Yunxiu sat dazed by the bedside, closing her eyes briefly as complex emotions churned within her.
She knew malaria could be cured, but the Emperor did not.
The Emperor believed himself a dying man, mustering his failing strength to dictate his final edict—how could she not hear the sincerity laced in every word, the raw emotion behind each phrase?
Everything had changed.
Everything was different now.
Time had shifted the world, and one’s true nature was hard to reclaim.
Afraid she might collapse if she listened any longer—the high walls she had built over years now trembling, on the verge of crumbling—she tried to interrupt him. "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has brought medicine for you."
Yet the Emperor stopped her and spoke these words instead.
A deafening roar filled Yunxiu’s ears, and suddenly, she was back in Changchun Garden in the sixty-first year of Kangxi’s reign.
Shadows of figures knelt outside in rows. The imperial yellow bed curtains hung limp, the air thick with the bitterness of medicine. A withered, sallow hand rested at the edge of the bed, and a voice, strained yet icy, uttered heartless words: "If Consort Yi proves arrogant and disrespectful, do not spare her for my sake."
The memory shattered, replaced by the empty halls of the Rehe Palace retreat. The scent of medicine was faint here, devoid of that stifling, decaying aura.
The Emperor, now in his prime yet suffering from malaria, mustered his remaining strength to tell her, "From now on, be as bold as you wish, as unyielding as you please. No one shall dare disrespect you."
The haunting dreams of her past life and the stark clarity of this one converged into a single tear that trailed from Yunxiu’s eye, down her cheek, before landing with a soft pat on the quilt, leaving a dark stain.
She had never truly let go.
This bitter medicine that brought her clarity was also the wound in her heart.
Yunxiu shed tears, yet she smiled. The weariness carved by hardship could not mask the radiance that surged forth as she leaned in, grasping his cold hands, murmuring to herself, "You are not him."
The Emperor before her and the one from her dreams were two different men.
Kangxi watched her, his heart twisting into knots. The haze of illness weighed on him again, leaving him too weak to even lift a hand and wipe her tears.
He coughed weakly. "What did you say?"
Yunxiu curved her lips into a gentle smile. "This consort said yes."
It was her answer to his earlier plea—Is this alright?
The warmth from her hands seeped into his, and Kangxi blinked, his cheeks flushing faintly.
The Emperor’s hands were cold as stone, yet his forehead burned with fever. Yunxiu knew they could delay no longer—Yinreng must be summoned to present the medicine at once.
She parted her lips, but the Emperor, as if reading her thoughts, spoke first in a frail voice, "Let the Crown Prince enter."
Relief loosened the tension in Yunxiu’s chest. She tightened her grip on his hands and called out clearly, "His Majesty summons the Crown Prince!"
The Crown Prince entered without the customary veil, his nose red from weeping. He hurried past the screen and fell to his knees with a thud, choking back sobs as he kowtowed. "Imperial Father!"
Kangxi gazed at his proudest, most cherished son, his eyes soft with warmth, pride, and an unspoken sorrow.
"You’ve suffered, Baocheng," he rasped.
The Crown Prince wept uncontrollably, barely managing to call out "Imperial Father" again before forcing himself to steady his voice. "This son—" He swallowed. "—has found a cure for malaria. A miraculous medicine from the missionaries."
Before he could finish, Kangxi interrupted, his breathing labored. "Baocheng, I am too weak to hold a brush. Fetch the writing tools from the left chamber and draft an edict for me."
Yunxiu’s brow furrowed, about to protest, but Kangxi squeezed her hand lightly and shook his head.
I promised to protect you.
Sensing his father’s urgency, the Crown Prince wiped his tears and rushed to the side chamber without delay.
Once the imperial decree was prepared, Kangxi closed his eyes and dictated:
"By virtue of harmony and purity, and in recognition of her devoted service, We hereby decree that Noble Consort Yi, Mrs. Guoluoluo, be elevated to Imperial Noble Consort, entrusted with the governance of the six palaces. Let this be obeyed."
The Crown Prince’s hand trembled, nearly ruining the edict.
Recovering swiftly, he thought, As expected, his heart swelling with joy for Yunxiu.
Not only had she tirelessly sought medicine for Imperial Father, but she had also persuaded the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager, journeying to Rehe despite her pregnancy. Such devotion—who wouldn’t be moved?
It was only right that Imperial Father wished to honor her.
"Imperial Father, the draft is complete. Would you review it?" The Crown Prince bowed slightly.
Noticing his father’s dazed gaze fixed on Yunxiu, the Crown Prince’s reddened eyes crinkled with amusement. He added loudly, "The missionaries also—"
Kangxi shook his head. "No need. Baocheng, come closer. I have instructions for you."
