An Ning didn't have time to care what the other concubines were thinking. She had received a notice from the Imperial Household Department that she would be serving the emperor again tonight.

Moreover, in addition to serving him in bed, Emperor Kangxi also planned to have dinner with him in the evening.

The food that Emperor Kangxi ate was naturally prepared by the imperial chefs in the imperial kitchen.

Evening, at the Qianqing Palace.

"Your Majesty, it's time to rest."

Emperor Kangxi spent the entire afternoon reviewing memorials and summoning court officials. When Liang Jiugong noticed that it was almost time for dinner, he spoke up to remind him.

Upon hearing this, the health-conscious Emperor Kangxi put down his pen. Remembering that he had already instructed others to have dinner at Changchun Palace, he said, "Prepare the carriage for Changchun Palace."

"Yes, sir."

Emperor Kangxi had a habit of surprise visits. Once inside Changchun Palace, he suddenly wanted to know what Anning was doing, so he ordered his men to stop the messenger from announcing the arrival.

Upon entering, they encountered Xiao Xizi. Xiao Xizi was startled and was about to speak when Kangxi waved his hand, saying, "No need for formalities. What is Consort Shu doing?"

"Your Majesty, Consort Shu is reading in the study."

Thinking of what happened last night, Kangxi walked towards the study in the main hall of Changchun Palace.

When Kangxi reached the door, he gestured for silence to Baiguo and Chunlan, who were guarding the door. The two bowed but did not speak.

At the same time, An Ning, who was sitting on the kang reading a book, paused for a moment, slightly adjusted her posture to ensure that she would be at the most beautiful angle when Kangxi came in, and then turned her gaze back to the book, looking focused.

When Kangxi entered, he saw this scene. To be honest, when Anning became serious, she had a refined air about her, which made Kangxi stop.

As Anning was wondering why this person hadn't spoken yet, Kangxi's footsteps came again. After taking a few steps, Anning looked up as if she had just come back to her senses. Then, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes. She carefully put down the book in her hand and hurriedly got up.

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects."

"My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formalities."

As he spoke, Kangxi helped Anning up and led her to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Why didn't you tell me in advance that His Majesty was coming, so that I could have made preparations to receive him?"

"I heard that my beloved consort was in the study. I was afraid of disturbing her reading, so I didn't let anyone tell you. I saw you reading very intently just now. What book were you reading?"

An Ning said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's a collection of poems by Yi'an Jushi. I hope Your Majesty won't laugh at me."

Yi'an Jushi is Li Qingzhao. Emperor Kangxi had read her poems, but he didn't particularly like them; of course, he didn't dislike them either.

In fact, Emperor Kangxi was a studious man who read a lot, but he rarely said that he particularly admired any particular poet or lyricist, except for polite remarks made on special occasions.

Which song do you like?

"I love her 'Like a Dream' the most..."

I often recall the sunset at the stream pavilion, so intoxicated that I forgot the way home. When the fun was over, I returned by boat late, only to mistakenly enter the depths of the lotus blossoms. Struggling to cross, struggling to cross, I startled a flock of gulls and egrets.

But this one?

Kangxi didn't look at the books she had placed on the kang table. He spoke casually, and Anning's eyes flashed with surprise, delight, and admiration.

Men, regardless of their status, are not immune to the common desire to be admired, especially by women they find attractive.

The key point is that An Ning's expression was sincere and not feigned. Kangxi could see it clearly and was even happier, but he only smiled on the surface.

"What, does my beloved consort think I shouldn't remember this poem?"

Li Qingzhao's poems are not exactly niche, but her status as a woman has led many men to disagree with them. Of course, this "men" refers to many half-baked scholars of today.

Moreover, many of Li Qingzhao's poems are about romantic love, which was overlooked by many serious scholars of the time who were preparing for the imperial examinations.

She merely mentioned a name, and Emperor Kangxi immediately recognized which poem it was, truly demonstrating her profound knowledge.

After all, Li Qingzhao wrote more than one poem called "Like a Dream"; "Like a Dream" is just the name of the ci (lyric poetry) title.

"Your Majesty, I would never have thought that. I just didn’t expect Your Majesty to realize so quickly that it was this poem, 'Like a Dream.' Could it be that we are truly of one mind?"

Moreover, Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, yet you have such a wide range of interests in poetry and literature; you are truly exceptionally talented, far beyond my reach!

Emperor Kangxi laughed: "My beloved concubine is also clever and quick-witted. She didn't pay much attention to her studies before. I will teach her more in the future."

Sure enough, another common problem with men is that they like to be teachers, no matter their age or status.

An Ning was filled with gratitude: "Then I must study hard. With Your Majesty as such a quick-witted and eager-to-learn teacher, if I still don't learn well, it would be my fault."

Kangxi felt extremely satisfied and began to inquire, "Li Qingzhao wrote many poems, why do you like this one, 'Like a Dream,' the most?"

An Ning didn't answer immediately, but instead asked, "I wonder why Your Majesty guessed that I prefer this poem, 'I Often Remember the Pavilion by the Stream at Dusk,' rather than another poem, 'Last Night the Rain Was Sparse and the Wind Was Strong'?"

As is widely known, Li Qingzhao's "Last Night the Rain Was Sparse and the Wind Was Strong" is more famous than "I Often Remember the Pavilion by the Stream at Dusk," and could even be considered her signature work.

Why did Emperor Kangxi's first reaction be "often remembering the sunset at the stream pavilion"?

An Ning asked this question partly out of curiosity, and partly out of deliberate intent.

"I feel that my beloved concubine is not yet at the age where one should lament the passing of youth and beauty."

An Ning was taken aback by his answer.

What could she do? She could only smile and say, "Your Majesty is wise; I am indeed not of legal age yet."

"I hope that my beloved consort will always be optimistic and open-minded, and never have to experience the bitterness of last night's sparse rain and strong wind."

Kangxi meant it sincerely. He genuinely wanted Anning to be happy forever. The main problem was that if she was unhappy, he would also feel sad, and that feeling was unpleasant.

Seeing Kangxi's sincere expression, Anning showed a touched expression, but she had other thoughts in her heart. Kangxi is indeed Kangxi, he really knows how to deal with women!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!