Compared to the Imperial Noble Consort, who had yet to fully recover and was forcing herself to attend with a composed demeanor while her thoughts churned tumultuously, Consort Hui appeared far more at ease.
She was startled by the Emperor’s gesture of holding Consort Yi’s hand, her expression flickering momentarily before swiftly settling back into a warm smile. As the banquet reached its midpoint, she was the first to break the silence.
Consort Hui took a sip of light tea, then set the cup down with a gentle smile. "Consort Yi truly excels at raising children. Look at the Fifth Prince, and now our plump and healthy Ninth Prince—both so sturdy and well-behaved, utterly endearing. Unlike Yinti, who’s as lively as a little monkey—I can hardly keep him in check! His Majesty ought to reward you properly, sister."
Her words not only praised Yunxiu but also subtly included the Eldest Prince, showcasing her dignified grace. Since being entrusted with assisting in managing the imperial harem, Consort Hui had grown increasingly confident in her speech.
And she wasn’t wrong. The moment the Crown Prince and the others retreated to the rear hall, the Eldest Prince could no longer sit still. After hastily eating a few bites, he cupped his hands toward Kangxi, eliciting a hearty laugh from the Emperor, who waved him off with permission.
No sooner had she finished speaking than Consort Rong shot her a half-amused, half-skeptical glance, about to interject when Concubine An, Lady Li—who had remained silent and nearly invisible for so long—suddenly chimed in.
"Consort Hui speaks truly," Concubine An said gently. "Consort Yi is not only skilled at raising children. After her confinement, her beauty has grown even more radiant, adding to her allure. It’s enough to make the rest of us envious..."
At these words, the expressions among the imperial consorts shifted. Discomfort was evident, particularly from Concubine Jing, who shared a palace with Concubine An. Her brows furrowed slightly, her gaze turning probing.
Setting aside the content of the remarks, Concubine An had long faded from favor, neither competing nor desiring anything, drifting like a shadow in the background. Yet today, she had abruptly changed her tune, offering flattery!
Yunxiu’s eyes flicked between Concubine An and Consort Hui, and in an instant, she understood.
With Consort De demoted to Noble Consort Wu, a vacancy had opened among the consort ranks. For now, the harem would not know peace. Every concubine, including the supposedly "unambitious" Concubine An—and certainly the others—coveted that empty seat.
Consort Hui had acted swiftly. The moment the Empress Dowager issued her decree, she had aligned herself with the ever-discreet Concubine An. Having dreamed of the future, Yunxiu knew exactly why.
Concubine An hailed from the Han Army Banner. Though she lacked imperial favor, her background was nothing to scoff at.
Her grandfather, Li Yongfang, was the first Han general to pledge allegiance to the Qing dynasty, earning deep trust from Emperor Taizong. From his time onward, the Li family had entrenched itself in the Green Standard Army, accumulating distinguished military merits. It was precisely because of this that, during the grand enfeoffment of the harem in the sixteenth year of Kangxi’s reign, Concubine An had ranked first among the six concubines, placed even above Concubine Hui and Yunxiu herself.
After Li Yongfang’s death, the Li family lost its pillar and inevitably declined. Yet their accumulated military achievements remained, and their prestige within the Han Army Banner had not waned.
Consort Hui was paving the way for Yinti’s future.
Undoubtedly, Mingzhu had a hand in this...
In the span of a breath, Yunxiu pieced together the entire chain of events. Her expression stilled, an involuntary flicker of irritation surfacing.
The struggle for the consort rank had nothing to do with her. Let them fight as they pleased. But once the court became entangled, things were less certain.
Consort Hui sought to win her over, to draw the Guoluoluo clan to her side. Who knew what schemes would follow? Suo Etu was no different.
His wife had presented an exquisitely crafted gift for the Ninth Prince’s full-moon celebration. Just days earlier, Yunxiu’s father had sent word that the Hesheli clan had dispatched envoys to Shengjing, hinting at a desire for cooperation and showering them with lavish gifts.
