Yunxiu was completely unaware of the Emperor's thoughts.
Her dreams had revealed to her that Concubine Mi, Lady Wang, had remained favored for many years precisely because of her beauty. Her loveliness bore some resemblance to Noble Consort Liang’s, yet she was younger and more radiant—delicate, soft-spoken with the sweet, lilting dialect of Wu, truly like water itself. Every smile and glance of hers evoked tenderness.
If the Emperor insisted on bringing Lady Wang into the palace, could Yunxiu really stop him?
Noble Consort Yi had long since made peace with it. As long as Yinreng’s position remained secure and her own ambitions to become a Noble Imperial Consort Dowager were not thwarted, she cared little what the Emperor did in his later years. If he wished to dote on Han women or summon fresh young maidens to his side, so be it. Out of sight, out of mind—none of it would affect her.
Moreover...
Yunxiu had a strong premonition that the future might not unfold as she expected. In her dreams, Lady Wang had entered the palace in the twenty-fifth year of Kangxi’s reign, not during this southern tour. If circumstances had changed, there was no telling what might happen.
Because the Emperor now was utterly transformed, a completely different man.
For some inexplicable reason, he had become unbearably clingy toward her lately. His gaze, always warm with amusement, lingered on her constantly. He fussed over her well-being as if afraid she might fall ill, treating her as though he wished to tuck her into his pocket.
And when she responded to his affections, he only grew more enthusiastic. Throughout the southern tour, he showed no weariness toward the heavy state affairs delivered by his guards, instead handling them with unflagging energy.
Yunxiu’s daily life—meals, lodging, and travel—was entirely entwined with the Emperor’s. She scarcely returned to her own consort’s carriage, accompanying him from dawn till dusk. The intensity of Kangxi’s devotion was such that even Liang Jiugong found it excessive, and the accompanying princes and high-ranking officials could hardly bear it.
The Crown Prince, along with Yinzhen and Yinqi, who often visited Yongshou Palace, remained unfazed. The Third Prince suppressed his astonishment, striving to emulate his elder brother’s composure, though he occasionally retreated to the rear carriages to whisper a few words of amazement to Consort Rong. As for the Eldest Prince, his face twisted with displeasure on the first day of the journey, his mood sour as he rode on horseback.
Twisted as his expression was, Yinti was still an inexperienced young man. Setting aside Consort Hui’s influence and his own stance, he had to admit that the Emperor and Noble Consort Yi made a strikingly handsome pair.
After seeing it so often, he grew numb to it. The Eldest Prince even began to feel a flicker of anticipation for his future bride. After all, once the southern tour concluded, he would attend court and, in a few years, take a wife.
Among the accompanying officials, none could suppress their envy toward Tuyue.
With Noble Consort Yi enjoying such favor, how could her brother’s standing with the Emperor be anything but exalted? A mere whisper in the imperial ear would bring the Guo’erluo family endless benefits!
At the same time, they grumbled among themselves—if only they had begged His Majesty for a position as a study companion for the princes. Instead, the opportunity had fallen into the hands of Ma Qi of the Fucha clan.
Being close to the Fifth Prince not only naturally aligned one with the Crown Prince but also spared one the dilemma of choosing sides in the future. The Fifth Prince, raised under the Empress Dowager’s care, posed no threat of arousing the Emperor’s suspicion. Such a risk-free, all-beneficial arrangement—how had someone else snatched it up first?
Under the resentful glares of his colleagues, Ma Qi stroked his treasured beard, smiling with quiet satisfaction.
When it comes to recognizing talent, you all still have much to learn.
---
Jiangnan, at the residence of the Jiangning Textile Commissioner.
"Has the main courtyard been thoroughly cleaned?" Lady Li summoned several stewards and matrons, questioning them meticulously. "Not just the usual areas—every corner where the palace ladies might stay must be impeccable. Any neglect, and not only you, but even I will face consequences!"
"Madam, this old servant understands."
"Good. The imperial procession will arrive soon. Keep your wits about you—stay vigilant. Control your subordinates, and control your own eyes and hands. What should not be done, must not be done; what should not be seen, must not be seen!" Lady Li spoke slowly, watching as the stewards stiffened and bowed in assent. Satisfied, she nodded and dismissed them, then turned to seek out her mother-in-law.
