Chapter 064

Chapter 064

Kangxi hadn't come for several days, so naturally, he wanted to spend some time chatting with Baocheng. Su Yi didn't interfere. Instead, she picked up the storybooks she had asked people to find for entertainment and read them by herself.

After taking care of the child for so many days, although the little dragon was indeed quite well-behaved and not troublesome, taking care of a child was still tiring and energy-consuming.

Now that the father had come, let him cherish the child properly. She decided not to disturb them.

Lately, Su Yi had been reading the storybooks in fits and starts, never finishing one completely. After all, the little dragon was by her side. If he wasn't asleep, he would make some noise to attract Su Yi's attention, so she couldn't read properly.

She could only read a little at a time, pausing frequently. Now, halfway through the book, Su Yi decided to take advantage of the moment to finish it.

What attracted her to this storybook was its melodramatic plot.

Originally, storybooks were all about scholars and fox spirits, or other supernatural beings, like a scholar who abandoned the fox spirit after passing the imperial exams and married a princess, and so on. The old cliché was that the heartless scoundrel would live happily ever after.

At first, she thought this one would have another clichéd ending, like the fox spirit dying and giving her inner core to the scholar, or the fox spirit choosing to bless the scholar and returning to the deep mountains.

After all, many of the storybooks about scholars and courtesans, or fox spirits, had such endings.

Su Yi thought it would be another story where you could guess the ending from the beginning. But then, the tone suddenly shifted, and the romantic plot took a sharp turn.

Betrayed by the heartless scholar, the fox spirit, in her grief and anger, went to the capital to confront him, who by then had become the princess's consort.

Fearing discovery by the princess, the scholar sought to temporarily appease the fox spirit. After settling her, he planned to tell the princess that he was being haunted by a spirit and ask her to seek help from the empress dowager to invite the master from the national temple to exterminate the fox spirit.

Had the fox spirit believed the scholar, her fate would have been sealed.

However, this fox spirit was not swayed by the scholar's sweet talk. Instead, she immediately subdued him, her hand morphing into a claw, ready to rip out his heart. But she slipped, missed his heart, and ended up castrating him instead.

Disgusted, the fox spirit threw it aside and declared she no longer wished to remain in such a tainted world. She returned to the deep mountains to cultivate, never to emerge again.

Upon waking, the scholar felt a sharp pain in his lower body. He reached down in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock, fear, and panic.

The princess's attendants happened upon the scholar. Ultimately, the princess wept bitterly over her now-eunuch consort, divorced him in tears, and swiftly remarried.

Even after divorcing him, the princess retained feelings for the scholar and kept him by her side as a eunuch servant.

When the princess remarried, she promoted the scholar to her personal eunuch, still serving her, and assured her new consort that the scholar's eunuch status wouldn't affect their relationship.

Su Yi, captivated by this sudden plot twist, became increasingly engrossed. This development was so thrilling!

Su Yi's mouth was already curling up in a smile. Could it get even more melodramatic?

Because she was so absorbed, Su Yi completely ignored Kangxi and the little dragon, who had finished their father-son bonding. The little dragon's adorable voice couldn't even get a response.

He could only look pitifully at his father and then at Su Yi, who was engrossed in her book. Kangxi glanced over, "Consort Rong, what are you reading that's so captivating?"

His voice was a bit louder, but it didn't help. Consort Rong just mumbled, "You're right," clearly not paying attention to what Kangxi had just said.

She was so focused on the book, completely immersed, and no one could disturb her.

Kangxi met Baocheng's gaze, and Baocheng's expression was too obvious—'Father, even Consort Rong doesn't listen to you.' Kangxi felt a bit uncomfortable.

The maids nearby whispered to remind Su Yi, but she just said, "Hmm, okay," without looking up. It was clear she hadn't heard who was speaking; her mind was entirely on the storybook.

After the princess's change of heart, the scholar could only watch as the princess and her new consort grew affectionate. The princess had already forgotten about him, and feeling betrayed, the scholar's love turned to hate. He decided to take revenge on the princess and, taking advantage of the new consort's drunkenness, climbed into his bed.

