The Noble Consort had been well-versed in literature since childhood, a woman of great intelligence. On ordinary days, whenever A Ling'a faced indecision, he would send a letter to his elder sister in the palace, seeking her counsel. For the sake of their family—and especially for her foolish younger brother—the Noble Consort kept a close watch on the affairs of the imperial court, particularly the disputes between Mingzhu and Suo Etu. She repeatedly warned A Ling'a not to involve himself, prioritizing self-preservation.
This time, when Suo Etu was dismissed from his post, the Noble Consort received the news within half a day. None of the other consorts had such swift intelligence networks—Consort Hui was likely still in the dark.
After offering many words of reassurance, Yunxiu blinked at her playfully and smiled, "I suppose I've benefited from your influence, becoming one of the well-informed. This humble consort thanks the Noble Consort for her grace."
The words instantly soothed the Noble Consort’s troubled heart.
She chuckled helplessly, "Benefited from me? You really know how to tease..." Yet inwardly, she appreciated Yunxiu’s kindness.
Indeed, Suo Etu’s downfall had no connection to Yongshou Palace or the Niu Gulu clan. She was far from being overwhelmed. Moreover, with the New Year approaching, even Consort Hui wouldn’t dare stir up trouble at such a time—that wouldn’t be boldness, but sheer stupidity.
Suppressing her thoughts, the Noble Consort rose with the support of her attendants, a faint smile gracing her lips as she gestured to the account books on the table. "With the New Year so close, I’ll leave these palace affairs to you. As long as His Majesty hasn’t sealed his brush for the holiday, Yongshou Palace will remain busy. Besides caring for Yin'e, I must also oversee the preparations for the palace and family banquets—I simply don’t have the time. Once this matter is settled, I’ll come speak with you again. By then, Yin'e will be well enough to make an appearance."
Yunxiu slowly glanced at the account books, her eyes brimming with silent complaint, but she nodded in the end.
She had hoped to avoid extra work, but alas—if it were the Imperial Noble Consort or Consort Hui, who would ever refuse power once it was in their hands?
Before she could wallow in self-pity for long, the last sentence of the Noble Consort’s words captured her full attention.
After the New Year, Yintang would be four or five months old, already rolling over with ease. At this rate, he was bold enough to kick his tiny feet toward his younger brother’s mouth—what chaos would ensue in a few more months?
What if poor Yin'e suffered too much bullying?
He was a genuine, innocent child, unlike the little troublemaker currently napping soundly in the warm chamber...
Yunxiu nearly voiced her worries aloud but stopped herself. The Noble Consort would never believe her—she might even scold her for such thoughts.
Yet keeping the brothers apart was unthinkable!
With a sigh, Yunxiu resigned herself to wait and see. The time for such worries was still far off.
Ninth Prince’s mischief was far from limited to one incident—there was another pressing matter at hand.
Every time the Emperor visited Yikun Palace, he was met with Yintang’s ear-piercing wails. The sight of Kangxi’s livid expression last night had unsettled even her.
Recalling the Emperor’s darkened face, Yunxiu was torn between amusement and exasperation. How could a baby barely a few months old time his cries so perfectly? Did he have some supernatural foresight?
Deep down, Yunxiu suspected Yintang was doing it on purpose, but there was nothing to be done. The warm chamber was adjacent to the bedchamber, and the sound of his cries carried easily. Her heart ached each time, fearing he might strain his voice, so she always went to check on him, soothing him as part of their nightly routine.
Before bed, the Emperor had gritted his teeth and declared, "This can’t go on. I must find someone to discipline him."
His tone had been deadly serious—no jest at all. Yunxiu had no choice but to coax him gently. Soon enough, Kangxi was so thoroughly charmed that he forgot the matter entirely!
But Yunxiu remained uneasy. What if the Emperor remembered and acted on his threat?
If he summoned her again, would Yintang be left in Yun Shu’s care for the night?
