Liang Jiugong repeated the imperial edict word for word, and suddenly, the Yikun Palace fell into silence.
Nanny Dong, Wenyuan, and Ruizhu, upon hearing the words, nearly failed to maintain their usual respectful composure, their expressions subtly mirroring Liang Jiugong’s—a mix of awkwardness and disbelief.
Was His Majesty… flirting with Her Highness?
Nanny Dong thought with complicated emotions, Your Majesty, was it really appropriate to have Liang Jiugong deliver such a message? This old servant is too old for such things.
As for Yunxiu, she froze for a long moment, her gaze indescribable, unsure how to react.
What kind of absurd imperial edict was this?
Ever since that dream, she could no longer fathom what was going through the Emperor’s mind.
Under the scrutinizing gazes of the palace maids, even Consort Yi, who had weathered countless storms and prided herself on her unshakable composure, felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort.
Extremely uncomfortable!
The implication of those words made it seem as though she was hopelessly in love with him, to the point of being jealous of Noble Consort Liang. Such a heavy accusation, casually thrown at her without rhyme or reason.
She cursed Kangxi several times in her heart, then pursed her lips, her ears tinged with red, and—uncharacteristically—stammered, “Did His Majesty… have anything else to say?”
Having fulfilled his mission, Liang Jiugong seemed to have broken through some psychological barrier, his entire demeanor elevated.
Calm and composed once more, he regained the dignified air of the Grand Steward who had long navigated the intricacies of the palace. Smiling, he replied, “Your Highness, His Majesty only relayed that one message. However, would you like this servant to convey anything in return?”
Recalling the hopeful look Kangxi had tried—and failed—to suppress before his departure, Liang Jiugong sighed silently and bowed slightly, resigning himself to his role as a messenger.
He perked up his ears, eager to hear Consort Yi’s “five-star review”—
“There is something…” Yunxiu snapped back to reality and said expressionlessly, “His Majesty may think so, but this consort does not.”
Enough is enough.
Expecting me to be moved? You’re spoiled rotten.
Liang Jiugong: “…………”
After handling the disappearance of the Eighth Prince and subsequently punishing Consort Hui, Kangxi’s mood had initially been far from pleasant.
The women of the inner palace wore one face before him and another behind his back.
He had once believed Consort Hui to be dignified, virtuous, and principled—much like Consort Yi, someone who was the same inside and out. He had even praised her as a devoted mother. Yet now, he had to retract those words, leaving his face stinging.
Wasn’t it said that the Emperor’s word was unbreakable? How was Consort Hui’s behavior any different from deceiving the throne?
Even if Yin Si’s birth mother was of low status, even if the Eighth Prince had grown up in hardship, he was still the Emperor’s son—a noble prince of the Qing Dynasty. There was no excuse for Nala’s clan to neglect him or allow their servants to act with such arrogance!
First, it was the Imperial Noble Consort, then Noble Consort Wu, Concubine Xi, Consort Ping… and now Consort Hui. The more he saw through their true natures, the clearer—and more disgusted—he became with the endless schemes and manipulations of the inner palace.
Some were foolish, some were cruel, some lacked integrity and were easily exposed.
Better to look at Xiuxiu more often—at least she could cleanse his eyes!
Thinking of Yunxiu, he recalled the scenes from this morning in Cining Palace. A sudden thought struck him, and his expression shifted from gloom to brightness. He murmured an instruction to Liang Jiugong, then curled his lips slightly, eyes glinting with anticipation as he peacefully resumed reviewing memorials.
An hour later, Liang Jiugong finally returned, panting, his face a picture of reluctant hesitation. “Your Majesty, Consort Yi said… she… does not think so.”
Kangxi: “……”
That can’t be right.
Kangxi paused, rapped his fingers on the desk, and shot him a sharp glance. “Did you misdeliver my words?”
Liang Jiugong trembled and shook his head rapidly. “This servant wouldn’t dare, Your Majesty!”
Kangxi pondered for a moment, then a flash of realization crossed his mind.
“Did your mistress’s ears turn red? Or her face?” he asked.
Liang Jiugong hesitated before answering—had they?
“Y-yes, they did,” he fibbed, hastily adding, “This servant only glanced briefly and didn’t dare look directly at Her Highness.”
