“His Majesty has arrived!”
No sooner had the eunuch’s announcement faded than the figure clad in imperial yellow stepped into view.
Noble Consort Tongjia had already risen and bowed gracefully.
“This concubine welcomes Your Majesty.”
Kangxi strode into the hall and lifted her to her feet with a wave of his hand. A gentle smile lingered in his eyes.
“We’re family—there’s no need for such formalities. Today is the joyous occasion of your elevation to Imperial Noble Consort. I came especially to share a drink with you.”
“Thank you, Cousin.”
Tongjia rose, her face glowing with delight and shy happiness.
The eunuchs quickly arranged delicacies and fruits specially prepared by the Imperial Kitchen. Kangxi picked up a cup and handed it to her.
“The Tongjia clan has served the empire with loyalty and diligence. You have also managed the affairs of the harem admirably. Your promotion to Imperial Noble Consort today is well deserved.”
Tongjia’s eyes grew warm.
So he had noticed everything she had done.
Only…
Why would he still not make her empress?
The question reached her lips, but she swallowed it back down.
Taking a sip of wine, she replied softly, “Your Majesty overpraises me. These are merely my duties.”
Kangxi looked at her steadily.
“I know your virtues well. With you overseeing the harem, I have no worries.”
Tongjia raised her cup to meet his.
“This concubine thanks Your Majesty for your grace. I will continue to devote myself fully and never disappoint your trust.”
The wine warmed her from within.
Outside, light snow began to fall, whispering softly against the paper windows.
Looking out at the snowfall, Kangxi suddenly smiled.
“I remember when we were children, you always pestered me to take you to the imperial garden to build snowmen. Now you’ve become the most honored woman in the harem.”
Tongjia lowered her eyes with a faint smile.
“Yes… time passes so quickly.”
She couldn’t help recalling her childhood at the Tongjia residence.
Back then, she would tug on his robes and sweetly declare that she wanted to become her cousin’s empress, making the entire household laugh.
No one could have imagined that the little girl who had dreamed of becoming his empress would one day become Imperial Noble Consort.
Seeing the distant look in her eyes, Kangxi knew she was remembering the past.
He gently took her hand.
“You were carefree and innocent back then, and I too had no burdens.”
His voice softened.
“Now I am the Son of Heaven. There are too many responsibilities upon my shoulders. I must rely on you to bear more of the burdens of the harem.”
Tongjia returned his grip.
“Rest assured, Cousin. I will fulfill my duties well.”
She hesitated.
“Only…”
Kangxi looked at her encouragingly.
“You may speak freely.”
Gathering her courage, Tongjia finally asked the question that had weighed on her heart for years.
“Cousin… why won’t you make me empress?”
Kangxi fell silent for a moment before answering slowly.
“The position of empress concerns the stability of the state. I must consider it carefully.”
His gaze was steady.
“In my heart, you are no different from an empress.”
Though disappointment welled up inside her, Tongjia understood the difficulties he faced.
Forcing a smile, she lowered her eyes.
“I understand. Your Majesty has your own considerations. This concubine will continue to manage the harem to the best of her abilities.”
Kangxi nodded.
“With you here, I am at ease.”
After a brief pause, he added, “I’ve been thinking of inviting your mother into the palace to keep you company for a while. What do you think?”
A flash of delight crossed Tongjia’s face.
“You always think of everything, Cousin. This concubine thanks Your Majesty.”
Kangxi smiled.
“Where is that rascal Little Four? Where has he run off to?”
Tongjia relaxed visibly.
“He insisted on playing in the snow. When I refused, he sulked. By the time I went to check on him later, he had already fallen asleep.”
“That child is quite mischievous.”
Kangxi chuckled and shook his head.
“By the way, Consort De recently made a one-piece outfit for Little Six. I thought it was quite ingenious.”
He looked at Tongjia thoughtfully.
“You might consider making one for Little Four as well. The Qing dynasty was founded on horseback—we don’t raise our children like flowers in a greenhouse.”