Before she could reach a conclusion, that very evening during dinner, Kangxi greeted her with a warm smile and an eager tone. "Given how little time we have for intimacy, I’ve found a solution for Yintang. It’s just for one night—the wet nurses will look after him. You needn’t worry too much..."
Yintang remained blissfully unaware that his mother resented him for bullying his brother—or that his imperial father found him an eyesore.
Ninth Prince had been quite pleased with himself lately. His wailing skills had reached new heights, serving as an infallible weapon to ward off the Emperor’s advances toward his mother.
That afternoon, lulled by the warm sunlight, he dozed off peacefully, tiny fists loosely curled beneath the soft blankets. When he awoke, he was startled to find a familiar face hovering over him—one he recognized all too well.
Wasn’t this the Crown Prince?!
The surprise lasted only a moment before Yintang settled back into calm. The Crown Prince’s visits to Yikun Palace were nothing new.
With a lazy yawn, his eyelids drooped shut again as he mentally mourned the freshly changed split pants.
Second Elder Brother, can we please put them on straight this time?
Since he lay in his familiar cradle, surrounded by familiar scents, Ninth Prince didn’t notice the sudden change in his surroundings.
The Crown Prince studied him for a long while, his gaze filled with inexplicable pity. His voice was gentle as he murmured, "Ninth Brother, this is your first time in Yuqing Palace, my residence. His Majesty didn’t wish for anyone to disturb him and Mother Yi, so after some thought, he entrusted you to me—since Fifth Brother and I get along so well. It’s just for one night. I’ll take good care of you."
Privately, he suspected the Emperor simply found Yintang too mischievous and bothersome—especially after recalling how he’d tricked Fifth Prince into practicing calligraphy days ago. But that wasn’t something he could say aloud.
A faint melancholy tugged at the young Crown Prince’s heart. Would His Majesty be disappointed in him for this?
Well, entrusting Yintang to him was a sign of responsibility. His expression grew resolute as he repeated firmly, "Don’t be afraid. Second Elder Brother will take good care of you."
Yintang: "???"
Outside the palace, in the residence of the First-Class Earl.
"I’ve lost contact with Yuqing Palace..." Suo Etu paced restlessly, his face dark with fury as he raged in the hall. "An entire month has passed, and neither Hu Ming nor Hu Guang has sent word. Have they betrayed our household?"
Though the imperial decree had clearly demoted him by one rank, Suo Etu refused to adjust his address. His trusted steward stood by, his expression troubled. "Hu Ming and Hu Guang were born and raised as servants of the Hesheli clan. They’ve always been loyal to you, my lord. How could they betray us?"
After a hesitant pause, the steward added cautiously, "Unless... this was the Emperor’s doing..."
The words drained the color from Suo Etu’s face. His pacing grew more frantic, laced with traces of fear.
The Deliberative Council of Princes had convened without warning, and his dismissal had been just as abrupt. Before he could react, the Emperor had summoned him to the palace, berating him with a litany of accusations before finally asking, coldly, "Do you have any objections?"
Of course he had objections! But Suo Etu hadn’t dared voice them.
The emperor had grown older, no longer the young man who could be easily controlled. His imperial authority tolerated no defiance from his ministers. Unable to act with integrity, his heart sank to the depths—had His Majesty discovered the residence of Lady Liu, the Sixth Prince’s wet nurse?
He had sent people to search for days but found no trace. Under heaven, few could rival the power of the imperial court, let alone abduct Lady Liu without alerting the watchers…
Suo Etu grew increasingly alarmed, convinced this was the truth. Cold sweat trickled down his spine as he realized with absolute clarity—he had fallen.
Why Lady Liu had been exposed no longer mattered; it was too late for explanations. If the emperor demanded his life, he had no grounds to argue!
Yet, even as he thought this, Suo Etu gradually calmed himself, certain that for the sake of his late father, the late empress, and the Crown Prince—and for his own meritorious service—he would, at worst, suffer a severe blow but not lose his life.
The court still had Mingzhu stirring up trouble, and only the Hesheli clan could keep him in check!
