The moment the words "coming to demand an explanation" were uttered, Liang Jiugong nearly stumbled, inwardly exclaiming, "Good heavens!"
Even Lady Yi, as favored as she was, had never spoken like this before! What on earth had gotten into her today?
Nanny Dong’s expression darkened, while Wenyuan and Ruizhu held their breaths, their hearts in turmoil, faces filled with trepidation.
To everyone’s surprise, after a brief moment of stunned silence, Kangxi tightened his grip on her hand, his smile deepening as he countered, "How have I come to demand an explanation?"
The initial amazement gave way to a sense of novelty. In the entire harem, only Consort Yi dared speak to him this way.
"Today, this concubine had a dispute with Consort De over this dress."
Yunxiu showed no concern about "airing her dirty laundry." By the time they sat facing each other at the dining table, and Kangxi finally released her hand, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. With a playful glint in her eyes, she remarked casually, "I heard Yonghe Palace summoned a physician… Does Your Majesty blame me?"
Since the Emperor showed no intention of standing up for Consort De, she decided to strike first, cutting off Yonghe Palace’s path to lodging complaints.
As evening approached, the inner chamber grew dim, and the palace maids had already lit the candles. The kitchen had prepared an array of exquisite dishes, laid out on the table, their enticing aromas wafting through the air—yet none could compare to the beauty illuminated by the candlelight.
"If I blamed you, why would I go to such lengths—bestowing gifts and sharing a meal?" Kangxi’s heart stirred as he glanced at her, amusement in his eyes. "That sharp tongue of yours never relents, even dragging out this ‘demanding an explanation’ nonsense."
With that, he waved away the serving eunuch and placed a piece of braised duck into Yunxiu’s bowl, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence. "Eat first. Have more—don’t starve my little prince."
"Your Majesty is right." Yunxiu smiled lightly, picking up her jade rice bowl and focusing on her meal, feeling both physically and mentally at ease, her appetite even improved.
Indeed, casting aside her worries and no longer fearing the loss of favor, she no longer felt as though she were treading on thin ice.
Beyond that, Yunxiu felt a flicker of confusion. Why was it that the more casually she behaved, the more pleased the Emperor seemed, rather than angered?
Unable to make sense of it, she decided to let it go.
The Forbidden City’s rules dictated silence during meals and rest. After the quiet meal, Nanny Dong and Liang Jiugong exchanged pleased glances—both their masters had eaten more than usual, whether it was the Emperor or Consort Yi.
Lately, preoccupied with state affairs, His Majesty had grown thinner and visited the harem less frequently.
Liang Jiugong stole a glance at the retreating figures of the Emperor and Consort Yi strolling side by side, silently elevating Yonghe Palace’s status in his mind.
"Yierha recites poetry so fluently, yet Yinqi still can’t keep up with his elder sister." The moment she spoke of her children, Yunxiu’s eyes softened with contentment, her voice gentle, evoking a sense of tranquil happiness.
Kangxi chuckled. "When it comes to raising them, I’ve always trusted your methods."
"You didn’t sleep well last night—why not summon a physician?" After the meal, the Emperor half-embraced Yunxiu as they sat by the couch, his hand resting on her slightly rounded belly. "You didn’t even send word. I was worried."
Ah, such sweet words—who could resist them?
Yunxiu curled her fingers slightly, lowering her lashes to suppress the urge to push away the imperial hand. "Waking in the night is nothing unusual. No need for such a fuss—a good sleep is remedy enough."
Then, lifting her gaze to Kangxi, she blinked. "As for informing Your Majesty, how would this concubine dare? If I truly did… the daggers from every corner of the palace would turn real soon enough. I couldn’t bear it, and neither could the little prince."
In the past, Yunxiu would never have dared to mention the harem’s intrigues in the Emperor’s presence.
But now? She spoke as she pleased, every word unvarnished truth. What mattered most was living freely, wasn’t it?
Kangxi’s hand on her belly stilled, and he gazed deeply into her eyes.
Her peach-blossom eyes were clear, utterly transparent.
"How rare. Our Consort Yi, who fears nothing, actually has something she can’t endure?" Kangxi suppressed a laugh, his chest shaking, earning a sharp glare from Yunxiu.
