The Imperial Noble Consort was no illiterate woman; she was well-versed in historical anecdotes. Yet when Kangxi confronted her, her face turned deathly pale.
What was the Emperor saying?
When had she ever harbored such thoughts—that he was a foolish, doomed ruler?!
And now he spoke of "granting her wish," stripping her of her title as Imperial Noble Consort…
Such furious words chilled her to the bone, leaving her mind blank.
Kangxi’s sudden outburst sent the palace servants trembling to their knees, pressing their foreheads to the ground in fear.
Nanny Zhen was both terrified and frantic.
Her mistress had miscalculated, but even so, the Emperor should not have reprimanded her so harshly.
In all these years, she had never seen His Majesty rage like this against a consort—let alone his own cousin, the Imperial Noble Consort!
How could it come to this?
Seeing the Imperial Noble Consort trembling, clutching her stomach as if about to faint, Nanny Zhen crawled forward on her knees and kowtowed before Kangxi, tears streaming down her aged face. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! The Imperial Noble Consort reveres you above all—how could she ever entertain such treasonous thoughts? Your Majesty! Her Highness is carrying your child…"
Kangxi’s cold gaze flickered at the mention of "the child." Suppressing his fury, he closed his eyes briefly before turning to Liang Jiugong. "Do not delay—summon the imperial physician at once."
Nanny Zhen exhaled in relief, her forehead damp with sweat.
There was still room for reconciliation. The Emperor still cared for Her Highness.
Earlier, a spy from Yonghe Palace had reported that Consort De, upon returning to her quarters, had found an imperial physician waiting in the front hall—without her even requesting one.
It was said the Emperor had ordered it.
The continuation of the imperial lineage was of utmost importance. As long as the Imperial Noble Consort carried his heir, she held a protective talisman. No matter how angry Kangxi was, he would not disregard her condition.
In Nanny Zhen’s view, the Emperor’s words had been spoken in rage—but the true culprit was Noble Consort Yuan!
She could only pray that Her Highness would see reason and not stubbornly defy the Emperor further…
Perhaps the calming tonic prescribed by Imperial Physician Chen was exceptionally potent, for despite her shock, regret, and despair, the Imperial Noble Consort showed no signs of bleeding.
At the words "summon the physician," she finally regained her senses, her hands shaking as she sobbed, "Cousin…"
Having vented his long-suppressed frustration, the Emperor gradually calmed. His sharp gaze swept toward Noble Consort Yuan in the corner.
"Pregnancy brings many worries—I understand," Kangxi sighed, rubbing his temples. "My words earlier were excessive."
Hearing this, the Imperial Noble Consort’s nose stung, and tears streamed down her face.
"Ru Ying, you are my Imperial Noble Consort," Kangxi said, pacing before turning to her. "And my cousin. The bond between us need not be spoken."
Before she could respond, he continued coolly, "But now? Pregnancy may exhaust you, but the schemes you’ve employed are nothing short of foolish. You’ve disappointed me. On the Empress Dowager’s orders, starting tomorrow until your delivery, Yinzhen will reside in Cining Palace alongside Yinqi, so you may rest without burden."
His cold eyes then fixed on the corner, his voice dripping with disdain. "As for this Yuan—"
Yinzhen, moved to Cining Palace?!
The Imperial Noble Consort’s tears froze. Her fingers clenched around her sleeves. Before she could process this, her attention snapped to the mention of "Yuan."
She turned sharply, her expression darkening as she glared at Noble Consort Yuan.
Yes—Yuan!
Because of her, the Imperial Noble Consort had suffered reprimand and lost Yinzhen. The damage was irreparable.
No matter how she spun it, if not for this wretched woman, she would never have fallen so low!
"Cousin, it was Noble Consort Yuan who deceived me—"
Before she could finish, Noble Consort Yuan fell to her knees, kowtowing frantically as she wailed, "Your Majesty! All faults are mine—punish me as you will, and I shall bear it without complaint. But in truth, who wishes to be a mere imitation? The Imperial Noble Consort forced my hand—what choice did I have?"
