After the initial shock, the Vice Censor-in-chief’s expression shifted once more. The mention of "a hen crowing like a rooster"—how could he have forgotten about Her Majesty?
The Grand Empress Dowager had lived through three reigns and even raised the current Emperor. Before the Emperor took personal control of governance, and for a considerable time afterward, every state affair required her approval.
She was not one to cling to power. Seeing her grandson’s governance skills mature, she gradually withdrew to the inner palace, stepping back from court affairs. The harmony between grandmother and grandson became a celebrated tale, and the Emperor revered her above all others.
Over twenty years ago, when four regents ruled and Ao Bai monopolized authority, the imperial throne teetered on the brink of collapse. With a young ruler and a nation in doubt, had it not been for the Grand Empress Dowager—the stabilizing force—who decisively arranged for Suoni’s granddaughter, Mrs. Hesheli, to enter the palace as Empress and Ebilong’s eldest daughter, Mrs. Niu Gulu, as Consort, tirelessly mediating to buy the Emperor time to bide his strength, who could say what the situation would be today?
Before her retirement, though she and the Emperor occasionally clashed—especially over the issue of the Three Feudatories—she ultimately became his staunchest supporter, placating the imperial clansmen and offering him unwavering backing.
Back then, the Revolt of the Three Feudatories raged for years, with the southern regions nearly lost. Ministers trembled in fear, some even proposing to abandon the capital and retreat to Shengjing. The grandmother and grandson joined forces to quash such cowardice.
A heroine no less formidable than any man, she single-handedly upheld the collapsing empire. One could say that the current era of enlightened governance and the Emperor’s reputation as a wise ruler owe much to her as the greatest architect.
—Of course, she was not without detractors.
The traitor Ao Bai, in his arrogance, once submitted a memorial in her presence, declaring that women should not meddle in governance lest history repeat the folly of "a hen crowing like a rooster." At the time, the Emperor was still a child—this was nothing short of a slap to the Grand Empress Dowager’s face, a direct insult!
From then on, the phrase became her most sensitive taboo.
Ao Bai’s fate was plain for all to see. To put it bluntly, even if she had refused to relinquish power and insisted on ruling behind the scenes, none but the most loyal imperialists would dare oppose her.
Who would dare criticize?
No one.
Now in her seventies, the Grand Empress Dowager resided deep in the palace, detached from worldly affairs. Yet none dared forget or disrespect her. After all, the Emperor’s political acumen was honed under her tutelage!
These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. As the Grand Empress Dowager entered, supported by the Emperor, her expression stern and her eyes devoid of their usual warmth, some officials sensed impending trouble.
The assembled ministers dropped to their knees in unison. "This humble servant greets Her Majesty, wishing Her Majesty eternal health and boundless blessings..."
Ma Qi ventured a glance upward and immediately understood—the Grand Empress Dowager had come to lend her support to Noble Consort Yi.
For a moment, Ma Qi marveled inwardly, grateful that Fuqing had become the Fifth Prince’s study companion. Noble Consort Yi enjoyed not only the Emperor’s favor but also unparalleled backing from the Grand Empress Dowager.
He shot a look at Tuyue, who was beaming, a stark contrast to the trembling Vice Censor-in-chief.
"Boundless blessings?" The Grand Empress Dowager sat slowly, leaning on the armrest. "Spare me. You wish me longevity, yet fear I might grow too cunning with age and meddle in governance again?"
Without waiting for a response, she continued coldly, "Noble Consort Yi merely sent spring robes to the Crown Prince, and you’ve blown it into a grave matter. If she’s 'a hen crowing like a rooster,' then what am I? Were my actions during the Emperor’s youth an attempt to overthrow the dynasty, sever its lineage, and shame our ancestors?!"
Kangxi soothed her while casting a frigid gaze at the officials, silently noting those who shifted uncomfortably.
The Vice Censor-in-chief, who had boldly petitioned the Emperor earlier, now kowtowed in terror. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
"You lot, instead of attending to proper duties, spend your days scrutinizing the Emperor’s harem. What are your true intentions?" The Grand Empress Dowager’s sharp eyes swept over the assembly. "Compared to me, Noble Consort Yi has neither interfered in governance nor committed any misconduct. If you insist on impeachment, start with me. What say you?"
Instantly, a chorus of panicked pleas for mercy erupted, lasting endlessly.
Mingzhu sighed inwardly—utterly futile! With the Grand Empress Dowager’s intervention, the accusation of "a hen crowing like a rooster" could never hold.
The Emperor had summoned her, and she had willingly stepped forward to defend Noble Consort Yi. Even Mingzhu, ever confident in his schemes, felt a profound sense of defeat.
At noon, the Vice Censor-in-chief’s bold move had been an unexpected boon. His eyes darkened—he had hoped to topple Mrs. Guoluoluo...
"Mingzhu."
The minister bowed lower at the sudden address. "This servant is here."
To everyone’s surprise, the Grand Empress Dowager shifted topics. "The Crown Prince lost his mother young and grew up without a mother’s care." Her voice softened. "You are fathers, all of you. Put yourselves in his place—a father can never match a mother’s tenderness. There will always be gaps in a child’s upbringing. The Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince are close. I’ve seen the envy in his eyes—envy that the Fifth Prince has a loving mother. It kept me awake at night, so I instructed Noble Consort Yi to look after him..."
