The 200,000 taels of silver were originally a "bribe" offered by the Cao family to the Crown Princess. Compared to the hidden treasury of the Weaving Bureau, it was merely a drop in the bucket. But for a young imperial prince who had yet to leave the palace and establish his own household, it was an astronomical sum. Yet now, He Zhuer was suggesting it could be used as a pillow for the Little Princess or even tossed around for fun.
The Ninth Prince’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if lost in a fog. He stared fixedly at the stack of banknotes in the brocade box, then glanced at his own small arms and legs. The surge of grand ambitions that had welled up in him moments ago instantly fizzled out.
His own elder brother couldn’t even compare to others. When had his Second Elder Brother acquired such a vast sum, instantly reducing his own dowry of 50,000 taels to insignificance?
And wasn’t his Second Sister-in-law also pregnant? Shouldn’t he be prioritizing her instead of trying to curry favor with his own precious little sister?
Yintang refused to admit he was jealous—jealous of Wu Linzhu’s suddenly inflated personal treasury. He gazed at it longingly, a sour expression on his face, until a sudden flash of inspiration struck him.
You couldn’t do business without capital. What was the point of hoarding so much silver? It’d be a waste!
He had to become the closest and dearest elder brother in Wu Linzhu’s heart. No one else was allowed to compete for that position. Once his little sister grew older, she’d think of her Ninth Brother first in everything, and her treasury would be freely available for borrowing.
"Ninth Brother, wipe your mouth—you’re practically drooling," the Tenth Prince whispered, unable to hold back any longer as he leaned closer. "This isn’t Yikun Palace, it’s the Imperial Study Hall. The tutors are all watching."
Now that the Ninth Prince had a full-blooded little sister, she was also Yin'e’s full-blooded little sister. Who wouldn’t adore a sweet, soft little girl? He completely understood his brother’s excitement, but was it really necessary to be this overjoyed?
Yintang stiffened, hurriedly straightening his posture before shooting him a sidelong glance. "What do you know? ‘You can’t discuss ice with a summer insect.’"
Yin'e: "..."
Had his Ninth Brother finally lost his mind after all these years of rebirth?
The Ninth Prince was busy sketching out grand plans for a future business empire that would span the realm—and at the heart of this blueprint was the little princess who currently knew nothing but eating and sleeping. The Crown Prince was the first stepping stone in constructing this grand vision.
Had it been just a short while ago, the Crown Prince would never have done something so conspicuous—openly gifting money and presents without the slightest attempt at discretion.
But now, Kangxi had dispatched an imperial envoy to Jiangnan, tasking him with auditing the ancestral estates, farmlands, and shops of the Cao and Li families, compiling them into a detailed ledger. Before the envoy could even return to the capital to report, Cao Yin, the head of the Cao family under house arrest in the capital, had voluntarily declared, "I am willing to surrender my family’s wealth to the state treasury and the imperial household."
This move sent shockwaves through the court. The national treasury was suddenly flush with funds, and the emperor and Crown Prince’s private coffers also saw a substantial influx. In this context, 200,000 taels no longer seemed so eye-catching.
No one knew where the rumors of the Crown Prince’s lavish gift had originated, but combined with the emperor’s deep affection for the Imperial Noble Consort and the grand name bestowed upon the Sixth Princess, the nobility quickly put two and two together.
Thus, the extraordinary spectacle at Wu Linzhu’s third-day bathing ceremony came to pass.
Coinciding with the New Year celebrations, the guests were all in high spirits. The ceremonial gifts for the bathing ritual were all extravagant—gold, silver, jade, and precious stones, each more lavish than the last. The most astonishing offering came from the Eldest Prince: a massive, high-quality gold nugget, stunning all the noblewomen in attendance, as well as the presiding Empress Dowager and Kangxi himself.
In contrast, the Eldest Princess Consort presented an exquisitely crafted jade longevity lock, its symbolism impeccable. But placed beside the gold nugget—
The difference was stark.
Kangxi suppressed his irritation repeatedly, reminding himself that this was his beloved daughter’s auspicious day, and managed to refrain from berating the Eldest Prince outright. He consoled himself with the thought that the Eldest Prince had recently returned from a triumphant military campaign and would soon be leaving the palace to establish his own household—meaning he wouldn’t have to see that face much longer.
Just days ago, the Ministry of Works had submitted architectural plans for Yinti’s review, only for him to demand the removal of all the scholarly names proposed for the courtyards. Pine Breeze Hall, Vermilion Pavilion—he rejected them all, insisting on bland labels like "Main Courtyard" and "Side Courtyard." What absurdity wouldn’t he commit?
