The moment Fang He spoke, Kangxi immediately caught on to her intention.
This bastard loves to eat everything except losing out.
He lowered his gaze and paused for a moment, then said lightly to Yinzhi, “This matter involves the reputation of the imperial consorts. There’s no need for a detailed investigation. Just deal with the people involved.”
Yinzhi bowed his head and replied without surprise, though a trace of mockery flickered in his eyes.
The Crown Prince of Great Qing must not have any blemishes, no matter how underhanded his methods.
Even if the Imperial Noble Consort wanted to take action, she could only quietly accept it.
Everyone thought this eldest son born of a concubine was a reckless fool, but the truth was he trained through the scorching summers and freezing winters in the Shang Shufang.
He was far from brainless.
Yinzhi calmly said, “After I handle these people, I will send them back to their clans and explain their deeds clearly. I will have these three families carefully manage their branches, so Father and Imperial Noble Consort won’t worry.”
No punishment.
In the past, whatever Yinzhi had done, he always presented only the best results to Kangxi.
But Fuqin reminded him that no matter what he did, it was best to report everything truthfully to the Emperor.
If it was right, it was merit; if wrong, then early warning.
He knew that Fuqin told him to listen to the Imperial Noble Consort’s orders because Fang He must have said something.
His current words were meant to show sincerity to Fang He.
Kangxi, rarely giving Yinzhi praise, said, “Your actions have become much more thorough. But there’s no need to send those people back. Let them handle it themselves in the Yizhuang.”
There was no reason for a grand imperial prince to send people to the servants’ homes.
The family’s folly was already mercifully unpunished by the imperial family.
Anything more would be excessive.
Yinzhi rose and loudly acknowledged, then subtly nodded at Fang He with respect before retreating.
A hint of a smile flashed in Fang He’s eyes.
The words she spoke to Fuqin weren’t her own but Concubine Jing’s.
That woman had served the Emperor closely, once wielded great power, and above all, knew how to handle a feudal monarch’s mindset far better than Fang He, who was but a novice.
However, Fang He was not one to be outdone.
Once the room emptied, she promptly flopped herself onto Kangxi’s arm.
Right before her was someone she could easily manipulate.
Her eyes sparkled as she said, “See, I not only give Your Majesty face outside, but I’m always mindful of maintaining the Crown Prince’s image too. Aren’t you going to praise me a little?”
Kangxi looked at her with a half-smile, “Should I praise your magnanimity?”
“Then never mind.” Fang He straightened up seriously and patted her chest.
“My chest is indeed broad, but my heart… marries the chicken she’s given, and the dog she’s given!”
Kangxi:”……”
Fang He winked at Kangxi and said, “If you really want to praise me, why not take me to Yiqian Pavilion for a walk? I heard it’s full of Qing Guan Er, and the palm dances there are absolutely stunning.”
She looked especially sincere.
“Since we’re already here, I can’t bear to have you only see distressing matters. While Imperial Noble Consort isn’t around, how about I serve Your Majesty and help you change your mood?”
Kangxi suddenly laughed.
His features carried the deep, striking beauty of the Manchus; his smile was tender and lingering, tempered by the elegance of age—truly captivating.
He lightly pinched Fang He’s ear and rubbed it, smiling with great amusement, “I haven’t heard you say where you got this information from.”
Daring to spill dirty gossip in front of Fang He, he would soon send that person to the Sinzheku!
Though Fang He was entranced by his charm, her body growing softer, her mind was still clear.
She leaned against Kangxi and rolled her eyes.
“It was at a palace banquet! You know well, some princes and nobles get loose-lipped when drunk. Since I’m by Your Majesty’s side, I couldn’t carefully discern who said what.”
“So… if we want to settle scores, why not beat up those arrogant princes who always cause trouble?”
Fang He had heard from Concubine Jing that the palm dances at Yiqian Pavilion were performed by a pair of twin sisters based on an ancient tune, with a style reminiscent of the Zhao clan’s elegance.
Who wouldn’t want to see what kind of dance could captivate Emperor Han Chengdi?
She volunteered eagerly, hoping that this bastard wouldn’t be unappreciative.
