Li Mu noticed the arrival of the consorts. She reluctantly released the Emperor; her body was still in pain, and even if these women hadn’t arrived, she would have let go of her own accord.
However, in Kangxi’s eyes, this appeared as though the Empress was still terrified and loath to part with him. He cast a pitying glance at her before turning a stern gaze toward the entering concubines.
While Kangxi watched them, Li Mu was also sizing them up one by one. Leading the group was a woman of dignified appearance. According to the original host’s memories, this was Lady Niuhuru, a daughter of one of the most prominent clans in the empire. If history followed its course, she would be the one to succeed as Empress after the original host’s passing.
Following her were Secondary Consort Li, whose family was known for their auspicious lineage; Secondary Consort Dong, who had given birth to the Second Princess; and Secondary Consort Wanggiya. Behind them was Secondary Consort Ula Nara, the mother of the Emperor’s eldest son, and Secondary Consort Magiya, whose contributions in terms of bearing children were virtually unmatched in the palace. Finally, there were the Gūwalgiya sisters, who had recently enjoyed much of the Emperor’s favor.
All of these women were beauties, but among them, the younger Gūwalgiya sister was the most radiant. It was no wonder she had become the Emperor’s favorite.
Li Mu withdrew her gaze. She was thinking about how to deal with them. Knowing the future, she naturally wanted to “strike first” to cut off certain people’s paths to ensure her son’s smooth ascension. However, she glanced at Kangxi; this could not be rushed. It had to be planned slowly, as the Emperor was not a man easily fooled.
Lady Niuhuru looked at the Empress and stepped forward with a measured, unhurried attitude. “Your Imperial Majesty, it is wonderful that you are safe. I can finally set my heart at ease.”
Li Mu gave a slight nod. Lady Niuhuru retreated smoothly; she was not naturally a warm person, and her greeting was simply a requirement of her status as the highest-ranking woman below the Empress.
Silence fell over the hall until Ula Nara suddenly spoke: “Your Majesty, I have seen the Little Prince. He looks like such a filial child; he seemed to sense when Your Majesty was in danger. He is truly the flesh and blood of Your Majesties.”
Ula Nara was feeling uneasy. Why was the scene so calm after a hemorrhage? Why were the servants so composed? And most importantly, why hadn’t she seen that midwife? All the servants of the Palace of Earthly Tranquility should have been here.
Ula Nara’s eyes sharpened. If that servant was dead, so be it—she just needed to find a way to sever all ties. Plotting against the Empress was a crime for which even a thousand executions would not suffice.
Li Mu watched her with a faint, knowing smile. She had a good guess as to who had acted. From the moment the consorts entered, she had noticed Ula Nara’s behavior—she was the only one who immediately looked for the midwives. If it wasn’t her, who else could it be?
It just so happened that Li Mu planned to pick off her enemies one by one. In the original timeline, Ula Nara would eventually become Consort Hui, leading the four high-ranking consorts because she had birthed the Emperor’s eldest surviving son. Her son, Baoqing, would use his status as the firstborn to plot against Li Mu’s son. The “War of the Nine Princes” was a brutal future conflict; Baoqing was capable, but it remained to be seen if a prince who lost his mother’s protection so early would still have the ability to compete.
Li Mu did not answer her. She feigned exhaustion and closed her eyes. Ula Nara stood awkwardly in place, but in the next moment, her composure shattered completely.
Liang Jiugong entered with a grim face, followed by eunuchs dragging a half-dead midwife. “Your Majesty, I have loosened her tongue.”
Ula Nara’s eyelid twitched violently. The other consorts looked on in confusion.
Kangxi barked: “Speak! I want to see who dares to plot against the Empress and my legitimate son!”
Liang Jiugong replied calmly: “According to the midwife, the master behind her is Secondary Consort Ula Nara.”
Thump! Ula Nara slammed onto her knees, kowtowing and begging for mercy. “Your Majesty! This wretched servant is framing me! I have only reverence for Her Imperial Majesty and no murderous intent! Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!”
She knew she could not show a single crack in her defense. That midwife was someone she had carefully placed near the Empress through a series of coincidences. To ensure the Empress died today, she had swept away all traces of her involvement. She was waiting for her promotion to Consort based on her status as the firstborn’s mother; her future could not end here!
