“What’s the point of dwelling on hypotheticals that’ll never happen?”
Kangxi released her hand, a trace of self-mockery flashing in his eyes.
“Rely on me? You’ve prepared everything, even more thoroughly than I could imagine. You’ve even moved the Empress Dowager. What do you need to rely on me for?”
Fang He thought to herself: Oh ho, seems like you’re quite self-aware, aren’t you?
Seeing her lower her gaze in silence, that unsettling feeling of possibly losing her at any moment only fueled Kangxi’s fury.
“From the very day I caught you, have you ever once tried to trust me? Have you ever needed me at all?”
Fang He felt that if this conversation continued any longer, it would inevitably turn into a full-blown argument.
She patiently humored him as if he were a petulant child, “I’m just not used to relying on Your Majesty yet. In time—”
“Tell me the truth!!” Kangxi slammed the teacup down onto the table with such force that it shattered, cutting his hand in the process.
Fang He flinched, instinctively wanting to call for someone to bandage his wound immediately.
She had just arrived at the Qianqing Palace, and now the emperor was bleeding.
If word got out, wouldn’t it only further prove the rumor that her ill fortune was so strong even the emperor couldn’t withstand it?
Though she wasn’t afraid of trouble, she had no desire to invite it either.
Seeing her move toward the door, Kangxi’s eyes darkened, and he instinctively strode forward to grab her.
“Where are you going?”
Fang He replied calmly, “I’m calling someone to tend to your wound.”
“My death has nothing to do with you!”
Kangxi lashed out in anger.
“Wouldn’t that be exactly what you want? So you can leave the palace and fly off with that chef of yours!”
Fang He was reaching her limit.
She took a deep breath and tried to gently pull her hand free.
“The one who wronged me was the Imperial Noble Consort. The one who’s making me suffer is you. I haven’t done anything wrong, and I don’t want to argue with you. Are you sure you want to keep talking to me like this?”
Kangxi gritted his teeth, tightening his grip.
All he wanted was one word from her one genuine promise that she would stay willingly.
She knew full well the schemes he had orchestrated in the Cining Palace, yet she refused to say a single word about it.
As an emperor, he had never felt so powerless before, and that powerlessness only enraged him further.
Fang He felt her wrist begin to ache, and the last shred of her patience vanished.
This bastard really needed to be put in his place!
She nodded.
“Fine. You want to know why I didn’t tell you? Why I don’t trust you?”
“I’m baffled that Your Majesty even has the nerve to ask me!”
“Does it feel good to feign ignorance while knowing full well the truth? Is that why, as the emperor, you feel entitled to act so shamelessly?”
Kangxi was stunned.
“You”
How dare you speak to me like this?!
“Yes, I’m being insolent. But you’re the one who demanded to hear it.”
Fang He mimicked his earlier tone, cutting him off impatiently.
“How many of the promises you made to me have you actually kept? Even when I told you to run, you dragged your feet!”
“I don’t want to dredge up the past, but with all the messes you’ve made, it’d be exhausting to list them all.”
“When someone in Northern Mongolia tried to kill me, how many times did Your Majesty stay silent? Were you unable to stand up for me, or unwilling? Did you even say a single word to me about it?”
This left her wanting to retaliate but unsure who to target.
Kangxi listened in silence.
Though her anger grew as she spoke, the fire in his own heart inexplicably began to fade, making the situation feel even more absurd.
Outside the door, Cui Wei, who had been eavesdropping, clicked her tongue in disbelief.
Could it be that the Emperor… actually had a few masochistic bones in his body?
“And another thing!” Fang He jabbed a finger at Kangxi’s chest.
“The imperial physician ignored my weakened condition, and you never mentioned a word about it either, did you? What, am I supposed to share everything with you, treat you like heaven and earth, while you treat me like thin air?”
“Before questioning me, Your Majesty should examine your own-”
Mid-rant, a sudden realization flashed through Fang He’s mind.
This time, she caught it.
When they reboarded the dragon boat in Shandong, something about Consort De’s words had felt off.
Now it suddenly made sense.
Only Qin Xinrong knew about her weakened condition, along with Kangxi.
She merely pretended to lower her banners and cease hostilities, nodding understandingly.
Then, with a look of exaggerated concern, she cradled Kangxi’s hand and made a great fuss, summoning attendants to tend to his injury— which, truth be told, would likely have healed on its own if left alone.
As the palace doors opened, Fang He caught sight of Cui Wei standing at the entrance.
Aunt Cui even winked at her and secretly gave a thumbs-up.
Fang He’s heart stirred.
There were things she couldn’t ask Kangxi directly, but here was a ready source of information!
She flashed Cui Wei a radiant smile in return, startling the woman so much that she ducked her head and vanished.
The physician who came to tend to Kangxi’s wound was one Fang He hadn’t seen before.
The man didn’t bat an eye at the insignificance of the injury on Kangxi’s finger.
His expression was so grave, one might think Kangxi was on death’s doorstep.
