Chapter 178

Chapter 178

"You may rise," said the Grand Empress Dowager, looking at the crowded space. Even for the emperor, she found this flood of people rather annoying.

With such a crowd, who could stand out distinctly?

After the group rose, the Imperial Noble Consort stepped forward and approached the Grand Empress Dowager. "Grand Empress Dowager, you have come as well. Liang Jiugong informed us that the Emperor has taken his medicine and is now asleep. We, the concubines, dare not disturb him, yet we are deeply concerned for his health, so we have gathered here to await news."

This was their explanation for why they were all seated there.

The Grand Empress Dowager observed them and understood their intentions. "I have just visited the Emperor. His imperial health is not gravely ill, and with restful recuperation, he will recover quickly. You need not worry too much."

Upon hearing that the Grand Empress Dowager had already seen the Emperor, some of the more anxious concubines couldn't conceal a hint of disappointment on their faces.

This meant they couldn't accompany the Grand Empress Dowager to see the Emperor.

The Emperor might not grant them an audience, but he would undoubtedly receive the Grand Empress Dowager.

"Since the Emperor's imperial health is not gravely ill, then I am at ease and will not disturb his rest," said the Imperial Noble Consort, understanding the implication in the Grand Empress Dowager's words—that she wished to prevent the group from disturbing the Emperor's recovery, lest he have to exert himself by entertaining them. She promptly replied, indicating that since there was no serious issue, she would not disturb.

Of course, if others were tactless enough to continue staying, it was not her concern.

Today, a large group had arrived en masse, forcing her, the Imperial Noble Consort, to come along as well.

Now, with the Grand Empress Dowager's words, the Imperial Noble Consort seized the chance to withdraw.

The other three consorts were slightly annoyed with the Imperial Noble Consort's swift decision to retreat.

If they stayed, it would seem as if they were being inconsiderate, intentionally wanting to disturb the Emperor's rest. Whatever they thought, they verbally complied.

Then, they escorted the Grand Empress Dowager back to the Cining Palace to sit and chat. The remaining minor concubines, seeing that all the consorts had left, exchanged glances and were compelled to follow.

Who would dare to stand out at this moment and say they wanted to stay behind?

They had to escort the Grand Empress Dowager back.

The initial hidden delight of seeing the Grand Empress Dowager had long since vanished.

Instead, they thought that if the Grand Empress Dowager hadn't come, they could have seen the Emperor directly and then returned to the Cining Palace, pretending not to know and continuing to wait.

With so many people waiting together, there was a great chance they could see the Emperor.

The Grand Empress Dowager returned to the Cining Palace accompanied by the concubines.

Thinking back to her visit to the Emperor.

When the Emperor was a child, he was somewhat afraid of taking medicine. When he had smallpox and was sent into isolation, he had to drink medicinal soup continuously for a long time. After returning, he never showed the fear of medicine he had as a child.

He could always drink medicine and recover with a calm expression.

Although he didn't show it much, when he was sick and had to take medicine, his mood was always very bad. Liang Jiugong, who served by the Emperor's side, must have known this well—that the Emperor was more unpredictable than usual at such times.

But just now, the Emperor deliberately acted relaxed, clearly trying to pique Rong Noble Consort's curiosity to taste a sip.

Since the Emperor grew up and became more steady, gradually taking control of the court, the Grand Empress Dowager had almost never seen him act childishly again.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager visited earlier and left some gifts," Liang Jiugong reported about the Grand Empress Dowager's visit.

Originally, they were supposed to announce her arrival, but the Grand Empress Dowager, concerned for Your Majesty, heard that you had already taken your medicine and were asleep. She didn’t want to wake Your Majesty and add to your fatigue, so she just wanted to check on you and ask the imperial physician a few questions, thus she came without an announcement.

The Grand Empress Dowager stood silently by the screen for a moment, didn’t say a word, and then left. She went to the side hall where the concubines were gathered and spoke with them briefly. Then she left, followed by a grand procession of concubines.

Everything in the Qianqing Palace is reported immediately, and almost everything reaches Kangxi's ears in no time.

Kangxi gave a faint 'hmm' in response, his expression was indifferent and slightly tired, showing no further reaction. Liang Jiugong, seeing this, fell silent and stepped aside to wait quietly.

Of all the visitors, Su Yi was the one who slept more than the patient.

