"…Consort Hui?"
Seeing Kangxi lost in thought without refuting her, Yunxiu paused, then smiled even more sincerely, appearing wholly considerate of the Emperor’s interests, without a trace of personal motive.
"With the Imperial Noble Consort still recuperating, she lacks the strength to protect Moyaqi. Since Your Majesty is unwilling to involve Noble Consort Wu, who else in the inner court is fit to take charge but Consort Hui?"
Yunxiu glanced toward the warm chamber, where Yintang’s cradle stood, then turned back and said softly, "After the Eighth Prince was born, he was entrusted to Consort Hui’s care. She is gentle, virtuous, and meticulous—her experience in raising children is no less than mine. Your Majesty need not worry."
At first glance, Yunxiu’s words seemed absurd, but upon reflection, they were entirely reasonable. Kangxi twisted his thumb ring, following her logic, and found the idea quite feasible.
Moyaqi was frail and saddled with such a mother, yet the Emperor bore no resentment—only pity.
He had originally considered asking the Empress Dowager to oversee matters, both to stabilize the situation and to ensure the little princess was not slighted. But now, with Consort Hui in charge, there was no need to trouble his mother.
Ningshou Palace already had Yinqi; adding another child would be too much for her!
When Kangxi had appointed the four consorts, he placed Consort Hui at the head—first because of her son, Yinti, and second because of her dignified and principled nature as a member of the Nara clan. During the Imperial Noble Consort’s pregnancy, the inner court had been managed flawlessly, thanks in no small part to Consort Hui… though Consort Rong and Xiuxiu had also contributed.
Xiuxiu had always been straightforward and honest, never clashing with Consort Hui. Beyond assisting in palace affairs, only Xiuxiu was so thoughtful—considering both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
The thought warmed Kangxi’s heart like a spring breeze rippling across water. He stopped fidgeting and gazed at Yunxiu with a smile, his eyes filled with admiration and a touch of indulgence.
Yunxiu: "?"
Consort Yi, relying on instinct, suspected that Consort Hui and Noble Consort Wu were colluding. Unable to devise a perfect plan in such a short time, she settled on the most permanent solution.
If Consort Hui were to contend with Noble Consort Wu for custody of the Fifth Princess, would Yonghe Palace and Yanxi Palace still be able to exchange secret glances?
Yunxiu sneered inwardly. Even if it were an illusion, she would make it real. After being confined by the Emperor, Noble Consort Wu still stirred up trouble—if she refused to behave, then she would never know peace again!
Having spun such an elaborate tale, she appeared utterly confident, though inwardly she was uncertain.
Would the Emperor even believe her "slander"?
Then, her slight unease turned to dust.
Why was His Majesty acting strange again?
To prevent goosebumps from rising, she blushed faintly, averted her gaze, and lowered her lashes, which fluttered like delicate fans.
The stifled laughter of the palace maids was bearable, but thankfully, Yintang was fast asleep in the warm chamber. If that little troublemaker saw her like this, she’d never live it down!
Kangxi’s smile widened. Even after bearing three children, she was still so easily flustered.
Realizing he had been staring at Yunxiu for too long, he coughed and forced his attention back to the matter at hand.
Consort Hui was kind-hearted and genuinely cared for Moyaqi—Kangxi was satisfied with that. After some thought, he decided to grant her an honor: presiding over the full-month banquet in front of noble ladies and officials, allowing her to bask in the spotlight.
"Xiuxiu, you are like a female Zhuge Liang—your words have enlightened me," Kangxi teased, having already drafted a rough plan in his mind. "When faced with indecision in the future, I shall seek your counsel."
Though his tone was playful, Yunxiu, after exhaling in relief, still felt a pang of guilt.
She shot him a reproachful look, suppressed her unease, and summoned her most understanding smile. "Your Majesty must stop teasing me. Look, the food has gone cold! Try this chilled dish—the kitchen prepared it to be especially refreshing…"
Kangxi’s heart swelled with sweetness. Picking up his chopsticks, he replied tenderly, "Very well. I shall indulge you."
That night, in the main hall of Yanxi Palace.
"Your Highness, the Emperor’s carriage has arrived!"
Consort Hui had already removed her makeup and was dressed in sleeping robes, studying her reflection in the mirror. Ying'er rushed in with the news, startling her. She hastily threw on an outer robe, took Ying'er’s arm, and hurried out to greet him without delay.
"Your Majesty, it is so late—what brings you to Yanxi Palace tonight?" She curtsied, then added with slight embarrassment, "I was preparing for bed, so my appearance is unkempt. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
As she spoke, she discreetly studied Kangxi’s expression.
Liu Qin had sent word earlier—the Emperor had dined with Consort Yi but did not stay the night at Yikun Palace.
Had Consort Yi angered him?
Though her mind buzzed with speculation, Consort Hui showed none of it, masking her surprise and delight.
For months, Kangxi had not stayed at Yanxi Palace, visiting only briefly to exchange a few words—always about Yinti.
Consort Hui was nearing thirty, seven years older than Yunxiu, and their levels of favor were incomparable. Though she had long shifted her focus to her son and no longer relied on imperial favor, the Emperor’s sudden visit filled her with joy—and regret.
She should not have removed her makeup.
Kangxi waved a hand and smiled faintly. "I am merely resting here to speak with you. What does your attire matter?"
Then, gesturing toward the inner chambers, he strode inside.
Understanding his intent, Consort Hui suppressed her flickering joy and smiled demurely. "As Your Majesty says."
Though he was staying the night, Kangxi and Consort Hui each lay under separate quilts, with no intention of summoning water for intimacy.
In the dim candlelight, the Emperor’s sharp features were cast in shadow as he lay silently with closed eyes. Disappointed, Consort Hui’s smile faded, but her nerves gradually relaxed.
