Chapter 37: Update

Chapter 37 Update

Kun Ning Palace.

Lady Wuya is pregnant.

Niuhulu. Yu Wan had originally thought that Lady Yin and Lady Daijia would be the first to conceive, but unexpectedly, Lady Wuya was the one who got pregnant first. She herself could no longer become pregnant and could only raise another’s child. She contemplated raising Lady Wuya's child.

Lady Wuya is favored, and the Emperor seems to like her very much. Men and women are different. Women, after carrying a child for ten months, are filled with affection and tenderness for the unborn child—it’s a piece of their own flesh. Men do not carry the child, so when the child is born, it may feel like a stranger to them. A man's love for his child is cultivated over time; it requires interaction and time spent together.

If the child is born from a woman the Emperor loves, he will naturally feel more affection for the child from the start, just like how the Emperor treats the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was born to Lady Hesheli, and the Emperor held Lady Hesheli in high regard, which is why the Crown Prince receives more favor than Yin Ti, the son born to Consort Hui.

Even if Lady Yin and Lady Daijia were to have children, their children likely would not receive as much affection as the Crown Prince.

Currently, there are few children in the palace, but the Emperor is still young. In ten or twenty years, the number of offspring will only increase.

The Emperor is busy with court affairs, and with many children, it is inevitable that some will be overlooked, just as some women in the inner court are favored while others are not. Not all children will gain the Emperor's favor.

A child born to Lady Wuya would surely receive more of the Emperor's attention than a child born to Lady Yin or others. Whenever the Emperor sees Lady Wuya's child, he will think of her and naturally feel more affection for the child.

As long as Lady Wuya remains favored, her child will certainly always be noticed by the Emperor and not forgotten.

Niuhulu. Yu Wan suddenly had a bold idea—if Lady Wuya gives birth to a prince, she would raise Lady Wuya's child and have the child claimed under her name.

If the child is taken in as an infant and raised by her, the child will surely grow close to the one who raised them. When the child grows up, the Niuhulu Family can provide more support, and considering the advantages, the child would naturally grow closer to them.

The Wuya Clan was granted status by the Emperor only because of Lady Wuya's favor and cannot compare to the Niuhulu Family.

Niuhulu. Yu Wan thought more about it and found it increasingly feasible. However, this matter calls for careful strategizing. After all, Lady Wuya has just become pregnant, so she has time to slowly consider how to have Lady Wuya's child registered under her name.

...

Fang Yu, unaware that the Empress is already plotting to take her child, begins experiencing daily drowsiness and morning sickness. Sometimes she feels nauseous while eating, and even the smell of once-favorite dishes now makes her sick.

Eating sour foods helps suppress her nausea. Oranges, apricots, and hawberries are always available to her. For sweeter fruits, Chef Yuan and his team prepare them with a sweet and sour flavor, seasoning them with salt for half a day before serving.

By the end of March, her pregnancy is officially announced. The imperial physician confirms via pulse reading, estimating she is about three months along.

The Grand Empress Dowager summons her to Cining Palace, inspects her, and grants her a seat.

"Since you are with child, Noble Lady De must act more dignified and composed from now on. I know the Emperor favors you, but now that you are pregnant, you must prioritize the child. Do not lure the Emperor into indiscretion."

Fang Yu thinks to herself that the Emperor still occasionally flips her name tablet these days. Although she does not actually serve him, and the Emperor does not enter, flipping the plaque implies nightly service. In the Grand Empress Dowager's eyes, it might seem like she is seducing the Emperor despite her condition.

She replies respectfully, "Yes, this consort will heed the Grand Empress Dowager's teachings and ensure no misconduct."

Before she leaves, the Grand Empress Dowager bestows upon her quite a few gifts—a scolding followed by a reward.

The next time her name tablet is flipped, she tells Eunuch Fu from the Office of Attendants that she will not be going over due to not feeling well.

Eunuch Fu looks somewhat troubled but dares not force Noble Lady De to go. He returns to the Palace of Heavenly Purity and reports to the Emperor.

"Physical discomfort? Did you see Noble Lady De?"

"I did see her. Noble Lady De personally came out to tell me."

"How did she look?"

Eunuch Fu hesitates, unsure how to answer. In his view, Noble Lady De seemed perfectly fine.

"Tell the truth!"

