Chapter 26: Sending Food

Chapter 26 Sending Food

In early August of the fourteenth year of Kangxi's reign, the Provincial Military Commander of Shaanxi rebelled and defected to Wu Sangui, allowing Wu Sangui to seize multiple regions in Shaanxi. The Qing troops were defeated, suffering heavy losses. At the same time, several tribes bordering Outer Mongolia took advantage of the situation to raid and plunder along the border. The Qing court faced both domestic troubles and foreign invasions.

The Emperor summoned his ministers daily to discuss strategies. Preoccupied with state affairs, he had no time to call for any concubines and showed no interest in choosing name cards. It was said that during this period, the Emperor spent his nights reviewing memorials.

"Mistress, I’ve heard that many have been sending food to the Qianqing Palace these past few days to show their concern for the Emperor. Even Consort Duan has sent some. Would you like to send something as well?" Pan Liu, seeing her mistress immersed in reading and practicing calligraphy, couldn’t help but ask.

Fang Yu looked up. The Emperor certainly wasn’t lacking food. Most of the delicacies sent by the women of the inner court to the front palace never reached the Emperor’s mouth. Although she was now a Noble Lady and permitted to send items to the front palace, was it necessary for her to join in this trend?

The frontlines were tense, the situation critical. The Emperor had no mind for summoning anyone to his bedchamber. By my count, it had been half a month since he last chose a name card.

If she sent food, would it seem like she was seeking favor? Would the Emperor think her inconsiderate? After a moment’s thought, Fang Yu shook her head and refused, saying the Emperor wouldn’t miss a meal.

Pan Liu could only let it go.

Unexpectedly, that very evening, Fang Yu’s name card was chosen.

After bathing and performing purification rituals, Fang Yu sat on the bed waiting for the Emperor. She asked Cailian for a book to skim through. Suddenly, the light dimmed before her. Only when the shadow fell did she look up and call out sweetly, "Emperor."

Kangxi hadn’t seen Uya Shi for over half a month. The red rash on her body had disappeared, but her cheeks looked noticeably thinner. He touched her face and said, "You’ve gotten thinner. Is the food not to your liking?"

Fang Yu smiled. "I’ve been keeping my diet light these past few days, afraid the rash would worsen or leave scars. I’ve barely had any meat, just clear soups and bland, oil-free, saltless dishes. But it’s Emperor who has truly grown thinner. You must take care of yourself."

"You care about me?"

Fang Yu nodded like pounding garlic. "Of course I care about Emperor. I heard you’ve been reviewing memorials late into the night, and I worry you might work too hard."

Kangxi sat on the bed as Uya Shi half-kneeled to help him change. He said casually, "If you care about me, why didn’t you send me anything?"

During this time, Kangxi received many delicacies daily—tonic soups simmered for hours, pastries, desserts, medicinal foods—but not a single one came from her. She was now a Noble Lady, permitted to send items to the front palace. That had been one of the reasons he had granted her the title.

"Does Emperor want me to send something?"

Kangxi was taken aback. In truth, most of the food sent by the imperial consorts ended up being rewarded to the servants. Very little actually reached his mouth. But their gestures represented care and concern, an expression of their care. Everyone else sent something; only Uya Shi did not. It made him feel she didn’t care, but he couldn’t say that outright.

"No need. I lack nothing."

Fang Yu studied the Emperor’s face closely, seeming to detect a hint. She wrapped her arms around his neck, blinked, and said, "Emperor, I did want to send something. But I thought, since I’m not a prestigious consort, just a mere Noble Lady, sending things to Emperor might make others think I’m seeking favor. With court affairs so busy, deliberately trying to entice you—I’m afraid of being labeled a fox spirit."

Kangxi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He glanced at Uya Shi—her small, fair nose, lively eyes, and rosy lips combined into an exquisitely beautiful face. She did resemble a fox spirit, a little fox spirit.

In fact, there was some truth to her words. After all, she was only a Noble Lady, promoted from a bondservant. With her humble background, she had to be more cautious than Noble Consort Tong and others. She didn’t want to steal the limelight from the consorts and dared to be bold only in front of him. She was very measured in her actions.

