Wan Anran immediately resonated with the Emperor.

She no longer felt that she disliked the Emperor no matter which way she looked at him. Instead, she nodded emphatically and echoed, "That's what I think too. Yinzhen is just not lively enough. He's too quiet and reserved."

Emperor Kangxi nodded thoughtfully.

With three pregnancies in the palace going wrong, the Emperor developed many worries about his hard-won children.

Especially someone like Yinzhen.

Shouldn't a two-year-old be at the most mischievous age? He still remembered that at that time, Yinreng would refuse to sleep if he couldn't see him, and would insist on riding a big horse and sneaking up to the artificial hill to play. He was a model of a naughty child.

Even though Yinzhuo was timid in his childhood, he was actually quite lively in private. Kangxi vaguely remembered his chattering manner when they went to Xianfu Palace, but Yinzhen...

Isn't being too quiet and refined?

In any case, Kangxi searched for a long time but couldn't find any record of the mischievous boy in his memory. He stared at Yinzhen with worry, then beckoned him to his side: "What does Yinzhen like?"

Wan Anran also perked up her ears.

Yinzhen fell into deep thought. His hobbies? Drinking, getting perms, wearing glasses? Or porcelain or elixirs...? These were obviously things he couldn't say. He honestly chose another favorite of his: "Your Majesty likes dogs, but we already have cats in the palace, so I can get one later."

The palace where Chuxiu Palace is located is inhabited by cats.

Emperor Kangxi glanced at Consort Qi, his eyes filled with reproach—Look at you! You don't even know your son likes dogs.

Wan Anran knew.

After all, it was common knowledge that Emperor Yongzheng was obsessed with dogs, but he could not find dogs in the palace. At most, he had seen small dogs used for acrobatic performances in the West Garden. Wan Anran never expected that she would be so captivated by Yinzhen with just a glance.

She felt a little embarrassed and guilty.

Wan Anran rubbed the tip of her nose: "When Da Hua and Er Hua came over, Yinzhen was still a child."

That's true.

However… Wan Anran changed the subject: “If we raised dogs from a young age, I think the cats would definitely not bully them.”

Emperor Kangxi nodded.

He affectionately patted Yinzhen's head and said, "Later, I will have the cat and dog handlers come to Chuxiu Palace. Yinzhen can choose his favorite puppy, but only one."

Since his mother was willing to raise him, Yinzhen naturally wouldn't refuse. He nodded emphatically, a hint of joy and anticipation in his eyes, and he did look much brighter.

Kangxi glanced at Wan Anran with a smug look.

Wan Anran naturally flattered the emperor, serving him various dishes while enthusiastically complimenting him: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Kangxi was amused by Consort Qi.

He finished his breakfast in a good mood, and when he stepped out of Chuxiu Palace, he was nowhere near as gloomy as he had been the day before. Liang Jiugong was amazed. Yesterday he had been complaining about Consort Qi, but now only two words remained in his mind: admiration!

Although discussions about the matter were forbidden, rumors inevitably spread, and the court already had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

The Hesheli, Niohuru, and Nara clans were all quite gloating, since the fact that the Consort had a son would also be a threat to them.

However, the imperial family members and court officials were also worried.

First, Consort Miao died along with her child, then Consort An and Consort Jing had their accidents, and then Consort Tong gave birth to a disabled prince. Something seems off about the palace...

There has been much discussion in the imperial court lately.

The Emperor's gloomy expression for several days in a row made the imperial family and court officials secretly groan. Everyone was terrified, fearing that the Emperor would find another fault and give them a severe scolding.

Surprisingly, the Emperor was in an exceptionally good mood.

The imperial family members and court officials secretly glanced at the emperor's expression, which was utterly bewildered and puzzled them greatly.

Emperor Kangxi ignored the thoughts of his court officials.

After the court session, Emperor Kangxi, in high spirits, went to Cining Palace to pay his respects to the two empress dowagers.

As soon as he entered the hall, he couldn't hold back any longer.

After all, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager and the Empress all had serious expressions and were taking turns reprimanding Consort Qi.

Wan Anran remained quite calm.

