They all knew Kangxi favored his maternal family and was a master of balance.
This especially displeased Kangxi.
He had raised the Tong family too quickly, causing them to forget their place as servants.
Since that was so, he simply followed their wishes and allowed the palace to produce a favored consort.
Everyone’s attention would shift to Concubine Jing, giving this little fox time to sort out the complicated harem politics.
Once she grasped palace power, even if he left the capital, the most honored inside the Forbidden City would be only the Empress Dowager and Fang He.
Thus, regardless of others’ schemes, they would have to crawl before Fang He, serving her every command.
This was truly imperial strategy, but Kangxi understood Fang He’s uncommon perspective.
He reached out to pull her close, unfolded, crushed, and explained it carefully.
Fang He listened earnestly.
Learning from a great emperor was a rare opportunity; gaining more knowledge could never be a bad thing.
“Besides the Tong family, do you have no one else you can use?” Fang He was still puzzled.
“If we defeat the Zunghar and return in triumph one day, wouldn’t you have to give them more face? If we discard them once they’re no longer needed, Kangxi fears he will have to take over his own son, and thus earn a reputation for being harsh and ungrateful.”
The court certainly wasn’t limited to the Tong family Kangxi chuckled and replied, “The Aisin Gioro, Eight Banners nobility such as Dong’e, Nara clans, and others like Fuquan and Changning are many fine generals. The Tong family is far from the only one.”
Fang He nodded thoughtfully.
She knew Kangxi was telling her this to prepare her for future dealings with these families’ women—to win over those who could be won, to calm those who must be calmed.
Kangxi added, “But if I lead the army personally, Tong Guogang will be my best guard. If anything goes wrong… unlike the others, Tong Guogang and Tong Guowei can only work inside and outside, doing their utmost to protect me and the capital.”
This was the fundamental reason Kangxi promoted his maternal family.
He said calmly, “No telling what the future holds. For now, the higher I raise them, the more they will owe me loyalty.”
If the Crown Prince took the throne now or had troubles ascending, others would have escape routes, but the Tong family, most trusted by Kangxi, would be sacrificed.
Fang He let out a long “oh.”
Tsk tsk, this is what they call all gifts secretly marked with a price—feudal capitalists truly have dark hearts.
Seeing Fang He without doubts, Kangxi’s smile relaxed more and he leaned in to kiss her.
“Not angry anymore?”
Fang He smiled, covering his mouth, “Not yet rinsed my mouth, no kisses!”
Before Kangxi could speak, the lively curve on her lips made her crawl off the soft couch, urging Kangxi up.
“Hurry up. You still have to put on a cold face leaving Yanxi Palace. I have to look sorrowful while paying respects to the Empress Dowager. Quickly dress and eat well—you need strength for the opera.”
Kangxi: “…”
New Year’s Day, and you’re still ‘arguing’?
Isn’t that unlucky?
Liang Jiugong and Cui Wei heard their movement and hurried in to assist with dressing and grooming.
The Imperial Kitchen had already prepared breakfast.
Spring rolls, dumplings, crab roe buns, eight kinds of staple dishes steamed and steaming, a side of greens from the Imperial Manor, and eight meat dishes laid out.
On another side, eight small pickled vegetables and salted duck eggs.
Facing Kangxi were eight varieties of porridge.
Liang Jiugong explained with a smile, “The Imperial Kitchen prepared this breakfast according to Qianqing Palace’s rules, symbolizing blessings from all directions and bountiful harvests year after year.”
Usually, the three meals on New Year’s Day were rewards for Qianqing Palace and the harem, just like the dishes sent outside the palace, all symbols of imperial grace.
Li Dequan also bowed, “This year, the servants must ask Mistress Consort for face. Reward us with a bowl of porridge; don’t just give all the rewards to Wei Zhu and the others. Let those young men have something to hold them up.”
At the door, Wei Zhu: “…”
Fang He smiled, “Fine, everyone will get rewarded. But Yanxi Palace’s servants have already received theirs. As for Qianqing Palace… I’ll help you ask the Emperor for a grace—three months’ salary for each.”
Kangxi teased her, “Imperial Consort Zhao is generous and comes to dip into my private treasury again. I am Qianqing Palace too; this reward can’t be paid from my private funds, can it?”
Fang He winked at Kangxi, “Your Majesty’s gift is already half prepared. After returning from Shoukang Palace, I’ll continue. Today, I’ll definitely send it to you.”
Hmm?
Hearing this, Kangxi actually looked forward to it.
After breakfast, Fang He watched Kangxi leave, then held Jiujiu and boarded the warm palanquin.
Before departure, she called Wei Zhu over.
“Don’t assign Liu An any work today. Let him keep carving that jadeite. I’m taking a nap and will need it when I wake.”
Wei Zhu’s eyes widened.
Remembering Fang He’s words in the hall earlier, he suddenly had a bad feeling.
“You want to use that thing as a New Year’s gift for the Emperor? Mistress, please reconsider!”
Fang He hugged Jiujiu, bouncing on her lap, “Alright, you go. I just want to thank His Majesty for his kindness and teachings. Stop always learning from Cui Wei.”
“Jiujiu agrees, right?”
Cui Wei and Wei Zhu: “……”
If the little mistress says so, they have to obey—even if they don’t understand.