After the Emperor’s purge of the Imperial Household Department, Consort Ping’s spies had been thoroughly uprooted, leaving no useful intelligence to pass along. With Consort Hui now wielding authority over the harem, Suo Etu had grown anxious. After much deliberation, he had temporarily set his sights on Yikun Palace—on her.
...
At this thought, Yunxiu paused mid-bite, her brow arching slightly.
Had the Crown Prince not relayed her cautionary words to Suo Etu?
That was good news.
Back when Consort Hui had first praised Consort Yi, the Emperor, seated at the head of the hall, had nodded faintly, his smiling gaze resting on Yunxiu.
When Concubine An took up the thread of conversation, Yunxiu maintained her composed smile, but Kangxi, ever perceptive, detected her displeasure. Assuming she was weary and disinclined to respond, he raised a hand and declared firmly, "Well said!" Then, gesturing to the table, he added, "Let us eat."
...
Nearly half the assembly choked on their breaths.
Concubine An ought to have been elated—after so long, the Emperor had deigned to speak to her again. Yet her face stiffened slightly, the fleeting joy in her heart dissipating. After a pause, she rose to curtsey, replying with difficulty, "As Your Majesty commands."
Among all the women in the harem, who did not envy the Guoluoluo clan?
Favored above all others, blessed with children in succession, and indulged by the Emperor in her boldness—everyone longed to be her.
When Concubine An praised Consort Yi’s beauty, it had been two parts sincerity and eight parts pretense, merely echoing Consort Hui’s words.
Yet the Emperor had actually responded?!
Consort An’s heart turned icy cold—nowadays, the Emperor’s blatant favoritism toward Consort Yi wasn’t even concealed anymore.
But that wasn’t the most heart-wrenching part.
He even called her noisy…
The noble ladies of the imperial clan exchanged glances, until the Consort of Prince Yu was the first to react, clearing her throat lightly to hide a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
Yunxiu held her chopsticks, blinking in rare bewilderment.
She hadn’t even politely declined yet—what was the Emperor doing?
Having just endured her postpartum confinement, she wasn’t here to make enemies.
Unable to hold back, she secretly shot Kangxi a glare, which he caught with perfect accuracy.
To the Emperor, this wasn’t a glare—it was a coquettish pout. Instantly, his mood soared, and even his meal tasted better.
The Imperial Noble Consort ate with calm, measured movements, her eyes downcast; Consort Hui, preoccupied with thoughts of Yinti, barely tasted her food.
Consort Rong noticed the Emperor’s smile, her heart sour with bitterness; Consort Ping, upon hearing "You speak wisely," nearly ground her teeth to dust.
What a Consort Yi, so deeply favored by the Emperor!
...
After three rounds of feasting, it was time to disperse. Once Kangxi rose, everyone knelt in unison, bidding him farewell.
Consort Ping exhaled slowly, unclenching her fists—only to wince as a sharp pain shot through her palms, where her nails had left deep crescent marks.
Kangxi strode briskly toward the exit, pausing briefly beside Yunxiu to murmur warmly,
"I’ll review memorials first and visit you this evening—to see Yintang as well."
Meanwhile, the Ninth Lord, surrounded by his brothers, was on the verge of tears.
Reunited with his elder brothers, he’d barely exchanged a few sentimental words before the Eldest Prince barged in, locking horns with the Crown Prince, their words laced with veiled barbs.
The jabs were bad enough—but why drag him into it?!
As the Crown Prince’s hand rested on the baby’s belly, Yinti sighed dramatically. "Ninth Brother’s skin is delicate, Second Brother. Be gentle, or Consort Yi will fret."
His expression was the picture of brotherly concern.
Yintang’s heart sank. If the Eldest Prince provoked him like this, could the young Crown Prince resist retaliating?
Please hold back—don’t brawl in Yikun Palace! No one would escape unscathed!
The Crown Prince’s pupils constricted. Slowly, he withdrew his hand, silent for a long moment before nodding agreeably. "Eldest Brother is absolutely right. I acted rashly, neglecting Ninth Brother’s comfort. Though he cannot speak, he feels warmth and cold just as we do. As the ancients said—"
Yintang: "..."
