The servant thought for a moment and replied, “Since I sent you the letter in the first month, nothing significant has occurred.”
“Oh, right, there’s a new concubine in the palace, Lady Zhangjia, who was promoted in the first month but still resides in the Qianqing Palace.”
Cao Yin had already heard about this newly favored concubine through his palace connections.
She was selected by Gu Wenxing from the newly chosen palace maids in the Imperial Household Department and had quickly gained the Emperor’s favor upon entering the Qianqing Palace.
But to be granted the title of concubine and still live in the Qianqing Palace?
Cao Yin couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
The information he received suggested that this concubine was rather unremarkable, with a gentle personality.
The only notable thing was that she was more well-read than others, but she had been quite quiet in the Qianqing Palace.
Could it be that the Emperor favored such a person?
He thought of the young lady, Fang He, who had served the Emperor during his southern tour, and found it even more perplexing.
It shouldn’t be like this.
His master always favored those who were talkative and cheerful, and among the women, it was the flamboyant ones like Consort Yi who received the most favor.
When had he ever shown interest in the demure and reserved type?
He felt that perhaps he had been away from the capital for too long and had lost touch with his master’s preferences.
Therefore, he decided not to rush into the palace but to return to his residence first to rest and recuperate.
The Emperor was busy with the ceremonial plowing and might not have time to see him.
Cao Yin planned to carefully assess the current situation in the capital and wait until after the plowing ceremony before entering the palace.
On the day of the plowing ceremony, as soon as Emperor Kangxi returned to the palace from the Altar of Agriculture, he was informed by Li Dequan that the Grand Empress Dowager wanted him to visit the Cining Palace immediately.
Even though Cao Yin was already waiting in the Qianqing Palace, Kangxi had to go to the Cining Palace first, in case the Grand Empress Dowager had urgent matters to discuss.
To his surprise, all the imperial consorts were there.
As Kangxi approached the entrance, he overheard Consort Duan and Consort Xi making sarcastic remarks about Lady Zhangjia.
The Imperial Noble Consort was absent due to illness, and the Noble Consort looked displeased, her eyes downcast and silent.
Consort Hui and Consort Rong were also quiet, while Consort De gently defended Lady Zhangjia with a look of helplessness.
Consort Yi watched the scene with a faint smile, seemingly amused.
Upon seeing Kangxi enter, Consort Duan and Consort Xi quickly fell silent.
Except for the Noble Consort, Consort Hui, and Consort Rong, the others, including Consort De and Consort Yi, brightened up and gracefully curtsied to greet him.
Kangxi stepped forward and supported Lady Zhangjia, who looked slightly pale.
“If you’re feeling unwell, you should call for the imperial physician early. Don’t push yourself too hard,” he said.
Lady Zhangjia’s face flushed with a hint of shyness.
The Grand Empress Dowager smiled and said, “I called you here to share some good news.”
“Lady Zhangjia felt nauseous from the pastries in the hall, so we called the imperial physician to examine her. She is already over two months pregnant.”
“Since last March, there hasn’t been any good news in the palace. I thought it would be good to let you know early so you can share in the joy.”
Consort Yi narrowed her eyes slightly, and Consort De’s handkerchief tightened in her hand.
The other consorts also felt a mix of emotions.
Since last winter, apart from Consort De, Consort Yi, and Wanliuha, who occasionally received the Emperor’s favor, the rest of the attention had been given to Lady Zhangjia.
They all wondered how much longer they would have to endure this.
Consort De’s little princess had just turned a month old, the Eleventh Prince was not yet a year old, and the Twelfth Prince was not even a hundred days old.
It was unlikely that they would receive any favor from the Emperor.
They couldn’t even get close to the Emperor.
If they were to become pregnant, would the Grand Empress Dowager truly be happy?
The Grand Empress Dowager observed the varied expressions of the consorts in the hall, her smile unwavering.
