Chapter 078

Chapter 078

Yonghe Palace

Su Yi looked at the newly arrived medicine and felt nothing but worry. Pretending to be sick was fun for a moment, but drinking the medicine was a real ordeal.

She rested her chin on her hand, waiting for the medicine to cool. Guogaitou, the cat, perched on the table, tilting its head to gaze at her, occasionally meowing and batting at the air.

The servants nearby were somewhat concerned that Guogaitou might accidentally knock over the medicine bowl, and then the Consort would find an excuse not to drink the medicine again.

This was something the Consort was quite capable of.

"Consort, perhaps it would be better to take Guogaitou down," one of the servants suggested.

Su Yi reached out to pet Guogaitou, "It's fine. Guogaitou is well-behaved and won't knock it over." Her tone at the end hinted at a subtle regret.

She secretly hoped Guogaitou would knock over the medicine bowl, but the little creature was just batting at the air.

What a shame; her regret was almost palpable.

Yun Hua stood nearby, ready to remind Consort Rong that the medicine would cool if she didn't drink it soon.

Just then, a servant entered and glanced at Yun Hua, clearly having something to say. Yun Hua approached, listened to the servant's whisper, and then dismissed her.

She returned to Consort Rong's side and whispered, "Consort, the Emperor is coming to Yonghe Palace... to visit Consort Liang." She added, concerned that Consort Rong might be upset by the news.

Su Yi was clearly displeased.

She frowned slightly, her voice tinged with melancholy, "Ah, how dull. I'm just old news now, how sad. I'm in no mood at all. This medicine, I don't want to drink it anymore. What's the use? Yun Hua, take it away and pour it out."

Yun Hua's expression was conflicted. She was certain Consort Rong had been a bit down at first, but by the end, the corners of her mouth were twitching upwards. Consort, can you at least try to be a bit more convincing?

Su Yi: Perfect, finally a decent excuse.

"Consort, your health is crucial; you can't be so reckless with your body," Yun Hua pressed on. "Consort, look, the candied fruits are already prepared."

The candied fruits on the table glistened, looking irresistibly sweet. A bite after the medicine would help.

Su Yi shook her head, unswayed by the candied fruits.

"Yun Hua, I'm already so down, and you still want me to drink this bitter medicine. It's just piling on the bitterness. What good are sweet candied fruits? A few kind words would do more to lift my spirits."

Su Yi took out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. Tears welled up but, as usual, never fell. At most, they moistened her eyes, making them look dewy.

Su Yi: Finally found a somewhat reasonable excuse, how could I just give up?

Yun Hua had never encountered a Consort like this before, especially one who was so difficult to handle at times like this.

"Consort, bitter medicine is good for you. The Crown Prince drinks his medicine without changing his expression. Surely, Consort, you can't be more afraid of drinking medicine than the Crown Prince?"

She had to bring up the Crown Prince as an example. The Consort was an adult, how could she be more stubborn about not drinking medicine than the Crown Prince?

But Yun Hua had truly underestimated Su Yi.

Su Yi: Is that all?

"I'm not afraid, I'm just in a bad mood and don't want to drink it," she reiterated.

At that moment, Qinxin entered carrying a tray with a small plate holding an unusually large pill and a cup of warm water.

Upon hearing this, she chimed in, "Your Ladyship, if you don't wish to drink the medicine, it's alright. Imperial Physician Wang has made some medicinal pills, saying their efficacy is the same as the decoction. If you don't want to drink it, taking the pills should be fine, right?"

Su Yi was immediately struck by the sight of the pill, which was larger than a longan and pitch black. How was this any different from those wax-sealed black pills she had taken before?

Oh, there was a difference—it was much larger, the kind that could get stuck in your throat if you tried to swallow it whole.

"This... this is huge, isn't it a bit excessive?" Su Yi couldn't help but gulp. How was she supposed to swallow this? It might get stuck in her throat halfway down.

"Your Ladyship, you're supposed to chew it first, then wash it down with warm water. Imperial Physician Wang said this is to make it easier for you to take the medicine since he knows you find the decoction bitter," Qinxin explained with a rare smile.

"Why did Imperial Physician Wang suddenly come up with the idea of making pills? Haha, this is really... too considerate," Su Yi's expression gradually became somewhat unnatural.

"It's just that if Your Ladyship doesn't want to drink the decoction, there are pills as an alternative. This way, your condition won't worsen due to skipping the medicine," Qinxin explained with a smile, thinking Imperial Physician Wang was indeed far-sighted.

Imperial Physician Wang: No one's going to tarnish my reputation. When it comes to medical skills, I'm the best. For certain uncooperative patients, I provide specialized pill services. Decoctions and pills, I've got you covered!

Su Yi took a deep breath. She never expected Imperial Physician Wang to be so meticulous!

