Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Su Yi observed the mixed expressions of those present, and her smile grew even gentler. "Looks like I arrived just in time," she said softly to Kangxi during the brief moment when everyone was bowing.

She mused that the event couldn't start without her; her absence would have made it difficult to proceed.

Kangxi shot her a subtle glare, signaling her not to be so obvious.

Liang Jiugong had encountered them halfway and naturally reported what had happened. He could roughly surmise the situation.

Although Liang Jiugong had left before the Junior Concubine fell and started bleeding, having been in the palace for so long, he had seen enough to understand.

He surmised that the Junior Concubine might be with child.

Under normal circumstances, Liang Jiugong would have been the first to offer joyful congratulations!

However, as someone who always accompanied the Emperor, he knew the Emperor's dealings with the concubines better than anyone!

Moreover, if she were indeed pregnant, it would have been just a few months prior. If the Emperor had ever favored the Junior Concubine, Liang Jiugong would certainly remember her!

The Emperor had always rested in Yonghe Palace. Even during busy periods when he didn't visit for a few days, he would rest alone and then return to Yonghe Palace.

Not to mention, even when he had conflicts with the Rong Noble Consort, he never sought out others.

If the Junior Concubine was indeed pregnant, where could it have come from?!

Where else could it have come from?!

At that moment, Liang Jiugong was nearly dumbfounded, so shocked he almost lost control of his expression.

But no one present noticed Liang Jiugong, and he quickly regained his composure, so no one noticed anything amiss.

When the Grand Empress Dowager sent him back, Liang Jiugong was eager to return, wishing he could fly back on a whirlwind. Given the situation, he couldn't say much in front of the Grand Empress Dowager.

Encountering them halfway, Liang Jiugong hastily explained the situation. The sooner the Emperor knew, the faster it could be resolved.

Initially, considering the presence of the Rong Noble Consort and the Crown Prince, Liang Jiugong intended to whisper to the Emperor, but the Emperor instructed him to speak openly.

Liang Jiugong had no choice but to speak up.

When he mentioned the Junior Concubine possibly being pregnant, Liang Jiugong didn't dare pause or look up to see the Emperor's expression.

No man would be pleased to be cuckolded, especially the Emperor, the supreme ruler.

Su Yi burst out laughing, "Liang Jiugong, isn't this a happy event? Why do you look like you're on death's door? That's not good."

"Imperial Noble Consort!" Kangxi growled through clenched teeth, his face dark. This little troublemaker seemed to be stirring up chaos.

"Your Majesty, why don't you seem happy either?" Su Yi asked innocently, seemingly oblivious to the grim expressions on Kangxi and Liang Jiugong's faces.

Her gaze lingered on Kangxi's head, pondering why it seemed to have a different color.

Liang Jiugong was petrified by the Imperial Noble Consort's words. Could she really not see the Emperor's displeasure?!

"If the Junior Concubine is indeed pregnant, would the Imperial Noble Consort truly be happy?" Kangxi asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"It depends on the situation," Su Yi replied calmly.

After all, there's a difference between being the one who cuckolds and being the one who is cuckolded.

The first option is pleasant, but the second could result in being half-dead or outright killed, depending on the situation.

Kangxi snorted lightly and didn't press further, as the mischievous child never had a good word to say.

"Right, Baocheng?" Su Yi, seeing that Kangxi was ignoring her, turned to the little milk dragon sitting obediently beside her and spoke with a smile.

The little milk dragon didn't understand but didn't let that stop him from joining in the conversation. Just as he was about to nod along with the Honored Mother Consort, he heard his Imperial Father say, "Baocheng, be quiet." Don't join in the foolishness with that little rascal.

The little milk dragon was confused: ???

The little milk dragon felt wronged. "What's wrong, Imperial Father? I haven't said a word and have been quiet all along! Why tell me to be quiet now?"

This truly upset the child.

Still upset upon arrival, he held the Honored Mother Consort's hand, standing on the other side, pouting silently, clearly unwilling to stand with Imperial Father.

