Chapter 59: Come on let’s Fight! (1/2)
The journey back to the palace from Yangliuqing wasn’t short.
The imperial procession stopped overnight at the Shunyi temporary palace, and only the next morning did the grand entourage enter the city through the northern Desheng Gate.
Ministers who hadn’t accompanied the emperor had been waiting outside the city gates since before dawn, led by the Crown Prince.
Upon spotting the imperial carriage, they immediately knelt and hailed “Long live the Emperor!”
Fang He and Chunlai remained inside the imperial carriage without stepping out.
Kangxi, accompanied by Liang Jiugong, descended from the carriage and strode forward with a broad smile, helping the Crown Prince to his feet.
“It’s been months, Baocheng-you seem to have grown taller! Excellent!”
Yinreng subtly glanced at the imperial carriage before responding warmly, “All thanks to Emperor Father to take care for this son.”
“With Emperor Father earnest letters urging me on, I dared not slack in either studies or martial training.”
“The palace staff, knowing Emperor Father concern, attended to me meticulously. Free from worries, I naturally strove to meet Emperor Father expectations.”
Kangxi nodded in satisfaction, patting Yinreng’s shoulder in approval.
After months of overseeing state affairs, Baocheng had matured significantly—his words were now far more measured, no longer childlike.
Yinzhi couldn’t hold back any longer.
He had given the Crown Prince face by allowing the father-son reunion to proceed undisturbed; that was the extent of his patience.
With a bright laugh, he stepped forward and declared, “Emperor Father mustn’t focus only on the Crown Prince! Have I grown taller as well?”
“In just over a month, I’ll be wed! These days, I’ve been restless day and night, barely eating or sleeping, counting the days for your return so you can soon become a grandfather!”
A cold glint flashed in Yinreng’s eyes.
Emperor Father had insisted that selecting a Crown Princess required careful deliberation, yet despite repeated considerations.
No suitable candidate had been chosen during the 25th-year imperial selections-only a fine consort for the eldest prince.
One step behind meant falling further behind.
The prospect of the eldest imperial grandson was likely to become yet another thorn in his heart.
Seeing Yinzhi’s smug expression only deepened Yinreng’s resentment.
But after gaining access to court officials and state affairs, he had indeed matured at least enough not to openly slight Yinzhi now.
Instead, he smoothly intercepted Yinzgi’s words, graciously crediting him.
“Emperor Father, don’t believe Eldest Brother’s exaggerations.”
“Days ago, Consort Hui was arranging his wedding preparations when she caught a chill. Eldest Brother, guilt-ridden, personally tended to her, exhausting himself to the point of losing appetite and sleep.”
Kangxi gave the Crown Prince a surprised look-since when did these brothers speak so civilly?
Truly, they had grown considerably.
He then asked Yinzhi with concern, “Has your mother recovered?”
Inside the carriage, Chunlai instinctively glanced at Fang He upon hearing the Emperor’s mention of Consort Hui.
Fang He merely lounged lazily on the cushioned divan, leisurely eating freshly delivered grapes from the Shunyi estate-utterly indifferent, not even sparing a glance.
The boss showing concern for a long-time colleague?
Why should a new employee-one without even a signed contract yet-care?
Workplace etiquette frowned upon unnecessary meddling.
Outside, Yinzhi couldn’t fathom the Crown Prince’s motives but seized the chance to display filial piety before Kangxi.
With feigned emotion, he replied, “Thank you for your concern, Emperor Father. Mother has recovered, though the recent weather shifts in the capital also left the Imperial Noble Consort and Sixth Sister ill.”
Kangxi frowned slightly.
“And how is your Uku Mama?”
Before either could answer, he waved dismissively.
“Enough talk here. Let’s return to the palace first!”
Without another word to the ministers, he turned and re-entered the imperial carriage, ordering the procession onward.
Yinreng and Yinzhi mounted their horses, squeezing past the guards to take positions flanking the imperial carriage.
