Although the matter couldn't reach Consort Rong because of the control of Consort Yinzhi, Consort Rong herself was a master of palace intrigue, and she knew what was going on as soon as there was the slightest clue.

She wanted to pretend she didn't know, but she couldn't bring herself to turn a blind eye. So, after a while, she couldn't stand it anymore and simply moved back to Changchun Garden to keep Xiao Hesheli company. That way, it would be quiet. When she missed her children, she could just have Yinzhi and the others bring the children in to visit.

Consort Hui adapted well and was very happy living there.

“I’m not worried about the others, since someone else is taking care of them. But I’m worried about Bao Cheng. Right now, the Empress is the only one in the harem. I’m afraid he might cause some problems.” Mingxiu had a headache. It sounds nice that the Emperor favors only one person, but it’s really hard to achieve.

Although Emperor Kangxi later favored Mingxiu, he still had to deal with it for a long time. In addition, as the imperial power gradually became more stable and Emperor Kangxi got older, the positions of the crown prince and several princes were all very stable, so no one had any objections. But things are very different now than they were in Kangxi's time.

"It's alright. You're just treating Bao Cheng like a kitten. He's not that docile. Don't worry, the opinions of those ministers can't sway him. Everyone in the court is Bao Cheng's man. And you know what Bao Cheng has been doing these past few years. Even relatives are dealt with as he sees fit. So the ministers don't really want their children to enter the palace."

"Besides, the Empress now has two sons, both born of the Empress herself. If Bao Cheng really doesn't want to, the ministers won't do anything about it." Times have changed. Things were much better in Bao Cheng's time than they were in his.

When Kangxi thought back to when he had just ascended the throne, he was beset by internal and external troubles, and the harem was still restless. He was so worried. Thinking back to that time, Kangxi couldn't help but shed a tear of sympathy for himself. Bao Cheng's current situation was so good that he couldn't possibly manage it. If he couldn't handle it, then Kangxi felt that he had really misjudged him and wasted all his years of teaching him.

Mingxiu nodded. In fact, she knew that the situation was different now and that Baocheng could handle it, but after all, he was a child she had raised, so she was still a little worried. But now that Kangxi had said that, she was no longer worried at all.

With her mood relaxed, Mingxiu naturally had a better appetite. She buried her head in her food and ate in peace. The pine nut sweet potato was really delicious, and the beef was so tender.

Kangxi couldn't help but smile as he watched Mingxiu engrossed in eating.

On this day, Emperor Kangxi was in the academy grading the essays of students preparing for this year's imperial examination. Having been emperor for so many years and having been exposed to the imperial examinations for so long, these things were very simple for Kangxi.

Some students' policy essays lacked substantial content because they hadn't read enough books. Emperor Kangxi would make special notes on these, something he had never done when reviewing memorials in his own time.

Since they were traveling, they didn't bring many books with them. However, after becoming a tutor, Emperor Kangxi felt a sense of responsibility, so he specially ordered that a set of past exam questions and books from the capital be prepared and sent over.

Mingxiu was surprised when she saw it; there were so many! Kangxi had originally planned to send someone to borrow the books and return them later, but Mingxiu gave Kangxi an idea.

That means setting up a library. After all, people need to start borrowing books anyway. It's not as convenient as having a library to pick up books from home. Kangxi thought about it and agreed. But there still needs to be a set of rules for how to do it.

Moreover, this matter cannot be kept from Yinreng, since the library will ultimately be the responsibility of the imperial court.

So it would be much better to let Yinreng know in advance and have someone come to take charge of the matter.

While waiting for Yinreng's reply, the matter concerning Xiaoshitou's father, Zhang Yuanchao, had been clarified.

Kangxi frowned as he looked at the contents of the document. He hadn't expected that Zhang Yuanchao was a member of a foreign race. No, it should be said that he wasn't a member of a foreign race, but his new superior was. So Zhang Yuanchao had been working for his beloved, and this trip was to see that woman.

He didn't care about the affairs of the manor. This Du Shi was someone he specially put out to attract attention. Because Zhang Yuanchao was planning to run away, but didn't intend to take Xiao Shitou with him, he planned to kill Xiao Shitou. Anyway, he didn't lack sons. The letter said that he had sons in other places.

The people in the mansion were all his subordinates, and they were instructed not to interfere. Originally, Xiao Shitou should have died under Du Shi's nagging, but one of the servants had a soft heart and released the child directly, which is how he ran into Mingxiu and the others.

By the time Zhang Yuanchao found out, it was too late. But this was his son after all, and the fact that he hadn't died was a testament to his good fortune. So, his purpose in coming back this time was specifically to take the child away. What he had said before about selling the servants was actually just sending them away.

Kangxi sneered as he looked at the contents above. This really was disgusting; there was no limit to how disgusting it could get.

Mingxiu was also looking at the contents of the letter and was disgusted. She slammed her hand on the table and said, "Damn it, what kind of people are these? They're disgusting. They would do this to their own son and then use another woman. It's just too much."

"No, this kind of scum must be dealt with. You need to find someone to take care of him right away. Little Stone and his grandparents are still living in the Zhang residence. You need to send someone to check if they are in any danger and bring them back." Mingxiu was furious and urged Kangxi to deal with it quickly.

Emperor Kangxi was so angry he laughed, and immediately led his men out.

Mingxiu was anxiously waiting at home, but she couldn't help much even if she went out, so she could only wait at home. Before long, Xiaoshitou was brought over by Kangxi's men, followed by Xiaoshitou's maternal grandparents.

The two elderly people were rushed over without knowing anything about what was going on, but they knew it must be something important, so they didn't say much along the way. Now that they had arrived and saw Mingxiu, they naturally had to ask her what was going on.

Mingxiu glanced at the two elderly people with some difficulty. She hadn't known them for very long and really didn't know what to say. She could only try to calm them down first and then find someone to talk to them.

Little Stone actually went to the school today, the same school where Emperor Kangxi was. It's estimated that Zhang Yuanchao wanted to avoid attracting attention, so he planned to take the child away directly when he left, which is why he didn't stop Little Stone from going to the school.