Kangxi spoke indifferently, "All rise."

After the Imperial Noble Consort stood up, she quickly instructed someone to prepare more chairs. Seats for the Emperor and Rong Noble Consort were already reserved, but with the Crown Prince's arrival, an extra chair was necessary.

Kangxi headed to his reserved seat, while Su Yi, holding the little milk dragon's hand, trailed slightly behind. Being small, the little milk dragon took short, slow steps. Walking faster would mean running, which, as he would say, lacked dignity.

Kangxi, walking ahead, slowed his pace. After ascending a few steps, he glanced back. He didn't offer help but paused to wait.

Liang Jiugong bowed his head and offered his hand to assist Su Yi up the steps.

Despite his pout and slight anger, the little milk dragon kindly reminded, "Honored Mother Consort, watch your step."

"Okay," Su Yi replied, thinking he was such a thoughtful child from a young age.

Once they had climbed the steps and stood steady, Kangxi calmly said, "Baocheng, go greet your Grand Empress Dowager."

While it was typical for Kangxi to say this, there was a hint of cunning in his words.

The little milk dragon thought it seemed right but sensed something was amiss.

The little milk dragon wondered, "Is Imperial Father doing this on purpose??"

Seeing the Grand Empress Dowager's smile, the little milk dragon glanced at the gently smiling Honored Mother Consort, released her hand, and approached the Grand Empress Dowager.

Kangxi, ever sly, after dismissing the little milk dragon, took someone's hand and sat down together.

As soon as Kangxi and Rong Noble Consort were seated, Consort Xian eagerly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, before your arrival, a sister received good news but unfortunately fell. Her condition is poor, and with the imperial physician yet to arrive, it's quite concerning."

While speaking, she glanced at Rong Noble Consort beside the Emperor, eager to see her reaction to the Junior Concubine's pregnancy news.

It wasn't Consort Xian's place to speak, as the Grand Empress Dowager and Imperial Noble Consort were more suited to inform the Emperor.

Seeing Rong Noble Consort's smug expression, following the Emperor and sitting beside him, clearly favored, Consort Xian couldn't resist wanting to wipe that smile off her face.

Su Yi smiled softly, her flower-embroidered qipao exuding luxury, resembling a blossom of wealth in the mortal realm.

Since it wasn't her being addressed, she just listened quietly.

Liang Jiugong stood quietly on the side with his head bowed. Consort Xian really knew how to poke the bear, and the more she spoke, the more she was just adding fuel to the fire.

Kangxi ignored her outright and asked the Imperial Noble Consort about the current situation.

His expression appeared calm, showing neither joy nor visible anger, merely asking about the situation.

The Imperial Noble Consort carefully chose her words to explain that the Junior Concubine was currently being looked after by a matron sent by the Grand Empress Dowager, and that the court physician had already been urged to come, presumably already on the way.

After Consort Xian finished speaking, she noticed that the Emperor didn't so much as look at her, directly asking the Imperial Noble Consort instead, as if completely bypassing her. Realizing this, Consort Xian's face flushed and paled in an instant.

She immediately felt as though the other concubines were looking at her with mocking gazes.

"Hmm," Kangxi grunted in acknowledgment.

The Grand Empress Dowager, while speaking with the little milk dragon, was also observing the reactions of the Emperor and Rong Noble Consort.

Especially Rong Noble Consort, scrutinizing her expression to see if there was any sign of discomfort or displeasure, but perhaps due to Rong Noble Consort's excellent composure, the Grand Empress Dowager couldn't detect anything at the moment.

Could it be that she already knew along the way?

However, the Emperor's expression didn't show any sign of happiness or concern for the royal child, it was unnervingly calm.

Even when hearing that the Junior Concubine was bleeding and in a bad condition, he only gave a noncommittal "hmm."

"Your Majesty," Su Yi addressed him after he hummed and then fell silent.

The court physician hadn't arrived yet, but wasn't the court physician also accompanying them?

Kangxi, before she could speak, glanced at the freshly placed dishes on the table and pointed to a light one, saying, "You haven't eaten much today. This dish looks good. Try some."