But the most pleasantly surprised was the Ninth Prince, Yintang. His preliminary plans were progressing smoothly, with everyone contributing to his grand entrepreneurial vision, each striving to outdo the others. The gifts for the bathing ceremony were merely the appetizer.
From the third-day ceremony to the full-month celebration, an endless stream of lavish gifts flowed into Yikun Palace. But beyond that, the imperial consorts and nobility seemed to have coordinated—each presenting congratulatory gifts in the form of exquisitely crafted boxes.
Flat boxes, long boxes, brocade boxes, iron boxes—each intricately carved and dazzlingly ornate, neatly arranged in rows. And when opened, they revealed nothing but stacks upon stacks of banknotes.
When Yintang came to visit his little sister and accidentally caught sight of them, he gulped, his eyes glazing over.
Even Noble Consort Wen of Yongshou Palace was no exception. With a smile, she said, "Yikun Palace already has an abundance of treasures. There’s nothing I could offer that would stand out, so after much thought, I decided banknotes would be best. Let Wu Linzhu keep them for the future—she can buy whatever her heart desires. Isn’t that right, little princess?"
As she spoke, she playfully teased the tiny girl in the swaddling clothes, who had gradually shed her newborn redness and wrinkles, becoming fair and plump.
Wu Linzhu blinked her glass-like dark eyes and quietly blew a tiny bubble.
Noble Consort Wen gasped in delight. "Look! She agrees!"
The Imperial Noble Consort, still in her postpartum confinement, was rendered speechless. "..."
After Noble Consort Wen returned to Yongshou Palace, Yunxiu summoned Ruizhu, rubbing her temples as she said slowly, "Catalog all these boxes meticulously. Ensure nothing is overlooked."
After a pause, she added, "Send for His Majesty. Tell him I have an urgent matter to discuss."
"Replenishing the national treasury?" Kangxi was momentarily taken aback before bursting into laughter.
He strode past the screen and sat beside her on the couch, gently taking her hand. "They’ve been discreet. The amounts they’ve given are all appropriate. I’ve already vetted them for Wu Linzhu."
So the emperor had tacitly approved this?
Yunxiu smiled sweetly, her peach-blossom eyes shimmering like spring waters, radiating warmth and beauty. "Your Majesty."
Kangxi’s phoenix eyes darkened slightly as he responded tenderly, "I’m here."
"Your servant has been looking rather haggard lately. Once I’ve recovered from childbirth, the jade cream on my dressing table won’t be enough." Her voice grew even softer, but her tone shifted abruptly. "Might Your Majesty spare some for me? Or should I personally request more from Imperial Physician Min in the future?"
The emperor, conscious of his dignity, had only sent Liang Jiugong to the Imperial Hospital once and refused to dispatch him again. He certainly didn’t want anyone to know he applied the consorts’ facial cream religiously, morning and night.
Cornered, Kangxi’s expression faltered. He realized immediately—Yunxiu was displeased.
Clearing his throat, he smoothly changed the subject. "Young girls should be pampered. Wu Linzhu is a princess of the imperial family—what does it matter if she’s extraordinarily wealthy? Being accustomed to vast riches will ensure she isn’t easily swayed by sweet talk or material temptations from unscrupulous suitors in the future. I’ve considered every angle."
Admittedly, there was some logic to that.
But the imperial family was already the pinnacle of wealth and privilege. Had Rongxian or Yierha ever possessed such extravagant personal fortunes?
Such blatant favoritism and indulgence risked nurturing a female version of the little troublemaker.
The Imperial Noble Consort, unable to persuade him, reluctantly abandoned the idea of donating the silver to the national treasury. She voiced all her concerns to Kangxi, only for him to laugh heartily, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "So what if she becomes a little troublemaker? A bit of temper is a good thing!"
"..." Yunxiu felt utterly drained, involuntarily thinking of Yintang. The emperor’s bias knew no bounds.
Kangxi raised an eyebrow and explained to her in detail, "The Ninth Prince must learn skills. If we spoil him into a wastrel, who would respect him in court? Even his own princess consort wouldn’t be able to rein him in. Wu Linzhu can do whatever she pleases—she is the jewel of my palm, and no one shall cause her displeasure."
The emperor spoke cheerfully, adding offhandedly, "When she grows up, she must study the Sacred Edicts carefully to see through the true nature of those rascals. Sweet words are worthless."
Liang Jiugong overheard this parenting advice and nearly went numb. At this point, his heart skipped a beat—he knew trouble was brewing.
Oh, my sovereign lord, aren’t you undermining yourself here?
Sure enough, the Imperial Noble Consort’s expression darkened instantly.
