Fang He first invited Chunlai to eat with her, and without waiting for her to pick up her chopsticks, she heartily took a few bites of the fish.
She had left in a hurry and hadn’t eaten breakfast, only having some snacks on the boat, saving her appetite for this indulgence.
Once she had some food in her stomach, she smiled at Qiao Xiaoyuan and said, “Sit down. Today, I came back specifically to apologize to you.”
“Chunlai, help him. He can’t see clearly.”
Chunlai stepped forward and helped Qiao Xiaoyuan sit down across from Fang He.
Fang He poured wine for both of them, raised her glass, and clinked it against Qiao Xiaoyuan’s.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have provoked you just because your cooking was delicious,” she said frankly, admitting her own misbehavior.
“I know your heart is fully devoted to cooking, but I took advantage of my position as the boss to test whether there was room in your heart for me…”
Qiao Xiaoyuan refused Chunlai’s help, slowly found his wine glass, and drank it all in one go.
He smiled apologetically in Fang He’s direction, “I’m also sorry to the boss. I… I don’t know how to do anything except cook…”
He didn’t know how to care for people or show concern.
So, although he felt a bit lost when the boss left, he didn’t blame Fang He at all.
Instead, he hoped the boss could meet someone who would truly care for and cherish her.
Fang He smiled without saying a word, only sighing inwardly.
The reason she had been so shameless as to demand interest before even determining the outcome was precisely because he didn’t know how to do anything.
He was almost twenty years old, yet in this world, he was still as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.
He didn’t even know how to use his tongue when kissing, and his face would turn as red as an apple when he brushed against the corner of her lips…
Who doesn’t have a bit of a guiding complex?
The more she saw this, the more she didn’t want to see Qiao Xiaoyuan left alone.
He could choose to only love cooking, but he should make that choice after experiencing the beauty of the world.
“Xiao Qiao, I hope you can meet a woman who treats you well and makes you happy, someone you can marry and have children with.”
Qiao Xiaoyuan suddenly lowered his head, his face flushing red as he waved his hands.
“I… I’m fine alone, but if the boss wants me to try, I… I’ll try…”
Fang He couldn’t help but laugh, and even Chunlai was amused by Qiao Xiaoyuan’s obvious denial.
After laughing, Fang He still spoke seriously, “This isn’t an order. I just hope you’ll give it a try.”
“There are many beautiful things in this world besides cooking. If you can meet a woman who will stay by your side for a lifetime, keeping the stove warm and the bed cozy, I would be very happy.”
Qiao Xiaoyuan understood the meaning behind Fang He’s words, and his eyes slightly reddened.
Years ago, his entire family had suffered a disaster, and only he was picked up by his master.
His master never cared about his feelings, only focusing on his cooking.
Later, when his master passed away, he was tricked into selling himself.
No one had ever told him that his happiness would bring her joy.
He nodded earnestly and said:
“Boss, don’t worry. If I ever have a child, I’ll still sell myself to you and have them cook for your children!”
Fang He and Chunlai:”…..”
With a father like you, maybe it’s better not to.
Fang He’s future child, whether a prince or princess, would need to be castrated if they wanted to cook for them!
After Fang He had eaten and drunk her fill, and after calming the people in the inn, she handed over Qiao Xiaoyuan’s matter to Madam Liang.
Seeing that it was getting late, she could only bid everyone a reluctant farewell.
Although traveling by boat was fast, it still took an hour to reach Jiangning.
By the time she returned to the Cao family’s villa, it was already dark.
But as soon as she reached the main courtyard’s entrance, she was stopped by Li Dequan.
Li Dequan was smiling strangely, with an awkwardness mixed into his expression.
“Miss, His Majesty has asked you to stay in the side room. I’ve already had it cleaned up. What do you think…?”
Fang He thought to herself, with Li Dequan’s exaggerated acting, if she didn’t ask, this guy might burst into tears, right?
She deliberately raised an eyebrow, “Don’t I need to pay my respects to His Majesty?”
Li Dequan immediately said, “Consort De is currently attending to His Majesty, so it’s really inconvenient for you to enter, miss.”
Fang He’s expression instantly turned cold.
She glanced indifferently at the tightly shut door, let out a light scoff, and turned to leave.
“Miss…” Li Dequan hurriedly called out to stop her.
“What? Are you going to make me stand here and keep watch all night?” Fang He retorted impatiently, her voice icy.
Li Dequan’s awkwardness now felt much more genuine.
He shifted slightly to the side.
“The side room is this way. You’re heading toward the backyard.”
Fang He: “…”
So, he’s sleeping with his concubine and wants me to stay next door?
Afraid I won’t hear anything, is that it?
Under Chunlai’s gaze, which was both amused and worried, Fang He stormed into the side room.
