Chapter 028

Chapter 028

"What should Yipin do?"

As luck would have it, Consort Rong arrived at this moment, having just woken up, with a child trailing behind her.

Liang Jiugong subtly glanced at Consort Rong and then at the Emperor's reaction.

Her face still bore the red marks from sleep, with a faint blush, looking somewhat healthier. She walked in without so much as a bow.

Su Yi understood that since she had already paid her respects upon arrival and hadn't left yet, there was no need to repeat the formalities.

Behind her, a small figure in a milky yellow outfit was hiding. She reached back and pulled out the little milk dragon, who had turned into a messy little thing.

She wanted the father sitting above to see what his son had become.

"Your Majesty, cough, I don't know how the Crown Prince got here, but I happened to run into him and brought him along to see you. Please take a look."

She had a look that clearly said, "Not my problem, your kid’s just a mess."

Kangxi looked at the little bundle being pulled out, the apricot-yellow robe covered in dirty patches, clearly from rolling around, making it stand out even more on the apricot-yellow fabric. It looked like he had rolled on the ground, and in less than half a day, he was already a complete mess.

Kangxi felt a headache coming on, especially when the dirty little rascal grinned, showing his teeth.

He sternly said, "Baocheng, look at yourself, what kind of appearance is this?"

Kangxi’s stern face was pretty intimidating.

At least the little milk dragon, who had just been grinning, immediately pouted, his little face looking quite pitiful, making one want to comfort him.

But Kangxi, with a heart of stone, remained unmoved and sternly ordered, "Take the Crown Prince back and have the wet nurse take good care of him. If the Crown Prince isn't properly looked after next time, have the Imperial Household Department replace the wet nurse."

Liang Jiugong quickly called for the eunuchs to pick up the little Crown Prince and take him to the wet nurse.

The little milk dragon looked unwilling, but seeing his father's stern face, he could only pout in protest, his last bit of stubborn pride.

After dealing with the little one, Kangxi turned to the person standing by, who looked serious but was secretly biting her lip to suppress a laugh, and didn't let her off either, "Consort Rong, did you have a good nap?"

Consort Rong's nap had been quite long. Not only did she sleep well, but Baocheng also slept soundly with her.

Kangxi, busy reviewing memorials, hadn’t even had time for a nap.

Su Yi wasn't flustered at all and thought for a moment before giving a moderate answer, "Your Majesty, it was okay, I guess."

It was okay, I guess.

It sounded like she wasn't entirely satisfied.

Kangxi closed the memorial and set it aside, rubbing his neck, showing some signs of fatigue.

Liang Jiugong, seeing this, wanted to step forward and massage the Emperor, but Kangxi stopped him with a look, and Liang Jiugong got the message right away.

He stood there obediently, eyes fixed on the ground.

This was the Emperor giving Consort Rong a chance to step forward and massage him.

After waiting for a while, Consort Rong didn't move.

Kangxi looked at her, and Consort Rong looked back at him, as if she didn't understand what he meant. After a while, she gave a polite smile, "Your Majesty, anything else? I’m all ears."

Kangxi's face darkened instantly. Could Consort Rong really not understand what he meant? He had made it so obvious.

Liang Jiugong gave two sharp coughs, "Your Majesty is tired from reviewing the petitions. Perhaps Consort Rong, you..."

Consort Rong suddenly looked as if she had an epiphany. Liang Jiugong felt a surge of joy—had Consort Rong finally grasped the hint?

"Oh, so Your Majesty is tired but didn't want to say it directly, forcing himself to endure the fatigue while dealing with me. It's truly my fault. In that case, I won't disturb Your Majesty's rest and will take my leave now."

She then curtsied gracefully, smiled, and left, her departure so swift and smooth, her retreating figure showing not a hint of reluctance.

Liang Jiugong was stunned. That... that wasn't what he meant!

But Consort Rong, who had arrived so slowly, left with such decisiveness. Watching her walk away briskly in her elevated shoes, she disappeared in no time.

He dared not look at Kangxi's expression now. Oh no, this was a disaster. He had spoken out of turn and caused Consort Rong to misunderstand.

Suddenly, he remembered that before Consort Rong arrived, they had been discussing... oh! They had been discussing Yipin's arrival!

Liang Jiugong quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty, Yipin is still waiting outside."

Perhaps allowing Yipin in would help calm His Majesty's temper.

Kangxi's cold gaze swept over him as he uttered two words, "Not seeing."

Liang Jiugong hurriedly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go and inform Yipin."

Originally, he didn't need to make the trip himself, but at this moment, he felt that His Majesty's temper was a bit too volatile. It wasn't suitable for him to stay there. Better to make the trip and return later.

As Su Yi stepped out, she happened to meet Yipin's gaze. The eunuch on duty felt as if tension crackled between them at that moment.

He shrunk back, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. In such situations, it was better to act as if he didn't exist.

