The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 199: Chapter 198: Slapping the Green Tea Empress Dowager (Part 15)

Prince Kang entered the palace.

He did not go to Jiyuan Palace but directly entered Shoukang Palace.

Emperor Jianwu, upon knowing that Prince Kang had once again entered Shoukang Palace, was so angry that he smashed many objects and cursed Prince Kang under his breath, wishing him a miserable death.

Empress Dowager, seeing Prince Kang arrive, eagerly asked: ”Have you clarified the matter regarding cowpox? Did Yu’er really try it? Can that thing truly prevent and cure smallpox?”

Prince Kang looked somewhat troubled and nodded wearily.

Upon hearing this, a slight anger appeared on Empress Dowager’s face: ”What is going on with your Princess and the Princely Heir? With such a wonderful thing at hand, why didn’t they report it sooner? How dare they seek favor with people without saying a word.”

Prince Kang was momentarily stunned.

Then he thought of what Anning had said.

He had previously thought Anning’s suspicions were paranoid.

But now, he felt that what Anning said might have been right.

The royal family truly had no place for Prince Kang Mansion.

Otherwise, Yu’er risked his life to test the cowpox vaccine, but now in front of Empress Dowager, there was no concern for his safety; she was actually angry at Prince Kang Mansion for trying to ingratiate themselves with the people.

Prince Kang felt somewhat disillusioned.

Yet the Empress Dowager was still angry.

She believed that this was Prince Kang’s idea and that perhaps Prince Kang’s heart was no longer with her.

Otherwise, how could someone as young as He Zhenyu be so bold to try cowpox inoculation?

Even Anning, the Princess, probably wouldn’t have the courage to do so.

In Empress Dowager’s memory, Princess Kang was a very rigid woman, gentle and virtuous, not very brave, and with a mild temperament.

Such a person, as she was, would never come up with the idea of cowpox vaccination, let alone dare to let her son try it.

Empress Dowager was angry but did not show it.

She scrutinized Prince Kang and, seeing that he was not as warm and comforting as usual, felt a chill in her heart.

”Tingzhang, I am somewhat afraid.”

Empress Dowager softened her voice and spoke quietly to Prince Kang.

Prince Kang snapped back to his senses and quickly approached her: ”Don’t be afraid, I will handle this matter properly. Also, I have told Yu’er about you. Soon, the method for administering cowpox will be reported to the court. I will instruct someone to start a pilot program in the Capital, gradually expanding it throughout Dayong.”

Empress Dowager’s anger eased slightly.

”Thank goodness for you. If you weren’t looking out for me and the Emperor, we genuinely wouldn’t know how to survive. The Emperor is still so young, and I am just a woman, indecisive. Tingzhang, don’t abandon us, I... In a couple more years, once the Emperor takes over government affairs, we can retire together and live a life of leisure. Hereafter, it will be just us two enjoying carefree days.”

Empress Dowager had described to Prince Kang more than once how wonderful their future life would be.

Just the two of them, appreciating the red flowers in spring, green leaves in summer, enjoying the moon in autumn, and admiring the snow in winter. They could write and paint when they felt idle, discuss poetry and scriptures – truly a beautiful life.

At least, Prince Kang used to think that it was indeed wonderful.

But now, he somehow wasn’t as moved by the thought.

Looking at the Empress Dowager, gentle as water.

Prince Kang couldn’t help but think of the furious Anning.

An angry Anning was truly like a blazing fire, as if she could burn everything in the mortal world.

Xu Anning naturally had a rather glamorous appearance, but after marrying Prince Kang, she deliberately dressed in a subdued manner to match her status. Her clothes were somewhat dark, and she always tried to behave in a gentle and virtuous manner, effectively concealing her innate characteristics.

But after Anning arrived, within just a few days, she began wearing bright clothes and applied her makeup vividly. Coupled with changes in her demeanor, she truly became different from Xu Anning, accentuating the striking beauty she originally possessed.

