She obediently stood before him and held up three fingers.
“Not only the Crown Prince and Lord Mingzhu, but also the Empress Dowager was persuaded by me. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager would never care about affairs of the previous dynasty.”
“As for how I persuaded them, it’s quite simple.”
She couldn’t help but smile.
“Though I couldn’t contact Lord Mingzhu directly, the Empress Dowager was able to speak with Lady Nalan Fujin and send a few words for me.”
“I only told Lady Nalan Fujin that both the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince are on my side. If Lord Mingzhu insists on making me a scapegoat when court convenes, the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince will hold him accountable, even affecting Nalan Kuixu’s position.”
Kangxi understood.
For the women of the inner palace, besides their husbands, children were paramount. Â
The Nalan couple knew well that even if Mingzhu was promoted, it was the court’s way to check Suo’etu’s power.
Once Suo’etu’s faction weakened, Mingzhu would no longer be tolerated stirring trouble.
Mingzhu wanted a peaceful retirement, but it depended on him not making mistakes.
Nalan Kuixu hadn’t slipped up.
Mingzhu understood Kangxi’s deep affection for Fang He.
Whether this opportunity succeeded or failed was less important than gaining the favor of the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince for Consort Zhao, preserving the Nalan family’s future glory. Â
After considering this, Kangxi asked lightly, “And then?”
Fang He blinked.
“Then I asked Fifth Prince to help send a message to the Crown Prince, saying that the Empress Dowager and Lord Mingzhu support me. If Lord Suo’etu troubles me, Hesheri won’t stand idly by and will surely cause a commotion.”
Kangxi mused, “On the contrary, if the Crown Prince helps you for the sake of the Empress Dowager and Lord Mingzhu, he could suppress Mingzhu’s promotion and strike a blow to the Tong family…”
He showed a faint smile, a bit amused and helpless.
“You didn’t tell the Empress Dowager that the Crown Prince and Mingzhu both support you, but you’re just missing the chance to present yourself at court, so she’d go to the Nine Classics Chamber, did you?”
He knew well that the Empress Dowager had never liked meddling in past dynasty affairs and wouldn’t rashly enter the Nine Classics Chamber without Fang He’s partiality and clear backing from the Crown Prince and Mingzhu.
Fang He chuckled.
“With Fifth Prince and Consort Yi mother and son on our side, we stand for justice and only want to relieve the Emperor’s worries. Naturally, the Empress Dowager would help!”
Kangxi:Â Â “…..”
‘The wolf in sheep’s clothing act—this rogue has really perfected it.’
He pulled Fang He into his arms.
“Waiting for me to ask? Say everything now.”
The Crown Prince was personally raised by Kangxi.
Even if easily instigated by Suo’etu, he wasn’t a fool. Â
Nalan Mingzhu was even craftier—he wouldn’t make a move without certainty.
He wouldn’t have been so easily swayed by Fang He. Â
Fang He hugged Kangxi’s neck and showered him with flattering praise.
“Indeed, My Lord is wise. I always knew you knew everything!”
Kangxi patted her bottom and said, “Get to the point!” Â
Fang He covered her behind and glared.
“The Imperial Noble Consort sent me word that the Tong family used tonic prescriptions to make her sister appear unable to take supplements, forcing the Emperor to compensate the Tong family with his life.”
“She also ordered a palace maid to report to the Empress Dowager at Ruijing Pavilion, spreading rumors that the Tong family did this to get their Second Lady into the palace to bear a little prince rivaling the Crown Prince.”
“The Empress Dowager and Nanny Su understand the Tong family’s intentions and resent them for causing trouble in the Grand Empress Dowager’s name. They don’t want another troublemaker in the harem to shake the heir’s position, so they sent Nanny Liu to visit the Nalan mansion.”