Mistaking her reaction for playful banter, his stern expression softened further. "Yunxiu, you may come to Qianqing Palace to seek me anytime—"
The moment "Yunxiu" left his lips, Yunxiu choked, nearly coughing aloud.
Unable to bear it, she buried her face against Kangxi’s shoulder, momentarily forgetting her inner revulsion.
At their most intimate moments, whether in bed or otherwise, the Emperor had at most called her "Yunxiu"—when had he ever used such an endearment?
This treatment was something she had once dreamed of, yet now that it had come so abruptly, it felt almost… cruelly ironic.
Closing her eyes, Yunxiu’s mind churned as she recalled the tragic fate from her dreams—was it mockery or bitterness that weighed heavier?
Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. "Since Your Majesty says so, how could this concubine refuse?"
Liang Jiugong and the others waited outside the curtains, joined by Wenyuan and Ruizhu.
After a short while, Kangxi strode out, a smile lingering on his lips, his good mood unmistakable.
Once the Emperor’s procession had departed, the two senior maids exchanged glances before lifting the curtain. "My lady, would you like to walk off the meal? This servant has brewed floral tea, just as you like it…"
The imperial procession moved along the long palace path, Liang Jiugong following closely.
"Liang Jiugong," Kangxi suddenly said, "have you noticed that your Lady Yi has changed?"
Liang Jiugong hesitated. How was one to answer such a question from His Majesty?
What had changed? Wearing plain clothes—did that count?
After racking his brains, he cautiously replied, "This servant is dull-witted and cannot tell. All I know is that Consort Yi grows more radiant with each passing day, her beauty unparalleled—"
"Enough." Kangxi shot him a look, and Liang Jiugong promptly shut his mouth, offering an awkward chuckle.
"Not that you’d notice." Kangxi leaned back, half-closing his eyes, his voice softening. "She’s become more genuine."
From start to finish, wasn’t this genuineness what he had cherished most?
The women of the harem all wore masks—gentle, attentive, eager to please, never daring to overstep. Only Consort Yi was different. Her laughter, anger, coquetry, and sincerity were like shifting scenery, unwavering whether in public or private.
He could feel it—her heart was entirely his.
She sought no advantage for her family, nor did she angle for promotion. She was pure at heart—how could such a woman not be doted upon?
Just now, Yunxiu’s transformation had delighted him further.
Kangxi sighed inwardly. Were it not for propriety and the risk of gossip, he would have stayed at Yonghe Palace tonight.
With bedtime still far off, as they neared Qianqing Palace, Liang Jiugong spotted a eunuch from the Office of Imperial Consorts peeking around. Clearing his throat, he addressed the Emperor: "Will Your Majesty be selecting a consort tonight?"
Concubine Hesheli of Chuxiu Palace had only recently entered the harem and required a show of favor. Kangxi had originally intended to summon her, but after seeing Yunxiu, his interest waned.
With a wave, Kangxi said firmly, "Cancel it."
Having beheld such peerless beauty, how could he settle for anything less?
Then, as if remembering something, he instructed Liang Jiugong, "Keep a close eye on Yonghe Palace. Report any unusual activity immediately—like last night, when Consort Yi woke in distress."
Liang Jiugong was taken aback but swiftly bowed. "As you command!"
…
Consort De had been fuming with rage since morning after being provoked by Yunxiu, and then the Imperial Noble Consort issued an order for her to assist Consort Yi in managing affairs. The repeated provocations agitated her so much that she began experiencing signs of labor pains.
Fortunately, the pregnancy had been well cared for, and the abdominal pain was mild. By the time she returned to Yonghe Palace in her palanquin, she already felt much better.
After some deliberation, she sent for the imperial physician, hoping that news of her condition would reach Qianqing Palace. It just so happened that the Emperor had finished his morning court session—by then, perhaps...
But instead of Kangxi, all she received was a solitary jade ruyi scepter and a few bolts of fabric, delivered by an insignificant eunuch from Qianqing Palace.
Consort De smiled graciously and thanked the messenger in a soft voice, but the moment she retreated to her inner chambers, her expression darkened, her eyes filled with disappointment.
