Kangxi was surprised by Xiuning's words, but then he couldn't help but laugh.
Hahahaha, I didn't expect it, well, she's still too cute.
Like a kitten that's been teased and gets angry, instead of running away, it swings its paw without any fear, thinking it's a strong counterattack, unaware that others see it as just playful banter.
Kangxi reached out and gently rubbed Xiu Ning's pretty face, then hugged her even tighter. "I know my beloved consort is reluctant to leave Qianqing Palace, but I am very busy here and I'm afraid I will disappoint her."
The current situation in the harem does not allow Kangxi to do such a licentious thing. The Empress Dowager is still watching over things in Cining Palace. Given the example of the favored concubines during the reign of the previous emperor, his harem must not allow a new Shumulu clan to appear.
"Your Majesty is not disappointed. As long as Your Majesty has me in your heart, I will be content."
In the imperial harem, everyone has a sweet tongue and knows how to talk.
Xiu Ning raised an eyebrow and began to pour sweet words into Kangxi's ears.
Regardless of whether what she said was true or not, her earnest expression alone was enough to deceive people.
Kangxi patted Xiuning on the back, and then pulled her even closer into his arms.
Although it's not appropriate to do that kind of thing during the day, adults still shouldn't miss out on the benefits they deserve.
Before long, Xiuning was panting heavily.
The buttons on the cheongsam at the neck were undone, and the once neat cheongsam was now disheveled. Upon closer inspection, a pair of large hands were seen restlessly lurking beneath the cheongsam, stirring up trouble everywhere.
Xiuning: ...
Xiu Ning's cheeks flushed, and her breath was sweet as orchids. "Your Majesty truly does not wish for me to leave."
How could someone say one thing and do another? Xiu Ning didn't believe that Kangxi, that lecherous man, could really only touch her and do nothing else.
The atmosphere around them quickly became tense, and Kangxi's eyes turned deep and dark. "I...I don't know either."
At first, he was just joking. He couldn't be too unrestrained in the government. Although he had some ideas in mind, he wanted to try out bold and rebellious behaviors.
But as the saying goes, trying is one thing, but it's still a long way from actually taking action.
As a result, neither of them held back, and the jokes went too far, making it inevitable that things would escalate.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Xiu Ning covered her mouth with one hand, trying not to make a sound. Behind her were strong arms supporting her, preventing her from falling.
Xiuning sat on Kangxi's lap, her body rising and falling with his movements.
The clothes she wore were loose and baggy, yet they had a certain messy beauty about them.
After a long while, Xiu Ning breathed a sigh of relief and slumped against Kangxi's shoulder, not wanting to move.
Phew, it turns out that the risks of doing such a high-risk activity are still too great, even though it is indeed exciting, especially considering that there is a group of palace servants standing at the door...
"Your Majesty~"
Her voice was so sweet and delicate it could melt anyone's heart. Xiu Ning straightened her clothes, realizing she shouldn't call for the palace servants to come in and tidy her up.
Kangxi chuckled softly, tidied himself up, and then turned around to carry Xiuning horizontally to the bed.
"Rest first, then have a meal with me later."
Touching Xiu Ning's fair and rosy cheeks, Kangxi was full of energy and showed no trace of his previous frivolity.
Xiuning: ...Pah, shameless.
She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then lay down on the couch without moving. She only moved her sore wrists slightly before resting properly, just as Kangxi had said.
At noon, after finishing his official duties, Emperor Kangxi and Xiuning enjoyed a sumptuous lunch together.
Soup was served, and Xiuning even received the treatment of being personally fed soup by Emperor Kangxi, although she did not like this cloying behavior.
"Your Majesty, I can manage on my own."
She whispered something, then gently nudged the back of Kangxi's outstretched hand. Xiuning looked up at Liang Jiugong, who was standing beside Kangxi with his head bowed, and gestured for Kangxi to get down to business.
Seeing this, Kangxi coughed twice and asked, "Liang Jiugong, is something the matter?"
Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong lowered his head and said, "The matter that His Majesty ordered me to investigate has yielded results."
"Is that so?" Kangxi's voice remained unchanged, and he didn't try to hide anything from Xiuning. "Tell me directly, why did this happen?"
“Zha”
Liang Jiugong responded and then began to speak enthusiastically.
At first, Xiuning was a little confused by what the two were saying, but when they mentioned the Imperial Household Department, the Treasurer, and Lady Daijia, Xiuning suddenly realized that they were talking about Consort Cheng, Lady Daijia, the birth mother of the seventh prince, Yinyou.
What's wrong with this person?
Strangely enough, according to records, Lady Daijia was already pregnant with Yinyou. However, an accident occurred during childbirth, resulting in Yinyou being born with a leg ailment. This not only directly affected the future of Lady Daijia's family, but also caused her to suffer in the harem for more than ten years until she was finally granted the title of concubine in the later years of Emperor Kangxi's reign.
"...His face was injured, and it was difficult to heal, so he couldn't enter the palace."
After Liang Jiugong finished speaking, he bowed and withdrew.
Seeing that Liang Jiugong had left, Xiuning's eyes lit up, and she simply handed the soup she had prepared to Kangxi.
Kangxi turned his head and saw Xiuning smiling demurely, "Your Majesty hasn't eaten anything yet, you should have something to eat."
Kangxi raised an eyebrow, reached out and picked up the bowl of soup, playing with it in his palm. "The Daijia clan I just mentioned, they helped take care of Yinti for several years."
I once granted them the privilege of sending women from their clans to serve in the palace.
"Unforeseen circumstances may arise, and now this favor may be unusable."
After a brief explanation to Xiu Ning, Kangxi put the soup in his mouth and drank it all in one gulp.
Xiu Ning pondered to herself, not understanding why Kangxi was telling her so much. Whether Dai Jia entered the palace or not wouldn't affect her much. Could it be that Kangxi was using this matter to warn her to behave herself and not cause trouble?
"Ning'er, would you be willing to help me with the selection of imperial concubines this time?"
Xiuning: ...Huh?!
"Your Majesty has entrusted me with this task, and I will gladly die for it. But what about the Imperial Concubine?"
Xiu Ning has not forgotten who holds the reins of power in the harem now.
It's not worth it for her to offend the powerful concubine who will dominate the harem for ten years just for the sake of selecting a concubine.
"This morning, the Imperial Concubine sent word that Yinzhi was unwell and needed the Imperial Concubine's care."
"Then, to Consort Jia's place?"
"Her? She's not cut out to manage things," Kangxi said ambiguously. "Consort Jing, you're not willing?"
Xiuning shook her head, "Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens. However, this is my first time doing this. If I do something wrong, please point it out to me, Your Majesty. I will do my best."
She had basic discernment; Xiu Ning wouldn't dare refuse Kangxi at a time like this.
Listen to how Emperor Kangxi addressed her, from "My Beloved Consort" to "Ning'er" and then to "Consort Jing." He truly displayed all his joys and sorrows openly.
Xiuning didn't know whether she should be happy or sad.
The bad news is that the Emperor is capricious, and even after years of trying to please him, it hasn't worked. The good news is that the Emperor's emotions are obvious, and anyone with eyes can tell the difference.
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