Su Yi woke up and gazed blankly at the bed canopy above. Then it hit her—oh, she had come to visit the sick this morning.

The little milk dragon, who had been quietly watching her, called out softly, "Honored Mother Consort, you're finally awake."

He had already visited the Emperor.

When he heard that the Honored Mother Consort had also visited the Emperor, the little milk dragon was puzzled why he hadn't seen her. Maybe she had left without seeing him, but here she was.

He had tiptoed in, careful not to wake the Honored Mother Consort, but he accidentally knocked into the table corner. The little milk dragon froze, bracing himself to apologize.

But the Honored Mother Consort didn’t stir, still fast asleep.

For a moment, he wondered who was really sick—the Emperor or the Honored Mother Consort.

Wasn’t the Honored Mother Consort here to visit the sick?

Why was she sleeping more soundly than the Emperor?

When he visited the Emperor, he tried to be quiet too, but before he could take a few steps, the Emperor had already noticed him.

He had accidentally hit the table, causing a loud noise, yet the Honored Mother Consort showed no reaction.

But he stayed quiet despite his thoughts, sitting on the footstool, leaning against the bed, waiting for the Honored Mother Consort to wake up.

However, as he leaned there, the little milk dragon, having done a day's worth of lessons and archery, was also tired. As he leaned, his eyelids began to droop.

When Qinxin came in with a piece of clothing, her footsteps were almost silent. She gently covered the little milk dragon with the clothes to prevent him from catching a cold.

Now both were awake, but the little milk dragon, hearing a noise and not sleeping deeply, woke up just before Su Yi.

"Ah, you too," Su Yi pointed to the drool on his mouth, showing he had slept soundly too.

Su Yi looked quite calm, glad it wasn't her bed, so let it be.

The little milk dragon touched his mouth, realizing he had drooled. Now aware of his image, he quickly got up, his legs a bit numb but not hindering him from running out swiftly.

Su Yi changed into a new set of clothes and sat there as Qinxin combed her long hair.

The original clothes she wore were wrinkled from sleep. The Qianqing Palace had clothes prepared for her to change into, so Su Yi directly put on a new one. Her hair bun had also been undone for sleeping.

Now, with her hands propping her face, she lazily watched Qinxin preparing to put the hair ornament back, saying, "Just make a bun."

There was no need to put it back on; eating with that hair ornament wasn't necessary. Kangxi had seen her in every possible state.

"Yes, ma'am," Qinxin complied without hesitation, setting it down.

The Little Milk Dragon, who had just run out, returned all cleaned up, looking like a cute little ball of fluff again.

Seeing Su Yi combing her hair, he didn’t disturb her but sat quietly beside her, watching.

Looking at Su Yi's long hair, he turned and pulled his own little braid to the front, comparing it. "Mother Consort, your hair is way longer than Baocheng's." He paused, then emphasized, "Way longer."

Su Yi, somewhat bored while waiting for Qinxin to finish her hair, glanced at the Little Milk Dragon who was tugging at his own braid and comparing it. After a while, she smiled gently, "Sweetie."

Qinxin's eyelid twitched, thinking it sounded like she was up to something. Surely not.

"Yes!" the Little Milk Dragon responded eagerly, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Su Yi. He really liked it when the Mother Consort called him so tenderly.

"Come here and bring your stool," she beckoned to him.

"Okay, just a sec, Mother Consort," the Little Milk Dragon got up and moved the stool he had been sitting on next to Su Yi, sitting down obediently.

Su Yi gestured for him to turn his back, "I think we've never tied Baocheng's hair before, it looks a bit messy."

Making a fuss over nothing.

The Little Milk Dragon was thrilled and sat stiffly, not daring to move his head, afraid to disturb the Mother Consort.

Listening to the consort softly coaxing, "One braid is kind of plain, today the Mother Consort will try a fancier look."

The Little Milk Dragon was a bit nervous at first, but after Su Yi had braided several thin braids, he started playing with them, occasionally pinching the separated strands.

Hearing Su Yi's explanation, he was now really excited about it.

Qinxin watched with her mouth twitching in disbelief as the consort began braiding the Little Milk Dragon's hair, one after another, it seemed like she was going to braid his entire head.

Qinxin: ...

