Chapter 156

Chapter 156

Especially that strange-looking smiley face at the end, Kangxi was both amused and angered. Consort Rong really knows how to push his buttons.

He had already crumpled the small note into a ball in his fist.

Kangxi no longer felt the pain in his head, because the pent-up anger was so overwhelming that even a few deep breaths couldn’t alleviate it. This little troublemaker really doesn’t care about him!

He had thought Consort Rong had changed!

Liang Jiugong, still catching his breath after stepping outside, turned around and saw His Majesty coming out, almost missing the moment, "Your Majesty??"

He saw that His Majesty had already walked a good distance away, so Liang Jiugong hurriedly followed.

Where could His Majesty be going at this hour? After the events of the day, Liang Jiugong felt his heart had been in turmoil all day.

Just when he thought things would calm down, they didn’t. Liang Jiugong was already thinking of visiting the Imperial Hospital and getting some heart-saving pills for maintenance.

The Yonghe Palace was already locked for the night, as the master had retired early, so the maids had to rest early too.

Otherwise, it might disturb the master’s sleep.

The Yonghe Palace was pitch black, and Kangxi wasn’t surprised in the least.

Liang Jiugong was always on call, ready to be sent wherever needed.

He stepped forward first to call for the door.

He now realized the small note was likely Consort Rong’s doing.

Judging by His Majesty’s expression, it probably wasn’t filled with sweet nothings.

As Liang Jiugong called for the door, he thought with a lingering sense of dread, fortunately, he hadn’t been curious enough to open and read the contents.

Otherwise, would His Majesty’s joke be so easy to witness?!

He might have gotten a beating on the spot—dangerous! Too dangerous!

He had come to realize that Consort Rong could repeatedly push His Majesty’s buttons and still be fine, but others might not be so lucky.

Though the Yonghe Palace was locked early, there were still maids on duty.

Hearing the noise, they came over, recognized Liang Jiugong’s voice, and hurriedly opened the door.

Wherever Liang Jiugong was, His Majesty was sure to be nearby, and the maids dared not neglect.

In no time, the once-dark palace was brightly lit.

After all, when the Emperor arrives, they must receive him quickly, and soon all the maids were out.

Of course, the maids were all on standby, but the master above was not.

Kangxi was not the least bit surprised. If Consort Rong had appeared here, he would have thought she had taken the wrong medicine, actually coming out to greet him.

Kangxi waved his hand, not in the mood to chat with the maids, and headed straight for Consort Rong’s bedroom.

As he walked, each step seemed to want to stomp, but he had to soften his steps to avoid noise, maintaining his imperial dignity.

However, Liang Jiugong, who had been following with small steps, now had to take larger strides and quicken his pace to keep up with His Majesty’s steps.

Liang Jiugong had to make an effort to adjust his breathing so as not to let his panting be too loud.

Fortunately, once the Emperor arrived at Consort Rong’s quarters, he could take a rest.

When the higher-ups clash, the underlings suffer—such is life, full of ups and downs!

Qinxin was also standing with Liang Jiugong at this moment, and hearing his heavy breathing, she couldn’t pretend not to notice.

She handed him a clean cloth and then whispered to a maid to bring a cup of warm tea for Liang Jiugong.

He must’ve been parched after that long walk.

Liang Jiugong thought about refusing, but he was indeed very thirsty at the moment, so he didn’t decline.

Seeing that Miss Qinxin handed him the cloth and then stood aside without trying to get too close, he thought she was being thoughtful. After sipping the warm tea, Liang Jiugong couldn’t help but give her a mental nod of approval.

When Kangxi walked in, although he thought to himself that he came precisely to make sure Consort Rong didn’t get a good night’s sleep, his steps unconsciously lightened as he approached.

However, before Kangxi could reach out to pull back the bed canopy, a figure bolted out from inside. Kangxi took a closer look and saw it was the cat, Pothead, again!

It had been a while since he last saw it, and the number of times Kangxi had actually encountered Pothead was quite limited.

Because Kangxi really didn’t like the way Pothead would hiss aggressively at him.

So the maids taking care of Pothead kept it out of sight when he visited.

At the same time, Qinxin suddenly realized, "Oh no, Pothead is still inside!"

Pothead tilted its head, looking at Kangxi as if trying to figure out who this two-legged creature was.

Its small nose sniffed the air, and at a speed visible to Kangxi, its face twisted, and its fur puffed up.