That makes sense!
Kangxi twisted the ring on his finger and chuckled. “I knew it. That shy nature of hers hasn’t changed—nor has her jealousy. If I don’t soothe her tonight, who knows how she’ll badmouth me later.”
Satisfied, he returned to his memorials, leaving Liang Jiugong standing there, dazed, swallowing hard.
Consort Yi… shy? Jealous?
This servant feels quite the opposite…
Ah, well. You’re the Emperor. If you say so, then so be it…
Consort Hui was stripped of her status as foster mother and fined half a year’s stipend, while the Eighth Prince was returned to Noble Consort Liang, with the mother and son relocated to a side hall in Cining Palace.
The news spread quickly beyond the Forbidden City, hitting Mingzhu like a thunderbolt as he waited patiently for an audience with the Emperor.
His face darkened, his gaze sharpening. Everything was fine just days ago—how could Her Highness have been punished?
The fine was trivial, and even house arrest wouldn’t have been a fatal blow. But without the Eighth Prince, how could Consort Hui proceed with her plans? How could she pave the way for the Eldest Prince in the future?
After all, the Eighth Prince’s birth mother was of low status, and she resided in Yanxi Palace as well. There was no better candidate to serve as an ally. Brotherhood could be nurtured from childhood—even if the Crown Prince was close to the Fourth and Fifth Princes, their bond couldn’t compare to that between the Eldest Prince and the Eighth Prince.
Especially since the Fourth and Fifth Princes didn’t live in Yuqing Palace!
…
The situation was suspicious. Why did Noble Consort Liang suddenly gain custody?
Mingzhu’s instincts told him Consort Hui had been framed. Frowning, he paced the hall before ordering his confidants, “Investigate the reason behind Consort Hui’s punishment. Prepare my sedan—I must enter the palace at once.”
He had urgent matters to discuss with the Emperor.
If he could plead for leniency, all the better. If not, he had to ensure the Eldest Prince didn’t act rashly in defense of his mother, lest he provoke the Emperor’s wrath and make things worse.
After considering every angle, Mingzhu submitted his request for an audience with a grave expression.
Before long, a messenger from Qianqing Palace arrived—Little Lizi, Liang Jiugong’s apprentice. The young eunuch bowed respectfully. “What luck! The Prime Minister arrives just as His Majesty was about to summon you.”
The Emperor was about to summon him?
Noting Little Lizi’s demeanor, Mingzhu narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with calculations.
As they walked along the long palace path, he discreetly slipped Little Lizi a red envelope. “Eunuch Li, may this humble servant inquire—is His Majesty in good health?”
It was a roundabout way of asking whether Kangxi was in a good or bad mood.
Little Lizi glanced at the envelope, accepted it without changing expression, and replied with the same courteous smile, “Your Excellency need not worry. His Majesty is in excellent health and has just met with several ministers… This way, please.”
Due to the matter concerning Consort Hui, Mingzhu felt a trace of anxiety in his heart, though his expression remained calm and unreadable.
Little Lizi had spoken, yet it seemed he had said nothing at all. However, since he was willing to accept the red envelope, it meant the Emperor had not yet shifted his anger onto Mingzhu, allowing him to relax slightly.
Upon arriving at Qianqing Palace, Mingzhu patted his sleeves and knelt down. "Your servant Mingzhu pays homage to Your Majesty."
"You've arrived? Rise." Kangxi glanced at him briefly before continuing to write with his brush, not lifting his head. "Consort Hui failed to discipline her subordinates, allowing treacherous servants to act recklessly. The Eighth Prince’s disappearance has enraged the Grand Empress Dowager, and no amount of pleading will change her mind."
Mingzhu was startled, his movements slowing as he stood—first, because the Emperor had actually deigned to explain the situation to him, and second, because of the implications in the Emperor’s words.
So, such a grave mishap had occurred in the palace—no wonder, no wonder!
—If the path of pleading was blocked, then he would have to take a roundabout approach.
