Chapter 021

Chapter 021

Liang Jiugong quickly instructed a young eunuch to go and call for the door to be opened.

Since the Emperor had decided to come, naturally, even if they had already gone to sleep, they would have to be roused.

Kangxi stood there without stopping him, his expression somewhat cold, but he did not turn away and leave directly.

Liang Jiugong muttered to himself as he watched from the side, "The Emperor actually didn't leave directly. You know, there was once a concubine who thought she was slightly favored and tried to feign indifference with the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor just turned cold and left."

The once slightly favored concubine immediately lost all impression with the Emperor.

There was a night-duty eunuch at Yonghe Palace who, upon hearing the noise, came over. Seeing that it was the Emperor, he was startled and quickly had the lock opened. In an instant, the previously dark Yonghe Palace was quickly illuminated.

Meanwhile, Su Yi was sleeping soundly when she heard someone calling her. At first, it was a soft voice, but when Su Yi didn't respond, it became louder. Su Yi, disturbed from her sleep, barely opened her eyes and saw Yun Hua's mouth moving, saying something, looking a bit anxious.

After a while, she finally understood that Yun Hua was saying, "The Emperor is here."

"Oh," Su Yi responded indifferently, closing her eyes and preparing to go back to sleep. Just as Yun Hua was about to pull off the blanket to help her mistress change clothes,

Su Yi suddenly realized and sat up, her face calm but her heart wishing she could strangle Kangxi, "Get dressed."

Yun Hua quickly helped Su Yi into a qipao and was about to hurry and put up her hair when Su Yi stopped her, "Just like this."

She was already making a great effort by just getting up, really.

Being woken up from a deep sleep, even a good-tempered person would be full of irritation.

Su Yi, supported by Yun Hua, had just stood up when Kangxi walked in.

Su Yi's expression instantly shifted from indifference to delight, her eyes sparkling with feigned admiration as she looked at Kangxi, stepping forward to bow, "I didn't know the Emperor was coming, I am flustered, please accept my greetings."

Her downcast eyes completely hid what she was really thinking,

'Are you a melon-stealing weasel in the melon field? Jumping from Jingren Palace to Yonghe Palace, all over the place???'

As Kangxi passed by, he heard this thought. Usually, when concubines bowed, Kangxi would walk straight past, calmly telling them to rise. But in front of Su Yi, he stopped.

Consort Rong actually thought of him as a melon-stealing weasel in the melon field?

He looked expressionlessly at the slightly bowed, seemingly gentle Su Yi, saying nothing, the atmosphere becoming somewhat subtle.

The surrounding maids knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a word, even their breathing became quieter.

They were all worried that the Emperor might be angry with Consort Rong for not waiting for his arrival and locking up early to rest. Could this be the start of angering the Emperor?

Su Yi, at the center of the storm, remained oblivious to the tense atmosphere. She just felt uncomfortable squatting and wanted to sit down.

'Have you swallowed the words "rise" into your stomach?'

Kangxi wanted to say "impudent," he knew that women in the harem often said one thing but meant another.

But he really didn't expect this from Consort Rong.

Looking at the Consort Rong before him, without makeup, her hair casually down but still radiantly beautiful, her eyebrows raised in joy, her lips curved in a sweet smile.

If he didn't have the ability to read minds, he wouldn't know that Consort Rong, who looked so delighted to see him, was actually not happy at all. She was very irritable, constantly muttering in her heart, truly audacious.

But Kangxi couldn't say anything about it.

Kangxi remained silent, and Su Yi was growing impatient from squatting.

She thought that if he didn't tell her to stand up soon, she might as well just faint.

If she just closed her eyes and opened them again, it would already be the next day.

Just as Su Yi's body began to sway slightly, before she could even feign a faint, Kangxi's gaze swept over her, "You may rise."

Finally, he spoke.

Su Yi stood up, her legs numb from having squatted for so long. She was about to utter a swear word when she heard Kangxi ask, "I heard you were unwell during the day and summoned the royal physician. What did he say? Are you feeling better now?"

Though his words sounded caring, there was a subtle insincerity to them.

He walked to the main seat and sat down. Su Yi followed closely and plopped down beside him. The main seat was quite spacious, large enough for one to lie down. Being petite, she sat on one side, leaving plenty of room for him on the other.

Kangxi gave her a cold look, and Su Yi flashed him a smile in return, her eyes subtly scanning the cushion Kangxi was sitting on.

'You really know how to pick a spot. This cushion was carefully chosen by me, soft and comfortable, like sitting on cotton. I haven't even sat on it much, so please don't make a dent in it.'

Kangxi sat even more comfortably.

