Li Dequan forced a wry smile, bowed deeply, and muttered, “The Mistress flatters this humble servant. His Majesty was only worried about alarming you and the young masters, so he instructed us not to disturb you with trifles.”
Fang He was only teasing Li Dequan.
This fellow tattled behind her back, and even her own chest had ached for days from being so “measured.”
She shared a bed with Kangxi more and more often, and if he suddenly wanted to be alone and stopped coming to her quarters, how could she not know he’d been injured?
Perhaps they’d entered a new stage; no need for words about love—everything was better left to what happened behind closed curtains.
They both found action more comfortable than words.
So Kangxi knew, too—Fang He never went to see any more performing boys, even secretly crossed off the plan to watch palm dances on pleasure boats, and was so obedient on the return trip that it made his heart melt.
She must have known he was hurt.
Kangxi basked in his good mood, happily accepting all the health-nourishing dishes Fang He fussed over, and as soon as the scab on his back fell off, he immediately returned to her quarters.
Now, Fang He was taking Jiujiu to Shouxuan Chun Yong Hall to make medicinal snacks for Kangxi, so he could have something to eat while working late, and to promote healing.
The recipe was specially developed at Xiao Tangshan by Liang Madam and Qiao Xiaoyuan.
It hadn’t even been used in the health club yet, but Fang He had gotten her hands on it first.
Jiujiu and Er Bao didn’t know about Kangxi’s injury, but Fang He didn’t want to hide things from the children.
Previously, the Crown Prince had thought Kangxi was playing favorites only because he had too much at first and then felt he had less later.
And because Kangxi never explained himself, the Crown Prince only grew more stubborn.
She wanted the children to understand how much their Father did so they could grow up happy and healthy.
Emperor first, Father second—but she and Kangxi loved them as much as any parent could.
After teasing Li Dequan a bit, Fang He left without using the sedan.
Afraid the Empress Dowager would feel lonely, she always had the children spend more time with her.
The three little ones now often went between Ruijing Pavilion and Shoukang Palace.
Er Bao went to Ruijing Pavilion to get Sanbao, Fourbao, and Minbao, so they’d take a while to reach Shouxuan Chun Yong Hall.
Fang He and Jiujiu strolled together under the shade.
A few days earlier, Chunlai had secretly reported that a young man from a Khalkha Mongol tribe in the study hall was chasing Jiujiu every day, circling around at her beck and call, yet still delighted even when ignored.
Fang He asked about it and learned that the boy was Lobzang Gunbu, the thirteen-year-old legitimate eldest son of the Prince of Darkhan.
Lobzang Gunbu was the son of Princess Gulun Duanmin, who was the great-granddaughter of Nurhaci’s younger brother.
By Fang He’s calculation, he and Jiujiu were distant cousins at the edge of five degrees of kinship.
Fang He was a bit worried—not just about close relations, but that the boy would someday inherit the Darkhan Prince’s title.
If Jiujiu and he grew up together and fell for each other, she’d have to marry far away.
She couldn’t bear to let Jiujiu go so far, so she wanted to ask her feelings while there was still time.
On the way, Fang He told Fue and Chunlai to follow at a distance, and linked arms with Jiujiu, who now came up to her chest, quietly probing as they walked.
Jiujiu looked puzzled when Fang He brought up Lobzang Gunbu.
“Huh? That big dummy? The first time he saw me, he said I was fat! I’ve only teased him a few times—it’s a bargain for him!”
She was still angry—was she really fat?
She was blessed!
Only Lobzang Gunbu couldn’t see it, daring to call her fat and saying she wasn’t as robust as northern girls—only quick at eating and slow at everything else.
Jiujiu was so mad she nearly beat him up… if only she could win but Jiujiu took after Fang He and was very self-aware.
After comparing their size, she quickly changed tactics, calling on her ninth and tenth brothers for support and ran that dummy ragged for a few days.
Fang He couldn’t help but laugh and worry at the same time.
Little boys liked little girls by pulling their braids and provoking them—it was their way of attracting attention.
Jiujiu might dislike him now, but who knew—after more time together, she might fall for him instead.
After all, plenty of girls in later generations met their husbands this way.
Fang He didn’t want Jiujiu to think she would meddle in her feelings, so after some thought, she didn’t say anything to provoke rebellion.
She just told Jiujiu about her and “Chef Kang’s” love story, casually teaching her all the anti-PUA tactics.
Jiujiu listened with great interest, thinking hard all the way to Shouxuan Chun Yong Hall.
After a while, she suddenly brightened, rubbing her little hands with excitement.
“So you mean, Mother, you tricked Father and ended up trapping him instead? Mother, you’re amazing! I want to try too!”
Fang He: “…”
Wait, isn’t this a little counterproductive?
She quickly explained, “That’s not what I meant. I meant that someone who truly likes you would never want to make you sad. So, when I said I didn’t like it, your Father changed right away.”
“If you meet a boy you like in the future and he tries to get your attention by making you sad, that’s just shallow infatuation, not real affection.”
Jiujiu wasn’t all that interested in romance yet, so she just nodded, full of curiosity and asked, “Then how do you know if Father really likes you and it’s not just a trick?”
After all, as Emperor, Jiujiu knew her Father could charm anyone without real feelings.
Jiujiu grumbled to herself, especially whenever Father took Mother’s side and tricked her into revealing her secrets!
