Chapter 78: The Dragon’s Wrath and a Hidden Heir (2/2)

He’d believed her jealousy, kept her in the dark to shield her from the court’s intrigues, and she’d hidden this from him.  

Ignoring the pain in her neck, Fang He’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her disheveled appearance pitiable as she caressed her stomach.  

“Twelve more days, and it’ll be four months.”  

“Concubine De, who’s done every evil, uses her pregnancy to wield others as weapons. When I think of how this child, conceived at Yunya Pavilion, nearly perished because of her, my heart burns like wildfire. I couldn’t wait a moment longer, so I followed her example.”  

Seeing Kangxi’s slightly ashen face, her heart was calm yet tinged with an indescribable thrill.

A cold smile curved her lips.  

“So, Your Majesty, will you have me die with my child now, or wait until I give birth to deal with me?”  

Kangxi instinctively reached for her hand, wanting her to sit, to summon a physician to check if the fetus was harmed.  

But Fang He stepped back.

“Don’t touch me, Your Majesty. When I think of how you favored Concubine De while she plotted my death, how I, pregnant, must watch you show mercy to an unpunished culprit, I…”

Perhaps it was the surge of emotions, or perhaps the child in her womb sensed her unease, but before Fang He could finish her words, the usually docile little one suddenly stirred in protest.  

She barely had time to bend over, clutching her stomach.  

“Ah!”  

Her reaction, paired with her earlier words, turned Kangxi’s face ashen in an instant.  

He stared at her for a long moment, watching as her eyes reddened from retching, though nothing came up.

His jaw clenched tightly, and without a word, he strode out of the hall with purposeful steps.  

The moment he left, Fang He’s wave of nausea subsided as quickly as it had come.  

She leaned weakly against the antique shelf, sinking onto the cushioned couch, her body trembling as she listened to his receding footsteps.

Her hands gently stroked her belly.  

“Oh, my sweet little one, your mama’s done it!” she whispered, a thrill in her voice.  

She’d played the part of a madwoman convincingly!  

Facing Kangxi’s calm yet ever-present undercurrent of murderous intent, her heart had been pounding from the start.  

In her past life, she was just an ordinary girl.

No matter how resilient she was, she wasn’t fearless.

Without this child, she wouldn’t have dared to act so boldly, not even if her life depended on it.  

Fang He knew well that with Kangxi’s need for control, even her pregnancy wouldn’t make him tolerate an uncontrollable force like her, repeatedly disrupting his plans.  

Even if she could save her own life, the three taken away—Cui Wei, Wei Zhu, and Chunlai—were likely doomed.  

Concubine De could earn Kangxi’s leniency because she embodied the traditional gentle demeanor, knowing how to bide her time and carve a path to survival from a dead end.  

Fang He couldn’t mimic that.

Instead, she struck with a heavier, more vivid stroke, ensuring that any thought of killing her would come at a steep cost to Kangxi’s heart.  

For now, he’d likely be too preoccupied to harm Cui Wei and the others.

She could continue her calculated madness, find a way to bring them back, and rely on the Empress Dowager to secure a path to survival.  

But henceforth, Kangxi would likely never entertain the thought of favoring her again.

That was exactly what she wanted.  

Still… Fang He touched her trembling hand to her neck, recalling the moment of fear when she thought he might truly act.

The fire-breathing dragon was terrifying.  

Once the child was born, she’d become a nun, entrust the child to the Empress Dowager, and find a new master to serve!  

As Fang He sat in the hall, recovering from her performance, Kangxi stormed out of Yanxi Palace, his aura sharper than the swirling snow.  

“By my decree, from this day, seal Yanxi Palace! Demote Lady Zhao to a common concubine. Send the palace staff from Tousuo Hall here, and aside from physicians and kitchen staff, allow no one to enter or leave!”  

Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan listened, hearts pounding, too stunned to respond.  

