Wiping her mouth and applying a bit of powder to her lips, she pulled the quilt up to her chin before weakly responding.
Chun Lai’s voice came from outside,
“Miss, His Majesty has sent Physician Qin to check your pulse.”
Fang He: “….”
If he checks my pulse, won’t my feigned illness be exposed?
Her eyes darted around, her voice even weaker,
“Come in.”
Chun Lai led Physician Qin in, preparing a handkerchief to place over Fang He’s wrist.
Fang He weakly waved her hand, lifting her teary eyes to look at Physician Qin, hesitating and looking exceptionally troubled.
Perhaps because Physician Qin had seen her pitiable state last night, even though Fang He had reapplied her light wheat-colored powder, her gaze that seemed to speak still caused his heart to flutter slightly.
This made him unconsciously soften his tone,
“Miss, you can say whatever you need. His Majesty has ordered me to check your pulse daily and take good care of you.”
Fang He sneered inwardly, so drunk, he called her to cool his heat, and now when he is sober he realizes how much of a scoundrel he was last night?
She lowered her head, pulling Chun Lai over to half-hide her face behind her, as she couldn’t blush naturally, this was the only way to express her shyness.
Chun Lai, who stumbled as she sat down:”….”
“Miss, you seem quite strong”.
Fang He stammered softly,
“I’m actually fine, just… in pain.”
Physician Qin didn’t catch it clearly, lifting his head slightly,
“Miss, where does it hurt?”
Fang He exclaimed softly, shrinking entirely behind Chun Lai.
“My nose hurts, my face hurts, my shoulders hurt, my chest hurts, my waist hurts, my legs hurt… His Majesty… I hurt everywhere!”
Fang He couldn’t blush, but Chun Lai’s round face instantly turned red, all the way to her neck.
Even Physician Qin coughed lightly, somewhat awkwardly turning to look out the window.
That is to say, this kind of talk, is it appropriate for them to hear?
Physician Qin’s thoughts shifted, his expression becoming slightly subtle,
“His Majesty… drank quite a bit last night, he should, he should… not have made the miss hurt so much, right?”
It’s true that the more the Emperor drinks, the more he seems like nothing’s wrong.
But men shouldn’t have such reactions after drinking so much alcohol.
Fang He covered her mouth with a handkerchief, mumbling,
“I don’t know, but last night His Majesty used a lot of strength to rub and knead… Oh,anyway, I’m in pain and can’t get up.”
Chun Lai didn’t understand, only feeling somewhat speechless.
She had seen Fang He’s nature; the miss was probably making things up to avoid work, right?
But Physician Qin was a father of three, he understood!
Could it be that His Majesty is incapable, yet harbored improper thoughts, unwilling to admit defeat and ate something half-cooked… ahem, no wonder His Majesty ordered a physician to check her pulse daily.
His Majesty is craving meat, tsk tsk…
But considering the numerous places the miss claims to hurt, she probably won’t be able to serve for a while.
We should mention this to Eunuch Gu later, we can’t let His Majesty suffer from restraint.
Physician Qin still checked Fang He’s pulse, confirming that the lady’s pulse was strong, even better than many of the imperial concubines, and only then did he feel at ease.
He went out, asking Chun Lai to check Fang He’s injuries.
Fang He wasn’t afraid, unbuttoning her clothes to show her shoulders.
Last night, that dog had leaned on her to change clothes, then wouldn’t let go after returning, and later pushed and pinched her.
The original body’s skin was sensitive, and now it’s all bruised.
After checking the shoulders, Fang He hesitated,
“Do you want to see my waist, legs, and chest? Can you light a brazier for me? It’s a bit cold.”
The redness on Chun Lai’s face had just started to fade, but now it spread again.
“No need, no need, I’ll go out and ask Physician Qin to prepare medicine for you!”
If there were handprints on the shoulders, then on the chest…
She had already seen the waist, why embarrass herself further.
As Chun Lai fled in panic, Fang He heaved a sigh of relief.
Actually, she only had this one mark on her body, and her nose hurt.
If Chun Lai wanted to see, Fang He would have to twist herself to create more, which would be painful.
When Physician Qin brought the medical report to the Emperor, Kangxi had some free time to look at it.
Seeing the vague mentions of various pains, he felt somewhat helpless.
Although he didn’t remember clearly, he had only touched the little rascal’s waist and shoulders, at most… her nose and chest hurt, but why the legs?
Remembering her gritting her teeth and puffing her cheeks, gesturing as if to pinch someone…
Did she sprained her leg from kicking in the air?
He snorted, instructing Liang Jiugong,
“Don’t send the gold box for now. Later, let her collect it along with her monthly allowance.”
