Chapter 36: Nosebleed (2/2)

Kangxi was silent for a moment, then refused, 

“I’m not hungry.”

Fang He thought to herself, at least he knew he wasn’t hungry. 

His brain hadn’t been completely ruined by alcohol. 

She felt a bit more at ease.

She asked, 

“Shall I help you rest?”

Kangxi was silent again, not speaking, but also not allowing Fang He to move. 

His arm around her shoulder, he stood like a pillar, unmoving.

Fang He couldn’t bear his weight pressing down on her. 

Now she felt that he was truly drunk. 

Normally, Kangxi wouldn’t be so clingy and silent.

She raised her hand, intending to move his arm off her shoulder and help him sit down.

But as soon as she moved, before she could touch the hand on her shoulder, her wrist was caught by Kangxi’s other hand.

“Ah…” 

Before Fang He could react, she let out a low cry of surprise.

In an instant, the world seemed to spin. 

She felt as if she were flying, landing on the dragon bed with a thud that left her head buzzing.

Fang He felt the tall, dark figure looming over her. 

Her heart tightened, and she quickly rolled away to avoid him.

She looked up, her voice trembling, 

“…Your Majesty?”

What the hell is going on here? 

Are all the people in the palace perverts?

Kangxi looked at her, sprawled on the dragon bed in confusion, and suddenly chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“Trying to throw me onto the bed again? Last time, I was careless. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to take me down.”

Fang He’s fists clenched.

She cursed in her heart, 

“You’re full of crap! I have hundreds of ways to take down a man. If you weren’t the emperor, I wouldn’t even listen to your nonsense!”

Noticing Fang He’s slightly puffed cheeks, revealing a hint of defiance, Kangxi raised an eyebrow.

“If you’ve learned any moves from the underworld, feel free to try. I won’t hold it against you.”

Fang He lowered her head, carefully climbing off the bed, and said coolly, 

“I don’t dare trust you. You said you’d let me leave the palace, but now you’re

going back on your word.”

Kangxi’s eyes flickered. 

He yawned as if tired, but his mind was still sharp.

“Likewise. You always apologize in front of me and only follow my orders. Have you really done so?”

Fang He puffed out her cheeks. 

“So you’re proud of being just as bad as me?”

She was too tired to argue with a drunkard and simply bowed.

“Your Majesty should rest.”

Kangxi was still bothered by her earlier defiance. 

He couldn’t stand the thought of being the best in martial arts in front of a young girl.

He stumbled forward, pulling her up, 

“I’ve given my word. I won’t hold it against you. You can—”

Fang He obediently let him pull her up, but before he could finish, she suddenly clenched her teeth, using her head and hands together, aiming to headbutt Kangxi and push him onto the dragon bed.

She couldn’t help it. 

This man was just too infuriating.

No hard feelings, right?

You bastard, I’ll trust you. 

Now lie down!

Kangxi, who had been barely maintaining his balance through sheer willpower, was caught off guard by Fang He’s sudden push. 

With the alcohol clouding his mind, he immediately lost his balance and fell backward.

What Fang He didn’t expect was that, as a seasoned martial artist, Kangxi’s reflexes were much quicker than hers. 

Even drunk, his body’s instincts were still intact.

As he fell, he quickly reached out and grabbed Fang He’s hand, pulling her down with him. 

Both of them tumbled onto the dragon bed, with Fang He’s head slamming hard into Kangxi’s chest.

Tears instantly sprang to Fang He’s eyes. 

Her nose felt like it was about to break from the pain.

And it wasn’t just her head that collided with Kangxi. 

Other parts of her body made contact as well.

Although her body was slender, certain areas had developed quite well. 

The sensation of those soft parts hitting Kangxi’s hard chest was… 

Fang He didn’t know what it felt like to be kicked in the crotch, but this chest pain was absolutely excruciating, damn it!

Fang He was dressed in several layers, but Kangxi was only in his inner robes. 

He immediately felt the softness that was so different from his own body crash into his chest, causing a strange, stinging numbness.

His heart raced, and instinctively, he wrapped his arms around Fang He’s waist.

Though he was no stranger to the softness of women, this chaotic feeling was unfamiliar and unsettling. 

He wanted to crush her into a ball and stuff her into his chest to stop the strange sensation.

Seeing that Fang He refused to lift her head, still curled up with her face pressed against his chest, Kangxi suddenly swallowed hard, feeling a dryness in his throat.

He didn’t like this loss of control, but it was also intriguing. 

He rubbed Fang He’s shoulder for a moment, then with a sudden burst of strength, pushed her away.

“Get up!”

Fang He, recovering from the shock, also realized their awkward position and scrambled to get off the bed.

