Watching Noble Consort Yi faint right before his eyes, Liang Jiugong trembled uncontrollably, feeling as though the sky had collapsed.
Ruizhu’s words buzzed in his ears like an incessant hum. Muttering "fetch the imperial physician" under his breath, he spun around in agitation, his voice rising to a shrill pitch: "Someone! Arrest this wretched maid who sneaked in here! And you lot—handle Her Highness with care!"
No sooner had he spoken than he rushed frantically into the imperial study, seeking an audience with His Majesty.
The moment Yunxiu had firmly grasped Lady Wang’s wrist, the latter’s face had drained of color, and now it was utterly devoid of blood, as if frozen in terror.
The way Noble Consort Yi had looked at her was chilling, and her sudden collapse only deepened the fear. With the consort’s maid making such damning accusations, it was as if Lady Wang herself were the culprit.
The Chief Steward had indeed handpicked the attendants serving before the emperor, but she had been discreetly placed among them through the arrangements of Old Madam’s personal nanny.
If this were exposed, how could she possibly survive?
When a group of armed imperial guards stormed in, their blades gleaming coldly as they pointed directly at her, their eyes merciless and unyielding, despair surged uncontrollably through Lady Wang’s heart. She crumpled to the ground, her delicate face flushed, biting her lip to hold back tears.
The situation wasn’t yet beyond redemption—she couldn’t let herself be wrongfully accused!
A paperweight clattered to the floor with a loud thud, but no one spared her a shred of sympathy.
If Lady Wang was drowning in despair, the emperor in his study was equally shaken. His vermilion brush slipped from his fingers as disbelief washed over him. His expression darkened like storm clouds before he strode out in a whirlwind of fury.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Liang Jiugong wailed, scrambling after him.
It was spring, the air filled with birdsong and the gentle murmur of streams. The Weaving Bureau’s estate in Jiangning was a world apart from the Forbidden City, and the Western Garden where the imperial entourage resided was a masterpiece of beauty. Cao Xi, the director of the Jiangning Weaving Bureau, had spared no expense, hiring artisans to craft exquisite rockeries and gardens, even diverting flowing water into ponds. In terms of ingenuity, it rivaled even the famed Changchun Garden.
After rewarding his trusted officials overseeing the southern regions and meeting with several outstanding local governors, Kangxi had taken the opportunity to test his sons’ knowledge. Both Baoqing and Baocheng had answered with remarkable insight, a testament to the princes’ brilliance. With the Western Garden’s serene scenery enhancing his mood, the emperor had been in high spirits, imagining how delightful it would be to stroll hand-in-hand with Xiuxiu once she awoke.
But then this disaster struck.
From Liang Jiugong’s stammered account, a strikingly beautiful maid had somehow infiltrated the attendants. Noble Consort Yi seemed to have misunderstood, even remarking, "Hiding such a beauty—Your Majesty has fine taste," before fainting from sheer fury.
This was an unprecedented reaction.
Under normal circumstances, Kangxi would have been overjoyed at such a display of possessiveness from Yunxiu.
But if it harmed her health—
Now, he had no room for indignation or secret delight. His entire focus was on the word "fainted," his mind racing with furious worry.
Soon, he reached the courtyard gate, where a crowd of guards and servants knelt in fear. Ruizhu wiped her tears, calling out repeatedly for "Her Highness."
Even unconscious, Yunxiu’s brow remained tightly furrowed. At the sight, Kangxi’s heart clenched painfully, his expression thunderous.
Scooping the consort into his arms, the emperor gritted out, "Where is the physician?"
Liang Jiugong bent so low he nearly touched the ground, his voice quivering. "Your Majesty, this servant dispatched someone immediately. They should arrive within half a quarter-hour."
Kangxi’s expression remained icy as he carried Yunxiu swiftly toward the bedchamber.
The maid whose beauty had allegedly provoked Noble Consort Yi’s collapse now knelt bound and guarded, blades at her throat—an impossible sight to overlook.
As he passed, Kangxi paused, casting a glance down at her.
His gaze was devoid of warmth, filled only with a chilling ruthlessness, as if she were already dead. No trace of admiration for her beauty flickered in his eyes.
Facing the emperor’s wrath was one thing, but that look sent violent tremors through Lady Wang. She collapsed further, tears welling as a deeper terror seized her.
How had everything spiraled out of control just from a single accidental glance from Noble Consort Yi?
