Chapter 143

Chapter 143

"Huh?" Su Yi asked uncertainly, "Your Majesty, did you just say something?"

Had she misheard?

It was so close; how could she have misheard?

Seeing the uncertainty on Consort Rong's face and the confusion in her eyes, Kangxi began to wonder if his earlier words were really that hard to understand.

Considering Consort Rong's fiery temper, Kangxi decided to be more patient, as usual.

"I heard you had a pleasant conversation with Consort Tongjia today."

"Yes," Su Yi nodded, as if to say, "And then? What's the issue?"

Kangxi, for once, was momentarily at a loss for words. Should he bring up the past conflicts between Consort Tongjia and Consort Rong? But it felt awkward.

"Your relationship with Consort Tongjia was quite tense before. I feared your visit to Cining Palace to attend to the Empress Dowager might lead to unpleasantness, disturbing her peace. But it seems you managed to come back together, so perhaps I overthought it."

Kangxi pretended to be concerned, actually reminding her that even if they were getting along now, Consort Tongjia's previous bias against Consort Rong was almost undisguised. This sudden shift seemed suspicious, and caution was warranted.

Moreover, he really didn't want Consort Rong to get too close to Consort Tongjia.

As a result.

"Exactly, Your Majesty. We didn't get a chance to look closely before, but today I realized that Consort Tongjia is truly a wonderful person. We wasted so much time not getting along earlier, but it’s not too late now."

Su Yi also spoke with a sense of regret, as if they’d missed their chance earlier. At the mention of Consort Tongjia, her eyes lit up even more.

Her enthusiasm for Consort Tongjia outshone even her gaze at Kangxi.

'If I had known earlier that her hands were so beautiful, I wouldn't have wasted so much time.'

'Thankfully, it's not too late now.'

'Some small items in my vanity could be turned into bracelets—novel and beautiful. It would be nice to visit her using the excuse of giving her a bracelet.'

Su Yi's thoughts quickly jumped to how to make bracelets.

No woman can resist beauty tips, gorgeous jewelry, or stylish clothes! She really was a clever one.

A vein throbbed on Kangxi's forehead. Was that what he meant?!

Was Consort Rong playing dumb?

"What I’m saying is, you don’t need to be so close when you interact. It could cause misunderstandings." Kangxi cleared his throat, masking his discomfort.

"What misunderstandings?" Su Yi asked, looking puzzled.

'What misunderstandings? Either he doesn't come at all, or when he does, he keeps saying strange things. Are we even talking about the same thing?'

Kangxi reached out and took Consort Rong's hand, which was casually placed beside her. Consort Rong's hand was delicate, fair, and clean, with neatly trimmed nails that made her fingers look even more slender. Her palm had no calluses, and her hand was as soft as if it had no bones. He could easily envelop her hand with his.

His fingers unconsciously caressed her hand, the smooth texture somewhat mesmerizing, and his tone softened,

"Actually, your hands are very beautiful too. There's no need to envy others." She herself was exquisite, almost flawless, and didn't need to envy anyone.

Kangxi rarely complimented people, so after speaking, he felt his ears grow warm, thinking his words were perhaps too direct.

Su Yi: "..." She paused, her silence speaking volumes.

'Wait, he actually thought I was insecure about my looks?!'

'I know I’m beautiful—better than anyone else does. I can’t help but admire myself in the mirror every day.'

'How do I explain that I just have a thing for pretty faces?'

Kangxi’s eyes widened in shock—he couldn’t believe Consort Rong actually...!

He took a deep breath and tightened his grip on Consort Rong's hand. No, Consort Rong’s reactions during intimacy were normal—she clearly wasn’t into women.

"Honestly, I just really admire Consort Tongjia’s hands. That’s all," Su Yi explained, sounding a bit helpless.

'Actually, it’s not just the hands—it’s the hand skeleton. A well-structured one feels different to the touch. The angles at which the joints connect, the length of the joints, and the size of the bones all perfectly align with my aesthetic.'

'A hand skeleton like that, if not cared for, would be a shame. Good maintenance would make it even better.'

Su Yi sighed inwardly, her calm expression masking her fascination with someone else’s hand... skeleton!

Kangxi’s grip on Consort Rong’s hand trembled slightly. He didn’t let go, but it felt like breathing had become a struggle.

