In the end, Fang He eagerly stuffed the sunflower seeds into her mouth, while Consort Yi called Cherry and Xinhua, who was by Fang He’s side, to stand guard outside.
Snacking on seeds, she spoke to her.
“Actually, a few days ago, the court and the harem both heard some news, but you were too busy to inquire.”
Fang He thought for a moment—before she woke up, Kangxi had already started reviewing memorials in Yanxi Palace, then fell asleep exhausted…
It seemed Cui Wei had wanted to say something a few times but held back.
But since Cui Wei hadn’t hurried to tell her, it probably wasn’t anything serious.
Consort Yi agreed, “These days, the war with Beimeng is growing more intense. The court is debating whether to fight or negotiate, but it has nothing to do with us. All I hear is a mess of rumors.”
“For some reason, the Emperor ordered Da Ago and the Crown Prince back to the study to tutor their younger brothers.”
She raised a meaningful brow at Fang He, implying that the Emperor was wary of the Crown Prince and Da Ago.
“Ah? You mean… tsk tsk, no way!” Fang He smacked her mouth, spitting out sunflower seed shells.
“If this were Old Master Kang in his old age, or if Da Ago and the Crown Prince were a dozen years older, then maybe Kangxi would be wary.”
“Now?”
“These two kids are barely able to be scolded by me, what’s there to fear?”
From Fang He’s understanding of Kangxi, perhaps someone at court was using the Crown Prince and Da Ago as a platform to stir up trouble between the Taizi Faction and the so-called Da Ago Faction.
Da Ago’s faction was a loose bunch; Nalan Mingzhu hardly managed them now.
Suo’etu was impulsive; maybe he was being egged on.
Otherwise, Kangxi wouldn’t have called his two sons back to the study.
Sure enough, Consort Yi soon said, “Mingzhu was dismissed, Hesheli the Minister was demoted, and now Da Ago is acting all high and mighty again!”
“He and the Crown Prince are making a ruckus in the study, shouting sparks flying. Today, when teaching Yinzhen and Yin’e to write, they even got into a fight somehow.”
“When I got there, the Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and Eighth Prince, who tried to break it up, were all splattered with ink soup.”
Consort Yi couldn’t sit still after getting the news.
Standing at the study’s entrance, she heard the Emperor scolding the princes.
She peeked in—goodness, if it had been a bit darker, three princes would’ve been missing, no wonder the Emperor was angry.
Noble Consort Wenxi never intervened in such matters because Yin’e was sturdy and wouldn’t start trouble; being scolded didn’t bother him much.
But Yinzhen had a sharp tongue, fiercer than Shigandang, meddling in others’ affairs and insisting on defending Yin Si, who usually played around.
Originally, Yinzhen and Yin’e had no quarrel, but because Yinzhen was sarcastic, he got scolded harshly as well.
Fang He chuckled, “Honestly, when Yinzhen starts jabbering, no one else can get a word in. He’s like the princes’ spokesperson.”
“I’ll write a script for him—when the Empress Dowager celebrates her birthday, if he doesn’t perform, I won’t go!”
Consort Yi: “……”
‘Please spare me!’
If Yinzhen gets excited, the Yikun Palace will never be peaceful again.
She sighed, “I didn’t think it was right, so on the pretense of worrying about my sons, I pulled Yinzhen and Yin’e out.”
“Though I don’t know when the war will start, I can’t help feeling uneasy. I guess Da Ago wants to earn military merit, but the Crown Prince doesn’t want him to go. There’s bound to be trouble. Best to keep them away as much as possible.”
If Yinqi hadn’t caught a chill from sleeping without a blanket at night, he’d still be lying with the princes.
Consort Yi almost wanted to pull Yinqi in too.
Fang He instantly understood why Kangxi had been so agitated behind the curtain lately.
Though careful not to hurt her, the way he urged her to bump into the soft pillows was unusually eager.
Every time, they had to exhaust themselves before finally falling asleep.
If a war was imminent… it made sense.
Men, especially those eager to go to battle, had a hard time calming down.
Consort Yi thought of Yinqi and no longer felt like chatting idly with Fang He.
She stood and said, “I’ll take Yinzhen and Yin’e to see Yinqi, then have them serve their brother for a few days to give him some peace.”
Fang He’s mind raced, following her up with a tease, “Aren’t you afraid they’ll get sick again?”
“Then what else would I have them do?” Consort Yi glanced coolly at her son, who was playing with Jiujiu while walking away.
That mouth never stopped jabbering, yet it didn’t stop his left hand from poking Yin’e or his right from feeling for Yin Xiang.
Even a monkey wasn’t as busy as her son.
She snorted coldly, “Children are unruly, just bored and well-fed. A few missed meals will sort them out.”
These days, the rule was that grains could be ‘unclean.’
If children had any ailments, the first step was to starve them for a few days before giving medicine.
Even the imperial physicians dared not prescribe remedies lightly.
