Chapter 181

Chapter 181

"Little Milk Dragon! Little Milk Dragon!" It was the voice of the Little Milk Dragon, always filled with joy and excitement when addressing Su Yi. The voice arrived before the person did.

Soon, the Little Milk Dragon was almost running over, like a playful and endearing little puppy.

"Mother Consort, I heard you were feeling unwell. Are you better now? Are you still uncomfortable? Should we call the royal doctor to take a look?" The Little Milk Dragon anxiously pressed, nervously circling around the reclining chair.

Su Yi nonchalantly reclined on the reclining chair, absentmindedly petting the cat, and said, "No, I was just too lazy to find an excuse. That's something your father, the Emperor, should handle, not me."

Staying here is far more comfortable than lying elsewhere.

Everyone else sat properly, but Su Yi was the picture of improper posture.

Hearing this, the Little Milk Dragon immediately let out a sigh of relief and quickly showed a beaming smile, "It's good that Mother Consort is fine." As for the excuse, it was completely ignored, with no trace of annoyance from being worried for nothing. The Little Milk Dragon still snuggled up affectionately.

Earlier, fearing that Mother Consort was truly unwell, the Little Milk Dragon didn't dare to get close and cling.

Before Su Yi could speak, the Little Milk Dragon's gaze fell on the chubby cat with a pot-like head, cheeks puffed out like a steamed bun, brows slightly furrowed, "Pot-head, get down. You're too fat, you can't always demand to be held."

Pot-head heard the keyword, 'fat,' and was particularly sensitive to this word.

Immediately, the cat's eyes narrowed, and its fluffy cheeks nearly forming a double chin, visibly unhappy.

Pot-head: You little brat, when you were cuddling with me before, you didn't have this attitude, changing so quickly.

Pot-head turned around in Su Yi's arms, burying its head in Su Yi's arm, directly turning its backside to the Little Milk Dragon, showing its displeasure.

The Little Milk Dragon pouted and muttered, "Mother Consort, look at it." Such a big cat, still using its backside to face him, hmph!

Su Yi patted both the boy and the cat, "It's okay, you're not fat, you're just strong." All muscle.

"Come here." Su Yi pulled the Little Milk Dragon to sit beside her, looking at him seriously for a while, then affirmed, "It's been a while since I saw Baocheng, you seem to have grown taller."

"Yes yes yes! I have! Baocheng has grown a little taller!! Mother Consort noticed it before I could even say it!" The Little Milk Dragon, who had been pouting enough to hang an oil bottle, now showed his teeth in a grin, then showed a tiny bit, really, just a little.

Children at this age love to hear such things, dreaming of growing as tall as a tree overnight, especially when Mother Consort noticed he had grown taller!

He didn't even have to say it himself!

Doesn't this prove that Mother Consort has been paying close attention to him, able to notice that he's a bit different from before, that he's taller!

He's been noticed!

The quick-to-cheer-up Little Milk Dragon immediately sat happily beside Su Yi, chatting away, trying to edge Pot-head out.

When Pot-head was mostly squeezed out, it peeked out angrily, turned around, and meowed at the Little Milk Dragon.

It was clear that it was scolding the little brat.

And it was quite a dirty scolding.

Pot-head: Do you think I'm a fool if I don't get angry?

After a while of gesturing with Pot-head, the Little Milk Dragon finally annoyed Pot-head so much that it turned and jumped down, lying to the side, its paw covering its ear as if trying to block out the noise, so irritating!

The Little Milk Dragon, who was disliked by the cat, didn't feel heartbroken at all, turning back to chat with Su Yi, full of energy.

Su Yi listened with a smile, responding occasionally.

Baocheng suddenly asked cautiously, "Honored Mother Consort Su Yi, are you... not happy?" It seemed he was afraid she might be upset, asking with a bit of trepidation, contrasting sharply with his previously lively demeanor.

It turned out that his earlier cheerful behavior was an attempt to make her happy, deliberately trying to amuse her.

This made Honored Mother Consort Su Yi pause slightly, then she smiled, "A little."

She didn't brush it off with a casual 'no' just because Baocheng was a child.

"If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to tell me. I just want you to be a bit happier," Baocheng said considerately.

Children's intuition can be surprisingly sharp.

