I'd like to ask for your help, Imperial Concubine Hui and Eldest Sister. The Consort of Prince Kang is seriously ill and can't get out of bed. Could you, Imperial Concubine Hui, arrange for a royal physician from the palace to be sent to her? Not to mention curing her illness, at least she won't have to worry about her life... Let's just consider those past grievances settled once and for all, I won't bring it up again..."

  How did it get involved with Kang's wife, Fu Jin, again? Fu Jin frowned deeply and watched as Quan Pei walked out, the bright red fox fur cloak particularly eye-catching. Quan Pei's last few words still lingered in her ears: "I'll leave a message for my sister-in-law too...the illness she got during her confinement isn't a minor one; it would be best to take a good look at it now, or perhaps she can recover quickly. If it's delayed, I'm afraid it will put her life in danger."

  How did Guan Pei know she had postpartum depression? Were these last few words meant to intimidate her? She didn't have the spare energy to think about this now, so Guan Pei used the previous leverage to make a deal with Consort Kang's mother to find a doctor. These things she had to pass on to Consort Hui as soon as possible. She hated Consort Hui, but at the same time knew that in front of such a big matter, only Consort Hui could control it correctly. So she hastily got up...