For a moment, her mind went blank. Digging her nails into her palm, she steadied herself with a deep breath, silently vowing not to panic.
Lowering her head slightly to reveal a slender, pale neck, she sobbed softly, "Your Majesty, this servant is innocent! I’ve been wronged!"
Truth be told, Lady Wang lived up to her reputation as a Jiangnan beauty, her loveliness rivaling even Concubine Liang’s. Her voice was delicate as a nightingale’s, and beneath her fragile demeanor lay an air of quiet pride, a scholarly refinement that stirred a man’s desire to conquer.
Her earlier reaction upon being discovered by Yunxiu—part genuine fright, part calculated performance—had motives known only to herself.
Yet no beauty could shine while bound and disheveled.
"Take her away and interrogate her thoroughly." Kangxi had no patience for her pleading, treating it as if he hadn’t even noticed.
His voice was a low, seething growl as he added, "Find out who sent her. Daring to provoke Noble Consort Yi’s collapse—daring to drive a wedge between the emperor and his consort—"
The unspoken threat made even the imperial guards’ blades tremble, their metallic hum echoing the collective shudder of the attendants.
Tears streamed down Lady Wang’s face as her eyes widened in genuine horror.
Drive a wedge between His Majesty and Noble Consort Yi?
She wouldn’t dare!
Before she could utter another word in her defense, Liang Jiugong gave her a mocking smile and waved a hand. "Take her away!"
---
At Picking Fragrance Hall, Old Madam shot to her feet. "Noble Consort Yi fainted in the Western Garden? How did this happen?"
Nanny Dong hesitated before whispering, "This old servant isn’t entirely sure. A sweeper reported that Her Highness saw Lady Wang among the attendants and flew into such a rage that she collapsed..."
She trailed off, then added in disbelief, "His Majesty was furious. He ordered Lady Wang seized for interrogation, vowing to uncover the mastermind behind this—the one who dared to 'sow discord between him and his consort.'"
Old Madam’s reaction was one of utter bewilderment.
Preposterous. Absurd. Was this something a rational person would say?
Fainting? Was Noble Consort Yi so jealous, so frail?
And this talk of a "mastermind"—what mastermind?
Good heavens, Lady Wang was a beauty presented by the Cao and Li families!
Hadn’t they taken pains to arrange her discreet entry, ensuring Noble Consort Yi would remain unaware? How had it come to this?
Her vision darkened. Gripping Nanny Dong’s arm, she stood frozen, barely managing to stay upright.
With such beauty before him, how could the Emperor remain unmoved?
At this point, she could no longer remain a bystander.
If a thorough investigation were conducted, it would inevitably lead back to her and her daughter-in-law. The only way out now was to insist that Lady Wang had entered the Weaving Bureau last year, proving herself diligent and efficient. When a servant originally chosen by the chief steward fell ill, she had taken the initiative to replace him. Lady Wang had never harbored ambitions of climbing the social ladder, nor was she a scheming individual.
Given His Majesty's regard for her, he would surely spare Lady Wang's life.
As for the Noble Consort...
"Hurry, inform the master and the young master. Have Lady Li accompany me to the Western Garden to attend to the Noble Consort," the Old Madam sighed, gritting her teeth as she issued the order. "Summon the family physician and fetch the finest medicinal herbs from the storeroom. Quickly!"
Meanwhile, in the Western Garden...
On the imperial bed, Yunxiu's breathing gradually steadied. By her side, Kangxi's expression was grave, his thumb gently smoothing the furrow between her brows. The attending palace maids dared not even breathe loudly, while Ruizhu, her eyes reddened, whispered to the imperial physician, "Her Ladyship has always been in excellent health, never suffering even minor ailments. But this time, she collapsed from sheer rage..."
Kangxi gave a slight nod and asked solemnly, "What have you deduced? When will the Noble Consort awaken?"
The accompanying physician carefully took her pulse.
Rage-induced collapse?
It didn't seem so.
Different causes of unconsciousness produced distinct pulse patterns. He was well-versed in the signs of fury—excessive internal heat—but the Noble Consort's condition... well, the signs of heat were not particularly evident.
However, there was indeed emotional turmoil.
Stealing a glance at the Emperor, the physician stroked his long beard thoughtfully before adjusting his grip on her wrist.