Sighing softly, Fang He said,  “The Imperial Noble Consort fears the Second Lady’s ruthlessness—she can even be harsh to her own sister—and worries Fourth Prince will suffer.” Â
“She can’t bear to see the Tong family fall, so she had me promise not to provoke Fourth Prince and the Tong family, telling Fourth Prince to take the leftover medicine scraps and join Fifth Prince in approaching the Crown Prince.”
The County Lady title for Tongjia Wanying, and the admission of the Tong family daughter into the palace as a consort, were all gestures of sincerity she returned to the Imperial Noble Consort.
Kangxi’s expression darkened.
He didn’t believe Tong Guowei was unaware.
The Tong family Second Lady could never bribe the Imperial Physician who diagnosed the Imperial Noble Consort. Â
It seemed his previous warning to Tong Guowei hadn’t been enough.
Suppressing his anger, Kangxi took Fang He’s hand and told her to sit up straight.
“You always complain I don’t tell you everything, yet now you act on your own, fearing I’ll side with the Tong family?”
“I fear you’ll find it troublesome. Acting first before reporting spares you some bother, right?” Fang He softened her voice.
Kangxi sneered, “You think I can be less troubled now?”
“You caused quite a scene in the Golden Throne Hall, unaware of how many hidden dangers your actions planted.”
“Hesheri, Tong, and Nalan clans are not easy to deal with. You used them against each other once today, but from now on, they will use this against you, making you their tool.”
Kangxi wasn’t speaking of retribution but sighed and patted Fang He’s forehead.
“Don’t act on your own anymore. I’m honest with you—I don’t expect you to reciprocate, but at least don’t make me worry endlessly, got it?”
Fang He obediently nodded and softened, hugging his waist.
“Honestly, I don’t scheme much. Since entering the palace, I’ve never caused trouble on purpose, right?”
“As long as I’m not out of favor or irresponsible, what can they do to me?”
Kangxi thought to himself that he had raised a female bandit.
“You have your bottom line, and I have my trigger.” Fang He lifted her head with an unprecedented seriousness.
“You are my lifelong support. Jiujiu and our future children are the continuation of our bloodline. If anyone harms you, even if it means using all means and going to hell after death, I will have them killed!”
Kangxi didn’t know if it was her earnest gaze or her soft embrace warming him so deeply, but his heart fluttered uncontrollably.
He suddenly held her tighter, pausing for a long moment before swallowing a silent sigh mixed with resigned helplessness.
He gently covered Fang He’s trembling cherry lips with his own.
One with cold resolve, the other steadfast spirit—their tangled lips softened to the deepest core of the heart.
The probing and deepening of their kiss made Kangxi almost believe no one else could match him so perfectly.
If he ignored the entanglements of the former dynasty’s harem and focused solely on her, that would be not bad at all…
But he didn’t want Fang He to know this thought.
He stroked her neck and kissed her harder, covering the beat of his heart with heavy breaths. Â
If this rogue knew his true feelings, the Forbidden City might truly be too small for her.
***
Tongjia Wanying cried all the way back to the Tong residence.
But upon reaching Tong Guowei’s study, she wiped away her tears and, under her mother’s worried and conflicted gaze, knelt calmly before him. Â
“I underestimated the situation and acted rashly in the Imperial Garden.”
“I thought Consort Zhao was a fool and, out of pity, didn’t want to harm sister, giving her the chance to scheme against me secretly.”
After a pause, Tongjia Wanying silently shed a few more tears.
“Sister probably knew the prescriptions were wrong and lost heart in the family, secretly handing the evidence to Consort Zhao behind Nanny Tong’s back.”
Once Guowei left Changchun Garden, he almost understood why Nalan Mingzhu hinted so pointedly to him.
That was why Mingzhu changed his tone in the Golden Throne Hall.
Nalan Mingzhu knew there was a traitor in the Tong family who cared nothing for the clan.
He must have been presented the result by Consort Zhao ahead of time. Â
The more he thought about it, the darker Guowei’s face grew as he crushed the teacup in his hand.