At the Emperor's stern tone, Eunuch Fu quickly replies, "Noble Lady De appeared to be in no serious distress."

Kangxi realizes that his grandmother must have spoken to her the day before yesterday. She must have said something that frightened Lady Wuya into refusing to come.

"Very well, you may go."

"Will Your Majesty still flip... flip the plaque?"

"No."

Kangxi finds it both amusing and frustrating. Do his grandmother and others really see him as an emperor who indulges in women at the expense of his heirs? He flips Lady Wuya's name tablet only because he wants to have her company. With no time during the day, evenings are the only time available. He has no intention of having her attend to him at this time.

Tonight, Kangxi sleeps alone.

The next day, before reviewing memorials, Kangxi orders Liang Jiugong to summon Lady Wuya to the study and prepare a palace sedan.

After a while, Lady Wuya arrives. He glances at her—today she is wearing a light pink mandarin-collar vest over a spring silk Manchu-style gown embroidered with plum branches. Her hair is styled in a small two-bun Manchu updo, and she wears pearl earrings. Clearly, she has dressed up for the occasion. Though three months pregnant, her belly still appears flat, but she exudes a radiant, well-nourished glow.

"Come prepare the inkstone for me."

"So the Emperor summoned me here to put me to manual work."

Kangxi gives her a pointed stare.

"I'll grind ink for the Emperor. Please don't look at me like that." Fang Yu walks over unhurriedly.

Kangxi watches as Fang Yu grinds the ink for only a short while before deliberately rotating her wrist. He sighs, "Alright, I can't rely on you. You're too delicate."

"Standing for long pains me—my back hurts, and my hands are sore."

Remembering that Lady Wuya is indeed pregnant, he allows her to sit instead of stand and has an attendant grind the ink for him.

Fang Yu, with nothing else to do, takes some paper and practices her brushwork nearby. After a while, she feels hungry and asks Attendant Liang, who has been standing by, to bring her something to eat, preferably oranges or similar.

Attendant Liang quickly brings her a plate of fruit—strawberries, cherries, and peeled oranges.

She sits in her chair, crosses her legs, and slowly eats.

Liang Jiugong observes from the side, thinking how comfortable and unguarded Noble Lady De is in front of the Emperor. Perhaps this is why the Emperor is willing to favor her. Everyone else is deferential and obedient in the Emperor's presence; with so many like that, the Emperor prefers those who act naturally around him.

After eating her fill, Fang Yu wipes her hands with a handkerchief. She looks up and sees the Emperor watching her. She smiles, "Your Majesty, I get hungry easily these days. Whenever I feel hungry, I want to eat something."

"I won't restrict your eating, but you shouldn't overindulge either. I’ve heard pregnant women need to be mindful of their diet."

"I will be careful. I actually don't eat much—I vomit a lot. The child inside is giving this old mother a hard time."

"I will find someone knowledgeable about what pregnant women should eat to serve you."

"There's no need for such trouble. I can handle it myself."

Kangxi adds, "You may summon your mother to the palace to stay with you for a few days."

Fang Yu raises an eyebrow, "Is... is that allowed? Can my mother really come to the palace to stay with me?"

"Yes, if I say it's allowed, it's allowed."

"Then let my mother stay with me for ten days."

Kangxi nodded in agreement.

Fang Yu knew this was a special privilege granted by the Emperor; otherwise, given her rank, she wouldn’t have been able to casually request her family’s visit to the palace.

Upon returning to Yonghe Palace, she immediately wrote a letter and had Xiao Fangzi deliver it outside the palace to the Wuya residence. She wasn’t worried about being discovered as an imposter, since she had been in the palace for four years—people naturally change over time.

She understood that relying solely on the Emperor’s favor wasn’t enough; her family also needed to rise in status. Only with a strong family behind her could she have solid support, so maintaining close ties with the Wuya family was essential.

Three days later, her mother arrived at the palace accompanied by only two maids. The moment they saw her, her mother and the maids knelt to pay their respects.

"Greetings, Noble Lady De. We wish you good fortune."

Fang Yu quickly helped her mother up. "Mother, there’s no need for such formalities."

"Let Mother have a good look at you." Lady Anjia’s eyes were already moist as she held her daughter’s hands, clearly moved. "Good, good. Mother is relieved to see you are well."

"Mother, I’m doing very well in the palace. There’s no need to worry."

