Fang He hadn’t actually fainted—she was just upset, guilty, and angry, wanting nothing to do with Kangxi.
After taking the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine, which had calming herbs, she really did fall asleep.
She slept for almost ten hours.
When she woke, Kangxi looked even more deathly than before—gaunt, unshaven, with puffy eyelids, lying beside her, barely breathing.
She immediately forgot her irritation with Kangxi, reached out gently to check for breath under his nose, and only relaxed when she felt a faint stream of air.
Now that she had another life in her belly, and the Crown Prince hadn’t been deposed, under no circumstances could this dog of a man die, or she’d be doomed as well.
Liang Jiugong came in with a bowl of stewed snow fungus and bird’s nest, pausing at the sight.
The Emperor had been on the couch, unable to rest easy with the Imperial Noble Consort unconscious.
After his fever broke, he’d moved back, but spent all night occasionally checking if she was breathing—Liang Jiugong had watched him, and only a stick of incense earlier had the Emperor finally dozed off.
Now, with the Imperial Noble Consort awake, she did the very same thing.
These two ancestors really… deserved to be a couple.
Catching Fang He’s gaze, Liang Jiugong hurried to approach with a smile, softening his voice for the master’s sake.
“Mistress Zhen, do you feel any discomfort? My Lord kept vigil for you all night and just now fell asleep. If you need anything—something to eat, anything at all—just tell your servant. My Lord said to serve you as attentively as him, so there’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
Fang He got goosebumps at Liang Jiugong’s nearly falsetto gentleness—he really wasn’t suited to such talk.
But she had no time to complain, nor to worry about her rumbling stomach.
Clutching her belly, she anxiously asked, “How is the child in my belly?”
“Don’t worry, Mistress Zhen. The Imperial Physician said it’s just a little unstable—take the medicine and rest, and the little prince will be just fine.” Liang Jiugong helped her drink the bird’s nest soup.
“But the Imperial Physician also said—” You mustn’t let your emotions fluctuate too much from now on.
He was about to pass along the doctor’s advice, but looking down, he froze in fright and stopped talking.
Fang He followed his gaze, and saw Kangxi opening his bloodshot eyes, looking at her as if still half-asleep… in a rather silly way.
She’d just started to speak, when Kangxi suddenly sat up and hugged her, startling her.
Before she could complain, she felt two hot, wet drops soak into her shoulder, slowly spreading.
‘…Was this old man… crying?’
Liang Jiugong could see even clearer and quickly bowed his head, backing out, pretending to have seen nothing, his hands even steadier as he prepared their meal.
“Guoguo…” Kangxi, paying no mind to Liang Jiugong’s careful retreat, buried his face in Fang He’s neck, choking up even worse than before.
“Guoguo, it was my fault. No matter if you care for me or care more for someone else, I accept it now—just don’t leave me…”
His voice was so grating you’d want to push him away, but seeing such a steady, powerful man’s tiger eyes wet with tears, truly so fragile—it was hard to resist.
Especially when Fang He didn’t know why her emotions were so volatile during pregnancy this time.
Now, at her most maternal, all her previous anger and suspicion toward Kangxi—wondering if he’d been testing or tormenting her—vanished in the face of his tears.
She asked softly, “You’ve really accepted it?”
Kangxi said nothing, only hugged her tighter.
Fang He understood.
For him to say what he just did, even dropping the imperial “I,” proved his determination.
Hoarse, he said, “From now on, no matter what you want to do, no matter where you want to go, as long as you stay by my side, I will grant your every wish.”
Fang He chuckled, “Then won’t you become a foolish emperor? The ancestors of the Aisin Gioro clan would climb out of their graves.”
“…Guoguo, before you open your mouth again, can you tell me first—do you forgive me?”
Fang He tilted her head at him, and Kangxi, not daring to squeeze her, let her see just how swollen and sorry his eyelids looked.
But he didn’t flinch, only stared at her seriously through his squinting eyes.
Fang He thought carefully—his trembling and earnestness made her soften.
She hugged him back and spoke gently, “So long as Your Majesty doesn’t act foolish, go back on your word, torment people for no reason, act inconsistent and petty, and cling so stubbornly to face…”
Kangxi suddenly decided he’d heard enough.
He lowered his head, sealing Fang He’s lips in a kiss, wanting to pour all his uncertainty and love into this wretch—
But before he got very far, Fang He smacked him properly, right on the face.
Clutching her mouth, she glared at Kangxi, “Do you not know your own condition? Are you better? Have you washed and disinfected? If you pass on your illness to my child, I’ll never forgive you!”