“There is no such unfilial daughter in the Tong family. If she truly cares about Fourth Prince and works to uphold the Tong family’s honor for him, why would I worry so much?”
“The Imperial Physician said she only has one or two years left. She greedily clings to a brief extension, but doesn’t believe the family will protect Fourth Prince. How shortsighted!”
Tongjia Wanying lowered her eyes, concealing the hatred beneath.
She spoke calmly,  “Sister was pampered by the family since childhood and favored by Auntie. It’s no surprise she was raised selfish.” Â
Sacrifice?
“This makes me breathe easier, as she is my full sister. I really can’t bear to be harsh to her.”
Hesheri also shed tears.
No matter what, the Imperial Noble Consort was her flesh and blood.
This period was the most painful for her. Â
She even feared Wanying was too cold-blooded—if she could sacrifice her own sister, what would happen if something truly serious came up?
Would she be able to face it then? Â
Hearing Wanying’s words, Hesheri relaxed greatly.
Tong Guowei, sensing the meaning behind his daughter’s words, also softened his expression.
“Do you have any other thoughts? Say them freely. Father doesn’t want to see you waste your time in Shengjing.”
Tongjia Wanying bit her lip hard to calm herself further.
On the way back, she cried but never stopped thinking of countermeasures.
She raised her head and asked softly, “Father, can you confirm the Emperor’s whereabouts?”
Guowei frowned slightly.
“Spying on the Emperor is a serious crime… too risky to control.”
“Then may I, in Auntie’s name, apologize to the Emperor?” Tongjia Wanying asked immediately.
“The palace shrine in Changchun Garden was built by the Emperor for Auntie, wasn’t it?”
Instead of spying on the Emperor, wouldn’t it be better to walk alongside him openly?
Guowei vaguely caught the meaning and his eyes flashed with satisfaction.
“What do you intend to do?”
Tongjia Wanying looked at Hesheri.
“I want Auntie to take me into Changchun Garden to bid sister farewell and then return to Shengjing early to prepare for marriage.”
Hesheri was shocked.
“But the mourning period still has almost a year left. Plus, the six ceremonial rites will delay things by years.”
“The old residence in Shengjing has long been uninhabited. You’ll suffer if you return early!”
Guowei and Tongjia Wanying exchanged a glance.
Words were unnecessary; a tacit understanding passed between father and daughter. Â
“Who said going back to Shengjing means suffering?”
If the proper path is blocked, then the less obvious one may do just fine.
***
By early July, the palace finally lifted the intense mourning period.
The white cloths hanging in Changchun Garden were removed, replaced with more subdued colors. Â
Except Kangxi continued his vegetarian diet, others could resume eating meat, especially the growing princess and princes.
Though the next nine months still forbade weddings, funerals, and festive music, they were at least free to leave their rooms.
Changchun Garden was livelier than when they first entered.
Fang He returned from a walk along the front lake with Jiujiu asleep in her arms when Cui Wei approached excitedly.
“Master, as you ordered, I have been watching the palace gates closely. As you suspected, Lady Tong, wife of the Tong Marquis, brought County Lady Tong into the palace.”
Fang He handed the sleeping Jiujiu to the Imperial Consort’s Wet Nurse, asking Xinke and the Wet Nurse to care for the child, then led Cui Wei into the bedchamber.
“Quick, bring me the palace robes Xinhua made earlier. Where are they now? Let’s go watch the show.”
Fang He had long suspected that Tongjia Wanying’s behavior in the Imperial Garden, along with her subtle schemes, would lead to trouble before marriage.
Among the sea of red, Kangxi was the Tang Monk of the Qing dynasty—everyone resented him and tried to get a bite.
Countless scenarios from later TV dramas had played out all too often!
Since carrying Jiujiu, Fang He hadn’t enjoyed any gossip.
Now that the drama was served, if she didn’t take a bite and act as the meddler blocking the Second Lady, she’d cry in her dreams!
Cui Wei was excited as well.
