The Emperor swept his gaze around the room and locked eyes with the Crown Prince.
Father and son shared the same phoenix-like eyes—one brimming with discomfort, the other evasive.
The uncomfortable one was Kangxi, while the evasive one was the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince had never imagined that in private, his imperial father and Consort Yi would interact like… like this!
He was utterly incredulous, taking a long moment to process the scene before silently grumbling to himself: What did Little Fifth do wrong to earn such disdain from the Emperor?
Yinzhen’s inner turmoil mirrored his second brother’s. Meanwhile, Yinqi stood there in dazed confusion, slowly growing more and more aggrieved.
A heavy silence filled the bedchamber.
Liang Jiugong glanced left and right, let out a dry chuckle, then swiftly ducked his head and tiptoed into a corner, wiping sweat from his brow as if wishing he’d never stepped foot inside.
Well, there goes His Majesty’s dignity—shattered to pieces in front of the young princes.
But who was to blame? No one, really.
Kangxi stared at his sons, cleared his throat, and maintained an impassive expression for a long moment.
Finally, he broke the silence, sternly addressing the eldest of them—the Crown Prince: "Baocheng, skipping your lessons without notice is one thing, but dragging your fourth brother to Yanxi Palace? Neglecting your studies for frivolity—is this how an heir apparent should behave?"
The Crown Prince opened his mouth, feeling utterly wronged.
Puffing his cheeks slightly, he clasped his hands and replied earnestly, "Imperial Father, the chief tutor declared a half-day holiday today. Not just me, but Eldest Brother and Third Brother also skipped their studies. Moreover, I brought Fourth Brother here to tutor Fifth Brother in Han Chinese—not for idle amusement."
Kangxi: "…"
He covered his lips with a hand, coughing again, his face flushing slightly.
Now that he thought about it, he did recall approving such a request from the imperial study.
All his reprimands stuck in his throat. He wanted to praise the Crown Prince but couldn’t find the words, instinctively glancing toward Yunxiu instead.
There, Consort Yi was covering her mouth, shaking with silent laughter—so much so that she seemed on the verge of toppling over. Nanny Dong supported her anxiously, terrified that Yunxiu’s pregnancy might be at risk.
Good heavens, my lady, mocking the Emperor is a grave offense!
Kangxi’s face darkened instantly.
Just then, Little Fifth’s indignant voice rang out like a divine intervention, saving both his imperial father and his soon-to-be-scolded mother.
Yinqi widened his round eyes, puffing up in anger and hurt. "Imperial Father, what do you mean by ‘Little Fifth shouldn’t be here’? You dislike me! You only have eyes for Mother!"
Since Yinqi had moved to Yanxi Palace, Kangxi’s frequent "unannounced visits" for Yunxiu’s sake had brought father and son closer. The boy’s awe for the Emperor had gradually softened into affection—hence this bold complaint, something the little one would never have dared voice before.
Everyone present froze. The Crown Prince stared at Yinqi in astonishment—was this an accidental outburst or a deliberate diversion?
…Probably accidental. Little Fifth wasn’t that quick-witted.
The Crown Prince sighed inwardly, lamenting the lost opportunity to witness his imperial father’s rare moment of embarrassment.
Fourth Prince Yinzhen also looked at Yinqi in surprise, though a trace of envy flickered in his eyes.
With a mother as favored as Consort Yi, Fifth Brother could speak and act freely, fearless of consequences. But his own mother… At the thought, a shadow passed over Yinzhen’s heart.
Hearing Yinqi’s complaint, Kangxi relaxed slightly, his expression softening. He resolved to reward the boy later.
What a good child—unlike his mischievous mother, who dares laugh at me!
"You’ve misunderstood. Your imperial father’s eyes certainly don’t hold your mother," Kangxi said, though his guilty conscience flared under Yinqi’s increasingly wounded gaze.
He shot a glare at Yunxiu, who was cradling her belly, watching the scene with sparkling eyes and an amused smile. His irritation grew.
Look at her—growing bolder by the day! Knowing I’d visit, she kept Yinqi in the main hall and even lured Baocheng and Yinzhen here, leaving me no way out and stripping me of all dignity.
Kangxi patiently explained himself to Yinqi, but inwardly, he had no solution for Yunxiu.
