Cao Yin stumbled out of the Qianqing Palace in a daze, his spirit utterly shattered.
Even though His Majesty had not explicitly stated it, he understood all too well. The Cao family’s glory had vanished like fleeting smoke, and he—the son his father had once taken such pride in—would never again serve as the Jiangning Textile Commissioner.
His eyes grew moist with unshed tears. The downfall of his entire clan rested on his shoulders, and even the Li family had been dragged into disgrace.
"I demoted Lady Wang to a lowly concubine, yet I never imagined you would dare to favor her so brazenly," Kangxi’s cold words still echoed in his ears. "No matter how many faults Lady Li may have, you chose never to divorce her. And now? Cao Yin, you truly are the greatest fool under heaven."
The Emperor could not tolerate disloyal ministers, much less one as foolish as this. Cao Yin could hear the frustration in Kangxi’s voice, the disappointment of a ruler who had expected better. He snapped back to reality with a bitter laugh, his steps heavy as though weighed down by a thousand pounds.
The Tiandihui had infiltrated his household, even reaching his own bedchamber, yet he had remained oblivious. While the Emperor recuperated in Rehe, the capital had been anything but peaceful, with rebels from the southern headquarters slipping into the city.
Had the Nine Gates Infantry Command not been secretly surveilling them on imperial orders, a catastrophe would have unfolded—one for which Cao Yin could never atone, even in death.
The peacock feather adorning his hat now felt like a disgrace.
The more he thought, the redder his eyes became. He had betrayed His Majesty’s favor and trust. Whether it was dismissal, imprisonment, or exile, he deserved it all.
Staggering down the long palace corridor, he suddenly halted when he spotted He Zhuer, the Crown Prince’s attendant, smiling by a side gate. Behind him, two matrons restrained a trembling, disheveled figure—his wife, Lady Li.
"The Crown Princess’s pregnancy is joyous news. To accumulate blessings, His Highness has spared you further punishment, but he asked this servant to relay a message to you, my lord. As the saying goes, ‘Greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.’ All of this is your fault, yet there remains a way to redeem yourself." He Zhuer’s smile deepened. "The imperial treasury is not as full as it should be, and His Highness is deeply concerned."
Cao Yin’s face drained of color. After a long pause, he clasped his hands and replied hoarsely, "I am humbled. Thank you for your trouble, sir."
The entire morning had been spent summoning officials to the imperial study, where a heavy atmosphere lingered. Kangxi’s expression was a far cry from the joy he had shown upon learning of the Crown Princess’s pregnancy.
Liang Jiugong hunched his shoulders and sighed inwardly. His Majesty had always treated Cao Yin differently. Had Cao Yin not brought ruin upon himself, the Cao family—cherished by the Emperor since childhood—could have remained unshaken.
"Appoint Left Censor Ma Qi as imperial envoy, bearing my decree to the Jiangning Textile Commissioner’s residence. Relocate the Cao clan to the capital and strip the women of their noble titles." Kangxi rubbed his temples, deliberating before finally issuing the order. "Summon the Nine Gates Commander. Have Cao Yin’s residence surrounded, arrest Lady Wang, and deliver her to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review for interrogation. She is to be executed at a later date."
Liang Jiugong bowed and softly acknowledged the command, lamenting silently—this time, imprisonment was certain.
When he returned to the imperial study after stepping out briefly, he found the Emperor’s right hand, still clutching the vermilion brush, trembling slightly.
"Your Majesty, recovery from illness is a gradual process. You’ve only just regained your health—you must take care of yourself." Liang Jiugong hastily knelt. "Reviewing memorials requires precision. If the Imperial Noble Consort were to find out, she’d have my head!"
In the past, Liang Jiugong would never have dared to speak so boldly to his master. But now he had learned.
Mentioning the Imperial Noble Consort always softened the Emperor’s stance. This trick never failed, making him increasingly indispensable in the Emperor’s eyes.
Whenever his subordinates flattered him, Liang Jiugong couldn’t help but feel smug. This was his secret weapon—anyone dreaming of replacing him as the Emperor’s favorite might as well wake up.
Fatigue crept in as Kangxi continued writing, his hand unsteady. At the mention of "Imperial Noble Consort," a trace of tenderness flickered across his stern features.
He set down the brush and rose. "Prepare my carriage for Yikun Palace."
Then, pausing, he added, "Send someone to Yuqing Palace to summon the Crown Prince to the imperial study. He may review these first, and I will make the final decisions. Affairs of state grow unfamiliar if neglected for even a day. He is no longer a child—it’s time he learned governance."