Honored Mother Consort Su Yi had only been slightly upset that day, but after returning, she had already sorted out her feelings. However, sometimes, it was inevitable to recall.

Though she wouldn't lose control again, it was true that her mood wasn't very good.

But the only outward sign was just becoming a bit lazier, though Qinxin and others who served her had gotten used to it and hadn't noticed.

"Because I had a nightmare, and I dreamed of a very annoying person."

Honored Mother Consort Su Yi reached out to pat Baocheng's head, her expression gentle, but there was no joy in her eyes when she mentioned this annoying person. Her hand paused as if she wanted to pull it back.

Baocheng leaned his head over, nuzzling her hand, immediately aligning with her, "That person must be bad, right?"

"Yes," Honored Mother Consort Su Yi said, lowering her eyes to hide a flash of killing intent, her originally gentle features now frosty, "But it's okay, I won't be afraid of him, neither before nor now..."

Until the end.

Honored Mother Consort Su Yi unconsciously tightened her grip on the chair's armrest, which made a slight cracking sound. She quickly relaxed her grip; otherwise, it might have broken, and she would have had to find an excuse later to say the armrest wasn't sturdy.

When Baocheng looked up at her, Honored Mother Consort Su Yi was again the familiar gentle and smiling figure he knew, "It's just that dreaming of that person inevitably ruins the mood.

Like when you accidentally eat the eggplant you dislike the most, or when your Imperial Father gives you extra homework today, the mood sours a bit. Dreaming of that person, Honored Mother Consort also finds it very unlucky."

What could be more unlucky than thinking a dead enemy is really dead, only to find out they've come back to life?

"Honored Mother Consort!" Baocheng pouted upon hearing this, "No, I'm not very upset, just a little bit." Rubbing his hands, he emphasized sincerely, "Just a little bit! Don't tell Imperial Father."

Wuwuwu, Imperial Father really gives a lot of homework, but as a little man, how can I be afraid of this? Now that Honored Mother Consort knows, did Imperial Father secretly report on me? How could Imperial Father do that?

"Then I'm only a little bit too," Honored Mother Consort Su Yi reached out and tapped his nose, her eyes filled with laughter, "After seeing you, it's gone, so you must grow up healthy."

She had said this more than once, each time with a different meaning.

"That's great!" Baocheng's eyes sparkled upon hearing that Honored Mother Consort's mood had improved after seeing him, all pouting forgotten, now snuggling up to Honored Mother Consort to start acting cute.

The atmosphere was very warm, but the mood on the other side of the main hall was not so good.

Seeing Noble Lady Min not only hit a wall but also, after previously seeming to make a big splash, it was all for naught, still trying to shake Rong Noble Consort's position.

Now, the leading bird was directly demoted from Noble Lady to daying, and even those who had previously joined in with sour remarks were now also dragged into the water.

The high-ranking concubines sat firmly, only they had charged at the forefront, seemingly unrelated to those high-ranking concubines who had not joined in, but weren't these the lesser concubines who lived in their palaces and depended on them?

Without the emperor's favor, there was no basis for arrogance, all just acting according to the expressions of their respective main palace ladies.

They waited there anxiously, originally thinking at most they would be confined, but now they were directly stripped of their ranks, the cost was too severe, how would they live in the future, they were filled with apprehension.

Xi Noble Consort was not among them, she had only led the topic in front of Imperial Noble Consort at the beginning, watching the other lesser concubines fall, so she was still sitting now.

But she was also deeply uneasy, her head lowered, hoping no one would notice her at that moment.

Once the matter blew over, it would be forgotten. She even thought it was fortunate that Rong Noble Consort was dealing with health issues and couldn't come; otherwise, Rong Noble Consort might have 'remembered' her just like before, and she might have suffered the same fate as Noble Lady Min. Xi Noble Consort’s palms grew damp at the thought.

Kangxi's expression showed no anger, and his tone was not heavy, but his presence alone stifled the room, leaving everyone breathless.

"Alright, Emperor, leave the rest to the Imperial Noble Consort. They’ll learn their lesson and behave better in the future. Let’s not let this ruin such a festive day," the Grand Empress Dowager said with a kind smile when she saw that it was about time.

Breaking the tense silence.

Kangxi nodded slightly in the direction of the Grand Empress Dowager and replied gently, "You’re right, Grandmother."