After a night of debauchery, the new consort woke up to see the scholar beside him, utterly shocked and unable to accept it. But as time passed, he often saw the scholar serving the princess and gradually lost himself, finding the scholar's delicate and charming appearance more alluring than the princess's.

Su Yi: "This is really a case of a small knife cutting the butt—quite an eye-opener."

Just as Su Yi was about to continue reading, the book in her hand was suddenly snatched away. Su Yi looked up anxiously to see who had taken her book.

She saw Kangxi with a dark expression, rolling up the book and pointing at Consort Rong, "This is now confiscated by imperial decree."

Then he glanced at the pile of books beside them, his face turning even darker, "Those are also confiscated by imperial decree."

He had been curious about what kind of book had captivated Consort Rong so much that she couldn't take her eyes off it.

So he walked over and stood behind Consort Rong for a while, trying to see what book it was that had her so engrossed.

To his surprise, after Kangxi read a bit of the content, Baocheng also came over, curious to see what it was about, but Kangxi immediately placed his hand on Baocheng's head, making him sit still and not move.

Baocheng struggled a couple of times but couldn't escape his father's control, so he could only sit there resentfully, watching his father go over to read while he wasn't allowed to.

The little milk dragon thought about how Consort Rong also read books and never let him join in, and now even the Emperor was the same. The little milk dragon began to feel a pang of frustration.

The more Kangxi read, the darker his expression grew, and finally, he couldn't take it anymore and directly snatched the book from Consort Rong's hands.

Who in the world wrote this book?!

Kangxi had already crumpled the book into a ball, all wrinkled.

Seeing Kangxi's furious expression, Su Yi cautiously tried to bargain, "Your Majesty, since you’re confiscating it, could you allow me to finish the ending before you take it?"

She really wanted to know how it ended; she was at the crucial part, and even if it was confiscated, she had to see the ending.

"You still want to see the ending? You! What am I supposed to do with you?" Kangxi spoke through gritted teeth, "Is this something that should even be read?!"

Kangxi wanted to say more but, glancing at Baocheng sitting there with a curious expression, he held back.

Su Yi felt a pang of guilt, her eyes darting around, avoiding Kangxi's gaze.

Sure, the book was a bit out there, but it was just for novelty's sake, not to be taken seriously. Why such a big reaction?

"Actually, it's fine if I don't read it," Su Yi said reluctantly.

A smart person knows when to back down; for now, she’d play along. Once the Emperor left, she’d go to the person in charge of the books and have them let her finish the ending before disposing of it. By then, the Emperor wouldn't know.

"Burn the book now! I’ll sit here and watch it burn!" Kangxi tossed the crumpled book to Liang Jiugong.

Kangxi sat down, glaring at Consort Rong with a stormy expression.

Liang Jiugong quickly caught the book and ordered someone to find a bucket and start a fire outside to burn it.

Truth be told, Liang Jiugong was curious to peek at the content, given the Emperor's strong reaction, but he only managed to catch the title, 'My Transformation Before and After'.

The title seemed pretty normal, didn’t it?

Isn’t this how you’re supposed to start a book? How could there be content he didn't know about?

Su Yi watched as the first book went up in flames, thinking to herself, she had already memorized the book's title. Once she returned to Yonghe Palace, she would have someone find another copy with the same title.

Hmph, when one door closes, another opens.

Kangxi glanced at her and said coldly, "From now on, ensure Consort Rong does not access any inappropriate books. If she wishes to read, there are plenty of suitable books in my study. I’ll send over a selection, including miscellaneous books, but these kinds of books are forbidden."

It's all just a mess.

Su Yi stayed quiet, pursing her lips and not uttering a word. Outwardly, she seemed to give in, but inside, she was still defiant.

'Can't even read a storybook? Seriously? I'll just read it when you're not looking!'

'I’m gonna read it no matter what!'

Kangxi, overhearing Consort Rong's thoughts, raised an eyebrow. 'No matter what,' huh?