He wanted to teach her a lesson, but in this entire harem, who could compare to Xiuxiu in capturing his heart?
All he could do was continue spoiling her—willingly.
Yanxi Palace.
Consort Hui took out a handkerchief, dabbing at Eldest Prince Yinti’s sweat-beaded forehead while scolding him lightly. "The weather’s getting hotter, and the sun harsher. You may practice archery, but don’t overdo it! What if you get sunburned? Do you think your mother won’t worry?"
At twelve, Yinti already stood half a head taller than Consort Hui. He obediently bowed his head, letting her fuss over him.
"Go bathe and change inside. Don’t catch a chill…" She stopped wiping his face and nudged him toward the inner chamber. "Hot water’s ready. Hurry along."
Yinti grinned and nodded eagerly, bounding off.
But just past the doorway, he paused and turned back, confusion flickering across his face. "Mother, I sent Little Xi'er to investigate earlier. He just reported that the Crown Prince took Fourth Brother to Yanxi Palace."
A half-day holiday, and the Crown Prince went to Yanxi Palace?
Consort Hui’s expression stiffened. Yanxi Palace hadn’t received any news yet, but if Yinti said so, it must be true.
How could this be? The Crown Prince and Consort Yi have no ties. Has something happened behind my back?
Her smile vanished, replaced by unease. She pressed her son urgently, "Why would the Crown Prince do such a thing?"
"How should I know?" Yinti shrugged, then ventured a guess after some thought. "Fifth Brother moved to Yanxi Palace, didn’t he? He must’ve gone to see him."
His tone grew more certain, twisting into disdain. "That’s it! Before this, the Crown Prince kept running to Cining Palace, supposedly to teach Yinqi Han Chinese. Imperial Father and the Empress Dowager were overjoyed. Now that he’s reaped the rewards, he’s doubling down on playing the devoted elder brother…"
Such a hypocrite—and so young, too. Disgusting.
Consort Hui slowly relaxed—only to tense again moments later. "You’re saying the Crown Prince often seeks out Fifth Prince?"
"Exactly."
"That little schemer. First, he pulls in Fourth Prince, and now he’s after Fifth Prince." Consort Hui muttered under her breath, narrowing her eyes. Suddenly, she asked Yinti, "How are your relations with your younger brothers?"
Yinti pondered. "Third Brother and Fourth Brother are tolerable. Fifth Brother, though—we’re practically strangers."
"Tolerable" was an understatement. Yin Zhi was timid, and Yinzhen was loyal to the Crown Prince. Anyone connected to the Crown Prince was beneath his notice.
As for Yinqi, raised by the Empress Dowager and too young for formal studies, Yinti had barely seen him outside palace banquets.
Consort Hui saw right through her son’s half-hearted reply.
She stepped forward and poked Yinti’s forehead fiercely, her tone laced with exasperation. "Why can’t you learn from the Crown Prince and at least pretend to be a loving brother? The third and fourth princes are one thing, but the fifth—Yinqi—is Consort Yi’s son. He poses no threat, and Consort Yi is your Emperor Father’s favorite!"
After pausing to catch her breath, Consort Hui continued, "Behind Consort Yi stands the powerful Guoluoluo clan, deeply rooted in the military. If Yinqi is swayed by the Crown Prince, and Consort Yi whispers in the Emperor’s ear, just imagine the consequences..."
Yinti, initially dismissive, gradually grew solemn as her words sank in.
"Fortunately, my son, you’ve realized this in time." Consort Hui sighed pensively before adding, "Keep a close eye on the Crown Prince. And don’t neglect Yinqi either. I’ve had little interaction with Consort Yi before, but it seems that must change now..."
After Tong Guowei’s wife departed, though the Chengqian Palace remained under confinement, the Imperial Noble Consort’s condition improved day by day.
"Improved" was perhaps an understatement—it was a complete reversal from before.
Previously, she had suffered from severe morning sickness, unable to keep food down, her face sallow and her body gaunt. Now, however, her complexion grew rosy, her nausea vanished entirely, and her appetite surged. She ate with relish, savoring every bite.
Within days, the Imperial Noble Consort had visibly filled out. Not only had she regained her curves, but her once-haggard face had also restored its delicate beauty, glowing with vitality.
