As the storm raged fiercely over the river, undercurrents of tension swirled within the main cabin on the second deck of the dragon boat.
Li Dequan and Wei Zhu stood guard outside the door, while only Liang Jiugong attended inside the cabin.
Zhao Chang, who had been absent for a long time, knelt on the floor, reporting in a low voice.
“Your servant has investigated the Qin family and found nothing unusual.”
“Qin’s wife is the second daughter of Wei Chengmin, an official of the Imperial Academy. They have been married for nine years and have a son and a daughter, along with two maids who have not borne any children.”
“Qin Xinrong entered the palace in August in the fifteenth year. Due to his exceptional medical skills and cautious nature, he was recommended by the former chief physician to become an imperial physician. In his eleven years in the palace, he has never been involved with any of the imperial concubines.”
“During his duties, he occasionally sent his apprentices to the imperial kitchen to buy pastries with silver, but given his reputation as a gourmet outside the palace, this behavior is understandable.”
Kangxi calmly wrote “read” on the memorial with lowered eyes, set down the vermilion brush, and finally spoke.
“Has he confessed anything?”
Zhao Chang replied, “Your Majesty, Qin Xinrong only pleads innocence, insisting that the Imperial Medical Bureau has never dared to meddle in the affairs of the inner palace.”
“Even when taking pulse readings, unless there are clear symptoms, he would never speak out of turn. Even if the concubines occasionally felt unwell, he would mostly prescribe mild remedies.”
“Since the nineteenth year, when he began serving Your Majesty directly, he claims to have devoted himself entirely to Your Majesty’s health. When diagnosing others, he became even more cautious, fearing any misunderstanding that might lead to accusations of leaking confidential matters.”
“Considering that the women in the palace are generally weaker than those outside, he did not report the matter regarding Lady Zha Sihu.”
Given the methods of the secret guards, if Qin Xinrong could still maintain his story, Zhao Chang believed his words might indeed be true.
Perhaps Qin Xinrong truly believed that avoiding trouble was better than inviting it, which was why he remained silent.
But Kangxi did not believe it.
He had ordered Cao Yin to interrogate Lady Liang thoroughly.
Even if Fang He had not been struck by that arrow, her health had already been severely compromised.
Under such circumstances, if she had become pregnant, the chances of her surviving childbirth would have been less than one in ten.
For women in the palace qualified to receive medical examinations, bearing imperial heirs was of utmost importance.
Such negligence could not simply be dismissed as caution.
Initially, Kangxi suspected Qin Xinrong might be an agent of the Empress Dowager, but for the same reason, he dismissed the idea.
The Grand Empress Dowager valued imperial heirs even more than he did.
Had she known of this, she would never have entertained the thought of keeping Fang He in the palace.
The cold fury in Kangxi’s eyes remained undiminished.
“Send men back to the capital immediately. Arrest all members of the Qin family and bring them, along with Qin Xinrong, to the detached palace for further interrogation.”
He had never believed in evidence that could not be extracted-it was merely a matter of how ruthless one was willing to be.
The thought that even if Fang He remained in the palace, she would one day die before his eyes only deepened Kangxi’s murderous intent.
“If he refuses to confess, start with his elderly father. Skin them one by one in front of him!”
“If even that fails to move him, there’s no need for further interrogation. Bury them all together.”
Zhao Chang kowtowed briskly.
“As you command, Your Majesty! This servant will see to it at once!”
As he rose to leave, Li Dequan’s voice rang out from outside, “Ah, greetings, my lady! The rain is still pouring what brings you here at this hour?”
In an instant, the murderous aura on Kangxi’s face vanished.
He gestured toward the window at Zhao Chang.
That sharp-eyed bastard had a mind that worked differently from others.
If she saw Zhao Chang appearing here, who knew what she might think.
Before the mishap in the imperial presence was fully investigated, he didn’t want Fang He to hear any news about Qin Xinrong.