From her daughter’s appearance, Lady Anjia could tell she was living comfortably. Over the past few years, because her daughter had been favored by the Emperor, the Wuya family had also risen in status. As a housewife, she had only heard others speak of her daughter’s favor in the palace, but seeing it firsthand now brought her peace of mind.

Her daughter had been pampered since childhood. Even though their family were bondservants, her husband had never let their daughter do hard labor, saying she might one day enter the palace and become a noble consort, so her hands must remain delicate.

Her husband had placed his hopes on their daughter, and in this, Lady Anjia had to admit he had shown foresight.

"Let Mother look at you again. You’re three months pregnant, aren’t you?"

"Mother has a sharp eye."

Lady Anjia smiled. "Your mother has given birth several times—of course I can tell. I originally wanted to bring some things into the palace, but your father said we couldn’t bring items in casually, so I didn’t dare bring too much."

"The palace provides everything, Mother. Please don’t worry. Please, sit down."

Fang Yu led her mother to sit and chat, inquiring about the family’s situation.

"Your eldest and second brothers have already been assigned positions in the Banner army and are serving in the military camp. Your younger sisters are still young. Your eldest brother is getting married this year to a distant relative of Prince An. It’s considered a good match."

Fang Yu remembered the Emperor mentioning Prince An, who had been leading troops against rebel forces in recent years. Even though it was a distant connection, any link to the imperial family was beneficial.

"That’s excellent. I must prepare a generous gift for my brother."

Lady Anjia was most concerned about her daughter’s pregnancy and asked about the due date.

Fang Yu replied it would be in October.

"Mother, please stay with me in the palace for a few days."

Lady Anjia nodded. This was a rare opportunity, likely only possible because her daughter was pregnant.

Fang Yu settled her mother in an empty room prepared in the rear of Yonghe Palace. Since her mother had experience with childbirth, she consulted her about diet and restrictions during pregnancy and asked whether a wet nurse had already been found.

Fang Yu said it was still early, but her mother insisted it wasn’t—a wet nurse needed to be arranged in advance, preferably someone from their own circle, with a known background and trustworthy.

Fang Yu asked her mother to find a few candidates outside the palace first. She would then discuss it with the Emperor to see if they could be assigned to the child.

In her heart, she feared that if she couldn’t raise the child herself, she might not even have a say in choosing the wet nurse.

Although she wasn’t the original person, her mother treated her with great care during these days, and she couldn’t help but feel a genuine closeness.

Ten days passed quickly, and she reluctantly bid farewell to her mother, giving her many gifts to take home.

After three months, her pregnancy stabilized, and Fang Yu occasionally took walks in the courtyard. Consort Duan and others visited her daily.

By early May, she was four months pregnant. Consort Duan brought her some news—the Empress had suddenly requested the Emperor’s permission to adopt her child, with the child officially registered under the Empress’s name.

Fang Yu was stunned. The Empress wanted to adopt her child?

"The Empress has quietly made a major move. Who would have thought she’d been planning to raise your child all along? I always found the Empress irritating. She didn’t even inform you beforehand—she went straight to the Emperor for approval, completely disregarding you. Who knows what the Emperor thinks?"

Consort Duan said indignantly. She had been hoping that Wuya Shi would give birth to a prince and that the Emperor, out of affection, would allow the child to be raised in Yonghe Palace. A child raised there would bring life and joy to the place, but now the Empress had taken the initiative.

The Empress had suffered a premature birth last year, and it was said the child was a boy. Consort Duan couldn’t understand why the Empress would want to adopt someone else’s child when she had only lost one and could still conceive again. The Empress wasn’t too old to bear children. Adopting another’s child and registering it as her own would make it nominally hers. What would happen if she later gave birth to her own child?

Seeing Fang Yu dazed, Consort Duan patted her hand comfortingly. "Sister, this matter isn’t decided yet. It depends on the Emperor’s decision. The Emperor cares for you deeply—you can speak to him about it."

"Consort Duan, do you think I can raise my child myself?"

Consort Duan sighed. This would be difficult. Not only was Wuya Shi only a Noble Lady, but the Qing Dynasty had no such precedent. Generally, princes were not raised by their birth mothers but were taken away. Yin Ti and Yin Zhi, born to Consort Rong, were raised in the homes of ministers. As for the sons of previous emperors, they were either raised directly by wet nurses and bondservants, by the Empress, or at the very least by consorts of *pin* rank or higher.

