A steady stream of rewards flowed from the Cining Palace to the Tousuo Hall.
Though both palaces were closer to the front court, news quickly spread throughout the rear palace, reaching every servant and eunuch.
Regardless of how jealous the imperial consorts might feel, the Imperial Household Department reacted fastest.
Chief Eunuch Liu Fusheng personally delivered Fang He’s monthly allowance for the first month of the year, bringing along luxurious fabrics and dazzling jewelry far exceeding a concubine’s usual provisions.
Yet Chief Liu acted as if blind to the extravagance, beaming like a flower as he bowed deeply before Fang He.
“His Majesty specifically ordered that you not be slighted. Some items couldn’t be sent to the Grand Buddha Hall to avoid disturbing the Buddha’s peace, so we’ve kept them all for your selection-nothing improper here.”
From Cui Wei to Wei Zhu, even including four of Xinhe’s more prominent attendants like Chen Shun, all wore joyful expressions, as if the Tousuo Hall was just beginning its New Year celebrations.
But Fang He showed no trace of happiness.
After a brief glance, she waved her hand dismissively, her tone cool.
“Take them all back. Plain items will suffice.”
Cui Wei’s smile froze abruptly, while Chunlai remained expressionless, respectfully supporting the newly ennobled Consort Zhao as she entered the hall-giving her mistress space to retreat and nurse her heartache.
Chief Liu, startled, quickly slipped a lightweight purse to Wei Zhu.
He whispered, “What does this mean? Is Her Ladyship dissatisfied with the provisions? Should I bring alternatives?”
Wei Zhu himself didn’t understand.
Though his elder sister usually prized wealth-often visiting the treasury for no reason and emerging with visible delight-he wouldn’t undermine her dignity before outsiders.
Assuming an air of mystery, he shook his head.
“Our mistress remains devoted to praying for the imperial family’s blessings. She’s never been one for extravagance. Simply follow her instructions.”
“Though wrongfully accused, Her Ladyship finds comfort in the Grand Buddha Hall’s serenity. Her sincere devotion continues even now- such gaudy items naturally offend her pious eyes.”
Failing to glean more information, Chief Liu left the Tousuo Hall with uneasy steps.
Instead of returning to the Imperial Household Department, he headed straight for the Qianqing Palace.
This was a personage Liang Jiu had warned required careful handling.
Having bungled the assignment-regardless of reason—he needed to report before the Emperor inquired.
Watching Liu Fusheng depart, Wei Zhu secretly wiped sweat, fearing he’d elevated his sister’s image too loftily.
If the kitchens heard… would they stop preparing meat dishes?
If his sister’s cravings returned, she might well roast him alive.
Guiltily scurrying inside, he unexpectedly stumbled upon truth-Fang He sat cross-legged at a low table, copying scriptures.
She’d even changed into an exceptionally plain cyan qipao without any patterns, less vibrant than the dresses worn by Cui Wei and Chunlai.
The two maids stood nearby with peculiar expressions—one lighting incense, the other sewing what appeared to be meditation cushions.
Wei Zhu: “……”
Was his sister preparing to take monastic vows?
Not daring to disturb her, he crept toward Cui Wei and whispered, “What’s happening?”
Cui Wei’s eyes flickered as she murmured back, “Her Ladyship found such peace in the Grand Buddha Hall that she’s decided to continue spiritual cultivation here-devoutly praying for the imperial family until she completes ten copies of the Lotus Sutra.”
Wei Zhu was stunned.
If he remembered correctly, the Lotus Sutra consisted of seven volumes totaling twenty-seven books!
He wished he could slap himself.
Had his careless words been overheard by his elder sister?
By lunchtime, Fang He indeed avoided meat dishes, eating only vegetarian food—and even then, not much.
After resting, she resumed copying the sutras.
Wei Zhu was on the verge of tears.
He shuffled over to Fang He with a miserable expression and asked, “Sister, did I cause trouble for you? It’s all my fault for speaking out of turn!”
As he spoke, he began slapping his own face, startling Fang He, who had been focused on her calligraphy.
She quickly stopped him.
“What trouble could you possibly have caused me?” Fang He looked genuinely puzzled.