“Is that so?” Kangxi’s eyes drifted toward Ula Nara. His tone held a chilling ruthlessness. Even if she had given him Baoqing, plotting against the Empress and the legitimate heir was unpardonable. It seemed Ula Nara had grown too ambitious.
Liang Jiugong dared to name her only because he already held the evidence. He ignored her frantic denials. “Your Majesty, this is a detailed record of every time that servant encountered Secondary Consort Ula Nara’s staff.”
The midwife was no fool. Knowing she was committing a capital crime, she had taken the bribes but also prepared a “backup” plan. She had recorded every meeting with Ula Nara’s servants—the times and locations were crystal clear—to prevent herself from being “liquidated” by her employer. Servants in the palace always had to have a way out.
The moment the evidence was presented, the other consorts stared at Ula Nara in disbelief. Her audacity was staggering—to plot against the Empress when she already had the eldest son! Her greed had clouded her judgment.
“You poisonous woman!” Before Ula Nara could defend herself, Kangxi, consumed by rage, kicked her hard. “What more do you have to say? The Empress treated you so well, yet you dared to harm her! If I gave you more courage, would you have moved against my son next?”
Ula Nara clutched her stomach, ignoring the pain as she begged desperately: “Please, Your Majesty, investigate! I would not dare act against the Empress! I am but a lowly consort; how could I have the opportunity?”
That wretched dog!
Ula Nara’s lowered eyes were filled with venom and panic. If she escaped this, she would break every bone in that midwife’s body! She had planned so carefully, only to be undone by a servant’s self-preservation.
And why shouldn’t she harm the Empress? She had given the Emperor two sons, even if only Baoqing survived. She had worked hard for the Imperial family! So many consorts could not even conceive, let alone protect their children, yet she had raised the firstborn! Yet she had been suppressed by the Empress for years, remaining a mere Secondary Consort. It was a joke. Only Lady Niuhuru was officially titled, while she was nothing. Now, the Empress had birthed a legitimate son to overshadow her Baoqing. She could not bear it.
The world would be better for everyone without the Empress!
Kangxi, however, was finished with her excuses. He looked at her pathetic state with cold eyes. While it was difficult for a consort to plot against an Empress, it wasn’t impossible—as today proved. That midwife had been a “lucky” placement that Ula Nara had exploited.
“Take her away.”
Kangxi had made his decision. He could not tolerate someone who plotted against the Empress under his watch, even if she had birthed his children. He knew she had done this for her son. If she was willing to kill for status now, who was to say she wouldn’t encourage Baoqing to commit patricide for the throne later? Baoqing could not have such a mother.
Ula Nara looked at the Emperor she had always admired in disbelief. She had followed him for years; she knew “take her away” meant she was to be dealt with permanently. But she was Baoqing’s mother! How could he discard her without a proper hearing? If she was dragged away in front of all these servants, what would remain of her reputation?
She still harbored a sliver of hope—that the records were forged, or that the Emperor would turn a blind eye for the sake of their son.
But Kangxi had no patience left for this “poisonous woman.” He didn’t even want to hear her voice. “Your Majesty, let me explain—Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
Soon, Ula Nara was dragged out by Liang Jiugong and his men. The remaining consorts exchanged looks—some were secretly pleased, others were trembling with fear. No one wanted to stay in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility a moment longer.
Li Mu’s face grew paler, appearing deeply saddened. “I never imagined the one who wanted me dead was Ula Nara.”
Her loyal servants felt their hearts break for her, wishing they could tear the consort to pieces. Xuelian hurried to comfort her: “Your Majesty, do not grieve for such a person. You have the Emperor, the Little Prince, and the other ladies of the palace.” Realizing the latter were hardly a comfort, Xuelian lowered her eyes, planning to brew some blood-toning medicine immediately.
Nanny Zhou had already sent orders to the Imperial Pharmacy. She would brew the medicine herself; after this, she didn’t trust anyone else in the palace.
The Empress looked truly heartbroken and physically spent. Kangxi’s anger toward Ula Nara intensified, but for now, he focused on patting the Empress’s back, providing her a shoulder to lean on.
Seeing this, the other consorts took the hint and retreated.
Lady Niuhuru, as the leader, glanced back at the Empress before leaving. The Emperor and Empress in harmony was a beautiful sight, yet she felt a sharp, subtle shift. The Empress seemed different now.
There was a hidden edge to her—a sharpness that was no longer being concealed.