Having already passed Zhangjiakou, the delegation would return to Beijing within five days.
Kangxi hurled his teacup to the ground.
“Incompetents! They slink back with their tails between their legs?”
Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan immediately prostrated themselves while the messenger lay petrified on the floor.
Kangxi wasn’t angry about their avoidance of direct confrontation-both men were seasoned warriors who didn’t fear battle.
There was simply no avoiding…
They had returned, considering that the envoy delegation included many civil officials and translators who were not adept in combat, and more importantly, they still had the crucial peace negotiations to attend to.
What angered him was that the Northern Mongols and the Western Mongols had been fighting for a month, and by the time the news of the conflict reached his ears, the envoys had already returned.
What did they take him, the Emperor, for?
Kangxi struggled to suppress his fury and coldly ordered, “Go, summon Prince Yu and Prince Gong to the palace immediately!”
“Order Nalan Mingzhu to inventory the provisions from the Ministry of Revenue and report to the Southern Study!”
“And tell Tong Guowei and the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs, Asitan, to come here and explain to me how they’ve been handling their duties!”
A series of imperial edicts swiftly left the Hall of Heavenly Purity.
Fuquan and Changning hurried into the palace and made their way to the
Southern Study.
Nalan Mingzhu arrived slightly later, accompanied by the Han Minister of Revenue, Zhang Yushu, where they encountered a pale and sweating Asitan.
The three entered the Southern Study together.
Inside, a sand table had already been set up.
Zhang Ying from the Hanlin Academy, the imperial diarist Gao Shiqi, the Minister of Works Chen Tingjing, as well as Xu Qianxue and Li Guangdi-both Hanlin scholars who had participated in suppressing the Revolt of the Three Feudatories were all present, engaged in heated discussions around the sand table.
Xu Qianxue argued, “Your Majesty, I believe the current clash between the two forces must be a scheme by the Western Mongols to sabotage the peace talks. Duke Tong and Grand Secretary Suo should bypass the conflict and continue northward.”
Li Guangdi, however, disagreed.
“You make it sound easy. If a full-scale battle erupts, the heavy casualties would become a disgrace to the Qing Dynasty. The Russians might even break their treaty. It’s better to wait until the fighting will eventually subside.”
Gao Shiqi kept his head down, rapidly taking notes, while Chen Tingjing and Zhang Ying studied the sand table intently, remaining silent for the moment.
When the three newcomers arrived, Kangxi ignored the kneeling Asitan and addressed Nalan Mingzhu directly.
“If we dispatch the Grand General to Rehe now to join forces with the Chahar Four Banners and catch them off guard, can our current provisions sustain the campaign?”
Nalan Mingzhu knelt and replied, “Your Majesty, three months should not be an issue. But any longer… we may have to dip into the disaster relief reserves.”
Zhang Yushu hastily interjected, “Your Majesty, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau predicted heavy rainfall this year, and the Central Canal project overseen by Jin Fu is not yet completed.”
“If floods occur and we deplete the disaster relief grain… it could incite public unrest. The consequences would be dire. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.”
Kangxi frowned in contemplation before finally turning a cold gaze toward Asitan.
“What is the current situation between the Northern and Western Mongols? Don’t tell me you know nothing!”
Asitan trembled as he answered, “Your Majesty, a month ago, the reports from the Northern Mongols only mentioned minor skirmishes over early spring pastures-nothing about a full-scale war.”
“After that, no further news arrived from the Northern Mongols. I sent men to investigate and encountered Duke Tong’s forces stationed near Rehe.”
“Duke Tong and Grand Secretary Suo assured me they would monitor the Northern Mongols’ movements and relay updates to the capital. They instructed me not to interfere, lest conflicting information reach Your Majesty…”
Kangxi sneered.
Tong Guogang was afraid he would immediately declare war on the Western Mongols, preventing the Tong family from gaining military merits.
Even Suo’etu, who had always advocated for war, had been persuaded by him.
He asked indifferently, “Where is Tong Guowei?”
