Harigana was unaware of Kangxi's thoughts; had he known, he would have certainly stopped him. How could someone raised on the grasslands possibly enjoy such a restrictive life!

On the grasslands, food and drink are free, and they can even sell their hunted animals for silver! If they were in the capital, not to mention the comfort of their lodgings, they would have to find a place to ride horses every day, and they would be driven crazy!

The carriage swayed and rattled along the way. Because Harigana was pregnant, Kangxi ordered the main force to proceed slowly. What should have been a four- or five-day journey to the Summer Palace took Kangxi nearly ten days.

Kangxi took Harigana to stay in his own palace. The others who had visited before stayed in the same courtyards. Those who had not visited before were all arranged by Tongjia, since she had done this many times and was already very skilled at it!

"Jiaojiao, are you still feeling unwell?"

Harigana had been relatively calm for some time, but during lunch, the smell of mutton soup made him feel nauseous. Although Emperor Kangxi noticed Harigana's discomfort, he couldn't say anything because the Empress Dowager and the others were present.

After a hurried dinner, he returned to his palace and immediately summoned the imperial physician to examine Harigana. Fortunately, it was just nausea, and there were no other symptoms.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty is experiencing morning sickness. She just needs to avoid things she doesn't like. If it gets too severe, this servant can prepare some herbal medicine for her!"

Physician Zhao knelt on the ground. Although he knew the Empress's pulse was healthy, he had been extremely worried on the way there. Fortunately, it was just morning sickness, and there were no other problems.

"Physician Zhao, thank you for your trouble! You may leave now!"

Harigana didn't want to drink medicine. Ever since she met Emperor Kangxi, herbal medicine had appeared in her life from time to time. She would never drink any of that bitter medicine unless absolutely necessary.

"Go down!"

Emperor Kangxi did not want Harigana to take medicine, as all medicines have some degree of toxicity, and it was better to be cautious.

But he knew that Harigana was the one suffering, so he didn't know how to persuade her. After all, she was pregnant, and it would be a great injustice if Harigana thought he wasn't taking the medicine for the sake of the child!

He was really just worried about Harigana!

Fortunately, Harigana brought it up himself, so he simply went along with it and let Physician Zhao leave!

"Xuan Ye, I don't feel particularly unwell, I don't need to take any medicine!"

Harigana thought she would have to use a lot of persuasion, but to her surprise, Kangxi agreed directly, not wanting to think too much about it, as long as the goal was achieved!

Others might not have noticed this unusual occurrence, but the Empress Dowager harbored some suspicions.

If the initial concern was due to Harigana's injuries, now that a month has passed, there's no need to be so cautious.

Moreover, they only set off after Harigana's injuries had healed considerably, so there's no need for them to be extra careful now!

And just now at the dinner table, Harigana's slight frown and Kangxi's worried look made her heart sink to the bottom.

Xuan Ye was someone she raised single-handedly, yet now, for the sake of another woman, he not only doted on her exclusively for nearly two months, but he didn't even tell her about such an important matter.

Is this to protect Harigana, or to prevent her from harming her great-grandson? She's the Dama of Xuan Ye's children! (Found on Baidu Baike, her great-grandmother's name was Dama! If any Manchu friends are here, please leave a comment!)

"Su Ma! Go and see where Xuan Ye is. If he's not busy, have him come over. Tell him I have something to discuss with him!"

Bumbutai became increasingly suspicious. If her suspicions were true, then these two were acting far too recklessly. Leaving aside whether Harigana's body was even fit to receive the emperor's favor these days, simply monopolizing the emperor and preventing others from serving him was an act of jealousy!

What she's more worried about now is whether Kangxi will be another Huang Taiji or Fulin. If that's the case, she doesn't know what to do!

"Yes, this servant will go right away!"

Sumalagu didn't think that much about it. The Empress Dowager hadn't said anything recently, so even if she wanted to guess, she didn't know where to start.

Emperor Kangxi was reading to the child in Harigana's womb when Sumalagu arrived, and Li Dequan hurriedly went to greet her. For some reason, lately every time Li Dequan saw Sumalagu, he felt that nothing good was going to happen.

"Aunt Su Ma!"

Su Mala Gu sidestepped Li Dequan's bow and directly stated her purpose: "Please trouble Eunuch Li to inform the Empress Dowager that she has something to discuss with the Emperor! The Empress Dowager asks if the Emperor has the time!"

"Aunt Su Ma, please wait a moment, this servant will go right away!"

Li Dequan's mind was filled with ulterior motives. Now that they were at the Summer Palace, would the Empress Dowager try to force him to spend the night with her again? Besides, the Empress Dowager's words sounded nice—asking if the Emperor had time!

That's the Empress Dowager, the Emperor's grandmother! Even if she really didn't have time, she would have to make time for him. Besides, the Emperor is with the Empress right now, so how could he not go?

Despite his thoughts, Li Dequan quickly turned around and went to ask someone for help.

Harigana was listening to Kangxi read those classical Chinese texts in a daze, even though Kangxi's voice was very deep and pleasant to listen to.

Especially after learning that Harigana liked to listen to his voice, he was able to concentrate better while reading, so Harigana soon became so sleepy that he couldn't keep his eyes open!

"emperor!"

As Li Dequan entered the hall, he heard Emperor Kangxi reading aloud. Although he didn't want to disturb the two masters' intimate moment, he couldn't neglect the Empress Dowager, so he could only report in a low voice. Of course, he didn't delay and stood outside to report directly: "Aunt Su Ma has arrived. She says the Empress Dowager has something to discuss with you and asks if you have time to come over!"

Kangxi did not answer Li Dequan's question immediately. Instead, he looked up at Harigana to make sure the little girl had not been woken up. Then he read the remaining lines of text until Harigana was completely asleep. After covering her with a blanket, he turned and left.

"You don't need to follow me!"

Kangxi had a guess in his mind. He figured that the unusual behavior during this period, coupled with Harigana's strange behavior at dinner and the imperial physician's examination, must have made the Empress Dowager realize the whole story.

However, he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Although it was wrong of him to keep it from the Empress Dowager, it was right for him to be careful for the sake of Harigana and the dragon offspring in her womb!

"Xuan Ye greets His Majesty the Empress Dowager!"

After Kangxi entered the inner hall, he respectfully bowed to Bumbutai. This gesture conveyed a tacit understanding between the two, eliminating the need for further probing or questioning, confirming that their guesses were correct!