At the hour of Chen, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang arose and sat up, only to find Su Muer standing by with a smile on her face.
Given Su Muer’s status and age, Xiaozhuang usually didn’t require her to assist in her morning routine.
Most of the time, Su Muer was simply there for companionship.
Why so early today?
Before Xiaozhuang could ask, Su Muer chuckled,
“Last night, His Majesty drank too much and vomited severely, yet he refused to let others attend to him. Even the royal physicians were summoned, but to no avail.”
“Liang Jiugong and the others were at their wits’ end, so they had to call for Fang He. Given the suddenness of the situation, they entered the palace late at night. Gu Wenxing has been waiting outside since before dawn, ready to apologize.”
Upon hearing this, Xiaozhuang grew concerned.
She hadn’t heard any commotion last night.
“Is the Emperor alright? Later, send someone to inquire at the residences of Prince Gong and Prince Yu.”
The men of their Khorchin clan generally have a good tolerance for alcohol, especially Bandi.
But Xuanye and Changning, those two troublemakers, always push their limits, causing unrest for Fuquan as well.
After her inquiry, Xiaozhuang was puzzled,
“Since the royal physicians were called, it must have been serious. Why are you smiling?”
Although news from the Qianqing Palace was hard to come by, she doubted Gu Wenxing would dare to lie.
Su Muer’s eyes sparkled with a subtle smile that didn’t fade.
“Gu Wenxing didn’t come alone; he brought along a rather endearing young palace maid, one of the ‘Jing’ generation serving in the Emperor’s presence, who is adept in all the skills Fang He taught.”
First-class palace maids mostly serve within the halls, so sending her wouldn’t be appropriate.
A second-class ‘Jing’ generation maid is quite a gesture of sincerity.
Xiaozhuang was momentarily speechless, realizing her grandson had essentially taken the bun and left her the stuffing.
She laughed along,
“I always say, although Kangxi is strong-willed, he knows his limits. I was wondering how he could drink to the point of needing a physician. Turns out, the drunkard’s intent was not on the wine!”
“Call Gu Wenxing in.”
After her morning ablutions, Xiaozhuang reclined on the soft couch in the outer hall.
Gu Wenxing entered respectfully, bowed his head, and knelt down, sweeping his sleeves.
“Your servant pays respects to the Ancestral Empress.”
Xiaozhuang asked indifferently,
“What happened last night?”
Gu Wenxing put on his most sincere expression, tinged with a hint of shame.
“His Majesty was in high spirits last night and drank several more cups. Upon returning to Zhaoren Hall, he vomited severely. Physician Qin said the alcohol induced excessive heat and recommended calming tea for a restful sleep.”
“However, your clumsy servants were inadequate in our service, provoking His Majesty’s anger.”
“Your servant and Liang Jiugong recalled that when His Majesty was last inebriated, Miss Fang He served him well. Concerned for His Majesty’s health, we panicked and acted rashly.”
“His Majesty has already punished Liang Jiugong with caning. Your servant should also be punished, but the Emperor, fearing to alarm the Ancestral Empress, specifically instructed me to present premium dragon bones Huguang and ginseng from Shengjing to soothe the Ancestral Empress’s nerves.”
Gu Wenxing had the medicinal boxes brought in, smiling apologetically,
“Last night, His Majesty was heavily intoxicated. Miss Fang He was solely focused on attending to His Majesty and strained her back.”
“Upon learning this, His Majesty specially selected a clever palace maid, saying he couldn’t let you be short of attendants. He will personally come to apologize after the morning court.”
Xiaozhuang responded with a faint smile, not believing a word Gu Wenxing said.
Liang Jiugong’s caning was likely genuine, performed for her benefit.
As for who selected the palace maid, that was uncertain.
The fine items from the Emperor’s private treasury and this elaborate explanation were probably concocted by Gu Wenxing to cover for his master.
She knew her grandson well.
If he hadn’t had some ulterior motive, his subordinates wouldn’t have dared to act so boldly.
This drunken episode didn’t result in any news of court suspension, indicating he was more sober than the last time, yet he still pretended to be indifferent in front of her… tsk tsk.
After dismissing Gu Wenxing, Xiaozhuang laughed heartily, clutching her stomach, and wiped her tears while joking with Su Muer.
“Who do you think Kangxi takes after? Although Fulin liked to challenge me, he wasn’t this awkward.”
Su Muer, looking at Xiaozhuang, laughed even harder than her mistress.
“Who else could he take after? Whoever raised him, that’s who he resembles.”
“Your servant remembers back on the grasslands, when someone wanted a fine horse from Dayuan, they stubbornly refused it after being teased by the prince, yet they secretly went to watch it every day.”
“They ended up falling near the Obo, crying and claiming they didn’t want to live anymore. Your servant was terrified, sweating profusely to finally coax them back, only for the doctor to say it was just a scratch.”
Xiaozhuang: “.. …….”
Well said, next time don’t say it!
The mistress and servant laughed and played, expending quite some energy, leading Xiaozhuang to eat an extra basket of vegetarian buns, much to Su Muer’s delight.