As long as Kangxi remained stable and didn’t fall ill again, she didn’t care whom he favored.
The lack of favor only proved their incompetence.
She wished they would all try different ways to make her grandson forget his previous obsessions.
Kangxi sat down beside the Grand Empress Dowager with a faint smile.
“This is indeed good news,” he said.
The Grand Empress Dowager asked him, “Since Lady Zhangjia is pregnant, it’s not suitable for her to remain in the imperial presence. Which palace do you think she should move to?”
Seeing Kangxi frown slightly, the Grand Empress Dowager insisted, “After the Emperor’s birthday, there will be the selection of new consorts. I’m not up to handling this, and your mother doesn’t like to bother with such matters.”
“I thought we could have the Noble Consort and the four consorts manage this together, ensuring you won’t lack attendants.”
Kangxi nodded slightly and glanced at Consort De.
“As the Grand Empress Dowager suggests, let her move into the Yonghe Palace.”
The other consorts harbored much resentment toward Lady Zhangjia, but she was not as adept at handling such situations as some others might have been.
It would be more comfortable to stay with the gentle-tempered Consort De.
Consort Yi smiled and teased, “Your Majesty only remembers Sister De when there’s good news, forgetting the rest of us.”
The Empress Dowager was amused, “Isn’t the mischievous Little Ninth enough for you? He’s at that curious age, and if he offends anyone, it’ll be on you.”
When the little princess born to Consort De could walk, and Lady Zhangjia had also given birth, there was no fear of any offense.
Consort Yi playfully begged for mercy, and the others chimed in with pleasing words, quickly enlivening the atmosphere in the hall, delighting the Empress Dowager and Empress Xiaozhuang.
Emperor Kangxi also wore a smile, but as soon as he stepped out of the Cining Palace and entered the imperial carriage, his expression returned to calm, like a stagnant pond, showing no joy of becoming a father again.
Upon returning to the Qianqing Palace, he felt slightly happier upon seeing Cao Yin.
“You were supposed to return early, yet you dared to delay until after the New Year. I think you’re longing for a beating in the Qianqing Palace.”
Cao Yin, unceremonious before the Emperor, chuckled and bowed.
“This servant is wronged. I was delayed to bring back a talented person for Your Majesty.”
With that, he presented Zhou Peigong’s revised memorial to Liang Jiugong.
Emperor Kangxi opened it, and his eyes soon gleamed with interest.
“This humble subject deeply feels unworthy of Your Majesty’s grace, ashamed to sleep, yet fruitlessly confining my own heart… truly inappropriate.”
“Until I left Jingmen to visit friends, met the insightful young friend Tuoda, whose eloquent words enlightened me amidst laughter…”
“This humble subject believes that Korea and Russia should be treated differently… Korea is unreasonable, while the Great Qing is strong, naturally we should promote the prestige of the Great Qing, which can also intimidate the northern barbarians.”
“Russia is located in a cold, remote area, not a pleasant place for the people… We might as well use deception, make slight concessions, form an alliance, and wait for the right opportunity to deal with the domestic traitors.”
After carefully reading Zhou Peigong’s memorial, Emperor Kangxi exclaimed several times in delight.
“I know Peigong’s talent is no less than Mingzhu’s, but he was frustrated in Laideng, and his nature is too straightforward… I was busy with naval affairs at the time and didn’t pay attention, and now I regret it.”
After the incident, Zhou Peigong insisted on resigning his official post.
As the Emperor, there’s a limit to how much he can lower himself to recruit talents, and he couldn’t force him to return.
“Now he seems to have come to his senses.” Emperor Kangxi smiled and pointed at Cao Yin, “You finally did something good. Then you go and deliver the edict.”
“Confer him the title of… Right Secretary of Shengjing, concurrently serving as the Judicial Commissioner, stationed in Aihui City, assisting Tong Guowei and Suo’etu in negotiations with Russia!”