Though frail, his presence remained commanding—the stern countenance of an emperor issuing decrees before his court. The Crown Prince immediately fell silent, straightening with solemn respect.
"The Crown Princess was chosen by me as the future mother of the nation—virtuous and wise. Do not let favoritism toward concubines undermine her position." Kangxi paused, catching his breath. "Be generous to your ministers, cherish your brothers. When they come of age, they will be your pillars."
One by one, he imparted his counsel, ending with: "The Imperial Noble Consort has nurtured you. Ensure her happiness for the rest of her days."
Liang Jiugong, who had tiptoed in after completing his duties, stood behind the screen, tears streaming down his face at these words.
Yunxiu’s lashes fluttered. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kangxi weakly curled his fingers around hers, smiling faintly even as grief thickened his voice. "The Crown Prince is filial, I know. But if I do not say this, how can I rest easy?"
Turning back to his son, he said slowly, "Swear you will never disrespect the Imperial Noble Consort. Can you do this?"
"This son swears it. Imperial—"
"If she bears a daughter, will you cherish her as your own? As the eldest brother, you are like a father. Promise me this, and grant her one more mercy—my little princess shall not be sent to Mongolia."
"This son… this son…"
"Good. That is enough." Kangxi’s eyes reddened with relief. "Then your father may rest in peace."
"..."
The Crown Prince grew increasingly uneasy, falling silent.
Is Imperial Father… giving his final commands?
Yunxiu tried repeatedly to interject, only to be cut off each time. The more the Emperor spoke, the more absurd his words became. They were supposed to share an unspoken understanding, yet now it seemed their hearts were worlds apart.
Drafting the edict was one thing, but this talk of "eldest brother as father," of resting in peace—wasn’t this tantamount to a curse? He was still alive!
Most feared curses and witchcraft, emperors most of all. Yet here he was, invoking death again and again—
The newly appointed Imperial Noble Consort was furious.
"Your Majesty." Seeing Kangxi push his weakened body to continue, Yunxiu’s anger lasted only a moment before dissolving. Within seconds, quiet sobs wracked her, tears falling like pearls.
"Your Majesty, discussing such matters with the Crown Prince is like carving out my heart. The imperial physicians have yet to find a cure—why not seek help elsewhere?" She wept, her voice trembling. "Your Majesty will surely live a hundred years, blessed with health and free from calamity. Why speak such ominous words?"
Kangxi paused, momentarily at a loss.
Her tears shattered his heart into pieces, leaving a bitter taste in his throat.
Yunxiu had smiled at him earlier, suppressing her grief to spare him worry, but he had sensed her sorrow all along. Now that it had spilled forth, perhaps it was for the best—better to release the pain than let it fester.
He closed his eyes, about to offer a comforting smile, when the Crown Prince seized the moment to kneel abruptly.
"Imperial Father, this son has come to present a cure for malaria," Yinreng declared, his eyes reddening again—this time with excitement. "The medicine is called quinine, a miraculous remedy obtained from the missionaries. It can show results within a day."
Fearing interruption, he took a quick breath and pressed on, "Though I could never fully trust foreign medicine, the Sacred Body is of utmost importance—not a moment can be wasted. To ensure its safety, I tested it myself. Taken with water, it caused no harm. I beg Your Majesty to administer it first to the afflicted palace servants and Imperial Physician Tan. Once they recover, Your Majesty may take it with confidence."
Silence fell over the bedchamber.
Liang Jiugong’s tears froze mid-fall, his face flickering between elation and sudden dread.
His Majesty had just—
Kangxi stared at Yinreng, his complexion shifting between pallor and flush. His lips parted, but no words came for a long moment.
"Baocheng… are you telling the truth?" Disbelief and overwhelming relief surged within him, nearly bringing him to tears—yet something else lingered beneath.
He had just—
The Crown Prince’s gaze wavered briefly before hardening with resolve. "This son speaks not a single falsehood."
"Good… good." Kangxi’s chest heaved as he repeated the word several times.
Turning his head slightly, the emperor struggled to steady his emotions before finally speaking in a hoarse voice, "But as the heir to the throne, how could you recklessly test medicine on yourself? This was foolish."
Yinreng shook his head firmly, his expression unwavering. "Imperial Father, this son simply could not wait."
Hearing this, Kangxi clasped Yunxiu’s hand tightly, his eyes glistening.
"Truly, my noble son. You have made me—"
Yunxiu’s delicate brows furrowed, and she gently interjected, "You have brought peace to Your Majesty’s father—the late Emperor Shunzhi—in the afterlife."
