The day after the Banjin Festival, Xiaozhuang finally learned what Kangxi had in mind.
By mid-morning, just half an hour after the decree was delivered to Hongde Hall, Kangxi appointed Tang Bin, the Minister of Rites and Crown Prince’s tutor, as chief envoy and Wang Hao of the Hanlin Academy as deputy envoy to announce the decree at Fang He’s quarters.
Kangxi left the contents of Xiaozhuang’s decree unchanged, merely adding a few lines.
In addition to conferring the rank of pin, in recognition of her contributions in spreading medical knowledge, she was granted the title “Zhao” and was ordered to relocate to Yanxi Palace.
At this time, Yanxi Palace was not the Western-style structure Fang He had seen.
Like the other palaces in the Eastern Six Palaces, it was a traditional glazed-tile complex with a front and rear courtyard, five main halls, and three side halls.
The Yanxi Palace had remained unoccupied by any concubine simply because it was adjacent to the rear walls of Jingren Palace and Yuqing Palace, though its location was actually quite favorable.
Among the palaces currently available for imperial consorts, apart from Chengqian Palace, Yanxi Palace was the closest to the Qianqing Palace.
However, having been vacant for so long, the palace required renovations and couldn’t be occupied immediately.
Emperor Kangxi thus ordered Fang He to continue residing in the Qianqing Palace until the repairs to Yanxi Palace were completed, after which she would move.
Once the imperial decree was issued, both the court and the inner palace were stunned even more so than by the previous uproar caused by the Imperial Noble Consort.
The princes and ministers had initially been puzzled as to why the Tong family would assist the Imperial Noble Consort in targeting a widow who wasn’t even an official consort yet.
Now, they finally understood.
The title “Zhao” had never been used in this dynasty, though it had been employed in previous ones.
This title was typically reserved for high-ranking consorts, even Imperial Noble Consorts.
Apart from one instance during the Zhou dynasty, it had almost never been bestowed upon a consort of the fourth rank.
The inner palace, however, was shocked by the emperor’s overwhelming favor toward Fang He.
Even if Yanxi Palace needed repairs and couldn’t be occupied immediately, there had been similar situations in the past where temporary arrangements were made such as lodging in an unoccupied pavilion or the Western Three Palaces.
But who had ever heard of a newly titled consort continuing to reside in the emperor’s presence?
And with such a title, would the emperor even remember which way the doors of the other palaces opened in the future?
Not to mention how many handkerchiefs were torn to shreds with bitter tears in the inner palace, even Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang was left in disbelief.
“Has the emperor lost his mind? This self-deception of his…” Xiaozhuang seethed, slamming her teacup onto the low table.
“He might as well have directly granted Fang He the rank of Imperial Consort! Is he trying to ensure that the girl doesn’t live too long?”
With such an exceptional title and exclusive favor in the emperor’s presence, even the previous case of Lady Zhangjia paled in comparison.
For a moment, Xiaozhuang truly couldn’t decide which of the two-Fulin or Kangxi was the more willful ruler.
Sumala, her voice gentle, tried to console her:
“This servant believes that Zhao… Consort Zhao is a sensible one. After she attends to the emperor tonight, she’ll come to pay her respects tomorrow.”
“Your Majesty can speak to her carefully and persuade her to encourage the emperor to share his favor more evenly.”
Xiaozhuang scoffed.
“If anyone needs reprimanding, it’s the emperor for his foolishness!”
“Why should I, an old woman, throw my weight around and bully a consort into doing the empress’s job? Cleaning up after that scoundrel’s mess!”
Still, despite her angry words, Xiaozhuang had no desire to quarrel with Kangxi over Fang He again.
Back in Fulin’s time, he and Lady Dong’e hadn’t even shared much affection initially.
But after all their arguments, the two had become inseparable only to meet their end together.
After much deliberation, the only option was to let Fang He bear the brunt of it.
After all, she was the one who had caught the emperor’s eye.