Both of their gazes lingered, intentionally or not, on the carriage interior.
Through the swaying beaded curtain, they could only vaguely make out a graceful figure reclining behind a screen, eating something.
Their father, the Emperor, spoke to her in hushed tones, but no response could be heard.
Both princes understood the extent of this woman’s favor-she must be the widow their father had brought back from Jiangnan.
Whatever their reasons, curiosity stirred in their hearts, though they could catch no further glimpse of her.
Even after passing through the Meridian Gate, Kangxi had arranged for a soft sedan chair to carry Fang He behind the imperial procession, denying his sons the chance to gawk at her like spectators at a circus.
Meanwhile, the concubines waiting in the Cining Palace had already heard reports from the eunuchs about Fang He’s treatment, crumpling several handkerchiefs in frustration.
Within the palace, even noble ladies were not entitled to ride in soft sedan chairs—was the Emperor planning to elevate a widow to the rank of concubine?
Even the Third Prince Yinzhi, Fourth Prince Yinzhen, Fifth Prince Yinqi, and the three princesses present couldn’t help but feel curious.
Especially the Fourth Princess, who instinctively turned to her mother, Lady Gorolo, only to see the noblewoman’s reddened eyes and a strained expression.
Before any official title had even been granted, her mother was already being mocked…
She was determined to see what kind of woman could bewitch her father into disregarding all propriety.
When Fang He finally entered behind the Emperor, the sharp gazes of the assembled women and princes nearly made even Kangxi himself flinch.
Well aware of their thoughts, the Emperor deliberately shielded Fang He and frowned.
“What? Are you not pleased to see me return?”
Imperial Noble Consort Niohuru quickly led the others in protesting, though their eyes darted past him to scrutinize Fang He.
Gritting their teeth, they curtsied in greeting.
Fang He, who had been meticulously proper since entering the city, gracefully stepped aside from behind the Emperor, smiling as she avoided accepting the concubines’ and princes’ salutations.
Before Kangxi could even greet the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, the room’s attention had already pinned Fang He like daggers.
But it was the Grand Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and the Empress Dowager whose reactions eclipsed everyone else’s.
“Fang He?”
“Wulinzhu!”
Yinzhi suddenly understood no wonder Fang He’s profile had seemed so familiar.
She was that female official who had served before the Emperor…
Wait, that couldn’t be!
Exchanging bewildered glances with Yinzhen and Yinqi, he thought: Hadn’t Consort Xi been buried long ago?
The concubines’ simmering anger also faltered-wasn’t this widow supposed to be named Zha Sanniu?
Why the change of name, and why did it sound so familiar?
But those privy to the past-Niohuru, Rongfei, and Yifei were inwardly stunned.
Not only was Fang He alive, but she was also a descendant of the old Dowager Consort Zhasihuli?
Realization dawned on them.
This explained Fang He’s previous special treatment in the Emperor’s presence and the Empress Dowager’s particular fondness for her.
They had all heard stories from their elders about the old Dowager Consort’s legacy and the palace’s enduring favor toward her.
The revelation only deepened their resentment.
If this ancestral figure entered the harem, where would that leave them?
Seizing the moment, Niohuru feigned confusion:
“Wasn’t this lady a married woman from a collateral branch of the Zhasihuli clan? How could she share Consort Xi’s name?”
Fang He simply lowered her eyes without speaking.
From the moment she learned she would return to the palace, she understood clearly that in this situation, there was no place for someone like her whose status remained ambiguous to speak.
Kangxi felt a pang of pity seeing her dejected expression and cast a faint warning glance at Lady Niohuru.
“It’s hardly surprising that Fang He resembles the late Lady Zhasuhuli-they were distant relatives from the same clan.”
He smiled at Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and the Empress Dowager.
“I thought her resemblance to Consort Xi and the late Lady Zhasuhuli was striking, which is why I specifically brought her into the palace to accompany both of you.”