“No, what trouble could be worse than what I’ve stirred up?”
Wei Zhu blinked, his eyes red.
“Aren’t you copying sutras and abstaining from meat because of what I said?”
Fang He burst into laughter.
Seeing Wei Zhu’s pitiful expression, she bit her lip to keep from laughing harder, afraid she might make him cry.
“Well… I’m copying the sutras to deepen my understanding of more profound knowledge.”
The poetry in the Lotus Sutra was said to contain great wisdom-beautiful and capable of bringing blessings.
Having repeatedly failed to grasp the suggestive poetry Kangxi liked to flaunt, she didn’t want to remain half-illiterate.
This was the perfect opportunity to improve.
As for the vegetarian diet…
“Did Cui Wei not tell you? Fule adjusted my prescription recently, and avoiding meat is most effective.”
Cui Wei and Chunlai, standing by the door, were already clutching their stomachs in silent laughter.
Cui Wei even peeked in to tease, “You’ve been acting like a grumpy old man lately, so gloomy it’s unbearable. The mistress said she wanted you to be livelier-don’t blame us!”
Ever since Qiao Cheng mentioned that he was too young to be a chief eunuch, Wei Zhu had been overcompensating, trying to appear more mature.
Especially after Fang He was framed, he became even more withdrawn, often wearing a stern expression with occasional flashes of ruthlessness.
Cui Wei worried he might spiral into obsession, bringing unnecessary bloodshed upon their mistress.
Now realizing he’d been tricked by Cui Wei, Wei Zhu stomped his foot and charged at her, shaking his finger in mock fury.
Cui Wei laughed and dashed outside, the two of them exchanging playful curses in the courtyard, adding a lively, almost festive atmosphere.
Fang He stood beside Chunlai, watching with a smile before returning to her sutra copying.
Chunlai observed her carefully, sensing that her mistress’s motives weren’t as simple as practicing calligraphy or seeking knowledge.
But remembering her own place, a shadow crossed her eyes.
It was only natural if the mistress kept some things from her.
That night, Fang He had the palace lanterns extinguished early and the gates closed, claiming she wanted to rest early to gather Buddha beans at dawn.
After finishing his work in the Hongde Hall, Kangxi, in a moment of impatience, didn’t send Liang Jiugong ahead to check and was met with locked doors once again.
Turning right from the Longzong Gate near the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he paused at the sight of the pitch-dark corridor.
He sighed softly.
“Liang Jiugong, do you think… Consort Zhao is upset with me?”
He knew Fang He’s sharp intuition best-especially when it came to matters requiring logic.
She was even more astute than most men.
By pushing Consort Xuan forward, Fang He must have guessed his intentions.
Was this her way of showing displeasure?
Liang Jiugong cautiously replied, “Perhaps the concubine hasn’t been resting well in the Grand Buddha Hall. Having just returned, she must be exhausted…”
The Kangxi Emperor curled his lips in self-mockery but remained silent.
Without any mood left to admire flowers at the Rain Flower Pavilion, he turned directly back toward the Cining Palace.
He had indeed disappointed that little troublemaker many times, so her resentment toward him was justified.
He couldn’t even show her the evidence, having to delay matters and let her investigate slowly.
By the time she uncovered the complicated truth, it would be about time to restore justice to her.
As an emperor who received tribute from all his subjects, he had to make sacrifices for the greater good.
Enduring this resentment from those close to him was his burden to bear.
Before retiring, he calmly ordered, “Give a warning to the Imperial Household Department and the imperial kitchens. If they can’t serve the Tousuo Hall properly, I won’t hesitate to replace them.”
Liang Jiugong hastily assented.
Recalling the message Liu Fusheng had delivered that morning, he opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
After all, no matter what that little ancestor did, His Majesty would always find reasons to console himself.
There was no need for Liang to add unnecessary words that might upset his master.
In any case, as an imperial consort, she wouldn’t dare keep refusing the emperor’s visits forever the Dowager Empress wouldn’t allow it.
Things should improve soon enough.
On the Dragon Head-Raising Day, the palace was bustling with joy as dragon beard candy was distributed everywhere.