As if sensing something unusual, his eyes gradually widened, confusion giving way to unmistakable delight. "This... this is..."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Joyous news!" The weight lifted from his heart, the physician abandoned his earlier caution and beamed. "A slippery pulse—this is a slippery pulse! The Noble Consort is with child, less than two months along!"
For a moment, the room fell into stunned silence.
Liang Jiugong, who had been wiping away tears, gaped in astonishment. Ruizhu, dabbing at her eyes, stared wide-eyed. The most dramatic reaction came from the Emperor himself, whose face had been dark with worry. He abruptly stood—only to stagger and collapse back onto the bedside.
"..." Liang Jiugong swallowed the congratulatory words he had prepared and whispered, "Your Majesty?"
Kangxi shot him a glance, suppressing the surge of joy rising in his chest, and coughed lightly before speaking calmly. "It's nothing."
A chorus of congratulations filled the room, flooding the Emperor's ears. Ecstasy replaced his earlier fury, soon morphing into deeper concern and tenderness.
So she was pregnant—no wonder Xiuxiu had been so unlike herself.
Pregnant women were naturally more sensitive and prone to overthinking. The rigors of the southern tour aside, encountering that scheming maid must have led her to misunderstand, jumping to conclusions...
In such a state, rage and jealousy would be even harder to control. Thus, everything fell into place.
Waving his hand, he schooled his expression back to solemnity and asked the physician in a low voice, "Is the pulse strong and healthy? When will the Noble Consort awaken? Are there any fire-reducing tonics that won't harm her?"
Fire-reducing?
That wouldn't address the root of the problem, Your Majesty.
"Your Majesty, please remain calm. Allow this humble servant to examine further..." The physician's hand trembled as he stroked his beard, nearly twisting it into knots. He composed himself and, after a moment of concentration, resumed taking her pulse.
The initial diagnosis of pregnancy had been a cursory check. After a prolonged examination, his gaze sharpened. "How strange. Her Ladyship has always been robust, yet her pulse seems slightly unstable..."
Before he could finish, a chill shot up his spine. He hastily added, "But it's only a minor fluctuation—the foundation remains solid. A single dose of stabilizing medicine will suffice."
At these words, the coldness in the Emperor's phoenix eyes eased slightly.
Without waiting for Kangxi to speak, the physician discreetly exhaled in relief and mused, "The Noble Consort has endured the fatigue of accompanying Your Majesty on the southern tour. Such a pulse is to be expected."
But what explained the fainting spell?
"Ah—Ruizhu, what did Her Ladyship eat today? Was she exposed to any incense?"
For women in the inner court, unstable pregnancies were often linked to emotional distress, improper diet, or harmful fragrances—whether in food, incense, or decorative items. The same applied to palace consorts.
Understanding the gravity of the matter, Ruizhu replied promptly, "For breakfast, she had plain congee. At noon, she only ate a few osmanthus cakes—not from the Weaving Bureau's kitchens. As for incense, Her Ladyship didn't light any..."
She paused, then frowned. "Now that I think of it, the bedding in the main chamber seemed to have been scented—a faint blend of floral and fruity notes. But after prolonged exposure, it didn't smell like musk. Her Ladyship slept on it for about two hours..."
Pregnant women must avoid musk, which could harm even non-pregnant women if inhaled excessively. Nanny Dong and the others, seasoned in palace intrigues, would never overlook such risks around their mistress. But floral and fruity scents were generally harmless.
The physician let out an excited breath. This had to be the culprit.
"Floral and fruity scents? Her Ladyship is less than two months along—strong fragrances must be avoided. Even if the scent was faint, two hours of exposure would be too much. Moreover, if certain floral and fruity notes clashed, they might form a toxic combination."
He shook his head and continued, "This servant must examine the bedding closely. If the incense is indeed to blame—coupled with the signs of rage-induced collapse—it explains Her Ladyship's fainting spell. With a calming tonic, she should awaken soon."
The physician rapidly listed a series of herbs—none of which were fire-reducing, though no one noticed at the time.
Ruizhu gasped, clenching her fists. The scented bedding, the rage-induced collapse...
It was their oversight—failing to detect the little one's presence, allowing Her Ladyship to suffer needlessly!
As he listened, Kangxi's expression darkened further. "Summon the guards!"
"Ruizhu, take this prescription to the kitchen and prepare a stabilizing tonic. Dispatch swift-footed guards to escort the physician to the Noble Consort's chambers—no more than half an hour. And as for that wretched maid..." He twisted the ring on his thumb, his eyes icy. "Has she confessed?"