He wanted to see if the rascal would still take her monthly allowance.
But Kangxi truly didn’t anticipate that there was a generous thief among his entourage.
When the message reached Fang He, it didn’t mention the gold box, only making her cover her mouth with a soft scoff.
She was almost a four-figure wealthy lady, did she lack his trifles?
Was lying around eating and drinking not enjoyable, or was not having to work not pleasant?
By early April, Kangxi had already bid farewell to the envoys from Northern Mongolia and Khorchin, but there was still no sign of Fang He.
However, news of Fang He’s return to the imperial presence had already spread, and it was widely known that she had been specially summoned back late at night because she was exceptionally skilled at serving, even more so than others.
There was no way to keep matters of the imperial presence from spreading, but everyone could see whether anyone entered or exited the Cining Palace.
Since Fang He hadn’t been seen leaving, it was clear she was in the Qianqing Palace, and it must have been late at night, as there was no other time for it.
Advisor Gu, reminded by Imperial Physician Qin, had been diligently sending the green head plaques to the imperial presence every day through the Office of Eunuchs.
He had also been earnestly persuading Kangxi, who had resumed his routine of working for three days and resting for two.
When the concubines summoned for imperial favor entered the Zhaoren Hall, the first thing they did wasn’t to offer their most charming greetings but to look around for the attending palace maids.
“Why isn’t Fang He here? I was hoping she could teach the maids in my Chengqian Palace so that the Sixth Princess wouldn’t keep crying,” said the Noble Consort.
Kangxi, who had a soft spot for children, patiently replied,
“Fang He is unwell. I’ll have others from the imperial presence help you train your maids.”
Now, even Consort De had come to serve, exuding an air of melancholy like an orchid in a secluded valley.
“Your Majesty, is Fang He here? I’ve never met her, but if she could train the people around Little Six, perhaps Yinzhen wouldn’t still be bedridden.”
Kangxi: “……”
Fang He isn’t some miracle cure.
If she were, she’d have been sent to the Cining Palace long ago, not the Yonghe Palace.
But seeing Consort De’s reddened eyes and her obedient, smiling demeanor as she served, Kangxi’s heart softened.
The Imperial Hospital had said that Yinzhen… probably didn’t have much time left.
He held her and comforted her,
“A palace maid isn’t that powerful. I’ll instruct the Imperial Hospital to have Chief Physician Lu assign someone to watch over Yinzhen. You shouldn’t overexert yourself.”
No matter what, Yinzhen couldn’t be in trouble before the army set out.
The next day, he summoned the Crown Prince to the Hongde Hall to review past memorials and practice the art of overseeing state affairs.
But as soon as the Crown Prince entered, he also looked around and asked,
“Father, I heard that Fang He from your presence is exceptionally capable. Perhaps she could…”
Kangxi’s expression turned stony as he slammed his teacup down.
“Earlier, I asked you to analyze Dao De Jing. Have you finished?”
“Have you prepared the lessons for your lecture at the year-end?”
“Do you know where you went wrong in yesterday’s memorials?”
Three questions in a row, and the Crown Prince’s head sank lower and lower, but Kangxi’s anger still hadn’t subsided.
It seemed that Fang He’s absence from the imperial presence had made her even more noticeable.
After waking from his midday nap, Kangxi’s mood worsened.
That rascal didn’t even let him rest in his dreams.
Her porcelain-like, delicate face and the soft, jade-like touch of her skin kept disturbing his sleep.
He coldly turned to Liang Jiugong,
“Did she go to collect her monthly stipend?”
Liang Jiugong was momentarily stunned, his heart skipping a beat.
He had been so busy preparing gifts for Northern Mongolia that he had forgotten about this.
He had thought that with Fang He’s personality, she wouldn’t miss out on money.
That night, when she saw the 500 taels of silver, her eyes lit up instantly…
Oh no, with 500 taels, who would care about a mere four taels of monthly stipend?
That little ancestor was greedy, but she was also lazy!
He cautiously replied,
“Your Majesty, I haven’t heard from Chunlai. The girl probably… hasn’t fully recovered yet.”
Kangxi sneered,
“Even if she were in a coffin, she should have sat up by now to catch her breath. If she can lie there, do you think you can too?”
He had been drunk and lost control, but he hadn’t crushed her bones.
How long would it take for those bruises to heal?
Until next year?
Liang Jiugong:
“…This servant wouldn’t dare. I’ll send someone to hurry her up!”
Kangxi’s laughter turned even colder,
“No need. Don’t let that rascal think I’m eager to see her. I’ll see how long she can lie there!”
If Fang He heard this, she would proudly reply that her record was a month and a half without stepping out of her room.
