Jiuzhou Qingyan
The dishes served at palace banquets were usually more for show than for taste, but today’s offerings were surprisingly flavorful. Yunxiu hadn’t held out much hope, but after casually trying a bite of the sweet and sour mandarin fish, her eyes lit up.
The imperial kitchen must have changed chefs.
It seemed Noble Consort Niohuru had truly put her heart into this.
Yunxiu sampled a few more dishes, then smiled and beckoned Yinsi over to join her. Yinsi obediently let Yunxiu feed him a couple of bites of fish before Fifth Prince sneaked over to play with him. The two brothers, forgetting about the food, began chattering away in hushed tones nearby.
Crown Prince, Eldest Prince, and Third Prince—the three older imperial princes—sat together, their eyes also fixed on Yinsi and Fifth Prince.
“Fifth Brother and Eighth Younger Brother are truly close, practically inseparable every day,” Eldest Prince remarked, glancing at Crown Prince with a smile.
Crown Prince was only ten years old at the time, and while Eldest Prince was three years older, he too had yet to fully mature. As such, no wine was served at the princes’ tables. Hearing this, Crown Prince downed a cup of tea in one gulp and snorted without a word.
Though young, Third Prince sensed the tension between Eldest Brother and Second Brother. Looking left and right, he tried to smooth things over: “Fifth Brother and Eighth Younger Brother have both spent much of their childhoods in Cining Palace, so naturally they’re closer. Besides, they’re around the same age and can play together more easily.”
“Indeed,” Eldest Prince said leisurely. “Fifth Brother aside, Eighth Younger Brother is Consort Hui’s son. Consort Hui hails from Khorchin in Mongolia and is Empress Dowager’s own niece. That makes him both a grandson and a grandnephew—no wonder Empress Dowager dotes on him so.”
Crown Prince was no longer a naive child and understood the implication in Eldest Prince’s words.
Currently, the two noble consorts in the palace were one from the Mongolian Khorchin tribe and the other from the powerful Manchu Niohuru clan, who was also the late Empress Xiaozhao’s younger sister. Both had borne imperial sons, and Eighth Younger Brother and Tenth Younger Brother’s backgrounds were no less distinguished than his own.
Especially Eighth Younger Brother, who had the backing of both Empress Dowager and Grand Empress Dowager.
Even though Kangxi’s affection for Crown Prince was unparalleled, the Crown Prince, who was gradually coming to understand the intricate web of court influence, couldn’t help but feel pressure from his two younger brothers.
Just then, Kangxi suddenly looked over.
“Yinreng, come here.”
Kangxi’s words cut through the brothers’ veiled barbs. Crown Prince hurriedly rose and stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
Kangxi personally helped him up and patted his shoulder.
“This year’s lantern release ceremony to pray for blessings from heaven—you shall go in my stead.”
At these words, the faces of those below shifted with varied expressions as they exchanged glances. The lantern release ceremony during the Lantern Festival had always been presided over by the emperor himself. Although Crown Prince had long been designated as the Heir Apparent and was exceptionally favored by Kangxi, this was the first time he had been entrusted to act in the emperor’s place.
Eldest Prince gritted his teeth so hard they nearly cracked. Third Prince stole several glances but ultimately said nothing.
Yunxiu, however, didn’t particularly care who performed the ceremony. Instead, she was quite pleased, because the lantern release meant the palace banquet was finally coming to an end, and they could all return to their respective palaces to wash up and sleep.
Though it was a banquet, sitting there for half a day while maintaining proper decorum and barely getting to eat a few bites was hardly enjoyable.
Thus, Yunxiu’s smile at that moment was one of genuine, pre-departure delight.
Everyone in the hall harbored their own private thoughts. After speaking, Kangxi swept a calm gaze across the room, his eyes lingering on Yunxiu.
Of all the people in the hall, she alone was brimming with joy.
Kangxi paused briefly, then quickly withdrew his gaze, saying he was tired today and would end things here for the evening, with the remaining matters to be handled by the Crown Prince.
Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Niohuru immediately spoke softly, "Your Majesty has been exhausted all day. Why not rest at my palace? I have ginseng chicken soup simmering there. Would Your Majesty like a bowl?"
It was rare for Noble Consort Niohuru to invite favor so directly. It seemed that with the harem blooming like a hundred flowers during her pregnancy, she was feeling a sense of crisis.
Yunxiu yawned quietly from the back, waiting idly for Kangxi and Noble Consort Niohuru to leave so they could disperse.
Yinsi, who had been too busy chattering with the Fifth Prince during the banquet to eat his fill, heard the mention of chicken soup and felt his stomach growl. He tugged gently at Yunxiu’s sleeve and whispered, "E’niang, I’m hungry too."
"Doukou already went back to the palace earlier to warm up the evening meal," Yunxiu said, ruffling his fluffy hair. "You were too busy playing, so of course you’re hungry now."
Yinsi stuck out his tongue playfully.
However, Kangxi did not grant Noble Consort Niohuru this favor.
"Noble Consort has also been working hard lately. You should rest well," Kangxi said, watching the stiff smile on Noble Consort Niohuru’s face. Then, he turned his gaze to Yunxiu and said with a faint smile, "It has been some time since I visited Consort Hui. Tonight, I will stay at Changchun Palace."
Yunxiu: "…"
Her mind echoed with that meme—"Don’t come over here!"
Wait, she hadn’t done anything. Why was Kangxi suddenly going to her place?
Instantly, the gazes of all the consorts turned toward her.
Without even looking, Yunxiu knew Noble Consort Niohuru must be wishing she could devour her alive right now.
Yinsi also froze in place, looking at Yunxiu with uncertainty.
Why was Imperial Father suddenly going to Changchun Palace!
The only one likely pleased by this was the Empress Dowager. Hearing that Kangxi was going to Yunxiu’s place, she smiled from ear to ear, urging everyone to disperse quickly, and took the Fifth Prince back to Cining Palace ahead of others.
Before leaving, she even gave Yunxiu a meaningful look—the Emperor rarely visits Changchun Palace, so seize the opportunity.
With Kangxi’s decree, Yunxiu naturally had no room to refuse. On the way from Jiuzhou Qingyan to Changchun Palace, she pondered what had gotten into Kangxi. On such a splendid Lantern Festival night, he chose to spend it at her place.
She had been in the palace for over a decade, and Kangxi visited only once or twice a month, likely out of respect for the Grand Empress Dowager, not wanting to treat her, a noble consort, as entirely invisible. But each visit was always distant. Serving the Emperor was like serving a tiger, so Yunxiu naturally preferred his infrequent visits. She had always been proper and reserved, rarely speaking much, and Kangxi naturally found little amusement in it.
When the imperial carriage arrived at Changchun Palace, Doukou and the others, having received advance notice, knelt in the courtyard to welcome them. Kangxi entered the palace gate, glanced around at the courtyard decorations, and cast a sidelong look at Yunxiu. "It has been some time since I last came. Your courtyard is arranged quite exquisitely."
It looked cheerful and festive, adorned with lanterns and decorations. Even the corners of the courtyard walls were lined with bright red persimmon lanterns, giving it a warm, lively feel.
Yunxiu forced a dry laugh. "Your Majesty flatters me. I merely made some small trinkets in my spare time and displayed them."
Kangxi nodded and strode into the main hall. His visit was sudden, so the hall hadn’t been tidied in time, though it wasn’t exactly messy. On the couch and tables lay some half-finished crafts Yunxiu had been working on, along with a few medical texts and travel journals—and naturally, a couple of storybooks as well.
Kangxi lifted his robe and sat down on the couch. He was aware that Yunxiu had some knowledge of medicine, so he wasn't surprised to see medical books on her table. Instead, he picked up a few travelogues and storybooks to browse through. Yunxiu watched with trepidation, carefully offering him tea.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea."
Kangxi responded with an absent-minded hum before placing the book in his hand on the table. The sound startled Yunxiu once again.
