The Imperial Noble Consort had just finished her meal alone when she learned that Kangxi was about to arrive. She hurriedly tidied her appearance, covering her mouth as she laughed softly for a long while, her heart filled with exhilaration.
That lowly wretch, Mrs. Wuya, was too foolish to realize she had angered her cousin. How ugly would her expression be when she found out the Emperor had come to Chengqian Palace?
The Imperial Noble Consort joyfully stepped out to welcome him, her gaze resting on the tall and majestic emperor with undisguised admiration.
With a gentle smile, she smoothed her hand over her belly and performed a graceful curtsy.
Kangxi smiled faintly, first inquiring with concern, "Have you been sleeping well lately? Has the morning sickness been severe?"
"Your Majesty, this concubine has been sleeping soundly and eating well. The morning sickness has eased considerably. This child is considerate—it moves occasionally and is very well-behaved," the Imperial Noble Consort replied softly, her expression one of contentment.
To say she wasn’t suffering would be a lie.
Perhaps her constitution made pregnancy difficult, as this one had been particularly hard on her. She had to keep pickled sour plums on hand at all times to suppress the urge to vomit.
The entire Chengqian Palace treated this child with utmost care, summoning Imperial Physician Liu daily to check her pulse and administering countless doses of medicine to stabilize the pregnancy.
After painstaking efforts, she had carried the child for six months. The rosy glow on her face had gradually faded, replaced by pallor. Her body had grown bloated, and spots had appeared on her cheeks, making her far from beautiful—she had to rely on carefully applied makeup to conceal it.
Yet despite all this, she felt blissful.
This was her and her cousin’s own child! No sacrifice was too great.
Kangxi noticed the exhaustion hidden beneath her smile.
His heart softened, and he patted her hand gently. "Whether it’s a boy or a girl, it will be well-behaved. If it’s a little princess, she’ll surely take after you. When that time comes, no amount of doting would be excessive..."
The Imperial Noble Consort’s smile faltered slightly, and her hand tightened over her belly. A princess?
Her heart plummeted, but she maintained her composure. "This concubine looks forward to it as well!"
...
After barely steadying her emotions, the Imperial Noble Consort never expected Kangxi to bring up Yinzhen next.
"Yinzhen is still young. Though he’s begun his studies, he still needs his mother’s care," Kangxi said meaningfully, his tone grave. "With your condition, it’s understandable if you’re stretched thin... but I fear deceitful servants might take advantage and neglect my fourth son. You must discipline them strictly."
Her fingers trembled as she bowed in acknowledgment, nearly losing her smile.
Stretched thin?
Was he implying she had neglected Yinzhen in favor of the child in her womb?
After delivering his pointed remarks, Kangxi offered a few soothing words, finished his tea, and then departed for Qianqing Palace.
The Imperial Noble Consort watched his retreating figure, her lips quivering as she nearly collapsed backward. Nanny Zhen rushed to steady her in alarm. "Your Highness!"
"His Majesty is displeased and used this as a warning..." the Imperial Noble Consort muttered, her face ashen. "There are no deceitful servants—it was just an excuse."
Dizziness overwhelmed her, and a chilling cold spread through her body.
Her cousin had finally come to Chengqian Palace, only to pierce her heart at every turn.
A princess, ha! What a fine princess!
"Why can’t I bear a prince?!" she snarled, clutching her robes, her chest heaving with fury. "Ever since I conceived, Cining Palace has grown distant. And now even His Majesty shows such an attitude... What is he afraid of? That my son will threaten the Crown Prince’s position?!"
And Yinzhen—though given to her as a son, had his lineage records been altered? No!
Consort De remained his rightful mother in name.
After all the care and affection she had poured into raising him, when had she ever mistreated him?
Yet the Emperor dared to reprimand her over this.
What a farce!
Nanny Zhen paled in horror. "Your Highness! These words are treasonous!"
"Treasonous?" The Imperial Noble Consort laughed coldly. "It’s the truth!"
No sooner had she spoken than a wetness spread below her waist, and she vomited everything she had just eaten...
Chengqian Palace descended into chaos.
Inside the bedchamber.
"Your Highness must not agitate yourself or overthink in your condition," Imperial Physician Liu urged as he rushed to stop the bleeding. Shaking his head, he sighed. "At this stage, mild tonics are ineffective. We must resort to stronger medicine."
A specialist in women’s health, Imperial Physician Liu had been sent by the Tong family to assist with the pregnancy. Kangxi had turned a blind eye out of respect for his maternal relatives.
Strong medicine would inevitably harm her body.
Pale and silent, the Imperial Noble Consort finally spoke hoarsely after a long pause. "Do whatever it takes to protect my prince."
Her four maids wept silently nearby. Once Imperial Physician Liu left to prepare the medicine, Nanny Zhen clasped her hand, her eyes red. "Your Highness, why must you torment yourself like this?"
The most crucial thing now was to prevent resentment toward the Emperor from taking root. Resentment would drain her spirit—and without it, how could the child survive?
Wiping her tears, Nanny Zhen continued, "This old servant believes His Majesty never intended to reprimand you. He cares deeply for the Fourth Prince and spoke of deceitful servants. Think—was there not truth in his words?"
The Imperial Noble Consort slowly opened her eyes.
The reminder struck her like lightning.
Yes, there had been deceitful servants.
The last time she ordered an investigation into Yinzhen’s attendants, several spies from Yonghe Palace had been uncovered.