Not even Baocheng’s education had given him such a headache.

He thought it was just about hands, but it turned out to be about the bones!

This bizarre obsession left Kangxi speechless.

"You... what are you..." Kangxi grabbed the untouched tea, took a big gulp, and then regained his composure, as if nothing could shake him.

At first, he thought Consort Rong was just being friendly with Consort Tongjia—nothing more to it. He worried she might get taken advantage of in her interactions with the Consort.

But no—Consort Rong was secretly obsessed with Consort Tongjia’s hand skeleton!

For a moment, Kangxi was at a loss on how to address Consort Rong’s odd fixation. After a long day of reviewing memorials, his head had been fine—now it was pounding.

It felt like he’d just realized Consort Rong was a handful. He’d been neglecting her, and she’d dropped this bombshell on him.

Su Yi blinked. Maybe she’d been a bit too straightforward?

"Drink slowly—don’t choke. Here, let me top up your tea," Su Yi said with a sweet, well-behaved smile.

Kangxi: So easygoing it’s giving me a headache!

"This isn’t good—this... obsession of yours," Kangxi said sternly, hoping to nip it in the bud.

He’d never imagined the real issue wasn’t Consort Rong’s attraction to beauty, but her fixation on hand skeletons.

Compared to this, her usual interest in pretty maids seemed downright normal. Kangxi’s feelings were complicated, like a compromise between the ordinary and the extreme.

It felt like his perspective had shifted. Getting upset over ordinary things now seemed silly.

"How is this a quirk? It’s just a personal preference," Su Yi said firmly, not holding back.

Kangxi gave Liang Jiugong a look, and Liang Jiugong understood, quietly dismissing the servants.

Clearly, His Majesty wanted to handle Consort Rong’s issue in private. This wasn’t a topic for public ears.

No wonder His Majesty wanted to speak to Consort Rong alone.

The Emperor hadn’t even noticed he’d been a bit annoyed when he first showed up, but now, even though he was still mad, it felt different.

"If word got out about these preferences, people would definitely think they’re inappropriate."

"What’s so inappropriate about it?" Su Yi wore an expression that said, "Don’t mess with me."

She defended herself, "I just really like how some people’s hands look nice. I can’t help but look a little longer and share some hand care tips. How does that make it weird? What about people with a foot fetish? Aren’t they the real creeps?"

Hearing this, Kangxi’s eyes darted. In fact, he’d had his own thoughts about Consort Rong’s feet.

But he’d held back, though in private moments, he couldn’t help but notice more.

Even though he restrained himself and Consort Rong might not know, being said this way, Kangxi couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty, though his expression remained unchanged, still serious and proper.

"What’s a... pervert?" Kangxi asked, somewhat shifting the focus, feeling it wasn’t a good term.

It didn’t sound like a good term.

"It’s an insult, kind of like ‘creepy,’" Su Yi casually explained.

Actually, it’s not exactly that—it refers to someone with abnormal psychology—but here, even if explained, it might not be fully understood, and it would require further explanation, which was too troublesome, so Su Yi didn’t bother.

Kangxi felt like he’d been hit where it hurts, realizing it really wasn’t a good term. He was about to continue talking properly with Consort Rong when something suddenly came to mind.

Wait, had Consort Rong been secretly calling him that in her head?

But at that time, she had only cursed him in her heart, not out loud. Although he had been curious and puzzled, he didn’t ask. Now he knew.

Kangxi’s face fell a little, just as he heard Consort Rong say,

"People who are into bound feet—that’s just straight-up weird, isn’t it? And those who use shoes as wine cups to drink from.

They don’t think it’s indecent, so how can mine be considered indecent? If I told people, they’d think I’ve got great taste."

Su Yi was seriously annoyed. What she liked were normal, beautiful, slender hands. It couldn’t be more elegant. Her taste couldn’t be that low!

You can criticize her, but you absolutely cannot question her taste!

She couldn’t be that low and creepy!

Just the thought of it made Su Yi want to blow up.

Kangxi unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that Consort Rong had been talking about those who liked bound feet.

Seeing Consort Rong’s angry expression, her lips pressed together turning pale, her breathing somewhat rapid, he reached out to hold her in his arms, gently patting her back to soothe her, softly coaxing, "Okay, okay, calm down."