He picked Mingxiu up and carried her in his arms.

Emperor Mingxiu was a little confused when he was turned around.

"It's done. Didn't you say your legs were sore? Don't move." He lifted Mingxiu's legs and gently massaged them.

"Hiss," Mingxiu let out a soft cry as her aching muscles were enveloped by a warm, large hand, which gently relieved the soreness a little.

Looking down at the man who was carefully massaging her legs, Mingxiu felt a mix of emotions.

Forget it, I knew it was impossible anyway, why am I even thinking about it!

She gently hugged Kangxi's neck and said, "Your Majesty, I love you so much."

Kangxi's hand on Mingxiu's leg tightened instantly, and for a moment he felt as if his chest was about to explode.

He raised his head and looked at Mingxiu: "My beloved concubine has always liked me, hasn't she? What's wrong? Has your affection deepened?"

Mingxiu's initial emotion vanished instantly: "Yes, Your Majesty's affection for me grows stronger every day. Is Your Majesty satisfied?"

Kangxi chuckled and carried Mingxiu directly to the bathroom. Soon, the most beautiful music between a man and a woman filled the bathroom.

The next day, Mingxiu learned from Green Bamboo who was practicing the music.

"Consort Xuan, are you sure?" Mingxiu asked incredulously.

"Your Majesty, it is indeed correct. That place is Yuan Yi Zhai. Only Consort Xuan lives there. Moreover, Eunuch Liang and the others have also confirmed that it is indeed Consort Xuan."

Mingxiu nodded, still finding it somewhat unbelievable. Everyone in the palace knew that the Emperor had never paid much attention to the concubines from Khorchin. This Consort Xuan had been in the palace for quite some time, but the Emperor had only visited her a few times.

This empress had always shown that she didn't care about the emperor and often stayed with the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. She had been able to get by in the palace quite well thanks to her two powerful backers. It was unexpected that she would have such a heart.

"I really didn't notice," Mingxiu thought to herself.

Time flies. After Mingxiu took Yinreng to pick lotus roots in the lotus pond, the day of the banquet had already arrived.

The banquet was proposed by Consort Tong. Although it was just a game for the concubines, the princes and princesses also had to attend. Ever since Yinreng came to Changchun Garden, he had been like a mischievous monkey. He was rarely seen on weekdays, always either playing or on his way to play.

In other words, the emperor did not allow students to fall behind in their studies, so they had to set aside time each day to study, and they could not be seen at other times.

Yinreng had changed his clothes and arrived at Mingxiu's place early. When he arrived, Mingxiu was still eating breakfast and was a little surprised to see him.

"Oh my, this is that busy man. What brings you here today?" Mingxiu said to Yinreng as she sat down in her chair, holding her face in her hands and speaking in a affected tone.

As Yinreng was lifting his leg to climb the steps, he heard Mingxiu's sarcastic words and quickly walked up to her, calling out sweetly, "Mother Consort Ming, I missed you, so I came to see you."

Mingxiu glanced at him but didn't expose him: "I don't believe you. Tell me, what did you come here for?" It's been so many days since we arrived. Apart from showing up on the first day, we went to pick some lotus roots together, and then there was no one else.

Who would believe me if I suddenly said I wanted to today?

"Aunt Green Bamboo, please get me a bowl and chopsticks. I haven't had breakfast yet," Yinreng said to Green Bamboo as he sat down next to her.

Green Bamboo agreed and turned to get it.

Mingxiu looked at Yinreng: "Why haven't you had breakfast yet?" Because he lived with Kangxi, Yinreng's schedule basically followed Kangxi's. Mingxiu was a late riser, and after coming here, it became even more so, and she usually didn't get up until almost noon.

When this was mentioned, Yinreng pouted and said, "It's all because of Father Emperor. I heard that there will be a banquet tomorrow, and Consort Ming will also be attending. I was hoping that Father Emperor would vote for you directly, but Father Emperor just wouldn't agree no matter what."

Mingxiu put down her spoon and looked at Yinreng with interest: "When did you find the time for this? You're usually with Baoqing until late at night, and I can never find you. Now you have the mood to care about me? Tell me, what's the matter?"

Yinreng picked up the porridge served in the green bamboo bowl, took a delicious sip, and then spoke.

"I heard that one of the rewards Father Emperor gave was a thermometer, and I just wanted to see what it looked like. If it wasn't in Consort Ming's possession, it would be convenient for me to have a look at it," Yinreng said somewhat embarrassedly.

That's it?

“I told you you’re ignoring the emperor’s wishes, but you just said your father doesn’t want to give me his vote?” Mingxiu narrowed her eyes, suddenly remembering what Yinreng had said earlier.

Yinreng suddenly felt a cool sensation on the back of his head, touched the back of his head and nodded.

Mingxiu didn't say anything, but said that if they won, she would show him the thermometer.

Having received the promise and achieved his purpose for coming today, Yinreng cheered.

Mingxiu found it hilarious; she was still just a child.

After dinner, the two chatted for a while, mainly Yinreng talking about what he had been doing these past few days. Mingxiu listened from the side and broke out in a cold sweat.

I really don't understand why kids these days are so interested in insects on trees, and can stay still and observe their movements.

But I didn't say anything. After all, the child is still young, and this is a child's nature. We should let him develop freely.

Yinreng looked at Mingxiu across from him with a smile. Even though he heard him observing the insects, he only frowned slightly but didn't say anything. He just told him to be careful not to get bitten by the insects, and he was very happy.

He enjoyed talking to his mother about his daily life. Even if she didn't understand, she would respect him and care about him, which made him very happy.

After speaking, Yinreng left. After watching Yinreng walk out, Yinti suddenly appeared from some direction. Upon seeing Yinti, Yinreng immediately ran over, and the two of them said something and skipped away.

Mingxiu watched the two figures walk away with a smile. Sure enough, once they left the palace, the rules were not so strict. Jumping and skipping around in the palace was simply impossible.

Watching them walk away, she turned back and asked Green Bamboo to bring out her flute. Did the Emperor not trust her to be number one, and therefore refuse to make a promise to Yinreng?

Hmph, she'll see who performs best then. She'll start practicing now, and if she doesn't amaze everyone, she'll consider herself outdone.

Inside the Hall of Nine Classics and Three Affairs, Emperor Kangxi raised an eyebrow as he listened to the reply from below, then smiled and dismissed the servants.

He shook his head, smiled, and lowered his head to continue reviewing the memorials.

Liang Jiugong watched helplessly from the side. The Emperor knew that His Highness the Crown Prince would eventually bring the matter up with Consort Ming, but he still let him go.

At the time, he didn't quite understand. He had heard Consort Ming's flute playing before, and it was truly one of the best. He thought that it wouldn't be easy for the Consort to win first place.

But the emperor wouldn't budge, and now I realize that's what he was waiting for all along.