She showed a bright smile, “They say watching a beauty dance really lifts the mood. If you feel better, maybe you won’t fuss so much with those little brats—ow!”
Kangxi’s smile faded as he smacked Fang He lightly on the head.
“Back to the palace!”
Just then, Liang Jiugong reported that Chang Ning and Yabu had seen them.
They hadn’t recognized Fang He, but their expressions had been unusual when they left.
If he took a servant to the red-light district again, then forget the Emperor’s reputation!
Back at the palace, Fang He was furious as she changed clothes at Chunhui Hall and went to Ruijing Pavilion to fetch the children.
They had arrived.
The bread oven built last year in Jiayin Hall was finally usable, and Liang A Jie had also sent news—Qiao Xiaoyuan had really managed to make butter and cream, even developing recipes for cookies, egg tarts, and bread dough based on her rough descriptions.
Since she couldn’t see any pretty ladies, she could only comfort herself and the children with some sweets—no way would she share a bite with Master Kang!
After Fang He left, Kangxi’s once mild expression instantly darkened.
He calmly ordered Liang Jiugong, “Summon the Crown Prince.”
Liang Jiugong hurriedly bowed and left.
***
The Crown Prince usually spent his time in the adjoining Shouqin Hall of Chunhui Hall, reading memorials and discussing state affairs with ministers.
Upon hearing Kangxi’s order, Zhang Ying, Minister of Works and Hanlin Academy scholar who was giving the Crown Prince a lesson, quickly excused himself.
Yinreng followed Liang Jiugong into Chunhui Hall.
As soon as he entered, Kangxi coldly commanded before any greetings, “Kneel.”
Yinreng’s heart tightened.
He lowered his eyes to mask the darkness within, expression unchanged as he knelt.
“Your servant greets Father.”
Kangxi was harsher with the Crown Prince than with other imperial princes, but this time he did not scold him.
He simply tossed a black-bound memorial onto Yinreng’s knees.
“See for yourself.”
Yinreng opened the memorial, which detailed how Hesheri had commissioned someone to write crude poems and slandered the women’s scholarship.
He paused, placed the memorial aside, and kowtowed deeply on the stone floor.
“Your servant admits his fault. Please punish your servant.”
“I did not summon you here to hear you admit fault, nor to punish you.” Kangxi glared at the kneeling Crown Prince.
“I taught you since childhood, and so have many talented ministers, yet if all you know are those shameful, behind-the-scenes tactics, I will be very disappointed.”
Yinreng calmly stood and looked Kangxi in the eye.
“Father, if I may report, I never agreed with the reform of the selection system at the start. Putting aside that selection is an ancestral tradition, the recruitment of Concubines is also an important means for the court to control Bannermen households and officials from other regions.
“The areas with the most concubines are Shengjing and Beimeng. Shengjing is the place where the Dragon rises, and Beimeng is the frontline barrier against external enemies. If the court weakens control over Shengjing and Beimeng, and the borders become unstable, who knows if rebellion will arise?”
Kangxi asked sternly, “So in your heart, do you think I am so incompetent that I can only rely on concubines to maintain control over Shengjing and Beimeng?”
Yinreng shook his head, “Not at all. But you have also taught me that it’s better to keep all dangers in your own hands rather than entrust them to others. Shengjing is the birthplace of the dynasty. If anything happens there, the court would become the laughingstock of the world.”
“The defenders of Shengjing are the old noble Manchu clans and the Eight Banners. The reform of the selection system would cause their discontent and give them excessive power by controlling the futures of many Concubines.”
“As for Beimeng, everyone knows about the Manchu-Mongol marriages. If the Mongol Bannermen’s lady could all be decided by their tribes on whether to enter the capital, it would weaken the court’s deterrent over Beimeng. Small hidden dangers like these, accumulating over time, pose enormous risks to Great Qing.”
Yinreng’s enmity with Fang He wasn’t only for the Crown Prince’s position but also for the stability of the realm he would inherit.
No matter how grandly he spoke, Kangxi was unmoved; he knew these truths better than anyone.
But to govern well meant not only keeping all risks in one’s palm but also mastering the art of flexibility.