“Then why was she following Your Majesty?”
Noble Consort Niohuru pressed relentlessly, her voice laced with cold mockery.
“Those who know might think she’s in mourning, but those who don’t would assume she’s shamelessly seducing Your Majesty.”
Oh-ho!
Fang He mentally gave this sister a thumbs-up.
High-ranking leadership—no, noble consorts-really had backbone.
Go on, fight!
Give her some motivation to step up her game!
“Enough!” Kangxi finally snapped, his voice icy as he reprimanded Noble Consort Niohuru.
“Neither the Empress Dowager nor the Grand Empress Dowager have spoken yet. Since when does the palace defer to your authority?”
Though the Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Hui, and Noble Consort Tong were absent due to illness, palace affairs were currently managed by the Tong family.
Lady Niohuru’s expression darkened, but she dared not say more, though inwardly she scoffed.
She didn’t even need to check the imperial records just one look at that vixen’s flushed, seductive face told her Fang He had received plenty of favor.
If the Emperor dared to act so recklessly, why fear others’ words?
“Enough. The moment you return, all you do is bicker and give me a headache,” Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang finally interjected coolly, her gaze fixed on Fang He.
“All of you, leave. Only the Emperor and Lady Zhasuhuli will stay.”
Fang He raised a brow imperceptibly, taking a quiet deep breath.
The earlier exchanges had been nothing more than yapping dogs-now was the true moment to face the storm.
She subtly winked at the Empress Dowager, who responded with a reassuring smile.
Good, good.
A wealthy patron’s backdoor was far more reliable than the boss’s.
Once only Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, the Empress Dowager, Kangxi, Fang He, along with Sumala and Liang Jiugong remained to attend them, Xiaozhuang’s expression darkened.
“Fang He, do you admit your crimes?”
Fang He obediently knelt, reciting the prepared words smoothly.
“Your servant replies to the Grand Empress Dowager: Fang He has already died in Northern Mongolia, her ashes interred in the imperial mausoleum. This humble servant, Zha Sanniu, dares not accept Your Majesty’s accusation.”
Xiaozhuang let out an angry laugh, pointing at Kangxi.
“Look at this sharp-tongued one!”
“Then, Kangxi, you explain to me what exactly is going on here?”
Kangxi knelt before Fang He, his demeanor even more composed than hers-clearly, the boss had also rehearsed his lines.
“Grandmother knows better than anyone what truly happened, doesn’t she?”
The Empress Dowager, who had been listening in shock, paled as realization struck.
She turned sharply to Xiaozhuang, but seeing only fury-not surprise on her face, her heart sank.
When had her aunt found out?
Xiaozhuang’s expression grew even sterner.
“She had already fled. I spared her the crime of deceiving the throne to repay her life-saving favor to you. Yet now you’ve brought her back-do you mean to drive me to an early grave?”
“Grandmother, this grandson swore to you that he would never act against the stability of the realm. I have kept that vow.”
Xiaozhuang’s anger was palpable as she calmly raised her head to look at her.
“You can repay the debt of saving my son’s life, but you cannot restore the dignity my grandson has lost.”
Xiaozhuang was taken aback-was this fool still stubbornly clinging to his pride?
No, if he were truly that obstinate, he wouldn’t have been able to reclaim the emperor’s power from the hands of the four regent ministers.
“Excuses! This old one absolutely refuses to allow her to enter the palace as a consort. Since you’ve found her, hand her over to me for judgment.”
Kangxi interrupted.
She fixed her gaze on him.
“Or are you so determined to anger this old one to death over a woman?”
Kangxi naturally denied it.
“Imperial Grandmother, besides being an emperor, I am also a man. Abandoning her once, forcing her to flee in fear for her life that was enough. I never wish to experience such regret again in this lifetime.”
Slowly, he rose to his feet, standing tall before Xiaozhuang, his gaze unwavering and resolute.
