Chapter 008

Chapter 008

In the harem, if the Emperor said he would come but didn't, what could possibly delay him? It must have been because some concubine intercepted his visit.

However, Concubine Niohuru's status in the palace is currently at its peak, and she is the only high-ranking concubine. The lower-ranking concubines, not wanting to be targeted, wouldn't dare to intercept Concubine Niohuru at this time!

On the way to Yikun Palace, there are other palaces in between. The concubines in the harem, upon hearing the news of the Emperor's arrival, would naturally want to intercept him.

But doing so would obviously offend Concubine Niohuru, so some concubines, after weighing the pros and cons, gave up.

However, there are those who are not afraid of Concubine Niohuru, such as Concubine Rong, Ma Jia.

She was Kangxi's first woman and had borne him three princes, although all of them died young. This alone shows that she is favored by Kangxi.

While passing through the imperial gardens, Kangxi saw Concubine Rong sitting in a pavilion, looking melancholic. Upon seeing Kangxi, she immediately went up to greet him.

"Your humble servant greets the Emperor, may the Emperor be blessed with peace and prosperity." Her voice trembled with excitement, and her eyes brimmed with emotion.

Concubine Rong had lost weight, wearing a plain white robe with bamboo leaves embroidered at the hem, looking as delicate as a willow swaying in the wind. Her slightly reddened eyes made her even more pitiable, and her brows carried a sense of melancholy.

Liang Jiugong, having seen it all, didn't even blink. Although Concubine Rong's demeanor was indeed pitiable, her intentions were clear at a glance.

When Kangxi saw Concubine Rong, he suddenly remembered the description of her as a "narcissus-like beauty, pitiful and delicate." Upon seeing her now, it indeed fit the description.

Concubine Rong's heart raced when she noticed Kangxi's gaze lingering on her.

"Rise," Kangxi said calmly, then asked indifferently, "Why are you here, Concubine Rong?"

After being told to rise, Concubine Rong looked at Kangxi and explained softly, "Your humble servant was feeling troubled and came out for a walk. I didn't expect to run into Your Majesty. I hope I haven't disturbed you." Her eyes filled with tears, as though she was struggling to hold back her grief. "Your humble servant was thinking of Changhua, who was born and left this world without even seeing it..."

Tears began to fall uncontrollably, yet her makeup stayed flawless, enhancing her beauty like a lotus after the rain.

"Your humble servant has lost her composure. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Concubine Rong wiped her tears and quickly added, looking at Kangxi with misty eyes.

She had been waiting in the pavilion for a while, having prepared everything to make it seem like she had been there for a leisurely stroll. The tea set and table mat in the pavilion were all in place.

After all, to get to Yikun Palace, one must pass through the imperial gardens.

Kangxi, upon hearing this, was reminded of his children who had died young, and he felt a twinge of sorrow. However, this emotion quickly faded when he realized Concubine Rong's true intentions.

Changhua had died shortly after birth, and Kangxi had pitied her for losing her children one after another. But now, while Concubine Rong appeared to be grieving for her lost child, her true intention was to gain Kangxi's pity so she could quickly conceive another prince.

Such is the nature of a mother's heart.

But outwardly, Kangxi showed no emotion, merely offering a few words of concern, "It's nothing. You've lost weight; take care of yourself." These words clearly pleased Concubine Rong.

But this wasn't enough. Seeing that Kangxi was about to leave for Yikun Palace to see Concubine Niohuru, Concubine Rong swayed slightly, her pale and pitiful face making her look as if she might collapse at any moment. Her maid quickly supported her, exclaiming anxiously, "My lady, what's wrong!"

The maid, being just a woman, didn't have much strength, so her support was a bit shaky.

Kangxi stepped forward to help, and Concubine Rong leaned into his arms, appearing too weak to stand. The maid behind her said, "My lady has been eating and drinking little lately, and sometimes she even faints from weakness. I advised her to rest in Zhongcui Palace, but she insisted on coming to the imperial gardens. I didn't expect..."

Facing Kangxi's deep gaze, the maid lowered her head, not daring to continue, nor to look directly at the Emperor, her heart pounding with nervousness.

"Call the imperial physician to Zhongcui Palace," Kangxi ordered, then had someone help Concubine Rong.

Pretending to be weak, Concubine Rong thought Kangxi would still go to Yikun Palace, so she had the maids take her back. In her anxiety, she decided to faint outright.

But Kangxi didn't pick her up in his arms. Instead, he stood aside with his hands behind his back, instructing a few sturdy maids to support her.

These matrons were much stronger than the palace maids; just two of them could lift Concubine Rong off the ground as easily as lifting a small chick. All the grace Concubine Rong had worked so hard to maintain vanished in an instant.

Concubine Rong was itching to scold these matrons, but His Majesty was still here. If she woke up now, wouldn’t it be clear she was faking her faint?

So she had no choice but to swallow her pride and let these two matrons haul her away.

Liang Jiugong's lips twitched in amusement, but he quickly stifled it. This Concubine Rong really...

Just when it seemed that Concubine Rong's efforts had failed to win His Majesty's pity, Kangxi followed them to the Zhongcui Palace.

This left Liang Jiugong utterly baffled.

Kangxi hadn’t intended to visit the Yikun Palace today. As he walked, he was waiting for someone to create a chance encounter, allowing him to avoid going to the Yikun Palace.

Concubine Rong had really gone all out.

So when the Yikun Palace eunuch reported the news to Concubine Niohuru, he was trembling, not daring to look at her expression.

His Majesty was supposed to go to the Yikun Palace, but who would have thought that Concubine Rong from the Zhongcui Palace would intercept him.

Not only did the Yikun Palace know, but the other palaces also immediately found out that Concubine Rong had intercepted Concubine Niohuru. While they were wary of Concubine Niohuru, Concubine Rong?

Concubine Rong really had no shame, putting on an act in front of His Majesty, pretending to be overwhelmed with grief. She had never shown much sadness before, so why did she faint from grief when she met the Emperor?

She must be gloating inside.

Some couldn’t help but want to see the expression on Concubine Niohuru’s face. This interception was a direct slap in Concubine Niohuru’s face.

If Concubine Niohuru could endure this as if nothing had happened, her dignity and authority would be lost. She had been overshadowed by a mere Concubine Rong.

It looked like there was going to be quite the spectacle.

Early the next morning, everyone went to the Yikun Palace to pay their respects. Of course, paying respects was just an excuse; the main purpose was to see how Concubine Niohuru would deal with Concubine Rong. They all arrived early to secure a good spot.

Since everyone arrived earlier than usual, when Concubine Rong arrived at the Yikun Palace at her usual time, she was the last to arrive.

All the concubines and lower-ranking ladies looked at her, some with mockery, some with disdain. They were all here to watch the show, and few of their eyes showed any friendliness. It was clear how much resentment Concubine Rong’s interception had caused.

If it were Concubine Niohuru, given her high status, they would naturally not dare to speak out, but Concubine Rong was just a concubine, after all. Hmph!

Seeing the situation, Concubine Rong’s heart tightened, and her face turned pale, but she forced herself to remain calm and paid her respects to Concubine Niohuru, who was seated at the head, "Your humble concubine pays respects to Concubine Niohuru."