Upon seeing the elderly Lady Sun, she curtsied and said softly, "Mother, in my opinion, there’s no need for you to vacate the main courtyard you’re accustomed to. We’ve prepared separate quarters for His Majesty, and there’s ample space for the imperial consorts. Why trouble yourself like this?"
Before she could finish, Lady Sun shot her a glance and rapped her cane. "Such words must never reach others’ ears. The main courtyard is the largest and most spacious in the residence—how could we relegate the imperial consorts to some side quarters? If the master heard of this, you’d suffer for it."
Chastened, Lady Li bowed her head and murmured, "Yes, Mother. I take your lesson to heart. But I recall His Majesty often speaks fondly of you, even referring to you as ‘a cherished elder of our family.’ Surely he would wish for you to remain in the main courtyard..."
For this southern tour, Cao Xi, the Jiangning Textile Commissioner, had begun preparations since the previous year, spending vast sums to renovate the estate. Adjacent to the textile commissioner’s residence, two grand new courtyards and a western garden had been constructed—one for the Emperor, another for the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, rivaling an imperial palace in splendor.
At the mention of Kangxi, Lady Sun’s expression softened considerably, her face alight with affection. "Precisely because His Majesty holds me in such regard, the Cao family must be all the more cautious—we cannot afford even a hint of arrogance or disrespect. Now, go attend to your duties. If anything arises that you cannot decide, come to me at once."
"Your daughter-in-law takes her leave." Lady Li smiled, thinking to herself that she still had much to learn from her mother-in-law’s prudence.
As she turned to go, she suddenly remembered something else. "Lady Wang has already entered His Majesty’s quarters. I’ve arranged for her to serve in the inner chambers, attending to his needs—dressing him, serving tea. Do you approve?"
At the mention of Lady Wang, even the elderly Lady Sun could not help but marvel at her beauty.
The fifteen-year-old girl was like a flower bud on the verge of blooming—shy, her eyes misty with innocence, her very presence a sight to behold. Truth be told, even the imperial consorts might pale in comparison.
What was more remarkable was that the girl seemed intelligent and well-read, unlike those scheming maidservants who thirsted for advancement.
Years ago, during a visit to the capital, Lady Sun had paid her respects to the former Imperial Noble Consort, now the disgraced Consort Tongjia. She had overheard the Chengqian Palace servants whispering—their mistress was a great beauty, unmatched in the harem.
But in Lady Sun’s opinion, Consort Tongjia was no match for Lady Wang.
The girl’s youth alone gave her an advantage over the imperial consorts, many of whom had borne princes and princesses and were past their prime. Take Consort Hui, mother of the Eldest Prince—now over thirty, she could hardly compete with a fresh young maiden. Had she not fallen out of favor in recent years?
As for Noble Consort Yi and Noble Consort Liang, renowned for their beauty, Lady Sun had never seen them. But as her daughter-in-law had said, Li Xu’s judgment was impeccable when it came to selecting beauties. Once the Emperor laid eyes on Lady Wang, he would surely be unable to resist.
She had consulted her husband, and he shared the same view.
Having connections in the palace was invaluable. If Lady Wang bore the Emperor a son, the Cao and Li families would, in a manner of speaking, become relatives of an imperial prince!
Yet, they had not written to seek Yin’s opinion. As the master had said, the matter of presenting a beauty could wait until Yin returned home, when they would discuss it properly.
"Leave it to your arrangements—I have no concerns." The old matriarch's eyes gleamed shrewdly as she patted her daughter-in-law's hand. "Just one thing: remind her to be cautious and not crowd near the imperial consorts accompanying His Majesty, lest she offend their eyes."
"Mother, Lady Wang is a clever one," Lady Li said with a smile. "She will surely take these words to heart. There’s no need for us to worry."
Amidst the eager anticipation of the Cao household, the imperial procession finally arrived in Jiangning.
The Emperor, unwilling to make a grand spectacle, rested briefly outside the city, concealing the conspicuous banners before ordering the gates opened at dawn without disturbing the townsfolk. He also commanded Cao Xi, the Jiangning Textile Commissioner, to refrain from greeting him outside the city and simply await his arrival at the residence.
