Ningshou Palace.
The Empress Dowager took an unusual interest in the punishment of Li Si'er, inquiring about it frequently. None of the attendants dared to slack in their duties. Nanny Qian, who had served the Empress Dowager for thirty years, knew her mistress’s deepest aversion—she could not stand concubines overshadowing legitimate wives, especially those who flaunted their charms and favor.
As soon as Li Si'er was arrested, word was swiftly sent to the palace, detailing the state of the second wife, Lady Tong’s reaction, and Li Si'er’s arrogance. The Empress Dowager was stunned, scarcely believing what she heard.
"Exterminate nine generations?" The Empress Dowager scoffed before her expression darkened with disgust. "How dare a lowly concubine make such threats! Does Longkodo intend to rebel? And Mrs. Hesheli—utterly senseless. Truly, I’ve seen it all now."
Just then, the Fifth Prince, Yinqi, arrived after his studies to pay his respects. Startled and concerned—his grandmother rarely lost her temper—he pieced together the situation from her words. The scandal involving Longkodo had reached even his brothers, all of whom rejoiced at the censure from the censorate.
Even his eldest brother, confined to his courtyard, had reportedly been furious, declaring that such scum deserved a thousand cuts rather than being left free to harm others.
Thinking quickly, Yinqi said, "Grandmother, please calm yourself. It’s not worth harming your health over such matters. Allow me to prepare some soothing tea for you."
The Empress Dowager had raised Yinqi herself, and their bond was exceptionally close. Her expression softened at once, and she smiled warmly. "Very well, I’ll listen to you, Yinqi."
Yet inwardly, she had already resolved that no matter what, the emperor’s aunt, Mrs. Hesheli, and the imprisoned Longkodo must witness the punishment. Li Si'er’s death was inconsequential, but without a stern warning, who knew what chaos this family might stir next? Would the emperor truly grow distant from his own mother?
At dinner, Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace as usual. Yunxiu dabbed her lips delicately before picking up a tender slice of fish, thinking to herself that she ought to eat well—there was still a grand spectacle to come that evening.
In the palace, it was customary to eat only until seventy or eighty percent full for the sake of health. Yet, at her request, the kitchen had prepared homely dishes. Kangxi watched in astonishment as she devoured half a plate of braised mandarin fish, half a plate of spiced chicken, an entire plate of vinegar-glazed cabbage, a heaping bowl of fragrant rice, and half a bowl of willow-leaf soup.
The emperor glanced at his own bowl and slowly set down his silver chopsticks. He shot Ruizhu a questioning look—had she eaten like this yesterday as well? Was this truly no cause for concern?
Ruizhu shook her head slightly, torn between joy and worry. The imperial physicians had always declared her mistress in good health during routine check-ups. She was delighted that the noble consort’s appetite had surged, a possible sign of pregnancy, but feared that overeating might lead to discomfort.
Yunxiu remained oblivious to their concerns. Finally satisfied, she lifted her gaze and blinked in surprise. "Your Majesty, why are you looking at me like that?"
Kangxi coughed lightly. "It’s nothing."
He resolved to summon Grand Imperial Physician Chen for an examination, his eyes repeatedly drifting to Yunxiu’s stomach. Though her robes concealed any sign of swelling, his concern lingered.
After washing his hands and rinsing his mouth, Kangxi settled onto the couch and couldn’t resist saying, "Let me rub your stomach for you."
Yunxiu blinked once, then again. Even after all these years, the emperor’s habits hadn’t changed. She glanced pointedly at the attendants still present, as if to say, Not now—the servants are watching. Must you be so impatient?
Catching the noble consort’s gaze, Liang Jiugong wished he could shrink into nothingness or vanish into thin air.
Kangxi: "..."
Just as he was about to dismiss the servants, an attendant announced the arrival of the Ninth Prince and the Eleventh Prince to pay their respects.
After the New Year, the six-year-old Yinzi had moved into the princes’ quarters with his elder brothers to begin studies at the imperial school. Though Yunxiu and Kangxi were reluctant to part with him, ancestral rules dictated it. The emperor had assigned his youngest son a spacious courtyard in an excellent location, adjacent to the Ninth and Tenth Princes, and sternly instructed Yintang and Yin'e to look after their little brother. Only then did he rest easier.
When the tutors praised the Eleventh Prince’s brilliance and diligence, predicting that in a few months, his studies might surpass the perpetually lazy Ninth Prince, Kangxi—
Though pleased, a faint melancholy crept in. The dignity of the Aisin-Gioro family had been thoroughly trampled by Yintang.
