Kangxi’s increasingly icy words made the civil and military officials tremble, heads bowed to the floor as they begged forgiveness.
He threw down reports from the Supervisory Office, the Imperial Inspectorate, and the Tongzheng Department, scattering them like flower petals.
“The Ministry of Revenue embezzled disaster funds, the Ministry of Works used inferior materials, and the Imperial Household Department even appropriated royal goods for themselves.”
“If not for the Imperial Noble Consort’s kind heart, the Imperial Household Department would have covered it all up!”
“Transporting relief supplies was the Ministry of War’s job. The reports and ledgers look perfect—do you think I’m deaf? Blind? You think you can fool me? You say I’ve wronged Tai Zi Fei—why not first see if I’ve wronged you!”
Those officials called out by Kangxi, even in the lingering cold of early spring, broke out in a sweat, hands trembling so hard they could barely hold their memorials.
Truthfully, their errors weren’t major—just the usual layers of skimming that had become custom among the Six Ministries.
No one overdid it.
But after reading the memorials, they realized that the Supervisory Office, the Imperial Inspectorate, even the secret police in disguise as the Office Of Punishment and Investigation, had already laid all the evidence before the throne.
Kangxi, well aware that “if the water is too clear, no fish can survive,” didn’t air it all.
If not for Kedai trying to disgust the Imperial Noble Consort and clashing with Wei Zhu, bringing the matter to light, and others using the chance to plead for Tai Zi Fei as a way to pave the prince’s road, they wouldn’t have been berated by the Emperor so thoroughly.
After they finished reading, Kangxi rose and looked down at the varied expressions of the court, his voice icy as frost.
“From today, Chen Tingjing will take over as Minister of Justice, Zhange Qing as Minister of Personnel. I’ve tried again and again to give you face—that was my mistake. Well, as you wish, let the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel jointly investigate this matter, until my Yushi’s are satisfied!”
With that, he ignored the two ministers, who could only stiffly thank him, and left a final word behind.
“Liang Jiugong, summon all the imperial princes to the Imperial Study!”
Only after Kangxi had been gone for a while did the kneeling Yushi, ignored all this time, finally stagger to their feet.
Turning around, they were met with a sea of resentful eyes—
Honestly, what’s wrong with you all?
Why couldn’t you just impeach someone for incompetence or corruption, or accuse some noble of favoring concubines?
Why must you stubbornly oppose the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort?
Now look at what you’ve done.
The Emperor had just been on a rampage—who knows how many heads will roll this time!
***
Yinreng, reading in Yuqing Palace, was summoned to the Imperial Study by Liang Jiugong.
He more or less understood the reason.
Entering Hongde Hall, Yinreng knelt before the imperial desk, ignoring his brothers’ gazes, and briefly reported: “Your son has failed to guide his wife and cannot communicate with Guwalgiya. However His Majesty wishes to punish me, I will accept it. But I only ask, Father, for permission to divorce.”
The older imperial princes kneeling to the side were shocked.
Even the youngest, Yin Yu and Yinshi—now six—understood these rules that were never spoken aloud.
There were no royal divorces—only…
“Your son doesn’t want Guwalgiya’s life,” Yinreng interrupted their wild guesses, looking a little helpless.
“Guwalgiya is not truly at fault. It’s just that, to her, being Tai Zi Fei is more important than being my wife. I even think she is more like Princess Chengyuan.”
Was Tai Zi Fei in the wrong?
She wasn’t involved in Kedai’s actions—she’d only guessed at bits and pieces.
She knew Kedai was at odds with Wei Zhu, palace affairs were in the hands of the Imperial Noble Consort, so she pretended to know nothing.
Whatever she said to Wei Zhu was gentle, perfectly proper for a junior, even kindly meant.
Wei Zhu simply twisted her words, skipping a few details.
Before the marriage, Yinreng had hoped for his wife, even dreamed of a union like his father and the Imperial Noble Consort’s when he read her loyalty poem.
But once Guwalgiya entered the palace, he quickly realized he’d been naive.