It hissed angrily at Kangxi, clearly remembering that this was the same annoying human from before.

Immediately, it began to screech. If Kangxi understood cat language, or if there were other cats present, they would know that Pothead’s screeching was quite filthy.

Kangxi narrowed his eyes at this bold little furball, about to order someone to throw it out.

But then he saw the cat, which had been screeching and full of ferocity just a moment ago, being pressed down by a hand, instantly flattening like a pancake.

Pothead’s screeching immediately softened, and it let out a small, weak "meow" towards the person inside the bed canopy, as if trying to play innocent.

Kangxi watched with a cold stare at the cat’s sudden change in demeanor. It hadn’t been this meek when it was screeching earlier.

He wasn’t having any of it and immediately called for someone to come in and take the cat away. He absolutely, definitely wasn’t sharing a bed with this cat!

Absolutely not!

Kangxi had a hunch that this cat might cause trouble once he fell asleep.

Qinxin, hearing the Emperor calling for someone, immediately guessed it was because of Pothead. She informed Liang Jiugong that she would go in and take the cat out.

Liang Jiugong understood and didn’t try to take on the job.

After all, Miss Qinxin was more familiar with the cat. If it were up to him, he wasn’t sure he could manage to get the cat out.

Having seen how fierce the cat was even when it was just a little thing, now that it had grown a bit, it might be even fiercer.

Liang Jiugong was a bit afraid, after all, the cat was raised by Consort Rong, and he didn’t dare to harm it.

Pothead didn’t want to leave yet. When Qinxin came in to pick it up, it tried to dodge and run back to its favorite person to act cute, hoping to stay.

But it had been too noisy earlier, and its obvious clash with Kangxi made one wonder if the night would ever quiet down.

Su Yi didn’t relent and shooed Pothead out for Qinxin to take, otherwise she would have to deal with both a person and a cat, and there would be no chance for a good rest.

Pothead was unwilling in Qinxin’s arms but didn’t struggle out, just lay there pouting on Qinxin’s shoulder as it was carried away.

As it passed by the annoying man, Pothead wanted to reach out its paw to scratch him, but the length of its claws was limited, and it could only scratch the air.

Kangxi saw this and sneered, with a somewhat smug air, which made Pothead furious but it didn’t dare to yell as loudly as before.

Kangxi felt a perverse sense of satisfaction from successfully getting rid of the cat.

Probably because Consort Rong didn’t spoil her cat, and now that he was here, the cat wasn’t needed for company.

After this interlude, Kangxi wasn’t as angry as when he first arrived.

But when he lifted the bed curtain a bit and saw Consort Rong’s expression of ‘why are you here,’ his temper flared again.

"You’re sleeping quite soundly."

This comment, paired with Kangxi’s insincere smile, clearly indicated it wasn’t a kind remark.

Su Yi blinked her eyes, which still had a bit of the moisture from just waking up, looking as clear as if freshly washed, but the words she spoke were truly maddening, "Yes, why, can’t you sleep, Your Majesty?"

Did he come over to check if she was asleep, to help him sleep?

Kangxi looked at her innocent expression, as if she hadn’t sent the little turtle with the infuriating note.

He saw no trace of guilt in Consort Rong’s eyes.

She really didn’t feel guilty at all.

"I received your ‘concern,’ how could I sleep?"

Kangxi emphasized the word ‘concern,’ through gritted teeth, wondering how she would respond now.

Su Yi remained calm, casually saying, "Why, are you so moved that you can’t sleep? Actually, there’s no need to come all this way, just keep it in your heart."

Kangxi was somewhat agitated, "Is that how you show concern? I thought you wished I would just drop dead."

Su Yi, after hearing this, paused for a moment, then quickly shook her head, "How could that be." Still denying it.

Kangxi’s temple vein throbbed, "You hesitated just now."

Su Yi: Just a brief hesitation! Why so perceptive?

"Well… how to put it, a soldier who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier, right?"

Su Yi began to ramble, with a look that said ‘you get it, right?’

Then, without waiting for him to speak, she reached out and pulled his hand, urging him to lie down and talk.

She looked up at him, still a bit tired,

Since you’re here, let’s lie down and chat.

Kangxi caught on quickly, although Consort Rong used a soldier wanting to be a general as an example, but similarly, doesn’t it mean that a concubine who doesn’t aspire to be the Empress Dowager isn’t a good concubine?