After a long silence, she ventured softly, "Your Majesty?"
"I came tonight to discuss Moyaqi’s full-month celebration," Kangxi finally spoke, his tone light.
Moyaqi?
Consort Hui’s heart leapt, but before her smile could fully form, his next words made her face pale.
"Noble Consort Wu has committed grave offenses, and I have no intention of lifting her confinement. The Empress Dowager mentioned that you are attentive and kind-hearted in caring for children. Therefore, I entrust Moyaqi’s full-month banquet to you. I have no doubts about your capability."
…………
"No doubts?!"
Thanks to Yunxiu’s careful arrangements, the decree soon reached the ears of Noble Consort Wu, who was "confined and forbidden to leave."
Like a thunderclap, the news made her lips tremble. Her face turned ashen, and her nails dug into her palms. "How can I have no doubts…?"
By the dynasty’s customs, a prince or princess’s full-month celebration was presided over by their birth mother or adoptive mother—never an outsider.
Since being denounced as "vicious-hearted," demoted from Consort De to a title-less noble consort, and confined to Yonghe Palace for two months, Noble Consort Wu had sunk into despair, languishing in misery for a long time.
Her Yinzuo had been adopted out, stripping him of any possibility to inherit the throne. With the Emperor despising her so, what hope did she have left in life? She had become the biggest laughingstock in the palace, transitioning from being the envy of all to the target of mockery and scorn. Noble Consort Wu had tasted every flavor of humiliation.
She had certainly considered dragging those vile women down with her, but in the end, a faint, fragile cry snapped her back to her senses.
Noble Consort Wu burst into loud sobs, tears streaming down her face—her poor daughter…
That’s right. She hadn’t lost yet. As long as Yinzuo still acknowledged her as his birth mother, as long as Moyaqi was by her side, and with the Fourth Prince there, the Emperor would surely soften his heart.
Shedding her hysterical demeanor, Noble Consort Wu regained her composure and began plotting her return to favor.
Two months was far too long—by then, who would even remember her? Yinzuo might even forget her as his mother!
But a comeback was no easy feat.
Her connections in the Imperial Household Department had been completely uprooted, and the spies she had planted in other palaces were now useless, leaving her blind and deaf to the outside world.
With no choice, she obeyed the imperial physicians, forcing down the bitter, life-draining medicine day after day. Meanwhile, she used the last remnants of her influence to carefully deliberate before turning to the radiant and influential Consort Hui, who now oversaw the harem.
At first, Consort Hui paid her no mind, but then suddenly demanded her allegiance… Noble Consort Wu gritted her teeth. What did she have left to lose?
She would reclaim her position as Consort De, uncover Lady Liu’s whereabouts, avenge Yinzuo, and make that hypocritical wretch Mrs. Guoluoluo regret everything!
—Who was using whom? That remained to be seen.
A few days prior, Consort Hui had sent word that the full-month celebration would be the perfect opportunity. A princess couldn’t be separated from her mother, and with a few pleading words to the Emperor, Yonghe Palace’s confinement would be lifted.
Hope flickered in Noble Consort Wu’s eyes.
Her health had barely improved, and Moyaqi had survived thus far. She eagerly awaited the full-month ceremony—only for Consort Hui to deliver a crushing blow, leaving her stunned, limbs cold as if plunged into an icy abyss.
According to Nanny Wu’s intelligence, this had been Consort Hui’s own scheme. The woman had already borne the Eldest Prince and raised the Eighth Prince—wasn’t that enough? Now she wanted to snatch away the only child Noble Consort Wu had left by her side…
What, then, was the point of all her meticulous scheming for Yanxi Palace, her attempts to sever the ties between Hesheli and Mrs. Guoluoluo?
The hunter had become the hunted. Noble Consort Wu’s face turned ashen, veins bulging in her bloodshot eyes, a metallic taste rising in her throat. Overwhelmed by fury, she fainted.
Yunxiu never expected that her few offhanded "slanderous remarks" would throw Yonghe Palace into chaos once again.
With the Tenth Prince’s third-day ceremony approaching, she quickly put the matter out of her mind and focused on preparing lavish gifts.
At the ceremony, the Tenth Prince, born to the Imperial Noble Consort, was bestowed the name Yin'e. His cries were thunderous, even more spirited than the Ninth Prince’s.
Emperor Kangxi was delighted, while the Crown Prince stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as he thought, At last, Ninth Brother has met his match!
But then his expression turned strange.
Ninth Brother was a troublemaker—dismantling screens, clawing at the Emperor’s face—there was nothing he wouldn’t dare.
If the Tenth Prince was the same… yikes.
Snapping out of his thoughts, the Crown Prince felt a foreboding sense of dread.
…
As the weather turned colder, the slightest misstep could lead to illness. With the changing seasons, the Imperial Noble Consort’s cough had flared up again, forcing her absence. Fourth Prince Yinzhen sat restlessly through the ceremony, clearly worried about his mother’s condition.
The moment the rites concluded, he rushed off to Chengqian Palace. The Crown Prince didn’t even have time to call after him, grumbling inwardly, Fourth Brother has grown so close to the Imperial Noble Consort lately, he’s nearly forgotten about me, his Second Elder Brother!
Grumbling aside, the real entertainment lay elsewhere.
Throughout the event, many eyes—including the stiflingly amused Crown Prince, the scowling Eldest Prince Yinti, and the utterly baffled Fifth Prince Yinqi—kept darting toward Yunxiu.
The reason? Seated side by side were Consort Hui, dark circles under her eyes, exhaustion etched into her face, and Consort Yi, radiant and glowing—the contrast couldn’t have been starker.
What on earth had happened?
