The few palace attendants who were privy to the inner workings of the situation couldn’t help but lower their heads, their lips twitching in suppressed amusement. Only Yunxiu smiled faintly, her demeanor calm and composed as she gently took the half-embroidered robe and said softly, “If Your Majesty is pleased, then all is well.”
“With the Imperial Birthday still over a month away, this concubine has been scrambling in fear of failing to present a gift in time. Like the slow bird that must fly early, I wished to prepare a heartfelt surprise for Your Majesty.” She signaled Ruizhu to return the robe to the sewing basket, her expression unreadable as she continued without a trace of guilt, “Yet the surprise was revealed prematurely… Why is Your Majesty so displeased?”
Kangxi couldn’t suppress his smile, his gaze lingering on the robe, reluctant to look away. His joy remained unabated. At her words, he coughed lightly, rubbing his nose awkwardly before replying, “I should not have taken my frustration out on you. It’s all that meddling Young Lady Tongjia’s fault—she stirred up such concern in the Empress Dowager that she feared I would take her into the palace. Little did she know I had already granted her the title of County Lady, soon to depart for Mount Wutai to pray for the Empress Dowager’s blessings.”
County Lady? Prayers?
Yunxiu nearly laughed aloud as realization dawned. No wonder, no wonder.
No wonder His Majesty was so furious—it was because the Empress Dowager didn’t trust him!
Though the choice of the Qianqing Palace’s side chamber was rather… suggestive. Ahem. If truth be told, the suggestion had come from her.
But after a stroll through the imperial gardens, the future Consort Tongjia was now banished far from the capital. Tong Guowei and the Tong Family had schemed only to suffer a loss—she wondered if they were seething with rage.
At this thought, Yunxiu’s mood lifted, and she no longer regretted the strain on her hands—that half-finished robe had been gathering dust in a chest for so long she’d nearly forgotten how to embroider it…
Meanwhile, she concealed her amusement and lavished praise without hesitation: “Your Majesty is truly wise and formidable.”
Having coaxed Kangxi many times before, Yunxiu had learned a thing or two. Stroking his ego always worked like a charm—no need to question or overthink, for she could never fathom what went on in the Emperor’s mind.
Just like earlier, when he had drawn his sword during their plum-blossom viewing—she still couldn’t comprehend why.
The Yikun Palace was steeped in warmth as the conversation soon turned to Yinqi’s studies.
“This concubine has already prepared the book satchel and supplies—Yinqi’s and Fulu’s, all in order.” Yunxiu sat before her dressing table as Wenyuan gently combed her hair.
The faint scent of flowers lingered in the air as she glanced back and asked, “But who is the other study companion? Which family’s young master is it?”
Now the mother of two princes, Yunxiu had long shed the naivety of her early days in the palace. Every smile and glance carried an allure that was impossible to ignore.
The Emperor’s phoenix eyes darkened as he took the wooden comb from Wenyuan, dismissing the attendants with a wave before personally tending to her hair.
“Look at me—swamped with state affairs, I forgot to report to Consort Yi.” Kangxi teased, earning a reproachful glance from Yunxiu before his expression turned serious again. “Ma Qi’s youngest son, Fuqing, is around Yinqi’s age. When Ma Qi made the request, I thought to grant the Fucha family this favor.”
The Fucha family boasted many capable men and were unwavering loyalists to the throne, much like the Gorolo clan, with roots in the military. In this generation, the four brothers of the main lineage—Ma Sika, Ma Qi, Ma Wu, and Li Rongbao—had firmly established themselves in court, highly regarded by Kangxi, as evident from their official positions.
Ma Qi, currently serving as Vice Minister of Works, was around Tuyue’s age—just over thirty, a true rising star.
In her dreams, there had been no mention of study companions—only sons of fourth or fifth-rank officials accompanying Yinqi… Yunxiu paused briefly, quickly discerning the Fucha family’s intentions.
Raised by the Empress Dowager from a young age, Yinqi stood no chance for the throne. But now that he was close to the Crown Prince, he was no longer an obscure prince. Being his study companion brought only benefits, no drawbacks.
With his son’s future in mind, how could Ma Qi resist?
The gentle strokes of the comb were soothing, and she chuckled softly. “Fuqing and Fulu—their names pair quite well. I wonder what the boy’s temperament is like. If he’s another little troublemaker, the imperial tutors will have their hands full.”
Kangxi raised an eyebrow before bursting into laughter. “With Baocheng keeping watch, they won’t dare cause any chaos!”
The next morning, after the court session, Liang Jiugong finally reported in a hushed tone, “Consort Hui sent someone to the Qianqing Palace yesterday, saying she was deeply remorseful and wished to beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness…”
Kangxi set down the vermilion brush indifferently and chuckled. “Finally couldn’t bear it anymore?”
Liang Jiugong hunched his shoulders, uttering a hesitant “Er…” as he lowered his head, unsure how to respond.
That wretched servant Liu Qin—not only had he served the Tongjia family, but who would have guessed he’d also been bribed by someone from the Yanxi Palace, aiding Consort Hui multiple times? Aside from leaking the Emperor’s whereabouts, he had even put in a good word for her before His Majesty… Though his true master was another, Consort Hui had clearly reaped considerable benefits.
When the interrogators from the Internal Penal Court extracted the truth, the Emperor had laughed coldly in anger, repeating the word “Good” three times.