Kangxi: “…”
‘Was her gentleness even worth ten breaths?’
He gave her a complex look, tears still not dry in his phoenix eyes, but he couldn’t help but laugh.
A low chuckle turned into open laughter—soon he was laughing so hard he had to clutch Fang He and fall back on the bed.
To meet such a treasure of a wretch, it was his calamity, but also his fortune.
In the end, on this road, he was no longer alone.
That was good enough.
Before he toppled, he mustered his weak arms to pull her into his embrace, pressing her gently to his chest.
Fang He, listening to his deep laughter and increasingly joyful heartbeat, couldn’t help but laugh along with him.
She really wasn’t cut out for the gentle act—she’d always been used to loving herself best, and would never be able to put Kangxi first.
Both her previous boyfriends had argued with her over this unfairness.
Even the “dad type” boyfriend had hesitated to marry and have kids because she didn’t seem to care enough.
She couldn’t blame anyone; she knew her own shortcomings.
Still, sometimes she felt a little lost and lonely.
Meeting Kangxi, she thought she understood love, but still couldn’t give herself wholly, heart and soul.
Her heart had its own mind.
She’d thought someday this difference would bring a seven-year itch, or a ten-year itch…
But never imagined the day would come when this man accepted it all.
Suddenly, Fang He realized that counting from when this dog of a man first thought of dragging her back to his den, their seven-year itch had already long passed.
In the end, Kangxi’s place in her life would never belong to anyone else.
That was good enough.
After laughing, the two of them spoke at once—
“Has the Crown Prince admitted his mistake?”
“Yinreng has sent me a memorial.”
Hmm?
Fang He’s belly didn’t hurt anymore, and just now Liang Jiugong had assured her the child was fine—so her pride swelled.
See, with brats, no amount of talk can teach them—only a dose of harsh reality.
But as she looked up, she caught Kangxi’s not-quite-smiling, cold glare.
“You seem rather pleased with yourself!”
“You’re so good at lecturing me about taking care of myself, but when you’re unwell you hide it, and even use it to plot against people. Did you think what you’d do if Yinreng lost control and tried to kill you?”
“Did you think about what you’d do if Jinghao couldn’t protect you? Did you consider what you’d do if he hurt the child in your belly? Did you think—”
Fang He’s head ached from his nagging and hurriedly leaned over to kiss him, hoping to shut up this man whose chatter never ended.
But as she moved in, Kangxi pinched her cheeks, making her pout like a glaring duck.
“You!” Kangxi said expressionlessly.
“Did you think about what would happen if you caught my sickness? And you dare lecture Yinreng? The most willful one here is you! I’ll keep an eye on your medicine from now on. If you dare pour out a single drop, I’ll have the Imperial Physicians add Coptis root to it!”
“Glaring at me won’t help. I’m not softhearted. When you’re better, I’ll properly settle this with you…”
Fang He: “….”
‘Was his gentleness even worth a cup of tea?’
Could she take back what she’d just thought?
Liang Jiugong stood outside the imperial tent, listening to his master’s hoarse but ever-more-energetic voice within, and the Imperial Noble Consort’s guilty but justified retorts.
He couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.
After the rain, the long-overcast sky was finally brightening.
Before these two ancestors recovered fully, it would be clear skies once again.
At the end of August, news came from the front lines: Fuquan and Tong Guogang’s Eastern Route Army, as well as Feiyan Gu’s Central Route Army, had engaged the Jungar forces.
This time, the army was well supplied, and they’d specially prepared cavalry, cannons, and arquebuses for Moxi.
At the first clash, the Jungar suffered a defeat.
Kangxi was overjoyed, and his health recovered even faster.
When snow began to fall at Gubeikou, Fang He finally received confirmation from all the Imperial Physicians: her body was strong enough to make the journey back to the capital.
She’d missed her children so much it drove her nearly mad, having cried several times for all sorts of irrational reasons.
She was so happy she almost jumped for joy—scaring Kangxi in the process.
After much thought, Kangxi decided that although the Western Route Army hadn’t engaged with Moxi yet, with the Western Army and the four banners of Chahar holding the lines for the East and Central, Galdan was unlikely to escape.
He had no need to supervise the troops in person.
Having only just recovered from illness, his body couldn’t endure another long journey and heavy workload, and he didn’t feel comfortable letting Fang He and the confined Crown Prince return alone.
So, he joined the return procession to the capital.
At the start of October, the imperial procession returned to the capital.
Though Yinreng was under house arrest and his days as Crown Prince were numbered, as the war was ongoing and deposing the Crown Prince was no small matter, Kangxi didn’t publicly show any sign of disfavor.