Was there really a choice?

She quietly put away the handkerchief she had been using to wipe her tears. "Pretend I never said anything."

Then, without a second thought, she grabbed the bowl of medicine from the table and downed it in one go.

At least this way, the bitterness would only come once. Chewing and swallowing that concentrated pill would probably make the bitterness hit her like a ton of bricks.

I really have to thank you for your considerate service.

Yun Hua couldn't help but lower her head, covering her mouth to suppress a laugh. After Her Ladyship put down the bowl, she handed over the candied fruits on the table.

Su Yi put down the bowl and stuffed three candied fruits into her mouth, muttering, "Sweet enough to kill me, huh." Then she quickly took a sip of warm water, grabbed the cat, and lay down on the bed.

This little episode managed to dispel the gloomy atmosphere caused by Kangxi's impending visit—not to see Her Ladyship, but Consort Liang.

"Then we servants will take our leave. Your Ladyship, please rest well."

Consort Liang, having heard that the Emperor was coming, had already prepared herself early and was waiting at the entrance of Yonghe Palace. This was the first time she would see the Emperor since becoming a consort, and she was incredibly nervous as she waited.

Seeing that Consort Rong didn't come out to wait with her, Consort Liang actually felt relieved. If the other didn't come, it was better for her sake. During her few days at Yonghe Palace, she had only spent a significant amount of time with Consort Rong on the first day of her arrival.

In the morning, according to protocol, she was supposed to pay her respects to the primary consort of the palace.

Consort Liang had even prepared herself for the possibility of Consort Rong deliberately making things difficult for her under the guise of the morning greetings, such as making her wait outside for a long time before allowing her in.

But Consort Rong had sent someone out to say that there was no need to come for morning greetings in the future, as Yonghe Palace did not follow the custom of morning greetings.

At first, she thought this was Consort Rong's way of asserting dominance, but later she realized that Consort Rong simply couldn't get up in the morning and usually didn't rise until close to lunchtime. Going there would have been a waste of time.

In the afternoon, she was occasionally called over to listen to books or chat for a bit. Consort Rong seemed to have a very gentle temperament, showing no signs of hostility.

Just when she began to wonder if Consort Rong's nature was truly too soft, showing no animosity toward a woman who was clearly there to share the Emperor's favor, or if she was simply too weak-willed, something happened.

The neglect from the imperial kitchen finally provoked the usually good-tempered Consort Rong to anger. At the time, Consort Liang didn't dare to approach, but afterward, she sent her maid to inquire and report back on what had happened.

However, the maid's report was vague and unclear, not as informative as what she could gather from outside Yonghe Palace. But Consort Liang could clearly sense the reverence and respect the servants of Yonghe Palace had for Consort Rong.

A weak master would not be able to control the servants effectively; in fact, the servants might even take advantage of a weak master. Therefore, Consort Rong must not be as simple as she seemed.

Before she could firmly establish her footing, Consort Liang decided it would be better to behave obediently in front of Consort Rong, lest Consort Rong think she was being restless or plotting something, and decide to drop her facade of benevolence.

The longer she waited, the more Consort Liang's heart raced with nervousness, her hands trembling slightly.

Although she had become a consort, she had not yet truly served the Emperor in the bedchamber, which made her feel somewhat insecure. Only after serving the Emperor would Consort Liang feel truly at ease.

She had thought she would be summoned by the Emperor through the drawing of a plaque, but now that His Majesty was coming in person, it stirred up the anxiety she had felt over the past few days of waiting.

Most of the maids in Yonghe Palace were those who served Consort Rong, while those around Consort Liang were temporarily assigned by the Imperial Household Department. Seeing that Consort Liang had already come out to greet the Emperor, while their lady had not yet appeared, they couldn't help but send a message to Qinxin.

"I understand. The mistress has her own plans," Qinxin said calmly.

The young eunuch thought to himself, "As expected of Qinxin, she truly understands the mistress. She is indeed the trusted confidante by the mistress's side."

In reality, Qinxin was thinking that the mistress had no intention of going out to greet the Emperor at all.

It's not that she hadn't just asked the mistress. Even if the Emperor was coming to see Consort Liang, the mistress should still go out to greet him to avoid gossip, knowing that the Emperor had arrived and she was hiding and not coming out to pay her respects.

The mistress leaned against a soft pillow on the bed, holding the cat, and coughed weakly a few times, saying feebly,

"I know the Emperor is coming, but I am ill, so ill that it's difficult for me to get up. I can't go to greet the Emperor. If I drag my sick body to pay my respects, what will others think of the Emperor? That he doesn't care about his gravely ill concubine and insists she drags her sick body to perform these empty rituals?"

After speaking, she coughed a few more times, looking even paler, truly resembling someone seriously ill.

