Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Kangxi nudged her gently, but Consort Rong showed no reaction, still not waking up.

At first, he thought Consort Rong was faking sleep, refusing to wake, but the truth was she really hadn’t woken.

Determined, Kangxi applied a bit more force, and this time Consort Rong finally showed some movement, her face showing a hint of irritation, as if waking up. Just when Kangxi thought she’d finally wake, she rolled over and leaned against the wall to continue sleeping.

He could hardly reach her now.

"Consort Rong?" Kangxi called out a few times, raising his voice slightly.

But Consort Rong just buried her head under the blanket, as if to say, "Call all you want, I’m not waking up."

Kangxi tugged at the blanket, but it didn’t budge. He pulled harder, but still, it didn’t move. The thin blanket was taut, nearly tearing, but he still couldn’t pull it away.

She still wasn’t awake?!

How could she sleep and still cling to the blanket?!

He couldn’t wake her by calling, nudging, or tugging the blanket. What more could he do? No way was Kangxi going to start shouting. Even these actions felt beneath his imperial dignity.

Kangxi was worn out. After being busy for so many days, he was also tired. He’d planned to eat with Consort Rong, thinking that seeing her enjoy the food would help his own appetite. But now, she wouldn’t wake up.

After a while of this, maybe too many silent moments, Kangxi just lay down too, next to Consort Rong.

He’d only meant to lie down briefly, not planning to sleep. But the pillow was so soft, and the scent so soothing. Kangxi’s eyes grew heavy.

Lately, Kangxi had been sleeping in his own room, on a porcelain pillow and a hard bed. He’d gotten used to it, and waking up had been a bit of an adjustment.

But Kangxi didn’t let it show. Admitting he couldn’t handle a hard bed or porcelain pillow? That would be a blow to his pride.

Among the wealthy and powerful, it was customary to sleep on hard beds and use porcelain pillows. As the ruler of the empire, how could Kangxi admit he couldn’t handle them?

Previously, he could say he was accommodating Consort Rong, who preferred soft, thick cushions and pillows. He had no choice but to follow her preferences.

But truth be told, the soft pillow was much more comfortable than the porcelain one. When he used the porcelain pillow, he would often wake up with a headache the next day, but during his health check-ups, the imperial physician always said he was in good health and there were no issues.

Recently, with his nerves so tense, Kangxi had been sleeping less and still using the porcelain pillow. After waking up, he would sometimes still have a headache.

Now, as soon as he rested his head on the soft pillow, sleepiness quickly overtook him. As his consciousness faded, he thought to himself, the soft pillow really was more comfortable.

Later, Kangxi was awakened by a certain aroma.

He hadn’t eaten dinner, and now the smell of food had roused him.

He reached out and felt that the spot beside him was empty. Turning his head, he saw Consort Rong sitting at the table, eating a bowl of beef noodles. The rich aroma of the beef broth filled the air without restraint, as if an invisible hand was pulling him up.

Kangxi got up and walked over to sit beside Consort Rong. Seeing her eating the noodles without even looking up, Kangxi lightly coughed, finally catching her attention.

She looked up, swallowed the noodles in her mouth, and said, "You’re awake." Then she went back to eating her beef noodles.

Kangxi: That’s it??

Just that one sentence? Couldn’t she say a few more words? Was the noodles going to run away?

Perhaps Kangxi’s gaze was too hard to ignore. After taking another bite, Su Yi added, "Wait, I’m almost done. The noodles can’t wait, they’ll get soggy. You understand, right?"

Kangxi: Understand what?!

Did he not know that noodles would become soggy if left for too long?

The problem is, Consort Rong didn’t even ask if he was hungry or wanted a bowl. He had skipped dinner because of her and just lay down to sleep.

Now she’s up, eating all by herself!

And the bowl is especially large, even bigger than Consort Rong’s head. It’s practically a basin.

Su Yi had just taken her last bite, and the sense of ritual made her sip the beef broth from the bottom of the bowl. Then she remembered someone was watching her. "Your Majesty, want some supper? This beef noodle is really good. The braised beef has a unique flavor, the noodles are chewy, and the broth is excellent."

Kangxi: Now that she’s done, she remembers him? Doesn’t he know how good it is?

Consort Rong polished off that huge bowl. How could it not be tasty?

If it wasn’t good, she’d claim she had no appetite and wouldn’t touch it. But if it was good, she’d dig right in.

"Fine," Kangxi said with a nod, even though he was starving, he had to keep his cool.

Su Yi clapped her hands, and someone came in right away.

It was Yun Hua, with Liang Jiugong outside.

"Yun Hua, His Majesty’s awake. Get two more bowls of beef noodle soup, same as before," Su Yi said, smiling.

"One bowl’s enough," Kangxi said.

He wasn’t used to eating at night. Today was an exception; he didn’t plan to eat much. Two bowls would be too much; one’s enough.

Su Yi playfully patted Kangxi, teasingly, "Your Majesty, the other bowl’s for me."

What are you thinking? One bowl’s not enough. If it’s good, of course I want another bowl.

You expect me to just sit here and watch you eat?

Kangxi went quiet. So, you do know it’s not nice to let someone watch you eat alone. That’s just what you did earlier.

Yun Hua quickly cleared the empty basin and left, smooth and efficient.

"It’s not healthy to eat too much at night," Kangxi said.

"You’re right, one shouldn’t eat too much at night," Su Yi agreed.

Kangxi: "..." You know nothing... I can’t let Consort Rong lead me astray.

"So, I’ll just have two bowls, enough to feel half-full," Su Yi said, patting her stomach with a hint of regret.

Poor you, my belly.

Hearing this, Kangxi’s expression became complex. His lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing.

...Being able to eat is a blessing.

The beef noodle soup was soon brought up, indeed two identical portions, served in the familiar basin-sized bowls, occupying half the table space.

The aroma wafted over, the broth a beautiful color, the white noodles topped with various side dishes, thick slices of braised beef cut just right, and shredded cucumber, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, looking very appetizing.

But, anyone seeing such a large, hearty portion of noodles would feel a bit overwhelmed, except for Consort Rong, of course.

Kangxi’s hand trembled slightly, hesitating to pick up his chopsticks. Suddenly, he wasn’t very hungry anymore.

Is this the so-called feeling full just by looking at it?

Su Yi had already picked up her chopsticks, ready to start eating. Seeing Kangxi still hadn’t moved, she reminded him, "Why aren’t you picking up your chopsticks? If you don’t eat soon, the noodles will swell."

And swollen noodles are... very voluminous.

Kangxi’s hand tightened, but he still picked up the chopsticks.