A maid who came to invite Su Yi and the Little Milk Dragon for a meal quietly went back to tell Liang Jiugong, explaining the reason for the delay.

Liang Jiugong was also silent.

When Kangxi found out, he focused on the key point, very dissatisfied, this little troublemaker had never braided his hair!!

Finally, Qinxin, who had finished the consort's hair, came over to help take out some of the braids Su Yi had made, receiving an appreciative glance from the consort.

Qinxin: ...

After braiding many small braids, Su Yi initially wanted to gather them into one, but it didn't look good, all bunched up, it didn’t look good.

So she had Qinxin help undo some, leaving only a few thin braids. This back and forth messing around took quite some time.

The Little Milk Dragon stayed really still throughout, not moving around, even asking if she was tired.

What a good little kid, Su Yi, after indulging in braiding, felt bad about stopping.

Finally, she added a few thin braids to the usual style and tied it up.

Su Yi patted his head gently, "There you go."

The Little Milk Dragon gave a little cheer of joy, then carefully pulled the tied braids to the front, and went to the mirror to look at them, clearly loving it.

Finally, he joyfully threw himself into Su Yi's arms, sweetly saying that Honored Mother Consort was the best, his sweet little mouth showing he was quite the expert at being affectionate.

As Su Yi led him away, he couldn't help but hop a couple of times, his steps light and cheerful all the way, occasionally checking to ensure his newly braided hair stayed neat.

Little Milk Dragon, seeing his father, ran over with a silly grin, "Father, look! Honored Mother Consort braided my hair. Isn't it pretty?"

He turned around happily to show his dear father, earnestly praising it.

His father smiled kindly and reached out as if to touch it, "Is that so? Come closer and let Father take a look."

Little Milk Dragon dodged quickly, "Father, just look from here. Be careful not to mess it up."

He carefully guarded his new hairstyle; after all, it was the first time Honored Mother Consort had braided his hair, and he couldn't let it get undone so quickly.

Father was clumsy; he might just ruin it. Little Milk Dragon wasn't at all confident in Father, it was better if Father just looked from a distance.

Kangxi, who was being called clumsy, smiled even more kindly: "...". His hands itched.

Su Yi smiled gently, though she felt a bit guilty inside.

She had initially wanted to experience braiding a full head of hair again.

But seeing how well-behaved and full of anticipation Little Milk Dragon was, she couldn't let him walk around with a head full of small braids, so she properly finished it.

"The Honored Mother Consort is truly skilled," Kangxi looked at Su Yi, who was smiling gently beside him, patted her hand, and praised.

Su Yi responded without any guilt, with an expression that said 'if you can talk, talk more,' "Yes, indeed."

One dared to praise, and the other dared to accept.

Then, when Kangxi was well enough two days later to resume court duties.

She was half-asleep when she was pulled up to braid his hair, lost in thought.

So why couldn't she have been a bit more humble then?

Couldn't she have been a little more modest?!

Can words once spoken be taken back?

Kangxi showed her through actions that no, she couldn't.

Su Yi smiled and accepted without a word of protest, then proceeded to braid his hair, without deliberately pulling his hair, and really smoothly finished the braid.

Only at the end, instead of just securing it with the yellow ribbon, she also took a tassel-style gold and jade earring from her jewelry and pinned it at the end of the braid.

The earring had a jade butterfly on a gold base, with a string of pearls hanging below, the pendant was eggplant-shaped jade, adorned with lotus-patterned pink tourmaline, and small pearls were embedded on both sides of the pink tourmaline, matching well with the yellow ribbon.

Su Yi calmly hung the earring and even used the ribbon to cover it slightly.

When Kangxi pulled the braid forward to look, the visual blind spot plus the covering of the ribbon made it hard to see at first glance when not moving, but as he walked, it would peek out.

At this moment, Kangxi really didn't notice.

But he felt that the Honored Mother Consort was unusually cooperative this time; he thought it would take some effort to get her to do it. After finishing, Kangxi looked and for a moment couldn't spot anything amiss.

Just as he wanted to take a closer look, Su Yi held his face, examining it carefully and attentively, then earnestly praised, "Your Majesty looks truly handsome right now."

She really had the air of someone praising her own work.

Of course, she still fell short compared to the maids who specialized in this area, but at this moment, her proud demeanor and genuine admiration gradually swept Kangxi up in the praise.

