Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Feeling sleepy, Su Yi didn’t have much energy to resist taking the medicine and downed it in one gulp.

After swishing her mouth out, she lay down, her eyes half-closed, on the verge of sleep.

Just as she was about to doze off, she suddenly asked Kangxi, who was sitting by the bed, “Will you stay with me?”

It seemed like she wanted someone to accompany her before sleep, looking frail and meek from her illness.

“Why do you ask?” Kangxi didn’t answer but instead questioned her back.

Getting clingy all of a sudden?

“If you're tired, feel free to head back and rest. You don't have to stay with me all the time. I'm afraid you'll get tired.” Her sleepy voice was soft and delicate.

As she drifted off, she worried that Kangxi would stay by her side, making sure she wouldn’t be upset if he wasn’t there when she woke up.

Wow, how thoughtful of her.

Kangxi had his doubts. Since when did this troublemaker get so thoughtful, even knowing to tell him to rest if he was tired?

“Watching someone sleep feels so weird.”

Kangxi: He knew it!

Kangxi forced a smile, wanting to say something.

“I could let him sleep here, but it's not as comfy as sleeping alone, so it's better for him to go back by himself.”

“Who would’ve thought she'd be so caring even while sick? He must be so moved! Who knew she had this soft side!”

Kangxi’s smile grew more strained: So ‘moved’ indeed!

Since the troublemaker was still sick, he decided to endure it for now.

“Well, the Imperial Concubine is so thoughtful, I’m truly touched.” Kangxi’s words were somewhat insincere.

Su Yi nodded, pleased with herself, not feeling the least bit guilty.

“See, I told you, he must think I’m such a considerate person.”

Kangxi: “...” She really isn’t modest at all.

She hangs onto every compliment, but unpleasant words don’t even register—not even a second thought.

Then Su Yi, as if having accomplished something, finally closed her eyes and fell asleep.

At first, she maintained a proper and reserved sleeping posture, with her hands neatly folded in front of her, looking like she had a good sleeping demeanor.

Like a sleeping beauty, delicate and serene, as if she belonged in a painting.

According to Su Yi, the sleeping posture must be full of beauty.

Kangxi knew that this posture was only the most proper right after falling asleep, and it was indeed quite deceptive.

It wouldn’t take long for her true colors to show.

If you actually thought she slept well, then Kangxi's several sudden startles would have been in vain. Kangxi had never seen anyone sleep worse than her, and it wasn’t just bad—it was downright domineering.

Yet she still complained that he took up too much space, without even considering how terribly she slept. Few could put up with it.

Kangxi sat beside her, watching as she quickly shifted from lying on her back to a side-sleeping posture. She casually grabbed the nearby soft pillow, lifted her leg, and placed it on the pillow—a series of movements so natural they seemed second nature.

Her little face nestled into the pillow, leaving only the round, dark back of her head visible to Kangxi. The dark hair that had been draped over the pillow slid down her back, taking up a large area.

Kangxi reached over and gently brushed her hair aside so she wouldn’t wake up complaining about her hair getting tangled.

The soft candlelight seemed to reflect in his eyes, making him appear unexpectedly gentle.

---

After class, the little milk dragon clutched his gift eagerly, waiting for time to pass.

He was waiting to be taken to see the Honored Mother Consort!

Right now, the little milk dragon felt like time was dragging. Even the tough schoolwork, he could sit through and focus on.

But now, he was growing impatient. The little milk dragon sat with the gift box, peeking outside now and then to see if the person coming to pick him up had arrived.

Still, no one was in sight.

It wasn’t yet time to visit the Honored Mother Consort.

But...

The little milk dragon's quick mind instantly came up with an idea.

The person coming to pick him up hadn't arrived yet, but he could go find the Emperor first! Let the Emperor take him along when he goes! Wouldn’t that work?!

The little milk dragon, bored from waiting, perked up, feeling he had come up with a great idea!

Then, clutching the gift box, he got ready to leave. The servants, seeing the Crown Prince heading out, rushed after him. "Your Highness, where are you going?" But they only asked, not daring to stop him.

"I’m going to see the Emperor," the little milk dragon replied without turning his head, still holding the gift box.

The gift box wasn’t very large, but the contents were somewhat heavy.

"Let this servant carry the gift box for you," the little eunuch behind him offered cautiously.

"No need, I’ll carry it myself," the chubby-cheeked little boy refused. He straightened his face, trying to imitate the Emperor’s stern look, very determined.

When he arrived at the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the little milk dragon learned that the Emperor had already left for the Palace of Eternal Harmony. Unable to help himself, his face puffed up, turning into a little bun face.

The Emperor was really... really sneaky. How could he run off without taking Baocheng? It was really too much.

Hmph!

But then he learned that the Honored Mother Consort had suddenly come down with a cough, and the imperial physician had been summoned. Even the investiture ceremony couldn’t proceed.

The little milk dragon, who had been a bit upset about the Emperor sneaking off, suddenly forgot all about his minor grievance.

"Bang!" The gift box he had been holding fell to the ground. The little eunuch following him quickly bent down to pick it up, but by then, the little milk dragon was already running off.

The young eunuch, who had just picked up the gift box, saw the Crown Prince running a short distance away. "Crown Prince, please wait for me," he called out, clutching the gift box and hurrying to catch up, reminding him to slow down and not to fall.