"Everyone, rise," the Grand Empress Dowager said, then looked at the Imperial Noble Consort. "The Imperial Noble Consort will need to take on more responsibilities. If the Imperial Noble Consort is too busy, the other concubines can lend a hand, to ease the Imperial Noble Consort’s burden."

In the eyes of the Grand Empress Dowager, it was disgraceful for the lesser concubines to cause such a commotion in front of the Emperor. No matter how much they fought in private, bringing it into the open was a sign of poor judgment.

Surely the Grand Empress Dowager knew the harem’s harmony was merely an illusion?

The Emperor had enough on his plate with state matters; must he also micromanage the harem?

It was the Imperial Noble Consort’s job to keep the consorts in line.

As the Imperial Noble Consort, with the authority of the palace always in her hands, and today being her main event, she was in charge, yet this mess had escalated to the Emperor’s notice.

If she couldn’t even discipline these minor concubines, how could she continue to manage the harem’s consorts? It wasn’t that she couldn’t manage, but perhaps she was turning a blind eye.

"This humble servant is grateful for your concern, Grand Empress Dowager. I am not overwhelmed, so there is no need to trouble the other sisters. I will definitely discipline them well in the future," the Imperial Noble Consort replied, holding back her anger. The Grand Empress Dowager made it sound so easy; she had just ascended to the role of Imperial Noble Consort, and already they sought to dilute her power!

If it weren’t for Xi Noble Consort and the others who started it, she had planned to deal with them later, but they had caused a spectacle before the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager, giving the Grand Empress Dowager a reason to want her to share her authority!

The Grand Empress Dowager also knew that the Imperial Noble Consort would definitely not agree, so she just mentioned it and didn’t push further.

"As long as the Imperial Noble Consort knows what to do."

After that, even if the Grand Empress Dowager didn’t speak, the atmosphere wouldn’t turn cold.

The concubines may have been disheartened, but at this moment, they all put on a brave face, laughing and chatting to create a lively and happy atmosphere, avoiding a cold scene.

But anyone with a bit of sense would know that the Emperor had just shown favoritism towards Rong Noble Consort, not mentioning any fault of hers.

And Rong Noble Consort hadn’t even come to defend herself at this moment.

At this time, which concubine could truly feel joyful?

The Grand Empress Dowager, age sapping her energy, easily got tired. After sitting for a while, she was about to leave. Before leaving, she sighed,

"Age saps one’s energy. I’ve only been sitting for a while, and I already feel tired. I’ll go back first," she said, as if remembering something. "As for Baocheng, let Rong Noble Consort take him back when she returns."

After all, bringing Baocheng here was to find Rong Noble Consort. Who knew Baocheng was such a clingy child.

If Rong Noble Consort never had her own child, she would probably treat Baocheng well in the future for her own sake.

There was no better option than this now.

Bringing Baocheng today was also a hint, so that on the day of the noble consort’s coronation, it wouldn’t seem too sudden.

Today’s events were a traceable indication.

Some sharp-eyed and quick-witted people would understand the deeper meaning, even if they didn’t think too deeply about it now, but later on, it might be different.

"Grandmother, please return early to rest." He also told the maids to make sure the Grand Empress Dowager is well taken care of on her way back.

Everyone quickly stood up to respectfully bid farewell to the Grand Empress Dowager.

After seeing the Grand Empress Dowager leave, the Emperor had not yet departed. The concubines, who hadn’t had much chance to make an impression earlier, were just about to try to catch the Emperor’s attention when they saw him turn his head to instruct Liang Jiugong about something, then stand up as if preparing to leave.

The Emperor had come today, but would he not spend the night with the Imperial Noble Consort?

Though the Imperial Noble Consort still clung to a sliver of hope that the Emperor might stay the night, even that last hope had just faded.

Being nearby, she could just make out the Emperor telling Liang Jiugong to summon the Crown Prince and Rong Noble Consort.

"The Imperial Noble Consort can handle the rest," Kangxi said, standing up with one hand behind his back, addressing her briefly before turning to leave.

"Then, this humble consort will escort the Emperor," the Imperial Noble Consort said, stepping forward and bowing slightly.

"That won’t be necessary."

With that, Kangxi left as the concubines stood and bowed.