"Really?" Kangxi stifled a smile, feigning indifference.

Given the Rong Noble Consort's never-modest demeanor, it was quite normal for her to react this way. Praising him was equivalent to praising herself.

It made perfect sense.

Then Su Yi gently adjusted his collar and naturally smoothed the fabric on Kangxi's shoulders, brushing the braid back behind him.

Kangxi, in his full court regalia, was striking from head to toe, so for a while, no one noticed anything unusual about him, not even Liang Jiugong.

It was only after the court session, when Kangxi changed into casual clothes, attended to the backlog of government affairs, took time to guide the princes' studies, and then subtly flaunted the little milk dragon.

Initially, the Eldest Prince hadn't grasped the right idea and hadn't noticed.

After all, why would the Eldest Prince bother to notice any changes in the Emperor today?

He thought the Emperor was as imposing as ever and wouldn't keep gazing at him.

Today, he happened to notice what the Emperor had said was different, and there wasn't much... ah, there was indeed something different.

Why did the Emperor switch to a rather effeminate hair ornament today?

The little milk dragon, however, quickly caught on to what the Emperor was hinting at.

But the little milk dragon was fixated on the fact that the Emperor, despite his age, still had the Honored Mother Consort braid his hair.

Hmph, he had previously scolded him for acting like a child, always fawning over the Honored Mother Consort, and lacking any manly demeanor.

Yet today, the Emperor not only had his hair braided but also sported a hair ornament, which he didn't have!

Coincidentally, being at a distance, he wasn't too near Kangxi.

Moreover, the Eldest Prince, though noticing the Emperor's rather effeminate hair ornament today, chose not to remark, showing understanding.

The little milk dragon, on the other hand, seemed to be listening intently but was actually muttering to himself, knowing that speaking up would only inflate the Emperor's pride, he kept silent.

The Third Prince was completely out of sync, feeling immense pressure from the Emperor's pop quiz on his studies.

He had already begun silently reciting the material and, due to nerves, couldn't recall it clearly, growing even more anxious, fearing that if the Emperor quizzed him on something he didn't know, it would be humiliating. He had no time to actively spot any differences in the Emperor today.

The Fourth Prince was still a toddler, currently under the care of the Empress Dowager and not present here.

So, in an extremely subtle situation, those who noticed didn't speak up, and those who didn't notice truly didn't.

Liang Jiugong, while attending to Kangxi, felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint what it was.

When Kangxi turned his back to Liang Jiugong, Liang Jiugong followed the Eldest Prince's poorly concealed subtle glance and finally noticed something unusual.

There was a hair ornament hanging at the end of the Emperor's braid, but upon closer inspection, it looked more like an earring!

When did that get there? It had been almost a whole day, and only now did he notice. How could the maids dare to make such a mistake?

Moreover, the Emperor's hair was styled by the Rong Noble Consort this morning. Could it be that she put it there too?!

"Yo, Your Majesty!" Liang Jiugong was just thinking about how to remind the Emperor, who seemed genuinely unaware.

After changing out of his court attire, the Emperor had been sitting and reviewing numerous memorials for a long time, and even he hadn't noticed anything amiss.

Moreover, when walking, His Majesty would tuck one hand behind his back, and the sleeve covered most of it, making it even harder to notice.

If it hadn’t been for the moment he came to check the princes’ homework and happened to put down his hand while reviewing their assignments, along with the subtle glances from the eldest prince and the others, Liang Jiugong probably wouldn’t have even looked in that direction!

It was all too mundane.

Kangxi was in the midst of checking homework when he was interrupted by Liang Jiugong’s sudden and unsteady tone, which displeased him. He snapped coldly, “What are you stammering about?”

Liang Jiugong was in a difficult position. He couldn’t just blurt it out, but now that he had noticed, he couldn’t not inform His Majesty. So, steeling himself against His Majesty’s icy glare, he stepped forward and whispered in his ear, then quickly retreated to the side.

Kangxi’s face froze for a moment. Although he wanted to reach out and touch it immediately, he fought back the urge and acted as if nothing was wrong. He continued with his comments as before, then walked away with one hand behind his back, just as he had come.

Once inside the sedan chair,

Kangxi immediately reached out to touch and finally felt something unusual besides the hair ribbon. He took it down and looked at it—it was an earring!

Whose earring could it be but that little troublemaker’s?!