Catching her breath, she continued tearfully, "I dwell in obscurity, keeping to myself, bowing low during greetings and avoiding banquets whenever possible. I know little of Consort Yi’s mannerisms, let alone her attire. It was the Imperial Noble Consort who instructed me! If you doubt me, search my chambers—the chests are filled with bright, luxurious fabrics far beyond my station. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth!"
Her words struck like thunder, each syllable soaked in grief.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s nails dug into her palms. Nanny Zhen’s face turned ashen.
"I refuse to deceive Your Majesty. Even if I am relegated to obscurity and tormented by the Imperial Noble Consort, I accept it!" Noble Consort Yuan declared, her voice steady.
While she pleaded her case, Liang Jiugong had already dispatched servants to inspect her quarters.
Soon, the examining matrons returned, nodding in confirmation.
Liang Jiugong’s expression soured as he cautiously reported, "Your Majesty, it is as she says."
The air grew heavy with tension.
Just then, Imperial Physician Chen arrived, his medical kit in hand. The elderly man, bright-eyed and vigorous, hesitated at the oppressive atmosphere.
Kangxi glanced at Noble Consort Yuan and said flatly, "Yuan, you are to relocate to Zhongcui Palace immediately and remain confined for half a month. Cease this charade—if you mimic Consort Yi again, I will not spare you."
Noble Consort Yuan’s heart leapt with joy. She kowtowed fervently, tears of gratitude spilling. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
With the physician present, Kangxi waved a dismissive hand, no longer sparing the Imperial Noble Consort a glance. "The Imperial Noble Consort is weary from pregnancy and has requested seclusion—a month’s rest. Palace affairs will be overseen by the Empress Dowager. Consort De has erred in conduct and is confined for a month, with ten copies of palace regulations as punishment."
Liang Jiugong sighed inwardly.
His Majesty’s intentions were profound! The consorts would remain safely in their quarters, shielded from strife—a punishment that was, in truth, protection.
But the Imperial Noble Consort’s thoughts diverged sharply.
Seclusion? How was this any different from house arrest? A prettier name, nothing more.
And Consort De—that vile woman—had escaped lightly with mere confinement for her transgressions.
But what of her? She had lost Yinzhen, her authority, her dignity… everything.
The Emperor had trampled her pride into the dust.
As Kangxi strode away, the Imperial Noble Consort let out a bitter laugh before collapsing into Nanny Zhen’s arms.
Yikun Palace.
Consort Yi awoke to a transformed harem.
"The Imperial Noble Consort is in seclusion, Consort De confined, and the Fourth Prince moved to Cining Palace?" At breakfast, Yunxiu’s eyes widened in shock, her silver chopsticks clattering to the floor.
Ruizhu nodded, smiling. "Indeed! His Majesty has decreed that palace affairs fall to the Empress Dowager—"
Before Yunxiu could process this, Nanny Dong eagerly added, "Her Majesty has long abstained from governance. Overwhelmed, she’ll surely seek the Empress Dowager’s counsel… and in doing so, neglect the Fifth Prince. Just now, Her Majesty sent Nanny Qian to announce his return to Yikun Palace—for at least a month! By noon tomorrow, the prince will be here."
Yinqi is moving back to live in Yikun Palace?
Yunxiu thought she must have misheard.
But Nanny Dong said that Nanny Qian from the Empress Dowager’s side had personally delivered the news… so it couldn’t be wrong.
Once the realization sank in, Yunxiu’s face lit up with joy, her smile radiant as she quickly exclaimed, “Hurry, have someone prepare the warm chamber at once! Send someone to Ningshou Palace too! Gather all the toys Yinqi loves, and make a list of his favorite dishes…”
She was practically babbling in her excitement.
“Your Highness, don’t rush—this old servant knows what to do!” Nanny Dong quickly steadied her and guided her to sit down. “...We’ll arrange everything properly. But you must take care of your health—you can’t skip breakfast, can you?”