Guwalgiya didn’t really care who she married.
She only wanted her reputation unblemished, fought tooth and nail for her own best interests—even at the expense of the marriage.
So she wasn’t wrong; they just had no marital fate.
Yinreng thought that by casting aside his dignity and laying everything bare before his father, at least the Imperial Noble Consort would have an explanation.
But Kangxi’s cold look didn’t ease in the slightest.
He asked indifferently, “Finished?”
Sensing something was off, Yinreng opened his mouth but said nothing more, bowing in submission.
“Then listen to me,” Kangxi said, clearly not expecting an answer.
“My favor for the Imperial Noble Consort has, more or less, damaged your interests or caused your mothers to lose favor. Even if you don’t speak of it, you all harbor some resentment.”
“I don’t care for your explanations, and I will say this only once.” Kangxi rose, coming before Yinreng and his brothers.
“I am your father. I protect you, raise you, teach you propriety and law, grant you bright futures. That is a father’s love, not a debt I owe!”
No exceptions!
He exhaled, “The Imperial Noble Consort understands my difficulties and treats you kindly—that is your blessing, not her duty. If you’re ungrateful, or let your wives insult her, I won’t hesitate to clean the house for her.”
“After I’m gone, it’s not me who’ll share your coffins. Before being a parent, I am also an Emperor and a husband.”
Starting from Yinzhi, he kicked each of them—didn’t even spare Yin Hui and his brothers.
“Thunder and rain, favor or punishment, are all the Emperor’s grace! Don’t blame me for not warning you in advance! If I can’t bear to let her suffer even a little, yet she’s made to endure it all because of you—then you’ve really amounted to something!”
“Think carefully about what you should do. If you can’t, just stay a bald-headed prince all your life—I won’t be accused of failing to teach my sons!”
When Kangxi’s kick reached Yin Hui, he quickly rolled back, then spun around and knelt, shouting: “Your son accepts Father’s teaching, and will never dare upset Mother again!”
The other princes, rubbing their behinds: “…..”
Yin Yu and Yinshi, a beat too slow: “….”
‘Couldn’t you have given us a heads-up before playing the straight man?’
But with Kangxi so rarely so stern in front of all the princes, no one dared let slip a single complaint, all scrambling to follow Yin Hui’s lead in declaring their loyalty.
***
That evening, after discussing the Fifth Princess’s dowry list with Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi in Yanxi Palace and consulting Tong Consort about her thoughts on the Prince Consort, Fang He returned to Qianqing Palace.
Entering, she found three sons especially attentive, to the point of anxious eagerness.
Even Jiujiu and Minbao weren’t chattering in Xisan Place as usual, but instead surrounded their mother with honeyed words, coaxing her to sit down.
Fang He hadn’t seen all five children together in a while; listening to their lively noises, she felt a little overwhelmed.
She laughed, asking, “What’s this? Did you all forget your medicine before going out today?”
Jiujiu and the others, knowing their mother was teasing, exchanged glances and giggled, but avoided answering.
Even the usually rowdy Sanbao and Fourbao were as meek as quails—Fang He was truly puzzled.
There was nothing for it.
In the past, even if Kangxi scolded them in her presence, he was careful not to go too far out of respect for Fang He but today, Kangxi had shown a side he’d never before revealed to the brothers—so cold and stern, even Yinzhi and Yinreng were scared, let alone the younger Yin Hui.
As for Jiujiu and the girls, they’d been called to the Side Hall of Shoukang Palace by Wuyunzhu, who relayed the Emperor’s reprimand with a straight face.
Even as princesses, from tomorrow they’d have to attend classes in Shang Shufang, including archery practice.
If they didn’t learn to respect their elders and honor their Imperial Mother, they could forget about ever leaving the palace.
After returning, Jiujiu and Minbao heard from Sanbao and Fourbao about what happened in the Imperial Study, even seeing the boot prints on their shoulders—so they wisely gave in as well.