“I’ve come to pay my respects to His Majesty. There’s an urgent matter I need to discuss with him,” Fang He said with a smile to Li Dequan.
“Would one of you kindly go in and announce me?”
She didn’t even ask if the Emperor was currently receiving anyone.
The first rule of being a favored concubine was to avoid overlapping with others there were already plenty of considerate people in the palace, and she didn’t need to add to them.
Wei Zhu, naturally siding with his own sister, was about to turn and enter when the cabin door opened.
Liang Jiugong bowed with a smile, “Please come in, miss. His Majesty is expecting you.”
“Grandpa Liang, is His Majesty seeing anyone at the moment?” Fang He, instead of moving, just smiled and asked.
Liang Jiugong gave a wry smile, “Miss, you flatter this servant. There’s only His Majesty and me inside…”
Fang He waved to Chunlai, signaling for them all to wait outside, and casually pulled Liang Jiugong out with her.
“Alright, then it’s just me and His Majesty now. I need to have a little private chat with him. Grandpa Liang, why don’t you enjoy the rain outside?”
Liang Jiugong: “……”
He strained his ears but heard no reprimand from the Emperor, knowing this was tacit permission.
Clicking his tongue inwardly, he retreated to a corner to lie down.
Listen to the rain?
As if!
If only this ancestor could make it rain inside the cabin, then he might actually have some interest in listening.
Being constantly at the Emperor’s side, any rare free time was better spent resting.
Fang He entered the cabin alone, this time remembering her manners.
She gracefully flicked her handkerchief and curtsied, but rose before Kangxi could even speak.
Kangxi, solemnly reviewing memorials, didn’t look up, though the sound made him unable to resist scolding her.
“Your manners are truly regressing. It’s only because I indulge you that you get away with this. If you act like this in front of the Empress Dowager or the Empress, you’ll surely get a beating.”
Fang He thought to herself, here we go again, with his feudal-style lecture.
She giggled and sidled up to Kangxi, deciding to fight lecture with her own lecture.
“Well, I don’t act like this in front of others. It’s because I trust you that I’m so relaxed. Others wouldn’t even get to see this side of me.”
Kangxi: “……”
So I should thank you for being so audacious?
“If you have something to say, say it. Don’t waste my time…”
Before he could finish, Fang He grabbed his sleeve and gave it a light shake.
“There really is something urgent. I need Your Majesty’s advice.”
Unable to continue writing, Kangxi had no choice but to set down his vermilion brush and lift his eyes to glance at her.
Fang He: “Zha Sanniu was married for three years before her husband died. Even without children, there’s no way she could still be a virgin, right?”
She looked innocently at Kangxi, leaning in to whisper, “Your Majesty, what do you think? Should we… discuss the facts of life? Outside the palace, as a man, I’ve learned quite a bit…”
Wasn’t it her turn to be the teacher now?
Before leaving the palace, she’d already prepared a hands-on lesson plan.
Kangxi’s heart suddenly stirred, and he pulled Fang He onto his lap.
“Is this your way of seeking favor?”
Fang He: “……”
Seek favor my foot!
She pushed away Kangxi’s attempt to kiss her and puffed out her cheeks.
“The identity Your Majesty gave me if you don’t see a problem with it, then neither do I.”
“If anyone asks later, I’ll just say I lost my memory and blame it all on you!”
Kangxi was amused by her words, chuckling softly as he pulled her close.
Before Fang He could tug at his ears, he captured her lips, pressing a light kiss upon them.
Then, swiftly dodging her hands, he teased with a smirk, “You always say I don’t know how to speak properly. Now let me taste what it’s like when this little mouth of yours gets stubborn!”
Fang He blinked.
Well, the taste probably wasn’t any worse than this infuriating man before her.
Unfazed, she met his gaze calmly.
“Just tell me are you willing or not?”
A fire had already ignited within Kangxi.
Of course he was willing-he’d long wanted to devour this vexing woman whole.