Before, even though Xu Anning bore children for Prince Kang, he never paid her any attention. In Prince Kang’s heart, she was nothing more than a symbol representing Princess Kang.

But Anning was different.

Anning did not care about Prince Kang at all and even gave him a couple of beatings, which really impressed him.

Now, whenever Prince Kang had a moment to himself, the vision of Anning’s stunningly beautiful face would appear before him, along with her look when angered.

Compared to Anning, the Empress Dowager seemed somewhat bland and uninteresting.

If Anning knew about Prince Kang’s thoughts, she would probably scold him as a masochist.

Prince Kang realized that he had thought of Anning multiple times, and it made him feel quite uneasy and awkward.

He didn’t care about what the Empress Dowager was saying anymore and, after muttering a few comforting words, he made an excuse that he had matters to attend to and took his leave.

The Empress Dowager watched Prince Kang’s retreating figure with a heavy gaze and an especially unpleasant look on her face.

After Prince Kang left, Anning had already inoculated Helan Zhi with the cowpox vaccine.

Because she had prior experience taking care of He Zhenyu, everyone at Prince Kang Mansion was calm and composed when Helan Zhi came down with a fever.

Three days passed, and Helan Zhi’s fever subsided; she was once again a lively and jumping little girl.

Anning then began arranging for the servants at Prince Kang Mansion who had not had smallpox to take turns receiving the vaccination.

Additionally, she had He Zhenyu compile the vaccination method to hand over to Prince Kang.

Although Prince Kang was somewhat of a scoundrel and had a bit of a romantic streak,

he was capable in handling state affairs and did not let personal feelings interfere with public duties. Under his management of state affairs these past two years, the common people’s lives had improved significantly.

Anning knew that once Prince Kang received the vaccination method, he would surely promote it throughout the entire Dayong Empire, so she handed it over to him with confidence.

Ten more days passed, and Prince Kang began to gather cowpox matter and had the citizens of the Capital who had never had smallpox vaccinated in turn, starting with the children. He insisted that the children be vaccinated first before the adults.

When vaccination started, civil and military ministers used all sorts of connections, hoping that they could get their households’ children vaccinated first.

Naturally, after Prince Kang’s own children were vaccinated, the ministers eagerly followed suit.

Even the common people of the Capital sought all sorts of connections to get a place further up in the queue.

They had great trust in the cowpox vaccination method. If it wasn’t effective, why would Prince Kang’s Princely Heir and Commandery Princess get vaccinated? Were they not valuing their lives? If such precious individuals were not afraid, what was there for their children to fear?

Thus, the vaccination was smoothly promoted.

During this period, Anning took the opportunity to enter the palace.

She specifically went to seek an audience with the Empress Dowager.

In fact, the Empress Dowager also did not want to see Anning.

Every time she saw Anning, she would feel uncomfortable for days, suffocated, jealous—it was as if she were looking for trouble in everything.

But this time, when Anning requested an audience, the Empress Dowager could not refuse.

Anning entered Shoukang Palace and, after greeting the Empress Dowager, directly stated the purpose of her visit.

”I have come to ask for a favor from you.”

The Empress Dowager smiled, ”Speak your mind, there’s no need for such formality as asking for favors.”

Anning lowered her head, her smile tinged with bitterness: ”You know how deep Prince Kang’s affection for me has been over the years. Since my marriage into Prince Kang Mansion, he has only had eyes for me. I... I also had selfish reasons, and therefore I never advised Prince Kang to take a concubine in all these years. Not wanting to upset me, Prince Kang also turned away many potential concubines and mistresses. I was originally quite pleased, but my health has been declining as of late, and I no longer have the energy to attend to Prince Kang. This time, after taking care of Yu’er, I fell ill again, and I thought that this cannot go on. It does not matter what happens to me, but Prince Kang cannot be without someone to care for him.”