Kangxi leaned down to kiss her and asked what scent she was wearing.

"Scent? I’m not wearing any scent. I just used fragrant soap when bathing."

Kangxi noticed a faint, delicate fragrance about Uya Shi. He actually disliked overly strong perfumes on women, finding them pungent. He sucked on her red lips. Including the days of her rash, it had been over a month since he last summoned her to his bedchamber.

He looked down at her and said softly, "You really haven’t gained any weight."

Kangxi remembered Uya Shi’s first night attending him—how thin she had been, almost bony. Even when she lay fully on top of him, he hardly felt her weight. Now, a year later, she still hadn’t put on much weight. He wondered where all the food she ate daily went.

"That’s not true. I have gained some."

"Where?"

Kangxi’s hand was placed on her softest part as she whispered that it had grown there. After saying it, she felt too embarrassed to look at him.

"It certainly has grown here. These couple of ounces are quite weighty."

"Emperor, please don’t say anymore."

Kangxi watched as Uya Shi turned as red as a boiled shrimp. He chuckled softly. She was the type to be timid yet dare to do bold things, only to feel embarrassed afterward. He captured her lips again and laid her down on the bed.

After not summoning anyone for so long, Kangxi poured all his pent-up energy into Uya Shi that night. They lingered until very late, calling for hot water three times before finally resting.

The next morning, Kangxi attended the morning court session. By the time it ended, Uya Shi had already returned. After breakfast, he went to Cining Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, then detoured to Ningshou Palace to greet the Empress Dowager.

Returning to Qianqing Palace, he spent over two hours reviewing memorials. Afterward, he summoned Tong Guowei and others.

Soon, it was noon. After Tong Guowei and the others left, Kangxi had a servant loosen his muscles and knead his shoulders and neck to relieve tension.

Liang Jiugong entered and reported, "Emperor, Noble Lady De has sent some food over."

Kangxi raised an eyebrow. He had only spoken to Uya Shi about sending food yesterday. He thought she wouldn’t follow the example of the Empress and others in sending food to the front palace, yet here she was, sending something today. Was she no longer afraid of being accused of seeking favor?

"Bring it in. Let me see what it is."

Xiao Fangzi entered carrying a red-lacquered, carved food box. It was his first time in Qianqing Palace, and he felt tense all over, his hands trembling nervously. Upon seeing the Emperor, he quickly knelt and stated his purpose.

"What has your mistress sent me? Bring it here for me to see."

Xiao Fangzi opened the food box and carefully placed a bowl of chilled yogurt on the imperial desk. Struggling to keep his voice steady, he said, "This is yogurt prepared by the kitchen under my lady’s orders. The weather is hot, and she said a bowl of yogurt can help whet the appetite."

Liang Jiugong glanced at the Emperor, then signaled Xiao Fangzi to leave. Yogurt wasn’t exactly a rare delicacy, but compared to the tonics sent by the consorts, it was a clever choice—a light, refreshing treat perfect for hot weather, both sweet and tangy, smooth and delightful.

Liang Jiugong watched as the Emperor picked up a spoon and began eating directly. He thought to himself that Noble Lady De had a knack for understanding the Emperor’s preferences—or perhaps the Emperor simply held her in special regard. While most of the food sent by others was rewarded to servants, the Emperor was willing to eat a simple bowl of yogurt sent by Noble Lady De.

The bowl of yogurt was soon finished. Kangxi, unusually, seemed to want more. He instructed, "Liang Jiugong, this year’s lychees are quite good. Have the Imperial Household Department send some to Noble Lady De."

"Understood. I will see to it immediately," Liang Jiugong replied inwardly. The Imperial Household Department had surely already sent lychees to Noble Lady De, and plenty of them. But a personal reward from the Emperor was undoubtedly different.

Kangxi hadn’t yet eaten lunch, but the yogurt had indeed whetted his appetite. He ordered the meal to be served immediately.