When Kangxi arrived, both the mistress and servant were in good spirits, their faces beaming with smiles.
Seeing this, Kangxi felt a subtle relief.
He had indeed drunk as much as when Fang He first attended to him, but it was tribute wine from Jiangnan, whose effects came on slowly.
Initially, he didn’t want to hear Liang Jiugong’s repetitive advice to drink tea and deliberately made things difficult for him under the influence of alcohol.
The tea served by Liang Jiugong and Fang He had nearly given Kangxi a psychological complex.
Drunk and unrestrained, he was even more impatient.
Unexpectedly, Liang Jiugong actually brought that little rascal over.
At that time, the alcohol had kicked in.
He initially remembered to guard against Fang He throwing him again, but later his memory became hazy.
He only remembered the mess, with Fang He crying so much it gave him a headache.
Waking up this morning, he thought of Fang He losing so much blood and felt it would be unkind to have her return to Cining Palace to serve, so he agreed to Gu Wenxing’s suggestion to replace her.
Thankfully, the Empress Dowager wasn’t angry.
Kangxi knew the matter with the imperial attendants wasn’t handled properly.
He bowed to Xiaozhuang, smiling as he leaned in closer.
“Last night, Bandi agreed to lend grain, speaking very generously. I was so pleased that I didn’t pay attention to my drinking, disturbing the Empress Dowager’s peace. I truly deserve punishment!”
Xiaozhuang didn’t hold back, patting him on the shoulder,
“You do deserve punishment. If you wanted Fang He to return to service, you could have just told me. Would I have disagreed?”
“You didn’t mention it, choosing instead to act like a thief at night. If people found out, how would they view Fang He? Even your imperial face would be at stake.”
Kangxi remained unfazed, smiling ingratiatingly,
“The Empress Dowager is right. I will not drink so much in the future, causing my foolish servants to confuse us, grandmother and grandson. I will definitely enforce stricter discipline.”
Su Muer couldn’t help but laugh.
When it came to shamelessness, it was clear they were grandmother and grandson.
They would blame others rather than themselves.
Xiaozhuang snorted lightly, not bothering to continue.
She was too tired for that.
She only asked,
“Since you’ve sent her back, how does it sound when it gets out? Your royal mother will surely be uncomfortable.”
“Why not give her a rank? If you wish to dote on her more, I won’t stop you.”
Kangxi’s smile faded slightly, knowing the Empress Dowager rarely indulged him in matters of the heart, and it wasn’t because of Fang He.
It was still directed at the Prince Consort’s wives who accompanied the Northern Mongols yesterday, including Yue Le’s stepwife, who must have complained to the Empress Dowager.
He could temporarily refrain from moving against Yue Le.
The principle of slow and steady action was something he understood better than anyone.
But he couldn’t allow others to force him, and after the old man’s death, he wouldn’t let the An Prince’s mansion continue to flourish.
Kangxi’s expression became distant for only a moment before he sat down with a smile.
“Empress Dowager, you must be joking. I have a half-mentor relationship with that little girl. Seeing her is no different from seeing my four princesses. I’ve even prepared her dowry.”
“Even if we grant her a rank, given her current status, it would only be a ‘Chang Zai, which would upset the royal mother.”
As he spoke, Kangxi suddenly recalled the image of Fang He trembling lightly in front of him last night.
The softness and slender waist that brushed against him seemed clearer than other memories.
He unconsciously rubbed the ring on his finger behind his back, his expression becoming even more sincere.
“You are still ill, and I am often filled with anxiety. If the royal mother were to feel discomfort due to worry, it would truly break my heart.”
Xiaozhuang sighed inwardly, knowing her grandson’s temperament.
She could mention it a few times, but if she pushed too much, it would only make him unhappy, and who knows what he might do.
“You handle it. Take the new girl back with you. I don’t lack attendants here. It was only because I found Fang He pleasing that I kept her for a few more days.”
Kangxi smiled,
“When she’s healed, I’ll have her come to pay her respects more often. This girl really knows how to please people.”
Hmm?
Xiaozhuang raised an eyebrow slightly, hiding her interest by lowering her gaze.
It seemed to her that Kangxi wasn’t without feelings for Fang He.
Recalling the awkward past Su Muer had just mentioned, Xiaozhuang pondered with amusement and decided not to press further.
“Let her rest well for now. Later, I’ll have some southern pearls sent to her. She needs to heal her skin first; there will be plenty of opportunities to observe her later.”
Stubbornness was something she had long since mastered.
She wanted to see if Kangxi could manage to honorably marry off that little girl.
As long as they didn’t end up like Fulin and Donggo, who were inseparable in life and death, she didn’t really mind if Kangxi favored a few more women.
The princess born to the Noble Consort was sickly.
Consort Tong had a premature birth, and the princess seemed fine, but not being with her mother… one could never be sure how many of the palace children would survive.
The more, the better.
After returning to Hongde Hall, Kangxi saw Liang Jiugong limping and showed some concern.