At his words, Tongjia tightened her grip on her handkerchief, though her smile remained unchanged.
“Your Majesty is very thoughtful. I will certainly have one made for Little Four as well. As his mother, I cannot let him fall behind the others.”
“Exactly.”
Kangxi’s expression softened.
“Little Four is fortunate to have you as his foster mother.”
Tongjia inhaled sharply.
Foster mother.
Had he come here directly from Consort De’s palace to remind her of her place?
Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, she continued softly,
“It must be fate. Ever since entering the palace, this concubine has never conceived. My life has always felt a little too quiet.”
She lowered her gaze.
“Now that Little Four is by my side, things have become much livelier.”
Then, as though mentioning it casually, she asked,
“Recently, I’ve been thinking about how the number of imperial children continues to grow. According to tradition, the imperial jade register is revised every ten years, and this year happens to mark such an occasion.”
She looked up at him.
“I wonder whether Your Majesty has any plans to make changes?”
The moment she spoke, Kangxi’s hand paused around his wine cup.
His eyes settled on her with quiet scrutiny.
Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Tongjia smiled lightly.
“This concubine was merely asking in passing.”
She lowered her eyes modestly.
“The jade register concerns the imperial lineage and family hierarchy. It cannot be handled carelessly, so I spoke a little more than I should have. I hope Your Majesty won’t take offense.”
Setting down his cup, Kangxi said evenly,
“Little Seven has difficulty walking, so he will remain with Consort Cheng. Now that she holds the rank of consort, she may raise him personally.”
He paused before continuing.
“As for the others, things shall remain as they are.”
Tongjia’s heart sank.
Forcing herself to rise and bow, she replied,
“Your Majesty has already considered everything carefully. It was this concubine who overstepped.”
Seeing her smile despite the disappointment in her eyes, Kangxi sighed softly and patted her hand.
“No matter what happens in the future, Little Four was once raised under your care.”
His voice was gentle.
“Children know who treats them well. You’ve cared for him sincerely, and one day he will repay your kindness.”
“This concubine understands.”
Tongjia smiled.
“I care deeply for Little Four as well.”
But beneath her composed expression, bitterness spread through her heart.
Kangxi stood.
“I still have matters to attend to, so I must return. I’ll come visit you again soon.”
“You should rest early.”
Tongjia hurried forward to see him off.
“This concubine respectfully bids farewell to Your Majesty.”
As Kangxi emerged from the palace, Liang Jiugong’s eyes flickered with surprise, though he quickly concealed it.
He had expected the emperor to stay much longer.
“Your Majesty, the sedan chair is ready.”
Kangxi shook his head.
“No need. Walk with me.”
Hands clasped behind his back, he strolled slowly along the snow-covered palace path.
How could he not understand Tongjia’s thoughts?
She was a daughter of the Tongjia clan—his cousin.
She had risen to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort and now oversaw the entire harem.
She possessed everything except a child of her own.
Yinzhen was quiet, sensible, and easy to love.
It was only natural that she had grown attached to him.
But how could the imperial jade register be altered so casually?
Though Uya had been born into a bondservant family, she was gentle by nature and had raised Yinzuo exceptionally well.
Little Four had been separated from her from the moment he was born.
Kangxi could not bear to take her son from her in name as well.
Moreover, the jade register defined the official relationships within the imperial clan. Altering one entry would affect countless others.
If he made an exception for Tongjia, the harem would descend into turmoil.
And what of the childless consorts? What would they think?
He recalled the sadness hidden in Tongjia’s lowered eyes.
Then he remembered the warm chamber at Yonghe Palace, where Uya sat with Yinzuo in her arms, surrounded by the simple warmth of everyday life.
The memory brought him a sense of peace.
Kangxi let out a quiet sigh.
He ruled over all under heaven.
Yet when it came to the affairs of the harem, he found himself entangled in endless considerations.
Tongjia’s hopes.
Uya’s peace of mind.
Yinzhen’s place in the family.
Each issue twisted together into a knot impossible to untangle.
Enough.
Enough.