Fortunately, the Ninth Prince had taken on a nursemaid-like role, sticking to the Eleventh Prince’s side alongside the Tenth Prince like a pair of guardian deities. This salvaged some of his reputation and spared his backside from further punishment.
Holding Yinzi’s soft little hand, Yintang swelled with pride. My brother is just too perfect. Then, a pang of sorrow struck him. With Mother and me here, Yinzi will live a long, happy life, free from suffering.
Shaking his head, Yintang turned his thoughts to another matter. Dinner was the perfect time—the emperor would surely be with his mother. The timing couldn’t be better.
"Mother!" he called loudly before even entering the inner chamber, feigning ignorance. "I’ve brought Yinzi to see you."
Yinzi echoed sweetly, "Mother."
Before Yunxiu could respond, Yintang’s eyes gleamed with mischief. Lowering his voice, he asked with feigned confusion, "They say Uncle favors his concubine over his wife—that he’s so cruel he even poisoned his legitimate wife. Is it true?" Then, stepping inside and spotting Kangxi, he froze. "Father! Your son pays his respects."
His backside twinged in phantom pain.
At first, Yunxiu found it amusing—Yintang’s timing had perfectly interrupted the emperor’s impatience. But then she grasped her son’s intention.
That word—uncle.
She arched a brow and chided lightly, "Don’t speak nonsense. Your Uncle Tuyue and his wife are perfectly happy. What nonsense about favoring concubines or poisoning?"
She pulled Yinzi into her arms, her eyes twinkling with hidden amusement.
Kangxi, however, was too preoccupied to scold the Ninth Prince for ruining the moment or to dote on the Eleventh Prince.
Noticing Yintang’s hesitation, his expression darkened. "Not Tuyue—Longkodo. Since when has Longkodo been your uncle?"
Yintang thought to himself, In our past life, you posthumously honored Cousin Tongjia as Empress Xiaoyi and trusted Longkodo implicitly, so of course we called him ‘uncle.’ But this life is different.
Scratching his head, he feigned bewilderment. "Lord Tong told Fourth Elder Brother himself, and Tenth Brother calls him that too. If you don’t believe me, ask him!"
Yintang was confident he wouldn’t be exposed. If questioned, the Tenth Prince—that simpleton—would tremble before the Fourth Prince, stammering, Spare me, Your Majesty! As for Longkodo, old habits died hard—he’d surely slip and call himself ‘uncle’ without a second thought.
Could an emperor not tell if a seven- or eight-year-old was lying?
In an instant, Kangxi’s face darkened like a storm cloud.
Longkodo, how dare you!
The stomach-rubbing would have to wait. After soothing Yunxiu with a few gentle words, he hurried to Qianqing Palace. As he strode through the gates, his fury was palpable.
"Summon the Minister of Justice, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and the Minister of Dali Temple for an audience!"
Liang Jiugong glanced at the darkening sky and cautiously said, "Your Majesty, it is getting late."
"Just deliver the message. Must I teach you how?" The Emperor's tone was icy, devoid of any warmth.
Liang Jiugong swallowed hard, his mouth bitter with fear, and hastily bowed before summoning a few junior eunuchs. Just then, Wang Bao, the chief steward of Ningshou Palace and a trusted attendant of the Empress Dowager, requested an audience.
Kangxi granted permission, and Wang Bao immediately kowtowed, reporting, "Your Majesty, the lowly concubine Li Si'er has been captured but remains defiant, screaming incessantly for you to exterminate their nine clans!"
After catching his breath, he relayed the events at the Tong residence in detail, emphasizing the tragic state of young Mrs. Hesheli. Once finished, Wang Bao prostrated himself and respectfully added, "The Empress Dowager, enraged, has bound Li Si'er in a side hall of Ningshou Palace. She intends for Longkodo and the women of the Tong household to witness the punishment, believing this will serve as an effective lesson. This servant seeks Your Majesty's approval."
After a long silence, Kangxi let out a furious laugh. "Granted."
A chilling aura radiated from him, and Liang Jiugong shivered, his mind dizzy with the echo of those three words—exterminate their nine clans.
Longkodo, Second Master Tong… You brought this upon yourself. That concubine you chose—no one else is to blame.
Half an hour later,
The side hall of Ningshou Palace was brightly lit. The Empress Dowager sat at the head, prayer beads in hand. Li Si'er, gagged with a filthy cloth, whimpered and thrashed. As time passed, her earlier arrogance faded, the flush on her cheeks replaced by a deathly pallor.
