The two of them looked out the window at the same time, listening to the pattering rain. Harigana wanted to say something, but Kangxi swallowed it all.

Although the Imperial Astronomical Bureau said it would definitely rain, not a drop of rain has fallen since the beginning of spring. Not only the people, but even the two of them are getting anxious.

Unexpectedly, it started raining on the very night that Yin Fu moved into the Qianqing Palace, and the rain sounded quite heavy.

"Jiaojiao, you're as beautiful as ever!"

Kangxi suddenly whispered something in Harigana's ear, causing her toes to clench tightly together, making her round and plump, even more irresistible.

Thunderstorms raged all night.

All night long, red waves rolled.

The next day, Kangxi changed into his court robes, went into his bedchamber, glanced at the woman who was still sleeping, stuffed his pillow into her arms, and then went to the morning court session feeling refreshed.

In the imperial court, the civil and military officials had different expressions. Some remained neutral, while others did not participate at all. Only a very few officials looked at each other, wanting to present the memorials hidden in their sleeves.

"Your Majesty, it rained heavily in the city yesterday. The people got up in the middle of the night to collect water in buckets and basins. I also collected a bucket. The water was very clear, unlike the muddy water that is usually there."

These words immediately enlivened the atmosphere in the hall.

The Vice Minister of Revenue, in particular, believed that this year's granaries and national treasury would surely have a bumper harvest.

He was the one laughing the most in the room, showing his big teeth. Kangxi wanted to scold him but couldn't bring himself to, so he pretended not to see it and turned away to look elsewhere.

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Your Majesty, this is indeed true. I collected a bucket yesterday, and it was crystal clear with absolutely no dirt."

Kangxi's mind raced. Could it be that the Imperial Observatory was referring to Yin Fu last year?

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

The Vice Minister of Rites stepped forward, holding the memorial in both hands.

At Kangxi's instruction, Li Dequan went down to retrieve the memorial.

"emperor!"

Li Dequan roughly guessed what the Vice Minister of Rites wanted to say, but he was a bit slow-witted. No wonder he remained in the position of Vice Minister and couldn't advance any further.

Emperor Kangxi opened the memorial, and sure enough, it was about Harigana.

He already had a plan, and now, with the timely rain, he has even more reasons to act.

“Vice Minister of Rites, tell us what you have written, so that everyone can hear it.”

Kangxi handed the memorial to Li Dequan, then looked at the people kneeling below, his voice and expression unchanged.

He thought the emperor would be angry, but not only was he not angry, he didn't even show the slightest expression. For some reason, he always felt that he had done something wrong.

As a loyal subject of the emperor, he could not watch the emperor go astray.

Now that things had come to this, he could only tell the Emperor everything he was thinking and ask him to retract his decision.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort, as a consort, not only failed to advise you to distribute your favors equally according to palace rules, but now she is even residing in the Qianqing Palace permanently. This is inappropriate."

Your Majesty, your bedroom is behind the Qianqing Palace. How can you allow a concubine to guard your bedroom?

Your humble servant humbly requests that Your Majesty allow the Imperial Noble Consort to move out of the Qianqing Palace and reside in the inner palace.

His words were earnest, and he was moved to tears.

"Your Majesty, I agree."

"Your Majesty, I also agree."

One, two, three, and a dozen or so people came out in scattered groups.

Not a lot, but not a little either.

Although it was called a court of civil and military officials, only fifty or sixty people were actually qualified to attend court.

"You will answer my questions first."

Kangxi stood up, flicked the sleeves of his dragon robe, placed his left hand in front of his waist above his belt, and put his right hand behind his back. He walked down the high platform step by step and asked, "What year, month, and day is today?"

The officials were taken aback and immediately replied, "Your Majesty, it was the fifteenth of the sixth month in the twenty-second year."

"Except for last night, has it rained a single drop this year?"

Officials: "Never!"

"As the highest-ranking mistress in the harem, the Imperial Noble Consort was accompanied by the auspicious dragon and phoenix of the Qing Dynasty."

Now that her palace needs renovation, why won't you let her live in the Qianqing Palace? Where do you want the auspicious symbols of the Qing Dynasty to live?

The group kept their heads down, not daring to utter a sound.

The Emperor said it was an auspicious omen, a sign of dragons and phoenixes bringing good fortune. If they say something wrong or something goes wrong, they'll be in deep trouble.

Seeing their silence, Kangxi had no intention of letting them off the hook.

It's only natural to consult with them about the affairs of the previous dynasty, but these old men, every single one of them, are always staring at the person in his bed, which is simply outrageous.

"Why aren't you saying anything? You lot seem to know everything about the inner palace. Since you know that the back courtyard of the Qianqing Palace is my bedroom, do you still want to know which master lives in my bedroom?"

Have you finished dealing with all the affairs of the previous dynasty?

If there's truly no official business to attend to, you few can take turns on duty, one person each day choosing to enter the palace to manage the harem for me. I'll give you all the Phoenix Seals, how does that sound?"

Li Dequan almost burst out laughing. The Emperor had been with the Imperial Noble Consort for a long time, and his delivery of those words was truly captivating.

The dozen or so grown men kneeling on the ground blushed instantly.

The officials immediately knelt down, and the words "Your Majesty, please calm down!" resounded throughout the Qianqing Gate.

Kangxi did not wake him, but slowly returned to his throne and sat down: "I will say it one last time, I am the emperor, and you are my subjects."

What you are doing is the affairs of the previous dynasty, the government, and the well-being of the people, not my harem.

With no empress in the harem, the Imperial Noble Consort is now the mistress of the harem.

Whatever happens in the inner palace is my family matter.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

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