Yinzhen and Yin’e heard this and glanced over darkly.
Yin’e looked almost helpless—Consort Yi was harsher than his own mother.
He was stuck on this sinking ship.
Jiujiu clapped happily, “Hungry tummy, pot broke, grow big now~”
“What grow big?” Consort Yi smiled, poking Jiujiu’s little dimples.
Jiujiu, mimicking Fang He’s usual sarcasm, crooked one side of her lips mischievously, and with her little hands, made a beating motion over her chest.
“Heart, go thump thump… giggle giggle~”
Consort Yi looked suspiciously at Fang He, who was trying to hold back a smile.
“Jiujiu thinks the two brothers lack brains and wants them to grow some?”
Fang He figured any mother wouldn’t want others to criticize her children, so she straightened up, ready to explain seriously.
“I was just talking with Cui Wei and the others…”
“Such insight!” Consort Yi clapped and cut her off, raising eyebrows at Yinzhen and Yin’e.
“Even a baby can see how dumb you two are. How dare you show up in the study to watch the chaos? No Aisin Gioro has ever had such thick skin. You truly surpass your predecessors.”
“Back to your quarters to reflect. I’ll have someone bring pig hearts for you—whatever you lack, we’ll make up for it. Only when you’re fully recovered can you go out.”
Yinzhen and Yin’e: “…..”
Yin Xiang blinked in confusion, looking left and right, holding his breath and shuffling backward carefully, only to plop down with a thud.
Seeing everyone’s gaze, he instinctively pointed a little finger at his two brothers.
“Brother taught me, they are making up, they are making up.”
Yinzhen and Yin’e: “……”
Brothers, all brothers?
Such trouble!
Fang He couldn’t hold back, clutching her stomach and laughing out loud.
Even Cherry and Xinhua, along with the eunuchs and palace maids serving Yin Xiang, suppressed smiles and looked down.
Consort Yi led the despairing Yinzhen and Yin’e out of Shoukang Palace, also picking up Yin Xiang, who looked on the verge of tears after being squeezed by his two brothers, and headed to Xianfu Palace to visit the child.
Fang He carried hungry Jiujiu to the main hall to dine with the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was a bit curious, “Where is Consort Yi and the others?”
“Going to see the Fifth Prince.” Fang He placed Jiujiu in a baby chair made by the Zaoban Office and smiled.
The Empress Dowager was also worried about Yinqi’s health and had sent Nanny Liu to take care of him.
Hearing this, she was quite pleased and said no more.
Fang He, meanwhile, served the Empress Dowager with food, smiling particularly ingratiatingly.
“I see Jiujiu is quite happy staying with you. Since Yanxi Palace’s flower house isn’t built yet, let her stay here for now.”
“Later, I’ll have Jiujiu accompany you to Ruijing Pavilion—the scenery there is beautiful, she’ll definitely like it.”
The Empress Dowager was even more curious.
Earlier, this girl had planned to stay overnight in Shoukang Palace.
She was ready to let Fang He take the child back, to curry favor with the Emperor.
She smiled faintly, tapping Fang He’s forehead, “Do you not miss me and Jiujiu?”
“I keep you company during the day; at night, I still stay with the Emperor.” Fang He feigned shyness, lowering her head.
The Empress Dowager’s gaze grew complex, “… You also need to take care of yourself and the Emperor’s health. Don’t let him run wild.”
Fang He replied firmly, “Rest assured. It’s for both our sakes that I’ve made this decision.”
“The Emperor treats me so well. Liang Jiugong said when the Emperor is busy, he can’t even eat dinner properly, nor sleep well at night. Watching over him is a way to ensure his health.”
Originally, she didn’t want to work late into the night—she really couldn’t handle it.
But from Consort Yi’s tone, the war would happen this year.
Kangxi’s three personal campaigns against Gualdan were crucial.
Such an opportunity to earn favor she could not miss.
Just a short time spent working hard, then the rest of the year would be paid leave.
Maybe the Emperor would even reward her before leaving—returning even more cherished than a newlywed.
Tsk tsk, this was a gift-wrapped question!
***
After resting in the afternoon, Fang He didn’t return to Yanxi Palace as usual.
Instead, she entered Qianqing Palace through Yuehua Gate, planning to be more considerate and save the Emperor the trouble of sneaking away to Yanxi Palace during his busy moments.
She instructed Xinzi, “Go back to Yanxi Palace and pack up my usual things. Move them to Zhaoren Hall. For the next few days, I’ll attend to His Majesty’s daily needs there.”
Xinzi, obedient as ever, didn’t ask and quickly ran to Yanxi Palace.
Cui Wei, delighted to see her mistress’s deep bond with the Emperor, soon delivered the items.
As Kangxi emerged from Nanshufang, he saw Li Dequan outside beaming like a blooming flower.
“Master, the Noble Consort is waiting for you in Zhaoren Hall for dinner.”
Originally irritated by the war reports, Kangxi’s expression softened.