Kangxi strode several hundred meters before halting abruptly, his eyes blazing with a deep, menacing ferocity.

He turned back, storming toward the palace again.

Only then did Liang Jiugong and Li Dequan snap out of their daze.  

Liang Jiugong hurriedly spoke, “This servant will—”  

“Silence!” Kangxi’s glare was laced with killing intent.  

“Summon Zhao Chang and Lu Wuning at once!”  

Liang Jiugong nearly collapsed in fear, steadied only by Li Dequan’s quick support.  

The two watched Kangxi, like an unleashed beast, vanish at Yanxi Palace’s gates, too terrified to even follow and ask questions.  

What in the world were these two ancestors fighting about now?  

This time, it was so fierce… but the palace gates were already locked, and Physician Lu was off duty.

Where were they supposed to find him?  

Liang Jiugong steadied his trembling legs and instructed Li Dequan, “Go, hurry back to Qianqing Palace and fetch Physician Zhang.”  

As for Zhao Chang, the secret guards would handle that.  

He ordered Qi Sanfu to have Qianqing Palace staff keep watch, ensuring patrolling eunuchs didn’t catch wind of the commotion.  

When Zhao Chang and Physician Zhang arrived, the main hall’s lamps were already aglow.  

Liang Jiugong’s face was numb.

Their master, though furious enough to storm out, still had enough pride not to rush back to the rear hall.  

As Liang Jiugong lifted the cotton curtain to usher Zhao Chang and the physician inside, Kangxi’s icy gaze pinned him, making his heart lurch wildly.  

But Kangxi didn’t berate him further, only asked in a hoarse voice, “Who’s attending Lady Zhao in the rear hall?”  

Liang Jiugong thought, ‘Didn’t you just decree her demotion to a common concubine?’  

But he didn’t dare let a hint of that show, bowing quickly to reply, “Your Majesty, Lady Zhao is alone in the rear hall—”  

A teacup struck his forehead, and Liang Jiugong clutched his head, swallowing a yelp.  

“You incompetent fool! How do you serve?” Kangxi roared, livid.  

“You left her alone in the rear hall? If anything happens, ten of your heads wouldn’t be enough!”  

Liang Jiugong: “….”

‘She’s just lounging in the hall—what could happen?’ 

“Ow!”  

He knelt, grimacing.

“It’s this servant’s fault. I’ll summon someone to attend her at once.”  

But before he could leave, Kangxi snapped, “Wait! She’d likely scorn anyone from my retinue. Don’t bother making a fool of yourself!”  

Zhao Chang and the physician, silent until now, exchanged glances.  

Liang Jiugong fell silent too, thinking, ‘Your Majesty, just tell this servant how to die and be done with it, rather than leaving me in this impossible panic.’  

Kangxi rubbed his throbbing temples, struggling to quell the mix of joy and rage—or something more complex—forcing himself to calm.  

Soon, he ordered Zhao Chang, “Go, take the secret guards to bring the palace staff from Tousuo Hall, especially that Fule. And send Wei Zhu, Cui Wei, and Chunlai back from the Punishment Bureau. Prepare easily digestible meals as well.”  

Once Zhao Chang left, Kangxi pointed to the rear hall.

“Choose a eunuch unfamiliar to Lady Zhao and take the physician to check her pulse!”  

Liang Jiugong, sensing something, didn’t dare utter a word, hurrying off with the equally timid physician to carry out the order.  

Alone in the hall, Kangxi closed his eyes, exhaling heavily.

He pressed his thumb ring hard against his brow, using the pain to stay clear-headed.  

He recalled Fang He’s earlier reaction, her chillingly calm yet razor-sharp words.

He hadn’t realized how much she found him repugnant.  

But no matter his fury, he only cursed her silently in his heart.

Wiping his face, he restored his usual composure.  

Now wasn’t the time to settle scores with that wretch.

The more impatient she was, the calmer he needed to be.  