But as she lifted her head, two drops of blood fell onto Kangxi’s bright yellow inner robes. 

The silk quickly absorbed the blood, spreading the stain.

Both of them froze.

The wet sensation made Kangxi’s chest feel even more numb. 

His pushing motion turned into a supporting one, nearly causing Fang He to fall again.

Fang He, being more alert, quickly steadied herself against his body. 

Unexpectedly, their eyes met, and for a moment, the air was silent, except for the sound of blood dripping continuously.

The movement and the fall made Kangxi’s mind even more muddled.

He hazily pondered, so not only was he in disarray, but this little rascal was also sticking to him so closely that her nose started bleeding?

Dizzily, he helped Fang He up, 

“You… control yourself, or people will laugh at you.”

Fang He was stunned, control what? 

Control the urge to scratch him to death?

Who’s to blame if people laugh?

In the middle of the night, scaring people, dragging her here to serve, and tossing her around.

She couldn’t stop her tears, thinking life in the palace was already hard enough, but it seems there’s room for it to get worse.

If she had to stay in the palace, she might as well just reincarnate again.

The more she thought about it, the more she cried, not out of grievance, but out of anger at herself. 

Even like this, she still wanted to live, because death would mean no money, no good food, no man, no children… sob sob…

As she cried, her nosebleed worsened, splattering all over the imperial bed like a crime scene, startling Kangxi into some semblance of alertness. 

Kangxi pressed his temples and helplessly lifted her chin, somewhat unsteadily wiping the tears from her face.

“I haven’t done much to you…”

Perhaps it was because she was facing the candlelight, but Kangxi suddenly noticed that the girl seemed much paler, now a light wheat color.

This wasn’t her natural skin tone either; as he wiped, her face became even more colorful.

Fang He saw the makeup on Kangxi’s hand, thought about her current appearance, covered her mouth, and cried again.

“This servant has no face to stay in the palace anymore sob sob…”

Every time it’s this person who makes her lose face, she and Kangxi must be astrologically incompatible!

Out of the palace!

Must get out of the palace!

Kangxi was worn out by her crying. 

Although palace concubines often cried in front of him, none had cried like this.

The other day, the Virtuous Consort nearly flooded Yonghe Palace with her tears, but she still looked delicate, her eyes slightly red, truly pitiful.

As for this one… well, like a clown in a play, making one want to comfort but also laugh.

Kangxi curled his lips, saying helplessly, 

“With me here, no one dares to laugh at you…”

Fang He paused, then cried even louder. 

She’d believe him over her dead body.

Liang Jiugong heard it outside, wondering, what’s going on?

Was His Majesty not drunk? 

Taking advantage of the alcohol to bring her back and…….

“Liang Jiugong, bring in some water!” 

Kangxi suddenly ordered.

Liang Jiugong understood, good heavens, calling for water, it must be done!

Ah, earlier he was scared, could Liang Jiugong serve at the bedside?

Tsk tsk, His Majesty really knows how to play!

He hummed lightly, had water brought in, and personally went in to serve the well fed and satisfied master.

But upon entering, Liang Jiugong was dumbfounded.

From the imperial bed to the footrest, there was blood everywhere, and a lady covering her face, crying her heart out.

Was this lovemaking or a fight?

Kangxi impatiently ordered, 

“Pour some warm water, help her clean up.”

Liang Jiugong quickly complied, set up the copper basin, and went to help Fang He.

Fang He mumbled hoarsely, 

“This servant will go back and…”

Liang Jiugong whispered, 

“Miss, your side room has been given to someone else. Since you’re now an attendant, you’ll have to move to a larger side room in Jiaotai Hall. The surrounding rooms are also fine, but it’s inconvenient to arrange now…”

Fang He was helpless; she couldn’t return to Cining Palace looking like this.

Otherwise, the rumor that she fought with the Emperor and was beaten to a bloody pulp would spread outside the palace.

Forget it, the ancestors of the Xu family can’t handle her antics.

She cleaned up the mess on her face in the hall, and her nosebleed stopped.

But Kangxi was still worried. 

After drinking a bowl of sobering soup, he barely managed to stay awake and ordered someone to summon Imperial Physician Qin, pointing at Fang He.

“Go check on her, her crying is giving me a headache.”

Imperial Physician Qin was the Emperor’s personal physician, tight-lipped and only followed his master’s orders, even if it was to treat a palace maid.

He calmly walked up to Fang He, 

“Miss, where are you feeling unwell?”

Fang He: “…” 

Her chest hurt!

Could she say that?!

She numbly shook her head, 

“I’m fine everywhere, I could run a few laps.”

Imperial Physician Qin: 

“… May I check your pulse?”