With meticulous care, he bandaged the emperor’s entire hand.
Kangxi nodded in satisfaction-this way, it looked far more pitiable.
He waved his hand playfully and teased Fang He, “Consider this my apology. This time, I promise not a single word will leave the Palace of Heavenly Purity.”
Fang He smiled politely.
As long as Your Majesty is happy.
She, too, seemed to have forgotten their earlier quarrel, tenderly offering him a freshly poured cup of tea.
“Then Your Majesty must remember your words. What if someone slanders me again in the future?”
Kangxi fell silent for a moment before pinching the tip of her nose with a chuckle.
“With your skills, I’d only need to back you from the shadows. You’d probably handle the retaliation yourself.”
Fang He lifted her delicate face and beamed at him.
“Isn’t that just a testament to Your Majesty’s excellent judgment?”
“Then it’s settled. When I strike back, you’re not allowed to feel sorry for anyone else.”
If anyone dared provoke her again, she wouldn’t let it slide so easily.
Who said her preparations were limited to just one move?
After some conversation, Kangxi had Fang He retire to the side chambers.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to stay, but palace taboos regarding fate and the involvement of the Imperial Astronomers made it unwise to openly favor her before everything was thoroughly investigated.
The Tong family needed a warning-but it had to be one they couldn’t refute.
Meanwhile, in the eastern courtyard of Duke Tong’s residence, Tong Guowei was nearly driven to fury by his witless daughter, unleashing his rage in the study.
“Has she lost her mind? Is she trying to make the emperor wary of the Tong family?”
In his fury, Tong Guowei swept ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones off his desk.
“After all my efforts to win over Peng Chun and Lang Tan, just as I was about to secure credit for the peace talks… What a disgrace to the family! She won’t rest until she’s the death of me!”
Originally, Tong Guowei had promised the Imperial Noble Consort he’d eliminate Fang He-whether as the Noble Consort Xi or a widow, dealing with her was no challenge for the Tong family.
Once rumors spread in the capital about Fang He bringing misfortune to children, husbands, and kin, they’d discreetly arrange for the abbot of Fayuan Temple to step forward, declaring that a sinister force had infiltrated the Forbidden City.
At the height of the rumors, the Imperial Astronomers would collaborate to escalate the matter, dragging Fang He’s reputation through the mud-whether true or not, the damage would be done.
By then, even if the emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager wished to protect her, superstition would take root.
One way or another, Fang He couldn’t remain.
Once she left the palace, disposing of a defenseless woman would be child’s play.
Now…
Before the rumors could even spread, the Imperial Noble Consort had already caused a scene in the Cining Palace, even allowing Fang He to step over her for advancement, gaining credit for “exchanging a phoenix’s life for the royal family’s well-being.”
What’s worse, the other side had long been prepared, just waiting for the Imperial Noble Consort to fall into the trap.
The officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and the monks from Fayuan Temple couldn’t withstand scrutiny, leaving him, her father, to clean up the mess.
Wanying, the Imperial Noble Consort’s younger sister, was soothing Tong Guowei by his side.
“Father, please calm down. Normally, the elder sister isn’t someone so impulsive she must have been framed.”
“With her dim-wittedness, it’d be strange if she wasn’t framed!” Tong Guowei massaged his temples in frustration.
“Never mind, we must quickly silence the Chief of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.”
The steward nearby bowed.
“Rest assured, Master. The Second Young Miss has already given orders. I’ve bribed the attendant serving in Chief Liu’s study. News of his sudden death should spread by tonight.”
Wanying continued softly, “As for Fayuan Temple, Father must arrange for Master Wenkong to go on a pilgrimage immediately.”
“Once this matter dies down, we can have the master pass away peacefully in the temple later.”
At least there was something to satisfy Tong Guowei.
When it came to schemes and cunning, ten Imperial Noble Consorts couldn’t match a single Wanying.
He only regretted that Wanying wasn’t the elder sister.
After some thought, he said, “Once this is resolved, I’ll have Matron Tong relay a message to your elder sister. You should enter the palace to assist-“
Wanying quickly interrupted, “There’s no hurry. Elder sister wouldn’t be pleased if we forced it. Why not wait until the imperial selection? Then I can enter the palace naturally.”
She had just turned thirteen this year, so she hadn’t participated in the last selection.
By the twenty-eighth year, given the Imperial Noble Consort’s frail health… no one would be able to stop her.
A faint smile flickered in Wanying’s eyes as she said unhurriedly, “Right now, the most urgent matter is to prevent our cousin from investigating. Even if we destroy all evidence, given his suspicious nature, he’d only assume we’ve done more.”
Tong Guowei frowned deeply.
“That’s exactly what worries me. But I can’t just walk into the palace and throw myself into the net, can I?”
“Why not?” Wanying smiled sweetly.
“Given the bond between the Tong family and our cousin, even if you made a mistake, with the critical stage of negotiations with Russia, he wouldn’t humiliate you.”