Liang Jiugong's frantic reaction yesterday foreshadowed this ordeal for the next few days. Therefore, she maintained a calm expression and serious demeanor, nodding cautiously as the three leaders criticized her, adopting an obedient and compliant posture.

Emperor Kangxi felt somewhat uneasy.

Yesterday's actions were also due to his momentary impulse, so how can we blame Consort Qi? Therefore, Kangxi coughed and decided to speak up for Consort Qi.

"Grandma Empress—"

"Your Majesty, please be quiet." The Empress Dowager interrupted Kangxi, saying in a deep voice, "I will discuss this matter with you properly later."

Kangxi: …………

He touched his nose, but didn't refute her directly. He just looked at Consort Qi with a comforting look in his eyes and secretly made up his mind: he would reward Consort Qi well later.

The concubines seated at the lower level held their breath in concentration.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager was determined to severely punish Consort Qi, a smile flashed in their eyes.

The concubines could not hide their schadenfreude.

Consort Yi, in particular, secretly smiled and her eyes narrowed. She became slightly agitated when she heard the Empress Dowager mention punishment.

I wonder what kind of punishment they'll give...?

This must be Consort Qi's first time, right? The palace concubines were intrigued, but their faces fell the next second.

The Empress Dowager concluded: "Consort Qi shall return to Chuxiu Palace and reflect on her actions for three days."

Should he be confined to his room for three days to reflect on his mistakes?

"Don't you even copy the books on palace rules and female virtues?" The concubines' smiles froze, each one more indignant than the last, all feeling that the Empress Dowager had also been won over by Consort Qi, otherwise why would she have let her off so easily?

Consort Xuan glanced at everyone.

She scoffed and glanced at Consort Qi's slightly pale face, which even makeup couldn't conceal. In her opinion, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress weren't reprimanding Consort Qi at all; they clearly thought she had done a great job, done wonderfully, done exceptionally well!

However, it was not appropriate to praise her in person, so after noticing that Consort Qi looked unwell, the decision was made to have her rest properly in seclusion.

Wan Anran thought so too.

She wasn't disappointed at all; instead, she smiled and curtsied in response, then happily returned to Chuxiu Palace.

After the concubines withdrew, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress turned their gazes to Emperor Kangxi. The Empress Dowager spoke first: "Emperor, have you considered your health?"

"It's all my grandson's fault."

Kangxi answered readily and quickly changed the subject: "I already know how to handle this matter."

"Has the Emperor already made up his mind?"

"That's right, I've already made up my mind. My son is completely innocent. Besides, the Consort loves her son dearly, and I wouldn't be willing to give up Xiao Qi for adoption, so he'll stay in the palace and be raised properly." Kangxi's lips curled up, his face calm, and his answer was resolute.

Seeing the surprise on the faces of the two empress dowagers and the empress, he added with a smile: "It's just a leg disability. Sun Bin, who was crippled by punishment, Zhuge Liang, who was crippled in both legs, Xiahou Dun, who lost one eye, and Ding Yi, all left a deep mark on history. I think Yinyou will be like that in the future."

"...Yinyou?"

"That's right, I decided on the name for Xiao Qi this morning."

Emperor Kangxi smiled gently: "I hope that he will receive Heaven's blessing and grow up safely."

The Empress Dowager smiled.

To change the Emperor's mind overnight, Consort Qi must have put in a lot of effort. What pleased the Empress Dowager even more was that Consort Qi could have done nothing, and no one would have blamed her even if she had done nothing, but Consort Qi did exactly that.

It was done very well.

The Empress Dowager smiled broadly, her eyes kind and gentle: "It's a good name."

The Empress Dowager and the Empress would have no objections.

Emperor Kangxi was pleased and wanted to comfort Consort Gui after leaving Cining Palace.

These past few days, he had been preoccupied with his own thoughts and inevitably blamed the Consort, failing to properly comfort her. But now, Kangxi was in high spirits and intended to tell the Consort this good news, so that she could put her mind at ease and take good care of Yinyou.

With his father, the Khan, protecting him, Yinyou's future path will surely be smooth sailing! With this thought in mind, Kangxi walked briskly into Chengqian Palace.

Wan Anran was quite happy to be back at Chuxiu Palace.

