Yanxi Palace, the Forbidden City.
Long before the news of the Emperor’s grave illness spread, the Grand Empress Dowager had taken charge, decreeing acts of virtue and prayers for His Majesty’s well-being. Minor punishments for palace servants were pardoned, and Concubine Hui’s confinement was lifted.
The Eldest Prince was far away, fighting battles in the northwest. While Concubine Hui swelled with pride, her heart was also gripped with anxiety. Not long after, the Emperor fell ill with malaria, and rumors spread that even medicine could not cure him. Though her restrictions had been lifted, she seemed utterly devastated, withdrawing into seclusion. Day after day, she lingered in the small prayer hall, and as she gazed at the shrine, tears would often fall unbidden.
Yanxi Palace housed more than one high-ranking consort. Alongside Concubine Hui, there resided a Noble Lady, two Attendants, and a Palace Maiden. Once Concubine Hui’s confinement ended, the daily rituals of morning and evening greetings resumed. Whatever their true feelings, upon seeing her state, their eyes reddened, and they flattered, "Your devotion to His Majesty is evident to us all."
Incense curled in the air as Concubine Hui, her fingertips wrapped in gauze, exuded an icy demeanor. "Was the letter delivered without a trace? What did the recipient say?"
Ying'er replied, her voice laced with concern, "It was delivered, my lady." This was no ordinary letter—Concubine Hui had written it in her own blood, risking everything.
Struggling to find comforting words, Ying'er lowered her voice. "Lord Wanyan understands Your Ladyship’s plight. Moreover, the Eldest Prince has achieved monumental feats, nearly equivalent to expanding the empire’s borders. Those who once sided with you and him will surely do so again."
Concubine Hui gave a slight nod, exhaling slowly as some color returned to her face.
"Yinti has always loved martial pursuits. For his first campaign, he has not disgraced the Aisin-Gioro name," she said with restrained pride. "When the prisoners are paraded through the Meridian Gate, it should be his honor to oversee it."
Yet, as thoughts of the Emperor in Rehe resurfaced, her expression darkened once more. Her nails dug into her palms. If the Crown Prince ascended the throne, what future would she and Yinti have?
With the Crown Prince away in Rehe and the triumphant army soon to return, she had no choice but to stake everything—mobilizing every spy left in the palace for one final gamble. If this chance slipped away, it would never come again.
Mingzhu, now holding a nominal military post, was too far from the capital to be of any use. Aside from rallying the remnants of his faction with her blood-written plea, she needed to win over the vanguard troops under Yinti’s command.
Concubine Hui’s breathing grew heavier. This would require careful planning.
In stark contrast was the Cao family.
Once the Crown Princess accepted the two hundred thousand taels of silver, Lady Li felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Her steps as she left the palace were lighter, as though the clouds had parted.
The Crown Prince cherished his consort, and with her as the sole woman in his household, how could the Cao family’s predicament not be resolved?
Receiving confirmation, Cao Yin offered a faint smile. "You’ve worked hard, my lady."
Years of marital harmony had dwindled to this—a mere acknowledgment of her efforts. Lady Li’s smile froze, her heart aching with bitterness. She seethed at the Imperial Noble Consort’s vicious schemes and despised Lady Wang for stirring chaos in their home.
Standing rigidly in place, she watched as Cao Yin, indifferent to her distress, murmured instructions. "Submit petitions more frequently. Do not neglect the Crown Princess."
Lady Li’s face paled, as if thrust back into the past.
"My lord—"
"The imperial harem will never consist of only an empress. Do as I say."
"In Yuqing Palace’s main courtyard, two maids embroidering under the eaves whispered. 'Her Highness is so gracious. Lady Li of the Cao family submitted three petitions in five days, and Her Highness approved them all.'
'Yesterday, that princess consort wasn’t granted an audience. The Cao family must truly be favored!'
'Indeed!'"
Overhearing the hushed conversation, Lady Li bowed her head, slowing her steps unconsciously.
The Crown Princess never treated her coldly, always speaking gently. After accepting the silver, she even confided in Lady Li, dismissing attendants during their meetings, leaving only a trusted matron, and speaking of private matters freely.