“Just tell him you were heartbroken over your elder sister’s dwindling lifespan, and in your grief, you acted recklessly—just like how our aunt once doted on him. The more sincere you are, the less he’ll hold it against you.”
Tong Guowei suddenly saw the logic.
He wouldn’t be confessing as a subject, but as an uncle.
Even if the Emperor remained suspicious, for the sake of his sister and the Imperial Noble Consort, he wouldn’t press the matter.
“I’ll go at once!”
Tong Guowei stood up, ready to change and seek an audience.
Wanying stopped him.
“Don’t change, Father. Wait half a day, then go as you are.”
“The later we appear to know the news, the fewer palace informants the Tong family seems to have. The more disheveled you are, the more sincere you’ll seem, putting our cousin at ease.”
Tong Guowei visibly relaxed.
Once Wanying entered the palace and bore a prince… it wouldn’t be impossible for the Tong family to produce another emperor in the future!
In high spirits, he entered the palace.
Meanwhile, Fang He, having received news from Ran Xia, managed to catch Cui Wei.
She had Chunlai cover Cui Wei’s mouth and drag her into the courtyard.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Long time no see, huh?”
Cui Wei was terrified, half-kneeling and pounding the kang.
“Your Highness, your majesty is too overwhelming. Are you trying to scare someone to death?”
Fang He snorted and sat down beside her.
“You wanted to watch my drama, didn’t you? If you dare spread my gossip, I’ll make sure you die right here on this kang.”
Cui Wei: “……”
Yeah, sure.
Chunlai, covering her mouth, limped out to rest.
Because she had helped Fang He conceal the news, she had been given twenty lashes.
But Liang Jiugong hadn’t been too harsh.
After the punishment, he calmly questioned her about Fang He’s activities in Jiangning before sending her back.
Fang He didn’t waste words.
Since Chunlai had suffered for her sake, any apology would just be empty talk.
She simply handed Chunlai a hundred taels of silver and promised, “Once I receive my official position, I won’t let you take the fall for things like this again.”
Right now, in Kangxi’s eyes, she was still a cooked duck waiting to take flight-he scrutinized everything she did.
But if, after entering the harem, he still watched her like a hawk, she wouldn’t tolerate it.
Once Chunlai left and Wei Zhu closed the door, standing guard outside, Cui Wei lazily got up and leaned against the low table.
“Alright, what do you want to ask?”
Fang He took out all the silver she had left a thousand taels from Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, six hundred from Wei Zhu, and the remaining few dozen from Jiangning.
In front of Cui Wei, she split it in half and reluctantly pushed one pile forward.
“This is my sincerity-payment for you to transfer and continue serving as a senior maid elsewhere.”
“I can promise you won’t be mistreated under me. The work will be much easier than in the imperial presence. All you’ll need to do is talk. Deal?”
Cui Wei stared at the silver notes and coins, silent for a long while.
Truthfully, over the years in the palace, she had saved up quite a bit-just slightly less than this amount.
Whether she left the palace or stayed, she could live comfortably… but only in a “better than some, worse than others” kind of way.
She gave Fang He a complicated look.
Fang He’s favor was evident just from the faint sounds of an argument in Zhaoren Hall earlier.
As long as Fang He didn’t self-destruct, her rise was inevitable.
If Cui Wei joined her, there’d be more risks than serving the emperor, but also more opportunities.
She might even become a highly respected senior maid or a palace stewardess.
Gritting her teeth, Cui Wei reached for the silver.
“Deal!”
Fang He pressed her hand down.
“Wait!”
Cui Wei was so angry she could’ve spat.
She had mustered all her courage to agree that this brat was just playing with her?
Fang He smirked and raised a brow.
“The silver is definitely yours.”
Cui Wei relaxed slightly.
Fang He added, “But since I’ve shown my sincerity, shouldn’t you show some too?”
Cui Wei’s heart leaped again.
“What do you want me to do? I’ll tell you now-I won’t risk my life, and I don’t have much silver either! At most, I can take ten… no, twenty taels less!”
Fang He: “…..”
How generous of you.
“I don’t lack silver…” No, saying that hurts my heart so much.
She averted her gaze from the low table that had caused Cuiwei’s misunderstanding and whispered, “I want to know all the secret gossip about the imperial harem’s concubines!”
Cuiwei finally relaxed completely.
“Enough with the nonsense,” she said, sweeping the silver and banknotes into her purse in one motion while rolling her eyes.
“You made it sound like you were asking me to commit murder. Isn’t this exactly why you want me to work for you?”
Fang He: “……”
That sounded a bit odd.
She glared.
“At the very least, I’ll be your boss from now on. Couldn’t you be a little more polite?”
Cuiwei blinked back innocently.
“You said it yourself—that’s ‘from now on.’ I’m not like some fools who get led around by the nose before they’ve even secured the deal.”
Fang He gave her a long look.
“How do you know the deal isn’t already secured…?”
Hmm?
Cuiwei’s eyes lit up as she leaned closer over the low table.
“How was it secured? Let’s discuss the details.”