Chapter 222

Chapter 222

After tidying up, Su Yi spent the entire day lounging lazily, even contemplating a cigarette to reflect on life.

However, petting a cat wasn't a bad idea either. As soon as Su Yi thought of the cat, Qinxin quickly brought over Pot Lid. Seeing Pot Lid, Su Yi finally felt the sense that she had indeed been 'ill' for a long time.

Because Pot Lid looked noticeably more robust, clearly well-fed, he seemed larger than before and felt heavy in her arms.

Pot Lid enthusiastically rubbed his head against Su Yi, meowing, his little mouth chattering away, sounding like he was gossiping, very clingy, with a hint of resentment.

*Missed you, meow~* *Where have you been, meow?*

He was sulky when first brought over, but upon seeing Su Yi, he immediately turned into a clingy, chubby cat.

Su Yi stroked the more robust Pot Lid, thinking he truly missed her, but it didn't stop him from eating well.

"He's been well taken care of," Su Yi said, praising the care while smoothing his glossy fur.

"Taking care of Pot Lid is our duty," the servants dared not directly accept the praise, only saying it was their duty.

These servants were from the Qianqing Palace, where strict rules prevented them from stepping out of line.

Today, Su Yi saw more than just Qinxin, but the other servants also seemed quiet as a mouse, not her cup of tea at all.

Even a brief conversation felt dull.

They weren't talkative, so getting more information was impossible.

Yun Hua was an open book, even though she was still the chief maid serving closely, she was just a default open card placed by her side.

Upon waking, Qinxin wasn't hers either, giving her a sense of being 'home invaded.'

Otherwise, Yun Hua should have been by her side when she woke, and Qinxin would have been left at Yonghe Palace to avoid any leaks.

Now, even her closest maids had been taken away.

But it wasn't a big deal.

The imperial physician came to check her pulse, and after finishing, his bearded face showed no abnormalities. After checking, he advised her to rest and then packed up and left. Presumably, her health condition would be reported to someone, and she just needed to rest well.

But truly resting quietly was difficult. How to continue this act?

Qinxin also brought up red date and longan black chicken soup, saying it was for nourishing and warming after her condition improved.

Su Yi looked at the still thoughtful Qinxin, "Hmm, put it there."

It was highly nutritious and good for beauty, but she thought Kangxi might need some toning more, not to mention anything else.

Staying up late and then getting up early to work, wouldn't he need more nourishment?

Living like this, it's hard to reach his original lifespan.

Mainly, she was a bit tired, having eaten too much braised pork at once, feeling a bit stuffed.

That night, when the shadowy figure sneaked up again, wanting to do this and that, Su Yi directly pressed him against the wall, then shyly suggested, "Let's rest tonight, Your Majesty. I've just recovered from illness and am a bit weak."

She politely declined.

The beauty under the candlelight looked soft and fragile, her porcelain-like skin seemingly warmed by the light. Looking at the beauty under the candlelight, the more you look, the more beautiful she becomes.

But right now, no one was paying attention, not even Kangxi, who was closest to her.

Because Kangxi was facing the wall at that moment.

Just a moment ago, Su Yi had been talking to the back of Kangxi's head.

"...Imperial Consort!" A muffled but clearly gritted voice came from the wall.

Only then did Su Yi seem to remember something and release her grip, looking nervous. "Your Majesty, are you okay?" She quickly moved over to turn him around and see if he was hurt.

Thankfully, his face was fine, which had scared her half to death.

Su Yi said, her voice a mix of fright, relief, and comfort, "You seem okay, no harm done."

Kangxi's temple twitched. "Do I look okay to you?" If he hadn't reacted quickly and braced himself against the wall, his face would've taken the full impact!

It seemed like something had gone wrong. Su Yi's eyes scanned Kangxi from head to toe, pausing briefly at a certain spot, as if...

She couldn't help but gasp, "Oh no!"

Su Yi hesitated, choosing her words carefully, "Could it be that you..."

"Enough! I'm fine," Kangxi cut her off. He couldn't expect anything good from her little mouth.

Su Yi obediently closed her mouth, a slight smile playing on her lips. She leaned on her hand, quietly watching him, much more serious and attentive than before.

Being watched like this, Kangxi's heart tensed up again. What mischief was this little troublemaker up to now? But on the surface, he just slightly raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I haven't had a good look at you since I woke up. I just want to see you," Su Yi replied softly, her eyes filled with affection, sparkling like someone in love.

Hmm, confirmed by her gaze, it's still her.

Suddenly not being so careful, I thought it was someone else.

Kangxi: ....

Kangxi turned his head away, refusing to look at her.

Su Yi: Is that it? Is that it?

Not even allowed to look? When did he get so thin-skinned?

Forget it.

Su Yi took her hand off her chin, pretending to lie back down to sleep—but no! The next moment, she turned Kangxi's face back.

Kangxi, as the Emperor, being manipulated like this, just as he was getting a little upset, a slender finger pressed against his thin lips. She came closer. "Shh, don't speak. It might ruin the mood."

