The concubines were all startled.

Everyone's eyes were filled with shock, even Empress Niohuru. She couldn't hide her surprise, but then replied as usual, "If the Noble Consort likes it, please take a few more boxes."

Consort Rong bumped Consort Xuan's arm.

She muttered softly, "Could the Imperial Concubine be... ill?"

Actually, Consort Rong was wondering if the Noble Consort had fallen and was confused from sleep. Otherwise, why would she suddenly give in? All the concubines in the palace knew perfectly well that Noble Consort Tong had never been convinced by the Empress. Whenever the Empress agreed, the Noble Consort would always find something to object to.

How come she's changed her gender now?

In fact, every concubine in the palace had this question in her heart, but only the carefree and oblivious Rong Pin dared to say it out loud.

Consort Xuan glared at her: "You're just spouting nonsense."

Consort Rong stuck out her tongue. She was carefree, but she wasn't stupid. Putting everything else aside, ever since the Empress entered the palace and took charge of palace affairs, she had been thorough and capable in everything. For a concubine of her ordinary background who was unlikely to ever become Empress, having a fair and just Empress was a blessing.

For example, last time.

When Consort Tong was in charge of palace affairs, she wanted to shirk responsibility while also gaining a good reputation. She was difficult to please and hard to talk to.

What if she were on stage?

Consort Rong felt overwhelmed just thinking about it. While busily managing the affairs of the Empress's birthday celebration, she also secretly copied many scriptures to pray for the Empress's well-being. This led to an unexpected bonus: after the Empress recovered from her illness, Consort Rong was not only rewarded but also became a well-known staunch supporter of the Empress. Recently, she was even personally appointed by the Empress to take charge of many palace affairs.

If she doesn't step forward now, who will?

Consort Rong's voice wasn't loud, but since there weren't many concubines in Kunning Palace, everyone around heard what she said.

The imperial concubines pretended to be watching the show.

Wan Anran held a teacup filled with rose black tea, which the Empress had specially ordered to be changed for her. It also contained many herbs beneficial to pregnant women, making it fragrant and delicious. Paired with refreshing cheese pastries, Wan Anran enjoyed both the sight and the taste.

Unfortunately, Consort Tong showed no signs of getting angry.

Her expression remained calm, as if she hadn't heard what Consort Rong had said. Not only that, but despite the doubts, astonishment, and ridicule of the crowd, Consort Tong not only calmly gestured for a maid to fetch the ointment, but also applied it directly to her own hand. Her open and generous demeanor truly drew attention.

The concubines looked at each other in bewilderment.

Consort Tong lowered her head and composed herself. Once the itching subsided, her eyes curved into a smile: "I haven't been able to properly speak because of this mosquito bite. Today, I'm only able to feel a little better thanks to the Empress, Consort Xuan, Consort Nara, and Consort Wan."

Consort Xuan, Noble Lady Nara, and Wan Anran stood up with smiles.

They were shocked, but their faces wore perfectly measured smiles as they exchanged a few words. Just as the three women were at their most alert, fearing that Consort Tong might suggest visiting their palace or Xianfu Palace, Consort Tong abruptly stopped speaking.

The three of them were still a little confused after they sat down.

Not to mention the other concubines, who could not hide the excitement in their eyes and gathered in twos and threes to whisper among themselves after leaving the palace.

Consort Tong took her leave calmly.

Ignoring all the gazes falling upon her, she steadily stepped onto the palanquin. The gauze curtain blocked the strange looks from the other concubines. Consort Tong lowered her head and composed herself, her fingers twirling Buddhist prayer beads, her face devoid of any emotion.

"Your Highness, why do you have to do this to yourself..." Zhao Mama felt sorry for the Consort. From a young age, the Consort was pampered and spoiled, growing up in the palm of everyone's hand. Everyone knew that the Consort was destined to enter the palace, and she had never suffered the slightest grievance since childhood.

"There's no need for you to say anything more, Granny," Consort Tong said calmly.

After finally taking this step, she actually breathed a long sigh of relief. Her family believed that she was destined to become empress, and she herself had always thought that she was the most special person in her cousin's heart. But now, Consort Tong had other ideas.