What followed was an exhaustive lecture, quoting classics to drive home the point: Respect your younger brother’s feelings. Accept your elder brother’s guidance. To admit fault is virtuous!
Even in his past life, Yintang had despised memorizing texts, dismissing his tutors as pedantic windbags—he’d been the most unruly child in the imperial study. Now, his eyes glazed over, dizziness and stars swimming before him, utterly lost to time and space…
He wasn’t alone. Eldest Prince Yinti fared no better.
Nearby, Yinzhen had only begun studying the Analects, while Yinqi hadn’t even started schooling—both wore identical looks of bewilderment.
Little Fifth Prince, though clueless, kept gasping in awe, his round face screaming "Second Brother is amazing!"—making Yinti’s expression darken further.
Unable to endure the atmosphere, Yinti scoffed and stormed off, his retreating figure striking the Crown Prince as downright fleeing.
Abruptly, the Crown Prince stopped mid-speech, then flashed a radiant smile—one that sent a shiver down the Ninth Lord’s spine, prompting him to squeeze his eyes shut.
At that moment, Yintang felt nothing but awe for his mother.
So the Crown Prince really has turned into a cunning black sesame bun. It wasn’t just my imagination.
At this rate, the Eldest Prince stood no chance against him. As for the rivalry between Mingzhu and Suo Etu—tsk, what a spectacle awaited.
Lost in thought, Yintang suddenly felt a chill between his legs. His tiny face twisted in outrage.
Who dared pull down my split pants?!
Amid his indignant wails and a muttered "Ninth Brother’s expressions are so lively," Yunxiu entered the rear hall, supported by Nanny Dong.
"What’s happening here?" she asked, amused.
Nothing! Just a little mischief abruptly exposed.
The Crown Prince, back turned, swiftly yanked the split pants back onto Yintang like fitting a nesting doll—fast as lightning.
Once done, he coughed lightly and turned. "Consort Yi, I was just playing with Ninth Brother."
Then, he frantically signaled Yinqi with his eyes!
Meeting his mother’s gaze, Yinqi hesitated, then spoke slowly, timidly—the very picture of sincerity. "Mother, Second Brother is right. Ninth Brother loves playing with him."
Yintang’s eyes bulged. He squirmed, babbling incoherently, his tiny bottom sore from the rough handling.
A wave of despair crashed over the Ninth Lord.
The Crown Prince can’t even tell front from back. My own brother aids the tyrant.
This life is unbearable!
That evening, Emperor Kangxi had Consort Yi's nameplate turned over early, and by dinnertime, his imperial carriage had already arrived at the main hall of Yikun Palace.
As winter approached, the sky darkened even faster. The winding corridors were lit with warm, glowing lanterns, and the bedchamber was no different, filled with a gentle, cozy atmosphere.
The moment Ninth Prince Yintang was placed in his imperial father's arms, he burst into loud wails, making Kangxi's heart ache with concern.
"What's the matter?" Kangxi coaxed him for a long while, all the while bracing himself, fearing the little one might reward him with a stream of infant urine, soaking his meticulously prepared black dragon robe embroidered with imperial patterns.
But it didn’t happen.
Because the Ninth Lord had finally shown some mercy!
In this life, thanks to his different mother, the Emperor had treated him exceptionally well—far better than he had treated the Crown Prince or even his own elder brother.
Some things only became clear through comparison, Yintang mused quietly. Then, in a rare act of generosity, he bestowed a smile upon his imperial father.
Before the smile could fully bloom, he heard his mother say softly, "Ninth Prince has grown so accustomed to the Crown Prince's embrace that he becomes shy around others. Even the Fifth Prince can't compare to how close he is with his Second Brother. This afternoon, he even complained to me about it."
Upon hearing this, Kangxi was delighted and immediately laughed. "Good, very good! The Crown Prince is truly growing into the role of an elder brother!"