A sentimental appeal!
And on the Grand Empress Dowager’s orders?
This reasoning left Mingzhu speechless.
The Crown Prince, orphaned so young, yearning for maternal affection—how could he refute that?
This was a dual tactic of grace and intimidation, forcing his compliance and issuing a warning.
The Grand Empress Dowager seemed to sense something. As for why she hadn’t tasked Consort Ping, Mrs. Hesheli, with this duty—no one dared question it now.
In any case, the accusation of "a hen crowing like a rooster" hadn’t been his doing this morning. It couldn’t be traced back to him.
Whose scheme had it been? All calculations had come to naught.
With a bitter inward laugh, Mingzhu weighed his options and finally replied, "Your Majesty and the Emperor’s profound love moves this servant deeply. For the Crown Prince to have Noble Consort Yi’s care is the greatest blessing. This talk of 'a hen crowing like a rooster' is sheer nonsense!"
With Mingzhu’s declaration, a wave of agreement surged among the officials, swiftly growing into a thunderous tide. The Grand Empress Dowager’s expression softened, and she nodded slightly, a smile gracing her lips.
Any threat to Baocheng must be nipped in the bud. Now that this matter had been settled openly, anyone who dared attack Noble Consort Yi again would be defying not just the Emperor but Her Majesty herself.
Such individuals had no place in court!
At these words, the Vice Censor-in-chief’s face turned ashen. Suo Etu’s task... had failed.
"I am willing to accept remonstrance, but that does not give you license to deceive and slander. You are relieved of your position as Vice Censor-in-chief. Return home with your colleagues to reflect on your actions. Only when you have truly repented may you report back to the Censorate." Kangxi lifted his gaze, his voice heavy with authority. "As for Wang Yong’s future arrangements—that will depend on your conduct."
Another period of reflection…
This time, even his official rank had been stripped!
Under the mixed gazes of a few sympathetic onlookers and a handful of gloating peers, the Vice Censor-in-chief trembled as he kowtowed in gratitude, his face blank with shock, on the verge of tears, consumed by regret.
But it didn’t end there. His superior, the Left Censor-in-chief Wang Yong, glared at him with eyes that seemed capable of spitting fire.
The upright and principled Censor Wang, for the first time in his career, resolved to abuse his authority for personal vengeance. Once this man’s period of reflection was over, he would wield his power to ensure he suffered—oh, he would make sure of it!
Before Yunxiu could even process it, the storm of impeachment had ended as abruptly as it began, leaving little consequence in its wake.
Ruizhu remained unaware of the events in the imperial study, but by dinnertime, the Emperor arrived punctually as always.
Over the meal, Kangxi softly recounted the day’s events, his tone gentle, almost cautious, as if to reassure her: "I did not wish to worry you, so I planned to tell you only after the matter was settled. The censors involved have been punished as they deserved, and as for the mastermind behind this plot…"
Was it Mingzhu, Tong Guowei, or the idle Suo Etu?
His expression darkened. "Xiuxiu, you will not suffer this injustice in vain."
Yunxiu’s hands stilled, her silver chopsticks slipping from her grasp. For a long moment, she was too stunned to react.
Impeachment—against her? Accusations of meddling in the Crown Prince’s affairs, of a hen crowing like a rooster?
Noble Consort Yi’s delicate brows furrowed, her peach-blossom eyes quickly welling with tears. She shut them tightly, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I am but a woman confined to the inner palace—how have I become a wicked consort, a femme fatale, subject to public judgment?" Her heart burned with fury, cold and heavy, yet her voice trembled with sobs. "And to trouble the Empress Dowager to intervene—what virtue do I possess to warrant such attention?"
At this, Kangxi’s heart clenched painfully. For a moment, he was utterly at a loss, fumbling awkwardly to comfort her. "It’s over now! With me here, no one will dare point fingers at you again."
He took a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears, relieved when she finally calmed. But his anger now turned fully toward the "meddlesome" court officials.
This time, it was reflection. Next time, imprisonment. And the time after that…
His eyes turned icy. They had grown too bold.
It was time to drag Suo Etu back into the fray.
The next day.
Under the pretext of paying respects at Cining Palace, Yunxiu made a grand procession with her full consort’s entourage, leisurely making her way to a secluded corner of the imperial garden—where she "coincidentally" encountered the visibly displeased Consort Hui.
The impeachment scandal had spread far and wide the previous day, and by morning, any consort with influential family ties had pieced together the details.
Upon learning that Noble Consort Yi had emerged unscathed, Consort Hui—who had followed the matter with particular interest—felt a suffocating rage rise in her throat. She shattered several teacups in frustration, the oppressive atmosphere of her palace unbearable.
Unable to endure it any longer, she coldly summoned her maids and stormed out to the imperial garden for respite, only to collide with none other than Mrs. Guoluoluo herself!
The sight of the ostentatious consort’s procession made Consort Hui’s face stiffen instantly.
She turned to leave, but Yunxiu curved her lips into a sweet smile and called out, "What a coincidence! Isn’t this Consort Hui? To see me and not offer greetings—who taught you such manners?"
Her tone was gentle, yet dripping with indifference.
