Once they were out of sight, Mingxiu breathed a sigh of relief. But after taking only two steps, she saw Consort Tong leading a concubine whose face she couldn't see. Mingxiu was silent for a moment, then said to Lüzhu, "I just consulted the oracle; today is not auspicious for travel. Let's go back."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Green Bamboo also saw the people in front of her and knew that her mistress disliked interacting with other concubines, so she didn't say anything, but helped Mingxiu turn around and leave.
Consort Yi watched Mingxiu walk away and regained her calm expression.
"Why is my sister pulling Consort Ming to talk?" Consort Guo Luoluo began to speak at this moment.
Consort Yi sighed, "It's nothing, sister. I just had a bit of a disagreement with Consort Ming before, and I thought I'd talk it out, but I didn't expect her to be so disrespectful."
Consort Guo Luoluo comforted her, "Perhaps you're overthinking it, sister. I don't think Consort Ming is that kind of person. Isn't it said that Consort Ming just doesn't like interacting with people? Maybe she's just not good at it."
Consort Yi nodded. "It's probably as my sister said. Alright, it's getting late, let's get ready to go back."
After saying that, the two sisters prepared to go back. As for what they were really thinking, only they themselves probably know.
As soon as Mingxiu returned to the palace, she saw Kangxi sitting in her special chair with a book in his hand.
Mingxiu rushed towards the Emperor with a look of delight: "Your Majesty, you haven't visited me in so long! I've missed you so much!"
Kangxi held the person in his arms to prevent her from falling, his mind still trying to recall if it had really been a long time since he last visited. "How could it have been a long time since I last visited? I was here just the day before yesterday. Don't make empty boasts."
Mingxiu protested, "No way! For her, a day apart from the Emperor feels like three autumns. It's been three autumns already, how could it not be a long time?"
Kangxi nodded helplessly, but he was actually very happy and enjoyed Mingxiu's coquettishness.
"Alright, I heard from your palace servants that you just went out for a stroll. Why are you back so soon?"
Mingxiu fiddled with the jade pendant at Kangxi's waist, and casually said, "Oh, there are too many people. It's crowded everywhere I go. I'll return now."
Kangxi frowned. "Why are there so many people? If you think it's too crowded, just let them leave from where you're admiring the flowers. Why do you have to step aside?"
Mingxiu raised an eyebrow at Kangxi. "But there's no way around it. Your Majesty has too many concubines. I really can't avoid them. Besides, I have to give them face. Otherwise, I'm afraid that tomorrow the palace will spread the word that I, Hesheli Mingxiu, am an arrogant, unreasonable, and unruly person."
Emperor Kangxi choked, realizing that Mingxiu knew about the previous court's accusations against her.
Helplessly, she said, "If you don't want to talk, can they force you? Besides, how many people in the harem have a higher rank than you? If you want to ignore them, then just ignore them."
Mingxiu rolled her eyes at him. "Let's forget it. If I really did that, I'm afraid even the Empress Dowager wouldn't like me anymore."
This is the truth. After she entered the palace, although she hadn't met the Empress Dowager many times, Mingxiu could sense that the Empress Dowager's attitude towards her was not good.
Although she didn't know exactly what she had done to offend the Empress Dowager.
However, she was not the type to fawn over someone who didn't reciprocate her feelings. Since the Empress Dowager treated her poorly, she didn't like to get close to her.
She's the kind of person who's good to those who are good to her.
However, speaking of which, isn't the Empress Dowager's birthday coming soon? Mingxiu thought she should ask Kangxi directly.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching. What should I present as a gift? Does Your Majesty have any recommendations?"
Emperor Kangxi was speechless, wondering why her thoughts were jumping so quickly, but he still said, "What you give is your own sentiment; the sentiment is what matters. Why ask others?"
Mingxiu leaned on Kangxi and said coquettishly, "Well, isn't this the first time I've given a gift to the Empress Dowager? I should always put some thought into it and choose something the Empress Dowager likes."
Kangxi chuckled as he held Mingxiu and offered her a suggestion: "The Empress Dowager is fond of Buddhism, so why don't you hand-copy the Classic of Filial Piety? That way, you can also show your sincerity."
Mingxiu quickly refused, "Let's forget it. His Majesty knows my name. I'm just afraid that the Empress Dowager won't be happy, and might even be angry. After all, if someone damages something I like, I won't be happy either."
Emperor Kangxi burst into genuine laughter. After a while, he pointed at her and said, "You still have the nerve to say that? You know your handwriting is beautiful, so you should practice properly. But you just don't practice. You only practice properly when I urge you. I told you to write two large characters every day, but you never did."
Mingxiu then remembered that there was such a thing, and quickly spoke up, afraid that if she was too late, Kangxi would let her continue writing: "Your Majesty, let's not talk about the past. I have already thought about what gift to give to the Empress Dowager. I guarantee that it will definitely surprise Your Majesty."
Looking at the person in front of him who was changing the subject, how could Kangxi not know what she was thinking? But in the end, he didn't force her. Oh well, as long as she liked it, that was fine. Anyway, she didn't write in front of others.
It's better to keep the embarrassment at home, as long as it doesn't happen outside.
Seeing Kangxi deep in thought, Mingxiu knew that the emperor would not pursue the matter of her writing, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, she's willing to write, but not as homework. Anything that doesn't meet the requirements becomes unpleasant if she fails her homework.
Looking at the sky, she realized it was almost time for dinner. She was in a good mood today, so she decided to cook for herself.
After looking at the dishes and thinking about what to cook for dinner, he told Kangxi to continue reading in the courtyard and then got his people busy.
I had some fruit picked from the glass room. Tonight I'm going to make sweet and sour cherry pork, some spare ribs, stir-fried greens, flavorful eggplant, and a shrimp and vermicelli casserole.
After instructing the chef on how to cook, Mingxiu went back.
Take the freshly washed fruit back with you.
I sat in the courtyard and had another deck chair brought out for me, leisurely eating fruit.
During the meal, Ming tasted it and thought it was pretty good. He was quite impressed that he could make it taste like this on his first try.
Emperor Kangxi also tasted it and thought the flavor was just right. "Make a batch of this, this, and this and send them to the Empress Dowager. Also, pick another batch of fruit and send it over. In addition, reward today's cook."
After Kangxi finished speaking, the eunuch serving Liang Jiugong withdrew.
Mingxiu pouted, knowing full well that this was how it would be. "Your Majesty rewards even the cooks who prepare the food for the emperor's household, so shouldn't I, who provides the recipes, also receive a reward?"
Kangxi glanced at her and said, "Hmph, haven't you taken enough from me? I'm asking you, did you take the sachet I wore last time I came here?"
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