Cao Yin hurriedly begged for mercy, “Your servant knows, Your Majesty only cares for the ladies in the palace, certainly not for your servant, so…”
He gave a mischievous smile, “I had already invited Peigong to the capital, thanks to an old Taoist from Yangzhou who persuaded him several times. Peigong seems more flexible than before.”
Emperor Kangxi became interested, “Oh? Peigong’s encounters after returning home are extraordinary, meeting both country boys and enlightened masters.”
“When I went south, I didn’t see many extraordinary people, just a lot of annoying ones.”
After saying this, he suddenly felt a pang in his heart, his eyes instinctively wanting to turn to the corner, but he paused slightly and ultimately didn’t look.
Cao Yin was completely unaware, thinking it was just about the unruly literati in Jiangnan, and he flashed an ingratiating smile.
“Your servant has not failed in his mission. The salt voucher system in Jiangnan is now established. Those prominent families and scholarly clans no longer hold as much influence as the salt merchants in Jiangnan. When Your Majesty tours the south again, you won’t have to endure any more frustration.”
Emperor Kangxi nodded with a calm smile, “Good. If I still encounter anything that angers me, I’ll have your skin peeled off to make a lantern!”
After Cao Yin withdrew, Kangxi sat alone in the Hongde Hall for a while.
Before dinner, he took Wei Zhu with him to the Jingren Palace.
Wei Zhu was puzzled.
It wasn’t the death anniversary of Empress Xiaokang, so why had the Emperor suddenly come to Jingren Palace?
Upon entering Jingren Palace, Kangxi didn’t head to the main hall but instead went to the eastern side chamber in the rear.
As soon as he stepped inside, Wei Zhu was stunned.
The side chamber was filled with items that his elder sister had once used, even the screen that had been stained by spilled tea.
His face turned pale, and with a trembling heart, he knelt at the doorway.
Hiding imperial items, even if they were stored in the outer treasury of the Qianqing Palace, was a violation of the rules, punishable by death without any chance of appeal.
His mind was in turmoil, unsure if his godfather had been implicated…
“I remember, today should be your elder sister’s birthday, right?” Kangxi asked calmly, without any intention of reprimanding.
Wei Zhu was momentarily stunned, then quickly kowtowed, “Your Majesty is correct.”
Fang He was born on the 13th of March, while Kangxi was born on the 18th.
He calmly lit three sticks of incense and placed them in the incense burner before the blank memorial tablet.
They had a connection, but it was a case of deep affection with shallow fate.
Fang He had never celebrated her birthday during her lifetime, and it was only after her death that he learned their birthdays were only five days apart.
“Go and stand guard outside,” Kangxi said indifferently.
Once Wei Zhu was stationed at the door, Kangxi gazed at the tablet with a calm expression, feeling as though he had much to say, but when he opened his mouth, he didn’t know where to begin.
When he finally spoke, his words sent a chill down Wei Zhu’s back, drenching him in cold sweat.
“Fang He, I… have let go. I’ve had your ashes removed from the mausoleum and scattered them on the mountain outside the capital.”
“You burrowed into my heart like a little mole, but you always longed for the outside world. I was the one who forced you to stay. It’s time to set you free.”
“I must admit, I’m still a bit unwilling. Sometimes I wish you had just run away, even if it was to hide and live a carefree life. At least in this lifetime, we…”
He paused briefly, a hint of a helpless smile appearing on his face.
“Even if you were still alive, given my position, I would still have to let you down in this life. So I’ve taken you out of the imperial mausoleum, setting you free. Perhaps you’ll remember me fondly, you little rascal. In our next life, when I’m no longer the emperor, we’ll continue our bond, alright?”
The incense smoke curled upward until the last wisp dissipated, and the chamber remained silent.
Kangxi nodded with a smile, “Since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take it as your agreement. I won’t dwell on you anymore, and I’ll look forward to meeting you in the next life.”
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