Both women held the rank of consort, and even though Yipin's position was slightly higher, Su Yi only needed to perform a slight bow. Yipin reluctantly returned the gesture.

"What a coincidence, Consort Rong. I didn't expect to run into you here."

In reality, everyone knew that Consort Rong had been summoned by His Majesty to the Qianqing Palace for lunch, and even after the meal had long passed, she hadn't left.

This made Yipin unable to sit still any longer. Previously, when His Majesty summoned her for meals, she had to leave immediately after eating.

Since His Majesty would start handling state affairs after lunch, Yipin naturally couldn't stay. But why could Consort Rong remain?

"It is quite a coincidence. I just stepped out and ran into you."

Perfect timing. Now that she was leaving, that dog of a man could enjoy a beauty's shoulder massage and a loving afternoon tea.

How enviable. All she had was Yun Hua, her lovely maid, to pour her tea, massage her shoulders, and listen to the handsome eunuch tell stories.

Yipin forced a smile, replying somewhat perfunctorily, "Consort Rong, are you heading back now?"

She had been waiting here for a long time, her frustration building. The eunuch who had gone to announce her presence hadn't returned.

Now that she saw Consort Rong leaving, Yipin couldn't help but wonder if His Majesty had asked Consort Rong to leave because she had arrived, and was now about to summon her in?

That must be why it had taken so long for her to be called.

Just thinking about this possibility made Yipin's eyebrows lift with a hint of pride, the jewels in her hair making her appear even more radiant.

Su Yi's eyes lit up slightly, but unfortunately, the beauty did not seem very welcoming to her. "Yes, I was just about to leave, so I'll go ahead."

Su Yi tactfully left first.

Yipin, who had been waiting on her flowerpot heels for some time, was initially a bit angry, but seeing Consort Rong leave, she thought to herself that at least this Consort Rong knew her place.

At this moment, Liang Jiugong came out, wearing his usual grand steward smile. He first bowed and addressed Yipin as "Consort Yi."

Upon seeing him, Yipin immediately felt a sense of importance, thinking that the Emperor had specifically sent Liang Jiugong to escort her in.

As she was about to enter, supported by her maid, Liang Jiugong said, "The Emperor says he is too busy with official duties to see Consort Yi now. He will visit you when he has free time."

This excuse was hardly convincing, especially since Consort Rong had just left the Qianqing Palace.

But it wasn't his decision; it was the Emperor's. Liang Jiugong had even slightly embellished the message, as the Emperor had simply said, "Not seeing," and he couldn't possibly relay that directly to Yipin.

Ah, being a servant is no easy task, Liang Jiugong sighed inwardly.

Upon hearing this, the smugness on Yipin's face instantly disappeared, and she glared at Liang Jiugong with suspicion, wondering if he was falsely conveying the Emperor's message.

The Emperor had just seen Consort Rong, how could he not have time for her?!

Consort Rong had just left, and Liang Jiugong came out right after to say the Emperor wouldn't see her.

Perhaps Consort Rong and Liang Jiugong were in cahoots to deceive her.

"Eunuch Liang, is this truly the Emperor's meaning? Consort Rong just left, and you came out right after. Are you lying to deceive me?"

Yipin's words implied that Liang Jiugong was colluding with Consort Rong and falsely conveying the Emperor's message.

Colluding with a consort was no small crime, and this accusation was a serious one.

Liang Jiugong's heart grew cold upon hearing this, but his expression remained the same, smiling as he said, "Please be cautious with your words, Consort Yi. Even with several lives, I wouldn't dare to falsely convey the Emperor's meaning."

Yipin really dared to say such things; this was a matter of life and death. How could he dare to do such a thing? Wouldn't that be courting death?

After all, he was the Emperor's close attendant and the chief eunuch of the palace. Even the Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Tongjia treated him with respect.

Who did Yipin think she was? In his eyes, she wasn't even as favored by the Emperor as Consort Rong.

Liang Jiugong felt disdainful but remained respectful and faultless on the surface. He then bowed and said, "If Consort Yi has nothing else, I will return to report to the Emperor. I take my leave."

Yipin was so angered by Liang Jiugong's words that she almost lost her temper on the spot. She had never been treated like this by a mere eunuch.

"Consort, Consort, please calm down. This is the entrance of the Qianqing Palace."

Her maid quickly took her arm and reminded her. If this escalated and reached the Emperor's ears, it would be disastrous.

She was only looking out for her mistress by reminding her at this moment.

But Yipin, unable to contain her anger, instead of being calmed, turned around and slapped her maid hard, scolding harshly, "How dare you! Who do you think you are to speak here!"

The slap was loud, and the maid's cheek was even scratched by Yipin's nail guard, leaving a bloody mark.

The maid, in pain, dared not cry out. She covered her face and quickly knelt to beg for forgiveness, her eyes red with tears that she dared not shed, trembling as she said, "It was my fault, please calm your anger, Consort."