"Ah!" Su Yi's face was suddenly pinched by Kangxi. It didn’t hurt much, but it messed up her speech. "Wh...what are you doing?!"

Kangxi pinched Consort Rong's cheek, squinting his eyes as he said, "No reading, got it? Answer me now."

Su Yi's face wasn’t hurt, but she felt embarrassed. Under the circumstances, she reluctantly replied, though her expression still showed defiance.

"I heard you. What’s the big deal? If you won’t let me read, what can you do?!" Her voice grew louder, and just as Kangxi's face turned cold, hinting at anger, she quickly changed her tone. "But how could I not listen to you? Of course, I’ll listen. Right?"

Su Yi covered her face, her tone defiant but her words submissive.

The little milk dragon, watching from the side, suddenly started laughing. Realizing he shouldn’t laugh, he covered his mouth with his tiny hands to stifle it. His shoulders shook, clearly struggling to hold it in.

Liang Jiugong, about to return to Kangxi’s side, paused mid-step at Consort Rong’s words. He turned back and returned to his spot.

At the same time, Liang Jiugong’s face twitched, and he clenched his teeth, forcing a frown. His expression looked forced, but he had no choice—he was afraid he’d burst out laughing.

As Consort Rong’s voice grew louder and bolder, Liang Jiugong thought she was in for it. Even though the Emperor was usually kind to her, he’d surely be angry now.

But Consort Rong’s sudden shift in tone nearly made Liang Jiugong laugh. Afraid he’d laugh, he stayed to supervise the book burning.

He didn’t dare laugh like the Crown Prince.

Kangxi’s face stayed stern, not a hint of a smile. It seemed even this couldn't break the Emperor's composure. He said in a deep voice,

"Clever words, but don’t let it happen again. Watch your volume. As a concubine, being loud and unruly is improper. I have things to do. Baocheng, keep an eye on Consort Rong. Don’t let her read those trashy books all day, got it?"

"Mm-hmm!" The little milk dragon nodded, showing he understood. He would keep a close watch on Consort Rong. If she got too bored, he could lend her his books.

Kangxi then stood up with a stern face, hands behind his back, and left. Liang Jiugong hurriedly followed behind, wondering whether the Emperor was angry or not.

As they walked, Kangxi suddenly burst into laughter. Liang Jiugong, following behind, pondered whether he should laugh along. When Kangxi glanced back, Liang Jiugong forced a smile, his wrinkled face meeting Kangxi's.

Kangxi stopped laughing. "What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

Liang Jiugong chuckled awkwardly, "Your Majesty, I saw you laughing, so I laughed along. I share your joys and sorrows!"

Kangxi kicked him lightly, laughing as he scolded, "Get out of here."

Liang Jiugong bowed with a smile, "As you wish, Your Majesty. I'll keep my distance." He then followed at a slightly greater distance than usual.

Meanwhile, Su Yi sat there, covering her face, too angry to speak. She was so close!

She almost reached the ending!

The little milk dragon, being considerate, had someone bring over the books he usually read. Even though Consort Rong never let him read her storybooks, it didn't matter. He was willing to share his books with her.

Consort Rong might be stingy, but she was a girl, so he should be generous. He decided to share his precious books with her.

"Consort Rong, don't be upset. You can read Baocheng's books," he said, tugging at Su Yi's sleeve to get her attention.

Before Su Yi could see the content of those books, she was quite moved. That scoundrel left in such a hurry; she really wanted to call him back and show him, "Look at the little milk dragon, then take a good look at yourself?!"

As for the content, Su Yi had seen it all before, and this wasn't even the most shocking!

"Baocheng, you treat me so well, unlike your imperial father, huh?" Su Yi ended with a scoff, and the little milk dragon, hearing this, rubbed his little hands together, feeling a bit shy, "Consort Rong."

Before seeing the content of the books, Su Yi thought that even if the little milk dragon's books were a bit more childishly interesting, she could still glance through them, after all, it was a heartfelt gesture from the little milk dragon.