The Emperor changed ever since the Empress recovered from her illness.

At first, the Emperor visited as often as usual, but as time went on, perhaps due to Wuya's constant commotion, or perhaps due to her frequent complaints, or perhaps for other reasons, the Emperor visited less and less often, especially this month when he didn't come at all.

At first, Consort Tong comforted herself, saying that the Emperor was too busy with state affairs to come to the inner palace. However, when the news came that the Emperor had gone to Xianfu Palace yesterday, Consort Tong's last hope was completely shattered.

She sent him food and medicine many times, but the Emperor never came! But then Consort Wan concocted a medicinal ointment, and the Emperor rushed over? Yesterday, as Consort Tong's heart sank to the bottom, she finally calmed down and looked back on the past.

His own vying for favor.

In the Emperor's eyes... could it just be a trivial play? Once this thought surfaced, it could never be shaken off.

If Emperor Kangxi knew, he would definitely claim he was wronged!

Great news came from the previous dynasty: Wu Sangui was suspected of being seriously ill. These days, he had been busy in the Qianqing Palace, let alone visiting the inner palace. His visit to the Xianfu Palace was only because of the Empress Dowager's mention. Kangxi wanted to settle accounts with Consort Wan, so he had no intention of staying overnight. After the conversation, he hurried back to the Qianqing Palace.

Speaking of the ointment, Emperor Kangxi was also very angry. After returning to the Qianqing Palace in high spirits, he couldn't wait to use the ointment.

As it turned out, the palace servants never received it.

At first, Emperor Kangxi didn't believe it, but after questioning each of the eunuchs, he suddenly flew into a rage—"You, Consort Wan, how dare you deceive the Emperor!"

Especially after waking up in the morning to find two mosquito bites on his cheeks, Kangxi's anger soared to the heavens.

His dark expression as he entered the court terrified the officials. Yesterday, they had been expressing caution on the battlefield and suspecting that Wu Sangui's serious illness was a sign of corruption. Today, they all changed their stance and rushed to say that they should go up immediately and kill Wu Sangui in one fell swoop.

Although he didn't know why the officials changed their attitude so quickly, Kangxi was still very satisfied with their proactive attitude.

He solemnly ordered General Shang Shan, the Grand General of Anyuan Jingkou, and Prince Le'erjin of Shun County, among others, to launch a full-scale attack on Yuezhou. Meanwhile, he also arranged for people to infiltrate Yunnan to investigate Wu Sangui's affairs.

No matter how intently he focused on state affairs, the mosquito bites would still itch, an unusually intense itch, so much so that even after court, Emperor Kangxi still remembered Consort Wan's incident. He solemnly ordered Liang Jiugong, "I want to—" to give Xianfu Palace a severe beating.

For example, lowering the digit by one place.

Emperor Kangxi was determined to teach Consort Wan a lesson, but before he could finish speaking, a young eunuch walked into the hall along the wall: "Your Majesty, someone from Xianfu Palace requests an audience. They say that Consort Wan ordered them to send this over early this morning."

hehe.

Could it be that Consort Wan intends to make amends later? Kangxi, his face dark, was about to refuse, but then decided he needed to make Consort Wan understand what she had done wrong. He waved his hand dismissively: "Let's go! Let's see what she's sent!"

Liang Jiugong respectfully replied, "Yes."

As he walked out, he shook his head—Consort Wan had truly offended the Emperor this time. And she still wanted to make amends? Was she really taking the Emperor's favor for granted?

Hmm? This idea seems familiar...

Liang Jiugong secretly scratched his ear, vaguely feeling that he had reacted like this once, two, three, or four times already? Liang Jiugong couldn't figure it out, so he followed the emperor all the way to the front courtyard of the Qianqing Palace.

From afar, the group saw two young eunuchs standing there with their heads bowed and hands raised, looking very nervous.

This is the Qianqing Palace!

The two eunuchs held their breath, not daring to even glance to the side, and of course, the emperor didn't even notice them. Kangxi's gaze fell straight on the black vat, and he was stunned for a moment before remembering that this was the mosquito-catching wonder that Consort Wan had mentioned yesterday.

