8 – Don’t Get Provoked by Petty People, Nourish Body and Mind
Yin Zhen had spent the previous night in the Main Courtyard. Fu Qingzi slept far from him, her hands resting properly on her abdomen, fearing he might make any improper moves.
Seeing Fu Qingzi’s dismissive gesture, Yin Zhen gritted his teeth and shifted closer to her. Sensing the subtle change in the air beside her, Fu Qingzi truly wanted to punch him, but her upbringing forbade it.
As expected, the atmosphere in the room grew intimate.
The next day, Yin Zhen rose early as usual. The sky was still dark, with a crescent moon hanging high. It was only the hour of Yin, and by the hour of Mao, he had to be at the palace to wait for the Emperor before heading to the Mulan Hunting Grounds together.
Yin Zhen leaned against the pillow for a while, gazing down by moonlight at Fu Qingzi’s sleeping face. His eyes darkened, and he quickly averted his gaze, as if restraining himself.
When the time was almost right, Yin Zhen gently nudged Fu Qingzi with his large hand. “Fu Qingzi, time to get up.”
Fu Qingzi responded softly, “Mm.” Her bright, moon-like eyes suddenly lifted to meet Yin Zhen’s gaze.
She sat up from the bed, running her fingers through her hair from her forehead to the ends, giving it a light shake. Her thick, raven-black tresses caught Yin Zhen’s eye.
Today, Fu Qingzi wore a lake-blue qipao with fitted sleeves. Her hair was styled in an Erbatou, though the smaller version didn’t suit her at all—it failed to highlight her temperament. With a simple, light makeup, she appeared somewhat aloof yet inherently charming.
Upon arriving at the palace, everyone gathered outside to wait for the Empress. The Crown Princess quietly greeted Fu Qingzi, who responded with a slight, reserved smile.
Yinqi’s consort, Tatara, also stole a glance at Fu Qingzi, her eyes flashing with admiration. How could a consort possess such allure? With features more befitting a concubine, how could she serve as a proper consort?
Noticing the gaze, Fu Qingzi glanced at her indifferently. Su Peisheng followed her line of sight and bowed slightly, replying, “Consort, that is Fifth Prince’s Consort.”
Fu Qingzi gave a slight nod. Observing the mix of envy and barely concealed hostility in her eyes, it was no wonder Tatara was historically unloved—none of Yinqi’s many children were hers.
The other princes were still young and unmarried.
Suddenly, Fu Qingzi felt something was amiss. Hadn’t Yin Zhen said that consorts were generally not brought along on autumn hunts? Was he lying to her?
This time, the eldest prince’s consort, Irgen Gioro, and his secondary consort, Zhangjia, were present, along with the Crown Prince’s Crown Princess and his secondary consort, the Third Prince’s consort, Donggo, and his secondary consort, Tian, as well as Yinqi’s consort, Tatara, and his secondary consort, Sochoro.
A quick glance revealed that only Yin Zhen had brought her alone. She immediately raised her handkerchief to cover her lips slightly.
According to Su Peisheng, the Emperor enjoyed liveliness, which was why the princes were allowed to bring their consorts and secondary consorts this time.
Yin Zhen followed Fu Qingzi’s gaze, then fixed his deep, dark eyes on her rosy lips and powdered face. “Why are you so curious about them?”
Fu Qingzi’s slightly narrowed eyes were as clear as lake water, tinged with a hint of displeasure. “It’s precisely because I don’t know them that I’m curious.”
Yin Zhen raised an eyebrow slightly, his smile not reaching his eyes. “Are you blaming this Lord for not introducing them to you?”
With a faint curl of his lips, he deliberately probed, “This Lord noticed you and the Crown Princess seem to get along quite well.”
Fu Qingzi’s cool eyes, devoid of warmth, glanced at Yin Zhen. How could she not understand his implication? Her tone remained flat and indifferent. “I happened to run into her last time I entered the palace.”