Outside the palace, however, he didn’t immediately get into the sedan but stood with his hands behind his back, waiting.

After a while, he saw Su Yi holding a cat, with the little milk dragon clinging to her clothes, slowly making her way over.

Seeing her walking so slowly, Kangxi stepped forward as she approached, taking in the sight of the chubby cat in her arms.

His brow furrowed slightly, "If it walked more, it wouldn’t be so chubby."

Always carrying it, not caring about the weight, especially now that it’s shedding and leaving cat hair all over his clothes.

Su Yi: "..." You two are definitely father and son.

Once again, she had to defend the cat’s honor, "He’s just sturdy, all muscle, not fat."

There’s a difference between being fat and being strong.

The cat seemed to know it was being praised, lifting its head proudly, its eyes almost looking up to the sky, so arrogant and full of itself.

Cat: Exactly! I’m sturdy, not fat! No eye for detail, both of you are equally annoying!

Kangxi replied with a cold 'Oh.'

Then he turned his attention elsewhere, telling the maids to take the little milk dragon back to the Eastern Palace.

The little milk dragon tugged at the Honored Mother Consort’s sleeve, whining, "Can Baocheng..."

Kangxi, with a faux-kind expression, said, "No," and pulled his sleeve away.

The little milk dragon pouted. He hadn’t even finished—did the Emperor already know?

Kangxi smirked to himself. How could he not know? He didn’t even need to read minds to guess.

The little milk dragon left, dragging his feet.

If there was a sedan available, Su Yi would naturally take it, so the shoulder sedan she arrived in followed behind.

She hadn’t even gotten comfortable when Kangxi brought up the earlier matter.

"You really know how to slack off. Earlier, not even a shadow was seen, quite at ease. Next time, find a better excuse—only Baocheng would believe it."

She’s strong enough to take down a bull now.

Who’s going to buy that excuse now?

"Fine, I’ll think of a better excuse next time."

Su Yi pondered for a moment and thought the suggestion was reasonable. Today’s excuse was way too half-hearted; she should’ve called for the royal physician to make it look legit.

"You’re already planning a next time?" Kangxi turned to her, his reaction unexpectedly intense.

Su Yi looked at his reaction and tactfully said, "Not exactly." Things like that get annoying if they happen too much.

Of course, if it’s not trouble and he’s sweet to her, it’s always welcome.

Her almond eyes lit up with a sweet smile—who could resist a girl like that? But girls like that are hard to come by these days.

Kangxi’s expression darkened. He saw right through it. When he saw that Noble Lady Min earlier, she wasn’t much to look at, but her almond eyes were her best feature.

The punishment was light, and the hall had carpeting. Even by the end of the banquet, her knees would just be a little numb—no big deal.

Maybe she even knows how to be gentle and caring.

"You’re all gentle and caring, but the other side would jump at the chance to ruin your reputation, no remorse or respect at all. Even your Imperial Noble Consort doesn’t seem to care about you, always calculating the pros and cons. You trust the Imperial Noble Consort to take care of things for you. If it weren’t for me, your reputation would’ve taken a hit today—tyranny and arrogance—and your Imperial Noble Consort wouldn’t lift a finger to help."

Kangxi scolded coldly, especially when he said ‘your Imperial Noble Consort,’ his tone sharper and colder, with an edge to it.

Hmph, and she still wants to be buried together. Kangxi almost laughed at the thought.

Kangxi also noticed that his consort would treat people differently. If it was a man or a eunuch, she’d strike hard without a second thought, but if it was a woman, especially a young, pretty one, she’d always go easy.

The old, rough maids—coarse and unrefined—never got any mercy from her. Not one was spared, no matter their age.

Kangxi remembered getting a few light punches from her that almost made him cough.

Now, when she meets young, beautiful women, she knows how to be gentle and caring. Maybe during the concubine selection, his consort would be even more into it than him!

"Consort, are you even paying attention?" Kangxi asked again, displeased as he looked at Su Yi.

"Yes, yes, yes," Su Yi said quickly, still holding the cat.

"Yes, what? Repeat what I just said," Kangxi felt this needed to be seriously discussed. Seeing her still petting the cat, he thought, 'She still remembers to pet the cat.'

"Hand over the cat—I’ll hold it so you can focus."