Yinreng still followed the Imperial Palanquin home, with all the honors due a Crown Prince.
Through the especially wide carriage curtains, Yinreng could clearly see Yabu in full armor and the stern former Minister of War—now the Grand Marshal of Jingjiao Daying—Alantai, both there to greet the imperial procession.
Now calm, Yinreng could only smile wryly at his earlier childishness—how could he have thought his Father would let him remain as regent in the capital without any precautions?
He didn’t lose unjustly—though it was a shame for Uncle’s whole family…
Earlier, Yabu had been especially astute, but now wore a grave expression as he called out, “Reporting to My Lord, the rebels in Jingjiao Daying and the patrol department have been purged. Suo’etu has been detained in the Zongrenfu, awaiting Your Majesty’s judgment!”
Alantai, without a word, had soldiers surround the Crown Prince’s carriage to prevent any daring would-be rescuers from causing irreparable trouble.
Kangxi didn’t appear, instead summoning Yabu to the Imperial Palanquin and asking, “How is Shoukang Palace? Is the Empress Dowager well?”
Yabu knelt on one knee at the carriage shaft and replied in a low voice, “Replying to My Lord, the old retainer from Hesheri in Consort Ping’s palace bribed servants from the Imperial Household Department, and while delivering rations to Shoukang Palace, tried to trick the Fifteenth Prince into going to the Imperial Garden. It was very secretive.”
“Somehow, Concubine Jing discovered it and informed Wei Zhu from the Imperial Household Department, who sent men to arrest all the culprits.”
“Together with the Deputy Chief of the Imperial Household Department, we interrogated them and found out they planned to kidnap the Fifteenth Prince and meet accomplices outside the palace. A few fanatics killed themselves on the spot—the rest are being held at the imperial villa.”
Fang He’s eyelids twitched.
Sitting by Kangxi’s side, she grew restless.
Sure enough, after she’d sent Concubine Jing to guard Shoukang Palace, and Concubine Jing hadn’t given any vague or evasive replies, she’d known there was trouble in the future and that Jiujiu and Er Bao would be in danger.
She wondered if Jiujiu and Er Bao had been frightened…
At the moment her children most needed her, she hadn’t been there.
Her emotions surged, and tears welled up, threatening to fall.
Kangxi, knowing how sensitive she was in this pregnancy, watched her closely.
Seeing her like this, he immediately drew her into his arms, patting her gently, and continued questioning Yabu, “How are the Nine Princess and Fifteenth Prince?”
Yabu paused—’all the culprits had been caught, so of course they were safe.’
Through the screen, he glimpsed the Emperor stooped over, gently soothing a slender figure, and his heart skipped—this was the “little servant” whose secret order had landed him a beating.
Feeling inspired, Yabu quickly replied, “Replying to My Lord, Concubine Jing has been with the Nine Princess and Fifteenth Prince the whole time—they haven’t been frightened.”
“In fact, since this incident, the entire harem, all the consorts and princes and princesses, have been especially attentive to the youngest siblings. Just yesterday, while patrolling with the Imperial Guards, I saw Wei Zhu chasing after those two chubby little ones, looking quite exhausted.”
Fang He sniffled, looking at Kangxi with tearful eyes.
“After so long apart, they must be scared…”
Just imagining her children calling for her in their dreams, unable to eat or sleep, made her emotions spike—she urged Kangxi to hurry back to the palace.
As soon as they entered the palace, the Crown Prince was sent straight back to Yuqing Palace, but Kangxi and Fang He didn’t return to Qianqing Palace.
Instead, they headed directly to Shoukang Palace.
As soon as the palanquin stopped, Fang He, with Jinghao’s help, rushed inside.
She couldn’t spare any energy for the waiting consorts and princes and princesses, only staring at the Empress Dowager’s side, where two little dumplings—one tall, one short—stood, and tears streamed down her face.
“Wuwu, my Jiujiu, my Er Bao, you’re so… fat and round?!”
Jiujiu, who had been steeling herself, saw Fang He and immediately rushed forward with a wail.
“Wuwu, Mother, why did you come back so soon? I knew you missed us—you’ve… gotten fat too?!”
The moment the words fell, mother and daughter’s similarly doe-like eyes both narrowed into little crescents.
What did she just say—did her mother, or this brat, really say that?
Kangxi and the slower-witted Er Bao: “…..”
The rest of the palace, who were about to greet them: “…..”
Even the Empress Dowager found her head aching with the now-familiar feeling.
Shoukang Palace was about to turn into another tearful mother-daughter reunion—was it too late for everyone to make a quick escape?