A few lowly maids were one thing, but even one of Yinzhen’s wet nurses—who had raised him since infancy—was among them!
That wet nurse, hailing from the Imperial Household Department, was Consort De’s pawn.
Consort De...
The Imperial Noble Consort tightened her grip on Nanny Zhen’s hand, her eyes gleaming with icy fury.
"Your Highness, remember—His Majesty visited Yonghe Palace before coming here," Nanny Zhen whispered through the pain. "Who would believe Consort De didn’t poison his ears? His anger toward her must stem from this. If you lose this child, you’d be playing right into her hands. Don’t let that vile woman win..."
She was right. Everything fell into place.
A surge of strength flooded the Imperial Noble Consort, her gaze burning with intensity.
Leaning on her maids, she struggled upright against the pillows and smiled—a faint, chilling smile.
"My prince nearly perished... Mrs. Wuya should suffer the same," she murmured. "The one in her belly isn’t enough. Isn’t Yinzuo her most beloved? I’ll grant her that wish."
After the Emperor’s departure, Chengqian Palace summoned the imperial physician, and news spread swiftly through the Forbidden City.
Kangxi’s face was stormy, a tempest brewing beneath his calm. Liang Jiugong stood trembling at his side, head bowed deeply.
For the Imperial Noble Consort to utter such words openly in the main hall—how reckless!
"I never realized the Imperial Noble Consort harbored such heavy thoughts," Kangxi remarked coolly. "A threat to the Crown Prince? The idea never crossed my mind."
The palace had many princes but few princesses—eight sons by birth order, yet only three daughters in total.
He had merely casually referred to her as "little princess," yet the Imperial Noble Consort reacted so strongly, becoming suspicious and guarded to such an extent!
The Empress Dowager had indeed summoned him, asking what should be done if the Imperial Noble Consort bore a prince and grew ambitious.
How had he answered?
"All are my children—how could I not cherish them? The position of Crown Prince will remain unshaken, and there shall be no second legitimate heir. Beyond that, this grandson will ensure their protection."
Was the Imperial Noble Consort so certain he would fear? Fear that the prince she bore would compete with Baocheng?
Further still, would she suspect him of being so ruthless as to harm his own child?
...
"Imperial Noble Consort, what do you take me for?!" Kangxi laughed in fury, slamming the paperweight down with a thunderous crash.
The palace servants knelt in trembling rows, none daring to utter a single plea for His Majesty to calm his anger.
Once the rage subsided, Kangxi quickly regained his composure, twisting the jade ring on his finger. For some reason, a radiant, expressive face surfaced in his mind, dispelling the bitterness in his heart.
"Liang Jiugong, go to Yikun Palace and summon Consort Yi—"
Before he could finish the words "to attend me," he paused, suddenly realizing that the night was deep, and Yunxiu must already be asleep.
Liang Jiugong scrambled to his feet, mentally completing the Emperor’s unspoken command, and from that moment on, he regarded Yunxiu with boundless reverence.
From now on, Consort Yi’s wishes would be his foremost duty. If she commanded him east, he, Liang Jiugong, would never dare go west!
"...At noon tomorrow, have Consort Yi attend me in Qianqing Palace." With that, Kangxi strode out of the study toward his chambers, ordering the attendants, "Prepare water for my bath!"
The next morning.
Yunxiu was deep in slumber when Wenyuan’s voice persistently called, "Your Highness, Your Highness..."
Slowly opening her eyes, she squinted slightly, her voice hoarse with sleep. "What is it?"
"Consort De arrived early, saying she wished to discuss the selection of congratulatory gifts with you. I informed her that Your Highness was still asleep, but Consort De insisted it was no trouble and urged you to rest." Wenyuan drew back the bed curtains, whispering, "She is now seated in the front hall, and Ruizhu has gone to prepare tea and refreshments."
Selection of gifts?
Ah, yes—the Imperial Noble Consort had assigned her to oversee the matter, with Consort De assisting.
With the Emperor’s birthday approaching, gifts from the imperial consorts had been arriving at Yikun Palace one after another. She had set aside a side hall to store them all.
By her calculations, Consort De should have come by now.
"..." Yunxiu jolted awake, propping herself up slowly. "What time is it?"
Wenyuan helped her out of bed, answering, "Just past mao hour. The moment Consort De arrived, I came to wake you."
"Mao hour..." Yunxiu closed her eyes. "What enthusiasm."
Whether it was enthusiasm or not, one thing was certain—after the humiliation she had dealt Consort De during the last visit to Chengqian Palace, she wondered what attitude the woman would take with her today.
The thought instantly banished all drowsiness.
After washing up, Yunxiu sat before the bronze mirror, her lips curving slightly. "Wear the sapphire headpiece bestowed by His Majesty, paired with the sapphire-blue qipao. Be quick about it."
Recalling Consort De’s plain attire, Wenyuan stifled a giggle and swiftly set to work on her mistress’s makeup.
...
After a cup of hot tea, the simply dressed Consort De finally beheld the resplendently adorned Yunxiu.
The first thing that caught her eye was the dazzling, translucent sapphire jewelry—upon closer inspection, every piece, from the headpiece to the earrings, was a rare treasure from the imperial tribute.
The sapphire-blue gown was embroidered with large, delicate irises in pale purple, threaded with fine gold. From every angle, it shimmered brilliantly, impossible to ignore.
Then, a melodious voice rang out: "Consort De, my apologies for the wait. Surely today, my attire differs from yours?"
The smile on Consort De’s lips froze before it could fully form.