Not long after, news spread throughout the harem that Consort Yi had been gifted red coral and a sapphire headdress. Consort De, overwhelmed with shock and fury, shattered a teacup, unable to maintain her composure any longer. "Why?!" she cried.
How could the Emperor reward Consort Yi, who had been so domineering and unrestrained?
The red coral and sapphire headdress were treasures among treasures. Compared to her plain jade ruyi, anyone could see the Emperor’s indifference!
Why? Such blatant, unreasonable favoritism...
Consort De closed her eyes, her heart burning with humiliation. The abdominal pain she had feigned earlier now became real.
She clutched her stomach, staggering slightly.
Nanny Wu, who was attending her, gasped in alarm, while her maids Luwu and Luping rushed to steady their mistress, terrified. "Your Highness!"
Once they had helped her up, they immediately suggested summoning the imperial physician again.
"...It’s nothing. Just brew me a bowl of calming medicine," Consort De panted.
At this moment, she absolutely could not call for the physician.
If her earlier discomfort had been due to the morning greetings, it could still evoke sympathy. But if she were seen as falling ill out of jealousy over the red coral, what would the Emperor think of her? What would the other consorts say?
The Imperial Noble Consort would seize this weakness and never let go.
The pain sharpened her mind instead.
As she calmed down, her rationality returned. She carefully reconsidered the morning’s incident—the clash of attire—and pressed a hand to her forehead, her delicate, gentle features twisting with regret.
She had let her temper get the better of her, losing her dignity and suffering a pointless defeat.
No matter what, she had been the one to first suggest inviting the shaman. Perhaps the Emperor had used the "gifts" as a subtle reprimand...
A miscalculation.
Once she understood this, the pain in her abdomen gradually eased. Her maids Luwu and Luping had gone to supervise the brewing of the medicine, leaving only her trusted Nanny Wu by her side.
Consort De pursed her lips and suddenly murmured, "Nanny, ever since I was elevated to consort, I’ve been losing my footing."
Nanny Wu, massaging her temples, grew alarmed. "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
"When I was first made a Noble Lady, I was exceedingly cautious, terrified of making a single misstep," Consort De reminisced. "Being promoted to concubine was also an accident. The Emperor pitied me for losing Yinzhen..."
At the mention of the Fourth Prince Yinzhen, she paused, her expression unreadably complicated.
People said her favor was only slightly less than Consort Yi’s—but this favor had been earned through endless scheming and hardship!
Yinzhen... had been raised by the Imperial Noble Consort to the point he might as well have been a Tongjia.
Because of him, her little princess had died in infancy...
Fine. She would consider this son gone.
Her lips twisted bitterly. Even so, she still couldn’t compare to that vixen Mrs. Guoluoluo.
With that peony-like face of hers, she effortlessly bewitched the Emperor—how ironic was that?
After steadying herself, she continued, "...Back then, I had no children, unlike Concubine Hui and the others, so I was all the more careful. Later, I bore Yinzuo and was promoted to consort, but gradually, I lost sight of what had sustained me. My temper grew worse."
The Emperor had favored her for her meekness and prudence—not for anything else. She had been mistaken.
She chuckled softly. "Nanny, don’t you think I’ve declined? This jade ruyi has served as a wake-up call."
Nanny Wu’s heart ached as she listened. "Your Highness..."
Her mistress came from a humble background, lacking the noble lineage of Consort Hui or Consort Yi—not even comparable to Consort Rong’s father, a mere minor official. The struggles of her rise through the ranks were something Nanny Wu had witnessed firsthand.
Every step of the way had been exhausting. She hadn’t even had the luxury of acting spoiled.
The more she thought about it, the more her eyes stung with tears. Then Consort De let out a cold laugh. "The Imperial Noble Consort wants me to assist Consort Yi in selecting congratulatory gifts. Do you think I don’t know what Mrs. Tongjia is plotting?"
The Imperial Noble Consort loathed her and wanted to ensure she never rose again—that was the real threat.
Her nails dug into her palms as she swallowed her resentment and hatred, speaking slowly, "Now is not the time to confront Mrs. Guoluoluo. Let her have this round. I’ll ‘assist’ her properly... We have plenty of time ahead."