Reforming the selection system would grant Shengjing and Beimeng more power but could appease the pressure caused by the previous war with Jungar, and expose and punish those schemers one by one.
Once they understood that power was in the court’s hands, sooner or later they would behave.
Especially Beimeng—as Fang He said, to keep Beimeng tightly linked to Great Qing and fully controlled, relying on women alone wouldn’t do; it required interests they couldn’t refuse.
He didn’t call Yinreng to rise, instead continuing, “If you have words, why didn’t you report them at court or tell me directly? If your unsavory tactics with Suo’etu’s faction become known, have you considered how others will see you as Crown Prince?”
Yinreng bowed his head and was silent for a moment before raising his reddened eyes.
“Father, I’ve spoken. Will you grant me my request? Since Imperial Noble Consort has been by your side, when has there ever been a time you considered the pros and cons and refused her?”
Yinreng hastily wiped his tears and lowered his voice, “I shouldn’t meddle in your matters with Imperial Noble Consort, but I truly worry about her…”
As for what exactly he worried about, it had all appeared in the memorials submitted by the Censorate.
“I really do not want to displease you, Father, so I can only use such methods to stop her. At worst, my reputation is damaged, but if it means you’ll care more for me, I won’t regret it!”
Kangxi said nothing further.
Yinreng was like a spoiled flower in a greenhouse, having never faced defeat and naturally unaware of remorse.
“Rise.” Kangxi gave him a meaningful look.
“Whatever you intend to do, I hope you think it through carefully. You can always tell me you have no regrets. But remember, Great Qing cannot have a Crown Prince with a sullied reputation. Don’t put me in a difficult position.”
A shadow of darkness flickered in Yinreng’s eyes.
Even after saying this, Father still indulged Imperial Noble Consort’s recklessness yet scolded him?
Heh… The Crown Prince cannot have a tainted reputation, so someone else must bear the blame.
Before leaving, Yinreng kowtowed once again, resolute.
“Your servant will remember Father’s teachings and never forget!”
As Yinreng left Chunhui Hall, Kangxi frowned, staring at his retreating figure, lingering before looking down at the memorial again.
***
By evening, Kangxi finished the delayed memorials and felt the hall was too quiet.
He asked Liang Jiugong, “Is Consort Zhen still at Ruijing Pavilion?”
Liang Jiugong’s expression was subtle, “Your Majesty, Consort Zhen has taken the Nine Princess and the Fifteenth Prince back to Jiayin Hall.”
Kangxi:”…..”
‘If she wasn’t there to watch the dancers, why is that bastard still angry?’
This time entering Changchun Garden, Kangxi decreed that most of Fang He’s trunks be sent to Chunhui Hall.
Where Fang He was, it was lively, and Kangxi liked such liveliness.
He was also interested in the ‘parent-child time’ Fang He mentioned and ordered her to stay, as a pastime amid his busy governance.
With Fang He’s current status fully confirmed, he would not name another Empress.
Imperial Noble Consort was his wife, so no need for complicated rules.
No one dared object to her staying in Chunhui Hall.
He still sent a small portion of her belongings to Jiayin Hall because Fang He had complained she needed a place to run off to when angry.
‘Coming back today without a word? No need to think hard… this bastard was itching for trouble!’
Kangxi chuckled angrily, put down his red-edged decree, and headed for Jiayin Hall.
Just outside Chunhui Hall, not yet past the two palace gates, Kangxi caught a faint but extremely pleasant fragrance.
It carried a hint of milkiness, along with a gentle yet lingering sweetness that slowly enveloped his nostrils and was swallowed by his stomach, immediately setting it rumbling.
Kangxi took a deep breath.
Since the last barbecue, it was rare to feel hunger before dinner.
Though not as strong as barbecue’s aroma, this scent was gentle almost to the point of being overwhelming.
Without orders, Liang Jiugong and the others behind him brightened in their eyes and quickened their steps.
As they stepped through Jiayin Hall’s gates, before they could be engulfed by the spreading fragrance, Kangxi heard Jiujiu’s loud cries.
His heart tightened.
Ignoring the sweet scent, he hurried to the main hall and saw Jiujiu covering her small mouth, sitting on the carpet.