Yin Ti and Yin Zhi were sent to ministers’ homes because children in the palace kept dying one after another, so they were placed outside to preserve the imperial lineage. Now that the Emperor already had three surviving sons, Wuya Shi’s child might not be sent to a minister’s home but could potentially be raised within the palace. If raised in the palace, the Empress would indeed have a strong chance.

Especially since the Empress had made this request directly, publicly declaring her intention. If any other consort wanted to compete with the Empress, it might already be too late—unless they were willing to challenge the Empress directly and risk offending her.

"Sister, why not plead with the Emperor? He has affection for you; perhaps he will agree."

Fang Yu had tentatively asked once before, and the Emperor hadn’t responded. She felt that even if she pleaded, he wouldn’t allow her to raise her own child—it would break established rules. The Grand Empress Dowager might not approve either.

The Emperor’s every action was scrutinized; he couldn’t make an exception just for her.

But regardless, she had to try.

The day after learning of the Empress’s request to adopt her child, at one in the afternoon, she went to the Palace of Heavenly Purity with Pan Liu and Hong Ye.

"Noble Lady De, what brings you here?"

Eunuch Zhang at the palace entrance came forward with a smile.

"Eunuch Zhang, I would like to see the Emperor. Could you please announce me?"

"Of course. Please wait here a moment, Noble Lady. I’ll go in and announce you. It’s sunny outside; it’s best for you to stand under the eaves to avoid the sun."

"Thank you, Eunuch Zhang."

Fang Yu stood at the palace entrance, waiting for Eunuch Zhang to return. After a while, he came out and shook his head.

"Noble Lady, the Emperor is busy and has no time to see you. Noble Lady… perhaps you should return for now."

Fang Yu hadn’t expected the Emperor to refuse to see her. What did this mean? Was he avoiding her? Was he afraid she would bring up the Empress’s request, or had he not yet decided who should raise the child?

If the Emperor was only reviewing memorials and not meeting ministers, he could easily have allowed her in. Refusing her entry meant he didn’t want to see her.

Fang Yu was so angry it made her liver ache. How could he be like this? Previously, he had been tender and affectionate, but when something serious arose, he avoided her. She cursed him inwardly.

"In that case, I will come again tomorrow."

"Noble Lady, take care."

Fang Yu returned empty-handed. The next day, she came at the same time and was again refused, citing the Emperor’s busyness. After two rejections, it was clear he didn’t want to see her.

After returning, she had Xiao Fangzi go to the kitchen to request a pot of stewed soup. Once the soup was ready, she had Xiao Fangzi deliver it to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, along with a note she instructed him to pass on.

On the third day, she went to the Qianqing Palace again, and the Emperor finally agreed to see her. She entered with a cold expression and did not curtsey upon seeing him.

"All of you, leave us."

Kangxi signaled the servants to withdraw. He noticed Lady Wuya's cheeks puffed out in anger. He took out the drawing she had sent over the day before and asked, "What is this?"

"What does Your Majesty think it is?"

"How come I never knew your skill in drawing was so impressive?"

"There are many things Your Majesty doesn't know about me," Fang Yu retorted irritably.

"What do you mean by drawing a turtle without a head?"

"Obviously, I’m calling Your Majesty a coward who hides from trouble."

Kangxi, hearing her speak so bluntly, stood up from his carved chair and walked over to her. He pinched her face and said, "Aren’t you afraid I will punish you? You dare to draw and say anything."

Fang Yu pushed his hand away, took two steps back to create distance, and said defiantly, "I’m not wrong. Why did Your Majesty refuse to see me and avoid me? If you’re not a coward, what are you?"

"Wuya Ningyan, don’t push your luck. I'm being reasonable with you."

Perhaps because she was sensitive due to pregnancy, Fang Yu began to tear up after being scolded, staring at him with wide eyes.

Kangxi had only seen Lady Wuya act spoiled and cry out in pain in bed, but never like this outside the bedroom. He sighed helplessly, went over, and held her. "I haven’t even said anything, and you’re already crying? You’re pregnant now—be careful with your health. Stop crying. I was wrong; I should have seen you."

Fang Yu pushed him away and retreated two steps again.

"Be careful! Aren’t you afraid of falling?"

"It’s none of Your Majesty’s business. Since you don’t care about me, there’s no need for this phony concern. If you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave so I won’t be an eyesore."

