Meanwhile, Zhao Chang had people monitoring all sorts of rumors outside and sent secret reports into the garden, but Kangxi had no time to read them yet.
After bathing, he went back to the main hall to catch the palace maids who had already fled from the Tea Room.
When Kangxi returned, Fang He and Cui Wei had already finished bathing.
One sat on the divan looking over the Sixth Princess’s dowry list, the other sitting at her feet sewing clothes for the Tenth Princess—both looking as proper as could be.
Kangxi both amused and exasperated, strode over and knocked Fang He on the head and said, “You’re holding the account book upside down!”
Fang He quickly flipped it over, only to discover Kangxi was teasing her.
She glared at him, “Why are you teasing me, Your Majesty? Have you finished reviewing the memorials in the Imperial Study?”
Kangxi waved his hand, dismissed Liang Jiugong and Cui Wei, and pulled Fang He into his lap, biting her lips lightly he said, “I was worried you’d overthink. You never recognize good intentions.”
He had to consider everything thoroughly to minimize unrest over the deposed heir.
The situation had to be so watertight that none could find fault.
But because of this, he had to publicly elevate Yinreng, while pressing down on Yin Hui.
Kangxi worried this would make that troublemaker unhappy.
He always intended to change the Crown Prince.
Yin Hui was more suitable for the role than Yinreng, and Kangxi didn’t care what means he used.
If Fang He disliked this method, he would rather take a more roundabout path than make her unhappy.
Yet before the performance was even over, this troublemaker was already in disguise, watching the show.
Fang He grinned, “Your Majesty looks really handsome when you cry. When will you cry for me in the curtains someday?”
She pictured this lord biting a small handkerchief, tears pouring in the bed…
Ah, what a sight.
Kangxi raised his brow, giving her a meaningful look he replied, “That will depend on your skills. I don’t mind playing along.”
Too bad, until now, only this troublemaker had been the one to cry.
After a moment’s silence, Fang He cupped his face and kissed his lips hard, hiding her challenge in a whisper.
“Just wait for me in ten years, Your Majesty—don’t beg for mercy then!”
By then, she’d be in her prime, and he’d be nearing sixty.
Surely she’d have the upper hand then!
Kangxi hugged her and laughed heartily.
He trained diligently and was never idle; even ten years later, his strength might not match now, but with her petite frame, he thought she’d only win in dreams.
But there was no need to speak such things aloud.
On this scorching day, he didn’t want to go outside.
After the laughter faded, Kangxi looked intently at Fang He and asked, “You really don’t mind?”
Fang He nodded helplessly, “What is there to mind? They are all your sons. Even if you take ten thousand steps back, it should be Yin Hui who minds. But as a son, if he wants something, he has to fight for it himself. Didn’t you say you don’t owe them anything?”
That was always her view.
She would provide her children with the best stage, but how the show played out depended on them.
After confirming again and again that Fang He meant what she said, Kangxi’s heart was finally at ease.
So, at the end of July, when he went to inspect the Yongding River, he took Yin Hui with him.
He didn’t bring any of the other princes.
While Kangxi was concerned about public opinion over the heir, he had no intention of giving people false hope about the Crown Prince.
Bringing Yin Hui to the Yongding River was a clear signal to the ministers.
No new Crown Prince would be named, but the successor was already decided.
All those endlessly scheming officials had best not choose the wrong side.
When Fang He found out, Yin Hui had already left Jingcheng incognito with Kangxi.
“I said you don’t owe them, not that I owe him. Such a young child, traveling so far in the heat… if—” Fang He slammed her soft pillow in frustration, but couldn’t bring herself to throw anything else in the main hall; the furnishings were too precious.
Before she finished, Cui Wei hurriedly interjected, comforting her, “Don’t say such unlucky things, Your Highness. His Majesty values the Fifteenth Prince and is paving the way for him. With shadow guards and Master Alan Tai’s soldiers for protection, and Chunlai accompanying them, our prince will surely return safely.”
What else could Fang He do?
She could only spit for luck with Cui Wei.
With Kangxi away, the affairs of Changchun Garden were handled jointly by Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi, all waiting to leave the palace for a noble’s life once their sons were titled.
The Sixth Princess’s Mother, Concubine Tong, handled her own daughter’s wedding dowry and fiancé; Fang He needn’t worry.
The Empress Dowager was healthy enough, tending to her granddaughters and Yinzhi’s new son, Honger, spending her days gardening without Fang He’s involvement.
For once, Fang He found herself truly idle.
She took a stroll toward Wulong Pavilion and arranged for the remaining minor consorts in winter to ‘suddenly pass away.’
Those who chose to leave had already gone.
The rest were either mothers, unwilling to leave, or women who planned to remain in the palace for an honored retirement, now all residing in Changchun Garden.
With little else to do, Fang He grew restless and took Jinghao, Fuyin, and one of Kangxi’s trusted eunuchs, Li Dequan, in disguise to Tianya Inn in Jingcheng.
She had sent word ahead, so Liang Madam, who was staying in Xiao Tangshan, arrived early and waited in a private room specially reserved for Fang He.
Dressed in dark blue men’s attire, Fang He entered the room and was startled to see Naren’s rounded belly.