In truth, the newly appointed Consort Zhao, now at the center of the storm, had no interest in this so-called favor and special treatment.
She instructed Chunlai to summon Cui Wei from the side chamber and whispered a few urgent instructions into her ear.
Then, with Chunlai in tow, she headed straight for Yuehua Gate.
Li Dequan, hearing the commotion, hurried over to stop her.
“Where is the Imperial Concubine going? His Majesty just gave orders that you are to serve his meal later.”
Now that Fang He had been conferred the title of Imperial Concubine, the attention she received wasn’t just a hot stove-it was practically a boiling pot of oil.
Naturally, he had to tread carefully, leaning in to whisper, “Today, my godfather specially instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare all your favorite dishes.”
“His Majesty didn’t ask for a low table. Later, Wei Zhu and I will guard the door for you…”
The rest went unsaid-Fang He understood.
After all, this was her first official night serving the Emperor, and it was also the day of her promotion.
Even Kangxi wouldn’t want to spoil her happiness.
But inwardly, Fang He scoffed.
Did she really care about those few bites of food?
The kitchen staff at Cining Palace already treated her like a living Bodhisattva.
Still, she put on a delighted expression and said with a smile, “Then I must thank you. Since I’ve received the Empress Dowager’s decree, and given my closeness with Her Majesty, I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to express my gratitude.”
“I’ll go now to thank her properly and show my devotion.”
Li Dequan breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as she wasn’t trying to run away, it was fine.
He bowed and saw her off.
“Then this servant will arrange a sedan chair for the Imperial Concubine. Go early and return early.”
“No need,” Fang He replied amiably.
“My sedan chair hasn’t been prepared yet, and I don’t like riding in one that others have used.”
“It’s just a short walk. I’ll go on foot.”
Li Dequan thought for a moment and agreed, not pressing further.
He hurried back to report Fang He’s whereabouts to Liang Jiugong.
What he didn’t realize was that Fang He had never actually promised to “return early.”
When Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang heard Yu Quangui’s report, she had just been about to take her afternoon nap and wondered if she had misheard.
“Who did you say is here?”
Yu Quangui replied, “Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Zhao says she has an urgent matter and requests an audience.”
For some reason, her recently recovered headache seemed to be returning.
She massaged her temples and waved a hand.
“Let her in.”
Fang He entered, quickly approached, performed a deep curtsey, flicked her handkerchief, and threw herself at Xiaozhuang’s kang, crying for help in one fluid motion, leaving no room for the Empress Dowager to speak.
She was a one-woman drama, pressing the handkerchief hard under her eyes as she gazed tearfully at Xiaozhuang.
“Your Majesty, please intervene! His Majesty’s affection is so overwhelming it feels life-threatening! This concubine truly can’t handle it!”
“According to palace rules, concubines are not permitted to stay overnight in the Qianqing Palace except for serving the Emperor, let alone live there daily.”
“If I were to accidentally encounter an outsider, even with eight hundred mouths, I wouldn’t be able to explain myself!”
“Please, Your Majesty, take me in! I want to live a little longer and bear you more great-grandchildren!”
She suspected this girl might indeed have eight hundred mouths.
She lowered her eyes slightly, studying Fang He’s expression.
“If you want children, you should stay in the Qianqing Palace. Wouldn’t more favor from the Emperor be better?”
Staying in Cining Palace would make it difficult for the Emperor to summon her.
Where would the children come from?
Fang He grumbled inwardly what good was conceiving if the child wouldn’t survive?
What benefit was there in staying at Qianqing Palace besides making enemies?
For one, she couldn’t even bring over the full retinue of attendants befitting her rank-there simply wasn’t enough space in the side chambers.
Secondly, everyone was staring at her belly.
She wasn’t the Monkey King who could conjure seventy-two clones to keep watch—if someone plotted against her, who would be to blame?
Moreover… now that she had entered the imperial harem, in Kangxi’s eyes, she had become a concubine who ought to serve him dutifully, and his expectations of her would only grow higher.