Kangxi grabbed her as she tried to leave and coaxed her, "Alright, I already said I was wrong. Why are you still so angry? Tell me, what do you want?"

"I am just hot-tempered. I hate Your Majesty. From now on, don’t see me anymore, and don’t touch me."

Seeing how emotional and physically agitated Lady Wuya was, Kangxi grew worried she might fall. He quickly held her tightly and said, "Stop moving. If you keep struggling, I really won’t see you again."

"Fine! I don’t want to see you either."

Kangxi directly kissed her to shut her up, but she bit his tongue in retaliation, forcing him to pull back.

"Wuya Ningyan, I am really getting angry now. What are you causing a scene for? Can’t we talk properly?"

"Am I the one not talking properly? Wasn’t it Your Majesty who deliberately avoided me and left me hanging? You forced me to act this way."

"Fine, it was my mistake. Stop crying now; be careful not to harm the child."

"This child will be given to someone else to raise anyway. It might as well not be born."

Only then did Kangxi’s expression darken, and he stared at her coldly.

Fang Yu knew how to read the situation. Realizing he was angry, she immediately fell silent.

"If I hear such words again, I will not forgive you."

Fang Yu sobbed, her shoulders shaking slightly, biting her lip as she looked at him.

"You better remember what can and cannot be said. Stop provoking my anger. Consort Hui and Consort Rong’s children were also given to others to raise, and they never complained. Why do you have so much dissatisfaction? Haven’t I treated you well enough? You cannot raise your own child now. I will not set aside the Qing Dynasty's ancestral rules for you. I know you very much want to raise your own child, but rules are rules. The Empress Dowager would not allow me to break the rules for you. Princes of the Qing Dynasty were never raised by their birth mothers. Since you are part of the royal family, you should understand its rules."

Kangxi said a great deal in one breath. Seeing Lady Wuya looking at him with tear-filled eyes, he softened his tone slightly. "Rest assured. No matter where the child is raised, I will ensure he is well cared for. You can see the child; I won’t prevent you from visiting. Whenever you wish to see him, you may."

"I heard that the Empress wishes to raise my child?"

"I haven’t decided yet. The child hasn’t even been born. Let’s wait until after the birth. The Empress—she lost a child last year. She just wants a child, that’s all."

"I do not understand the rules and have caused Your Majesty trouble. I should not have lost my temper with Your Majesty. I admit fault."

Hearing Lady Wuya repeatedly refer to herself as "I," creating distance between them, Kangxi knew she was still angry. He wiped her tears and said, "Whatever you want, I can give it to you. But the child cannot be raised by you. Although I am the Emperor, there are many matters in which I cannot act willfully. I, too, have no choice but to yield at times. Do you understand?"

"I understand. Your Majesty has Your Majesty’s difficulties. I was wrong and should not have pressured Your Majesty. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

Fang Yu knew the Emperor had made up his mind—this child would definitely not be raised by her. As for whether it would be raised by the Empress, the Emperor might not have decided yet.

Perhaps he had treated her too well before, so well that it gave her illusions she shouldn’t have, making her momentarily believe she was special to him, that he truly liked her. She had forgotten he was the Emperor. It was her own fault for not seeing clearly and overestimating her importance in his heart. As he said, he had his difficulties and constraints, so he could only put her second and let her be wronged.

From beginning to end, his kindness toward her had limits. If she overstepped, he would mercilessly withdraw that kindness. She shouldn’t have hoped for more. She should have understood her place.

"You…" Kangxi grew even more worried seeing her like this. Her look of disappointment made him uncomfortable. "Do you resent me?"

"No, I do not dare. I really should leave now. Please release me, Your Majesty."

Seeing her like this, how could Kangxi let her go? If they didn’t resolve this, she would surely resent him and grow distant.

"I indeed should not have avoided you. In this matter, I was wrong. The Empress requested to raise the child, and I truly haven’t decided whether to grant her wish. That’s why I didn’t want to see you."

"Yes, I know. Your Majesty has Your Majesty’s considerations. I understand everything."

The more obedient and submissive she acted, the more uncomfortable Kangxi felt. She wasn’t even willing to look at him while speaking. He directly grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the inner bedchamber.

"Your Majesty, I should leave."

"You’re not leaving until we talk this through clearly."