“As the emperor of the Great Qing, if I cannot even protect one woman, how can I claim to safeguard the people of this realm?”
“Imperial Grandmother, when you once taught me how to secure my throne, you told me this: ‘One cannot tolerate others sleeping soundly beside their own bed.’ What belongs to me-only I can decide her life or death.”
“I can hand her over to you, but even I have my limits. I want her to live safely where I can see her, to finally lay my regrets to rest.”
“Fine, fine…!” Xiaozhuang trembled with rage, pointing at Kangxi, her hand shaking too much to speak.
She was so furious she could no longer discern how much truth lay in Kangxi’s words or perhaps it was all true, yet it did nothing to diminish his selfish motives.
The grandson she had raised with her own hands, just like his father, now resented her meddling.
This was his warning his imperial authority was not to be encroached upon, not even by his own grandmother.
“Aunt!” The Empress Dowager suddenly knelt before Xiaozhuang, cutting short the impending clash between grandmother and grandson.
“This is my fault. I projected my feelings for Wulinzhu onto Fang He. If there is any crime of deceiving the emperor, then you should punish me, not Fang He.”
“Her act of saving the emperor’s life was real, just as Wulinzhu’s act of saving mine was real. This is a debt our Aisin-Gioro family owes to the Zhasihuli clan, Aunt!”
Seeing the Empress Dowager, advanced in years, kneeling before her with pleading eyes, Xiaozhuang’s fury, which had risen to a peak, gradually subsided.
Yet her expression remained cold as she sneered at Kangxi.
“You calculated that your mother would shield you, didn’t you? All of you only know how to scheme against this old one!”
Kangxi knelt in silence.
“All of you get out!” Xiaozhuang suddenly seized a teacup and hurled it at Kangxi’s feet.
Fang He hesitated, unsure if “all” included her she was perfectly willing to leave.
Seeing Fang He lift her bewildered little face, her eyes still tinged with unease, Kangxi’s heart ached even more.
Recalling how she had barely spoken since entering the city, he reached out and pulled her up to leave.
But just as Fang He expected, Xiaozhuang hadn’t counted her among “all.”
“Where do you think you’re taking her? I told the two of you to get out!”
Kangxi frowned slightly, but when he felt Fang He lightly scratch his palm, he glanced at her deeply.
Seeing her smile at him with calm reassurance, he knew this little troublemaker was more than capable of holding her own.
Reluctantly, he released her hand and helped the Empress Dowager out of the hall.
While Su’moer went to close the door, Fang He whispered, “Ancestor, should I keep kneeling? If it’s going to be long, could I have a cushion?”
Xiaozhuang couldn’t help but laugh.
“You’re quite the delicate one, aren’t you?”
Fang He flashed her a charming smile.
“Life outside was too carefree-it’s made my bones soft. If I can be a little more comfortable, why suffer needlessly? It’s not like tormenting myself does any good. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Whether it was Fang He’s words or Xiaozhuang’s own softening temper, she gave a light hum, her expression easing as she pointed to a nearby embroidered stool.
“Sit and speak.”
Fang He cheerfully complied, dragging the stool next to Xiaozhuang’s couch and sitting primly like a well-behaved child.
Su’moer shook her head with a smile, tidying the mess in the room before bringing in fresh tea.
After taking a sip, Xiaozhuang finally asked, “If life outside was so carefree, why come back?”
Given Kangxi’s temperament, if Fang He had married and had children, insisting on staying with her husband through life and death, he might have been angry-but he would never have slaughtered innocents.
Her gaze turned cool and assessing as she studied Fang He.
“Or did you tire of freedom and couldn’t resist the palace’s luxuries after all?”
Fang He chuckled.
“Heavens, no. Forgive my bluntness, Ancestor, but when I begged someone to take me away, I was even prepared to beg on the streets. If I truly craved wealth, wouldn’t it have been easier to just return as Consort Xi back then?”
“Then why did you return?” Xiaozhuang’s eyes sharpened.