Before Fang He could think of what to say, Kangxi kindly agreed, promising to have someone find and send these three items to Jingcheng.
Fang He visibly brightened—roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and corn cakes… all set!
Kangxi, who had been silently observing her expression, breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, Fang He rarely got truly angry; most of the time, she was extremely patient and resilient.
But whenever she did get mad, Kangxi always felt his heart race with unease—a feeling even he couldn’t fully understand.
However, with Fang He’s anger dissipated, the atmosphere in the hall turned even more awkward.
She had already said in advance that once the meal was finished, she would ask His Majesty to leave.
At this moment, Fang He didn’t mind him staying; she wanted to ask how soon the Golden Sweet Potatoes and Golden Eggs could be delivered to Jingcheng.
But seeing Kangxi only smiling silently at her without a word, Fang He found herself unable to bring up the topic—it would feel embarrassing to ask outright.
After drinking a cup of digestion tea, and seeing Kangxi still calmly seated, Fang He stood up.
“I’ll go check on Jiujiu; she should be waking up by now.”
‘Time to make an exit—no need for apologies’, she thought.
Better to let time dissolve the awkwardness.
But Kangxi rose as well and said, “I’ll go with you.”
Fang He: “….”
Together, they went to the East Side Hall, where Jiujiu, perhaps exhausted from an entire afternoon of fussing, had already eaten and fallen asleep in her nanny’s arms—giving her mother no face at all.
Fang He gently checked the baby’s neck, as delicate as a lotus root joint, and her tiny hands; everything was dry and comfortable.
She praised the Imperial Consort’s Wet Nurse a few words and didn’t linger long before leaving.
Kangxi remained silently behind her.
Fang He snorted inwardly— ‘silent, and not saying a word!’
She decisively turned with a formal bow and smiled, “Your Majesty, your servant respectfully sees you off.”
Kangxi smiled and caught her hand, pulling her back inside.
“Not angry anymore?”
Fang He looked around, changing the subject, “Seeing these three kinds of golden delicacies makes me happier than ever. It’s getting late…”
“Everyone, withdraw.” Kangxi laughed, cutting her off and instructing Liang Jiugong and the others.
Fang He watched as Cui Wei fled faster than Liang Jiugong, and the other palace servants from Yunya Guan followed suit.
She couldn’t help but laugh bitterly—her tone had been so gentle before dinner, and yet they were all so afraid she and His Majesty would quarrel?
Kangxi sat with her on the soft couch but didn’t let her sit down, effectively trapping her in the anteroom.
“Tell me, what are you angry about?”
Unable to avoid it, Fang He scratched her cheek and helplessly began to explain.
“I’m really not angry.”
“I just…” She took a deep breath, “I realized that even if I don’t interfere in outside matters or pry into Your Majesty’s past with other consorts, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m just one among them. The kindness you show me is also given to others. One day, it will no longer belong to me.”
“ It’s easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard the other way around! Thinking about how I have to work, tend to the bed, and possibly even play the matchmaker—all for a single salary—it pains me deeply.”
She lowered her head, avoiding Kangxi’s gaze, gently hooking her pinky finger around his.
“You’re right. I’m already Jiujiu’s mother. Sooner or later, I have to face all this and shouldn’t be so willful…”
Kangxi grasped her small hand in his palm, interrupting her.
“If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t mention it again. If you don’t want to take on palace affairs, I’ll leave you be. But know this—you are different from the others in my heart.”
Fang He bit her lip and looked up at him.
Couldn’t this lord have a bit of principle?
“You’d better not be too good to me—I’m afraid…”
He was always like this; it was hard not to want to escape to the skies!
Kangxi firmly said, “Afraid of what? Tell me. I’ll bear it for you.”
She quietly lifted her eyes to him.
“I’m afraid your kindness has conditions and an expiration date—that one day, you’ll take it back.”
“I’ve heard from palace people that when Imperial Noble Consort first entered the palace, she also shared harmony with you and enjoyed your utmost favor. You indulged her in every way, but now, step by step, she’s fallen out of favor and you’re like strangers. I’m terrified.”
“Your kindness awakens the greed deep in my heart. I’m afraid that one day, I will change into someone I’m not.”
She would never allow herself to fall to such a state!
Steeling herself from the sway of Kangxi’s feelings, Fang He slowly withdrew the affection she had unconsciously invested in this man, her tone growing colder and more composed.
“Give me some time. Once I understand, I will become the ideal Imperial Consort you want—more appropriate and better suited to the palace—serving you well…”
“Have you made a decision in your heart?” Kangxi gently raised her chin and tapped her forehead in exasperation.
“Now is it your turn to not tell me anything?”
He was older than Fang He and, when not angry, more thoughtful and comprehensive than her.
He gently pulled Fang He into his embrace, kissing her forehead.
“Guoguo, sometimes I can’t guess what you’re thinking. But you are my beloved consort, the mother of my child. We have a long way to go. You can’t make every decision alone.”
Fang He struggled, trying to get up.
“What decisions can I make? I just don’t want to become a distorted version of myself because of jealousy. Nor do I want to become the kind of person I despise by fighting over you with others…”
“I don’t want you to become anyone else. No matter who you become, I like you!” Kangxi didn’t allow her to rise, pulling her tightly against his waist.
Because of the stubbornness on her face, Kangxi suddenly felt a surge of impulse.
“I allow your jealousy, your every trick. Fang He, I promise you’ll never have to compete with anyone else again!”
Fang He was stunned by the overwhelming passion in Kangxi’s words.
“What do you mean?”
Kangxi’s gaze grew complex, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.
