Not long after the Ninth Prince Yintang was born, the storeroom of the main hall of Yikun Palace was immediately piled high with gifts, nearly overflowing.
First came endless rewards bestowed by the Grand Empress Dowager from Cining Palace, followed by gifts from the Empress Dowager’s Ningshou Palace. Then, the Noble Consorts and other concubines—whether reluctantly or with envy—all rushed to send their congratulations, fearing they might be left out and criticized.
Among them, the gifts from Noble Consort Niohuru were the most sincere, yet Consort Hui’s offerings surpassed hers by an additional twenty percent.
When Wenyuan came to report, Yunxiu was reclining against the bedding, pinching her nose as she drank a nourishing tonic. After downing it in one go, she popped a candied fruit into her mouth, the pleasant sweetness soothing her heart. Her furrowed brow relaxed as she murmured, "...So sweet."
That night, she slept soundly for five or six hours. Though a dull ache still lingered in her lower body, she felt much better—her cheeks slightly rosier, her voice no longer weak and listless.
"Consort Hui has always been prudent, yet now she sends such lavish gifts—almost as if... extending an olive branch," Yunxiu remarked with a light laugh after hearing Wenyuan’s report, entirely unconcerned. "Let her be."
She plucked another candied fruit and asked indifferently, "Has the message been delivered to Chengqian Palace?"
"It has," Wenyuan nodded, lowering her voice. "The main palace gates are tightly shut, making it difficult to pass anything through. After much deliberation, I sought out a fellow villager—someone from the embroidery workshop in the Imperial Household Department. They have permission to enter and leave to measure the palace maids for new clothes."
Yunxiu hummed in approval, a faint smile curling her lips. "Well done."
Ruizhu massaged her shoulders with gentle motions, though doubt flickered in her eyes. "Your Highness, the phoenix carriage was overseen by the Imperial Household Department, and the Uya clan has deep roots in the imperial kitchens. Consort De’s influence surely doesn’t stretch that far. How could the Imperial Noble Consort believe it?"
"Those consumed by madness cannot be judged by ordinary logic," Yunxiu said slowly, her peach-blossom eyes half-lidded. "Even if she believes just a fraction, Consort De won’t escape unscathed."
Yunxiu knew full well that Consort De lacked the power to manipulate the Imperial Household Department or scheme against the Imperial Noble Consort, who ruled the inner palace. At most, she had played a minor role or stirred the pot.
But the truth hardly mattered.
Whether Uya was innocent or not—what did it matter to her?
Yinqi had fallen into the water, and the Fourth Prince was implicated. Consort De’s schemes were undoubtedly behind it.
Those who harmed her Xiao Wu would not escape retribution!
Did Consort De truly believe that with the Imperial Noble Consort lost in madness, she could rest easy?
A cornered beast still fights, and the Tong Family was no pushover.
Moreover, the Imperial Noble Consort had lost her child, her chance at becoming Empress—her only hope now lay with the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen. For his sake, she would surely "recover" soon... and that day was not far off.
Here, a grand drama was about to unfold; meanwhile, the Emperor was furious, declaring he would never dote on her again!
Yunxiu’s eyes sparkled with amusement, the weight lifting from her shoulders as she felt lighter than ever.
To repay grievances, to live freely—no longer treading on eggshells, no longer yearning for the Emperor’s favor—this was the life she desired.
...
After concluding official matters, Nanny Dong, who had been waiting nearby, gazed at Yunxiu with an expression full of hesitation.
The Emperor had stormed off in anger, yet Her Highness seemed... delighted!
When the words "jealous and venomous" had been uttered yesterday, Yunxiu had turned deathly pale, nearly frightened out of her wits. Nanny Dong, Wenyuan, Ruizhu—all had worn identical expressions of shock and fear.
How could Her Highness speak such treasonous, disrespectful words?
The Emperor had left in a rage, yet Yunxiu acted as if nothing had happened—eating, drinking, and even happily playing with the little prince whenever she had a spare moment.
Nanny Dong longed to advise her, but fearing Yunxiu’s fragile state after childbirth, she held her tongue, though anxiety gnawed at her.
Imperial favor—something countless women coveted—why was Her Highness so determined to push it away?!
"I know what you’re all thinking," Yunxiu said, glancing around at the solemn faces mirroring Nanny Dong’s worry. She chuckled softly, lifting Yintang and gently tapping his tiny nose in an affectionate gesture.
Yintang’s eyes flew open, revealing a toothless grin.
"You want me to bow my head, coax the Emperor back, and resume my role as the endlessly favored consort," Yunxiu murmured, gazing at her son with a faint smile, her tone casual. "That will never happen. The Emperor is the ruler of the realm, the Son of Heaven—how could he tolerate even the slightest defiance? That he hasn’t ordered me confined is already an act of mercy. Besides, he said he would never step foot in Yikun Palace again..."
Yintang flailed his arms and kicked his legs with surprising vigor.
Inwardly, he nodded vigorously. Mother was absolutely right!