Kangxi didn't speak, but his expression was hard to read.

He hadn't managed to say a word, while her little mouth kept chattering away, and she talks about ruining the mood— who could be better at it than her?

As if understanding Kangxi's thoughts, Su Yi smiled sweetly. "Oh, I don't count."

Just that double standard.

Kangxi looked at her expressionlessly, although his face was now under control, his aura was not diminished.

"I've been sick for these days, and I have no memory at all. It's like I just woke up from a sleep. Do you think it's possible that I..." Su Yi seemed to be trying hard to recall something.

Kangxi simply gazed at her calmly, "What might it be?"

Su Yi earnestly shared her suspicion, "A fatal illness." She paused, the more she spoke, the more convinced she became, "Now it seems like she's still okay, but in reality, her time is limited..."

"That's absurd!"

Before she could finish, Kangxi coldly interrupted her. Su Yi pressed her lips together, realizing that mentioning death was taboo, perhaps considered unlucky?

"Alright, forget I said anything." Su Yi didn't argue and obediently lay back down.

Kangxi reached out and pulled her into his arms, his tone softening as he spoke again, "Don't let your imagination run away with you. The royal doctor said that since you've woken up, your body is fine."

Kangxi spoke in a normal tone, as if speaking to someone who had just recovered from a long illness, implying that waking up meant the illness was over, with no intention of discussing anything else.

Su Yi nestled into his chest silently, still feeling that it was all quite absurd. The way the situation was set up, she could have just slid down a slide.

Silently, Kangxi pinched her arm, urging, "Speak."

"Mm, it's good to be alive, I was overthinking." Su Yi immediately chimed in, expressing her upbeat and positive outlook.

Perhaps this upbeat and positive outlook hit Kangxi's preferences just right, as he immediately showed satisfaction, and his hand naturally began to smooth her hair. His hair-stroking technique had become much more skilled than before, and it was quite comfortable, almost like stroking a cat.

Su Yi shifted her head slightly, "Then when can I return to Yonghe Palace, my residence? I'm already better, it wouldn't be proper to stay any longer." She spoke in a very considerate and proper manner, and Kangxi patted her back and said naturally, "Good, don't move."

Su Yi: "..." This is getting a bit complicated.

He himself was quite into it, making Su Yi feel sleepy.

"Baocheng, the little milk dragon, misses you a lot. Before, when you were ill, I didn't let him disturb you. Now that you're better, I'll have him come see you tomorrow." He didn't mention when she could return to Yonghe Palace, but instead had Baocheng come to see her.

Kangxi's voice had a soothing, almost hypnotic quality.

"..Mm, okay.."

His soothing motions were making her drowsy. Realizing she wouldn't get any more answers, and not planning to stay up late doing anything unhealthy, she decided to just go with the flow and sleep. After all, shedding a few strands of hair was no big deal.

No longer being as meticulous about her body as before, she no longer freaked out over losing a single strand of hair, her tolerance had increased, and losing a few strands didn't bother her.

Kangxi listened to the steady rhythm of her breathing, as if she had already fallen asleep, his expression inscrutable. He stopped his hand movements and pulled the blanket up to cover her properly. The two were close, so close that they could feel each other's heartbeats.

Unlike the previous hollow calm, it was now full of vitality.

Kangxi was not unaware of the strangeness in this.

The doctor from the Niohuru residence who had treated her for three years for her sleeping sickness had already been questioned by him. There was nothing wrong with her body, no medicine could cure her, she just suddenly woke up.

At first, Kangxi thought it was because of this reason, that by some twist of fate, she had been reincarnated into Niohuru's body, just like the previous Niohuru.

Now, there was nothing wrong with the body, but the soul inside was missing.

It was more like a case of soul separation.

Kangxi then changed his strategy and consulted a high monk, but to no avail.

Even summoning the soul required knowing her true name, but Niu Gu Lu Min Yi was not her real name.

Until that thing suddenly appeared...

The Imperial Noble Consort truly woke up, and Kangxi's paranoia couldn't help but flare up, constantly speculating what conspiracy might be hidden within, holding back from visiting her the moment she woke up.

But once awake, she was completely at ease, effortlessly adopting the ready-made explanation to settle things, appearing composed without needing to explain herself.

Now, hearing her tone as if she were on the verge of death, it nearly made Kangxi laugh out of sheer frustration, and the strength in his arms holding her increased a bit.

That night, she obediently slept without doing anything, but it didn't seem like she slept very peacefully. As she slept, she always felt as if she were being coiled by a snake. It's not that Su Yi dislikes snakes, but the feeling of being encircled and constricted was really not pleasant.

When she woke up, the person beside her was, as expected, no longer there. Anxiety wouldn't help, so Su Yi carried on with her usual routine of washing and dining, waiting to see when Little Milk Dragon would arrive.

But before she could see Baocheng, she first saw the Imperial Noble Consort arriving with her entourage.