Su Yi: "..."

"Maybe not," Su Yi wanted to decline tactfully.

"Give it to me," Kangxi replied firmly, in a tone that brooked no refusal.

Su Yi silently handed the cat over to him. You asked for it.

Kangxi immediately felt his legs sink; the cat wasn’t big, but it was quite heavy.

Kangxi held the cat with an expressionless face. The cat was a bit uncomfortable and wanted to find a more comfortable position.

The feline’s paw prints on Kangxi's legs were one after another, each step solid and steady.

Kangxi: "..." Perhaps it’s not just chubby, but sturdy.

After the cat found its position, it was still being picky, pacing around and refusing to settle down. It even seemed like it wanted to bounce on Kangxi.

Kangxi, with a dark expression, pinned it down before it could start moving around. "If you keep fidgeting, I'll order no more dried fish to be sent to Yonghe Palace. Let’s see how you’ll keep acting up."

Upon hearing the keyword 'dried fish,' the cat immediately meowed in defiance, seemingly unwilling to give in, but its body betrayed it, and it stopped trying to cause trouble.

After all, dried fish is a must.

Having been deprived of dried fish before, the cat quickly backed down.

Kangxi held the cat and looked up to see the little rascal chuckling nearby. He smirked and said, "What are you laughing at? You’re even more of a troublemaker than the cat."

Su Yi, who was chuckling nearby, saw the heat turning back to her and said dryly, "I’m always laughing, but today you seem especially irritable."

Not just seem, but truly irritable.

"Even when I’m irritable, I wouldn’t dare to say anything harsh to you. After all, you care more about others than you do about me. Even when I’m angry, you never really make an effort to comfort me."

When Kangxi mentioned 'others,' there was a hint of something deeper. After speaking, he pursed his lips, his expression cold but with a touch of grievance, like a sulking big dog, ears drooping, but one slightly perked up, listening for any movement.

"I don't," Su Yi denied.

"That's it? You’re just going to dismiss me like that?" Kangxi immediately retorted. "Aren’t you usually so eloquent?"

When comforting others, she had more to say, but when comforting him, it was hard to get even a few nice words out of her.

Who knows if others are sincere with her.

Even though the Imperial Noble Consort is now on her side, if she tries to take power from the Imperial Noble Consort, the Imperial Noble Consort would immediately turn against her.

Sharing a tomb? How much affection is there?

Even if the Imperial Noble Consort seemed to speak up for her tonight, it was still a decision made after weighing the pros and cons.

There's not much sincerity in it!

When it comes to truly offending someone, the Imperial Noble Consort wouldn’t do it for her.

Otherwise, the situation earlier wouldn’t have been so chaotic, with everyone speaking out of turn. The Imperial Noble Consort wanted to suppress it but was afraid she couldn’t.

Earlier, he had to be the bad guy for her, while the Imperial Noble Consort stayed clean.

Kangxi thought he should have had someone report what happened earlier, but even without that, couldn’t she see?

Between the two, there's no comparison!

"I'm not that eloquent," Su Yi's voice grew softer.

"Just not with me, but with others, it's different. No matter how much I do, it's never as good as a few sweet words from someone else." Kangxi unconsciously held the cat a bit tighter.

The cat tried to move but couldn’t; its body was being squished.

The cat stretched out a paw to try and adjust, but even its claws couldn’t get out.

"Humanoid, you're squishing me, meow!" the cat with the bowl cut protested.

"Don't hold it so tight; you're squishing it," Su Yi couldn't help but remind him. The bowl cut really needs to slim down; if it were lighter, this wouldn’t be an issue.

Kangxi turned his head sharply, seething with anger, and said through gritted teeth, "Niu Gu Lu Min Yi! You still have the mind to worry about this fat cat now!" Despite his words, he loosened his grip slightly.

Feeling like it had just escaped death, the bowl cut wanted to bolt. It would rather lie on the ground than stay in the arms of this two-legged creature, who was just as irritating as that little pest.

But Kangxi quickly scooped it back into his arms. Although he wouldn’t squish the bowl cut anymore, the cat really couldn’t jump out now.

Kangxi had the cat securely in his arms.

The bowl cut could only stay in the arms of this stinky humanoid with a look of pure misery on its face.

It felt like the cat was being held hostage.