To say that her appearance bore a seven-tenths resemblance to the Empress Dowager was not entirely accurate.
The second young lady and the Imperial Noble Consort were born of the same mother, yet there was a ten-year gap between them. Had they stood side by side, one might not have recognized them as sisters.
The most striking difference lay in their eyes. The Imperial Noble Consort had inherited her mother Mrs. Hesheli’s slightly upturned eyes, which inadvertently exuded a certain authority. The second young lady, however, had gentle almond-shaped eyes. As she grew older, Tong Guowei often marveled at how much they resembled those of the late Empress Dowager.
Thus, the resemblance between the second young lady and the Empress Dowager—aunt and niece—was at most fifty percent. What truly mirrored the Empress Dowager was her tender, serene, and naturally amiable demeanor—
A demeanor the Tong family had deliberately cultivated.
Everyone knew the Empress Dowager had passed away young, leaving behind the current emperor when he was barely ten years old.
Year after year, the emperor paid tribute to her, composing heartfelt elegies in her memory. Once, he confided to his attendants, "My greatest regret in this life is not being able to serve my mother by her side, allowing her to live out her days in peace and comfort."
Out of longing for the Empress Dowager, Kangxi extended his favor to the Tong family. The direct line of Tong Guogang and Tong Guowei flourished, securing a prominent position in court. He elevated his cousin to Imperial Noble Consort, entrusting her with the duties of an empress and authority over the six palaces. He also placed Tong family members in the ranks of the imperial guards, among them Longkodo, the second son of Tong Guowei and younger brother of the Imperial Noble Consort.
Once one tasted such sweetness, how could they bear to lose it?
The Tong family had already produced an empress dowager; now they aspired to produce an empress, becoming the maternal clan of the next emperor.
But the crown prince had already been designated. When the eldest daughter entered the palace, Empress Xiaozhao still held sway, forcing them to temper their ambitions and bide their time.
Not long after, Empress Xiaozhao passed away, and the eldest daughter, now promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, stood just half a step away from the throne. Yet, as years passed without her conceiving, the family’s attention shifted to the second young lady.
Regrettably, she was still too young for their initial plan—bearing a child to be raised by her sister, as Consort Yi and Noble Consort Le had done—to be feasible. But soon, they noticed with growing delight that the girl… was becoming more and more like her aunt!
Recalling the emperor’s enduring grief for the Empress Dowager, the elders of the Tongjia clan made their decision. They summoned former attendants of the late empress dowager to meticulously cultivate the second young lady, preparing for the future and safeguarding the family’s glory.
Mrs. Hesheli was reluctant, but Tong Guowei eventually persuaded her, and she acquiesced to the elders’ arrangements.
At this time, the Imperial Noble Consort, secluded deep within the palace, remained unaware of the clan’s schemes. Her affection for her younger sister was genuine, and she frequently sent gifts her way. In the twenty-first year of Kangxi’s reign, the Imperial Noble Consort miraculously conceived. The Tong family rejoiced—if the child was a prince, there would be no need to continue the "preparations" with the second young lady.
Who could have foreseen the sudden turn of events? The Imperial Noble Consort fell victim to a plot, losing her child, her authority, and her health. The Tong family suffered a devastating blow…
No one could have predicted it.
For the sake of the family, they had no choice but to cut their losses and find a way to send the second young lady into the palace to support her ailing sister.
Not long ago, Tong Guowei subtly hinted at this intention during an audience with the emperor. To his surprise, Kangxi dismissed the idea with a casual remark: "Uncle, why not seek a good match for your daughter? When the next selection of imperial consorts comes, I shall arrange the marriage myself."
Tong Guowei was embarrassed, but since the emperor had spoken thus, he could hardly force his younger daughter into the palace.
Upon reflection, he eventually accepted it.
Ru Ying was already the Imperial Noble Consort; at best, Ru Yue could only become a consort. No matter how much Kangxi favored the Tong family, he would never elevate Ru Yue to the rank of imperial consort.
Having two sisters in such high positions would throw the harem into chaos!
After consulting with the clan elders, they arrived at a decision: wait and observe, strategize for the long term.
If the Imperial Noble Consort did not recover, then Ru Yue could take her place…
Tong Guowei sighed deeply, dispelling the dangerous thought.
He prided himself on not being heartless. Though family interests came first, he still felt guilt over his eldest daughter’s plight. He consoled himself with the thought that Ru Ying shared a unique bond with the emperor—her restoration was not impossible.
But instead of good news, the palace delivered one grim report after another. The Imperial Noble Consort was confined to Chengqian Palace, forbidden from receiving visitors. Rumors spread that the emperor intended to depose her!