Liang Jiugong's eyelid twitched. How could Consort Rong just sit down? The Emperor hadn't permitted her to sit, yet she sat right beside him.

He wanted to remind her that this was against protocol, but seeing that the Emperor didn't say anything, Liang Jiugong held his tongue.

Kangxi looked at her, seemingly waiting for her response.

"Your Majesty, it's just an old ailment of mine. When I get too excited, I tend to cough up blood. The royal physician said it's just a matter of weakness and that I need to rest and recuperate."

She placed a hand over her heart, her lips pale, her brows slightly furrowed, like a delicate painting marred by a crease, yearning for a gentle hand to smooth it out. The corners of her eyes were slightly red, and she spoke with a sickly, delicate beauty.

'How could I not be excited?'

'I'm about to be carried off like a pig to serve in bed!'

'Ah, how can my fragile little heart handle this?'

Kangxi's lips almost twitched as he listened. What on earth was Consort Rong thinking?

Was she really refusing to serve in bed over this?

If it weren't for the fact that the royal physician confirmed she had indeed coughed up blood, he might have thought she was feigning illness to avoid it.

"Since you're unwell, I was worried and came to check on you. However, I was delayed by some matters and arrived late. I didn't expect you to have already retired for the night. Seeing you well, I am relieved."

After speaking, Kangxi picked up the tea served by the palace attendants and prepared to take a sip.

As soon as Su Yi heard Kangxi's words of concern, her face lit up with a touched expression, her voice trembling slightly.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am deeply moved that you came to see me. How could I possibly be so anxious as to die from it?" Her words ended with a barely concealed grit of her teeth.

"Cough, cough." Kangxi choked on his tea and coughed a few times. The attendants quickly handed him a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

Realizing what she had just said, Su Yi hurriedly patted Kangxi's back to help him catch his breath.

However, her pats were a bit too forceful, each pat was solid and forceful, not at all gentle, as if she were taking the opportunity to exact some revenge.

Kangxi, who had just recovered from his coughing fit, was almost sent into another coughing spell by her vigorous pats.

It was Liang Jiugong who quickly stepped forward to take over Su Yi's actions, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, let this humble servant handle it."

Consort Rong's actions really made his heart race. At this moment, she looked as if she had the strength to hammer someone to death, not the least bit delicate or weak.

Kangxi, who had finally recovered, decided that next time he absolutely must not drink tea while talking to Consort Rong.

"Consort Rong, what nonsense were you just spouting?"

Realizing that she had blurted out what was on her mind, Su Yi quickly began to make amends.

"Your Majesty, are you alright? This concubine was so overjoyed that she spoke out of turn. Please forgive me.

Actually, what this concubine meant to say was that it's already late at night. Even if Your Majesty wishes to inquire about this concubine's health, you can come see me tomorrow. This concubine is not in a hurry for a moment. Staying up late harms the body, Your Majesty should rest early and take care of your imperial health."

Her words were soothing, showing more concern for Kangxi's health than anyone else, which even impressed Liang Jiugong. This Consort Rong was truly something else.

Su Yi, who had managed to smooth things over, felt quite clever, thinking she had handled the situation well.

"Consort Rong, is that really what you think?"

"Of course it is, Your Majesty," Consort Rong said with a sincere face, looking not at all like she was lying.

Mainly because her eyes were especially well-formed. When she looked at someone intently, they sparkled, as if her eyes were filled with only you.

It made one believe her almost involuntarily.

'So, when can you leave? I'm really so sleepy, tears are welling up in my eyes, just one yawn away from spilling over.'

At the same time, Su Yi suddenly raised her hand to cover a few coughs, the mist in her eyes thickening, "This concubine couldn't help but cough."

Actually, she was just about to yawn.

"Your Majesty, it's late at night, perhaps you should..." Su Yi was just thinking of persuading him to return to the Qianqing Palace and not squeeze into bed with her.

Kangxi, however, did not want to comply with her wishes, "In that case, I will stay with you tonight in Yonghe Palace."

Su Yi let out a dry chuckle, and Kangxi immediately shot her a sharp look, saying in a deep voice, "Consort Rong, do you not wish for me to stay?"

The young emperor clearly would not tolerate such evasion. The previously relaxed atmosphere suddenly turned tense again.

Su Yi suddenly covered her cheeks with both hands, her face slightly flushed, looking shy, "Oh, Your Majesty, I really wish you would stay!"

Her voice was coquettish, and as she spoke, she extended one hand, forming a small fist, and lightly tapped Kangxi on the chest.

The seemingly gentle, flirtatious tap nearly made Kangxi lose his cool, cough.

It's probably hard to believe, but his delicate and weak Consort Rong's little fist packed quite a punch when she hit someone.