The plump Jiujiu bounced twice on her mother’s lap, babbling happily, though no one could understand a word.
Fang He kissed Jiujiu’s face, beaming.
“See, my eldest daughter knows me best. She’s already scolding you for overthinking. Hurry, let’s go!”
Cui Wei and Wei Zhu: “…..”
‘Fine, the little mistress has spoken. Though we don’t understand, we’ll do as we’re told.’
Because Kangxi sneaked off in the middle of the night, news hadn’t reached the consorts at Shoukang Palace yet.
Their moods were still stuck on Fang He’s tantrum and escape from last night, so their smiles were particularly genuine.
Behind the laughter were subtle undertones of passive-aggressive mockery.
After all, it was New Year’s Day; no one wanted to upset the Empress Dowager, so they spoke all circumspectly.
Imperial Consort Zhao didn’t understand or care for the subtleties.
She was just busy playing with Jiujiu together with the Empress Dowager.
Fourth Princess Yierha never liked Fang He much but had a soft spot for Jiujiu, the little ball of energy.
The two little ones in Yikun Palace, Yin Tang had been despised since he began speaking, and Yin Ci was weak and seldom appeared.
Yierha was seeing such a cute, good-natured child for the first time.
Even when unfamiliar people played with her, Jiujiu occasionally glanced at Fang He.
As long as her mother was near, she had no urge to cry.
She seemed excited to see many people, clapping her small hands and crawling quickly on the couch.
When someone pinched her cheeks, she laughed and changed direction to play a game of hide and seek she knew would get her caught.
Even the shy Sixth Princess Hailan couldn’t help but join in teasing Jiujiu.
Only the five-year-old Sixth Princess was held by Consort Tong.
Though the princess’s eyes were envious, Consort Tong did not call her over.
Seeing the Sixth Princess’s eyes redden, the usually low-key Concubine Jing folded a little cloth mouse for her, calming her down.
When Kangxi arrived with the Crown Prince and the princes to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, Concubine Jing and others had yet to leave.
Fang He held Jiujiu and returned to Yanxi Palace without looking back.
The Empress Dowager watched mother and daughter speed off like being chased by dogs.
After everyone left, she looked at Kangxi with a headache.
“It’s New Year’s Day. Why can’t you two keep still?” The Empress Dowager slammed her tea cup on the table in frustration. You said yesterday you didn’t want Guoguo to keep watch alone. I let you give Concubine Jing face. Why is it still like this today?”
Kangxi quickly explained, “Mother, don’t worry. This was all discussed with Guoguo. Recently, I’ll spend more nights at Chengqian Palace. After a few arguments with Guoguo and before the mourning ends, you’ll publicly settle things for her. I want to promote her to Noble Consort.”
Fearing misunderstanding, he hurried to defend himself: “The quarrels weren’t my idea. That scoundrel said the Yanxi Palace rear hall was still empty and wanted to fill it with more consorts to see the fun. It has to be filled somehow.”
Empress Dowager: “…..”
Only Fang He could do such a thing.
But no matter how she thought, it felt a little off.
The Emperor’s intentions were good, but she wasn’t comfortable hearing it.
With that girl’s temper, she wouldn’t so easily put up with being treated like dirt for a mere title.
Just look at the slap Consort Xi took.
Could she really have softened since becoming a mother?
The Empress Dowager meaningfully reminded Kangxi, “If you two keep causing trouble, I can’t manage it. But remember, some things are worth thinking over to avoid making that girl lose heart.”
Kangxi laughed helplessly.
The previous court was busy, the Northern Mongol war occupied most of his mind.
He had to rack his brains to keep his promises to her, to secure her in a place no one could harm…
As Liang Jiugong said, he was almost putting her on an altar.
Even if she had a black heart, she couldn’t be unreasonable.
He said firmly, “Mother, rest assured, she understands my intentions, and I know hers. I will cherish this bond well and not let her lose heart.”
***
But before nightfall, a New Year’s gift, palm-sized, came with a handwritten note—like two slaps across Kangxi’s face.
Fang He’s writing was somewhat cursive, just a few words, lively and elegant.
[“Those who do not know are innocent; those who know and still offend are one degree worse. I am unhappy. True companionship is not a quid pro quo but weathering the storm together…” ]
Kangxi: “…”
‘Didn’t I explain everything clearly this morning?’
He hadn’t even made it to Chengqian Palace yet, and she was already angry again?
He asked Liang Jiugong, “Did Wei Zhu say anything else?”
Liang Jiugong knelt down, “Pardon me, Imperial Consort Zhao also said she’s laying down her cards for now. When she’ll pick them up again… depends on Your Majesty’s understanding.”
Kangxi: “…..”
‘Laying down her cards? Whose?’
His?!
Liang Jiugong glanced at the rosewood box.
Kangxi looked inside at the delicate jadeite washboard and was both amused and helpless.
He waved his hand, “Forget it. Have the Imperial Kitchen continue sending meals. I’ll think it over myself.”
Liang Jiugong didn’t understand what Imperial Consort Zhao was angry about either.
He hesitated, then quietly asked, “Your Majesty, will you still go to Chengqian Palace tomorrow?”
“Mind your own business!” Kangxi glanced at him coolly, “Are you trying to get me thoroughly out of favor?”
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