Gradually, Lady Li grew bolder, her smiles more genuine—just like today. Hearing the maids’ words, a flicker of joy crossed her eyes, and her lingering unease faded.
Entering the bright, spacious main hall, she knelt gracefully before the seated figure. "This humble one greets Her Highness, the Crown Princess."
Without waiting to be acknowledged, she kowtowed deeply, her voice reverent. "The Cao family wishes to share Your Highness’s burdens."
Jingchu straightened slightly, her brows lifting, her expression unreadable. After a pause, she asked softly, "What burdens do I bear?"
"The burdens of concubines, of the inner court. The Cao family is willing to brave fire and water for Your Highness, to serve you loyally." Lady Li’s voice dropped lower. "Two fair-skinned, meek girls from our clan will soon enter the minor selection. If Your Highness permits, their lives are yours to command. They will obey your every word—useful allies in managing the household, no?"
Jingchu understood immediately.
First, they sent money. Now, they were sending women.
Her expression cooled, all pretense vanishing. Did they think Yuqing Palace was a charity, accepting every unworthy candidate?
The Emperor was on the verge of recovery, and Mother Yi would soon return to the palace. Jingchu had planned to string the Cao family along, squeezing every coin from them as she and Yinreng had agreed. But now, instead of gaining wealth, she was expected to spend silver on feeding and housing these women?
How shamelessly they schemed.
The thought churned her stomach.
Jingchu’s face darkened, her aura turning intimidating.
Unaware, Lady Li remained half-prostrated, smiling. "Your Highness need not worry. These girls are docile, with no will of their own—only pleasing faces and obedient natures. Though they may serve His Highness, their loyalty will always lie with you."
What mistress wouldn’t desire such concubines? Especially a virtuous Crown Princess, a future empress.
Before she could finish, a cold, male voice cut through the air. "Serve me? First, you offer beauties to the Emperor, and now you eye my household? This is Yuqing Palace, not your Cao family’s brothel!"
Lady Li’s voice died in her throat.
Her smile vanished, her face draining of color. Trembling violently, she collapsed fully to the ground, unable to kneel.
Only one person in the palace referred to himself as "I, the solitary one"—the Crown Prince.
It was over. He had heard everything.
One thought consumed her: When had the Crown Prince returned? Why hadn’t the servants outside announced him?
Jingchu’s poised hands trembled, surprise and joy flashing across her face. Rarely so unsettled, she looked up in disbelief. He wasn’t due back for two more days—why had he returned now?
Had Mother Yi also come back?
"Your Highness—" She rose swiftly to greet him.
But the moment she stood, a wave of nausea overwhelmed her. Jingchu’s face twisted, and with the matron’s support, she bent over, retching until she had emptied her stomach of breakfast.
"Your Highness!" The matron gasped in alarm—but no one was more horrified than the Crown Prince.
The anger in his eyes had yet to fade, transforming instead into deep distress and worry, mingled with faint traces of hidden delight. The Crown Prince strode forward in quick steps, pulling her into his arms and murmuring in a low voice, "Lady Li was merely spouting nonsense. When have I ever intended to take the Cao family’s illegitimate daughter as a concubine? You mustn’t let anger harm your health."
As he spoke, he gently wiped her face with a handkerchief.
After vomiting, Jingchu felt somewhat better. She parted her lips, about to speak, but then her brows furrowed, and she bent over again, retching dryly.
The Crown Prince shot a frigid glare at Lady Li, who had collapsed to the floor, wishing he could tear her to pieces.
Jingchu’s heart and mind were wholly devoted to him—just as Mother Yi’s had been entirely fixed upon the Emperor. How could she endure the provocation of the Cao family sending a beauty to tempt him?
"Summon the imperial physician, quickly!"
The Crown Prince escorting the Third Prince back to the palace was already a major event that shook the Forbidden City. The Third Prince’s right cheek was still bandaged, requiring further rest. After seeing him safely to the princes’ quarters, the Crown Prince paid his respects to the two Dowager Empresses before hastening straight to Yuqing Palace, shutting out all prying eyes.
