Fang He was standing.
When she lowered her head, a trace of amusement shimmered in Kangxi’s phoenix-like eyes.
He hooked his arm around her now slender waist, deepening the pressure of their lips and teeth locked in a kiss.
As emperor, Kangxi usually looked down from above, surveying all the myriad desires of those around him, gazing upon the splendor of the red walls and golden tiles to keep everything firmly in his grasp.
But at this moment, Fang He approached from above, and it brought him an even greater joy.
The little fox he had schemed to keep by his side was no longer just bluffing with borrowed power; she had grown into a charming rouge tiger, her face like a lotus, eyebrows like willows.
No matter how many blossoms bloomed in the garden, none could compare to the beauty of her makeup.
The precious darling he had carefully nurtured and spoiled had finally grown a tender heart, willing to bow before him.
Early in the morning, Kangxi did not want rumors of daylight debauchery to spread.
Before losing control, he drew Fang He close and leaned against the soft pillows.
He laughed and said, “Guoguo doesn’t trust me, but can she really blame me for not bringing up your promotion to Imperial Noble Consort again?”
Imperial Noble Consort was the title second only to the Empress.
After Kangxi’s clear statement that he would not appoint an Empress for now, combined with Yin Hui’s name, promoting her was effectively the same as establishing a new Empress.
Making the ceremonial robes would take time, as would the Imperial Household Department and Ministry of Rites preparing the necessary regulations.
He didn’t want that troublesome matter to be disrupted by others’ meddling, so he decided to wait until everything was ready before bringing it up.
By then, no one would be able to cause trouble.
After Kangxi finished explaining, Fang He lazily half-lounged in front of him, her expression indifferent.
“Since it’s me anyway, what’s there to blame you for? It’s because I trust Your Majesty that I can say everything honestly.”
After a pause, she raised her head, the corner of her eyes still wet from his kisses, making her look even more charming, her feelings deepening by three parts.
“Your Majesty, I really, really, really like you more and more!”
Of course, that was just a little bit more.
Sometimes a woman must be a bit mischievous; even one part must feel like twelve, so as not to lose out.
She wasn’t lying either.
Kangxi was at the peak of his manly charm now; his handsome looks were only a small part of it.
Originally pale from palace life, with past expeditions and frequent trips to the fields, his skin had taken on a healthy light wheat color.
Add the grace time had cultivated and his ever-deepening aura of authority, and when he was gentle and affectionate, it always made one feel as if they were the entire world.
Seeing Kangxi raise his eyebrow, Fang He covered his mouth quickly and said, “I really meant it before too. If you ask, I like you a bit more every day. No complaining allowed.”
That scoundrel’s teasing would halve any charm otherwise.
Before Kangxi could speak, her eyes grew more tender as she added, “Before, I was young and ignorant. As the saying goes, youth does not know the taste of love, so I betrayed Your Majesty’s deep affection…”
Kangxi snatched away the soft hand covering his lips.
“Young and ignorant? I recall you threatened to break up with me just last year because you couldn’t go to Jiangnan.”
Fang He: “……”
‘Why does he always have to blurt things out!’
She sat up a bit, resolute, continuing her heartfelt words, “It’s precisely because Your Majesty treated me with such deep affection that I dared to bare my heart and be as honest as a child with you. From now on, I will accompany Your Majesty for ten years, twenty years, a hundred years. Every day, I will like you more than the day before.”
Kangxi: “……”
‘A hundred years? That sounds like nonsense!’
Fang He cupped her chest and said, “Your Majesty, do you know why I dare not say ‘I love you’? It’s because I fear ‘deep love shortens life.’ I try very hard to restrain this overwhelming affection!”
Kangxi let her theatrics run their course, then cut through her little act with a single sentence.
“Just tell me what you really want. If you want me to pluck stars from the sky or fish the moon from the sea, I’m afraid I’m powerless.”
Fang He felt the moment was ripe.
Last life, even with her boyfriend, they hadn’t been this clingy.
She was going beyond herself.
She chuckled and rubbed her hands together, flicking her delicate fingers near her ear to form a very narrow slit.
“It’s just a very, very small favor I want to ask you…”
Kangxi’s brow twitched inexplicably.
He always felt that Fang He’s ‘small favors’ were more troublesome than plucking stars or fishing the moon.
Fang He said, “You see, we haven’t quarreled in a while. People say when a couple treats each other like guests, feelings fade. Quarrels and bickering are what keep love alive.”
She gave a more obedient smile and continued, “How about this: tomorrow at the palace banquet, we have a fight?”
“Hmm.”
Kangxi: “I still want to keep a face!”
“Oh, I won’t make you lose face.” Fang He leaned back against him, resting her chin on his chest, blinking big eyes and pleading.
“Fights need novelty too. I don’t want others to think I’m out of favor. Let’s quarrel differently this time.”
Kangxi’s head throbbed.
He pulled her up, settling back onto the soft couch.
“Your Majesty~~~” Fang He’s voice softened, becoming almost a coo.
Before she could finish, Kangxi grabbed her and lifted her up.
She only had time to gasp softly before being thrown into the canopy.
He held her tightly, allowing no refusal.
“You haven’t had enough sleep, right? I’ll keep you company a while longer, and when you wake, you can tell me about your new idea.”
With a consort so eager for the sky, Kangxi worried that if he listened, he might not get a restful sleep even at night.
Neither of them slept long during that nap.
At the Imperial Manor, a report came in: the red fruit seeds had grown.
Kangxi had planned to check the final Golden Rice harvest in Maoduo Village after Mid-Autumn.