For her, who wasn't particularly fond of going out, staying home to reflect on her mistakes seemed no different from any other day. The three days were even quite busy. Wan Anran took out glue, paper, and pen, intending to make a kite herself.

It's already springtime and we haven't gone out for a spring outing yet.

Why not fly a kite to change the mood? Wan Anran was getting a little tired of ordinary bird kites, so she suddenly had a bright idea and started trying out other kinds.

This whole ordeal took three days to complete effortlessly.

The Chuxiu Palace was peaceful and quiet, but the other palaces had been in chaos for the past three days.

Despite his mood having improved, Emperor Kangxi's face returned to the gloom of the previous day after he stepped out of Chengqian Palace, and his mood was even worse than before!

Dark clouds rolled in, and lightning flashed and thunder roared.

Unable to visit the secluded Chuxiu Palace for self-reflection, Emperor Kangxi went to Yanxi Palace first—where Consort Hui received a severe reprimand for spoiling her only son and being an improper mother. Consort Hui had never been scolded like this before; her eyes reddened, and she hid in Yanxi Palace, refusing to come out.

Immediately afterwards, Kangxi went to Zhongcui Palace.

Consort Rong was also subjected to a thorough critique by the enraged Emperor Kangxi, who generally criticized her as foolish, ignorant, and stupid as an ox. Consort Rong wanted to protest, but Kangxi presented her with a barrage of evidence.

Zhongcui Palace is basically a place where holdout residents gather.

When Consort Rong saw this document, her face turned pale, red, and purple all at once.

Kangxi dropped a bomb and then left.

Next to suffer was Consort Yi. Emperor Kangxi liked intelligent people, but he didn't like people who were too smart and ended up doing stupid things. Consort Yi, for example, was given a severe scolding by him.

One a day.

After Consort Qi spent three days in seclusion reflecting on her mistakes, Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi all suffered misfortune.

Wan Anran could hardly believe her ears.

Her jaw nearly dropped in shock: "What exactly did Consort Tong say?"

This was a question that Empress Niohuru and all the concubines wanted to know. In the end, even the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager couldn't sit still anymore—the Emperor had actually promoted a third-class palace maid in Chengqian Palace directly to the rank of Noble Lady!

The Empress Dowager summoned Liang Jiugong.

The three men interrogated him closely with dark faces, and Liang Jiugong confessed honestly in less than three breaths.

The Empress stared in disbelief: "Consort Tong—"

The Empress Dowager was dumbfounded: "She actually—"

The Empress Dowager was furious: "You said you wanted to adopt the Seventh Prince out?!"

The same thought popped into the minds of all three of them at the same time.

Consort Tong… how can she keep hitting the emperor's sore spots? The problem is, last time the emperor couldn't get over his own hurdle, but this time the emperor is clearly furious.

The Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager discussed it.

Good heavens, Wan Anran, who had just emerged from seclusion, was immediately given a critical mission and dispatched to appease Emperor Kangxi.

Wan Anran: ...

Seriously? I have to do it again this time?

Wan Anran was not very happy about it.

The Empress was equally reluctant, her brows furrowed: "Advising the Emperor is something a daughter-in-law should do; this time, I will go instead."

It's one thing for Consort Qi to do it once.

Moreover, the Emperor might have acted on her advice last time, and if she were to advise him again this time, he might take his anger out on Consort Qi. As for herself, she had nothing to fear; no matter how angry the Emperor got, he would simply ignore her, and she would remain the Empress.

The Empress Dowager was somewhat embarrassed when she came to her senses. Just as she was about to agree, a young eunuch came to the Cining Palace: "Your Highness, His Majesty requests that you go to the Qianqing Palace to serve him."

OK

Needless to say, Wan Anran had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it again.

Wan Anran was also filled with worry on the way to the Qianqing Palace.

Can I handle this matter well? Is it easy to appease Emperor Kangxi? Of course not!

Wan Anran pondered deeply throughout the journey.

Even after entering the Qianqing Palace, she still couldn't come up with a good solution.

It seems we can only take it one step at a time?

Wan Anran patted her cheeks, held her head high, and strode into the East Warm Pavilion: "This concubine greets Your Majesty."