Jiujiu clung to Fang He’s arm, cooing, “Imperial Mother, the recent Women’s Academy competition with the newly tested scholars kept us busy—we’ve just been out more, not that we didn’t want to keep you company.”
Minbao hugged Fang He’s other arm, gently saying, “Minbao loves Imperial Mother the most. Please don’t be sad—we’ll always be with you.”
Fang He raised an eyebrow.
Knowing her children and Kangxi well, she was sure they’d just been disciplined by him.
She found it funny.
In truth, her moodiness from the previous days was probably just her period coming.
She’d always had an open attitude towards her children.
Little birds would fly away once grown; she never planned to tie them to her side.
As for other annoyances—people always grow, accumulating new roles and responsibilities, and must learn to adjust their hearts.
But no matter what, she wouldn’t allow herself to be wronged—she’d treat anything unimportant as so much hot air.
If anyone really came to make trouble, she’d deal with them like Shangguan Nü Xiang—quick and decisive.
She’d never become someone who disregards life, because even with many roles, she was always herself, the girl who grew up under the red flag.
But watching her children, running around like little quails, so sweet and lively, she had grown fond of this kind of bustle.
With a mischievous glint, she put on a forlorn look and let the children coax her for a while, until Kangxi entered.
At once, she brightened, abandoning the kids to greet him, “Emperor, you’re back! Are you hungry? Did you miss me?”
Jiujiu and the others: “…”
Suddenly it felt like their return was unnecessary.
Honestly, the older the five got, the less they wanted to hang around their parents—nobody wanted to interrupt such loving scenes.
Like now, their fierce, frightening father from the morning was smiling as their mother clung to his arm, letting her push him along.
After sitting down, the kids watched as their father, as always, pushed the tea meant for him to their mother, and she, equally used to it, drank the flower tea.
Liang Jiugong, used to this routine, placed the real Chinese green tea—Liu An Gua Pian—in front of the Emperor.
The Emperor could share tea with the Imperial Noble Consort, but Liang Jiugong and the servants dared not forget the proper order, always replacing the first cup with her favorite flower tea.
Once the meal was over, the children hurried away, wanting no part of their parents’ post-meal sweetness.
With the room empty, Fang He turned to Kangxi with a sly smile, probing him, “I hear the Emperor was very awe-inspiring in the Imperial Study today? What a pity I missed it! Next time you should warn me so I can hide in the side room and listen!”
Kangxi, unconcerned by her probing, teased, “Alright. Next time I’ll put on a show just for you.”
Fang He: “…”
Is this man taking cues from her uncle—planning to make scolding people a regular event?
She smiled at Kangxi and said, “I know you’re doing it for my sake, but the children are grown. You should let them save face, or word will get out that the Imperial Noble Consort isn’t compassionate.”
Kangxi was about to suggest a walk when she spoke, but paused and tapped her forehead, “Guoguo, I was just praising your cleverness, but now you’re acting the fool. What should I say about you?”
Fang He: “…”
So her being kind and virtuous was wrong?
Should she have scratched him instead?
Kangxi laughed, “I built your reputation not to make you its slave. Let me handle the storms outside.”
As long as the world sees the Imperial Noble Consort as worthy of being the nation’s mother—kind and gentle—no matter how outrageous she is, who would dare call her lacking in virtue?
He never planned to turn Fang He into someone flawless—that wouldn’t be his Guoguo.
But such tender words didn’t suit Kangxi, so he hid his feelings in jest.
But Fang He was no longer the sharp, defensive girl she used to be; she immediately understood his meaning.
This man wanted her to set aside all worry, do whatever made her happy, and be herself.
She was so moved she jumped into Kangxi’s arms, hugging his waist.
“Waaah, Emperor, you make me feel like a little princess! Love you, love you!”
“Right now?” Kangxi caught her steadily, thought for a moment, then carried her off to the bedchamber, abandoning the idea of a walk.
“Well, it’s not impossible, but you’ll have to keep your voice down—wouldn’t do for others to hear.”
Fang He, being swept through the door: “…”