Oh, so before, he could neglect her as he pleased, and now he expected her to dutifully attend to him?
He sure knew how to dream.
She gazed at Empress Dowager with a faint smile.
“Your Majesty need not test me. If His Majesty truly favored me every day, and you gave even the slightest approval, I’d rush back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity without hesitation-I’d even tie him to my waist if I had to.”
Empress Dowager: “…”
She couldn’t help but laugh, tapping Fang He’s forehead.
“You! Such bold nonsense! Are you just waiting for a beating, is that it?”
Fang He looked up at her pitifully, her watery eyes silently pleading, “You wouldn’t dare, would you?”
It made Xiaozhuang’s palm itch with the urge to swat her, but she could only wave her hand helplessly.
“Fine, fine. Live wherever you please. Go tell Sumala to prepare the side hall for you-stop bothering me here and giving me a headache.”
Now that she held the rank of Noble Consort, it wouldn’t do for her to stay in the servant’s quarters anymore.
Xiaozhuang was quite satisfied with Fang He’s clear-headedness and propriety.
As for whether her grandson could find her… what did that have to do with her?
If she wasn’t allowed to interfere where she should, then she wouldn’t waste her energy worrying.
Thus, when Kangxi finally finished his duties and emerged from the Hall of Moral Cultivation, eagerly returning to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, he was met only with empty silence.
He raised a brow slightly but said nothing.
Liang Jiugong hurriedly explained, “Your Majesty, Noble Consort Zhao went to the Cining Palace to express her gratitude. I thought she’d be returning soon, so I had Li Dequan wait for her outside the Moonlight Gate.”
“Did I ask you?”
Kangxi shot him a cool glance before leisurely settling onto the divan and picking up a book of chess strategies.
Yet the text, which usually calmed his mind, failed to hold his attention this time.
Half an hour later, Kangxi’s patience had worn thin.
“Should be returning soon?”
He smirked coldly at Liang Jiugong.
“Did Li Dequan get lost at the Moonlight Gate?”
Liang Jiugong: “……I will go check at once!”
A sense of foreboding crept over him, though he couldn’t believe the little troublemaker would dare go this far.
Wiping cold sweat from his brow, he dashed toward the Gate.
Even in early winter, Li Dequan, wearing only a thin robe, was drenched in sweat from pacing anxiously.Â
Clearly, he had been circling the area for some time.
The moment he saw Liang Jiugong, he nearly burst into tears.
“Godfather… Noble Consort Zhao still hasn’t returned! I sent Qi Sanfu to keep watch, and he reported that no one has seen her leave the Cining Palace!”
Liang Jiugong’s heart sank.
Had the Empress Dowager detained her?
Considering the fanfare with which Kangxi had issued the decree, the title “Zhao,” and the decision to keep Fang He by his side for months…
Liang Jiugong realized Xiaozhuang might very well be displeased.
He rushed back to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility and knelt, head bowed, as he shared his suspicions.
Kangxi tapped his ring lightly against the low table, deep in thought.
“You said Noble Consort Zhao went to the Cining Palace of her own accord?”
Liang Jiugong confirmed in a hushed tone, “Li Dequan made certain-Her Ladyship said she wanted to show the Empress Dowager her sense of duty.”
Emperor Kangxi sneered coldly, “Her duty? Her duty is to defy the heavens?!”
If the Empress Dowager was truly angry, she would either summon the woman immediately after his edict or wait until after the imperial consort’s first night, when Fang He would go to pay respects the next morning.
No matter when the Empress Dowager chose to act, Kangxi was prepared.
That scoundrel wouldn’t wake up early anyway he could just go together after court.
Clearly, this wretch was deliberately avoiding him, refusing to perform her duties!
His hard-won composure, barely restored, shattered once more.
With a frosty expression, he stood abruptly and stormed out in a tempestuous rage.
If she refused to serve, plenty of others would!
Court would proceed as usual.
Since she dared openly humiliate the emperor, she should be prepared to face disgrace on what should have been her glorious day of promotion!