Kangxi feigned nonchalance, but his hand couldn't help but smooth the front of his clothes, as if compulsively trying to smooth out the wrinkles, sigh.

Seeing that Consort Rong's little fist was about to give him another tap, Kangxi quickly reached out and enveloped her small fist in his hand.

He couldn't help but give it a squeeze, soft and boneless, but how could it...?

'Tsk, such quick reflexes.'

Kangxi: ...

In the eyes of the maids, Consort Rong was really bold, and surprisingly, His Majesty seemed to quite enjoy it.

The two of them were clearly engaged in playful banter.

Unbeknownst to others, one appeared shy on the surface but was still stubbornly trying to break free from Kangxi's grip to give him another playful jab, while Kangxi, appearing composed, used some strength to grasp Consort Rong's hand, though in reality, it took half his strength to keep her in place.

Kangxi's mind wandered back to what the imperial physician had said: Consort Rong's body was somewhat frail and couldn't handle much stimulation.

Looking at Consort Rong again, his mood became complicated.

He had been somewhat uncertain before, but now it seemed clear that Consort Rong was the female ghost who had appeared three years ago.

Back then, her soul had somehow escaped, leaving her body in a deep slumber, and only recently had her soul returned to her body, allowing her to wake up.

Her personality was just the same as before.

When the two of them lay on the same bed, they each had their own quilt, sleeping purely under their own quilts.

Su Yi looked drowsy; she had wanted to sleep earlier while Kangxi was bathing, but Yun Hua, the little beauty, kept urging her not to fall asleep.

Finally, she could get some sleep.

Almost as soon as Kangxi lay down and covered himself with the quilt, there was already a very regular breathing sound beside him.

Kangxi had originally wanted to hear what Consort Rong might be thinking as she lay so close to him, but she fell asleep too quickly, not thinking about anything at all. Instead, he found himself unable to sleep, listening to her steady breathing.

Even though they were just sleeping under their quilts, previous concubines would have gone out of their way to chat with Kangxi a bit more.

Consort Rong, who had just been so passionately shy, fell asleep faster than anyone else the moment she lay down.

Thinking about it, Kangxi also fell asleep.

At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM)

Liang Jiugong called out from the outer room, signaling that it was time for His Majesty to get up.

Kangxi, used to this routine, quickly opened his eyes, not lingering in the warmth of the bed, and got up right away. People quietly entered one after another to help him wash and dress.

Originally, when Kangxi stayed overnight, the concubine would also get up in the morning to help him dress and attend to him, as per the rules. Su Yi was supposed to get up and serve as well.

But Su Yi simply didn't get up. Not only did she not get up, she even found the noise annoying and covered her head with the quilt.

Not even the King of Heaven himself could make her get up that early!

Liang Jiugong glanced at the tightly wrapped Consort Rong and then at Kangxi, "Your Majesty, Consort Rong..." Should we wake her up?

Kangxi slightly shook his head, and Liang Jiugong immediately understood, closing his mouth and moving even more carefully.

After Su Yi was woken up to wash and dress, she had to go to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

There were many concubines in the harem, and when paying respects to the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, those of lower rank had to stand outside, only occasionally hearing the conversations inside.

They could only leave when dismissed.

Those who could sit and talk with the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager were of higher status, such as the Imperial Noble Consort and the Noble Consort.

With so many people paying respects, the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager might not notice if someone was absent, but the concubines would definitely know, and they would point it out directly, resulting in a charge of disrespect towards the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

So Su Yi couldn't even think of skipping it.

Su Yi dressed simply, without elaborate adornment, yet she still stood out among the meticulously dressed concubines, immediately outshining those around her.

Only those of lower rank dared not speak up, but several who held the same rank as her could not hide their murderous looks.

Su Yi's heart ached slightly—it was unbearable. These were the beauties she had watched day and night, and now one after another, they wanted to stab her with their eyes.

Kangxi, that scoundrel, really didn't treat her like a person, just using her as a pawn.

Several concubines were seething with resentment. They were considered seasoned in the palace and had only been graced by the Emperor's favor to be promoted to the rank of concubine. Why was Consort Rong made a concubine immediately upon entering the palace?!

Especially Rongpin of the Majia family—their titles sounded identical, one "Rong" and the other "Rong," making it nearly impossible to distinguish who was who!

This was Su Yi's first meeting as a concubine with others of the same rank.

The Imperial Noble Consort and the Noble Consort had yet to arrive, and a group of concubines were waiting outside the Cining Palace. At that moment, Su Yi knew peace was out of the question.

"This must be the newly appointed Consort Rong, sister."

And there it was.