Liang Jiugong had no objections to summoning the Crown Prince.
But the Crown Princess had just been confirmed with child. Shouldn’t the Crown Prince, overjoyed at becoming a father, be allowed to celebrate? Delaying until tomorrow wouldn’t hurt.
He ventured a cautious suggestion, his face wreathed in smiles, only for Kangxi to raise an eyebrow and reply with finality, "Speaking of which, the Imperial Noble Consort is further along in her pregnancy. I, too, am about to become a father—shouldn’t the Crown Prince understand my joy? Don’t you agree?"
"..." Liang Jiugong froze before mechanically responding, "Yes, yes. This servant will fetch His Highness at once."
As evening approached, the aroma of steaming rice wafted through the air. Yunxiu’s lashes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes.
Blurrily, she discerned a figure seated by her bedside. Focusing, she realized it was Kangxi.
Her voice was soft and slightly hoarse. "Your Majesty?"
"It is I." Kangxi answered gently, helping her sit up against the pillows. He took a cup of warm water from a palace maid and carefully brought it to her lips.
Yunxiu blinked at him.
"What? Does the Imperial Noble Consort not wish for her Emperor to serve her?" Kangxi feigned displeasure.
"How could I dare?" Yunxiu laughed, sipping from his hand before murmuring, "Your Majesty’s care is even more attentive than Ruizhu’s."
Ruizhu, busy directing the maids to set the meal, remained oblivious to the Emperor’s fleeting glance, though she suddenly felt a chill down her neck and instinctively shifted her stance.
By the time Yunxiu had freshened up, the dining table was ready.
"At this hour, Yinqi and the others usually come to pay their respects. Yet today, not a soul has appeared." Yunxiu sighed softly. Since returning to the palace, she had longed to share private words with her sons.
Little Eleventh was always clingy, and Ninth Prince, having endured such a "trial," must be seething with resentment. She needed to reassure him. Striving for excellence was good—the Emperor was merely tempering Yintang’s character.
Just as she thought this, Kangxi coughed awkwardly.
Yunxiu glanced up, suspicion dawning. "Did Your Majesty send them away?"
"‘Send away’ is too harsh a phrase," Kangxi explained patiently. "After the journey, rest is essential. Paying respects to their mother can wait."
Yunxiu tilted her head, catching Liang Jiugong stifling a laugh in the corner. She exhaled in silent exasperation.
Meanwhile, Kangxi continued smoothly, "The Crown Princess has been confirmed with child. I sent them to offer congratulations. The children were all delighted."
Liang Jiugong thought to himself—well, except for the Crown Prince, who was likely the least happy of all.
"Jingchu is with child?" Yunxiu gasped, her face lighting up with genuine joy. "Your Majesty must bestow gifts. Whether it’s an imperial grandson or granddaughter, the child will be of the highest honor. In that case, she shouldn’t oversee palace affairs anymore—rest is paramount!"
After a flurry of words, she added, "Yinreng is about to become a father. He ought to stay by her side. If he neglects Jingchu, I won’t forgive him."
Kangxi, as though forgetting his earlier decree summoning the Crown Prince to review memorials, nodded agreeably. "Yunxiu is absolutely right."
With that, ignoring Liang Jiugong’s twitching expression, he picked up a dish Yunxiu loved and placed it in her bowl, his lips curling into a gentle smile as he murmured, "Staying by each other’s side like this, growing old together—that’s the true way of life."
As for the burdens on Baocheng’s shoulders, it wouldn’t hurt if they were a little heavier.
After a pause, he leaned in closer and whispered conspiratorially, "My jade beauty cream is running low. Why don’t you spare me some, Xiuxiu?"
Yunxiu shot him a reproachful glance, her fair cheeks flushing pink.
Such an incorrigible old man.
Mid-autumn had arrived, and the hundreds of thousands of troops who had marched against the Dzungars returned triumphantly to the capital. On the day of the Banjin Festival, prisoners were presented at the Meridian Gate, and honors and rewards were bestowed.
The Emperor, accompanied by the Crown Prince, personally rode out to welcome them, feasting the bloodied warriors who had fought valiantly. Seeing the strict discipline and awe-inspiring might of the front, center, and right armies, His Majesty was overjoyed, his heart swelling with pride.
"Imperial Father." The Eldest Prince dismounted and cupped his hands, his voice choked with emotion.
After steadying himself for a moment, he bowed to Yinreng and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
The Eldest Prince’s exposed skin had darkened several shades, and his frame had grown leaner and more muscular. Tempered by the battlefield, he had shed his former restlessness, now exuding the steadfastness and responsibility Kangxi had long hoped to see.