Consort Su raised her hand to cover her pale lips, suppressing a few coughs, and continued,

"Actually, I am also thinking of the Emperor's reputation. Have a maid explain to the Emperor when he arrives, saying that I am unwell and won't be able to come to pay my respects. Please ask the Emperor for his understanding. Go now. The Emperor is broad-minded and won't be angry over such a small matter."

Yun Hua, the maid, shrugged helplessly at Qinxin, indicating there was nothing she could do.

What could Qinxin do? The mistress wasn't being proactive at all, so why should she, a servant, be anxious? It's like the saying, "The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuchs are." In her case, it was "The mistress isn't worried, but the maids are."

Once, Qinxin had been a very ambitious maid, determined to assist her mistress, if not to become the top figure in the palace, at least to make her mistress a favored consort. But now, well, she had accepted it. Things were fine as they were.

"Yes, My Lady," Qinxin replied weakly.

"Thank you for your hard work, Qinxin," Consort Su immediately stopped coughing and continued to stroke the cat's fur.

The cat, having eaten well, had grown much fatter, especially after a full meal, its belly bulging. Now it lay lazily in Consort Su's arms, its cat eyes slightly narrowed in comfort.

Although the cat's forelock was a bit uneven, it must be said that some cats can still look quite handsome. This cat was one of them, a little handsome cat with a forelock.

It also had a somewhat haughty demeanor, quite distinctive.

Although it was usually the servants who took care of it and prepared its food, spending more time with it, the cat didn't pay much attention to them. After eating, it would swish its tail and walk away, not allowing anyone to pet it. It had a somewhat arrogant demeanor, like a mischievous creature.

The cat's favorite person was Consort Su. Usually, if other servants wanted to pet it, they needed to have a small fish in hand to call it over. But Consort Su didn't need a fish; the cat would come over on its own, rubbing against her feet and meowing, wanting to be held.

Yun Hua had originally wanted to keep a dog, but now she often chased after the cat, taking advantage of when it was in Consort Su's arms to sneak a few pets, then wearing a self-satisfied smile of having successfully petted the cat.

It was really because the cat usually didn't allow itself to be petted. If you insisted, it would get angry and swipe at you with its paw. Only at this time could you seize the opportunity.

But when it was in the mistress's arms, you could pet it. At this time, the cat was in its best mood, only lazily lifting its eyelids to see who was touching it, then closing its eyes and continuing to sleep.

Now Yun Hua stayed here just to be able to pet the cat, occasionally reaching out to touch its fur, and after doing so, she would wear a self-satisfied smile. Consort Su, meanwhile, pinched the cat's soft paws and sighed to Yun Hua, "Look, the cat's paws are in the shape of a heart."

The cat's four paws were all pink, with the pads forming the shape of a heart.

Yun Hua nodded vigorously, her face flushed with excitement.

Qinxin, watching the two of them engrossed in petting the cat, could only sigh. She would have to go herself later. After all, such a flimsy excuse couldn't be delivered with a straight face by just any servant. She would have to do it herself.

"His Majesty has arrived—"

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang quickly adjusted her clothes and asked the maid attending to her, "How do I look?"

The maid naturally replied, "You look lovely, my lady."

Only then did Consort Liang feel somewhat reassured and hurried forward to greet the Emperor, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless happiness and peace."

Kangxi descended from the sedan chair, his expression cool. After seeing Consort Liang's greeting, his gaze swept around imperceptibly before returning. He stepped forward, extending his hand to Consort Liang in a gesture of support, saying gently, "No need for such formalities."

Consort Liang, slightly flustered, glanced up at Kangxi and was about to place her hand on his when he withdrew it and walked past her, leading the way. Consort Liang had no choice but to follow, maintaining a respectful half-meter distance, not daring to walk alongside the Emperor.

As they passed the main hall, Qinxin and the servants were waiting outside. Seeing the Emperor approach, they hurried forward to greet him, then remained kneeling as Qinxin explained,

"Welcome, Your Majesty. The Consort should have greeted Your Majesty, but she is unwell and bedridden, unable to come to greet and pay respects. We humbly beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Qinxin spoke with anxious respect.

Liang Jiugong, standing to the side, couldn't help but feel the urge to wipe his sweat. Consort Rong didn't even bother with the usual formalities; she should have at least made an appearance.

Kangxi's expression remained unchanged as he calmly asked, "Is Consort Rong so seriously ill?"

So ill that she can't even take a few steps?

Qinxin, under the Emperor's gaze, maintained her composure and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. The Consort coughs uncontrollably upon getting out of bed and must rest in bed to recover."

She didn't dare mention that the Consort feared her coughing would spoil the Emperor's mood.

Consort Liang stood quietly to the side, silent, though her mind raced.