"'Sweet words are worthless'? Didn’t Your Majesty use them to deceive me as well? Now you claim they’re worthless?" With a swift motion, Yunxiu pulled her hand away and let out a cold laugh. "Who wrote these Sacred Edicts? Could it be that Your Majesty has never been sincere with me, not even a shred of genuine affection?"
Soon after, the emperor, along with Liang Jiugong, was unceremoniously expelled from the palace.
Outside the gates of Yikun Palace, the cold wind howled. Without the warmth of the brazier, Kangxi’s face turned ashen. After a long silence, his pallor shifted between red and white. He asked quietly, "How should I appease her?"
Liang Jiugong shivered, nearly in tears. "This servant has no idea, Your Majesty."
The next day, a bouquet of vibrant chrysanthemums arrived from Qianqing Palace. Yunxiu allowed the palace maids to place them in a porcelain vase but paid them no heed.
On the third day, a thick letter was delivered from the imperial study. Yunxiu set it aside without a glance.
By the fifth day, it was Wu Linzhu’s full moon celebration. Yunxiu appeared in resplendent attire, smiling warmly—but only for the two dowager empresses, the guests, and the princes.
When Jingchu, her belly swollen with child, came to dote on the little princess, she seemed to sense something amiss. Soon, news of the emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort’s cold war reached the Crown Prince, who was already worn thin by the burdens of governance.
That night, the Crown Prince piously retrieved the Sacred Edicts and pored over them once more by lamplight. The next morning, dark circles shadowed his eyes, yet he seemed enlightened. After the morning court session, he eagerly sought an audience with Kangxi.
"Imperial Father! Imperial Father! This son has found a way to ease Imperial Noble Consort’s anger."
Kangxi’s own dark circles mirrored the Crown Prince’s. At these words, his breath hitched, and his back straightened imperceptibly. With feigned indifference, he asked, "What method?"
The Crown Prince sidestepped the question, sighing. "Imperial Father, Jingchu is with child, and this son is stretched thin..."
After a moment of silence, Kangxi narrowed his eyes. "My trembling hands have fully recovered. Speak."
The Crown Prince exhaled in relief and finally smiled. "As you wish."
On the fifth day of the second month in the thirtieth year of Kangxi’s reign, the palace was anything but tranquil.
Yunxiu was roused early by a rustling noise that seemed to come from outside her chambers. The sound persisted, grating on her nerves. She frowned and turned over, but after a while, the inner chamber remained peaceful, with no cries to be heard.
Her slightly downturned lips finally relaxed as she called out, "Ruizhu."
No one answered.
The bedchamber was warm, the brazier crackling softly. After a while, Yunxiu gently lifted the brocade curtains, draped a cloak over her shoulders, and slipped on her shoes. Stepping into the outer chamber, she found the washing utensils already prepared.
The water in the copper basin was still warm, and a towel lay beside it. Suspicion deepened in the Imperial Noble Consort’s heart. Her gaze lingered before she picked up the towel, washed her face, and seated herself before the dressing table.
With a creak, the palace doors slowly opened. Yunxiu’s heart stirred as she turned to see rows of palace maids filing in silently, their heads bowed. To her left, Pei Yu carried a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes; to her right, Peihuan held the imperial seal and pearls. In an instant, a figure clad in bright yellow appeared at the threshold.
Yunxiu stared at him, silent for a long moment.
Kangxi, dressed in court robes, strode forward and stopped before her dressing table.
"I once promised you a grand investiture ceremony," he said, his phoenix eyes smiling. "Listen—the drums and music outside Qianqing Gate are already resounding. Shall I escort you there?"
Yunxiu’s fingers trembled, her composure finally cracking.
She looked up at him and whispered, "Since the founding of our dynasty, the emperor has only walked side by side with the empress. This is against protocol."
"The Imperial Noble Consort acts in the empress’s stead. What is improper about that?" Kangxi chuckled. "I wish it so."
"..." Yunxiu blinked as the emperor bent down, picking up a rouge box. "It is also within protocol for the emperor to apply makeup and paint the Imperial Noble Consort’s brows."
His movements were practiced, as if he had rehearsed in secret. Yunxiu watched their reflections entwine in the bronze mirror, her eyes gradually closing, though the corners of her lips curled upward uncontrollably.
When Kangxi’s cool fingertips brushed her brow, she suddenly asked, "Who taught Your Majesty these tricks?"
The emperor’s hand stilled mid-stroke. Yunxiu burst into laughter.
"I won’t tease you further," she said, her eyes curved in delight. "This consort also wishes it so."
[End of Main Text]