This bastard had finally been forced to speak his heart.
He lowered his head and bit her lips.
“From childhood I learned that to gain anything, you must pay a price—including family affection. I have gained the empire but have been losing all along.”
Father, Empress, countless children, the true hearts of wives and concubines, and the company of the Imperial Matron…
He sat atop the world but felt he grasped nothing.
Until Fang He appeared.
She put everything out in the open, making it impossible for him to resist her.
To be close to her, he didn’t even care about losses or gains.
He was tired of all the scheming in the previous dynasty’s harem—he could never let go of it before, but now…
He only wanted to hold onto this bastard.
Then it would be her.
“I know you’re not a good person. Funny enough, neither am I… I want you. Only you!”
Fang He suddenly sat up straight, instinctively whispering, “Your Majesty, can you truly ignore all the consorts in the palace, disregard the dignity of the princesses and princes, and neglect the faces of the ministers and lords?”
Kangxi: “…”
That sounded oddly familiar.
Fang He held his shoulder, lips twitching with a smile, and continued, “Aren’t you worried others will be jealous of me and harm me? Can you really carry me in your pocket, protecting me every moment?”
Kangxi gripped her waist, pinched hard, and pulled her back into his arms.
Then Fang He heard His Majesty’s unusually ruthless voice.
“Stop daydreaming. I grant you these things, but there will still be arrows flying and troubles coming your way—I’ll keep a record of all of them.”
Fang He: “…”
Suddenly it felt like she had crashed from a fairy tale set into a gritty reality drama.
“I will shield you from the palace’s dangers during the mourning period. After that, we’ll settle accounts slowly.”
“The harem’s troubles are karma we owe together. If you don’t quickly use the skills I taught you and consult the right people, then be prepared to be bullied. I can’t interfere, only comfort you in private.”
His favoritism was so obvious it was practically visible under his arms.
If he intervened openly again, he might push her into a dead end.
This bastard didn’t want to be sheltered under his wings, so she couldn’t expect to stay uninvolved.
Fang He instinctively asked, “Comfort how?”
She looked up to see Kangxi’s gaze turn toward the bedchamber.
Fang He: “…..”
‘Thanks, but no thanks.’
The tender words suddenly took on a different flavor, yet Fang He couldn’t help leaning against Kangxi, laughing until her whole body trembled.
What to do?
As an old workhorse, no matter how flowery the boss’s promises were, she didn’t believe them.
But when the boss was honest with her, her heart strangely felt sweet and at peace.
She curved her brows and looked up at Kangxi.
In some ways, he was actually more tolerant of her than both of her boyfriends in her previous life.
She had a child now; she couldn’t run away…
What’s wrong with accepting fate?
“Aisin Gioro Xuanye…” Fang He boldly hugged his neck and whispered his name boldly in his ear, sending sweet words as if they cost nothing.
“I suddenly realize I like you more and more.”
Before, she had only been moved; now… a little more than moved, she seemed to find new motivation stirring inside her.
Fang He lifted her face, her cherry lips slightly parted, waiting for his familiar, burning kiss.
But she didn’t get a kiss, only a soft hum.
Then suddenly, Kangxi lifted her into the air, startling her.
She opened her eyes to find Kangxi looking at her with a half-smile.
“Suddenly realized?” Kangxi leisurely strode toward the bedchamber.
“So you really never cared about me before, huh, you bastard?”
Fang He: “…..”
This damn thing sure knows how to hit the point!
No, this isn’t how it goes in the dramas!
“Wait…” Fang He suddenly panicked and struggled.
“Just say it. It’s still early. I—I’m not sleepy yet!”
But with her strength, struggling was pointless.
Kangxi’s steps didn’t slow.
“Good. I want to talk to you properly about the Golden Grains merchants—are they named Qiao?”
Fang He was thrown onto the bedding, softly humming before scrambling up.
“What do you mean named Qiao? They’re called…”
Damn, she hadn’t even made that up yet!
Kangxi deftly trapped her in his arms, leisurely undoing the buttons of her collar.
“Since you became pregnant, have I ever favored other consorts? If I don’t speak, are you going to stop believing me, and stop liking me?”
Fang He felt a chill run through her body and grabbed the edge of the quilt to put between them.
“You do scold me plenty. How else would I know?”
Kangxi sneered and threw the bright yellow undergarment out of the curtain, “Yes, I have three palaces and six courts. You’re strong-willed and unwilling to only like me. Round and square isn’t enough—you want the whole palace too?”
Fang He thought bitterly, ‘why not?’
But no matter how hard she thought, there was no chance of that happening in this lifetime!
“Granted!” Kangxi casually knocked down the curtain, covering her without allowing refusal.
“A few days ago, a bold guard caught a little palace maid. How about I serve Imperial Consort today?”
Fang He was forced into a low moan by his sudden teasing, unable to help squinting her eyes.
Hearing what he said left her utterly speechless.
It was just a matter of appetite, no wonder the Fourth Prince had such a strong playful streak—now she finally knew where it came from.
Kangxi looked down at her helpless expression.
“How am I doing? If I don’t serve you well, how about sending a champion scholar to serve Imperial Consort tomorrow?”
“Ugh… you’re so bold!” Fang He felt her chest tighten with thrilling sensation, her eyes reddening slightly.
“Aren’t you afraid the Emperor will cut off your head?”
Kangxi laughed lightly, “Afraid what? To die under peonies with Imperial Consort by my side on the road to the afterlife—then I won’t have wasted this lifetime.”
Fang He: “…..”
‘You… you bastard! Is this how you talk?’