After setting up camp on the grassland, she shared a tent with Chun Lai, right on the edge of the hunting grounds.
The living conditions were much harsher than in the palace, which made her acting even more convincing.
Within a few days, Emperor Kangxi noticed that Fang He’s clothes were hanging loosely, clearly indicating she had lost a lot of weight.
Only then did Kangxi realize that this stubborn girl had truly set her mind on becoming a nanny, which made him particularly upset.
On the grassland, Kangxi had to exhaust himself daily dealing with Mongolian nobles, balancing between reprimanding and appeasing them, while also keeping a close eye on the developments of various tribes to prevent another Zhungar from causing trouble for the Qing Dynasty.
In such a state of fatigue, he just wanted Fang He to be her usual self, the cheerful girl who could make him laugh.
Even if she continued to annoy him, it would be better than seeing her so downcast.
However, for the time being, Kangxi couldn’t fulfill her wish as the timing wasn’t right.
It wasn’t until the 22nd year of Kangxi’s reign that he decided on the Mulan Autumn Hunt.
Drawing from previous experiences, this time it coincided with the war against Russia.
Kangxi ordered Prince Yu and Prince Gong to lead the Bordered Yellow Banner troops to oversee the hunt.
Since the first Mulan Autumn Hunt, Kangxi had decreed that the Eight Banners Manchu, Mongol, and Han-each send 4,000 soldiers, divided into three shifts: one for the safety of the hunting grounds, one for the hunt, and one for the actual hunting.
Coincidentally, just as the camp had arranged the patrol and hunting routes, someone rode into the hunting grounds holding a red banner with the character “Qing.” “Report-a great victory at Yaksa!”
The deep, resonant voice shouted three times, and the patrolling soldiers quickly made their way, joining in the cheers.
Kangxi, who was analyzing the relationships between the northern Mongol tribes with the Crown Prince and the eldest prince, immediately rushed out of the imperial tent upon hearing the commotion.
The Crown Prince and the eldest prince followed with joy on their faces as the messenger loudly announced,
“Your Majesty, in the battle against Russia, we annihilated 900 enemies at Sandao Wan, marking the first victory! The Russian troops fled north, and we killed 400 more on their retreat.”
“Upon reaching Yaksa, we burned the city gates and slaughtered 1,370 Russian soldiers, marking the second victory! General Dong E personally beheaded the Russian commander, and Deputy General Lang captured 65 family members and deserters, leaving no survivors in Yaksa, marking the third victory!”
“The Russian king has sent an envoy to submit a letter of surrender. We have detained the envoy on his way back and come to report the good news!”
Kangxi laughed heartily, “Good! This is a great start before the hunt. I await their envoy!”
Prince Yu and Prince Gong knelt on one knee, loudly proclaiming,
“It is Your Majesty’s wisdom that led to this great victory. Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!”
The northern Mongol nobles who had rushed over upon hearing the news had mixed expressions of surprise and suspicion.
But after Prince Yu and Prince Gong knelt, they too placed their hands on their chests, knelt on one knee, and bowed their heads, shouting,
“Long live the Heavenly Khan!”
Kangxi waved his hand and announced with a smile,
“Tonight we shall hold a banquet. I will raise a toast with all of you, and we shall not return until we are drunk!”
After everyone dispersed, Kangxi entered the tent to find Fang He waiting inside with a faint smile, her joy perfectly measured neither too much nor too little, as if it had been measured with a ruler.
Having seen such auspiciousness many times in the palace, he still preferred Fang He’s original playful and mischievous demeanor.
With no one else around, and with Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan guarding outside, Kangxi strode forward, picked Fang He up, and spun her around a few times.
Fang He was so startled she almost forgot her Lin Mei Mei demeanor, gasping and wrapping her arms around Kangxi’s neck.
Knowing he was happy about the victory, but did he have to spin around like a dog wagging its tail?
Seeing her bite her lip without saying a word, Kangxi put her down but didn’t let go.
Instead, he lifted her chin and playfully bit her lips, which he both loved and hated.
Fang He, out of breath from the kiss, pushed him away.
Was he going crazy with joy?
Kangxi finally loosened his grip a bit, smiling against her lips.
“The Eternal Heaven has blessed me with three victories against Russia, yet I can’t do anything about you. Are you born to be my nemesis?”
Fortunately, there was finally a suitable opportunity to resolve this stubborn girl’s worries.
Fang He thought to herself, if she could really be someone’s nemesis, she would have turned him into a eunuch long ago to stop him from being so shameless.
But on the surface, she maintained her gentle demeanor and softly reminded him,
“Your Majesty, you mustn’t say such things. If someone hears, I wouldn’t have enough lives to spare.”
Kangxi chuckled, looked at her intently, and then bit her lips again, hiding bolder words in the entanglement of their lips.
“Even if it’s true, I’m not afraid. My fate is strong, and you should be mine…”
Fang He: “…”
Did her act bring out this man’s cheesy love talk?
Luckily, Kangxi didn’t say more, only kissing Fang He until her cheeks were flushed.
Just as she was about to lose her temper, he let her go and called out,
“Liang Jiugong, tell Wang Hao to draft an edict. Fang He of the Qianqing Palace has served the Empress Dowager diligently and is compatible with the Empress Dowager’s horoscope. She has also served me with utmost dedication.”