With the old man staying away, he could finally enjoy some peace.
Losing imperial favor didn’t matter—with him and Fifth Brother around, who would dare mistreat Mother?
Having been reborn, he had long since made plans: he would push Fifth Brother to strive harder, take revenge—no, just tease—Fourth Brother a little.
As for the Eighth Prince, he could do as he pleased. The struggle for succession? Yintang had had enough—he wanted no part in it this time.
Thinking of the Eighth Prince, Yintang felt a pang of bitterness.
All the silver he’d earned from business had been poured into Eighth Brother’s ventures. Every benefit, every opportunity—he’d thought of him first, running around on his behalf. And in return? When Eighth Brother became the "Virtuous Prince," he’d never once reached out to help his younger brother.
Look at the Thirteenth Prince—ennobled as Prince Yi, with a hereditary title. Who could compare? Fourth Brother had been ruthless to them, yet he doted on the Thirteenth Prince, treating him with utmost care and reliance.
Then again, Eighth Brother hadn’t ended up much better off. They’d been a pair of unlucky brothers in the end.
Ah, well. No use holding grudges.
In his past life, imprisoned in the great jail, Yintang had spent countless long nights alone. Grief, resentment, hatred—all had faded with time, leaving only bone-deep boredom.
With nothing else to do, he’d reflected on his life and reached one conclusion: in the end, it was his own blindness to blame.
His mother was one of the Four Consorts, his maternal family the Guoluoluo clan—why had he thrown his lot in with Eighth Brother?
Mother had warned him. Fifth Brother had warned him. Yet he’d stubbornly charged ahead without ever looking back.
Funny enough, he couldn’t even remember why he’d followed Eighth Brother in the first place.
Enough. No more dwelling.
This life, he’d bask in Mother’s love, live as a carefree, charming wastrel—what could be better?
Ah, and Tenth Brother—his dearest sibling—
By his calculations, in two months, Tenth Brother would enter the world with a wail.
Yintang smacked his lips, overwhelmed with longing.
Tenth Brother, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you—I’ve almost forgotten how ugly you looked at birth. I’ll make sure to remember properly this time, then paint a portrait when you’re older, frame it, and pass it down as a family heirloom...
Lost in thought, he was abruptly startled by Zhang Youde’s excited announcement: "This humble servant greets His Majesty—"
Yintang: "..."
The Ninth Prince was once again struck speechless, momentarily forgetting all about Tenth Brother.
Wait. What happened to "an Emperor’s word is unbreakable"?
In the side hall of Yikun Palace, Noble Consort Le Guo Luoluo Yunshu’s residence welcomed a frequent visitor.
Concubine Hesheli smiled gently, holding up an embroidered pattern in her hands, and said softly, "Look, this is something I stitched in my spare time."
"That’s wonderful," Noble Consort Le replied as she took the fan cover, examining it carefully before praising, "This golden-red koi is exquisitely embroidered, with such delicate needlework—it carries the charm of Jiangnan’s water towns. It could even be made into double-sided embroidery! Your needlework is truly unmatched in the palace."
Concubine Hesheli smiled modestly and was about to respond when a sudden commotion erupted outside.
"Qingzhu, what’s happening?" Noble Consort Le called out.
Qingzhu lifted the curtain and entered, curtsying before answering cheerfully, "It’s His Majesty’s imperial procession heading to the main hall—likely to visit Consort Yi and the little prince."
Noble Consort Le immediately understood, her heart swelling with joy. Her elder sister enjoyed the Emperor’s unwavering favor, which aligned perfectly with her own wishes and the hopes of their family.
"His Majesty visited just last night, and now he’s rushing back first thing in the morning," Noble Consort Le chuckled behind her sleeve. "He even issued an edict forbidding anyone from disturbing them. We won’t be able to visit until after the baby’s third-day bath ceremony."
As soon as she finished speaking, Concubine Hesheli’s expression flickered slightly, her fingers curling briefly before she regained her composed smile.
……
After the commotion faded into silence, Noble Consort Le picked up the fan cover again, turning it over in admiration.
Seizing the moment, Concubine Hesheli seemed to recall something and asked casually, "How is the Fourth Princess doing?"
"Yierha is doing wonderfully—eating well and sleeping soundly," Noble Consort Le replied with a helpless smile. "But ever since she heard her Aunt Consort Yi had given birth to a little brother, she’s been clamoring to visit. I could hardly stop her—it took quite some effort to persuade her otherwise."
Consort Yi was both the Fourth Princess’s adoptive mother and her aunt, and her relationship with her younger sister, Noble Consort Le, was famously harmonious. Both sisters, born of the Guo Luoluo clan, supported each other unfailingly, never once quarreling.
In other palaces, the primary consorts either suppressed the lesser-ranking concubines or schemed endlessly. Even those who appeared as close as sisters—like Consort De and Concubine Daijia of Yonghe Palace—were merely putting on a facade.