Since serving Fang He, she hadn’t seen much outside commotion. Â
Always watching her mistress’s lively affairs—no wonder she was a bit spoiled.
She smiled, helping Fang He change into a dark purple palace robe and said, “Lady Tong probably whispered something to the Imperial Noble Consort. The Second Lady was already driven out with a forlorn look and is walking north along the front lake.” Â
Fang He looked up, fastening her collar and asked, “North? Didn’t she head toward Chunhui Hall?” Â
Cui Wei chuckled as she handed Fang He the embroidered shoes.
“What’s Chunhui Hall? Even if she wanted to go, she couldn’t get close.”
“But Cui Fuchuan, who guarded the gate earlier, said he saw the imperial carriage heading north from afar.”
“Oh ho, you even got the Emperor’s whereabouts. Impressive!”
At Chunhui Hall, Fang He grew more excited.
She dashed out of Yunya Guan with Cui Wei, hiding among the flowers and trees, following the direction Tongjia Wanying took. Â
Meanwhile, Eldest Prince Yinti, returning from paying respects to Consort Hui at Qingyuan Zhai, was skilled in martial arts.
His hearing and sight were far beyond ordinary people.
From a distance, he spotted two palace maids sneaking around suspiciously. Â
Yinti snorted in disbelief, “So close to Father, and someone dares to act so furtively? What nerve!”
He was about to order guards to seize the two reckless maids and send them to the Office of Punishment and Investigation to find out why they were courting death.
But before he could move, the eunuch Zhang Chang tugged at his sleeve.
“Lord, wait. They look like Cui Wei from Yunya Guan, and the other figure seems familiar…”
The best skill for eunuchs was keen eyesight, though Zhang Chang dared not name who it was outright.
Yinti’s breath caught.
He eased his footsteps, creeping closer, and upon seeing clearly, was at a loss for words. Â
‘It really was Consort Zhao. What was she up to? ‘
Curious, Yinti told Zhang Chang to follow quietly.
“Let’s go see.”
Coincidentally, Fourth Prince Yinzhen, upon learning his mother was meeting with Tong Guowei of the Jueluo family, felt displeased.
He planned to call Yinzhi to read in Wuyunzhu together. Â
After leaving Dingxiang Yuan, Yinzhi, sharp-eyed, spotted Yinti’s figure and grabbed Yinzhen’s arm.
“Good heavens, what’s big brother sneaking around for?” Yinzhi’s curiosity was piqued as he tried to follow.
Yinzhen was less curious.
“If we catch up, how are we different from big brother? That’s against the rules.”
Yinzhi muttered, “We’re just doing heaven’s justice.”
“Maybe big brother’s going on a secret date. Our sister-in-law is about to give birth; if big brother causes scandal, she’ll be heartbroken.”
Yinzhen:Â Â “….”
“I’ve never seen you talk much to sister-in-law either!”
But he was no match for Yinzhi’s strength.
Fearing they’d be seen, he could only keep quiet, being dragged along behind. Â
Only the agile Yinti might avoid the palace’s notice.
But Yinzhi and Yinzhen, unfamiliar with concealment, were soon spotted.
The Crown Prince, Yinzreng, was reading reports in Jiayin Hall when his informants quickly reported.
The Eldest, Third, and Fourth Princes were sneaking toward the rear lake, their intentions unknown.
Yinzreng raised an eyebrow.
“You saw clearly?”
What would three princes be sneaking around for in Changchun Garden?
A small eunuch knelt before the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, I saw clearly. The Eldest Prince seemed to be chasing two palace maids… for reasons unknown. The Third and Fourth Princes followed out of curiosity.”
Yinzreng raised his chin higher.
“Big brother is impressive, daring to meet palace maids secretly during the mourning period?”
He laughed aloud and stood, cheerfully ordering a change into a more low-profile outfit.
“If that’s the case, I’m curious what kind of beauty would lure even Yinzhi and Yinzhen. I must go see.”