A young eunuch’s voice came from outside the door, “Your Majesty, the young Duke Tong was in such a hurry to enter the palace that his horse was startled, and he broke his leg. He sent someone to apologize on his behalf, saying he would be carried in shortly.”
Kangxi: “……”
Of all times, he had to break his leg now-how convenient.
Suppressing his anger, he ordered, “No need. Tell him to go back to his residence and reflect. He is forbidden from entering the palace without my decree!”
This wasn’t the time to settle scores with Tong Guowei.
If war were to break out immediately, their earlier plan had been to divide the troops into three routes.
The eastern route, which Pengchun was familiar with, could be led by him alongside Ulanara Fiyanggu.
The western route would be guarded by Donggo Fiyanggu, who had long been stationed in Guihua City, while Fuquan could lead the offensive.
As for the central route, Changning alone wouldn’t be enough to command authority-someone else would have to lead the troops with him.
Suo’etu and Nalan Mingzhu were suitable choices.
However, if Kangxi were to personally lead the campaign, the crown prince was still too young to oversee state affairs alone-it would be nothing short of a pipe dream.
The capital also needed someone to remain in charge.
Negotiations with the Russians were imperative, so the most suitable arrangement would be for one of the Tong brothers either Tong Guogang or Tong Guowei-to lead the troops while the other handled the peace talks.
No matter what, despite their personal ambitions, his two uncles would ultimately side with the imperial family in major matters and wouldn’t act foolishly.
Kangxi had no choice but to swallow his anger and send imperial physicians to the Tong residence.
Though the court was tense with rumors, the imperial harem, while not privy to specific details, could sense the shifting winds.
Fang He remained secluded in her palace, shielded from the veiled sarcasm of the other consorts, all of whom kept themselves in check.
Kangxi toiled day and night with his ministers, deliberating on state strategies, determined to finalize plans to deal with the Western Mongols before Tong Guogang and Suo’etu returned.
Time was of the essence.
If they waited for the Western Mongols to take advantage of the chaos and push their way to their doorstep, it would be too late.
The imperial consorts, aware of Kangxi’s busy schedule.
After much deliberation, Emperor Kangxi finally issued the order: appointing Ulanara Fiyanggu as the main general and Peng Chun as the deputy, leading three thousand soldiers to escort Tong Guogang, Tong Guowei, and others to set out for Nerchinsk once more.
Fiyanggu was to remain there to join forces with the Chahar Four Banners, assisting the Khalkha Tüsheet Khan and Jasagtu Khan against the Western Mongols.
Peng Chun’s primary mission was to take advantage of the ongoing battles-creating a diversion—and rendezvous with Lang Tan and Zhou Peigong in Aihui City, ensuring the envoy delegation could swiftly proceed with peace negotiations with the Russians.
By the time the army and the envoy delegation were sent off again, the Wan Shou Festival had already passed.
Liang Jiugong reported that all the congratulatory gifts from the imperial court and the inner palace had been stored in the inner treasury.
Having gone over a month without a proper night’s sleep, Kangxi suddenly found himself longing for the simple comfort of holding a certain little troublemaker in his arms.
He asked Liang Jiugong, “Did Consort Zhao send any gifts?”
Liang Jiugong stiffened slightly, bowing his head without daring to look up.
“Your Majesty, Consort Zhao presented a single volume of the Lotus Sutra.”
Kangxi: “……”
The Lotus Sutra consisted of seven volumes and she only sent one?
This troublemaker never missed an opportunity to slack off!
Irritated, he asked, “Has the Tousuo Hall been lit with lanterns these days?”
Liang Jiugong lowered his head even further.
“Your Majesty… no.”
Kangxi took a deep breath.
Fine.
So this troublemaker wasn’t even afraid of bumping into walls in the dark anymore.
Well, he was going to see for himself what exactly she had been holed up doing in the Tousuo Hall!
The moment he stepped inside, the rich aroma of roasted pumpkin seeds filled his nose, and his sharp hearing caught faint laughter from within.