But Liang Jiugong didn’t dare let the Emperor wait in anger.
He now understood that if the Emperor got truly angry, he might not take it out on that little ancestor, but Liang Jiugong would surely suffer!
He wasn’t flustered.
If he couldn’t handle such a small matter, he didn’t deserve to be the Chief Eunuch of the Qianqing Palace.
Soon, Cuiwei arrived at Fang He’s quarters with a box of freshly made peach blossom pastries and roasted pumpkin seeds.
As soon as she entered, she asked sourly,
“Lady Fang, how long do you plan to lie here? Be careful, or your legs might wither.”
Fang He smiled, taking the box and skillfully picking out the seeds to munch on.
“That won’t happen. I can move around in bed. Want me to show you?”
Even if she didn’t get up, she could still do yoga.
She wasn’t planning to become a fat slob.
Cuiwei snatched half of the seeds from her hand and snorted,
“Why don’t you just get up and walk outside?”
“Not many people are asking about you now. In a while, even the Emperor might forget you. How will you enjoy your ‘later blessings’ then?”
Fang He secretly hoped Kangxi would forget about her.
She just smiled, eating the seeds, and asked Cuiwei if there was any news.
Cuiwei became animated,
“Consort Tong is still under house arrest. A few days ago, Consort Xi went to visit her at the Zhongcui Palace, and somehow, the two consorts ended up fighting.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Consort Tong fainted and only woke up yesterday. Consort Xi was disfigured and hasn’t even had the chance to complain to the Emperor. She’s also been placed under house arrest.”
“Aunt Qin found out that Consort Xi had been gossiping, bringing up how Consort Tong had a stillbirth and how the Noble Consort didn’t care about the princess, saying how pitiful the Sixth Princess was. No wonder they fought.”
Fang He loved babies.
Just thinking about it made her fists clench.
If someone dared to taunt her about her child, she’d make sure they paid dearly.
Cuiwei sighed,
“Poor Consort Tong. She didn’t even recover from childbirth properly, and now she’s been pushed to the point of fainting. The Imperial Physician says it’s uncertain whether she’ll make it through next year.”
She gave Fang He a complicated look,
“Since you know you’re blessed, don’t waste it. Don’t end up… like them. Hurry back to serve the Emperor.”
“If you’re cast aside, your life might be worse than theirs.”
The more she heard this, the less Fang He wanted to return to the imperial presence.
“I know what I’m doing. When you’re ready to stand up and join me, I promise I’ll wag my tail so hard for His Majesty.”
Cuiwei: “…”
If you want to be a dog, I’d rather stay human.
She didn’t have the same confidence or inexplicable boldness as Fang He.
She just wanted to take over Aunt Qin’s duties, not aiming for higher ambitions.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing in each other’s eyes a shared desire to just lie low.
Silence spoke louder than words, and Cuiwei couldn’t bring herself to persuade further.
Just one day later, Wei Zhu arrived at Fang He’s quarters at dusk, carrying a red lacquered tray covered with a red cloth.
It looked like a square box.
When the cloth was lifted, Fang He’s watery eyes instantly turned golden, sparkling so brightly that Wei Zhu almost laughed.
But Wei Zhu couldn’t bring himself to laugh now.
He handed the golden box to Fang He.
“His Majesty, remembering your past service, has specially rewarded you. He originally intended for you to collect it when you picked up your monthly stipend, but knowing you’re still unwell, he sent me to deliver it.”
Fang He’s breath hitched.
Good heavens, Liang Jiugong, that thick-browed eunuch, hadn’t mentioned a golden box!
This was worth far more than 500 taels of silver.
If she had known, she would have crawled over to collect her stipend.
Wei Zhu opened the box, revealing two silver ingots with plum blossom patterns that looked all too familiar to Fang He.
“Your monthly stipend is all here, calculated from the time you started serving in the imperial presence. You’re being paid as a First-Class Attendant, totaling 20 taels of silver.”
“There are also fabrics, seasonal gifts, and eight sets of clothes for the year. When you return to the imperial presence, just go to my godfather to collect them.”
Fang He: “…”
Isn’t this my Little Plum and Little Blossom?
How did they become my monthly stipend?
Using my own silver to pay me my stipend, after taking a few turns, Emperor Kangxi is just squeezing me dry, huh?
Wei Zhu’s expression was complicated.
He glanced at the door, then leaned closer to Fang He, whispering.
“Sister, it was Chief Eunuch Liang who sent me. I can’t help but feel he’s up to no good. What are you thinking?”
Fang He sneered,
“I’m thinking that someone is up to no good, and it’s not our dear Chief Eunuch Liang!”
“Oh? And who might that be?”
A familiar, cold voice drifted in from outside the window.