Liang Jiugong had received prior instructions to handle an errand for Kangxi.
By the time he went to report at Yanxi Palace, it was already the hai hour (21:00).
He figured that on the day of the Imperial Noble Consort’s grand celebration, it would be at least the end of the hai hour before His Lordship could spare a moment to hear his report.
And considering their Lord’s boundless vigor, that was assuming the Imperial Noble Consort was even throwing a fit.
Thinking of the face Kangxi had given the Imperial Noble Consort today, Liang Jiugong reckoned she’d surely respond in kind.
He entered Yanxi Palace at a leisurely pace.
But the moment he stepped through the door, he sensed something was amiss.
Outside the main hall, only Xinhua and Fule were on night duty, while his godson stood at the side hall entrance, looking gloomy.
Liang Jiugong’s heart tightened, ‘Why couldn’t this ancestor ever follow the usual path?’
He hurriedly dragged Li Dequan into a corner.
“What’s going on?”
Li Dequan quietly explained to his godfather what the two little ancestors had done.
Liang Jiugong thought: ‘Well done. As expected, they’re all little ancestors!’
Seeing Liang Jiugong gesture toward the side hall, Li Dequan’s expression suddenly became very guarded.
“Godfather, My Lord is softhearted as a father. He felt sorry that the Imperial Noble Consort punished the two little masters, so he specially went over to comfort them. As for anything else…you’d best not ask. It’s not for us to know.”
Liang Jiugong: “Understood.”
My Lord was driven out of the main hall.
He was quite calm about it.
Ever since he’d given himself two hard slaps to cover up for His Lordship, he’d suspected this day would come.
The Imperial Noble Consort had only just now mustered up this tremendous courage.
Liang Jiugong could only admire her, ‘She could have soared straight to the heavens, but she chose to stay for My Lord’s sake—a truly considerate woman.’
He didn’t pry further, simply stood at the side hall entrance, listened for any sounds from within, and only then spoke softly: “My Lord, your servant has a report.”
Kangxi answered with a faint “mm,” but there was no movement from inside.
Liang Jiugong waited respectfully.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Kangxi finally came out, holding a rolled-up booklet in his hand.
From the exposed corner, Liang Jiugong could tell it was the enlightenment book His Lordship had painted for the two little masters.
Liang Jiugong couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
‘It seemed the Imperial Noble Consort’s habit of tugging on His Majesty’s ear had worked. Even coaxing children had become His Majesty’s duty. His Lordship was becoming more and more like a henpecked husband.’
“How did it go?” Once inside the Western Side Hall, Kangxi stood by the window and asked in a calm voice.
Liang Jiugong quickly restrained his schadenfreude and lowered his voice with solemnity.
“When this servant went to Yuqing Palace, the Crown Prince was practicing calligraphy. After carefully explaining things, the Crown Prince acted as usual, saying he understood Your Majesty’s painstaking efforts and would comply with your arrangements.”
Shi Wenbing, Commander of the Plain White Banner, had taken up the post of Fuzhou’s general last year.
Currently, he was suppressing the river pirates in Fuzhou and couldn’t leave, or else the commoners there would be plunged into chaos.
When the Crown Princess marries, he have to come to bid farewell.
If her father is absent, it would be improper.
Guwalgiya Clan’s girl was still young—not yet fit for bearing children.
The Crown Prince already had a lady pregnant, so there was no urgent rush for an heir, as Fang He had said: Waiting a couple of years would be fine.
But Kangxi sending Liang Jiugong to explain things wasn’t about making the Crown Prince understand.
Hearing Liang Jiugong’s words, Kangxi’s expression grew somewhat self-mocking.
“Tell me, have I treated him too well, or am I now not strict enough?”
Liang Jiugong dared not reply.
What could he say?
Thunder or favor, all are imperial grace.
Whether as son or subject, the Crown Prince should have no resentment.
In fact, after relaying His Majesty’s message, the Crown Prince not only showed no resentment, but even smiled as he spoke a few kind words on behalf of the Imperial Noble Consort.