When first brought to Ningshou Palace, she had cowered only briefly, her gaze toward the Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Yi devoid of reverence. Instead, she fixed her eyes on Yunxiu, coveting the resplendent palace robes, golden hairpins, and dangling ornaments—her envy burning deep. The poisoned concoction took swift effect; soon, blood trickled from her lips, and her lower body bled profusely. Envy twisted into seething hatred.
The Empress Dowager stared in shock, momentarily speechless. Yunxiu, unfazed, cast her a dismissive glance, unsurprised by Li Si'er's nature.
She smiled faintly. "Do you no longer want those eyes of yours?"
Li Si'er whimpered through the gag. Yunxiu continued, "Forget exterminating nine clans. Your lord is about to lose his life, yet here you are, still dreaming."
Li Si'er's pupils constricted violently, and she froze.
Noble Consort Wen frowned, unable to comprehend how such a vulgar woman had bewitched Longkodo. The Empress Dowager waved a hand in disgust. "Drag her out. Make her kneel on the steps outside—don’t dirty my floors."
Once Li Si'er was forced onto the open courtyard, guards escorted a stumbling Longkodo forward. Tong Guowei, still unconscious, remained at home to recuperate. Lady Tong, dressed in her official robes, followed with red-rimmed eyes, the women of their household biting their lips, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Your servants pay respects to the Empress Dowager, Noble Consort Wen, and Noble Consort Yi."
The Empress Dowager pointed at Li Si'er. "Rise. I summoned you for one purpose—to witness punishment." She then singled out Lady Tong. "Hesheli, you will watch every moment. Even if it becomes unbearable, you will not look away."
Lady Tong trembled as she knelt. "Yes, Your Majesty."
When Longkodo saw Li Si'er's wretched state, his eyes bulged with rage, and he forgot even to bow. All schemes and malice vanished—only anguish remained. He cried out hoarsely, "Si'er!" and struggled violently, his voice raw. "Si'er carries my child! How can Your Majesties show no mercy? The Emperor rules with benevolence and filial piety! The Empress Dowager is renowned for her virtue—why torment a helpless woman?"
A helpless woman? Was he implying she lacked virtue?
The Empress Dowager pointed at him, momentarily struck speechless before bursting into cold laughter.
"That lowly concubine is unworthy of my mercy! Guards—gag Longkodo! Begin the punishment!"
The women turned away, horrified, but the Empress Dowager paid no heed. She only ordered attendants to support the collapsing Lady Tong, forcing her to watch. Longkodo, eyes bloodshot and silenced, could only stare helplessly as Nanny Qian stepped forward and calmly announced, "One hundred strikes to the face."
A stout maid rolled up her sleeves, took a deep breath, and raised her arm high.
The gag stifled Li Si'er's screams. The only sound in the courtyard was the sharp, rhythmic crack of palm against flesh.
By the tenth strike, her once-proud face swelled red. By the fiftieth, it was unrecognizable. At eighty, her breaths grew shallow. Longkodo watched, tears of blood welling in his eyes.
When the hundredth strike landed, Li Si'er collapsed, barely breathing. Nanny Qian checked her pulse and reported, "Empress Dowager, she still lives."
The Empress Dowager sneered. "Truly the resilience of a lowborn. Continue."
Nanny Qian nodded. "Proceed with flogging."
Longkodo felt as if plunged into icy water, his entire body numb with dread.
No—
Servants hurriedly brought a thick wooden plank, laying Li Si'er upon it. To her left lay a cudgel; to her right, a long whip. Meeting Longkodo's despairing gaze, Nanny Qian smiled faintly. "Second Master Tong, you may choose."
Longkodo shook his head frantically. Unfazed, Nanny Qian turned to the ashen-faced Lady Tong. "My lady, then you shall decide."
Under the Empress Dowager's cold stare and the weight of countless eyes, Lady Tong nearly broke. But defiance was impossible. Trembling, she parted her lips and, under Longkodo's disbelieving glare, rasped, "The… the whip."
At least the whip would leave some semblance of a human form.
Nanny Qian's voice held a hint of amusement. "Since you’ve chosen, you must watch closely."
A seasoned eunuch raised the whip. Time blurred—until Li Si'er moved no more, the stench of bodily waste thick in the air. Lady Tong's eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
Longkodo stood motionless, his soul seemingly drained. Then, with a broken wail, he crumpled onto the steps.