But when Fang He heard that the red fruit—tomato seeds—had sprouted, she excitedly urged him to go immediately.
That morning, Kangxi left Changchun Garden with the Crown Prince and several imperial princes.
As for Fang He’s earlier request to quarrel…
Even though Kangxi knew her new idea wouldn’t be trouble-free, he never imagined she could be even more disruptive than reaching for the stars.
Yet faced with her clever and relentless coquettishness, Kangxi was powerless to resist and finally agreed.
***
In fact, calling it a quarrel wasn’t really accurate.
They didn’t have to shout and brawl like before, making Kangxi storm out of Jiayin Hall with a scowl.
In the deep palace, any discord from the emperor—even if unspoken—created a silent storm more terrifying than any words.
At Fang He’s rank, Kangxi didn’t even need to cold-shoulder her.
As long as her gifts and rewards equaled those of others, the fact that he didn’t spend Mid-Autumn’s Eve in her palace, or escort her with the Empress Dowager into Jiugong Sanshi Hall, was enough for everyone to sense a rift between the emperor and Noble Consort Zhaoyuan.
At the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, as soon as Fang He entered Jiugong Sanshi Hall, the concubines and female relatives all flashed sly, eager expressions, ready to watch the show.
“Noble Consort Zhaoyuan is here?” After greetings, Noble Consort Wenxi smiled and spoke first.
She coughed lightly before continuing, “I caught a cold before and couldn’t attend the Fifteenth Prince’s 100-day banquet. My recovery was slow, but Yin’e has been well cared for by you. I really don’t know how to thank you.”
“Not at all,” Fang He replied.
Suddenly, rustling laughter arose inside the hall.
News traveled fast in Changchun Garden.
Everyone knew Kangxi had given Jiayin Hall a hairpiece inlaid with gold, pearls, and kingfisher feathers.
The pearls were obviously Eastern Pearls.
Kingfisher feathers didn’t compare to agate, and gold filigree wasn’t as exquisite as pearl inlay.
For two Imperial Noble Consorts, the emperor had been quite even-handed in their gifts.
But for the usually uniquely favored Noble Consort Zhaoyuan, it was a glaring slight.
Recalling the vague rumors from the court recently, the malicious glee in some concubines’ and female relatives’ eyes was increasingly evident.
Fang He’s face turned cold at just the right moment.
Saying nothing, she sat beside Xinhua—also acting the part—both wearing angry expressions as they took their places at the head of the assembly.
Soon, Kangxi brought the Empress Dowager into the hall.
The Empress Dowager exchanged a few words with Fang He, but Kangxi didn’t say a word to her, confirming that they had indeed quarreled.
To be honest, the previous petty bickering between them had been more like playful banter, at least to outsiders.
Otherwise, the emperor wouldn’t have fought with Fang He like he saw a ghost, promoted her once, fought again, and even had a child with her.
But this time, no harsh words were exchanged, and nothing about the Jiayin Hall incident leaked out; everything appeared normal, making everyone think the problem was serious.
Of course, after experiencing the usual noisy squabbles between the emperor and consort, no one believed Noble Consort Zhaoyuan would truly fall out of favor.
Most kept their amusement secret; only a few brazen enough dared to provoke.
Midway through the banquet, the Empress Dowager, weary, retired to Ruijing Pavilion.
Several younger children were already nodding off and were carried back to their own palaces.
Duke Niu, already well into his cups, suddenly drunkenly turned on Fang He.
“I hear Noble Consort Zhaoyuan plans to open a women’s academy among the common folk?”
Aling’a sneered, “I’ve heard of women selling themselves to bury their fathers, women performing on stage, and women selling their bodies, but never heard of women going out to study.”
His words drew low chuckles from the nobles, spurring Aling’a on.
He raised his voice, “May I ask, Noble Consort, are you also planning to send women to take the Imperial Examinations in the future?”
The laughter grew louder among princes and noble relatives.
Yinreng lowered his gaze, hiding the amusement in his eyes.
It seemed Suo’etu was right—this newly appointed Duke Niu was even more tactful than Faka; he hit the mark exactly.
Eldest Prince Yinzhi and other princes instinctively held their breath and reached for the wine jug.
They had a feeling that a rare lively event to wet their whistles was about to unfold.
Noble Consort Wenxi’s eyes flashed with disdain when she heard Aling’a.
Though she disliked Fang He, she hated her own younger brother more—foolish, vile, self-righteous, and so blinded by flattery he didn’t realize he was a scapegoat.
Not just Wenxi, other concubines and even the female relatives of the nobles showed subtle shifts in their expressions.
Duke Niu’s words were cruel.
Though they all understood the male superiority principle from childhood, it still made them uncomfortable.
Especially the few consorts who had a chance to leave the palace.
They ignored the emperor and consort’s discord, wondering if they themselves might be favored someday.
Their faces darkened.
They didn’t really expect to leave the palace, but why… must they endure such hopeless days, with no hope at all?
After Aling’a’s words fell, the atmosphere inside turned strange; even the music seemed to soften.
Kangxi acted as if he hadn’t heard, glanced at Fang He without expression, and took Liang Fuquan away to change clothes, avoiding the dispute.
Fang He set down her tea cup heavily, drawing all eyes.
She smiled disdainfully at Aling’a and asked, “How do you know women aren’t as good as men at taking the Imperial Examinations?”
“If it weren’t for women, who among you would be able to spout nonsense in this hall?”
“There’s so much you’ve never heard of; don’t disgrace yourself by exposing your ignorance!”
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