Nearly another hour passed before Fu Qingzi caught sight of Consort De beside Kangxi. Just as Consort De was about to look her way, Fu Qingzi promptly lowered her gaze.
This was also Fu Qingzi’s first time seeing Kangxi. At forty years old, he appeared robust and healthy, his countenance bearing the innate authority of an emperor.
Fu Qingzi glanced at Yin Zhen as well—he too would one day become emperor.
Upon reaching the hunting grounds, Fu Qingzi stepped down from the carriage and stood among the crowd of women.
After the camp was set up and everything was ready, everyone finally took their seats.
Yin Zhen walked over to Fu Qingzi’s side, his dark eyes fixed on her, his handsome brows slightly raised. “What do you like? I’ll hunt it for you.”
“I like you. Will you hunt yourself?” Fu Qingzi teased, fully aware of what Yin Zhen meant—he was likely thinking of bringing another ugly creature like Qianjin back to the manor to raise.
Yin Zhen let out a soft snort, his face visibly flushing half a shade. He was silent for a long moment before finally saying, “You have no shame, even in public.”
Fu Qingzi chuckled softly.
“Wait here for me. There are fruits and tea. Just keep an eye on me,” he said, then mounted his horse in one fluid motion.
Fu Qingzi listened to the chattering around her until her head ached, watching as the princes followed Kangxi into the hunting area.
This time, Kangxi had brought Consort De, Consort Hui, Consort Yi, and a few other women of uncertain rank who seemed rather gaudy.
Fu Qingzi took a small sip of tea. Yin Zhen had told her to watch him, but now she couldn’t even see where he was.
It was said that Kangxi had a specific goal this time—a wolf king within the hunting grounds.
Suddenly, Lady Irgen Gioro leaned close to Fu Qingzi’s ear and asked, “Which of these princes do you think will come out on top?”
Fu Qingzi turned and glanced at her, her phoenix eyes slightly lowered as she smiled faintly. “Then I would definitely say the Fourth Prince.”
Lady Irgen Gioro instantly lost interest. After all, everyone naturally supported their own lord. She almost wanted to slap herself for asking such a thoughtless question.
Lady Tatara, meanwhile, looked as if she wanted to tear Fu Qingzi apart. Fu Qingzi frowned slightly—what grudge or resentment was this? To act so openly without fear of becoming a laughingstock and embarrassing her own lord.
It was then that the Crown Princess slowly approached and took a seat beside Fu Qingzi, whispering softly into her ear, “Did you know? Lady Tatara is very close with Ulanara.”
Fu Qingzi’s brow finally relaxed, a look of understanding dawning on her face. So she was standing up for Ulanara, believing that Fu Qingzi had stolen the Fourth Master away.
Since Yin Zhen was on good terms with the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess naturally wished to be closer to Fu Qingzi.
Yin Zhen was an extremely ambitious man, but he held deep familial affection for Yinreng. It was only after Yinreng was deposed a second time, with no hope of restoration, that Yin Zhen began forming factions and coveting the throne. At that time, the two major factions were the Fourth Master’s faction led by Yin Zhen and the Eighth Prince’s faction.
Fortunately, the struggle for the throne among the princes was still far off, otherwise it would have been another…
The Crown Princess was kind-hearted, though perhaps a bit naive. As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face, so Fu Qingzi naturally treated her with courtesy.
Fu Qingzi rested her chin on one hand, a faint, elusive smile playing at the corners of her lips. Let Lady Tatara be angry—it was her own anger, her own embarrassment, her own harm to her health. It had nothing to do with Fu Qingzi.
The Crown Princess smiled warmly beside her, offering comfort. “She’s just jealous of your beauty. Don’t let it upset you.”
Fu Qingzi’s clear, spring-like eyes held a touch of coolness as she raised her slender brows slightly and replied calmly, “I do not waste my energy on petty people. It preserves both body and mind.”