He recalled that morning when the imperial concubine had cooperated without much fuss, making everything go smoothly without any tricks or pulling his hair, and it all felt very smooth.

He remembered that just as the braiding was finished and he was about to take a closer look, she suddenly started praising him, diverting his attention.

At the time, he thought she was just complimenting herself, with him as an afterthought.

Well, it turns out she was afraid he would notice if he looked closely.

He had been wearing this earring all day, even when he went to check Baocheng’s homework.

Only now did Kangxi realize why the eldest prince and Baocheng’s glances had seemed a bit off earlier, but he couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong. He guessed they had seen the earring dangling behind him, and those little brats didn’t say a word.

"Liang Jiugong!" Kangxi spoke in a hushed tone, "What were you thinking?"

He hadn't noticed, and Liang Jiugong hadn't noticed either!

Liang Jiugong felt wronged, his face twisted in bitterness as he prepared to kneel and explain.

"Stay on your feet." Kangxi glared at him, fearing that not enough people knew about this.

He didn’t realize he was speaking in a hushed tone himself.

Liang Jiugong had no choice but to whisper his explanation, but it was of no use; Kangxi was still very angry.

Kangxi, clutching the earring, stormed off to Yonghe Palace.

He was ready to confront that little troublemaker—it was truly outrageous!

Recalling his appearance at court that morning, he realized he also had this earring hanging from his hair. If the court officials had seen it, how embarrassing that would have been.

Even though the court officials were far away and might not have seen clearly, or even looked directly at him, this was simply too outrageous.

Then he discovered that the little troublemaker was conveniently absent, what a coincidence—the one who usually lounged around in Yonghe Palace was conveniently not there at this time.

When he questioned the maids, they said she had gone to the Imperial Noble Consort's Jingren Palace to socialize and would not be back for dinner, having it at Jingren Palace instead.

Kangxi remarked flatly, "Did your mistress also mention that after dinner, since it would be late, she’d just stay the night at Jingren Palace?"

Xiao Yunzi and Yun Hua exchanged a quick glance, their heads bowed, cautiously replying, "Your Majesty, the mistress only mentioned having dinner at Jingren Palace."

They were clueless about everything else.

In fact, they thought what the Emperor said was quite possible.

It was totally possible that after finishing dinner, the Imperial Noble Consort might crash at Jingren Palace.

They also sensed something was up about the Imperial Noble Consort going out to visit today.

Now, seeing the Emperor's reaction, it looked like the Imperial Noble Consort had ducked out to avoid drama.

Jingren Palace

Looking at Su Yi, who had come to visit, the Imperial Noble Consort suddenly remarked as soon as Su Yi sat down, "What? What got you off your lazy butt and brought you here?"

Usually, Su Yi would just hole up in Yonghe Palace, and it was the Imperial Noble Consort who visited more often. So, what dragged her out this time?

"I missed you," Su Yi cooed, reaching out to hold the Imperial Noble Consort's hand.

The Imperial Noble Consort shot her a look, leaving her to figure it out herself.

Su Yi sighed, "Why doesn't anyone buy the truth these days?"

When Su Yi stayed to have dinner, the Imperial Noble Consort noticed her usual mooching routine and sensed something was wrong.

First, it was dinner, and then would she stay overnight? Last time she stayed, it nearly drove the Imperial Noble Consort up the wall, and the Emperor even came to fetch her. Did she want to do it again?

After dinner, before Su Yi could speak, the Imperial Noble Consort immediately said, "It's getting late, you should scram after dinner. It's hard to see the road when it's dark."

She yanked Su Yi up and marched her out without a second thought, no niceties.

"I want..." Su Yi opened her mouth to say something.

"Don't even think about it. Just get out of here," the Imperial Noble Consort waved her hand and turned away, as if she were being chased by a ghost, her back looking ice-cold and ruthless.

Su Yi thought, "The Imperial Noble Consort isn't a pushover anymore."

On the way back, Su Yi dragged her feet, telling the servants to take it slow and watch their step, no need to hurry. The servants thought Su Yi was being super thoughtful, always reminding them to be careful and not to hurry back.

But no matter how much she stalled, they still made it to Yonghe Palace.

Su Yi pulled herself together and walked in. The main hall was quiet, the lights dim—totally low-key, unlike when Kangxi was there, when it was as bright as day.