Led by the Empress Dowager, they first worshipped the Kitchen God at the Cining Palace, then proceeded to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility to smash pottery tiles, praying for peace year after year.
When the festivities wound down and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang grew tired, she dismissed everyone just as Liang Jiugong had predicted-keeping only Fang He for a private conversation.
The gazes of the Noble Consort, Consort Hui, and Lady Guoluoluo lingered on Fang He’s face before they departed gracefully, covering smirks with their handkerchiefs.
Seeing their behavior, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang roughly understood why Fang He had been reluctant to appear in public.
Today’s appearance only happened because she had specifically sent an oral decree to the Tousuo Hall.
Speaking sternly to Fang He, she said, “You can’t confine yourself to the Tousuo Hall just because of others’ strange looks.”
“You have a long life ahead. If you let such minor setbacks weigh on you, you’ll never find happiness.”
The Empress Dowager added gently, “Just ignore them. Everyone knows now that my aunt and I favor you, and the emperor has ordered special care for you. They dare not do anything substantial, only resort to these petty, unseemly gestures to annoy you.”
Before Fang He could respond, she was already amused by the earnest expressions of these two wealthy matrons.
Gesturing to Wuyunzhu who was about to interpret, she said, “Wait a moment.”
She beckoned to Chunlai, who produced bamboo tweezers from her sleeve and removed two cotton plugs from Fang He’s ears.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and the Empress Dowager: “…”
Grinning, Fang He moved close to Xiaozhuang, sitting on an embroidered stool and tilting her head up cheerfully.
“Alright, what were Your Majesties saying earlier?”
Wuyunzhu glanced at the Empress Dowager, not daring to interpret immediately for fear she’d burst out laughing if she opened her mouth.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang realized her mistake with Fang He’s bold, mischievous nature; she couldn’t possibly care about those women’s pretentious behavior.
Unable to decide whether to laugh or scold, Xiaozhuang tapped Fang He’s forehead.
“No wonder you call yourself a monkey, always causing mischief. I heard you’ve been refusing to share the emperor’s bed since returning to the Tousuo Hall. Why is that?”
Rubbing her forehead, Fang He transformed from a white lotus into a genuinely pitiful little flower.
“Isn’t that to preserve Your Majesties’ dignity!”
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and the Empress Dowager: “…”
They didn’t stop Fang He from receiving favor either!
Fang He lowered her chin slightly and continued explaining, “Even if it was Consort Xuan who made me drink too much, it was still me who made a fool of myself at the palace banquet, and it even involved the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.”
“No matter the reason, mistakes leave traces. This concubine doesn’t wish to shift all blame onto others.”
She nuzzled against Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang’s leg, “So while Your Majesty saw through everything when this concubine returned to the Tousuo Palace, the punishment I deserve must still be endured.”
“What should be done then?”
“At least let me fulfill the vow made before Buddha-to copy the Lotus Sutra and offer it before the Buddha. Only then would it be complete, wouldn’t it?”
“After all, the palace is full of stunning beauties-it won’t lack my service. Otherwise, how would His Majesty settle accounts with me in the future?”
“Am I really that petty in your heart?” Emperor Kangxi’s amused scolding voice came from outside.
Fang He quickly rose and bowed respectfully to Kangxi.
That eavesdropping bastard never missed an opportunity.
Kangxi first paid respects to Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and the Empress Dowager, then poked Fang He’s forehead just as Xiaozhuang had done.
“You’ve spoken ill of me several times now. If I were to take offense, I’d have had you beaten long ago.”
Fang He: “……”
As if you haven’t beaten me before.
She smiled politely and stayed silent beside the Empress Dowager.
Seeing her instinctive reaction, Kangxi felt irritated.
For all her pretty words, she was clearly sulking with him.
In her heart, the Empress Dowager was far closer than her own pillow companion.
Xiaozhuang deftly interrupted Kangxi’s dagger-like glances at Fang He, “Why has Your Majesty come at this hour?”
Sitting beside Xiaozhuang, Kangxi smiled, “With the Longevity Festival approaching, and war possibly imminent, I’ve decided against grand celebrations this year.”
“Given the situation in Northern Mongolia… it’s unsuitable to summon their nobles to the capital. I fear this may disappoint Grandmother and Mother.”
