As dawn broke, Li Dequan, along with several eunuchs, was cleaning the courtyard. Ever since Kangxi decided to recuperate and rest in Changchun Garden, Li Dequan had thoroughly cleaned the entire garden, inside and out. Although it was already spring, Kangxi was still sitting cross-legged on the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed).
A young eunuch trotted over, bowing low. Li Dequan, seeing this, slowed his pace and approached respectfully. The eunuch whispered to Li Dequan, "Sir, the Duke of Yingguo is outside requesting an audience..." Li Dequan glanced at Emperor Kangxi, who was reading inside, pondered for a moment, waved his hand to dismiss the eunuch, and then brushed the dust off his sleeves before entering the room.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Yingguo requests an audience and is waiting outside the garden. What do you think…?" Li Dequan silently bowed, then stood aside cautiously and inquired. Kangxi didn't look up, but simply reached for a teacup on the table, keeping it a distance from Kangxi's hand. Li Dequan moved closer without making a sound, pushing the teacup to Kangxi's side. "Feiyanggu's son? What brings him here this time?"
Li Dequan smiled and said, "Yes, perhaps they've come to visit Your Majesty. They are all old ministers who have followed Your Majesty for many years, so it's only natural that they care about you..." Kangxi hummed in agreement, shifted his body slightly, and said, "Indeed! I'm old now. Back when I was young, I would often invite Fei Yanggu to stretch my muscles." After saying this, he put down his leg and prepared to stand up. Li Dequan quickly put on Kangxi's shoes and helped him stand up.
"Go, invite him in..." Li Dequan nodded and withdrew. Kangxi looked at the green buds sprouting from the big tree outside the window, breathed in the fresh air, and felt instantly relaxed.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects! Long live the Emperor!" Wu Ge kowtowed repeatedly as he entered the room. Kangxi smiled and asked him to rise. The eunuchs served new tea, and Li Dequan dismissed them all. Kangxi, having just recovered from a serious illness, was in much better spirits than before. Wu Ge sighed inwardly. Kangxi smiled and said, "You are just like your father back then, full of energy!"
Wu Ge clasped his hands together and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I am not worthy of your favor. I was worried and anxious when I learned that Your Majesty was unwell. I have only come to visit you today. I am truly sorry for failing Your Majesty's grace."
Kangxi nodded and smiled, "I'm old, and minor ailments are nothing to worry about. The Duke of Ying is very kind. Seeing you reminds me of when I was young and also your father. Time waits for no one..."
Wu Ge took a sip of tea, looked up at Kangxi, and recalled: "Back when Your Majesty appointed my father as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, he followed Your Majesty in battles in Chahar and Datong, killing countless enemies and winning battle after battle. It was truly exhilarating! My father often talked to me about Your Majesty's dashing figure on horseback back then. My father mentioned it to me many times."
Recalling the past, Kangxi stroked his beard and nodded approvingly: "Your father was stubborn and daring back then. He would rush forward without thinking if others dared not do it. When I tried to stop him, he would jump out and argue with me."
Wu Ge smiled and said, "It is thanks to His Majesty's tolerance and high regard that my father has been able to serve as the Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department for so many years. His Majesty has shown me great favor and kindness, and my father is as kind as him..."
Kangxi smiled and gestured with his hand to help her up, saying, "The Ulanara clan has been loyal to me and fought for me in all directions. I remember them all! So your title will continue to be passed down. Among the ministers who worked with me back then, your family was one of them, and I will remember them all."
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