Chapter 020

Chapter 020

Yonghe Palace

Su Yi was pouring the brewed medicine onto a small potted plant covered with pebbles when she heard footsteps approaching. She immediately drank the remaining medicine in one gulp, pretending she had finished it.

Ah, it was really bitter. Su Yi made a face as if she had been struck by the bitterness, pursing her lips in slight displeasure. Yun Hua then brought over some tea for her to rinse her mouth.

Yun Hua hesitated before speaking, "Your Highness, the Emperor..."

Su Yi picked up a sweet piece of candied fruit and ate it, her eyes squinting with sweetness, curved like crescent moons, "What is it?"

"The Uya clan from Jingren Palace is four months pregnant. The Emperor has gone to Jingren Palace and might not come here."

Yun Hua spoke cautiously, afraid that Su Yi would be upset, especially since earlier someone from Qianqing Palace had come to say that the Emperor would visit later, but now...

This Uya clan, why wasn't her pregnancy discovered earlier or later, but right at this moment? Isn't this intentional?!

Four months, the pregnancy is already stable.

Su Yi, however, was not surprised, just calmly responded, "If he doesn't come, then he doesn't come."

It saves her the trouble of dealing with the Emperor, Kangxi.

During her three years as a wandering spirit—a term used to describe a ghost or spirit in Chinese folklore—she found Kangxi quite difficult to handle. The saying 'a woman's heart is a deep mystery' is quite fitting for Kangxi too; a man's heart is also as deep as the ocean, and just as changeable as a woman's.

Su Yi spoke very indifferently, but Yun Hua on the side didn't quite believe it, thinking Su Yi was just pretending to be indifferent, and thus served her even more carefully.

Meanwhile, the successful interception at Jingren Palace was not as joyful as one might imagine.

After learning that the Emperor, Kangxi, had chosen Consort Rong for the night, Consort Tongjia immediately began plotting ways to put Consort Rong in her place.

Although Consort Rong suddenly fell ill later, Consort Tongjia still planned to intercept the Emperor on his way to Yonghe Palace, to remind Consort Rong of her place in the harem.

Originally, Consort Tongjia intended to have a doctor claim illness to summon the Emperor, but after the doctor arrived, it was not Consort Tongjia who used the excuse, but a maid from her palace.

Previously, due to her monthly cycle making it inconvenient to serve, she had arranged for a maid to serve the Emperor, just that one time. Consort Tongjia felt uncomfortable and had since kept the maid at a distance.

Unexpectedly, this maid suddenly felt nauseous and unwell, looking a bit off. Upon examination, it was discovered she was pregnant, already four months along.

Upon hearing this, Consort Tongjia's face changed immediately.

Four months already, and Uya's figure was so slender, she still looked slim and showed no signs of pregnancy. If she hadn't vomited today, Uya could have continued to hide it.

Consort Tongjia looked at Uya, wishing she could slap her face. She had clearly ordered the herbal contraceptive soup to be given afterward, how could she still be pregnant? She must have secretly vomited the contraceptive soup afterward!

Initially, she had considered Uya's looks and demeanor, though not outstanding, to be quite honest and obedient, which is why she had favored her once, and immediately had the medicine given afterward.

Who would have thought she had misjudged, and ended up at a disadvantage.

"You've been pregnant for four months, haven't you felt any discomfort?" Consort Tongjia stared at Uya, suppressing her anger.

Was she treating the Tongjia clan like fools?

Uya remained kneeling on the ground, her face as honest and obedient as before. Hearing Consort Tongjia's question, she respectfully replied, "Your servant did not feel any abnormalities. My monthly cycle has always been irregular, and my body showed no changes, so I didn't think much of it. I never imagined I was pregnant."

"What a surprise, Uya, you've made me misjudge you," Consort Tongjia said with a bitter laugh. Nanny Wang whispered beside her, "Your Highness, this matter should be reported to the Emperor."