The Crown Prince gave him a warm smile and said solemnly, "Eldest Brother, your valor is unmatched. I admire you deeply."
The words were sincere, yet they still sent an involuntary shiver down Yinti’s spine.
Memories of their childhood, best left forgotten, surged to the surface—every time the Crown Prince had praised him, it had been laced with ill intent.
But now, he couldn’t afford to offend Yinreng. Yinreng had procured a miraculous cure for malaria from the missionaries and even risked his own life testing it. His filial piety was known throughout the realm. Even if the Emperor were blind, he would never let Yinti ascend the throne.
So the Eldest Prince cautiously replied, "I dare not accept such praise."
His eyes swept over the Crown Prince, and he scrambled for small talk. "Second Brother, you’ve grown much thinner."
At that, the Crown Prince’s smile stiffened, his earlier sincerity vanishing without a trace.
Imperial Father spent his days doting on Imperial Consort Yi, leaving the tedious memorials for him to review—of course he’d lost weight!
Why bring up such a sore subject?
His smile returned in an instant, bright and earnest. "Eldest Brother, you’ve also grown much darker. At the midday palace banquet, Eldest Sister-in-Law might not even recognize you."
Yinti: "..."
The capture of Galdan had been the Eldest Prince’s crowning achievement, while Tuyue and his son Fulu had also rendered indelible service. Fulu, standing slightly behind the Eldest Prince’s left flank, had shot up in height.
Baptized in blood on the battlefield, Fulu’s spirit remained undimmed. During the campaign, he had earned the Eldest Prince’s favor and been promoted to the vanguard. Judging by the expressions of those around him, he had won their respect as well.
Seeing the Eldest Prince’s sullen expression, Fulu sidled up with a grin and whispered, "Eldest Princess Consort won’t mind. This is the mark of a true man."
The Eldest Prince was instantly mollified, struck by a sudden realization—this boy’s charm wasn’t without reason.
Though inwardly pleased, he feigned a scolding. "Such glib talk."
Fulu, too, felt a pang of reflection.
The Aisin-Gioro family truly shared a bloodline of saying one thing and meaning another. Only Emperor Uncle was honest—when he adored Auntie, he adored her openly, without pretense.
The next day, at the Princes’ Quarters.
"Eldest Brother." The Third Prince’s bandages had been removed, leaving only a small scar at the corner of his eye. He rushed forward in three quick strides, clutching Yinti’s sleeve anxiously. "Mother Hui and my mother—"
After hearing the tragic news, Rongxian had wept ceaselessly, pleading repeatedly for an audience with the Emperor at the Qianqing Palace. No one knew what the Emperor had said to her, but she had held Yin Zhi and sobbed through the night before drying her tears and declaring, "Yin Zhi, Mother wants us to be well. Once you’ve taken a consort, I’ll marry into the grasslands. Until then, I’ll look after you."
How could this be?
If Mother and Mother Hui had committed the same crime, surely Eldest Brother could find a way to plead for mercy!
The Eldest Prince turned back, taking in the Third Prince’s barely concealed panic. After a long silence, he said quietly, "Imperial Father has already shown leniency. There’s nothing more I can do."
This was rebellion, no ordinary offense.
Closing his eyes briefly, he added, "Third Brother, a true man doesn’t need his mother to survive. We’re still the sons of consorts—our dignity remains intact."
The Eldest Prince drew a deep breath, pressing a hand to his reddened eyes. "Isn’t that right?"
The Third Prince stood frozen, watching his retreating figure until it disappeared into the distance.
Autumn’s melancholy gave way to winter’s bitter chill, and in the blink of an eye, it was the evening of the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month.
Yunxiu cradled her swollen belly with difficulty and asked softly, "Nanny Dong, are the Laba porridge gifts for each palace ready?"
"They’re being kept warm over a low flame. They’ll be ready by midnight," Nanny Dong hurriedly assured her.
Yunxiu smiled and was about to reply when a sharp pain tore through her abdomen, followed by an overwhelming sensation of weight—
"Help me to the delivery room!" she gasped, her voice breaking. The next moment, she was swept into arms that carried the faint scent of ambergris.
Kangxi had charged into the room, his face a portrait of panic. "Where are the physicians? The midwives? Is the hot water ready? The scissors? Someone—anyone!"
His frantic commands, delivered with the urgency of a man ready to deliver the baby himself, sent the entire Yikun Palace into a frenzy.
"Your Majesty, you mustn’t—you mustn’t!"