"You may read these books yourself, but don’t let Yinsi get distracted by them."
Yinsi had naturally followed them inside and was now standing obediently beside Yunxiu. Upon hearing this, he immediately spoke up: "Imperial Father, E’niang never lets me read these."
Compared to Yinsi’s confident tone, Yunxiu lowered her head, feeling somewhat guilty.
In truth, the two of them had read these books quite often. Yunxiu didn’t see any reason why Yinsi shouldn’t read them—the storybooks were mostly tales of the supernatural, not romantic stories, and they were exceptionally well-written, vivid enough to make one feel as if they were right there in the scene.
Kangxi nodded but didn’t press the matter further, instead turning his attention to checking Yinsi’s studies.
Yinsi had only recently begun his education, so Kangxi didn’t make things difficult for him. He simply tested him on some basic content from Mencius and the Book of Songs. Yinsi was clever and had already memorized the Four Books and Five Classics during his time at the Imperial Study, so these questions posed no challenge to him.
After listening, Kangxi seemed quite satisfied. "Good, it seems you haven’t been slacking off at the Imperial Study."
Yinsi had still been somewhat upset with Kangxi over the incident that morning, but as soon as Kangxi praised him, Yinsi forgot all about it. His eyes sparkled, and though he tried to maintain a calm expression, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl upward. Watching from the side, Yunxiu suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.
After all, Yinsi was only three years old—how could he not yearn for his Ama’s affection? Even though she and the two elder ancestors doted on him immensely, in the heart of a child his age, a father’s place was irreplaceable.
Especially when his father was an emperor renowned for both literary and military prowess—how could Yinsi not admire Kangxi?
It suddenly occurred to her whether she had been somewhat selfish. Even for Yinsi’s sake, she ought to show a bit more consideration toward Kangxi. If Kangxi were to visit once or twice more each month instead of just once, Yinsi would surely be happier.
Just like how Kangxi had shielded the Sixth Prince earlier—wasn’t that also because Consort De was favored?
After examining Yinsi’s studies, Kangxi allowed him to return to the side hall to rest. Before leaving, Yinsi secretly signaled to Yunxiu with his eyes. Yunxiu helplessly nodded—the child hadn’t forgotten about dinner.
Yunxiu quietly instructed Doukou to bring the meal to Yinsi’s east side hall. Doukou smiled in acknowledgment and left.
Once she had arranged these matters, Yunxiu returned with a bowl of taro and osmanthus pudding.
Kangxi was leaning back on the couch, flipping through a storybook with great interest. It happened to be one Yunxiu was halfway through—she had even folded a page as a bookmark. The story was about the ghost market of Fengdu, and Yunxiu had been reading it intermittently for nearly half a month, both terrified and unable to resist turning the pages.
Seeing Kangxi reading it, Yunxiu thought to herself, He acted so disdainful earlier, but now he’s enjoying it himself.
And he had quite an eye for it—picking the most captivating book at a glance.
A mischievous idea crossed Yunxiu’s mind. She deliberately slowed her steps, trying not to make a sound as she approached Kangxi, then suddenly spoke up.
"Your Majesty."
However, to Yunxiu's great disappointment, she did not manage to startle Kangxi. Kangxi looked up, his expression unchanged, even carrying a hint of a smile.
"Trying to scare me?"
Her little scheme was seen through, and she gave an awkward laugh, naturally unwilling to admit it.
"How would I dare? The small kitchen has just prepared taro and osmanthus soup. The osmanthus inside was collected and dried in autumn, and honey was added. It’s most nourishing and gentle, perfect for winter use. Would Your Majesty like to have some as well?"
Kangxi rested his left arm on a soft pillow, bent his right knee, and looked up at her with a leisurely and somewhat casual air.
"Today the sun must have risen from the west. It’s truly rare for me to be offered food when I come to Changchun Palace."
Yunxiu: "…"
Ahem, it seemed she had indeed been focused on sending Kangxi away as quickly as possible before. Offering a cup of tea was already good enough; anything else was out of the question.