This only stoked the anger burning in his chest.
Especially when, upon his entry, the air seemed to freeze instantly.
Wei Zhu and Cui Wei hastily dropped their melon seeds to greet him, while Fang He also bowed respectfully.
“May Your Majesty be at peace.”
So now she remembered how to speak…
Kangxi strode forward expressionlessly, bending slightly to lift Fang He’s chin, scrutinizing her closely.
The longer he looked, the more he realized this troublemaker had actually been pampering herself while he was drowning in work.
Her complexion was fair with a healthy flush, and she had even gained a little weight.
Yet she hadn’t even bothered to send a single bowl of soup to the Cining Palace.
“All of you get out!” Kangxi closed his eyes briefly, afraid that if he kept looking at her increasingly delicate, lotus-like face, his resolve would soften.
His voice was icy.
Cui Wei shot Fang He a worried glance.
Fang He gave her a slight nod, and only then did Cui Wei pull Wei Zhu out with her.
Liang Jiugong, though somewhat apprehensive-yet also somewhat accustomed to this-closed the palace doors firmly and stood guard outside, ensuring no one approached.
Left with no choice, Cui Wei and Wei Zhu lingered beneath the corridor eaves, straining their ears to catch any sound from inside.
Especially Cui Wei.
Unlike Wei Zhu, who viewed Fang He through rose-tinted glasses, he always felt as though his mistress was dancing on the edge of a cliff-one misstep, and she’d shatter into pieces.
He was… both worried and morbidly fascinated.
Who would’ve thought he’d witness such a spectacle in the palace?
In truth, once everyone had left, Kangxi reined in his temper again.
He had no intention of losing his cool.
He knew this troublemaker was petty and had been nursing grievances.
This time, he didn’t want to argue.
He only asked calmly, “Just how long do you plan to keep this up?”
Fang He replied just as evenly, “Probably until the day Your Majesty no longer wishes to see me.”
Kangxi yanked her forward, ignoring her struggles as he trapped her in his embrace.
“You know full well I could never bring myself to do that.”
Fang He gave a sarcastic smile.
“Indeed. You only spare me the humiliation, the mockery, and the torment of watching those who wronged me strut before my eyes.”
Unable to push him away, she stopped trying and simply gazed out the window.
“Have you ever considered how long it’s been since I last laughed genuinely in this palace…?”
An image of an old butler suddenly popped into her mind, nearly breaking her character.
She quickly bit her tongue to maintain Lin Daiyu’s melancholic demeanor.
Emperor Kangxi scoffed, enunciating each word, “I heard everything just now!”
Fang He: “……”
That’s your fault for eavesdropping, not mine.
Her tone grew sharper.
“Perhaps I finally feel free from your favor no more reprimands from the ancestors, no more targeted attacks. Such peace only comes when Your Majesty stays away-“
“Fang He!”
“Xu Fang He!” Kangxi growled in warning, pinching her chin with exasperation.
“Think carefully before you speak. Don’t say something you’ll regret…”
Fang He erupted colder than his tone.
“Xu Fang He died long ago! It was you who gave this concubine a living identity. Stop calling me Xu Fang-“
His temper flared at her defiance.
“So you still cling to your crime of deceiving the emperor! You’d rather submit to some country bumpkin than serve me!”
“Sometimes I wish I could cut open your chest to see if you have any conscience at all-if you remember any kindness, instead of just baring your fangs at me!”
“Or what? Your Majesty only ever humiliates me. I’ve never seen you wrong anyone else!” Fang He stood her ground.
Finally able to argue freely-who could out-sarcasm whom?
“If just once, when others bullied me, you’d acted decisively against those troublemakers, no one would dare repeatedly trample all over me!”
“You think I shouldn’t complain because I lack the backing of other consorts-no family, no children. Even now, your spies monitor my every move. I’m just an easy target, aren’t I?”
“Every ounce of humiliation I suffer today is because of you-all endured in your stead!”
She shoved him away and marched toward the door.