Better yet, he’d keep her trapped behind the bed curtains forever, so she could never escape.
But after holding back for so long, now that he had the upper hand, even an emperor couldn’t resist a bit of smugness.
With a lazy smile, he traced the curve of her waist and asked, “If you beg me, I’ll naturally help you with this little problem.”
“There’s something I didn’t want to say, but now I think Your Majesty ought to know.”
Fang He leaned in, cupping his face, their noses almost touching as she stared into his eyes.
“Sometimes, when someone gives you a way out, you should take it while you can. Otherwise, when the chance is gone, you’ll just end up scolding others for being unruly. And it’s not like I have no choice but to beg you.”
Kangxi laughed in exasperation, his grip tightening in warning.
“Who else would you beg?”
Her delicate fingertip tapped lightly against his chest.
“Why beg anyone? This servant has a stubborn streak. A jade phallus can solve any problem-Ah!”
Kangxi suddenly stood, lifting her by the waist and striding toward the bedchamber, startling Fang He.
She glared at him.
“Must you scare me half to death?”
He smirked coldly.
“I can scare you to death in other ways. Say one more word, and I’ll let you experience it firsthand!”
Fang He: “……”
Before she could finish cursing the Aisin-Gioro ancestors, she was tossed into the golden-yellow bed curtains.
Though it wasn’t yet dark, the rain cast the canopy in dim shadows, the sound of the downpour lending a strangely cozy atmosphere.
Used to being thrown around, she instinctively tried to roll away-only to be pinned beneath his solid arms and chest, unable to move an inch.
A scorching breath brushed against the back of her ear as his hands slid over her.
With a sharp rip, her pale blue satin robe was torn to shreds and discarded off the bed.
In her past life, Fang He would’ve thrilled at the excitement, eagerly anticipating what came next.
But now, her heart pounded wildly if things went on like this, she really might die here.
By the time her undergarments were stripped away, leaving only the blue-edged bellyband embroidered with auspicious clouds, she was flipped onto her back.
Desperate, she clung to Kangxi.
“Your Majesty, I-I still have something to say!”
He silenced her with a deep kiss, his voice rough and muffled against her lips.
“I don’t want to hear this mouth speak. I know how to handle affairs of the flesh!”
Fang He: “….”
Just what kind of “handling” are we talking about here?!
Emperor Kangxi, who practiced martial arts year-round, exerted just enough force to render Fang He powerless to resist as she was dressed in the emperor’s new attire while he himself remained fully clothed, making her heart race even more.
She withdrew her hands to shield herself, her voice softening into a whimper.
“Your Majesty, your clothes are chafing me… Let me help you change first…”
Kangxi indulged shamelessly in the sight of her jade-like skin against the height of summer, the flush on her cheeks so vivid it seemed to stain his very gaze.
Though his body ached with tension, his heart felt as refreshed as if he had drunk chilled nectar.
She had come to him willingly this time and he would no longer let her lead him by the nose.
One hand covered her trembling lashes, savoring the rhythm of her shuddering pulse, while the other played a melody amidst the sound of rain.
Liang Jiugong had barely closed his eyes when Wei Zhu rushed into the side chamber, his face flushed and pale with an odd urgency.
“Chief Eunuch Liang, you must come quickly! Dinner isn’t for another two hours, but inside… inside, it’s raining!”
Liang Jiugong froze.
Rain indoors?
The craftsmen responsible for building the dragon boat wouldn’t live to see another day. Oh My God!
He nearly tumbled out of bed in his haste, steadying his hat as he staggered to his feet and dashed out before he could even regain his balance.
“Hurry! Tell all the attendants to stay far away-no one is to approach His Majesty except you and Li Dequan!”
Chunlai, her face burning red, stepped forward.
“What about me?”
Liang Jiugong lowered his voice.
“Go prepare water! None of us have your strength-we can’t exactly send those lazy oafs from the deck!”