She actually thought she'd become the Empress Dowager after he was gone!

Consort Rong really has some bold dreams! She dares to think like that!

"No, I don't get it," Kangxi said, his face cold.

He frowned, looking indifferent, but his body was honest. He let Consort Rong pull him, and before lying down, he remembered to kick off his shoes.

Once he lay down, he pushed Consort Rong aside and took up most of the bed, squeezing Su Yi against the wall.

Right then, he didn't care about sleeping properly.

Su Yi: ...

Isn't that just childish? With such a big bed, why do you need to hog so much space?

Su Yi was really unhappy and annoyed. Couldn't this guy get that it was her bed?

He'd squeezed her into a corner, leaving her barely any room.

Irritated, she kicked Kangxi a few times, telling him to move over.

After Su Yi kicked him a few times, Kangxi got stubborn. Hmph, he wasn't moving.

After kicking him a few times with no response, Su Yi gave up. This guy always has to be so stubborn.

"Not getting it isn't a big deal, it doesn't matter," Su Yi replied casually, not arguing with Kangxi about the previous issue.

What she thinks is her own thing. This jerk is already the emperor, the most powerful guy around. It's normal if he doesn't get it.

Anyway, she has her own thoughts, and whether this jerk gets it or not doesn't matter.

Now she was tired and ready to sleep. Su Yi closed her eyes, ready to doze off in the little space she had.

Whether Kangxi slept or not was his problem, but now she was going to sleep.

This time, Kangxi was left speechless. He turned from his back to his side, facing Consort Rong.

Seeing she'd already closed her eyes and was about to fall asleep again.

Given how fast Consort Rong fell asleep before, she might really doze off. Kangxi quickly pulled her closer, whispering in her ear,

"Don't sleep, I'm not tired yet. There are still things I haven't finished talking to you about. You can't fall asleep so quickly."

Su Yi, who was almost asleep, was annoyed by his nagging and opened her eyes angrily, "Can't you just talk about it tomorrow?"

Hearing this, Kangxi pinched her cheek. Consort Rong had the nerve to say, "Let's talk about it tomorrow."

"When I wake up tomorrow, will you get up with me? Every time I get up, you're still asleep.

At night, you fall asleep faster than me. Tell me, when is a good time, huh?!"

To be honest, Kangxi was really starting to feel a bit resentful.

Consort Rong's life seems more comfortable than his as the emperor. He has to get up early for court, while she can sleep in. He has to review memorials and handle state affairs, while she reads storybooks and listens to music in the palace.

And at night, she falls asleep earlier than anyone else. If you're not careful, she just dozes off, sleeping faster than someone who's been busy all day.

Su Yi glared at Kangxi, her eyes clearly saying, "Are you gonna let go or what?"

Kangxi really didn’t feel like letting go just yet. Consort Rong’s face looked delicate, but it felt surprisingly nice to touch—not just a thin layer of skin.

But Consort Rong wasn’t one to let someone pinch her face without putting up a fight.

He only dared to do it now, while Consort Rong hadn’t lost her temper yet.

Seeing Consort Rong was on the verge of losing it, Kangxi forced himself to stay calm and let go.

It wasn’t that he feared her anger, but if he didn’t let go, his own face would be next.

She didn’t care about boundaries like he did—she’d probably pinch his face hard enough to leave a mark.

If the ministers saw marks on his face tomorrow, his dignity would be toast.

"Alright, go on, I’m all ears."

Seeing the jerk had let go, Su Yi shifted to a comfy spot, turned to him, and got ready to talk.

With Su Yi cooperating, Kangxi felt a little thrown off.

Her eyes sparkled, clearly mirroring his face.

They were sharp, like they could see right through him.

"If I hadn’t shown up today, what would you have done?" he asked.

Su Yi thought he’d ask something else, but it was still about today.

She couldn’t be bothered to keep up the act—the jerk already knew who she was.

"If you hadn’t come, I’d have taken it out on the troublemaker."

Her gaze didn’t falter, and her tone was as calm as if she were talking about dinner.

The troublemaker didn’t need to be named—it was obvious.

The one from Cining Palace, of course.

Kangxi’s grip on Consort Rong tightened, though his expression stayed neutral, giving nothing away.

Su Yi smacked his hand, "Lighten up!"

It was annoying—she wasn’t about to let him get away with it.

Kangxi eased up at her words.

Su Yi smiled sweetly, "But you came, didn’t you?"