"I have already spoken very clearly. What else does Your Majesty want me to say? I know I am not yet suited to raise my own child. I understand everything. What exactly does Your Majesty still want me to say?"

Kangxi said angrily, "I’ve treated you so well, and you’re going to hold a grudge and grow distant over this one matter? Have you forgotten all my kindness, remembering only this one thing? Just because one thing didn’t go your way, you’re going to dismiss all my past kindness? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking—are you planning to draw a line between us from now on?"

"I have not."

"Dare you say that while looking into my eyes?"

Kangxi was also angered. This Lady Wuya was truly an ungrateful wretch. Despite all his past kindness, she was mentally drawing a line between them over one matter. His care for her wasn’t just a day or two—it had been three years. If he didn’t punish her today, he wouldn’t be able to calm his anger.

He covered her mouth again, and even when she bit him, he didn’t let go. A faint taste of blood spread between them. He laid her down on the bed, pressed his body against hers, and began unbuttoning her Manchu gown.

"Your Majesty…"

"Tell me, were you just thinking about drawing a line between us from now on?"

Fang Yu felt the Emperor was truly angry. It was the first time she had seen him so furious in front of her, veins bulging on his forehead. She had indeed been thinking that—she would honestly be a favored noble consort from now on, not hoping for too much from him, treating him like a boss, clocking in for work, and withdrawing her heart.

She hadn’t expected him to be so perceptive, seeing through her immediately. But with him this angry, she certainly couldn’t admit it. She merely mumbled, "No."

"No? I think you were! You don’t remember any of my kindness at all—only the bad. Ungrateful creature."

Kangxi directly stripped off her clothes.

Fang Yu, mindful of the child in her womb, didn’t dare struggle too violently, especially since he was so enraged. As his kisses showered down on her, she actually began to feel aroused—perhaps due to pregnancy hormones.

"Your Majesty, the baby—you'll hurt the baby."

She pressed her hands against his chest, but the Emperor was furious, his eyes even bloodshot, as he directly pinned her hands behind her back.

"Your Majesty..."

Her words were cut off.

Kang Xi still had some sense left, knowing she was still pregnant, so he didn’t press down too hard, afraid of crushing her belly. Her lower abdomen was already slightly protruding. After two months without calling her to his bed, he noticed she had put on some weight, her whole body feeling soft to the touch.

He also noticed her gaze was somewhat dazed, beginning to feel aroused, a soft moan escaped her lips, very sensitive.

"Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle, I won’t hurt you."

What could she say? She could only think that, at least she was past the first trimester.

"Have you missed me too?"

Fang Yu glared at him. If he was going to do it, then just do it—why all the talking? She had no patience for small talk with him right now.

"Heh..." Kang Xi chuckled softly when he saw her glare, saying, "I promise that the second prince you bear will be raised by you yourself."

"Really?"

"Yes, it’s true. Before you give birth to your second prince, I will make you a consort, so your status will be sufficient to raise a child."

No matter what, at this moment, he was willing to give her a sweetener first, a hope, willing to give her hope. Her disappointment in him truly faded quite a bit.

"Your Majesty, you must remember what you said. Don’t go back on your word later, don’t be untrustworthy, and don’t be fickle. Otherwise, I’ll really be angry with you."

Kang Xi felt he had won her over a bit. He affirmed, "A word once spoken cannot be taken back. My word is as good as gold; I won’t go back on it."

"Anyway, I’ve remembered. If Your Majesty goes back on your word, I’ll bite your nose off."

Kang Xi felt his nose tighten inexplicably. He looked at her somewhat helplessly and once again assured her that he wouldn’t go back on his word.

"Then, are we doing it or not?"

Having reached this point, Kang Xi felt the arrow was already on the bowstring—it had to be released. The atmosphere had built up to this; she seemed willing too. The imperial physician had said they couldn’t share intimacy during the first three months, but she was already four months along—it should be fine. He would just be gentle. He lowered his head to capture her red lips, lightening the pressure of his hands.

"Not angry with me anymore?"

"I still have to see how Your Majesty performs. Don’t think you can just win me over like this. You were going to hand my child over to someone else. Did you think a few sweet words would make me let it go? I wanted to see you yesterday but couldn’t, and I was boiling with anger."

"Alright, don’t work yourself up."

Kang Xi coaxed her.

The two of them made love once, and it was satisfying.