Chunlai’s eyes widened in understanding before she turned and sprinted toward the imperial kitchens.
By the time Liang Jiugong, panting, reached the door, the muffled gasps inside were heavier than his own breath.
He sighed in relief-thank goodness dinner was still two hours away.
Otherwise, if the lanterns remained unlit, the surrounding boats would notice, and no one could keep this secret.
Behind the shifting shadows of the bed curtains, Kangxi kept his gaze fixed on Fang He’s expression.
Her restless hands were trapped effortlessly beneath his palm, leaving her with no choice but to squeeze her eyes shut, her breath hitching uncontrollably between her lips.
This sight was new to him.
In the past, he had cared only for his own pleasure.
This was the first time he had sought to please another and the way she responded left him burning and freezing in equal measure.
He didn’t dislike this torment.
As emperor, endurance was his greatest skill.
When that infuriating little mouth finally gasped for air and her legs began to kick in protest, Kangxi changed into fresh attire and buried himself in his own evening feast.
Fang He, now thoroughly sated, lay lazily without the slightest urge to move-even feeling the impulse to push him away and roll over to sleep.
After all, rainy days and naps were a perfect match.
But this storm had only just begun.
A sensation between pain and pleasure sent Fang He’s head jerking back against the wall of the imperial bed, drawing a whimper from her lips.
She tried to push him away, but her flailing hands were caught once more, leaving her at the mercy of the storm-gentle at first, then growing fiercer, until even the bed curtains trembled faintly.
Between sobs, she peered out through tear-blurred eyes past the solid arms caging her.
The window was left slightly ajar, offering only a hazy glimpse of the tempest outside-now raging, now drizzling, as if about to end, yet never quite ceasing.
She was so angry she wanted to bite someone, but too exhausted to move.
Collapsing onto the pillow with choked sobs as she called out every name she could think for help.
Emperor, Majesty, Brother, Sanlang… even improper endearments spilled from her hoarse throat, only to be ruthlessly coaxed into louder cries by that scoundrel.
By the time the storm finally subsided, Fang He didn’t even notice when Liang Jiugong had entered to light the lamps.
Had her shameless cries been heard by everyone?
Burying her damp face into the pillow, she silently cursed the Aisin-Gioro ancestors while still tangled in the heavy breaths and lingering heat at her ear.
Kangxi’s mood, however, was entirely different from Fang He’s.
The fruit he had carefully nurtured and regained was even sweeter than he remembered.
Perhaps it was because he had lost her that his initial fondness had deepened into genuine affection.
Yet what truly kept him enthralled was her uncontainable vitality-even behind the bed curtains, she was unlike anyone else.
At the storm’s fiercest moment, he even felt that she opened her mouth as if she had nearly sucked away his very soul.
When his senses finally returned, the joy in his heart rivaled the pleasure in his body.
Wrapping Fang He in his dragon robe to bathe, Kangxi wore an unmistakable smile, unbothered by Liang Jiugong’s unpermitted entry to light the lamps.
After washing, he still held her close, caressing her flushed cheeks with clear intent for another round.
Fang He, sore and limp on the couch, caught the predatory glint in his eyes and wished she had the strength to kick him.
Quickly covering her stomach, she rasped, “I’m hungry!”
Kangxi wasn’t in a hurry, he was no reckless youth, and the journey back to the capital was long.
With a chuckle, he ordered, “Liang Jiugong, did you hear?”
Recognizing his master’s good mood, Liang Jiugong cheerfully acknowledged and hurried to arrange the meal.
The others, except Fang He, wore knowing smiles-even Wei Zhu.
But Wei Zhu and Chunlai, seeing Fang He slumped weakly over the table, worried she had been injured during her first night.
Kangxi himself tightened his embrace, murmuring at her ear, “Shall I summon the imperial physician?”
Fang He: “……”
Examine what?
There wasn’t a single untouched spot left on her!
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