"Consort Hui’s faults are not for this servant to judge," he said quickly, lowering his voice. "This is an internal matter of the imperial family, and I have no right to interfere! The reason I sought an audience with Your Majesty today is regarding the unrest in the northern deserts. Since the change in leadership, the Dzungars have been aggressively trading horses, herding sheep, and interacting frequently with other tribes—all with great ostentation. This servant believes the Dzungars will soon become a serious threat to the court."
As the Grand Secretary of Wuying Hall and the Crown Prince’s tutor, Mingzhu was a leading figure in the Grand Secretariat. Kangxi often consulted him on state affairs, from suppressing the Three Feudatories to pacifying the common people. Mingzhu indeed possessed extraordinary insight.
Hearing the words "this servant has no right to interfere," Kangxi’s expression softened slightly. Aside from his political maneuvering and suppression of rivals, Mingzhu was far more reasonable than Suo Etu.
Kangxi set down his brush and said gravely, "According to you, what should be done?"
"War. However, Shi Lang’s troops have only just returned, and the northern deserts have a completely different climate and terrain from the south. This battle must not be taken lightly! This servant believes the Great Qing must recuperate and prepare thoroughly to understand both ourselves and the enemy." Mingzhu paused briefly before continuing, "During the suppression of the Three Feudatories, the Green Standard Army performed brilliantly. Our Eight Banners soldiers must not fall behind."
Mingzhu’s words were measured and aligned perfectly with the Emperor’s own thoughts. The sovereign and his minister discussed military training at length, and for a time, Kangxi’s anger toward Consort Hui faded somewhat.
Seeing the Emperor’s satisfaction, Mingzhu sensed the opportune moment had arrived. Holding his breath and pressing his hands together, he seized the chance to bring up the memorial recommending Tuyue. "This servant believes Guoluoluo Tuyue is exceptionally steady and capable of great responsibility..."
Kangxi paused, then smiled. "Ah, I nearly forgot about this matter."
"Even if you hadn’t come, I would have summoned you. Hang Ai also submitted a memorial recommending Tuyue for the Ministry of Revenue, proposing him for the position of Left Vice Minister—quite the coincidence with your suggestion." Noticing Mingzhu’s stunned expression, the Emperor’s smile widened as he added lightly, "To prevent you two from fighting over him, I deliberated and decided the Ministry of War would be a better fit—a place for young men to temper themselves. What do you think?"
The key officials in the Ministry of War were all Kangxi’s most trusted confidants, unlike the Ministries of Revenue and Personnel. Moreover, within a few years, the court would wage war in the northwest, meaning Tuyue’s career would soar—completely removed from the strife between the Nara and Heseri clans... It was clear how highly the Emperor regarded him.
As for the plan to drag the Guoluoluo clan into the conflict, that was now impossible.
How had this scheme been thwarted?
Since when had that old fox Suo Etu become so quick-witted?
Putting that aside, how could the Emperor not suspect the Guoluoluo clan’s motives when both he and Hang Ai had recommended Tuyue?
Stunned by this turn of events, Mingzhu inwardly cursed his miscalculation. Returning to his residence, his face darkened like still water, and he slammed his paperweight down with a heavy thud.
The loud crash jolted him, and he suddenly smacked his forehead—damn it, he’d forgotten about the Eldest Prince!
"Noble Consort Wu has urgent matters to discuss and begs Your Majesty to visit Yonghe Palace in consideration of Prince Rong." Not long after Mingzhu left, Liang Jiugong stepped forward cautiously upon hearing a whispered message from a eunuch.
"Noble Consort Wu?" Kangxi tossed his brush aside and said coolly, "What mischief is she up to now?"
Liang Jiugong offered an ingratiating smile. "Noble Consort Wu says the matter is urgent..."
Kangxi frowned but before he could respond, another report came—the Eldest Prince was requesting an audience.
"Imperial Father." Yinti knelt on the tiled floor, his youthful yet dignified face filled with grievance. "Mother has always cared for the Eighth Prince with utmost dedication—I’ve seen it myself. Either those treacherous servants deceived her, or she was framed! I beg Imperial Father to investigate thoroughly!"
Kangxi let out a cold laugh and hurled a memorial at him. "You’ve seen it yourself? Fine. I’d like to know—when and where did you see it? You live in the Princes’ Quarters—do your eyes stretch all the way to Yanxi Palace’s plaque?!"