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Where are you going?” Chief Eunuch Liang Jiugong hurried after him, barely keeping up.
He probably understood what the emperor intended but didn’t dare interfere.
“Please wait, this servant will arrange the imperial sedan-ow!”
Before he could finish, Kangxi suddenly halted in the courtyard before Zhaoren Hall, causing Liang to crash into his back.
“Insolence!” Kangxi snapped coldly.
“Why prepare a sedan? Did I say I was leaving?”
“Are your eyes just for decoration? Can’t you see the hour? Do you mean to starve me?”
So were you planning to storm the imperial kitchens and bite the cooks?
He hastily slapped his own face in apology.
“This lowly servant presumes too much! I’ll have the meal served at once!”
“Forget it! The sight of your stupidity has killed my appetite. Prepare bathwater-I wish to cleanse myself!”
Why should he spite her by favoring others?
As if she deserved that consideration!
He refused to believe that without Fang He, he couldn’t sleep properly!
The next day, during the third watch, amidst the chaos in Zhaoren Hall, Kangxi spent a full hour and a half practicing martial arts with a cold expression before washing up for court.
Recently, with the diplomatic mission successfully dispatched, Kangxi had been unusually mild-tempered in court, reminiscent of his former gentle demeanor.
Encouraged by this, the ministers grew bolder in their speech.
Moreover, with the Harvest Festival just passed and His Majesty having acquired a new beauty… surely his nights had been pleasant.
The Six Ministers and many officials decided this was the perfect morning to bring up matters they’d previously withheld for fear of angering the emperor.
None expected that the moment Mingzhu stepped forward to present the messy accounts left by the Ministry of Revenue’s assistance to the Court of Colonial Affairs regarding Korea, Kangxi would unleash a torrent of abuse.
“A year-old matter, and you bring it to me now? Why not wait until I’m dead and burn it as an offering?”
“How many times must I say it? The Great Qing is mighty, while Korea is but a speck. Yet you keep tolerating their insolence—what use are you if you ignore my words?”
“Can’t even handle such a simple task, yet they call you ‘Minister Ming’? If that thing on your shoulders is only good for eating and drinking, have it removed and let someone competent take over!”
Yinzhi, newly married and brimming with ambition, had been striving daily to match the Crown Prince’s standing.
Today, for the first time, he felt genuine gratitude toward the heir apparent thank heavens the Crown Prince stood in front of him.
Yinzhi shrank his neck, trying to make the Crown Prince shield his entire body, not daring to plead for his uncle’s mercy in the slightest.
At the forefront, Crown Prince Yinreng remained oblivious to Yinzhi’s movements, fighting the urge to wipe his face.
Though separated from the imperial throne by nine white jade steps, he could almost feel the spray of his father’s furious spittle hitting his face.
As for Nalan Mingzhu, who was bearing the brunt of the scolding, his face cycled between green and pale, nearly dazed by the verbal onslaught.
He couldn’t possibly admit that the silver had been used to bribe the Koreans to spread rumors within their own court, pressuring their king into a rash mistake and giving the Qing Dynasty a pretext for intervention.
Such matters could be discussed in private, but if word got out, it would disgrace the empire.
Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal.
Emperor Kangxi would have just laughed it off with a few scolding remarks, knowingly ordering the Ministry of Revenue to write off the dubious expense-perhaps even skimming a little for himself…
But today, something was off.
Had Consort Zhao failed to please him last night?
At this moment, the court officials were slower to receive news than the imperial harem.
Nearly every consort in the palace had learned early that morning that Fang He hadn’t returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity the previous night she had been kept in the Cining Palace.
And today happened to be the day for morning greetings.
Apart from the seriously ill Imperial Noble Consort, even Noble Consort Niohuru, who had been secluded recently, and Consort Rong, devoted to her prayers, had readied themselves before dawn.
As if by prior agreement, all consorts of rank and above arrived early at the Cining Palace, sharpening their claws in preparation to kick someone while they were down.