Su Yi smiled and pulled over the stack of books, but upon seeing the titles, she froze.

Then she opened a book, looked at the content, and silently closed it. I must have opened the first book the wrong way, no need to panic, there's still the next one, let's put the first one aside for now.

Su Yi looked at the second book with its very serious and brief title, stiffly opened the pages, and directly flipped to the last page. After roughly estimating the number of pages, the smile on her face gradually disappeared.

She closed the book and put the previously set aside book back on top.

She had underestimated the situation.

She never expected that the books the little milk dragon read were already so convoluted and difficult to understand. Well, just looking at them was starting to give her a headache.

Su Yi slowly moved the stack of books away, far from her, then propped her head with her hand, looking weak,

"Baocheng, Consort Rong suddenly has a bit of a headache, looking at the words makes me dizzy, I'm afraid I can't read your books, you should have someone take them away."

The little milk dragon, watching from the side, said with concern, "Then Consort Rong, do you need to rest for a while? These books can stay here, you can read them next time when your head doesn't hurt anymore, Baocheng has plenty more."

Su Yi:?!!

"No need, compared to those books, Consort Rong actually prefers to talk more with you, it's much better than reading those books."

Sorry, kid, I didn't mean to deceive you.

But Consort Rong truly loves you, it's just that your books are too overwhelming, I really can't handle them anymore.

"Really?! Consort Rong! But these past few days, you've been so engrossed in your books that you've barely talked to me, and you wouldn't let me read with you."

The little milk dragon first spoke excitedly, then started flipping through his little notebook, saying that Su Yi had been talking less with him because she was reading novels.

Now she claims she prefers talking with him, hmph.

Su Yi smiled gently, "It was only after reading for a few days that Consort Rong clearly realized, what's the point of reading novels? It's much better to talk more with Baocheng."

These words clearly delighted the little milk dragon, and he nodded in deep agreement. He was easily swayed, even if he was a little unhappy, it quickly went away.

The little milk dragon happily pounced into Su Yi's arms, starting to whine softly. Su Yi patted the little milk dragon's head, couldn't help but sigh, it's so easy to comfort the kid.

She glanced again at the stack of books that made one dizzy just by looking at them, and signaled to Yun Hua, who understood perfectly, she took the stack of books away, and Su Yi quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Over there, after Kangxi learned about the follow-up, he said somewhat exasperatedly, "Baocheng, this child is easily deceived."

That Consort Rong's favorite thing is to say these sticky, sweet words, she does the same with her maids!

Liang Jiugong listened silently on the side, looking up at the sky without a word, Your Majesty, you may criticize the Crown Prince, but it seems you're quite taken with Consort Rong's ways as well, aren't you?

As time passed, the imperial physician officially announced that the Crown Prince had recovered, and the sealing of the Qianqing Palace could finally be lifted.

On the day of the unsealing, Su Yi didn't pack anything, she simply changed into a new set of clothes and went straight back to Yonghe Palace.

Because many things in the Qianqing Palace had to be completely replaced, all the old things had to be burned, so Su Yi didn't need to pack anything and went straight back to Yonghe Palace.

Her Yonghe Palace had everything, and the Qianqing Palace was just a temporary stay.

She left quite gracefully, and the people of the Qianqing Palace were surprised to see that Consort Rong, who usually appeared lazy, could also be so energetic and decisive.

After finishing the morning court session and handling some government affairs, Kangxi naturally went to have lunch with Baocheng and Consort Rong.

Baocheng's wet nurse had already been replaced by Kangxi's order. Considering that Baocheng was now three years old and no longer needed a wet nurse, all the servants related to the Hesheri family who served him were replaced.

The little milk dragon's servants were all new. During his illness, it was Consort Rong who had been accompanying him, so when all the people around him were replaced, the little milk dragon didn't feel anxious.

At that moment, the little milk dragon was sitting alone at the table. When Kangxi arrived, he saw the little milk dragon sitting there by himself, missing a familiar presence, and asked, "Where is Consort Rong? Why isn't she here?"