The servants had clocked out for the night, leaving only those on duty.

If Kangxi were still around, there'd probably be a whole crew waiting.

Looks like dragging her feet paid off.

Su Yi plopped down to chill, then after a comfortable bath in the side room, she towel-dried her hair halfway and planned to return to the bedroom, open a window, and let the wind dry her hair.

As she entered, she walked around the screen, and before Qinxin could follow, she saw the Imperial Noble Consort turn back, "Hmm? Your Highness..." Did she forget something?

Then she saw another figure emerge from behind the screen, startling her, thinking someone had broken in.

She wanted to scream but was afraid of causing a commotion. Upon closer look, wasn't that the Emperor?

Kangxi quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arm, "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost when you see me, Imperial Noble Consort?"

Su Yi, caught by the arm, froze and turned around with a fake smile.

Isn't this just like seeing a ghost?

"How could it be?"

God knows, the moment she walked in and saw Kangxi sitting by the bed, playing with the gold-inlaid emerald earring she had mischievously pinned on him earlier, and then looked up to meet her eyes, it was truly terrifying. She immediately wanted to bolt.

She thought Kangxi had turned over a new leaf, actually missed her, guessing she might stay overnight at Jingren Palace and left, planning to settle the score with her another day.

He had been waiting here all along!!

Qinxin also caught on at that moment, quickly lowering her head and going out to close the door.

Unsurprisingly, she saw Liang Jiugong appear out of nowhere, not the least bit startled, and called out in her usual manner, "Liang Jiugong."

"Miss Qinxin." Liang Jiugong brushed the hem of his robe, which had gotten wrinkled from crouching, and smoothed it out with a few pats.

He didn't explain his earlier disappearance, and Qinxin didn't question Liang Jiugong's sudden appearance.

Qinxin: Sigh.

Liang Jiugong: Sigh, sigh.

"Does the Noble Consort care to explain how this earring ended up on me?" Kangxi held her, raising his hand to fiddle with the earring and hold it next to her earlobe, his fingers brushing against the sensitive earlobe, making her flinch.

"I saw it this morning and thought it would suit you. Your hair accessory was too dull." Su Yi cleared her throat and explained.

Besides, if you don't remove it, it just looks like a hair ornament. But to Kangxi, it might seem a bit too feminine, a bit too flashy, that's all.

Her lips parted slightly, still moist, like dew-kissed roses, tempting to pick.

Su Yi had just finished bathing, her body exuding a faint fragrance, her skin glowing as if soaked in water, her hair still slightly damp, with strands falling onto her forehead, her face slightly flushed from Kangxi's tight embrace.

The collar of her freshly changed undergarment had also opened slightly, revealing her delicate collarbone and the faintly visible straps of her inner garment, inevitably drawing one's gaze.

Both of their clothes were thin, almost clinging to each other, Kangxi's breathing became somewhat rapid, his Adam's apple moving slightly, his arms holding her even tighter.

Because he had caught a cold earlier and didn't want to pass it on to her, he had restrained himself, but now the fire in his heart only grew stronger, burning even more fiercely.

The temperature of his body became somewhat scalding, as if on fire, even his breath seemed to carry a scorching heat.

When the hot breath sprayed on her neck, the jade-like, fine white neck of the person in his arms also seemed to be tinged with a faint pink.

Su Yi felt her neck itch, don't breathe on her neck, Kangxi slowly released her.

Was this the end of it?

Kangxi leaned in again, raising his hand to pinch her delicate earlobe, wanting to put the earring on her.

Since he had never worn one before, his movements were slow and deliberate, gently twisting, bit by bit, trying to figure it out. The simple act of putting on an earring became somewhat torturous.

Because he was close, his warm breath sprayed on her sensitive ear, which unconsciously turned red.

Su Yi wanted to say, maybe she should do it herself, she could put it on in one go, no need to fumble around so slowly.

"Don't move."

Kangxi's voice was a bit hoarse, carrying a hint of inexplicable danger.

Finally, after putting on the earring, Kangxi seemed to have worked up a slight sweat on his forehead from the delicate task, looking quite difficult. Su Yi thought, finally, it's done.

Kangxi hugged her again, his movements somewhat urgent, even a bit rough, one hand on the back of her neck, the other arm around her waist, and kissed her.