Kangxi pursed his lips, looking at Qinxin without speaking. A tense silence spread. Qinxin slightly lowered her head, her palms beginning to sweat, fearing the Emperor might lose his temper on the spot. Her heart pounded.

Finally, Kangxi just withdrew his gaze and said coldly, "Then let her rest." He turned and walked towards the side hall, his back appearing somewhat aloof, though his hands, naturally clasped in front, tightened slightly.

After Kangxi passed, Qinxin didn't rise immediately but leaned to the side, clutching her chest to catch her breath before standing up. She was terrified; thankfully, she hadn't sent another maid to deliver the message. Any other maid would have been scared out of their wits.

Looking at the servants behind her, who also appeared weak-kneed, she understood completely, "You may all return early." There was nothing more for them to do. If the side hall needed help, the night watch would assist.

Upon arriving at the side hall, Kangxi took a seat. The servants were already preparing. Consort Liang, assisted by the servants, changed her clothes. After preparations were complete, the servants withdrew. Seeing the Emperor still sitting outside the screen, she gracefully walked out, her qipao dress replaced with a light nightgown.

She approached Kangxi with a hint of nervousness, softly saying, "Your Majesty." Her face bore a faint blush, appearing soft and beautiful under the light.

Kangxi's gaze, however, wasn't on her but swept over the furnishings of the side hall. Though not exceeding regulations, they were quite lavish for a Consort. The Imperial Household Department provided only the basics, but the decorations here were more than sufficient. He remarked ambiguously, "Consort Rong treats you quite well. The furnishings here are quite nice."

Consort Liang wasn't sure why the Emperor brought this up but still smiled beautifully, unconsciously mimicking Consort Rong's smile,

"Yes, Consort Rong is very kind to me, often sending gifts. I am deeply touched." Her makeup subtly accentuated her resemblance to Consort Rong.

Every time Consort Rong sent something, she felt compelled to inspect it thoroughly. Although nothing was ever found, she still felt uneasy using them, doubting Consort Rong's generosity.

She usually avoided deliberately mimicking Consort Rong's appearance when meeting her, fearing it might displease Consort Rong and lead to deliberate hardships.

But this time, meeting the Emperor, she had styled her eyebrows and eyes to resemble Consort Rong's more closely. After all, since being made a Consort by the Emperor, she hadn't been summoned. Today, with Consort Rong ill and the Emperor visiting at night, it made Consort Liang think more, hence her actions.

"Don't smile like that. It displeases me," Kangxi said coldly.

Consort Liang's smile froze, unsure of what she had said wrong. The Emperor's reaction was so swift. Her smile turned unnatural, "Your Majesty, did I say something wrong?"

Kangxi spoke indifferently, "Let's retire for the night."

Upon hearing this, Consort Liang, ignoring her awkwardness and shyness, stepped forward to help Kangxi change his clothes. However, Kangxi raised his hand to stop her, "Liang Jiugong."

Liang Jiugong then entered the room. Consort Liang was puzzled why the Emperor summoned Liang Jiugong now.

Liang Jiugong addressed Consort Liang, "This way, please," making a gesture.

Consort Liang hesitated, unsure why she was being sent to the outer room.

She glanced at the seated Emperor, confused, "Your Majesty?"

"If you would follow me," Liang Jiugong smiled and blocked Consort Liang's path, repeating his request.

Late at night, Su Yi was jolted awake by Guogaitou's meowing. She groped blindly on the bed but couldn't find Guogaitou, who had been there before she fell asleep.

But Guogaitou was still calling out. Su Yi opened her eyes and sighed, thinking this must be something every cat owner has to go through.

She got up from the bed, holding a half-burned candle, and started looking for Guogaitou. Outside, a palace maid was on night duty. Su Yi called out softly for Guogaitou, then her throat itched, and she couldn't help but cough a few times. Where did this little rascal go?

Finally, she noticed a hole in the window, about the size of Guogaitou.

Since the window was papered, Guogaitou only needed to extend its claws and scratch hard to break through.

Who would have thought that Guogaitou had already started damaging the window when it was still small.

She propped open the window, and the cat's meow grew louder.

"Guogaitou?" she called out.

"Where are you?" After looking around and not seeing Su Yi, she called out again.

The fierce meow abruptly turned into a soft coo, "Meow meow?"

Then a small white figure emerged from the darkness, looking as if it had scratched something, its white fur a bit dirty, and it let out an innocent meow as it ran out.

It seemed as if the fierce cat that had been calling out earlier wasn't it at all. This little cat was quite the actor.

The hidden observer gritted his teeth, marveling at the cat's act.

Just now, when it was yowling at him, it was so fierce, even wanting to extend its claws to scratch him. If he weren't worried about noise, he wouldn't have put up with it. He barely managed to stifle his voice to quiet it, but the cat kept yowling.