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Hesheli paled in distress, and Tong Guowei was no less alarmed.
At least her title had remained intact—if even that were stripped away, where would the Tong family’s dignity lie?
This time, the word "confinement" carried implications that sent a chill down his spine.
As his wife’s sharp accusations pierced his ears, Tong Guowei closed his eyes in silence. Just as his agitation peaked, he heard the soft, dejected voice of his second daughter—she, too, wished to enter the palace to see the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Ru Yue, why have you come to the front hall? This is absurd." Tong Guowei turned his head, pointing a finger at her before sighing heavily after a long pause. "Wishful thinking, sheer wishful thinking. Your elder sister has committed a grave offense, provoking His Majesty's wrath without regard for past affections—imagine the severity of her crime! Your mother has repeatedly sent petitions to the palace, yet there’s been no response... What use is it for you to go?"
He had a premonition but kept it to himself. If the Imperial Noble Consort’s schemes against Mrs. Wuya and the Sixth Prince were exposed, no one could blame the Emperor for his fury.
After all, the Tong family had played a part in it. Escaping unscathed was already a stroke of luck—how could they dare approach His Majesty now?
Ru Yue widened her eyes and bit her lower lip. "Father!"
At this moment, his second daughter bore an uncanny resemblance to the late Empress Dowager in her youth. Tong Guowei’s heart softened, and he could no longer bring himself to scold her. "Listen to your father and return to your courtyard, alright?"
"Father, seeking advantage and avoiding harm is human nature—I understand you." Just then, Longkodo, dressed in his guard’s uniform, strode forward and glared coldly at him. "The Imperial Noble Consort has fallen from grace. You fear implicating the family, and secondly, you’re too guilty to face His Majesty. Now you even reprimand my sister, but in my opinion, this is true foolishness!"
Guilty? Foolishness?
This insolent child dared to speak so disrespectfully to his own father!
"You—" Tong Guowei pointed at his seventeen-year-old son, whose bearing was proud and imposing, and nearly exploded with rage. "You ungrateful wretch! What do you know? Pleading for mercy now, when His Majesty’s anger is at its peak, would doom the entire Tong family! You speak so lightly of it!"
Longkodo, serving directly under the Emperor, knew some details about the incident during the Lantern Festival banquet. Kangxi had always held this cousin in high regard, and though the matter had unfolded, he hadn’t vented his anger on Longkodo. Yet Longkodo could tell—His Majesty’s attitude toward the Tong family had cooled considerably.
Precisely because of this, Father should be striving to regain the Emperor’s favor.
The older he grew, the more confused he became!
In the past, when his sister had wanted to alter the Fourth Prince’s imperial genealogy, Longkodo had seen it as entirely justified. Yet Father and the family had opposed it, all because they looked down on the Fourth Prince’s status—how laughable.
Longkodo had always been close to the Imperial Noble Consort and couldn’t stand Tong Guowei’s self-serving detachment. All his grievances condensed into a cold sneer. "Father, you’ve lost your wits. Who said anything about pleading for mercy? What we should do now is beg for forgiveness! The Imperial Noble Consort has erred, yet the Tong family remains silent as quails—isn’t that proof of guilt? Are you afraid His Majesty won’t trace it back to you?"
With that, he turned to Ru Yue, his mocking expression softening. "Sister, your wish to visit isn’t wishful thinking. When Father seeks forgiveness, the more tearful and remorseful he appears, the better. For the sake of our aunt, His Majesty will surely allow us to see the Imperial Noble Consort one last time..."
At the words "one last time," Longkodo’s voice cracked with emotion. "Father, which does His Majesty favor more—loyalty and compassion, or heartless detachment?"
Tong Guowei listened as his fury gradually subsided. After a long daze, realization dawned—Longkodo’s words held merit.
Other considerations aside, he had been fretting over how to get Ru Yue before the Emperor. Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity?
With that face alone, the Tong family would remain unshaken.
Watching his children’s retreating figures, Mrs. Hesheli continued wiping her tears while Tong Guowei snorted, flicked his robe, and sat down irritably. "That insolent boy—when will he stop defying me?"
Soon, pride washed away his frustration, and he murmured, "Madam, the Tongjia lineage has a worthy successor..."
Three days later, in the Chengqian Palace.
A rich fragrance filled the air as cool fingers massaged his temples. Kangxi lounged drowsily on the recliner, a faint smile playing on his lips. After a long while, he asked without opening his eyes, "Where did you learn this technique, Yunxiu?"