"Your Majesty, some details have been extracted, but not the full truth." Liang Jiugong, who had stepped out earlier and returned, hesitated before speaking.
"What? Is it unspeakable?"
"It was Lady Li, wife of Guard Cao, who sent her into the Western Garden," Liang Jiugong shrank like a quail, his voice dwindling. "Arranged by the Old Madam... for service before the Emperor."
Heaven knew how startled Liang Jiugong had been when Lady Wang spoke.
To the benevolent, it seemed benevolent; to the wise, it seemed wise—but "service before the Emperor" could only mean one thing: presenting a beauty.
No wonder the Noble Consort had reacted so strongly.
The thought filled the Chief Steward with indignation. He and the Emperor were both innocent parties, wrongly accused!
He was wronged!
Falsely implicated and suffering unjustly!
Kangxi paused mid-twist of his ring, his anger faltering as if he couldn't believe his ears. "The Old Madam? Which Old Madam?"
Liang Jiugong bowed his head. Which Old Madam indeed?
None other than Lady Sun, the Emperor's childhood wet nurse.
This time, the Cao household had made a grave mistake. They provoked Noble Consort Yi into fainting and nearly harmed the little master in her womb. Heh, if they didn’t come to beg for forgiveness soon—even if the Emperor cherished old sentiments, even if their favor was at its peak—compared to Noble Consort Yi, who had the Crown Prince, the Fourth Princess, the Fifth Prince, and the Ninth Prince behind her, which was more important? The answer was obvious.
The imperial guards, swords at their waists, led the accompanying imperial physician into the main courtyard. In no time, they turned Noble Consort Yi’s bedchamber upside down, and soon, the entire weaving bureau knew of it.
Following this, rumors spread that Noble Consort Yi had been angered into unconsciousness by a maidservant attempting to climb into the Emperor’s bed. The Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation into the mastermind behind it.
For a time, unease overshadowed the joy of the Emperor’s visit, casting a shadow over the household. Would this incident implicate the Cao family?
"Mother..." Yinqi’s voice trembled with tears. "Imperial Father, has Mother woken up?"
The Crown Prince held his hand, his expression dark with suppressed anger. Clearly, he already knew the full story.
The women of the Cao family, emboldened by the Emperor’s favor, had grown too audacious. On the very first day of the imperial visit, they dared to offer a beauty to curry favor, causing Noble Consort Yi to faint. How preposterous!
Did Cao Xi know? Did Cao Yin know?
Seeing the two brothers, Kangxi’s stormy expression softened slightly. "Don’t be afraid, Yinqi. Your mother will wake soon."
After examining the bedding, the imperial physician confirmed there was no poison, but one of the incense ingredients was harmful to pregnant women. Panting, he rushed back to the western courtyard to brew medicine, which the Emperor personally fed to the Noble Consort. Some time had passed since then, so Kangxi’s reassurance wasn’t just to comfort his son.
Just then, a voice came from beyond the screen: "Your Majesty, Guard Cao Yin has arrived with a cart of medicinal herbs, requesting an audience."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince frowned slightly. Kangxi rubbed his temples and finally said, "Leave the herbs and have him wait outside. Summon Nanny Sun and Lady Li inside."
In the outer chamber, the Old Madam leaned on her cane, with Lady Li standing a step behind her. Her legs had gone numb, but she dared not show the slightest discomfort.
An hour earlier, she and her mother had requested an audience with the Emperor, offering to attend to Noble Consort Yi, but Chief Steward Liang had stopped them at the door. The Chief Steward smiled politely. "His Majesty is with Noble Consort Yi and hasn’t the time yet. Please wait a while, Old Madam and Madam."
That "while" had stretched into an hour.
Now that they were finally allowed in, Lady Li felt no joy—only unease, dread, and even terror. How had things come to this?
She wondered about Lady Wang’s fate.
Noble Consort Yi’s fainting spell? She didn’t believe it. To her, it was nothing but jealousy—a ploy to monopolize the Emperor’s attention and drive away potential rivals. The rumors of the Noble Consort’s domineering nature were clearly true.
When Kangxi appeared, the Old Madam trembled as she knelt, while Lady Li prostrated herself, not daring to entertain further thoughts.
