Thirty-eighth year of Kangxi, Spring.
Kangxi didn’t need to explain his actions to anyone.
Kedai and Wei Zhu, both punished, and even Tai Zi Fei (Crown Princess Consort), who had endured Wuyunzhu’s expressionless scolding for half an hour, all kept their heads down and mouths shut.
That was proof enough this wasn’t some pointless disaster—otherwise, not a single one of them would have quieted down so easily.
Even Wei Zhu, who had the lowest status, had close ties with Yanxi Palace.
Ordinarily, no one dared get on his bad side.
If not for the Imperial Noble Consort, he could never have become Deputy Director of the Imperial Household Department in his early twenties, with so many eunuchs wailing his name as if clinging for their lives.
When this all started, not even Cui Wei dared bring up the matter in front of Fang He.
Everyone racked their brains, turning the matter over in silence.
When the Emperor gave an Imperial Edict, those below not only couldn’t ask why, they had to immediately grasp his intentions as quickly as possible—otherwise, they’d find themselves shut out of wealth and glory.
Such was the price of power.
Kedai’s punishment must have meant a blunder in the Imperial Household Department but for Wei Zhu to get a beating too…
In the world of the court and its powerful ministers, their political sensitivity kicked in almost instantly.
This Deputy Director Wei must have done something to anger the Emperor—perhaps tried to push the Imperial Noble Consort to get rid of his rival, Guwalgiya Keda.
As for the rebuke of Tai Zi Fei, that was even subtler.
Everyone knew the imperial prince would be deposed sooner or later, but the matter at Gubeikou had been years past and he still hadn’t lost his position.
Some officials who insisted on the legitimacy of the main branch even felt regret, or wanted to speak for him.
The Shijia had made many rounds at the mansions of various ministers for this.
When the Emperor granted the marriage, the Shi Mansion was bustling for a while, until Kangxi returned from Gubeikou and put the imperial prince under house arrest.
Once word of Gubeikou got out, the Shi Mansion’s doorstep grew cold overnight.
That’s the way of the world—fawning over the powerful, stepping on the fallen.
Even far-off Shi Wenbing in Fujian was accused of treasonous intent.
Kangxi suppressed the matter and sent someone to visit the Shi family, making it clear they were permitted to break off the engagement; if the Guwalgiya daughter “died suddenly,” the imperial house would not pursue it.
If the Shijia did not wish to marry their daughter, even if Yinreng was deposed, he’d have no trouble marrying; many court ladies of barren origin from the Imperial Household Department were eager to follow the prince.
But after much deliberation, the Shi family did not refuse the marriage.
First, this was no ordinary match—though the Emperor gave them a choice, if they turned on the prince at his moment of weakness, they could forget about rising in court from then on.
Second, they believed the imperial prince might yet be restored; as long as he wasn’t officially deposed, and with the Emperor’s past affection for him, they thought there was still hope—it all depended on whether the Shi family dared take the gamble.
So, the result: Tai Zi Fei, wrote a poem of lifelong loyalty at the Women’s Academy and resolutely married into Yuqing Palace, earning a reputation for virtue.
Since joining the imperial family, Tai Zi Fei was outwardly gentle and virtuous, and privately fair in her dealings—never overstepping with Fang He.
She even appeared at the Women’s Academy several times, donating silver and books in the name of emulating the Imperial Noble Consort, teaching the Selected Ladies and Han girls, encouraging them to move forward bravely and not be bound by the old rules.
Grievous.
In just two years, she became renowned as a “Goddess of Mercy,” and no one inside or outside the palace spoke a word against her.
Frankly, even if Guwalgiya Keda was in the wrong, Tai Zi Fei shouldn’t have been implicated—once married, she was no longer of her natal family.
As for Wei Zhu’s beating, it could be that he slandered Tai Zi Fei and Keda in front of the Imperial Noble Consort.
The Emperor had always favored the Imperial Noble Consort; if she complained… as the junior, Tai Zi Fei could only swallow her grievances.
If that was the case, then Tai Zi Fei was truly wronged.
Some ministers allied with the Shijia, those most insistent on legitimate succession, tentatively sent memorials to the Imperial Study, pleading on Tai Zi Fei’s behalf.
Kangxi sent the memorials straight back—still with no explanation.
Tai Zi Fei stayed secluded in Yuqing Palace, not even appearing for New Year; only the prince himself remained calm, taking his Side Consorts and newly one-year-old sons out in public.
People pitied Tai Zi Fei even more.
She wasn’t put off by the prince’s obvious fall from favor and was willing to share hardship, but the prince always treated her indifferently.
In fact, he favored his two Side Consorts, Chengjia and Lijia, far more than Tai Zi Fei.
Wasn’t this “favoring the concubine and neglecting the wife”?
Cui Wei, when bringing this up to her Master, sighed.
“This is exactly Tai Zi Fei’s brilliance. Whatever she said in front of Wei Zhu, there couldn’t have been any holes in it—it must’ve been Wei Zhu showing off in front of you. But Wuyunzhu’s scolding she accepted without complaint, only showing the proper aggrieved posture. As long as she keeps out of sight, there’ll always be people speaking up for her.”
What impressed Cui Wei most was that Tai Zi Fei was not confined by the Emperor, but took the initiative to present herself as having learned a lesson and voluntarily secluded herself—the “aggrieved” act only grew stronger.
To say something that shouldn’t come from someone in Yanxi Palace: if the prince ever ascended the throne, no one would be able to shake Tai Zi Fei’s position as Empress.