He thought His Majesty would lose his temper on the spot, but to his surprise, the Emperor acted as if nothing had happened, leaving Consort Hui in a state of unease. She stayed secluded in Yanxi Palace day after day, rarely even seeing the Eldest Prince, living a life of utter seclusion.
As time passed, Liang Jiugong began to understand.
His Majesty was slowly tightening the noose!
See how Consort Hui couldn’t hold out any longer?
While admiring the Emperor’s shrewdness, the Chief Eunuch couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander. After thoroughly grasping the tactics of the palace ladies’ rivalries, His Majesty’s methods of punishment had grown increasingly elaborate. In the future, no one would escape his discerning eye…
But as the saying goes, those in the thick of it are often blind to the truth. When it came to Consort Yi, His Majesty had willingly fallen into her trap—and never managed to climb back out.
Ahem, could Consort Yi’s methods even be called methods?
Unaware of his servant’s bold internal musings, Kangxi suppressed a mocking smile and picked up his vermilion brush again. Calmly, he said, “Go and convey Our oral decree. Since Consort Hui is filled with remorse and seeks to atone, We permit it. As for how she should atone… let the Nara clan decide for themselves.”
Let Consort Hui decide for herself?
Liang Jiugong swallowed hard. Good heavens! This was the most torturous method of all.
After silently mourning for two seconds, he quickly and softly acknowledged the order, then tiptoed out.
Yanxi Palace.
Upon hearing that Liang Jiugong had brought an oral decree from the Emperor, Consort Hui took a deep breath, composed herself, and walked out with measured steps, a dignified smile gracing her lips. “Chief Eunuch Liang.”
Liang Jiugong grinned, flicking his horsetail whisk. “This servant greets Consort Hui.”
Clearing his throat, he lowered his voice. “His Majesty says that how you atone… is up to you to decide.”
Consort Hui could never have anticipated such a decree!
In disbelief, she dug her nails into her palm, her expression darkening instantly. Decide for herself? What did that even mean?!
“This concubine is slow-witted and does not fully grasp His Majesty’s meaning,” Consort Hui said through a forced smile, gripping Ying'er’s hand tightly. “Might the Chief Eunuch offer some guidance…?”
Liang Jiugong sighed, feigning hesitation. “Your Ladyship, this servant dare not presume His Majesty’s intentions—lest I earn another beating. But as for atonement… copying palace rules or Buddhist scriptures would suffice, wouldn’t it?”
Consort Hui steadied herself. That was precisely what she had been thinking.
But then, as realization dawned, her face turned ashen—just how many volumes was she expected to copy for this “self-decided” atonement?
Outside the hall, the winter wind howled, and her wrist began to ache faintly…
Today marked the second day since Yinqi moved from Ningshou Palace to the Princes’ Quarters, officially beginning his studies.
Dragged half-asleep from his dreams, the Fifth Prince drowsily finished his breakfast, then huffed and puffed as he shouldered the small book bag prepared by his mother. Soon, he successfully reunited with his two study companions at the Imperial Study.
To his left was the round-faced Fulu, looking around excitedly; to his right was the equally round-faced Fuqing, smiling shyly.
Yinqi suppressed his curiosity, stealing glances at Fuqing for a long while before turning to Fulu. A small swell of pride rose in his chest—among the three of them, he had the best figure.
Remembering his mother and grandmother’s stern admonitions to study hard, along with the Crown Prince’s eager expectations and Fourth Elder Brother’s terrifyingly rigorous guidance… Yinqi sat stiffly at his desk and gulped. If he failed to outshine his peers, an unpredictable storm awaited him.
Well, perhaps not in archery and horsemanship—after all, who could compete with his cousin Fulu’s innate strength?
Soon, Yinqi found another reason to rejoice. His cousin had once admitted that the Guoluo family had no talent for academics. His uncle Tuyue had been chased and scolded by his tutors, a story their grandfather still loved to recount. Surely, Fulu would be no exception.
But what about Fuqing from the Fucha family? Was he a natural scholar?
After enduring the Crown Prince and Fourth Elder Brother’s “enthusiastic” tutoring, Yinqi was no longer the Mongolian-speaking prince who struggled with Han Chinese and writing. He preened inwardly—no matter how well Fuqing studied, he couldn’t possibly surpass him. In no time, he’d amaze his tutors…
But the Three Character Classic was truly difficult to memorize.
When Fuqing flawlessly recited the entire text, his cheeks flushing slightly as he maintained his shy demeanor, Yinqi’s eyes widened in shock. What in the world was going on?
Had Fuqing already memorized this during his early education? How sneaky!
The elderly tutor stroked his beard in delight, his voice brimming with warmth. “Young Master Fucha, had you memorized this before?”
Fuqing shook his head bashfully, as timid as a young maiden. “N-no, I hadn’t.”
The boy looked utterly incapable of lying—honest to a fault.
The Confucian scholars exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with delight at the discovery. One of them exclaimed in admiration, "So he possesses a photographic memory! Ma Qi has truly been blessed with an exceptional son."
Fulu let out an awed "Wow," his dark eyes gleaming with envy, while Yinqi stood silent, lost in thought.
By noon, during the archery and horsemanship lessons, the Fifth Prince suffered another blow as the instructor lavished praise on Fulu.
"Fourth Elder Brother, I don’t want to study anymore…" After class, he trudged dejectedly into Yinzhen’s courtyard, sniffling as he lamented, "Choosing these two study companions must mean His Majesty Kangxi doesn’t favor me at all!"
