Chapter 337

Chapter 337

Before Kangxi even returned, he had already learned what the Imperial Noble Consort had been up to. The dowager had quietly called for a doctor, insisting on keeping it quiet. However, in the emperor’s encampment, nothing could escape scrutiny.

With age came wisdom—she knew that even if she wanted to make trouble, it couldn’t be done blatantly.

Kangxi’s reaction was that since secrecy was demanded, it was only natural he wouldn’t know. So, he proceeded as usual to fetch the Imperial Noble Consort, who had been deliberately placed far away. He was somewhat displeased—wasn’t it only when it was time to leave that he could see her? She clearly found it troublesome to come looking for him. Taking advantage of the fact that arrangements hadn’t yet been finalized, he hurried to bring her back.

These past days had been hectic, and the Imperial Noble Consort had grown bored. If she vented her frustrations on others, she wouldn’t take them out on him. Kangxi had it all figured out.

Others got her wrath, while he got a sweet and affectionate Imperial Noble Consort.

Just as expected, when Kangxi arrived, she greeted him with a radiant smile, even stepping forward to link arms with him. She asked softly if he was tired after his busy schedule. Kangxi was thoroughly pleased, his lips curling upward involuntarily. "Not too bad. The next few days can be more relaxed. There’s no rush to return—we can take our time."

Hearing this, Su Yi was genuinely delighted. This man had been working nonstop, dragging her along even though she wasn’t handling official matters. Just the travel alone had left her dazed—how could anyone have such boundless energy? It was like watching a workhorse try to motivate a lazy fish.

The officials, from what she could tell, had grown thinner and darker since before the trip.

Now that they didn’t have to rush back, Su Yi couldn’t help but sigh in relief. "You've been working so hard lately—you finally get to rest."

She thought to herself, 'Behave tonight.'

Kangxi’s eyes darkened slightly, his smile deepening as he led her to sit, pulling her into his embrace. Casually, he asked, "The Cao family’s women came to pay their respects. Did you get along well?"

Su Yi knew exactly what he was probing for. Her smile didn’t waver. "Quite well. We had a pleasant conversation." *Pleasant for her, at least—not so much for them.*

The expressions of both the older and younger women had been far more entertaining than their words. The conversation hadn’t been about exchanging pleasantries—she’d been too busy watching their faces twist in discomfort.

Kangxi’s lips twitched. He knew that when the Imperial Noble Consort’s mischievous streak emerged, it meant Sun Shi and the others must have done something to displease her, triggering her mischievous side. But it wasn’t excessive.

As long as the other party did not openly defy the Noble Consort with disrespectful words or attempt petty tricks to escape, the Noble Consort would be satisfied with her mean-spirited fun and let it go.

With his standards having dropped, Kangxi now found this behavior rather harmless. Instead, he began to suspect whether Sun Shi and the others had slighted the Noble Consort. Thinking of the residence the Cao family had arranged for her, the more he pondered, the more convinced he became—why else would they place her so far from him? Spacious it might be, but the distance was deliberate. What malice!

Their deference during the welcome ceremony—was it all a facade? The moment he turned his back to attend to state affairs, had they dared slight the Noble Consort? The more Kangxi dwelled on it, the more his suspicions grew.

Having survived purges, he had become even more distrustful. Previously, his vigilance had been directed toward Manchu nobles, imperial clans, powerful families, and Mongol princes. Now, he would not overlook even these servants.

In short, those who had once been off his radar had, through their own efforts, drawn the wary ruler’s attention. Any attempts at flying under the radar would no longer be feasible.

Had this not happened, Sun Shi, who had once been Kangxi’s nursemaid, along with her son—his childhood companion and study partner—would have remained among his most trusted servants. Such individuals were indispensable in key positions, especially in the south, where Cao Yin was being groomed as his eyes and ears in Jiangnan.

But now, though Kangxi appeared to value them out of old affection, his wariness overshadowed any goodwill. The fact that the Cao family had displeased the Noble Consort behind his back made his face darkened.

Cao Yin, for his part, had no idea that after his heartfelt reunion with the long-absent emperor—a moment meant to strengthen their bond—his mother and wife would immediately provoke the Noble Consort, undoing all his efforts in one stroke. He probably wanted to scream.