“Go to the Imperial Hospital later to have it checked out. Don’t let it become a chronic issue.”
Liang Jiugong was moved to tears, thinking that His Majesty still cared for him, not regretting gritting his teeth to bring that little ancestor back.
Kangxi sat at his imperial desk and asked casually,
“How is Fang He?”
Liang Jiugong bowed,
“Your Majesty, the lady refused to stay in the servant’s quarters and was settled in a side room behind Jiaotai Hall. She said her nose hurts terribly, and her body aches too…”
He was curious; there had been too much blood in the hall last night, and he couldn’t tell if anything had actually happened.
If something did happen, both were fully clothed, and with the little ancestor’s scratched-up face, how drunk would His Majesty have to be to proceed?
But if nothing happened, why was she as if on the verge of death, taking medicine and lying in the side room, not eating the food Chun Lai brought over, still sleeping now?
Kangxi was momentarily lost in thought, recalling the chaotic moments of last night.
Was the nosebleed from being bumped?
But why did the physician say it was due to excessive internal heat?
As for the body aches, he vaguely remembered tossing Fang He onto the dragon bed but thought he had controlled his strength.
Perhaps he hadn’t managed his drunken strength well.
“Then let her rest well. Have Physician Qin check on her daily, and bring the medical reports to me.”
“Whatever medicinal ingredients are needed, take them from my private treasury. Don’t let anyone know…”
Kangxi paused, although he hadn’t yet discovered the real reason for Fang He’s excessive heat, he remembered being covered with a quilt.
He guessed he had at least annoyed the little rascal a bit and couldn’t help but smile as he added,
“Remember to send the southern pearls the Empress Dowager gave to her.”
“She likes gold boxes, right? Have Qiao Cheng pick a less conspicuous one from the outer treasury, and have Wei Zhu deliver it to her discreetly.”
The more Liang Jiugong listened, the colder his heart became.
By the last sentence, his heart was nearly shattered, his previous emotion swept away, his expression gradually numbing.
Alright, he took the risk of bringing the little ancestor back for His Majesty, endured the beating, and still had to run to the Imperial Hospital and attend to his duties!
That little ancestor just had a nosebleed, received five hundred taels of silver, and now there’s a physician, southern pearls, and a gold box…
Why don’t you just build her a golden statue and place it on your head, Your Majesty!
Liang Jiugong went out sourly to handle his duties, complaining to Gu Wenxing, his intestines churning with envy.
“This little ancestor is extraordinary. Mark my words, Qiao Cheng might just climb over you, old man, and defecate on your head.”
“Not just you, I might have to make way for that Wei Zhu guy sooner or later.”
Gu Wenxing couldn’t be bothered with him,
“You know she’s favored, yet you don’t rush to curry favor, instead being petty with me. Are you afraid His Majesty doesn’t know you’re jealous?”
“We serve His Majesty for his comfort. If you can’t understand that, without Wei Zhu, there’d be Li Zhu, Zhao Zhu.”
“Who can make His Majesty laugh and serve him in bed, ensuring the continuity of the lineage? You, Liang Jiugong, don’t even have the equipment for that. Why are you jealous?”
Just when things were getting better, this envy disease flares up again.
It’s all because His Majesty indulges you, those canings were too light!
Liang Jiugong: “……”
The logic is sound, but last night His Majesty was calling for ‘Liang Jiugong’!
Same name, such a huge difference.
I’ll just be sour for a bit, but in the end, I’ll still have to treat her like an ancestor.
***
With Fang He’s personality, she seizes every opportunity to slack off, and if there’s none, she creates one.
Now that she’s taken a break under the pretext of injury and clearly senses something off in Kangxi’s gaze, she’s even more reluctant to go out and work.
After hearing such shameless words as ‘brother loves you’, who knows when Kangxi might lose his mind and force her to call him that?
Just thinking about the scene made her shiver, feeling her nose itch again, probably from the rising blood.
Turning over, Fang He secretly took out a whole plate of water chestnut cakes that Cui Wei had brought her as a moving-in gift under the cover of night and stuffed a piece into her mouth to calm her nerves.
After eating half the plate with her eyes closed, Fang He took out the five hundred taels silver note she had just received last night and slowly broke into a grin.
A plate of snacks in the imperial kitchen costs from eight qian to two taels of silver.
This money could buy at least two hundred and fifty plates of snacks…
If she could lie around until leaving the palace without working, being a ‘two hundred fifty’ wasn’t so bad!
Over the past few months, Wei Zhu had been sending her more silver than before, likely due to the advertising effect of the better washing supplies used in the imperial presence, Cining Palace, and Shoukang Palace.
After setting aside Wei Zhu’s share, she had a total of one hundred and twenty-three taels of silver, plus seven qian and twenty copper coins.
Adding this five hundred taels, she might reach a four-figure savings before the year ends!
She was never one to trouble herself with worries.
Even if the road ahead was tough, lying around counting money and eating snacks made Fang He feel exceptionally good.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, startling Fang He, who quickly stuffed the snacks and the pouch of silver back behind the kang screen.