Chapter 026

Chapter 026

Kangxi, satisfied, withdrew his gaze and looked towards Consort Rong, who was eating heartily.

Her appetite didn't seem like someone who had already eaten lunch.

Kangxi had seen many palace concubines who would count rice grains while eating, claiming to be full after barely finishing a bite.

He thought Consort Rong would be no exception, or perhaps have an even smaller appetite, given her delicate and sickly appearance.

However, Kangxi was mistaken.

Her appetite seemed even better than his.

This unexpectedly sparked a competitive streak in Kangxi; he couldn't possibly have a worse appetite than Consort Rong.

Thus, Liang Jiugong watched as the Emperor, who should have finished his meal by now, continued to eat, and couldn't help but glance at the Emperor's stomach—wasn't it too full?

He then looked at Consort Rong, who was still eating effortlessly, having nearly tried all 108 dishes on the table, yet her stomach stayed flat, as if the food had disappeared.

As for Little Milk Dragon, he was about to throw up, his stomach bloated like a balloon, and his wet nurse, not daring to feed him more, quickly massaged his belly.

Kangxi, who usually paid great attention to health and ate only until 80% full, had overeaten today.

He had thought about putting down his chopsticks midway, not wanting to compete with Consort Rong anymore.

But every time Kangxi wanted to stop eating,

'Really? Can't handle it anymore?'

He would look at Consort Rong, who was focused on her meal, seemingly oblivious to his actions.

This taunt genuinely tickled Kangxi.

Did she think she could just say whatever she wanted in her head, assuming he couldn't hear her?

'Why are you looking at me? Can you see a flower on my face?'

Consort Rong added another remark.

She was really pushing Kangxi's patience to the limit, his grip on the chopsticks tightening.

Su Yi, as if finally picking up on Kangxi's irritation, set down her chopsticks and stopped eating. She began to rinse her mouth and wipe her hands, then slowly sipped the tea handed to her, thinking to herself that sampling all these dishes made the visit worthwhile.

It must be said, when Consort Rong finally put down her chopsticks, Kangxi couldn't help but feel a wave of relief.

Consort Rong had finally finished eating, and Kangxi hadn't been this full in a long time, his stomach bulging.

But Kangxi had to suck in his gut to keep up his imperial poise, sitting ramrod straight.

Kangxi still carried a bit of imperial pride.

The stool he sat on had no backrest, and Su Yi, after finishing her meal, instinctively tried to lean back, nearly toppling over from the lack of support.

Now, having finished eating and wanting to lie down but unable to, she could only...

Su Yi suddenly clutched her chest, looking uncomfortable, and said weakly, "Ah, today, accompanying Your Majesty for the meal, I couldn't help but eat too much in my joy, and now my stomach can't take it. I really shouldn't have been so greedy."

Then, she gently leaned against Yun Hua, who had stepped forward to steady her, believing she was genuinely unwell.

It must be said that Su Yi's sickly beauty was quite deceptive, making her look genuinely unwell.

At least those around her believed it, especially since Su Yi had indeed eaten quite a lot.

The little milk dragon also glanced over, feeling quite uncomfortable from overeating himself, wondering if Consort Rong was feeling the same way.

He suddenly felt a sense of belonging.

Kangxi's eyelid flickered; Consort Rong truly never gave him a moment's peace.

'Ask me quickly!'

Su Yi, leaning against Yun Hua's soft embrace, felt a bit disoriented.

Kangxi feigned concern, "Is that so, Your Majesty? Should I summon the imperial physician to examine you? To prevent you from falling ill due to overeating."

If the imperial physician were summoned, the entire inner court would soon know that Consort Rong had overeaten during the meal with the Emperor, making it a laughingstock.

"No need, Your Majesty. I just need to lie down on a soft couch for a while. If it weren't for the sedan chair being too bumpy, I fear I might vomit and make a scene. I didn't want to worry Your Majesty."

Su Yi's brows knitted delicately, her expression saying, 'Though I am fragile, Your Majesty need not worry about me.'

In the end, all she wanted was to find a soft couch to lie down on.

The little milk dragon, who had been watching from his wet nurse's arms for a while, also stretched out his tiny claws, "Huang Ama, I also want to lie down, I feel uncomfortable."

Though he was still short, his belly was as round as a ball when he stood up.

The older one hadn't settled down, and now the younger one was following suit.

Kangxi waved his hand, to avoid the commotion, and ordered Liang Jiugong to take Consort Rong to the warm chamber to rest.

Su Yi, satisfied with the response, complied without a fuss and left with Liang Jiugong.

Soon after, the little milk dragon also clamored to sleep and was taken back by his wet nurse for a nap.

Once everyone had left, Kangxi, who had been maintaining his imperial dignity, finally relaxed. He rubbed his belly, pondering who exactly was being tormented by having Consort Rong accompany him for the meal.

Meanwhile, when the inner court learned that the Emperor had summoned Consort Rong to the Qianqing Palace for a meal, many in the various palaces reported broken items that needed replacing.

Behind the scenes, they began cursing Consort Rong as a fox spirit.

Consort Tongjia was the first to receive the news. She immediately wanted to rush to the Qianqing Palace, thinking her older male cousin wouldn't deny her entry.

But Nanny Wang dissuaded her, advising her not to stoop to Consort Rong's level. If Consort Tongjia went to the Qianqing Palace, the Emperor might not let her leave unscathed.

"Your Highness, if you do this, you would be lowering yourself to Consort Rong's level. How could Consort Rong compare to you? The Emperor might even think you are being petty, competing with a minor concubine over such a trivial matter. You are a Consort, and you should not stoop to the level of minor concubines. In the future, you will be..."

Nanny Wang subtly gestured toward the Kuning Palace.

The Empress of the central palace naturally wouldn't bother with such minor concubines. The most important qualities for an Empress are grace, magnanimity, and virtue. Since the Emperor hasn't yet established an Empress, there is still hope.

Consort Tongjia understood, though she was still unhappy, she abandoned the idea of going to the Qianqing Palace.

Yes, she couldn't let her older male cousin think she was jealous and petty.

"Why hasn't Uya Shi from the side hall come to pay her respects today?" Consort Tongjia suddenly remembered Uya Shi. Could it be that she thought being pregnant exempted her from paying respects to the main hall's mistress?

"This is what I was about to report to Your Highness. Uya Shi nearly slipped yesterday and sprained her ankle. She is currently resting in the side hall." Nanny Wang found it a bit coincidental that just after news of her pregnancy spread, Uya Shi had nearly fallen.

Fortunately, she only twisted her foot and didn't actually fall. If the child had been lost, her ladyship's reputation would have been tarnished by Lady Uya.

Then all sorts of unfounded rumors would arise.

"What a coincidence?" Consort Tongjia was no fool and immediately sensed something amiss.

Lady Uya had managed to keep her pregnancy a secret right under her watch until it was stable, and then, just yesterday, she nearly slipped?

"That's precisely what I was thinking. Just after the news of her pregnancy came out, and she was arranged to stay in the Jingren Palace, if she were to lose the baby, there would undoubtedly be some ugly gossip. What if His Majesty were to misunderstand you..."