She sat on the bed, staring at Chunlai with a distant look.
“Don’t just stand there. Go get someone to fetch me some water. I need to bathe and sleep, so I don’t hear any… inappropriate noises!”
Chunlai, not daring to provoke Fang He’s bad mood, quickly went to arrange things as instructed.
Wei Zhu seized the opportunity and entered with a food box.
Fang He quickly stood up, pressed her ear to the door, and after confirming there was no movement outside, she relaxed and eagerly waved Wei Zhu over.
She whispered, “Come here, come here! Tell me, how’s our business doing?”
“And, did my silver really get buried in the imperial mausoleum?”
“Do you know how many steps it takes to dig up a tomb in the imperial mausoleum?”
Wei Zhu, who had come specifically to comfort Fang He after seeing her storm back to her room:”…..”
Well, he wasn’t the least bit surprised.
If his sister cared about the Emperor, why would she have run away in the first place?
But these questions of hers were truly nerve-wracking.
He quickly replied, “The business is doing well. I’ve saved up over six hundred taels of silver. If you need it, I’ll give it to you when we return to the capital.”
“As for the other matters, sister, don’t think about them anymore. Didn’t you promise me you’d be careful? His Majesty’s authority is growing stronger by the day. No one in the court or the harem dares to defy him lightly…”
His expression grew slightly complicated as he paused.
“Since you can’t leave the palace now, if you want to survive well in the harem, you’ll need to be even more cautious than before. Even if you don’t care about gaining favor, you still need to think about the little princes and princesses.”
Fang He’s expression remained calm.
“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
It’s true that as a palace maid, being cautious was necessary, because aside from Kangxi’s fleeting interest, she had nothing.
One misstep, and anyone could have her killed.
But now it’s different.
She’s the legitimate daughter of the prestigious Zasihuli clan from Shengjing.
She entered the palace first as a guest, then as a consort.
If she continued to be overly cautious, she’d only be bullied to death.
If she’s going to do this, she’ll do it as a favored consort.
Which favored consort in history was ever modest and restrained?
“Now, tell me carefully, what’s the current situation in the palace…”
Seeing that Fang He had a plan and noticing that she no longer seemed as restless and uncertain as she had been in the palace, Wei Zhu didn’t say more.
Before Chunlai returned, he carefully explained everything he could and couldn’t say, focusing on the key points.
A while later, Chunlai returned, but instead of bringing hot water, she brought Liang Jiugong with her.
“Oh, so you really want me to keep watch all night?” Fang He’s eyebrows instantly shot up.
Having stayed in the inn for so long, her acting skills seemed to have improved significantly.
“Liang Anda, don’t rush. Let me wash off this filth first. At least I won’t stink up His Majesty and Consort De and ruin their… amorous mood.”
Liang Jiugong was both amused and exasperated.
“My lady, please don’t jest with this servant. Consort De merely came to serve His Majesty during his meal and to discuss matters concerning the little princess and prince. She has already left.”
Fang He sat firmly on the bed, unmoving.
“Oh, so she’s eaten? But I’m still hungry and have no energy to serve His Majesty.”
Liang Jiugong smiled and said, “His Majesty guessed you’d return hungry and specifically ordered dishes to be kept for you. He invites you to join him for the meal.”
Fang He thought for a moment.
Arguing with Liang Jiugong here was pointless.
She sniffed her clothes the smell of spicy grilled fish had mostly faded and decisively stood up.
“Let’s go.”
Upon entering, Fang He saw the eight dishes laid out on a small table and was genuinely angered.
She turned to leave.
“Stop!” Kangxi frowned and barked at her unruly behavior.
“Do you want to lose your backside if others see you acting so improperly?”
Fang He stood at the door, sneering.
“Making me eat your leftovers is one thing, but having me eat at a small table? If you want to humiliate me, why not just scold me outright or make me watch a live show? Why waste food like this!”
Kangxi’s expression darkened.
He had summoned Consort De initially out of anger, but his main purpose was to confirm something… something he didn’t want others to know.
If it weren’t for Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan bowing and scraping to stop her, Fang He would have truly left.
Seeing that she seemed genuinely upset, Kangxi’s anger inexplicably subsided.
He chuckled, stood up, and walked over to pull her back.
“Palace rules dictate that even consorts must stand while serving meals. Being allowed to eat at a small table is already a great honor. If you were to dine normally in front of the emperor, it would cause trouble for you if word got out. Besides, my main purpose wasn’t to have you come for a meal.”
Seeing Fang He purse her lips in silence, Kangxi helplessly pulled her to sit on the soft couch and had the dishes placed on the low table beside it.
This, at least, didn’t break any rules.
“I haven’t touched any of these dishes. Weren’t you just accusing me of skimping on your meals? From now on, I’ll have the imperial kitchen prepare this many dishes for you three times a day, so you’ll remember my kindness.”