This transformation delighted the palace servants, and Nanny Zhen finally breathed a sigh of relief. But Imperial Physician Liu, after examining her, remained uneasy.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s sudden recovery seemed precarious—like a fleeting burst of joy propping up a house of cards, ready to collapse at the slightest touch.
In two words, it was both "miraculous" and "frail."
Moreover, overeating was hardly a good sign.
Each time he took her pulse, Imperial Physician Liu wrestled with voicing his concerns, only to swallow them back.
Once, he had cautiously advised her against excessive eating, only to be met with an icy stare that sent cold sweat pouring down his back.
Had he not been sent into the palace by Lord Tong and still of use, Imperial Physician Liu had no doubt his life would have been forfeited on the spot.
The frailty of the Imperial Noble Consort’s pregnancy was partly due to potent medicines. Bitterly amused, he suppressed his indignation—he had warned her, but she stubbornly refused to listen. What else could he do, defy an imperial decree?
At this point, it was better to avoid trouble. No one wanted to court death.
...
Not long after, the Imperial Noble Consort’s seclusion ended, as did Consort De’s house arrest.
The Empress Dowager seemed relieved and promptly handed over palace authority to Chengqian Palace. Though the Imperial Noble Consort, now eight months pregnant, initially declined, the Empress Dowager was ill-suited for administrative duties. Left with no choice, the Imperial Noble Consort divided responsibilities among her trusted aides.
Fifth Prince Yinqi returned to Cining Palace, living alongside Fourth Prince Yinzhen, and the two got along harmoniously.
"Even now, she refuses to share power," Consort De chuckled darkly, crushing a rose in her hand. Petals scattered to the ground, shapeless and ruined.
...
Suddenly, whispers spread through the palace—eunuchs and maids murmured that the Emperor intended to name the Imperial Noble Consort as Empress!
As the Imperial Noble Consort held a status second only to the Empress and was nearing childbirth, most believed the rumors implicitly, treating Chengqian Palace with even greater reverence.
The Imperial Household Department, in particular, fawned obsequiously, as if ready to worship the Imperial Noble Consort like a deity.
By the time she became aware, the rumors had grown too widespread to suppress.
Fortunately, the Emperor was preoccupied with reclaiming territories in the south and remained oblivious. After her initial fury, the Imperial Noble Consort cracked down ruthlessly, punishing gossipers severely until the storm gradually dissipated.
She dispatched investigators to trace the rumor’s origins, paying special attention to Yonghe Palace, but found no evidence. Reluctantly, she let the matter drop.
Soon, it was the fifth day of the fifth month—the Dragon Boat Festival.
To welcome summer and dispel ill fortune, nearly every consort in the palace donned new attire.
The Imperial Household Department entered its busiest season—repairing damaged halls, replenishing supplies, and refurbishing the consorts’ sedan chairs and ceremonial canopies.
At noon, the "Zongzi Banquet" would commence, followed by dragon boat viewing at the Western Gardens with the Emperor. The Imperial Noble Consort rose early, spending an hour adorning herself before leaning on Nanny Zhen’s arm to inspect her newly prepared procession.
Under the blazing sun, the phoenix banners flanking her sedan shimmered brilliantly. Squinting against the glare, she gave an approving nod. "Far more exquisite than before. They’ve outdone themselves."
Nanny Zhen helped her into the sedan, forcing a smile as she suppressed her worry. "Your Highness..."
Given her advanced pregnancy, she ought to remain in her chambers like Consort Yi. What if something went wrong?
"Don’t fret. I know what I’m doing," the Imperial Noble Consort said calmly, patting her hand. "Since Consort De is attending, so must I..."
As the sedan lifted, her unfinished words vanished into the wind.
Unlike family banquets, the Zongzi Banquet was a rare occasion where monarch and ministers celebrated together.
As the Imperial Noble Consort’s procession arrived, Tong Guowei and Mingzhu stood at the palace threshold, about to enter.
Hearing hushed murmurs, Mingzhu turned and peered outside. After a moment, his eyes widened in shock.
"Lord Tong," he murmured, his voice trembling slightly, "the phoenix banners—they’re multicolored. By protocol, only the Empress’s procession may bear rainbow phoenixes!"