As expected, the emperor showed no intention of taking his life. However, Xinyu and Fabao, implicated by his actions, were dismissed on charges of "negligence," dealing a heavy blow to the family.
Suo Etu felt no regret for the poisoning. The name "Zuò" had been too ominous—what place did it leave for the heir to the throne?
Now that the truth had come to light, the emperor showed him no mercy. How would the Crown Prince in Yuqing Palace fare?
The thought burned in Suo Etu’s chest, and he immediately sought to contact his trusted allies in Yuqing Palace.
Stripped of his position, he no longer had the privilege of free access to the palace, but it mattered little. He had already planted his own people around the Crown Prince…
Ignoring the unease in his heart, Suo Etu chose to forget that Yuqing Palace had long ceased sending messages.
When no response came from his contacts, the once-powerful Suo Etu finally panicked.
He had always regarded himself as the Crown Prince’s elder, and his fury was understandable. Without eyes and ears in Yuqing Palace, how could he strategize for the Crown Prince, outmaneuver the First Prince in their weakened state, or evade Mingzhu’s schemes?
Then, his steward’s words struck him like enlightenment. If the emperor forbade the Crown Prince from associating with him, naturally all channels would be blocked—not a word from Yuqing Palace, not even a fly could escape.
Suo Etu clasped his hands behind his back and sighed deeply. "His Majesty does not care for the Crown Prince’s feelings at all…"
"Find someone from the Guoluoluo clan—do not delay!" His tone was firm. "Deliver a message to Consort Yi in Yikun Palace. At this point, only she can mediate."
Consort Ping had been restless lately, unable to eat or sleep well, for the emperor had not visited Chuxiu Palace in a long time.
Before, though she was not favored, she still received his attention two or three times a month. Now, day after day, she waited in vain for his arrival…
This was undoubtedly linked to her accusation of Consort Yi monopolizing favor, which had led to her punishment of copying Buddhist scriptures.
Bitter and resentful, Consort Ping devised several ways to regain the emperor’s favor. Yet, bound by her pride, she hesitated and refrained from acting like those low-ranking concubines.
Not long after, news arrived like a thunderbolt—her uncle had been stripped of his rank and position!
Consort Ping collapsed onto her couch, her face pale and her mind in turmoil.
After the thorough purge of the Imperial Household Department, few of Empress Renxiao’s old retainers remained. Consort Ping’s only support now was the handful of spies Suo Etu had planted in the palace. With her uncle fallen, she was truly walking on thin ice, isolated and helpless…
She bit her lip until it nearly bled, her thoughts turning instinctively to the Crown Prince in Yuqing Palace. A flicker of hope lit her eyes, then dimmed just as quickly.
If her uncle was in trouble, who knew if the Crown Prince was as well? Without his maternal family’s support, his situation mirrored hers.
Uncertain whether the Crown Prince would accept her overtures, she hesitated before finally deciding to embroider a fan as a test.
But just as she took out her needlework, that very evening, the emperor entrusted the Ninth Prince to the Crown Prince’s care!
Consort Ping could scarcely believe her ears.
Had His Majesty lost his senses?
The Crown Prince was burdened with studies—how could he possibly spare time for a younger brother? Such an absurd arrangement, and Consort Yi hadn’t even objected!
Her chest heaved with indignation. She longed to remonstrate, even to plead for her uncle… but reason held her back.
Abandoning all dignity, she resorted to what she once despised—bribing a eunuch from Qianqing Palace for information on the emperor’s whereabouts.
Though vague, it was enough.
On a bitterly cold yet clear day, Kangxi, in high spirits after court, strolled through the imperial garden to admire the plum blossoms.
A figure in white caught his eye. He paused and looked up to see Consort Ping gracefully curtsying before him, her eyes brimming with tender affection, exuding an air of gentle elegance.
Despite the winter chill, she wore a sheer gown that shimmered dazzlingly in the sunlight.
As Consort Ping’s face lit with joy, Kangxi frowned and said coldly, "What, has the cold frozen your wits as well? If you can’t dress properly, stay inside!"