Yunxiu paused briefly. The men of the Guoluoluo family were passionate about martial arts, and this unique massage method, famous in military camps for treating injuries, was something she had observed since childhood—though she’d only grasped the basics.
Recalling Tuyue’s agonized screams after Sanguanbao’s "treatment" in their youth, Yunxiu still shuddered at the memory.
But as a woman, her strength was limited. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t achieve instant results...
Thinking this, she smiled faintly and replied softly, "To be honest, Your Majesty, I learned this from Nanny Dong. Is the pressure to your liking?"
That Consort Yi would deign to personally attend to him was a delightful surprise for the Emperor. He was in no mood to nitpick—he’d resolved to praise her no matter the quality of her massage.
Yet to his astonishment, her technique was unexpectedly effective, melting away his fatigue and lulling him into drowsy contentment. He could only sigh in pleasure.
Kangxi slowly opened his eyes, took Yunxiu’s hand, and pulled her into his embrace. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he murmured with a smile, "Perfect. I couldn’t be more pleased."
Seeing Liang Jiugong and the other attendants promptly lower their heads, Yunxiu took a deep breath, her cheeks flushing. "Your Majesty!"
Kangxi knew his beloved was easily flustered—and he couldn’t resist teasing her. The sight of her indignant charm was a rare delight.
He was feeling quite pleased with himself when Yunxiu's gentle voice sounded, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten something? Today is the day Mrs. Tongjia and Second Miss are to enter the palace."
Kangxi froze, his expression darkening, before he explained, "Tong Guowei prostrated himself before me, begging for forgiveness and cursing his unfilial daughter. He said he had no other wish but to see his eldest daughter one last time, to ensure her remaining days would be bearable."
Yunxiu raised a delicate brow. Her focus was on the words "Second Miss," yet the Emperor had actually explained the reason to her?
She didn’t know how to respond, only sighing softly, "The Imperial Noble Consort has been bedridden with illness. If she is moved to another palace, who knows if she’ll survive?"
"I have already issued an edict demoting her to Consort. You should address her as such now," Kangxi said, his face like storm clouds at the mention of the Imperial Noble Consort. "And what if she doesn’t survive? Allowing her to see her mother and sister is already an act of mercy on my part..."
Yunxiu found it both amusing and exasperating. Why was the Emperor getting angry again?
"This concubine spoke out of turn," she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek with a smile. "Let’s not dwell on this. The weather has finally cleared—won’t Your Majesty accompany me for a stroll in the imperial garden? I’ve been cooped up indoors for far too long."
"..." The Emperor touched his cheek, instantly forgetting his anger. For a moment, he seemed lost in time before finally giving a stiff nod. "Let us depart."
Though his face remained stern, the smile he couldn’t suppress made Liang Jiugong avert his eyes in embarrassment.
That day in Qianqing Palace, when the Emperor had asked, "Which of the consorts is the kindest?" the Fourth Prince had immediately named Consort Yi without hesitation, then after a long pause, added Consort Cheng.
Liang Jiugong understood perfectly. Consort Yi already had two princes under her care—no matter how much the Emperor might be tempted, he had to set the thought aside.
Sure enough, after a moment of stunned silence, Kangxi murmured, "Consort Cheng." But the Fourth Prince’s unwavering mention of "Consort Yi" had shaken him deeply.
Since then, the Emperor had practically taken up residence in Yikun Palace, his indulgence toward Consort Yi bordering on the excessive. Like now...
Liang Jiugong wiped his face. Your Majesty, ah, where has your dignity gone?
In the winter, the imperial garden was barren, save for the plum blossoms in full bloom. Yunxiu wore a moon-white cloak, while the Emperor was dressed in dark robes. From a distance, they looked like a pair of jade-carved lovers.
Ru Yue, the second Miss Tong, watched from afar, her almond-shaped eyes lighting up with joy.
But soon, that joy faded—her cousin was accompanied by a consort!
Taking a deep breath and remembering her father’s instructions, she flushed pink and took small, hurried steps forward, summoning her courage.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kangxi caught sight of a figure. Shock and excitement surged within him—Mother?
No. No.
The dead could not return. She was not his mother.
—And she stood in the very spot where Consort Ping had once tried to seduce him in sheer robes!
Before Ru Yue could timidly call out "cousin," there was a metallic shing! Kangxi, furious and alarmed, drew a sword from a guard’s waist and pressed the blade to her throat.
Yunxiu, too stunned to react, could only stare in disbelief.
The Emperor’s voice was icy. "Speak! Are you human, a demon, or a spy who slipped into the palace? Who dares scheme so brazenly?!"