This was a reminder to Consort Tongjia that tonight she could use Uya's pregnancy to summon the Emperor to Jingren Palace, a much more effective reason than feigning illness to get the Emperor to come.

Consort Tongjia was aware of this, but it was completely different from what she had imagined. She no longer felt the ease and satisfaction she had felt earlier. Even though she had successfully intervened, the women of the harem would know by tomorrow that she, a noble consort, couldn't even control a palace maid, allowing her to be pregnant for four months right under her nose without her knowledge!

If it hadn't been for the imperial physician's visit today, who knows how much longer Wuyashi could have kept it hidden.

If the imperial physician hadn't diagnosed it, she could have pretended not to know, quietly allowing Wuyashi to miscarry and pass it off as her menstrual cycle. But now that Wuyashi had been officially diagnosed by the imperial physician, Consort Tongjia found herself unable to act against her.

"Go and inform His Majesty that Wuyashi is four months pregnant," Consort Tongjia ordered calmly after regaining her composure. She glanced sideways at Wuyashi, who was kneeling on the ground with a submissive demeanor, her eyes filled with deep disgust. "Take Wuyashi away and arrange for someone to take care of her."

"Your servant thanks Your Highness for your grace," Wuyashi kowtowed before standing up, appearing grateful for the consort's mercy.

This only made Consort Tongjia feel even more uneasy. Wuyashi had managed to vomit the contraceptive medicine she had been given and was now continuing to act submissive. Consort Tongjia quickly waved her hand, signaling for Wuyashi to be taken away immediately.

As soon as Wuyashi left, Consort Tongjia couldn't help but throw things in frustration, cursing, "That wench!"

She turned to Nanny Wang, her eyes slightly red, and vented, "Wuyashi got pregnant after just one encounter. Why haven't I, after entering the palace for so long..." She touched her belly, "Could it be that I, a noble consort, am less fortunate than a lowly servant?"

Nanny Wang could only comfort her, saying that it was just a matter of time and that she would eventually conceive. She advised Consort Tongjia not to rush things.

After finally calming Consort Tongjia down, Kangxi arrived at Jingren Palace that evening. Consort Tongjia greeted him at the entrance with a face full of joy.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty."

"Rise," Kangxi said as he walked into Jingren Palace, with Consort Tongjia following closely behind.

Dinner was already prepared, and Consort Tongjia then had Wuyashi brought forward. "This is Wuyashi. She is now four months pregnant. It was my oversight that I only discovered this now."

She subtly hinted that Wuyashi was a scheming maid who had deliberately hidden her pregnancy until the fetus was stable.

At this moment, Consort Tongjia noticed that Wuyashi had deliberately dressed up, looking delicate and charming. Although not exceptionally beautiful, her appearance was pleasing and highlighted her best features.

Clearly, Wuyashi had dressed up specifically to meet the Emperor.

Consort Tongjia's gaze at Wuyashi was hostile, but she didn't show it too obviously in front of Kangxi. However, she continued to curse Wuyashi in her heart.

As they dined, Kangxi sat beside Consort Tongjia, overhearing her thoughts. His expression remained unchanged, but there was a hint of impatience in his eyes as he looked at Wuyashi. "So you are Wuyashi?"

In truth, he couldn't remember this maid's appearance. Even when he had favored her, it was only because Consort Tongjia had arranged it. At the time, he had been annoyed with his cousin, who, like the other women in the harem, appeared virtuous and generous on the surface but harbored different thoughts in her heart. Kangxi, feeling displeased, had decided to favor Wuyashi on a whim.

As for why Consort Tongjia hadn't promoted the maid afterward, Kangxi hadn't bothered to inquire further.

Wuyashi was visibly delighted to see Kangxi but restrained herself, replying softly, "Your Majesty, your servant is indeed Wuyashi."