Soon, Physician Zhang and Liang Jiugong returned, both wearing subtle smiles.  

Physician Zhang, the one who once bandaged Kangxi’s minor wound like a rice dumpling, was adept at reading his master’s moods.  

He knelt, beaming.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! Lady Zhao is over three months pregnant. Both she and the child have strong pulses. She’ll surely bear you a healthy prince!”  

Kangxi let out an imperceptible sigh of relief, instructing, “This pregnancy is in your hands, Zhang. Check her pulse daily. There’s a palace maid skilled with herbs by her side. Every detail of her diet and health must be recorded.”  

Physician Zhang respectfully agreed.  

As he left, he crossed paths with Zhao Chang, who arrived with the palace staff and eunuchs.  

Catching Zhao Chang’s questioning glance, Zhang touched his own stomach, saying nothing before returning to the emperor’s side.  

Zhao Chang blinked, glanced at his own stomach, and instantly understood, quietly instructing the guards carrying Cui Wei, Wei Zhu, and Chunlai to be gentle.  

They’d likely serve in the rear hall soon—best not to startle the pregnant lady.  

Despite the guards’ care, the three had endured the Punishment Bureau and looked worse for wear.  

When they entered the main hall, Kangxi frowned deeply at their disheveled state.  

“Have the others attend her in the rear hall,” he ordered curtly, eyeing Cui Wei, Wei Zhu, and Chunlai critically.  

“You three indulged your mistress in breaking palace rules without dissuading her. You’re unfit to serve her.”  

Cui Wei, already frail, swayed as if she might faint.  

Chunlai silently kowtowed, while Wei Zhu frantically followed, tears streaming down, too scared to speak.  

Cui Wei, slightly bolder, kowtowed as well, choking back sobs.

“Please, Your Majesty, forgive us! Our mistress can’t be without attendants… Please!”  

Kangxi waved a cold hand, signaling Liang Jiugong to drag them out.  

“As if the palace lacks servants? Ridiculous!”  

Li Dequan and others pulled the three, sobbing silently with snot and tears, out of the hall.  

Seeing them continue to kowtow outside, Liang Jiugong touched his bruised forehead, waiting until their heads were nearly as battered as his before speaking slowly.  

“Enough. His Majesty’s word is final and won’t change…”  

As for the demotion, no outsiders had heard it, so it might as well not have happened.  

He glanced at their despairing faces, smiling faintly.

“Your mistress doesn’t need you to serve her directly, but Yanxi Palace lacks a head eunuch and head maid. Since no one else is suitable, Wei Zhu and Cui Wei, you’ll take those roles. As for Chunlai, Yanxi Palace needs a guard to ensure Lady Zhao reflects quietly. That’s you.”  

The three froze.  

Wei Zhu collapsed into the snow, Cui Wei and Chunlai not far behind.  

They didn’t care about the work, only that they could stay near their mistress.

And these roles were a step up!  

Cui Wei wiped her tears, laughing through her sobs.

“Lord Liang, why didn’t you…” ‘say this sooner?’  

Her head was nearly bashed in!  

Liang Jiugong touched his forehead, sneering, “What’s that?”  

Cui Wei: “Lord Liang, your kindness makes you our savior!”  

His Majesty?

The ancestor on the altar, just like their mistress—both in dire need of a silver tongue!  

After Physician Zhang checked her pulse, Fang He exhaled in relief.  

She recognized him and knew she’d passed the hurdle of quelling Kangxi’s murderous intent.  

Now… she took a deep breath, cradling her belly with a pitiful murmur.  

“Treasure, your mama’s done it.”

“Come on, little one, we’ve got to hold strong. Whether your Aunt Cui, Uncle Wei, and Aunt Chun can come back depends on whether you can handle a bit of hunger.”  

