Harigana didn't know what was going on. She had been somewhat resistant to Kangxi wanting to do that thing before, but now she actually wanted Kangxi too!

[No, no! I must quietly ask Granny Su tonight if she's sick.]

Kangxi noticed her shaking her head and assumed she disagreed with the one-year term. Although he was glad that Harigana was thinking of him, the most important thing was still Xiaojiaojiao's health.

"Jiaojiao, I'm not doing it myself, how could I possibly do those things when you're like this? Don't overthink it, listen to me! You're two months along now, and you'll need at least two more months to recover after giving birth!"

Kangxi's words startled Harigana. Fortunately, Kangxi couldn't see her expression. While Harigana was filled with lustful thoughts, she buried her head in his chest.

But she never expected that a simple head shake would lead him to misunderstand her like that!

Whether it was his own inner thoughts or his shyness because of Kangxi's words, Harigana blushed completely, and even Kangxi, who was holding him, could feel the heat.

"Jiaojiao!"

Before Kangxi could say anything more, Harigana covered his mouth with his hand, glaring at him fiercely to stop him from speaking further.

"Stop talking, I'm angry!"

Looking at her blushing face, Kangxi nodded repeatedly, promising that he would not say anything more!

Harigana let go of his hand, broke free from his embrace, and turned to sit down to the side.

For some reason, Kangxi always felt that time flew by when he was with Harigana, and his affection for the girl walking beside him grew even stronger.

Only now did he realize that Harigana had followed him back to the palace and was now his woman. It wasn't just his wishful thinking; it was mutual affection.

Kangxi took Harigana to Cining Palace first, where the Empress Dowager was already waiting for him.

At this time, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already filled with officials and concubines of lower rank, and even Uya and Guoluo had taken their seats early.

Nara looked at the five tables above, her feelings somewhat complicated.

She was the mother of the eldest prince and an elder in the Kangxi Emperor's household. Yet, after all these years, she remained a lowly concubine.

If it were before, her heart wouldn't be as heavy as it is now. After all, the foundation of the Tongjia clan was there, and even if she were to be promoted to empress in the future, she wouldn't feel anything.

But she had spotted the girl from the Borchijin tribe from afar today. Although she was very beautiful, her rank was far too high—she was a Noble Consort. And a Noble Consort with a title at that.

She was filled with mixed emotions. Fortunately, the eldest prince had returned to the palace. If he could become successful in the future and have the opportunity to rise to a high position, then she would be the Empress Dowager. Thinking this way, she felt much better.

What she didn't know was that Kangxi was not like Huang Taiji or Shunzhi; his political career was far from over. Her mother, the Empress Dowager, would likely never achieve her wish in this lifetime.

......

When Bumbutai saw Kangxi bring Harigana to pick her up again, she was still angry, but she felt that this was the kind of thing only a man of the Aisin Gioro clan could do.

Harigana, who had been calling out to greet her, did not spare a single glance for her until she encountered Lady Tongjia and Yinreng, who was waiting for her on the official road.

Harigana made no reaction to the Empress Dowager's actions. An elderly woman with only a few years left to live, she didn't care about such things. Most importantly, if the Empress Dowager maintained this attitude, she would avoid many troubles.

However, she was still wary of the Empress Dowager, and what was recorded in the historical books was definitely not unfounded.

"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived! His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived! Her Majesty the Empress has arrived! Her Highness Consort Chen has arrived! Her Highness Consort Tongjia has arrived!"

A young eunuch stood at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and a long stream of announcements caused everyone outside to stand up, kneel on the ground, and kowtow in greeting.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Empress Dowager! Long live the Empress Dowager! May Consort Chen and Consort Tong be blessed!"

After a series of greetings, Emperor Kangxi and his entourage reached the head of the table. First, they helped the Grand Empress Dowager to her seat, followed by the Empress Dowager. Kangxi instinctively wanted to help Harigana sit down, but seeing the people kneeling below, he could only signal to Granny Hu to serve her properly.

After everyone sat down, Li Dequan uttered a sharp, shrill voice: "Rise!" which almost made Harigana unable to resist looking at her.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After everyone was seated, the banquet officially began. Kangxi didn't say much, only a few words before picking up his chopsticks.

"Your Majesty, you can't eat too much of this!"

The food served to Harigana was similar to that served to Emperor Kangxi, except that the people in the Imperial Household Department did not know that Harigana was pregnant, so there were no restrictions on what she ate.

However, since Hu Mama was assigned by Li Dequan through Emperor Kangxi, it was impossible not to tell her about his pregnancy.

"Okay! I won't eat anymore!"

Harigana didn't know anything about these things, so if Granny Hu said it wasn't edible, then it wasn't edible. But looking at those colorful vegetable leaves, she did feel a little tempted.

Although Lady Tongjia didn't want to care about Harigana, she was seated at the head of the Lady Tongjia group, and could see Harigana's every move simply by looking up. Although Granny Hu's words were veiled, Lady Tongjia still felt that something was amiss.

The officials who remained in the capital finally saw the Imperial Concubine who had prompted the Emperor to undertake such a major undertaking as to renovate the Hall of Union! Suddenly, Harigana felt the gaze of many.

"emperor!"

The Empress Dowager suddenly called out to Kangxi, who turned around, thinking she wanted to have a drink with him. But she said, "I want to hear Agate sing. I feel a little out of sorts returning to the capital so suddenly!"

Emperor Kangxi almost lost his composure. He had already said those words, but the Empress Dowager was still going her own way.

"Li Dequan, go and call that Borjigit woman over to entertain the Empress Dowager!"

Kangxi spoke very softly, only loud enough for the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager beside him to hear. Even Harigana, who was sitting next to him, only heard a fraction of it.

"Yes! This servant will go right away!"

The Empress Dowager was displeased; even she felt her face burning with embarrassment.

However, Harigana felt that all of this should have nothing to do with her, but after a while, she saw a girl following behind Li Dequan to the middle of the hall.

"This humble servant greets Your Majesty, and pays respects to the Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager!"