Upon hearing his father's voice, Baocheng obediently got up and turned to pay respects to him, but his voice sounded somewhat weak, "Baocheng pays respects to the Emperor."

He then added, "Father, Consort Rong has already gone back."

Kangxi was momentarily confused, "Gone back where?"

The servants nearby replied, "The imperial physician said that the Crown Prince has fully recovered, and the Qianqing Palace no longer needs to stay sealed. Therefore, Consort Rong has gone back to the Yonghe Palace.

She said that she had been staying at the Qianqing Palace for so many days because she had to, but now that the palace is unsealed, there is no reason to stay any longer, so she has gone back to the Yonghe Palace."

Upon hearing this, Kangxi immediately took Consort Rong's words as her being tired of staying and eager to return now that the palace was unsealed, and no one should try to stop her.

After hearing the reason, Kangxi looked at Baocheng, who was pouting and not very happy, and his expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "She knows her boundaries, understanding that the Qianqing Palace is not a place to stay without reason."

Liang Jiugong, standing nearby, silently understood that the Emperor was not pleased, though he didn't need to be so stiff.

After speaking, Kangxi took Baocheng's hand and led him back to the table, "Let's eat."

Liang Jiugong immediately ordered the meal to be served, and the servants quickly brought in the dishes, setting them out one by one. There weren't many dishes, no more than ten, but half of them were Consort Rong's favorite dishes.

Baocheng, still not very happy, was playing with his hands. Kangxi glanced at him and sternly said, "Baocheng, put your hands down. You are the Crown Prince; you should not act so hesitantly."

Always acting spoiled, not how a boy should act.

Previously, Kangxi had held back from scolding Baocheng while he was ill, but now that he had recovered, Kangxi felt it was time to teach him a lesson.

He was clearly a stern father.

Hearing his father's words, the little milk dragon, who was still a bit afraid of his father, obediently put his hands down and sat upright.

Previously, the little milk dragon had been like this, so it wasn't too difficult for him now, but he couldn't help feeling a little upset that Consort Rong had gone back to the Yonghe Palace without staying to have lunch with him.

Consort Rong had left so quickly that by the time he realized it, she was already gone, giving him no chance to ask her to stay for lunch.

Now his father was scolding him, and the little milk dragon was very unhappy, but he kept it to himself, hmph.

Sitting beside him, Kangxi listened to Baocheng's internal grumbling without showing any expression, but in his heart, he was thinking that Baocheng had missed a lot of lessons during his illness.

Previously, Kangxi hadn't pushed Baocheng to study while he was sick, but now that he had recovered, it was time to make up for the missed lessons.

As the little milk dragon was unhappily thinking, he suddenly felt a chill on his back. He curiously touched his back but then felt nothing.

During the meal, Kangxi ate in silence, while the little milk dragon also ate quietly. Normally, Consort Rong would occasionally say a few words during meals, disregarding the rule of not speaking while eating, but she wasn't here now.

As he ate, the little milk dragon thought that without Consort Rong by his side, the food didn't taste as good.

The little milk dragon seemed to have lost his appetite, while Kangxi ate as usual. Seeing that Baocheng had only eaten a little, he said, "Baocheng?"

Kangxi glanced at him, signaling him to eat properly and not dwell on trivial matters. Even without Consort Rong, lunch was just the same as always. There was nothing different, so why couldn't he eat? The dishes were still the same.

Under Kangxi's sharp gaze, the little milk dragon started eating obediently again. After finishing most of his meal, he put down his chopsticks gloomily and said, "Father, Baocheng is full."

He really couldn't eat another bite; he was completely full. If Kangxi forced him to eat more, he would get angry.

This time, Kangxi didn't say anything more. He quietly continued his meal and, when he was about eighty percent full, put down his chopsticks and calmly said, "Clear the table."

After rinsing his mouth and wiping his hands, Kangxi stayed for a while longer, talked with Baocheng for a bit, assigned him some homework, and instructed him to study diligently. Then, he told the servants to take good care of the Crown Prince before leaving.