Fang He sniffled, murmuring to her belly, “Oh, my treasure, your mama’s sorry. Once your imperial grandmother comes to take you, we’ll eat well again…”  

Before she could finish coaxing her unborn child, Xinke, Xinnan, Fule, and the others burst in, their faces pale with lingering shock.  

Seeing Fang He alone on the cushioned couch, her eyes red-rimmed, they forgot their fear and hurried to her side.  

Xinke lifted the cotton curtain, calling to Liu An, “Quick, fetch hot water from the kitchen, and bring some—”  

She stopped mid-sentence, spotting Li Dequan in the distance, leading a group carrying hot water and food boxes.  

Xinke shrank back into the hall, reporting to Fang He, who was having her pulse checked by Fule.  

“Mistress, Lord Li from the emperor’s retinue is here.”  

Fang He exchanged a glance with Fule, who nodded with a relaxed expression.

Immediately, she clutched her stomach, letting out a weak groan.  

Hearing the commotion at the door, Fang He’s voice came frail and petulant, “Get out, all of you! I don’t need anyone’s care, and I don’t want food. Just leave me to waste away!”  

Outside, Li Dequan responded with cautious deference, “My lady, His Majesty has decreed that from now on, you are confined to the rear hall of Yanxi Palace until you give birth.  

Aside from Wei Zhu, appointed as head eunuch of Yanxi Palace, Aunt Cui Wei as head maid, and Chunlai as your guard, no one is permitted to enter or leave.”  

Fang He bolted upright.

‘Good heavens, everyone but me got a promotion?’  

“His Majesty further decrees that if you’re bored, you should look in a mirror and avoid smiling like you’re about to cry—it’s particularly unflattering.”  

He further added: “His Magesty also commands that once you bear the imperial heir, you’ll move to Shoukang Palace. Until then, don’t disturb the Empress Dowager. If anyone is caught sending messages to Shoukang Palace, the heads of Yanxi Palace’s servants will answer for it.”  

Fang He: “…”  

A hollow sense of bewilderment washed over her, as if she’d drawn her sword only to find no target.  

Was she being dramatic?

That wretched man had seen through her intentions so quickly?  

And when had she ever smiled like she was about to cry?  

Fury flared in her chest—this was an insult to her acting!  

In a fit of anger, Fang He kicked off her anti-slip shoes, burrowed into the bedding, and lay there, expressionless.  

“Tell His Majesty for me,” she said icily, “that I will faithfully obey his decree, staying obediently in Yanxi Palace, eating well, drinking well, and deeply cherishing his boundless grace!”  

Li Dequan: “…..”

‘Your gritted teeth don’t exactly scream gratitude.’  

Back in the main hall, Kangxi, freshly bathed, sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through messages from Zhao Chang with a face devoid of emotion.  

“Your Majesty, Lady Zhao said…”  

“Silence,” Kangxi snapped, his voice cold, a layer of frost settling over his features.

“Get out. I don’t want to hear it.”  

He enunciated each word deliberately, “From now on, I want no news of Lady Zhao brought to me!”  

He had no desire to hear her voice.

Once he’d cleaned up her mess, he never wanted to hear a word about that wretch again!  

Li Dequan hesitated, lingering.  

Kangxi shot him an impatient glare.

‘Can’t this fool understand plain words?’  

Li Dequan, however, had a question he couldn’t avoid asking, “May I ask, Your Majesty, should I present Yanxi Palace’s pulse reports, or…”  

Kangxi: “…”  

From outside, Liang Jiugong, calmly standing guard, heard a loud “clatter” from the hall, followed by his master’s furious roar.  

“Get out!”  

Liang Jiugong waited serenely, soon seeing Li Dequan emerge, clutching his head with a mournful expression.  

He pried Li Dequan’s hand away for a look.  

‘Well, well!’  

The protege had surpassed the master—his bruise was even more impressive.

Tomorrow, neither of them would need to attend the morning court.  

Liang Jiugong’s smile carried a hint of worldly detachment.

Let whoever wanted to serve take the job!