Fang He indifferently extended her hand, whatever, she’s tired.

Imperial Physician Qin half-squatted in front of Fang He. 

After all, she was a lady the Emperor valued, so he carefully took out a handkerchief from his medical box and placed it on Fang He’s wrist. 

As he slightly raised his head, he paused.

No wonder His Majesty made such a fuss in the middle of the night, this lady is really too beautiful.

Fang He wasn’t the type of beauty that could topple cities, nor was she stunning enough to stop people in their tracks.

But her eyebrows were like distant hills, her nose delicate, her lips cherry-like, all exquisitely elegant, especially those red-rimmed eyes, half- drooped, revealing a pitiful yet charming allure.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s beautiful, but that clear face, with just a slight pout of her cherry lips, was like the most heart-stirring peach blossoms in spring, falling into one’s heart, making it sweet and itchy.

But Imperial Physician Qin, having served in the palace for many years, quickly regained his composure, focused, and attentively checked Fang He’s pulse.

Unknown to him, Kangxi’s eyes were the sharpest. 

Even when drunk, he was still in control. 

Imperial Physician Qin’s momentary daze didn’t escape Liang Jiugong, let alone him.

Kangxi slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at Fang He’s small, jade-like earlobes and her lightly trembling eyelashes, and took a few sips of the calming tea beside him.

When Imperial Physician Qin finally discerned Fang He’s pulse, his expression was somewhat troubled.

The left pulse was tense and rapid, the right pulse was full and slippery, liver fire rising, causing the blood and qi to surge… 

This was the pulse of someone furious!

Kangxi lazily asked, 

“Well?”

Imperial Physician Qin carefully replied, 

“Your Majesty, the lady’s body is fine, just a bit of internal heat. Given the dry weather, a few doses of warm tonic soup should suffice.”

Internal heat?

Kangxi pondered this carefully, has she reached the age of surging blood and qi?

A strange tingling sensation passed through his chest.

Indeed, palace concubines after twenty were better at serving than before, their awakening was much later than men’s.

He waved his hand, instructing Imperial Physician Qin to prescribe the medicine, and also told Liang Jiugong.

“Have some heat-clearing tea prepared for her, the kind I drink during fasting.”

Fang He was so angry she almost had another nosebleed. 

Fasting, heat-clearing… as if she didn’t understand, wasn’t this implying she was lusting after him?

She lowered her head and inwardly scoffed, quiet the ego, probably takes a whole day to kiss!

Liang Jiugong gave a subtle glance at the bowed Fang He. 

Was this little lady stirred by the Emperor’s advances, feeling shy?

What’s the point of all this fuss? 

Just favor her, wouldn’t that be simpler… 

Oh, right, His Majesty was drunk tonight, couldn’t do it.

He stifled a laugh and went out. 

Fang He’s hand subconsciously lifted. 

What, even after all this, she still has to stay here to serve?

Must he really drive her to death?

And, wasn’t he supposed to be drunk?

Why isn’t he sleeping yet, waiting for her to use her Da Run Fa skills?

Kangxi yawned but hoarsely ordered, 

“Come here, let me take a good look at you, what’s hidden that even the physician was distracted.”

Fang He, who had been keeping her head down, unwilling to let him see, stammered that she was thirsty and needed to drink some heat-clearing tea first, fearing another nosebleed.

She shuffled out like a turtle, asked Liang Jiugong for the tea through the door, and slurped it for a long time before finishing.

Hearing no movement behind her, Fang He had no choice but to brace herself and walk back.

When she finally reached the imperial bed, she saw Kangxi had closed his eyes and fallen asleep.

She breathed a huge sigh of relief, this night was finally over, and she never wanted to serve a drunkard again.

Right now, feeling the faint pain in her chest, she still wanted to strangle this dog.

She touched her chest, gritted her teeth, and fiercely mimed a strangling motion.

Just as she lowered her hand, Kangxi suddenly opened his eyes, startling Fang He into a hiccup, a breath stuck in her throat, almost choking herself. 

But her sharpness in a crisis remained; she immediately changed her motion to pull the blanket Kangxi hadn’t properly covered up to his neck.

She hated her own cowardice, but her voice unconsciously softened, 

“This servant is worried Your Majesty might catch a cold, please sleep well.” 

She really wanted to cover his head too.

After all the trouble of the night, Kangxi finally heard the voice he wanted to hear. 

He looked at her for a moment, then suddenly pinched her cheek with a smile in his eyes.

“Like this, it’s quite lovely. No need to hide anymore. My brother loves you.”

Fang He: “……” 

Love me sir !

She endured it again, and again, but still couldn’t hold back. 

Her hand slightly moved up, and the quilt covered that hateful handsome face.