No feelings—just tricks!
Fang He thought, real affection shows in the looks and actions behind closed curtains.
At first, Kangxi was gentle, but didn’t really care about her satisfaction.
Now, their harmony in private showed he always put her happiness first, then his own.
But she couldn’t tell this to a not-yet-ten-year-old.
So she just said, “You only need to remember—liking is indulgence, but loving is restraint.”
Afraid Jiujiu wouldn’t understand, she cupped her cheeks and made an analogy.
“You like eating sweets, but if it ruins your teeth, you can still be happy with other good things, right?”
“But because you love Mother and Father, you restrain your mischief because you don’t want us to be upset, isn’t that so?”
Jiujiu hesitated, “I guess…?”
But even if there were other good things, she still wanted sweets, even if her teeth ached.
As for restraining mischief… if Mother would let her off with her bottom and her money, she could easily not restrain herself.
But seeing Fang He’s meaningful (and faintly threatening) look, Jiujiu swallowed her rebuttal.
She knew what Mother meant and grinned, hugging Fang He’s arm, “Don’t worry, Mother. I don’t like that Lobzang Gunbu—if I change my mind, I won’t like just him.”
“Ninth Brother says there are all kinds of birds in the forest, and I like all the flowers, trees, and birds!”
She looked up earnestly and continued, “I’m still so little. I have to like at least a few good-looking ones in the future, slowly pick one, or else I’ll be at a loss!”
‘Like Mother said, you can eat anything—just don’t take a loss.’
Jiujiu secretly decided she’d have at least ten… no, twenty… no, thirty options ready for the future!
Fang He watched Jiujiu’s clear expression, and seeing her hands counting, fell silent.
Suddenly, she felt she’d worried for nothing.
In some ways, Jiujiu really was the one most like her.
Maybe she should worry for Jiujiu’s future husband instead.
Just as mother and daughter were chatting, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside—Er Bao had brought the three little ones.
Fang He quickly put those thoughts aside and began telling stories about how Kangxi had battled evil men to protect them, then led them to the little kitchen to make snacks for him.
Jiujiu and Er Bao were used to these educational family moments, excitedly leading their siblings and soon getting flour all over themselves.
The five of them had a great time before finally producing a plate of rather ugly but tasty snacks for Kangxi.
Sanbao, Fourbao, and Minbao were still young and soon got sleepy.
Jiujiu and Er Bao took their siblings to rest, while Fang He carried the snacks back to Chunhui Hall.
After mentioning Chef Kang’s change to Jiujiu and boasting to the children about Kangxi’s bravery, Fang He’s rare pangs of conscience kicked in again.
She resolved to show her man a little care.
Carrying a carved red flower snack box, Fang He went to the Imperial Study while Kangxi was receiving ministers.
She didn’t need Li Dequan to lead her—she went straight to the side hall to wait, ready to feed Kangxi and boast about how she’d praised him to the children.
But to her surprise, as soon as she stepped in, she saw a delicate figure approach shyly.
Upon seeing Fang He, the girl in a silver-red female official’s robe froze for a moment, then quickly curtsied, her voice even softer. “Your servant, Xitala Clan’s Yuanhe, greets the Imperial Noble Consort Yuan Zhen!”
Fang He raised an eyebrow.
Though it was odd to see a stranger in the side hall, she couldn’t help but want to laugh.
‘Xitala Clan’s Yuan… Hmm, so Kangxi was making a point about being round (yuan) again!’
She calmly sat on the couch, inviting Yuanhe to rise, and asked kindly, “Are you a new female official by His Majesty’s side? I don’t think I’ve seen you before?”
Yuanhe bit her lip nervously and replied, “I’m from the selection of the thirty-fourth year, previously serving as an Attendant Official in the Imperial Household Department. Lady Wen Cheng fell ill, so the department sent me to serve His Majesty.”
Fang He remembered Wen Cheng—she was in charge of the Emperor’s robes at Duaning Hall, having entered the palace with Zaixia.
She wasn’t ambitious and didn’t often go before His Majesty but this blushing, beautiful young woman didn’t look like she was there to handle clothing.
After the selection system was reformed, Fang He required every selected lady to serve three years as a female official, most working in the Imperial Household Department, moving wherever there were banquets—real laborers.
That way, they met the imperial clan and princes often, sometimes even family, but there were no opportunities for private trysts to ruin reputations.
She and the Princess of Chengyuan had discussed this system for a long time, trying to make it as considerate as possible for the girls—but it seemed her thoughtfulness had inspired someone else to be thoughtful toward her man.
She could only laugh.
“Did Liang Jiugong ask you to serve His Majesty here in the side hall?”
Yuanhe turned pale, stepped back, and her eyes filled with tears as she knelt, “Imperial Noble Consort, please don’t be angry. Though His Majesty summoned me to serve, I’m of humble appearance and have no improper intentions—only wishing to serve you and His Majesty well. Please don’t misunderstand the Master!”
Fang He: “…..”
She hadn’t seen such a green tea act in years—almost missed it.
She didn’t need to look back.
Judging by Yuanhe’s act, she knew Kangxi was eavesdropping at the door.
Glancing at the carved red flower snack box beside her, Fang He felt a bit stuck.
Perhaps she was destined not to be a virtuous wife and loving mother.
Should she soar to the heavens first, or get jealous first?
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