As soon as Kangxi finished speaking, an attendant immediately placed the dish on Su Yi's small plate.

Su Yi pursed her lips, this was clearly a signal for her to eat more and talk less.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty," Su Yi smiled gently and replied, her face showing a gentle smile, but she was seething inside.

Eat, eat, eat. Why don’t you eat? You just want me to eat.

Su Yi picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

The taste was actually not bad, just a bit bland. Su Yi scanned the table, looking for something less bland.

Ugh, why is everything so bland.

Taking advantage of her position at the table, Su Yi quickly surveyed the dishes placed in front of others below, almost breaking her chopsticks in frustration.

So that’s why everything’s so bland—the dishes in front of others are clearly different!

She thought sitting next to Kangxi would mean more extravagant dishes!

She should’ve sat next to the Imperial Noble Consort instead!

Su Yi ate two bites and then put down her chopsticks, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, no longer in the mood to eat. Kangxi added another serving to her plate and said, "Eat more."

Su Yi: "...." Are you doing this on purpose?

Kangxi nonchalantly started talking about other matters, and when the Grand Empress Dowager tried to steer the conversation back to the Junior Concubine, he once again diverted the topic.

The concubines present began chatting and laughing. They weren’t truly concerned about the Junior Concubine—who cared if she lived or died? Their show of concern was merely a performance for the Emperor.

Noticing that the Emperor didn't seem to care much about the Junior Concubine.

They naturally had to find other ways to impress the Emperor at this moment.

The repeatedly urged imperial physician finally arrived.

The Grand Empress Dowager was still worried about the royal child. Since the Emperor was not paying attention, she had to be more attentive on his behalf. So, as soon as the imperial physician arrived, she signaled someone to take him over.

It was then that Kangxi seemed to recall and said, "Liang Jiugong, I just remembered that the imperial physician also came along. Let the imperial physician go with the other physician."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Liang Jiugong responded.

Only then did he send the imperial physician, who had been waiting outside, to check on the Junior Concubine.

As soon as Kangxi spoke, the people around exchanged puzzled looks.

The imperial physician had also come, so why didn’t they let him check on the Junior Concubine earlier?

Instead, they waited until the imperial physician arrived before sending him over.

This...?

Kangxi turned to Su Yi and said softly, "The Noble Consort's health has not yet improved. Bringing the imperial physician along was just a precaution. Unexpectedly, it has now come in handy."

Su Yi wanted to snap but held back: "..."

Did you just remember this?!

I was about to remind you earlier, but you shut me up!

Su Yi felt like she was being used as a shield at this moment, brought out to deflect blame.

Specifically, the concubines present were looking at her with sharp, dagger-like glances. If looks could kill, she would have been stabbed several times by now.

Su Yi appeared gentle and soft on the outside, her gaze towards Kangxi even more tender, seemingly moved by his thoughtful consideration for her health, even arranging for the imperial physician to accompany them.

Her hand was held by Kangxi, making it difficult to shake off, and she couldn't even playfully give him a light punch.

However...

Under the table, Su Yi took advantage of the tablecloth's cover and precisely stepped on Kangxi's shoe with her flowerpot sole, applying a slight pressure.

This made Kangxi silently inhale sharply. His expression unchanged, but his grip on Su Yi's hand tightened a bit.

The Grand Empress Dowager, upon hearing this, also gave Rong Noble Consort a cold look, believing that the Emperor was acting indifferent towards the Junior Concubine because of Rong Noble Consort's presence, out of consideration for her feelings.

But this matter concerned the safety of the royal child; how could it be treated so carelessly?

She spoke with a tone of blame, "Noble Consort, since the imperial physician is also here, and the Emperor momentarily forgot, why didn't you remind him earlier? This concerns the royal heir; you can't just do as you please..."

Kangxi directly interrupted, "Grandmother, it's just a Junior Concubine, and we haven't even confirmed the diagnosis yet. Grandmother, there's no need to be overly anxious; it might just be a misunderstanding."