She glanced up at Kangxi briefly before quickly lowering her head, her long, smooth, and fair neckline drawing attention, making one want to look further down. Her coy demeanor only made Consort Tongjia's gaze turn colder.

How dare she behave like this in front of me.

"Since you are pregnant, you shall be granted the title of Wuyashi Changzai," Kangxi said indifferently to Wuyashi. As the Emperor, he merely gave her an appropriate rank for a pregnant maid.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Where shall Wuyashi Changzai be accommodated?" Consort Tongjia thought to herself that even granting a lowly servant the title of concubine was too generous!

"Since she is from Jingren Palace, arrange for her to stay in a side hall. Assign some people to take good care of her."

This implied that Consort Tongjia was to oversee Wuyashi's pregnancy. If anything happened to the fetus while Wuyashi was in Jingren Palace, it would be Consort Tongjia's responsibility, making it seem like she couldn't tolerate others. Kangxi was ensuring that Consort Tongjia would protect Wuyashi's pregnancy until the child was safely born.

The Emperor actually arranged it this way!

"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand," Consort Tongjia replied, her heart was bleeding but she was unable to show it, forcing herself to endure the circumstances.

"Let us dine."

Lady Uya, who was pregnant, had been summoned, but at this moment, she volunteered to serve Kangxi and Consort Tongjia during the meal.

However, Consort Tongjia felt uneasy and said, "Lady Uya, since you are with child, you need not trouble yourself with such tasks. The maids will attend to the meal. You should retire and rest properly."

Lady Uya, who seldom had the chance to see the Emperor, was reluctant to leave so soon. Her eyes instinctively glanced towards the Emperor. Seeing that he showed no reaction, she could only bow and withdraw.

After the bothersome Lady Uya departed, Consort Tongjia's mood improved. She and Kangxi dined together. Once the meal concluded, Consort Tongjia naturally intended to ask Kangxi to stay.

After all, since Lady Uya was pregnant and unable to serve, it was expected for the Emperor to remain with her.

To her surprise, Kangxi said, "I have other matters to attend to, Consort. You should rest early."

Then, to Consort Tongjia's astonishment, he left with his hands clasped behind his back.

Consort Tongjia even neglected to bow.

Realizing that Kangxi had already left, Consort Tongjia angrily commanded, "Go and see if the Emperor has returned to the Qianqing Palace!"

The maids below promptly obeyed and went to check.

Kangxi, upon leaving the Jingren Palace, did not head back to the Qianqing Palace but instead directed the maids towards the Yonghe Palace.

Liang Jiugong suddenly recalled that the Emperor had initially intended to visit Consort Rong at the Yonghe Palace tonight. However, due to the unexpected turn of events, it was assumed that after seeing Lady Uya, the Emperor would naturally stay at Consort Tongjia's residence, leaving Consort Rong to wait in vain.

Who could have imagined that the Emperor would still remember Consort Rong at this hour?

This was truly remarkable. Ordinarily, when a concubine successfully intercepted the Emperor, the one who had been waiting could only endure the slight and seek redress later.

But this was after the fact; in the moment, dignity was certainly compromised.

Had the Emperor stayed at the Jingren Palace tonight, Consort Rong would indeed have become a subject of ridicule.

Yet now, the Emperor still remembered to visit the Yonghe Palace.

The Emperor's thoughts are truly inscrutable.

When they arrived at the Yonghe Palace, Liang Jiugong expected it to be brightly lit, but it was shrouded in darkness, and the palace gate was locked.

Liang Jiugong: ...

Has Consort Rong retired so early?!

He scarcely dared to glance back at the Emperor's expression!

Typically, when a concubine received word that the Emperor was coming, no matter how long the wait, they would remain vigilant. How could Consort Rong have already gone to bed?!

If the Emperor had truly not come, that would be one thing, but, but, the Emperor is here!

This is giving the Emperor a cold shoulder.

Simply, simply!

Kangxi gazed at the palace gate without uttering a word, his expression deeply complex.