For the elder women, the Longevity Festival was their only annual chance to see relatives.
Xiaozhuang didn’t even know if she’d live to see another.
Though slightly regretful, she waved it off with a smile.
“The one truly wronged is Your Majesty. State affairs must come first. Most of the elders familiar to me and the Empress Dowager are already gone whether we see the rest matters little.”
Kangxi had come specifically to announce this early, as canceling major celebrations required at least six weeks’ notice.
His gaze lingered on Fang He standing quietly by the Empress Dowager.
He opened his mouth, but ultimately left with only a silent sigh.
Fang He stayed longer, chatting cheerfully with both dowagers until Xiaozhuang excused her, claiming private matters to discuss with the Empress Dowager.
Upon returning to the Tousuo Palace, she saw Wei Zhu and Cui Wei waiting outside for signs of Kangxi’s presence.
Pausing briefly, she reflected: Step one of prying open the Emperor’s lips-refusing to engage with him—was complete.
As any parent knew, when dealing with a misbehaving child: first ignore them, then pick a fight to exhaust them, after which the brat would behave like an angel for a while.
Her former colleagues with children had shared this universal three-step strategy.
Entering the hall, she took only a few steps before kneeling silently-not even offering the customary greetings she’d given at Cining Palace.
Kangxi stared at her intently for a long moment.
“Do you intend to keep ignoring me forever?”
Fang He remained silent.
A surge of inexplicable anger rose in Kangxi’s chest.
He abruptly stood and strode toward her.
Fang He lowered her eyes and retreated quietly until her back met the door, still refusing to speak.
Suppressing his temper, Kangxi lifted her chin with relative gentleness.
“Are you angry that I won’t stand up for you openly?”
“I will see justice done for you eventually, but now isn’t the right time.”
Fang He scoffed inwardly. What exactly did “eventually” mean?
When she was seventy or eighty years old?
She still couldn’t be bothered to waste words on him.
“Speak!” Kangxi suddenly felt drained of energy.
“With your intelligence, you must know most of my hesitation is for your own good. If we act now, you’ll become the target of public criticism both overt and covert attacks would only multiply against you!”
Fang He sneered internally.
As if there weren’t enough arrows flying her way already.
When Kangxi leaned in to kiss her, she deftly ducked under his arm with her petite frame, swiftly retreating before kneeling silently on the floor.
Kangxi’s chest heaved for several moments before he suddenly laughed a bitter, mocking sound.
Indeed, he understood both reason and sentiment perfectly well.
Yet this heartless wretch chilled him to the bone.
Why must he humiliate himself, casting aside his dignity as emperor to come begging for her attention only to be met with this cold rejection?
Glaring down at Fang He, he flung the door open and stormed out so abruptly that Chief Eunuch Liang barely had time to react before scrambling after him.
Cui Wei helped Fang He up anxiously, whispering, “My lady, you’ve… thoroughly angered His Majesty. Our days in the palace will be truly difficult from now on.”
“If that day truly comes, I’ll allow you to jump the wall,” Fang He teased hoarsely.
If that immature brat could actually restrain himself, she wouldn’t mind behaving properly from now on.
The Empress Dowager enjoyed robust health-it wasn’t as if Fang He lacked powerful backing.
The Yanxi Palace had been under renovation
for six months without completion-what a joke!
At worst, she could always move to the Palace of Longevity and Health.
Previously, she’d avoided quarreling with Kangxi, choosing humor to keep their interactions lighthearted.
But since some people insisted on ruining their peaceful days, then let them all suffer together.
Now she wanted to fight.
Let the bullets fly a while longer; a slow simmer would make the eventual explosion all the more satisfying.
Kangxi returned to his quarters seething with fury, but before he could vent his anger, urgent military dispatches arrived.
Tong Guogang and Suo’etu’s diplomatic mission had been trapped near the Xiao Luan River for nearly a month.
With intensifying conflicts between Northern Mongolia and Western Mongolia making the Xiao Luan impassable, their thousand-strong delegation lacked sufficient forces to confront Western Mongolian cavalry.
Their daily provisions dwindled while fearing entanglement in the regional war, forcing them to retreat toward the capital.