Fang He had already eaten a large plate of grilled fish and wasn’t hungry.
Hearing this, she snorted and pouted, still unwilling to pick up her chopsticks.
She was here to play the jealous concubine, and if she didn’t make a scene now, when would she?
It would be a shame not to fill the vinegar jar after all this drama in front of the emperor.
Liang Jiugong, watching the atmosphere grow tense, was anxious and whispered a reminder, “Miss, from now on, your meals will consist of eight dishes per meal…”
“Enough!” Kangxi lightly kicked him, causing Liang Jiugong to yelp and retreat, slapping his own mouth in embarrassment.
Fang He hadn’t fully grasped the situation yet, but seeing Kangxi’s expression, waiting for her to admit her mistake, she suddenly understood.
Oh, so a concubine of the first rank gets one meat and one vegetable dish, a concubine of the second rank gets two meat and one vegetable dish, a noble consort gets four dishes, and a consort gets eight dishes.
Was he promoting her to the rank of consort?
Kangxi’s kindness… was rather cutting.
She picked up her chopsticks and stuffed a piece of braised mandarin fish into her mouth, muttering, “So I’ve just plummeted from the rank of noble consort to consort in one fell swoop.”
Living like this is worse than death.
Is this dog forcing her to die?
What a malicious intent!
She bit into a piece of water bamboo with such ferocity, as if she were gnawing on someone’s flesh, chewing it with a loud crunch.
Kangxi:”…..”
Liang Jiugong, Li Dequan, and Chunlai almost burst out laughing.
It seemed that ever since this ancestor returned, the imperial court had suddenly become much livelier.
Kangxi pinched her cheek in annoyance.
“When the Guo Luoluo clan first entered the palace, she was merely a low-ranking concubine. Even after the Uya clan gave birth to a prince, she was only promoted to a noble. You, a widow, entered the palace directly as a consort without any merit of saving the emperor. Be content with what you have!”
Fang He quickly pulled his hand away, exclaiming, “Ouch! Just talk, why do you have to pinch me? My saliva is about to fall into the bowl!”
Kangxi sneered, “You’re the one who even dares to rinse dishes, and now you’re being picky?”
“What, are the rural inns more refined than the palace? Should I just have everyone castrated before entering the palace then?”
Fang He slammed her chopsticks on the table with a loud ‘thud,’ startling Liang Jiugong and the others.
It wasn’t fear of her, but fear of Kangxi’s face darkening at her bold reaction.
Liang Jiugong waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.
Chunlai and Li Dequan quickly stepped out to stand guard.
Just as Liang Jiugong was holding his breath, Fang He suddenly flashed a flattering smile at Kangxi.
“Actually, there’s something I wanted to tell you last night, but my butt hurt so much that I forgot.”
“Nobody’s stopping you from speaking!” Kangxi shot her a sidelong glance, wondering if he hadn’t punished her enough last night, allowing her to become so audacious that she was practically stepping on his head.
Fang He glanced at Liang Jiugong, who hesitated for a moment before also stepping outside.
Only then did Fang He lean over the low table and whisper to Kangxi, “Actually, after kissing Qiao Xiaoyuan, I realized that Your Majesty’s lips are much softer. I’ve dreamed about it several times.”
Of course, the softest were still her ex-boyfriend’s lips.
Because the soup she drank was so nourishing, she dreamed about it even more, to the point where she began to suspect she was a bit of a pervert.
Not just her, even Kangxi looked at her in disbelief, wondering if this scoundrel had truly spent time among bandits.
How dare she, how dare she compare him to some country bumpkin…
Oh, but Fang He had even more audacity.
She slowly got up from the couch, took a few steps back, squatted down, and looked up at him with sparkling, mischievous eyes.
Her words came out quickly, “It’s a pity that Your Majesty’s soft lips never speak soft words. Even when trying to please someone, you only know how to wield a knife. I’ve had enough vinegar for today, so I’ll take my leave!”
With that, she turned and dashed out.
Thankfully, she wasn’t yet a concubine.
Once she wore those platform shoes, she wouldn’t be able to run like this.
“Ah! I was wrong, I was wrong… Mmm!”
Liang Jiugong and the others heard the muffled cry from inside and couldn’t help but strain their ears, but they didn’t catch any proper words after that.
All they heard were some unusual wet sounds, followed by slapping noises, and then heavy breathing…
Before Chunlai’s face could even flush, there was the sound of a chair toppling over and the emperor’s muffled groan, followed by another round of slapping, this time with a different rhythm and intensity.
The group exchanged bewildered glances.
The imperial court had never witnessed such complex sounds before.
Were they fighting like demons… or was it something else?
Should they prepare bandages or hot water?!