"You knew about the tonic, right?" Kangxi was calm, in contrast to Su Yi’s warmth.

"I knew," Su Yi said, lazily twirling a strand of hair.

She figured Kangxi, being smart, already knew.

"Then why’d you drink it?!" Kangxi snapped, frustrated that Consort Rong could still think of something else.

Because of a momentary slip-up, someone took advantage, and during that time, Kangxi's inner struggle and guilt seemed almost ridiculous.

Su Yi shot him a weird look, "Why are you mad?"

"Isn’t this what you wanted? Why are you still upset?"

At this moment, Su Yi was being completely blunt, totally clueless about why he was still mad.

Before Kangxi could say anything, Su Yi continued,

"After what happened between us, you didn’t forget to get the morning-after tea, right? Switching it to a permanent solution doesn’t change much.

It also spares you from making up excuses later, calling it some kind of health drink, and I’d have to play dumb while you try to trick me, which is pretty annoying."

And that tonic thing? Such a lame excuse. She didn’t even want to bring it up.

"But getting tricked still feels awful." Not wanting something is different from being forced not to have it, right?

Su Yi felt she’d be shortchanged if she didn’t get some payback.

Kangxi glanced at Consort Rong, who didn’t look the least bit sad, "Don’t you realize, you’ll never... never again." His throat went dry, and he couldn’t finish, as he picked up on something from Consort Rong’s reaction.

"Can’t have kids of my own?" Su Yi finished for him, like it wasn’t a big deal.

She said it so calmly, it was like she wasn’t even talking about herself.

"Oh, that? I never wanted kids anyway."

"You! You don’t want to for me."

"No." Su Yi answered almost without pause, without any hesitation.

Kangxi's blood seemed to freeze, and there was a strange, dull pain in his chest.

"...Why?"

"It’s too hard, it makes you ugly." Su Yi said with a serious face.

Men aren’t worth making her ugly, absolutely not!

Kangxi, hurt by Consort Rong’s immediate response: ...

Especially when he realized that Consort Rong really thought that way: !!

"How can you think like that? If women in this world were like you, afraid of hardship, they wouldn’t bear children... What are you doing? Mmm"

Su Yi directly reached out her finger, pressed it against his mouth, and said bluntly, "But I’m not like the women of this world, I don’t have to listen to this set."

Really, it was supposed to be a heart-to-heart talk, but then he wanted to indoctrinate her with how women of this world should be.

Now there’s no need to dwell on whether to have children or not, what’s the point of clinging to this issue?

She thought both sides could reach an agreement, isn’t that great?

What’s the fuss about now, this can’t go on like this.

Su Yi moved her finger away, instead caressing his face, her expression becoming gentle,

"Alright, this matter is over, let’s not dwell on it anymore, you’ve suffered today, and I’m very tired, let’s rest early."

She was genuinely exhausted.

Kangxi was initially irked by Su Yi's behavior, thinking she was getting out of hand. He went to yank her hand off but stopped when Consort Rong spoke up.

Yeah.

What’s the big deal?

Consort Rong couldn’t care less about this whole thing.

Consort Rong wasn’t off base either; he never wanted her to... get pregnant in the first place.

They’d come to an understanding, and that saved him from feeling guilty or torn, right?

So much easier. If he’d known sooner, maybe things wouldn’t have gotten so messy, huh?

So cold.

Kangxi suddenly didn’t feel like talking anymore, his eyes going blank as all emotion drained from them.

"You upset or something?" Su Yi eyed him, like he hadn’t heard a word.

Why’s he even more ticked off now??

"Nah, let’s just sleep." Kangxi said flatly, lying back down.

He shut his eyes, acting like he was ready to doze off.

Su Yi: .....

No way, you’re clearly still mad.

Out of nowhere, Su Yi seemed to catch on to something and jabbed his temple.

"Ow! 'Consort Rong! What’s your deal now?' Kangxi shot up, clutching his temple, wondering if she thought he wouldn’t snap."

He watched Consort Rong get up too, tossing the blanket aside, standing, and hopping off the bed to leave.

Soon, the sound of rustling as she searched for something could be heard. Kangxi wanted to ask her, wasn't she just insisting on sleeping? Now she's not sleeping, what is she looking for?

But he bit his tongue and didn’t ask. He lay back down, fixed the blanket, shut his eyes, and acted like he didn’t hear Consort Rong’s racket.