Fang He agreed completely—this was the benefit of reputation.
But that was also why she was burdened by it: the higher Kangxi lifted her, the more flawless a reputation he gave her, the more she had to pay, and the more exhausted she felt.
Listlessly propping her head, she asked Cui Wei, “Wei Zhu still isn’t better?”
It had been over two months, and she hadn’t seen Wei Zhu out and about.
Actually, Fang He had figured it out afterwards: with Tai Zi Fei’s skillful, smooth personality, she would never have spoken so bluntly to Wei Zhu; she must’ve left plenty of room for him to save face.
That was why Kangxi beat Wei Zhu.
He was young and already in a high position—it made him a little too light in the head.
Fang He wasn’t about to oppose her man when Kangxi was standing up for her—that would be pure foolishness.
But Wei Zhu’s little scheming aside, his loyalty and affection for her were real; she wouldn’t stop using him because of this.
The acting Deputy Director—her maternal uncle—would have to step down sooner or later.
Having thought it through, Fang He simply sent ointment and money to Qiao Cheng, asking her maternal uncle to look after Wei Zhu.
When Cui Wei heard her question, she could hardly suppress a laugh, “If you hadn’t asked, I’d be embarrassed to mention it, for fear I’d seem like I was gloating.”
Seeing Fang He’s interest, Cui Wei clutched her belly and laughed even harder.
“Wei Zhu’s been in the Imperial Household Department for so long; thirty strokes were just a lesson, nothing that should’ve laid him up. Who could’ve guessed you’d send Qiao Cheng over? Honestly, Qiao Cheng always seemed honest enough, but there’s something about him… Whenever I’m before him, it feels just like being in front of Gu Wenxing—not daring to make a peep.”
“When you were still a palace maid, he looked after you wholeheartedly, even considering matters outside the palace, partly for his own future, but he never took credit. After you became a consort, he only worked harder for you. You gave him plenty of open rewards for face, but he never flaunted them. In fact, he became even more reserved. Whatever’s handed to him, unless it’s Kangxi or you, no one can get another word out.”
“That’s what makes Qiao Cheng truly clever—a man refined by time, perhaps not the most capable, but uniquely clear-sighted. When he learned Wei Zhu had caused you distress, he didn’t say anything, just took what you sent and quietly visited Wei Zhu’s room… bringing a bamboo stick with him. Just before New Year, Xiaoluzhi, who serves Wei Zhu, said that once the door was shut, all you could hear was the sound of bamboo and pork stir-fry, and his godfather never made a peep.” Cui Wei winced at the memory.
“Afterward, Qiao Cheng came out and had Xiaoluzhi go in to apply ointment. As soon as Xiaoluzhi saw, goodness, those white steamed buns had turned into pork rolls, all lines of swelling—Wei Zhu was clutching his mouth, bawling snot and tears.”
Fang He raised her eyebrows and asked, “Xiaoluzhi came to say this of his own accord?”
Cui Wei grinned, “It was Qiao Cheng who told Xiaoluzhi to come report, said his godfather won’t be able to get out of bed for three months, so if you ask, you’ll know what’s going on.”
“When I asked why, Xiaoluzhi bared his teeth and said Qiao Cheng checks in every few days, always bringing that bamboo stick—Wei Zhu’s injury just never heals.”
Cui Wei guessed, “Probably wants Wei Zhu to really remember this lesson—not to forget the pain once he’s better. Three months, dozens of beatings—he’ll never forget it in this life. That must hurt so much… Still, only your maternal uncle would be this ruthless.”
Even Fang He couldn’t resist rubbing her own behind, grimacing.
She recalled having seen Qiao Cheng beat someone before—her maternal uncle was definitely a tough character.
But beating Wei Zhu wasn’t just to teach him a lesson; it was also a performance for Kangxi and herself, so they’d know the boy had learned his lesson and could still be used in the future.
Later on, Wei Zhu would no doubt feel grateful and eager to let his godfather enjoy his old age.
Kangxi would be at ease, Fang He would remember this pair’s loyalty.
She and Wei Zhu were both lucky to have such an elder as Qiao Cheng.
Cui Wei listened to her Master’s sighs and silently thought he deserved it.
Her Master was so good to Wei Zhu, and that boy still dared to play tricks, causing rumors that the Master, relying on the Emperor’s favor, bullied Tai Zi Fei and ruined her reputation.
Wait and see—if Tai Zi Fei kept secluding herself during the upcoming festivals, things at court would be anything but peaceful.
Sure enough, when the Dragon Raises Its Head festival arrived and Tai Zi Fei still hadn’t appeared, the Yushi couldn’t hold back and brought the matter up in Court Hall.
Kangxi didn’t dodge the issue this time, only said coolly, “I gave you a few months to reflect and straighten yourselves out—is this what you’ve come up with?”
He swept the court with cold, hawk-like eyes, stopping on those Yushi who had most eloquently pleaded for Tai Zi Fei.
“You think my rebuke of Tai Zi Fei was the Imperial Noble Consort oppressing her with pillow talk? Or do you blame your emperor-father for being unkind?”
The Yushi hurriedly replied that they didn’t dare.
Kangxi ignored them, his voice grew colder, “Every few years, Beijing suffers a snow disaster. I’ve ordered the Six Ministries and the capital’s yamen to handle relief work—so why do your reports still say over a thousand commoners froze to death?”
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