The Emperor received them outside the screen, with the Crown Prince and Yinqi inside. This time, there was no helping hand, no "Rise, Nanny." The Old Madam’s heart sank, but she remained kneeling and pleaded, "Your Majesty, please understand—Lady Wang only entered the weaving bureau late last year. This old servant thought her diligent and free of ambition. I beg Your Majesty to spare her life!"
The Crown Prince nearly laughed.
Diligent?
What a flimsy excuse.
Kangxi gazed at Lady Sun, his childhood wet nurse and the mother of his study companion, Cao Yin.
Li Xu had selected a beauty, intending to offer her through the Cao family. Had this been known, some might even praise it as "loyalty." At most, Kangxi would have scolded them and refused the gift—would he have stripped them of their positions?
Yet they hid the truth and still begged for Lady Wang’s life.
Lady Wang’s intentions were unforgivable.
The Emperor had no rule against reprimanding women, but out of respect for the Old Madam’s age and their shared history, he held his tongue. As for Lady Li, Cao Yin’s wife—
Kangxi said coldly, "Noble Consort Yi is with child, yet Lady Wang’s actions nearly caused a miscarriage. For this alone, I could order Zi Qing to divorce you."
Noble Consort Yi was pregnant?!
The word "divorce" struck Lady Li like a bolt of lightning. Overcome with terror, she collapsed, kowtowing desperately. "Your Majesty, I beg for mercy!"
The Old Madam barely kept herself from collapsing, her heart equally gripped by fear.
Before Kangxi could speak further, Yinqi’s delighted voice rang out from inside: "Mother, you’re awake!"
A cold gust seemed to sweep through the room. Before Lady Li could react, the Emperor had vanished.
Yunxiu weakly leaned against the pillows, her expression softening at the sight of the Crown Prince and Yinqi by her bedside. But the moment she glimpsed Liang Jiugong and the hastily arriving Emperor, her smile vanished.
"Your Majesty should go find the beauty you’ve hidden away in your golden chamber. Why bother with me?" She smirked. "A lovely companion by your side—how delightful. Anyone would think the weaving bureau was a brothel, with maidservants more beautiful than the palace consorts."
The Crown Prince turned his head away, stifling a laugh, and covered Yinqi’s ears.
Beyond the screen, the Old Madam’s eyes widened. How dare Noble Consort Yi speak to the Emperor like this?!
Kangxi choked, his face alternating between green and white. Her sharp tongue was the death of him.
"Liang Jiugong!" The Emperor’s tone was nearly gnashing teeth.
But then it struck him—Xiuxiu cared so much that she refused to yield, her jealousy palpable from miles away.
His heart melted into tenderness, especially remembering her pregnancy.
Liang Jiugong, who had been kicked in the rear, scurried forward miserably. "A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! For the sake of the little prince in your womb, Your Highness must not anger yourself!"
He then launched into a thorough explanation, nearly exhausting himself. "Your Highness must not wrong His Majesty or this servant! That wretched maid sought to drive a wedge between you, but His Majesty saw through her at once. He even said—Lady Wang is ugly, not worth a single strand of Your Highness’s hair. His eyes are perfectly fine, thank you very much!"
Realizing he’d sounded a bit too eager to please, Yunxiu fell silent.
Ruizhu chuckled. "His Majesty is wise and mighty—how could he ever betray Your Highness’s trust? You need not worry from now on."
Yunxiu froze, mechanically touching her belly before looking up, her expression complicated.
So she’d misunderstood.
But what had they been saying?
Fainted from rage?
Her reputation was ruined.
It took her a long moment to recover. Fuming, she ignored Kangxi’s "accidental" glances from the corner and zeroed in on what mattered: "The Old Madam and Guard Cao’s wife wish to attend to me?"
Liang Jiugong hesitated, sneaking a glance at the corner before nodding.
This wasn’t the reaction he’d expected.
Shouldn’t she and the Emperor be exchanging sweet nothings by now?
Before he could ponder further, Noble Consort Yi smiled. "Then let them in."
Now, the Old Madam regretted it. Lady Li regretted it too.
To Yunxiu, their earlier bows had been half-hearted. Now, they were bending quite gracefully.
She lifted Lady Li’s chin, staring straight into her tear-filled eyes.
Yunxiu gently brushed the trembling lashes of the woman before her and said softly, "This consort is not yet dead, and already you rush to send women to His Majesty? Tell Li Xu this: as long as I draw breath, he will keep his restless ambitions in check. Oh, and as for those beauties he procured—let them all become concubines to Guard Cao. Would your sister like that?"