He glanced hesitantly at Hongde Hall, still with some memorials on the army’s supplies unread.
Still, he followed his heart and headed to Zhaoren Hall.
“When did she come?”
Seeing the master finally willing to dine on time, both Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan breathed easier.
Li Dequan smiled, “The Noble Consort arrived early this afternoon. She said not to disturb you while busy and has been arranging Zhaoren Hall, hoping you’ll rest better at night.”
Kangxi even felt a little flattered and pleased.
Entering, he saw Fang He standing prettily by the table and smiled, reaching out to pinch her nose.
“What wind blew our Noble Consort over here?”
Fang He wrapped her arm around him and sat at the table, thinking it was probably the wind of ‘five years of exams and three years of mocks.’
Not practicing on questions was practically a crime!
She tilted her head, nuzzling his shoulder, covering her lips with a handkerchief, and whispered, “Last night, it seemed General’s offensive eased off. I guessed the general might not have eaten enough, so I came over to keep an eye on you and help you recover strength.”
Kangxi: “…..”
He glanced at Fang He with a half-smile, “Then tonight, Noble Consort, you’ll watch carefully again to see if this general really ate enough.”
Fang He: “…..”
Watching, watching—who’s afraid of who!
“Being obsessed with practice is a virtue of all question-cramers. I’m all in!”
After dinner, Kangxi had more memorials to review and asked for them to be brought to Zhaoren Hall.
They didn’t linger in flirtation.
Kangxi reviewed memorials at the imperial desk, while Fang He leaned against a nearby soft couch, drinking flower tea and reading with great interest.
Liang Jiugong served quietly nearby.
He thought the usual quiet of Zhaoren Hall, which he had grown accustomed to for over thirty years, seemed to sweeten, thanks to the fruit the Noble Consort had added to the flower tea.
Near the second watch, Fang He yawned, put down the half-read script, and lazily nestled into Kangxi’s embrace.
“There are too many memorials to finish tonight; I’ll get up and read more tomorrow. Early to bed and early to rise is good for the body.”
Kangxi moved his vermilion pen away to avoid smudging her and chuckled, letting her settle more comfortably.
He said meaningfully, “I can’t go to bed early now.”
Fang He: ‘Makes sense, you’re the one who talks too much.’
“Anyway, I’m tired. You’re not allowed to keep reading—if you do, your eyes will go blurry.”
“I like General Ye’s handsome face the most. If you wear glass spectacles, not only will half your looks be hidden, the enemy won’t be able to see you clearly either, let alone fight.”
She hugged Kangxi’s neck, speaking with full confidence, “Then don’t blame me for being heartless if you fall out of favor!”
Liang Jiugong thought to himself, wasn’t he supposed to not be serving inside the hall right now?
Kangxi agreed that not only would he be unable to see the enemy clearly, but the night spirits causing mischief probably couldn’t see him well either.
He chuckled softly, lifting Fang He.
“All right, then this general will first serve the Noble Consort properly, attending to you as if on the battlefield.”
“Umm…” Fang He’s soft, muffled moan was pulled into the curtains along with her.
Liang Jiugong smiled as he led others out, closing the hall door.
He felt that the noises didn’t sound like a charge to battle, but rather like a victorious prey begging for mercy—making the general quietly proud, unable to hide his smirk.
The night was long, the curtains gently swayed, faintly casting shadows of the back-and-forth battle.
The bedside kang screen rattled with pillow taps, askew.
Lying on the pillow was a delicate, soft wrist that seemed to carry the force of a thousand pounds; a gentle brush made the broad-shouldered, proud figure bow deeply, reluctant to rise.
The pattering summer rain fell in the middle of the night through the slightly open window, bringing the scent of dragon saliva incense to the earth and filling every breath with damp emotion.
In the days that followed, Fang He maintained her pre-exam intensity, risking everything to accompany the Emperor.
She rushed to Ruijing Pavilion every morning, dining with the Empress Dowager and Jiujiu until afternoon rest.
In the afternoon, she went to Chunhui Hall; when Kangxi was busy, she sent easy-to-eat and digest teas to Nanshufang and Hongde Hall.
Though her cooking skills weren’t great, her descriptions were vivid.
She didn’t know how to make instant noodles but could vividly describe meat rolls, hamburgers, and other snacks in shapes and flavors, making mouths water.
It wasn’t that the imperial kitchen’s pastries were bad, but sweets and savories both got cloying and crumbly after too much.
Neither Kangxi nor the ministers liked them much.
Instead, many fast foods she’d eaten in the future were tasty both hot and cold, and didn’t dirty clothes.
Imperial cooks who lacked skill couldn’t enter the palace kitchen, so they quickly recreated the items Fang He described.
Whether stuffed with vegetables or with meat, vegetables, and noodles combined, hot or cold, each had its unique flavor, filling but not choking… no more worries about official dining.
Ministers caught up in work who missed meals were moved almost to tears after tasting the food.
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