His face suddenly darkened.

Good heavens! I thought it was some medicine ointment being delivered, what the hell is this? Kangxi's face was dark and gloomy as he stepped forward to examine the water vat with a cold expression.

It's just a water tank... isn't it?

Kangxi blinked, his thoughts momentarily blank, and his eyes widened as he stared at the water vat.

What is this thing?

He recalled what Wan Guiren and the others had said yesterday, and his expression turned very strange. He asked incredulously, "Is it really just sugar, flour, and water inside?"

The young eunuch took a deep breath.

He steadied himself and replied in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."

Emperor Kangxi fell into deep thought.

How could these three things attract so many mosquitoes? The sheer number of them makes even my hair stand on end, let alone anyone else.

Liang Jiugong, who was looking through the camera, was also amazed.

Despite his anger, Kangxi still needed to put his useful tools to use. He quickly instructed Liang Jiugong to place a few more mosquitoes in the Qianqing Palace, hoping to reduce the number of mosquitoes as much as possible!

One of the eunuchs remembered Consort Wan's arrangements from the previous day and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Consort Wan said that this medicine is only effective at night."

Emperor Kangxi nodded, though he seemed somewhat disappointed.

Then he frowned, his face darkening as he asked, "Wait, do you know... where Consort Wan sent the herbal ointment?"

Herbal ointment?

Could it be that it wasn't delivered to the Emperor? The little eunuch was momentarily stunned and almost blurted out the question.

Those waves of cold air saved him.

The words that had been on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down, and the little eunuch instantly calmed down: "This servant doesn't know, but..."

The young eunuch pondered for a moment.

Finally, he spoke tremblingly, "This servant remembers that yesterday, Granny Xia delivered quite a lot to Her Majesty the Empress."

Emperor Kangxi's smile was forced and insincere.

He flicked his sleeve, determined to find out where the herbal ointment was.

Kangxi's face grew even colder once he entered the Kunning Palace.

Consort Wan was sitting in a chair, with the Empress and Consort Xuan on either side, their hands gently touching her belly, occasionally whispering a few words with expressions of surprise. Consort Nara, on the other hand, was looking down at the Crown Prince, the First Princess, and the Ninth Prince, talking to them in a low voice.

The scene looked really strange.

Kangxi strode heavily into the hall, which finally drew the attention of the group. Upon seeing the Emperor's arrival, they quickly rose and curtsied in greeting.

Kangxi, with a cold face, called out.

His cold expression didn't last long, as Crown Prince Bao Cheng excitedly rushed forward: "Father, Father! Quickly, touch Consort Wan's belly!!!"

His little face was rosy.

The prince's eyes sparkled, and he excitedly waved his arms and legs: "My little brother can move! My little brother and I are bumping fists!"

Emperor Kangxi was taken aback.

The Empress smiled and said, "It's true, Consort Wan's stomach hurt just now, which really scared us. If you ask me, the baby in Consort Wan's belly must be a naughty one, making such a fuss at such a young age."

"Perhaps they sensed the large number of people."

"No, no, no! They must have discovered my brother's affair!"

"How many more months until we see our new little brother?"

"Alas! But Consort Wan said it might be my sister's."

The three little radish heads started arguing.

Kangxi cautiously stepped forward, looking at the round belly and not knowing where to begin.

Prince Bao Cheng discovered this scene.

He stared at Kangxi with wide eyes, his small mouth slightly pouting: "Father, you are a Baturu, how come you don't even have the courage to touch your belly?"

Who said I don't have any?

Kangxi glared at Bao Cheng, his face dark, and reached out to feel Wan Guiren's belly.

Calm and undisturbed.

Disappointed and somewhat embarrassed, Kangxi was about to withdraw his hand when a feather-like ripple made him shudder.

Is it just my imagination?

The moment the thought arose, Kangxi felt another ripple in his palm, as if in protest, much stronger than before, like a child greeting him for the first time, or as if asserting his presence.

Emperor Kangxi's lips curled up slightly.

He couldn't help but grin foolishly and exclaimed, "You're so strong! You're amazing!"