At first, Concubine Hesheli had envied the bond between Consort Yi and Noble Consort Le, but gradually, her feelings shifted.
She refused to believe that such unshakable loyalty could truly exist in this world!
Especially in the harem, where everyone vied for favor, where every woman longed to bear a prince—Noble Consort Le would be no exception.
After years in the Forbidden City, even the purest of hearts would harden, growing cold and calculating, viewing every other consort as an enemy.
How could Noble Consort Le not harbor even a sliver of resentment after giving her child to Consort Yi to raise?
Her elder sister held a high rank and basked in the Emperor’s undying affection, while she remained a mere noble consort, scarcely visited by His Majesty.
Such a glaring disparity—who could possibly accept it without bitterness?
Just like her, nursing a futile hope of catching up to her late elder sister, the former Empress, dreaming that one day… she might share the Emperor’s burial chamber.
Concubine Hesheli’s smile deepened as she leaned in and murmured softly, "Consort Yi now has the Fifth Prince and has just given birth to the Ninth Prince. Among the six palaces, no one’s fortune rivals hers. They say a son and daughter complete the character for ‘good fortune’—now, all she lacks is a little princess of her own…"
"Besides, His Majesty said he wouldn’t visit Yikun Palace again…" Yunxiu cradled little Yintang in her arms, smiling faintly, but before she could finish, a loud announcement echoed outside—the Emperor had arrived.
Nanny Dong and Wenyuan were stunned, then overjoyed.
His Majesty was here?!
Consort Yi’s smile froze instantly.
Yintang clearly felt his mother’s hands tremble, nearly dropping him in shock.
After the scare, the Ninth Prince’s heart raced with indignation. He burst into loud wails, hoping to deter his shameless, promise-breaking father—only to unwittingly provide the Emperor with the perfect excuse to step forward.
"During this morning’s court session, I heard a faint cry in my thoughts—one that sounded just like Yintang’s, so pitiful…" Kangxi strode in, sighing as he spoke helplessly from behind the screen. "After all, he is my son, barely a day old. I couldn’t rest without seeing him."
His words brimmed with genuine concern, not a trace of guilt, as if his sole purpose in coming to Yikun Palace was to check on Yintang.
Yintang’s cries ceased abruptly.
The little prince’s wrinkled face twisted into an indescribable expression, though no one noticed at the time.
Liang Jiugong stared at Kangxi’s utterly earnest expression, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.
His lips twitched as he subtly shuffled backward, awestruck by his master’s audacity.
They say an emperor’s word is unbreakable—His Majesty had always been unwavering, never retracting a decree once issued.
And now?
This was a complete surrender. Before Consort Yi, what dignity did the Dragon Throne still hold?
Not only had he contradicted himself, but his excuse was also flawlessly delivered. Your Majesty, when have you ever stooped to lying like this?!
……
Even Yunxiu was impressed.
She couldn’t help but wonder—was thick skin the secret to being a successful emperor?
It took her a moment to snap out of her thoughts. Suppressing her irritation and disbelief, she forced a strained smile and said, "How strange—in this sweltering heat, I must be hallucinating, hearing His Majesty’s voice. Had I not personally heard him swear ‘I will not go back on my word’ yesterday, I’d have summoned the imperial physician. Ruizhu, Yintang is hungry—fetch the wet nurse!"
Her voice was sweet and melodious, but Kangxi’s face cycled through shades of green and white. "…"
Liang Jiugong bit his lip, shoulders shaking, nearly dropping to his knees in despair.
My lady, my ancestor!
That thinly veiled sarcasm was delivered so flawlessly it left no room for rebuttal. You’ve vented your anger, but who knows how His Majesty will retaliate!
Provoking the dragon’s temper again and again—even this servant can’t shield you from the consequences.
To everyone’s surprise, Kangxi didn’t darken with rage—though he wasn’t exactly pleased either.
All his anger had dissipated with last night’s dream.
That dream had felt so real!
Most of the scenes were hazy, but Kangxi vividly recalled his older self treating her cruelly in his later years, even uttering those heartless words… and finally, the single tear at the corner of her eye.
The vision shook him to the core. He woke in a daze, plagued by doubt.
How could I ever say such things? How could I bear to?
In that instant, a faint sense of guilt and remorse washed over him, dissolving all his anger.
Even now, as the realization dawned, Kangxi nearly laughed—the way Yunxiu had mocked him with such sharp wit was, well, rather charming.
He slowly stepped around the screen, a smile playing on his lips. "Consort Yi’s sharp tongue leaves one speechless. Have you considered joining the Censorate as a remonstrating official? In a few years, you might even rise to Left Censor-in-Chief. Why confine yourself to my harem?"
The Emperor approached the bed, his expression gentle, his tone coaxing. "My apologies—I’ve wronged your talents."
Yunxiu: "…"
Now it was Consort Yi’s turn to pale and flush in turns.
Had His Majesty lost his mind from anger?
In her arms, Yintang was so astonished that his mouth fell open, and a string of drool trickled out!