The Crown Princess’s illness was also a significant matter. The urgency on He Zhuer’s face spoke volumes. The commotion in Yuqing Palace over summoning the imperial physician was impossible to ignore, yet at this moment, neither court officials, imperial consorts, nor palace servants had the attention to spare for it.
The palace gates swung open as the Emperor’s procession advanced in solemn grandeur. Liang Jiugong, clad in his official robes, called out in a resonant voice, "His Majesty has returned to the palace! The Imperial Noble Consort has returned to the palace!"
The crack of the ceremonial whip echoed endlessly through the inner courts, like a sudden clap of thunder splitting the skies above the Forbidden City.
"The Emperor has taken the divine medicine presented by the Crown Prince and is now unharmed!"
When the news reached Yanxi Palace, Concubine Hui abruptly stood up, shattering her teacup in shock before collapsing back onto her couch.
Two palanquins carried the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort forward, their figures so close they nearly touched from a distance. The Emperor’s face was ruddy with vigor, his imposing presence undiminished despite the slight frailty hidden beneath his dragon robes—no trace of illness remained. The Imperial Noble Consort’s eyes sparkled with radiance, her every glance brimming with brilliance. One hand rested protectively over her abdomen, and when she lowered her gaze, her expression softened with tender warmth.
"Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager have been waiting so anxiously at Cining Palace that they nearly wore out the floors," said Sumalagu, wiping tears of joy from her eyes as the palanquins halted before the palace gates. "Please follow this old servant inside."
Kangxi nodded slightly, murmuring, "Sumalagu," before adding with quiet emotion, "It was Our fault to keep the Grand Empress Dowager and Our mother waiting so long."
As they entered the hall, he kept glancing at the woman beside him. Sumalagu noticed and understood, her heart swelling with bittersweet emotion—the Imperial Noble Consort had truly found her way into the Emperor’s heart.
How could the Grand Empress Dowager not be moved as well? Just yesterday, she had said plainly that if Kangxi doted a little more on the Imperial Noble Consort, it was only right.
In moments, they reached the inner chamber. The Grand Empress Dowager’s eyes shimmered with tears as she clasped Kangxi’s hands, scrutinizing him from head to toe. The Empress Dowager held Yunxiu’s hand tightly, unable to speak for a long while before finally asking in a trembling voice, "Is the child well?"
Yunxiu smiled faintly and nodded. The Empress Dowager exhaled in relief, her voice tender. "Good, good. Yinqi asks this old one every day about his mother. Now I can finally give him an answer."
Speak of the devil—no sooner had the Empress Dowager spoken than a eunuch rushed in, panting, to announce, "The Fifth Prince, Ninth Prince, Tenth Prince, and Eleventh Prince request an audience!"
Somehow, Yin'e had also tagged along.
The next moment, another eunuch hurried in and dropped to his knees. "This slave misreported! The Fourth Prince, Prince Rong, the Seventh Prince, and the Eighth Prince are following behind the Eleventh Prince!"
"Let them in," Kangxi said, feeling a throbbing at his temples. These little rascals were far too quick with their news.
Then it struck him—wait. Today wasn’t a festival or a holiday. Had the imperial study hall granted them leave?
But when the Emperor met the sight of their red-rimmed, teary eyes, his heart melted into a puddle, and all thoughts of skipping lessons vanished.
Over on the other side, Yintang finally released the breath he’d been holding upon seeing Yunxiu safe and sound.
Tears welling in his eyes, he seized the moment and dashed forward—only for Kangxi to swiftly raise an arm, intercepting and lifting him mid-stride. The Ninth Prince dangled in the air, legs flailing.
After days of recuperation, the Emperor’s arms were no longer weak.
Holding Yintang aloft, Kangxi’s earlier fondness evaporated. Frowning, he scolded, "Your mother cannot handle such rowdiness. Have you no sense of propriety?"
Under the collective stare of seven pairs of red, rabbit-like eyes, Yintang nearly fainted from indignation.
But it didn’t end there.
Moments later, yet another eunuch burst in, kowtowing frantically. "Your Majesty! The tutors from the imperial study hall are kneeling outside, saying the Ninth Prince incited the other princes to skip lessons! If such behavior is tolerated, they dare not face the ancestors in the afterlife!"