“I’ll listen to you, Nanny.” Yunxiu managed to rein in her excitement and picked up her chopsticks again.
After finishing her meal, she smoothed her hair, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Today is truly a day of double blessings. Not only is the harem at peace, but I’ll also get to spend every day with Little Five. His Majesty is truly wise.”
Ever since having that prophetic dream, this was the first time Yunxiu genuinely felt grateful to Kangxi.
The Imperial Noble Consort and Consort De were her enemies.
Consort De, of course, was an old grudge. As for the Imperial Noble Consort, they had no prior conflict, but in her quest for favor, she had sought out a lookalike to replace Yunxiu.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s scheme had succeeded—Yunxiu appeared unbothered on the surface, but inwardly, she was deeply unsettled.
How could she not be? Running into Noble Consort Yuan was like looking into a mirror!
But now, without her lifting a finger, her enemies had turned on each other, granting her peace.
Without them around, even her dreams had become sweeter.
Though it would only last a month, it was already an unexpected blessing!
Could it be that Guo’erluo Yunxiu was truly blessed by fortune?
Yunxiu giggled to herself for a long while before gently caressing her growing belly and whispering, “Little Ninth, your Fifth Brother is coming—aren’t you happy? Your mother certainly is…”
After noon, the Consort of Yongshou Palace came to visit. Yunxiu greeted her with a bright smile. “The peach blossom tea is ready—come in.”
Noble Consort Niu Gulu nodded, then pointed at her with a laugh. “Why do you look so cheerful? Did something good happen?”
Yunxiu gave her a knowing wink. “Good for you, good for me.”
As they spoke, the two entered the inner chamber and sat casually on the heated kang, chatting idly while nibbling on pastries.
When the topic turned to the Imperial Noble Consort’s “recuperation,” Noble Consort Niu Gulu covered her mouth with a chuckle. “She took a hard fall, but at least we’ve gained some peace.”
Yunxiu lazily replied, “Isn’t that the truth? Always scheming this and that—I get tired just watching her.”
Noble Consort Niu Gulu burst into laughter.
She came from the prestigious Niu Gulu clan of the Bordered Yellow Banner, and her elder sister was none other than Empress Xiaozhao. If one were to compare status, the Tong Family couldn’t even come close.
Yet, thanks to their connection as the emperor’s maternal relatives, the Tong Family had risen in power, while the Niu Gulu clan had declined. After her father, Ebilong, passed away, the family lost its pillar, struggling with a lack of capable successors—the older generation was incompetent, and the younger ones hadn’t yet grown.
After her sister’s death, she was the only one who could enter the palace to secure the family’s future. It was her duty.
Though Noble Consort Niu Gulu didn’t care for the emperor’s favor, she despised the Imperial Noble Consort’s behavior.
She had become Imperial Noble Consort thanks to her Tong Family background—fine. But to actually aspire to the empress’s throne, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her sister?
“...She wanted a son, all for the sake of becoming empress,” Noble Consort Niu Gulu scoffed. “Look at all the trouble she stirred up. And now? She’s only managed to anger His Majesty.”
Then, pointing toward the direction of Qianqing Palace, she leaned in and whispered to Yunxiu, “The moment the edict was issued, the entire court knew.”
With her close ties to her family, Noble Consort Niu Gulu had sources Yunxiu didn’t—and this tidbit instantly piqued Yunxiu’s curiosity.
“Did the Tong Family make a move?” Yunxiu asked quietly.
“More than that!” Noble Consort Niu Gulu murmured. “Not just the Tong Family. The Hesheli Family, the Nara Family—they’ve all been at each other’s throats. The court debates turned into a marketplace.”
A marketplace?
Imagining Kangxi’s livid expression, Yunxiu burst into laughter. “How did it turn into a marketplace?”
Noble Consort Niu Gulu chuckled too, lowering her voice further. “What else? The debate over appointing a new empress.”