“I’ve had enough of this life. Let whoever you wish suffer your whims. Just consider me an ungrateful wretch!”
Pain.
Kangxi felt her words stab like knives, his chest constricting.
Seeing her about to flee, he instinctively grabbed her wrist, his throat parched.
“Lady Zha, I know you’re wronged… but have I ever stopped you from anything you wanted? Even so… is there truly no place for me in your heart?”
Fang He laughed until tears nearly spilled, poking his chest with her free hand.
“Do you even rehearse these lies? ‘Never stopped me’? If not, why can’t I uncover any useful information no matter how I investigate?”
“As for having you in my heart? Hah! How laughable! I—”
Pretty words indeed.
She’d spent a third of her silver just to loosen a few tongues, yet critical clues remained elusive.
With his hypocritical, obstinate nature wasn’t he utterly detestable?
She closed her eyes, swallowing back words that might be too provocative.
She argued to achieve her goals, not to court death.
Still, she followed through with her plan and delivered her harsh words.
“Fine, I admit defeat. Please leave.”
“I’m not fortunate enough to reside in Yanxi Palace. From now on, if you find me tolerable, let me linger in this narrow alley. If you can’t stand the sight of me, just send me to Yanchun Pavilion-do whatever you want!”
With that, she moved to open the door, urging His Majesty to leave the TousuoPalace.
But Kangxi didn’t release her.
Instead, his grip tightened.
“What were you about to say earlier?”
Fang He struggled fiercely, her face icy.
“Nothing! You’re hurting me!”
Kangxi felt his heart ache even more sharply at that moment.
All the kindness he had shown this wretched woman seemed to have been thrown to the dogs.
Even when he offered her a way out, she still regarded him with such disdain.
He was the emperor-why should he endure such humiliation?
If not for his favor, how dare she act so brazenly?
“Speak clearly! What exactly were you going to say?!”
The searing pain in her wrist startled her this bastard was using all his strength to keep her from breaking free.
The sharp agony ignited the fury in Fang He’s heart like an explosion.
“What I want to say doesn’t matter! It’s not like I have the courage of a bear or the daring of a leopard to hold someone as exalted as the Son of Heaven in my heart, letting others humiliate me!”
“Does Your Majesty think that since I’m unharmed, and it’s all just a joke, it’s not worth making a fuss over?”
“But if Your Majesty isn’t a fool, you’d know that in the palace, a person lives by their dignity, just as a tree survives by its bark!”
“Just because you think I have no shame, you’ve handed all my dignity to others, treating me like a clown-coaxing me when you’re pleased, manipulating me however you like when you’re not…”
She mustered every ounce of strength to struggle, her resentment and rage boiling in her throat, erupting in a furious shout-
“Want to know what I was going to say?!”
“I’m a person! I want to be treated like one! I’m not an object! Not an object!!!”
Perhaps it was the first time Fang He had ever screamed so recklessly, or perhaps her accusations struck a chord in Kangxi’s heart—his grip loosened instinctively.
A sharp smack echoed through the hall, plunging the room into silence.
Watching as Kangxi’s face was whipped to the side, a red handprint rapidly blooming on his cheek, Fang He stood frozen, her mouth agape.
Slowly, slowly, she slid to her knees.
She shouldn’t have tried to scheme.
Every time every single time-something unexpected happened.
No wonder Geng Shuning said she was half angel, half devil.
When she acted on instinct, she was an angel.
But when she overthought and let impulse take over, she became a devil.
She knew impulsiveness ruined everything, yet when the pain flared, she couldn’t hold back-destroying everything just as she was about to succeed.
In her past life, impulsiveness had cost her her life.
In this one, it would likely end the same way.
Fang He suddenly covered her face and burst into loud, heart-wrenching sobs.
Outside the door, Cui Wei and Wei Zhu didn’t need to strain their ears anymore-they rushed forward in panic, desperate to push past Liang, Jiugong and Li Dequan to get inside.
After hearing that slap and their mistress’s earth-shaking cries… His Majesty was truly too cruel!!