Yet even he had underestimated the extent of the emperor’s partiality. Just how far did it go?

The Cao family waited in the shadows, expecting the emperor to grow displeased with the Noble Consort and anticipating a quarrel between them. But nothing happened—nothing at all. The emperor acted as though completely unaware, fetching the Noble Consort as usual and settling her in his own quarters.

There was not a hint of discord.

Had the Noble Consort talked her way out of it? Yes, that had to be it!

No wonder she acted so brazenly—she must have been confident that even if the emperor found out, she could spin the truth and flip the script. And who among the servants would dare expose her?

That had to be it!

The Cao family grew more determined to plant someone influential near the Emperor who could speak up for them. Otherwise, they would continue to take the hit quietly, with the Emperor remaining unaware, and Cao Yin certainly couldn’t risk complaining about Noble Consort Rong to the Emperor.

Of course, the Cao family wouldn’t be so blatant as to place a beauty directly in Noble Consort Rong’s line of sight, openly adopting the 'perfumed sleeve' tactic or playing the 'green leaves accenting the blossom' ploy. Instead, they slipped in a knockout maid among the attendants assigned to the study temporarily used by the Emperor for handling state affairs.

Their strategy relied on those quick tea-serving moments—when the Emperor might be weary, and a fresh, radiant beauty would stand out all the more.

Originally, Liang Jiugong, who vetted all those serving the Emperor, would have caught such an obvious ploy during the screening process. However, the Cao family wasn’t the only one making moves—others took advantage of their actions to further their own schemes. Under such "collective attention," the beauty successfully bypassed scrutiny and reached the Emperor’s presence.

Liang Jiugong thought 'Damn—we've been played' as he watched the woman approach with graceful swaying steps, her every movement exuding the dreamy allure of southern riverlands. Her delicate features carried an air of vulnerable charm, her skin flawless and even more breathtaking up close. Though dressed in ordinary maid’s attire, she stood out effortlessly among the others, impossible to overlook.

He thought 'Damn—we've been played.' How could such an exceptional beauty slip through unnoticed until now? There had to be foul play. Feeling the Emperor’s sharp gaze, Liang Jiugong braced himself to plead for forgiveness and have her removed immediately.

Yet, the beauty wasn’t just some dumb beauty. Instead, she calmly set down the tea she carried, her movements smooth as silk, as if deliberately showcasing her finest qualities—she knew exactly how to present herself at her most captivating.

Kangxi’s expression remained cold and indifferent, his patience wearing thin as he prepared to order her dragged away.

But this beauty wasn’t just some dumb beauty. Trained meticulously in reading expressions, she saw that her initial allure had little effect and swiftly deployed her backup plan. The man who had coached her had assured her that following his instructions would at least secure her a place to stay, if not more.

Wang Shi parted her cherry lips and whispered something. Kangxi’s expression shifted slightly, his gaze turning laser-focused as he sized her up, his eyes narrowing. Despite her mental preparation, Wang Shi still trembled under his scrutiny, white-knuckling her composure as she slowly knelt, resisting the urge to collapse in fear.

She remembered the advice—to capture attention, she couldn’t rely on conventional methods. Even if terrified, she had to stay steady. If beauty alone couldn’t sway him, she needed another way to secure her position first, then plan for the future. Her face would prove far more useful than before.

Wang Shi didn’t fully understand what this meant, but her appearance had indeed become far more striking than before. Once, she had prided herself on being a rare beauty, but after this transformation, she realized true beauty could reach such heights. Lady Li had treated her with even greater favor, granting her the finest privileges.

Liang Jiugong, seeing the audacious woman still lingering, moved to pull her away before she could spout nonsense.

"Everyone, out," Kangxi commanded in a low voice, his expression unreadable but his heart already seething with murderous intent.

Wang Shi did a mental victory dance—it had worked! Her lowered eyes concealed her ambition. Though she didn’t fully grasp the situation, the man who had helped enhance her beauty, devised this plan, and even provided a token for her to present to the Emperor as proof of loyalty—whatever his angle, once she entered the harem, she needn’t fear him anymore.

Liang Jiugong hesitated, catching the Emperor’s ominous tone. Though confused, he hustled to clear everyone out.