That smile of his was as flawless as if measured with a ruler—so proper, yet distinctly unreal.
Liang Jiugong understood.
In the past, his Lord doted on the Crown Prince, paving the way with painstaking care, planning each step.
Yet the Crown Prince harbored resentment.
Now, after several public humiliations, the Crown Prince could “understand” without a word of complaint?
That was a joke.
If only the Crown Prince could, as before, break down and weep before his father, tear open the wounds and argue it out, then the conflict between father and son might finally be resolved.
This, too, was Kangxi’s intent—to force a confrontation and truly resolve matters, not…
Liang Jiugong dared not think further.
He sighed inwardly, ‘The Crown Prince clearly did not understand His Majesty’s intentions and had disappointed His Lordship.’
Now, the Crown Prince saw himself entirely as a subject—not as a son who could be candid before his father.
Kangxi didn’t expect Liang Jiugong to answer.
He simply turned and entered the main hall.
As he expected, Fang He, who had put on quite a performance, had already fallen asleep.
Perhaps exhausted from the day’s events, she was softly snoring, like a sleeping little tiger.
Kangxi’s previously cold gaze softened.
Heaven is fair, letting him meet such a peculiar spirit.
He experienced a life he had never imagined as an emperor, so it was only natural that there would be some turbulence in his relationship with his son.
He used to think he’d have to work hard to win her heart, but unexpectedly, things had turned around so quickly, and she was becoming more and more genuine with him.
If only Yinreng were half as sincere as Fang He, things between father and son would never have come to this.
But as Fang He said, it’s never too late to resolve things.
He would never again allow Fang He or those two unruly cubs to fall into danger, nor would he repeat past mistakes.
After being served while changing clothes, Kangxi skillfully gathered Fang He in his arms and slept.
The next day.
Fang He slept well that night.
She awoke before dawn, vaguely hearing people quietly moving about outside the curtains.
Bleary-eyed, she poked her head out and looked at Kangxi in confusion.
“Weren’t you in the side hall? How did you come back?”
Kangxi chuckled, “You were sleeping so soundly, even if someone carried you out to be sold, you wouldn’t have noticed.”
Everyone: “…..”
‘We didn’t understand a word!’
Fang He spat lightly, muttering in a small voice, “Your Majesty’s the real pig!”
Everyone: “….”
‘Maybe we should leave?’
But Fang He wasn’t finished.
She propped herself on the bed edge, tilting her head and grumbling at Kangxi.
“They kicked you out, but you’re just relying on the fact that no one in Yanxi Palace dares to stop you. Otherwise, let’s see who could drag me out!”
“I’ll have an ironwood bolt made for the door, let’s see how you get in then!”
Cui Wei’s heart skipped a beat.
This time, she wasn’t frightened by her mistress’s boldness—she knew better than anyone Fang He’s place in the emperor’s heart.
She just worried for herself—if word got out that the emperor climbed in through the window of Yanxi Palace, would she, Cui Wei, still have a livelihood?
Kangxi didn’t care that much.
He just sat on the bed, pinched Fang He’s cheeks, and grinned even more mischievously.
“Didn’t you want to reminisce? I must satisfy my Imperial Noble Consort’s wish—let’s continue tonight.”
Cui Wei and Liang Jiugong exchanged glances—wasn’t this even scarier than climbing through the window?
Both felt their vision darken.
No one should linger near Yanxi Palace tonight!
Fang He didn’t quite catch Kangxi’s meaning.
Only after Kangxi left for court, and she’d freshened up, did it hit her.
She stared wide-eyed at Cui Wei and asked, “Is His Majesty teasing me for getting drunk and barking like a dog by the Hala Hala River?”
Cui Wei: “….”
‘You just realized?’
She forced a smile,”How about…my lady goes to Shoukang Palace for a while today?”
Fang He smacked the table and stood up.
“Would I be afraid of him? Ridiculous!”
Even if she did bark like a dog, everyone would just laugh at Kangxi’s taste.
What did it matter to her?
She was shameless anyway!