——

"If it's not canceled, then it's not canceled. As long as the Rong Noble Consort doesn't appear, the subsequent arrangements will be scrapped," Suo'etu quickly made a decision after a brief moment of shock.

The Rong Noble Consort's favor was unsettling, but as long as she didn't show up, everything would be manageable.

If the Rong Noble Consort didn't appear, the event couldn't proceed and would have to be scrapped.

After the grand selection, a fresh dynamic would take shape.

The trusted aide quickly agreed and hurried away, as there were still orders to follow, and he dared not act rashly to avoid causing a mishap.

Suo'etu stroked his beard, his eyes filled with a ruthless determination.

He thought everything could be under his control. Even if there were some unexpected changes, it was merely the Emperor's response that he hadn't anticipated. As for what followed, he could stop it whenever he wanted.

Little did he know, some schemes, once started, cannot be stopped by the one who set them up.

——

During the investiture ceremony, the concubines wore forced smiles.

Honestly, who could genuinely smile under such circumstances?

The main figure wasn't present, yet the investiture ceremony wasn't canceled, and exceptions were made.

They pushed through and endured, planning to let loose their frustrations later.

However...

"The guest of honor isn't even here, so what's the point of celebrating?" Consort Xian said with a smile, though her words carried a sarcastic tone.

Consort Xian had been holding back her anger, thinking she could let loose after the ceremony. But now, it seemed the banquet was still going on, and they had to keep up the act.

It was utterly ridiculous that the guest of honor wasn't here, yet they still had to put on a show.

"Consort Xian, you've been awfully chatty today. One might think you're the guest of honor," the Imperial Noble Consort said impatiently. Consort Xian's constant chatter seemed aimed at someone, especially when she chose to speak up in her presence.

If she was truly dissatisfied, she should have the courage to go directly to the Emperor.

Instead, she only dared to cause a stir with her words here.

"Ladies, please stay composed. The banquet will proceed as usual by the Emperor's decree. The Rong Noble Consort's cough has improved under the imperial physician's care, and later, the Emperor will escort her," Liang Jiugong said with his usual respectful smile.

Liang Jiugong didn't know why the Emperor had instructed him to say this right now.

As far as he could tell, the imperial physician was still treating the Rong Noble Consort when they left Yonghe Palace, and her condition was still unclear. Yet, the Emperor had him announce that they would escort her later during the banquet.

Truthfully, despite Liang Jiugong's confident tone, he wasn't sure if the Emperor and the Rong Noble Consort would actually appear tonight.

He didn't understand the Emperor's thoughts, but he merely carried out his instructions.

These words hit like a lightning strike in the hearts of some.

The Rong Noble Consort, who had been suffering from a cough, could still come?!

If the Emperor really escorted the Rong Noble Consort, what if the Grand Empress Dowager...

Just as she was thinking, she heard "The Grand Empress Dowager has arrived—"

Her heart sank.

The Grand Empress Dowager had arrived at this very moment!

If earlier it was uncertain whether the Emperor would bring the Rong Noble Consort, the intention was likely to ensure the Rong Noble Consort appeared at the investiture ceremony. Or at least attend the celebratory banquet, thus completing the event rather than her absence throughout.

The Grand Empress Dowager must have already known about the Rong Noble Consort's cough. How could the investiture ceremony proceed under these circumstances?

Why would she come now?

Consort Hui's heart sank further, and her smile became forced. As she stood and followed the other concubines in paying respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, her movements were stiff.

This only reinforced Consort Hui's belief that something significant would be announced during the Rong Noble Consort's investiture ceremony!

Though the Rong Noble Consort had a cough, the imperial physicians arrived promptly, and a substitute had already completed the ceremonial kowtows for her. After resting, the Rong Noble Consort could attend the banquet.

Consort Hui clutched her handkerchief so tightly it seemed she might tear a hole in it.

What could be done to stop this?

The Grand Empress Dowager had arrived, and the Emperor would surely bring the Rong Noble Consort with him. Not only the Emperor and the Rong Noble Consort, but perhaps even the Crown Prince would come.

At this thought, Consort Hui's hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched tightly, the pain barely helping her maintain a calm exterior.

She could only hope the Hesheli family had a backup plan, otherwise...

"It seems I've come a bit early," the Grand Empress Dowager said as she was assisted to her seat by the Imperial Noble Consort. She smiled at the gathering of concubines, as if explaining her early arrival, yet revealing nothing.

"Not at all, Your Majesty. We, your humble servants, and all the sisters here are delighted to see you," the Imperial Noble Consort replied with a smile.

Whether early or not, the Grand Empress Dowager's presence required everyone to express joy and welcome her. Even a casual word from the Grand Empress Dowager was a great honor.

Consort Xian, for her part, dared not speak in the sarcastic tone she had used earlier. If she were to say something that dampened the mood and caused her to lose face, she would have to avoid public appearances for some time afterward.

So, she knew when to pick her moments.

Now that the Grand Empress Dowager had arrived, saying anything inappropriate would only make her unwelcome.

The Grand Empress Dowager occasionally twirled her prayer beads, observing the expressions of the concubines.

The Emperor had sent someone to invite her to come early, but the Grand Empress Dowager was momentarily puzzled. Could the Rong Noble Consort, who had a cough, really attend?

How would this play out?