“I hereby confer upon her the title of Fourth-Rank Attendant Lady!”
Liang Jiugong was startled.
Wang Hao was the head of the Hanlin Academy and the chief of the Southern Study, responsible for drafting edicts for the court.
Usually, drafting edicts was the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites!
If this got out, it would cause an uproar in the capital and among the accompanying concubines.
Fang He would undoubtedly attract everyone’s attention, which wasn’t a good thing.
He instinctively looked at Fang He, thinking this ancestor would surely object.
After all, aside from being lazy and greedy for wealth… she was also timid.
Liang Jiugong knew this well.
But Fang He just lowered her head, hiding the smile in her eyes, and remained silent.
She had already decided to stay in the palace and rise through the ranks, so why be timid?
That would only invite more bullying.
According to palace regulations, there could indeed be female officials.
However, after Kangxi reverted the Thirteen Offices back to the Imperial Household Department to prevent interference from the harem, he only allowed palace women to receive the benefits of female officials without holding the actual position.
Therefore, Kangxi’s edict didn’t violate any rules.
Female officials were one rank lower than concubines.
A fourth-rank female official was equivalent to a sixth-rank concubine.
In the future, when meeting sixth-rank concubines, she wouldn’t need to perform the full ceremonial bow.
Even when meeting the imperial concubines, she only needed to perform a half-bow, no longer needing to squat deeply.
Moreover, becoming a female official had another advantage: after being favored by the emperor, she would be granted a concubine rank, usually one level higher than the standard.
From a noble lady to a future concubine, what was there to object to?
But Kangxi didn’t intend to make her a target.
Before Liang Jiugong could respond, he added,
“The palace servants in front of me have become somewhat unruly and are not behaving properly. Also, tell Wang Hao to draft an edict. All palace servants of the third rank and above in front of me are to be conferred female official ranks by the Imperial Household Department.”
“Palace maids and official women who have served in front of me will be promoted based on their female official rank.Those who have not served in front of me will be granted marriages based on their female official rank.”
Liang Jiugong breathed a sigh of relief.
This made sense.
After winning the battle, all the banners had contributed.
With this opportunity for promotion or marriage, even if they failed the next year’s selection, they could still enter the palace through the Imperial Household Department’s minor selection, giving the meritorious families a chance to rise.
Sure enough, just as the preparations for the hunt were completed, Lang Tan personally escorted the captives and the envoy.
Upon hearing the edict, he and the accompanying soldiers were overjoyed.
Lang Tan’s niece was of the age for the selection.
If she didn’t pass, serving in front of the emperor would be a good alternative.
At the very least, she could secure a good marriage.
The honor of an imperial marriage was something that couldn’t be obtained by failing the selection.
Most of the other soldiers were from the Eight Banners, and their families also had female members participating in the selection.
Upon hearing the news, they were also very happy.
After the hunt ended, Kangxi led the Manchu and Mongol nobles to the high platform to watch the hunting teams.
It was only then that Consort Hui and the others learned of Fang He’s promotion to Fourth-Rank Attendant Lady.
Consort Hui’s tent immediately shattered a set of teacups.
Fang He was even more troublesome than she had anticipated.
She had thought that given the emperor’s favor for Fang He, he might disregard propriety and grant her the rank of noble lady, which was already infuriating.
After all, even the beautiful Noble Lady Liang, who had been favored by the emperor for several years, was only granted the title of Changzai upon her promotion.
It wasn’t until after she gave birth to a prince that Lady Wei was granted the rank of noble lady during Prince Yin Tang’s first birthday celebration.
Fang He, starting at a rank equivalent to a concubine, would be on equal footing with them as soon as she gained favor.
She didn’t believe the emperor would do something so reckless for love.
Trusting in an emperor’s favor was a sure path to death.
Since the emperor had granted her the fourth-rank female official position, it must be because Fang He’s background was impeccable, allowing her to hold a concubine rank securely.
When the Tongjia clan entered the palace, she was granted the rank of concubine with the treatment of an imperial concubine.
Wasn’t this another ancestor?
She couldn’t sit still any longer.
After venting her anger, she hurriedly went to Consort Rong’s tent with Ban Xia.
The Empress Dowager also learned of Fang He’s promotion to Fourth-Rank Attendant Lady.
Wu Yunzhu thought her mistress would be pleased, but to her surprise, the Empress Dowager showed no joy on her face.
She even refused the visiting wives of the Khorchin princes and sat alone in her tent, skipping lunch.
Wu Yunzhu asked several times but got no answer.
Worried that her mistress was unwell, she had someone attend to the Empress Dowager and hurried to the imperial tent to report, hoping to summon a royal physician.
Just as she was heading to the imperial tent, Consort Hui, Consort Rong, Consort An, and Consort Jin were kneeling outside, requesting an audience with the emperor.
But the one who came out to meet them wasn’t Liang Jiugong, but the newly promoted Fourth-Rank Attendant Lady, Fang He.
As soon as Lady Fang stepped out, she saw Consort Hui and Consort Rong kneeling on the grass, and she thought to herself, “Oh no.”
Despite their humble posture, their intentions were clearly hostile.
Unfortunately, this time she couldn’t play along anymore.