Cui Wei was nearly in tears, “Of course you’re not afraid, but Yanxi Palace still hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned out. I’m the one who’s scared! Please, my lady, leave me a way to live!”
Though Yanxi Palace seemed like a fortress, it was newly staffed, and Fang He couldn’t guarantee there were no spies among them.
Especially from Yuqing Palace—she was having Gu Wenxing and Cui Wei secretly investigate.
Prompted by Cui Wei, Fang He’s eyes flickered as an idea formed.
“Put away all the wine in Yanxi Palace. If My Lord comes, just say I took Jiujiu and Er Bao to Shoukang Palace to pay respects and ask him to wait.”
Cui Wei nodded furiously—if her mistress could avoid drinking, so much the better.
Then, Cui Wei grew anxious again—was her mistress planning to spend the night at Shoukang Palace?
If not, she’d have to return before the palace gates closed, and My Lord wouldn’t need to wait.
What was going on?
Fang He grinned mischievously, “Just do as I say.”
That night, when Kangxi finished his official business and came over, he got Cui Wei’s message.
He found it odd and looked at Liang Jiugong.
Liang Jiugong quickly replied, “Reporting to My Lord, Lady Zhen and Nine Princess, as well as Fifteenth Prince, have indeed stayed in Shoukang Palace all this time.”
Kangxi laughed and said, “Nonsense. She’s already an Imperial Noble Consort and still disturbing the Grand Empress Dowager’s peace? Send someone to fetch her.”
After being driven out last night, Kangxi actually felt a novel excitement.
He and that little troublemaker hadn’t raised a fuss in a while.
If last night counted as a quarrel, then tonight should be the time to make up at the foot of the bed.
He guessed Fang He would have the wine put away, so he especially brought a jug of tribute wine, ready to watch that little tigress act up behind the curtains.
Could the performance go on with the star missing?
But before long, Liang Jiugong came back looking anxious.
“Reporting to My Lord, the Empress Dowager said the Imperial Noble Consort left Nine Princess and Fifteenth Prince in Shoukang Palace, but after lunch, she left. The patrol guards say no one saw the Imperial Noble Consort leave!”
Kangxi sprang to his feet, “Absurd!”
“How could no one have seen her? With all those maids and eunuchs, how could she vanish into thin air?”
“This…” Liang Jiugong knelt, forced a wry smile, and presented a letter.
“Chang Zongguan from Shoukang Palace said the Imperial Noble Consort rested in the side hall after lunch and never came out. When Nine Princess and Fifteenth Prince woke, she was gone, leaving only a letter.”
“None of Shoukang Palace’s staff saw her leave…” Kangxi raised an eyebrow.
For Shoukang Palace to dare not report her disappearance, and to say the Empress Dowager didn’t help—Kangxi wouldn’t believe that even if he used his toes to think.
He took the letter, which bore just a single line: “To reminisce, nothing can be omitted—no external help allowed. San Niu is waiting for His Majesty~”
Kangxi: “.…”
‘Is this another ‘flying away with wings’ performance?’
He wanted to pounce on a tiger, but his lips couldn’t help curving up.
His little Guoguo was clever—she knew there were hidden guards around her.
If he had Zhao Chang send the code to the female guard, he’d immediately know Fang He’s whereabouts.
But then, it wouldn’t be fun.
Kangxi mused as he returned to Qianqing Palace.
Just like dragging that troublemaker back from Jiangnan, he’d let fate take its course.
And where did their fate begin…?
As soon as Kangxi stepped through Sun Essence Gate, he looked toward the Imperial Teahouse.
He waved Liang Jiugong and the others away, then strolled leisurely into the Imperial Teahouse.
Sure enough, inside, Ranxia was standing by with two palace maids, all looking exasperated.
Fang He sat by the window at a small clay stove, watching the fire outside.
Hearing footsteps, Fang He turned, saw Kangxi, and grinned, waving him over.
“Come quick, my golden sweet potatoes are done—just waiting for you.”
She’d expected Kangxi would first return to Zhaoren Hall and only think of this place after some reflection—not that he’d arrive so quickly.