Perhaps due to these orders, the procession remained quiet along the way, with only the rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels and hooves echoing as it wound its way to a halt before the Textile Commissioner’s mansion.
Cao Xi, his wife Lady Sun, their sons and daughters, and the senior daughter-in-law Lady Li had risen before daybreak to prepare their attire and stood waiting outside the gates.
The sprawling Textile Commissioner’s mansion, nestled in a serene and spacious alley, stood as the only palace-like structure for miles around. To receive the Emperor, Cao Xi had ordered the surrounding area cleared. When Kangxi bent to lift the carriage curtain, Cao Xi dared not look too closely, suppressing his excitement as he bowed deeply. "Your servant, Jiangning Textile Commissioner Cao Xi, pays homage to Your Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years!"
One after another, the Cao household knelt, chanting "Long live the Emperor" in a grand and awe-inspiring display.
"Rise," Kangxi said as he stepped down from the carriage, his voice steady.
With that, he personally helped Cao Xi and his former wet nurse, Lady Sun—whom he had not seen in years—to their feet, his tone warm with nostalgia. "Rise, Minister Cao. Rise, Nanny. Tell me, how have you been all these years?"
The old matriarch was deeply moved, her eyes reddening. "Well, very well. As long as Your Majesty is well, this old servant is content."
Behind them, Lady Li dared not look directly at the Emperor’s face. She inhaled softly, overcome with emotion before a surge of fervor rose in her heart.
No wonder the entire household revered her mother-in-law above all else. Imperial gifts were nothing—only by witnessing this moment could one truly grasp the depth of the Emperor’s favor.
After exchanging a few more words, Kangxi summoned Liang Jiugong, instructing the accompanying princes and consorts to rest before entering the residence.
He added in a low voice, "Inform Noble Consort Yi that I will take Baocheng and the others to the front courtyard to discuss matters of the Textile Commissioner’s office before receiving local officials. If she is weary, she may rest at once. Or, if she wishes to receive the ladies of the household, that is also her prerogative."
Liang Jiugong bowed with a smile and scurried to the Emperor’s carriage, respectfully relaying the message.
A melodious, amused voice responded, "This consort understands."
The Cao household noticed the exchange, minds buzzing with speculation. Lady Li thought to herself, could that be Noble Consort Yi?
Her heart sank momentarily before she masked her astonishment.
The rumors from the capital were indeed true—the Noble Consort had actually shared the Emperor’s carriage!
In an instant, Lady Li’s curiosity about Yunxiu’s beauty reached unprecedented heights.
With imperial affairs of the southern tour pressing, Kangxi soon followed Cao Xi into the residence, trailed by a line of imperial princes. The women remained outside, waiting to escort the consorts inside.
The old matriarch shot her daughter-in-law a meaningful glance. Lady Li nodded slightly, donning a respectful smile as she stepped forward to Yunxiu’s carriage. "Your Grace, this humble one is Lady Li, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Textile Commissioner—"
Before she could finish, the beaded curtains were swept aside with a rustle. A jade-white hand extended to assist Yunxiu as her breathtakingly radiant face was unveiled to the crowd.
Dressed in a deep red gown embroidered with lush peonies, her noble bearing made the waiting ladies feel utterly insignificant, as if they had been cast into the dust.
Yunxiu glanced at Lady Li with faint indifference, giving a slight nod before descending gracefully from the carriage.
Lady Li’s breath caught, her words stuck in her throat. Noble Consort Yi was nothing like she had imagined.
The old matriarch recovered from her brief daze, frowning slightly at her daughter-in-law’s lapse before stepping forward with a practiced smile. She curtsied deeply, preparing to kneel fully. "This old servant greets Noble Consort Yi. May Your Grace be blessed with boundless fortune."
Though she made the gesture of kneeling, her posture seemed to expect someone to assist her up.
Yunxiu gazed down at her, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Only when the old matriarch’s smile faltered, leaving her awkwardly poised between standing and kneeling, did Yunxiu finally speak with gentle grace. "Rise, honored matriarch."
Then she turned to Lady Li, arching a delicate brow.
Well? Did she not intend to kneel?