“Naren-jiejie, you’re pregnant? Why didn’t you have someone tell me!” She hurried over to stop Naren from bowing, pulling her to sit and looking at Liang Madam.
“I’ll have Lu Yuanpan come over to check on you. If there’s anything you need, please, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Naren was two years older than Fang He, already forty—a high-risk mother even by later standards, and she’d been gravely injured before.
It truly made one worry.
Liang Madam rolled her eyes and said, “I’ve told her, but she won’t listen.”
“It’s good that I did several caesareans and episiotomies while I was on medical missions in Zhili. Caesareans are still unstable, but episiotomies are feasible and should pose no problem. But whether or not Naren has a smooth delivery, her confinement will probably need to be doubled.”
The three had not sat and chatted so freely in ages, not having to keep an eye on the time to rush back to the palace.
With Li Dequan and Jinghao on guard, there was no rush to return, and no one dared question their absence.
Li Dequan and Cui Wei waited outside to avoid being disturbed.
Jinghao served within, while Fang He and Liang Madam chatted all morning.
When Naren felt tired and left after lunch for a nap, Liang Madam and Fang He leaned by the window, lowering their voices and exchanging sly suggestions on how to strengthen their men’s bodies.
Liang Madam was puzzled so she asked, “Does your man… really need it?”
From a doctor’s perspective, this lord was exceptionally healthy, even more so than most men, perhaps even harder to handle.
Liang Madam eyed Fang He’s small frame suspiciously.
Had she been wrong?
Was this not a little sheep in pig’s clothing, but a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Fang He coughed, “Well, I just like to be prepared in advance…”
She could at least fantasize a little.
If she ever managed to make him cry, she’d need to nurse him back, couldn’t have it affect her appetite.
Liang Madam rolled her eyes at Fang He’s confidence, about to make a joke, when they heard the guests downstairs speaking, “Is it true? How would you know if the old emperor was assassinated?”
“Haven’t you heard the rumors? They say the Emperor and the Fifteenth Prince fell into the river. Must’ve been assassins—why else would they suddenly fall into the water?”
“Where did it happen? Tell me more…”
After this bombshell, those who’d been holding back couldn’t help but persuade others to buy them a drink.
Liang Madam and Fang He were instantly distracted.
Fang He sprang to her feet and rushed out.
Liang Madam stopped her, “The news may not be true. If it were, how could ordinary people hear so easily? Don’t be rash.”
She thought Fang He wanted to rush to the Yongding River.
Fang He forced herself to calm down and said quickly, “With the Emperor’s temperament, such rumors wouldn’t appear unless he’s not present at court. It must be that soldiers are out searching, and the news leaked so fast. I’m not going to Yongding River—I’m going back to Changchun Garden. We can’t let Jingcheng descend into chaos now!”
She knew she couldn’t help by rushing there.
The only way to ensure Kangxi and Yin Hui’s safety was to keep Jingcheng stable.
Fang He took Li Dequan back to the garden at once, ordering people to reassure the Empress Dowager and the children, and had Jinghao summon Prince Yu, Fuquan, and Prince Jian, Yabu, to the garden.
Prince Gong was ill and bedridden lately, or Fang He would have called him as well.
Fuquan and Yabu arrived soon.
At a glance at their faces, Fang He knew the news of Kangxi and Yin Hui’s disappearance was true.
She didn’t ask for details, “I don’t know the rules of the court, but I must ask Prince Yu to go to Yongding River and search for them, and entrust the security of Jingcheng to Prince Jian. Just say what you need me to do.”
Fuquan didn’t hesitate and said, “I can leave the city at once, but to mobilize the Jingjiao Daying troops, I need an imperial edict.”
Yabu added, “The Tidu Yamen can place Jingcheng under lockdown, but also needs a decree from His Majesty.”
Fang He handed Fuquan the dragon-inscribed jade plaque Kangxi had given her and said, “Take this to Yinzhi and have him bring you to the Jingjiao Daying, so you can search together.”
She also handed Yabu the Grand Empress Dowager’s decree, “While she lived, the Grand Empress Dowager granted me the right to act in emergencies before the Emperor. Though meant for the harem, it should suffice now.”
“I need you to ensure that, under any circumstances, no officials or princes—other than Prince Yu and Prince Zhi—may leave Jingcheng without orders from the Emperor.”
She added quietly, “And please send someone to guard Prince Li Residence—no one is to leave without authorization.”
Yin Xi was neither the legitimate eldest nor the first-born, and Yinzhen was busy with legal studies.
Yinqi wasn’t a threat.
As long as Yinzhi wasn’t in Jingcheng and Yinreng was contained, there’d be no unrest.
Fuquan and Yabu hesitated.
If the Emperor had truly met with misfortune, the most likely successors would be Prince Zhi and Prince Li.
Obeying the Imperial Noble Consort’s commands might offend the new ruler.
Fang He’s face remained calm as she stepped forward, knelt, and startled them both.
“No matter the consequences, I will bear all responsibility. Please, for the greater good, lay the blame at my feet. But I ask you both—if, when the Emperor and Yin Hui return, they find Jingcheng in chaos, can you answer for it?”
Startled, Fuquan and Yabu exchanged glances, grit their teeth, and agreed without hesitation, “We obey the Imperial Noble Consort’s command!”