Chapter 73 Uninvited Guest
Fanghua didn't understand what he meant for a moment, so she looked at the wet nurse and Xiang'an and Xiangxia following behind her.
What does "brother" mean?
Upon hearing this, the three immediately knelt down.
Finally, Xiang'an couldn't withstand the Empress's imposing manner and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was my fault. I saw that many of the petals of the winter rain were damaged, so I picked some up to make tea. The prince saw it, and that's why..."
What she didn't say was that she used it to make tea, while the prince actually let the empress use it for bathing.
Waaah, brother, you've gone too far!
Fanghua understood this time and found it quite amusing.
"It would be great for making tea. Why didn't I think of that before?" Most of the peonies here are watered with spiritual spring water, so the tea made from them should taste pretty good.
Hmm, you can give it a try.
Chenghu objected, saying, "Let me take a bath, and smell nice, so that my Empress Mother will smell nice."
He wants his mother to smell sweet flowers, not for her belly to smell sweet.
Fanghua helplessly handed the basket to the palace servant, then picked up Chenghu and said, "You're so clever. If you want Xiangxiang, why don't you give it to your father? He might like it even more."
After speaking to her son, she told the people kneeling on the ground to get up, "You are all very good, but next time don't let the prince ruin my flowers."
She planned to build a garden for Chenghu so that he wouldn't have to think about her beautiful flowers anymore.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Fanghua carried her son to the pavilion, and looking at the ravaged flowers, she felt only heartache.
"Qiaoling, ask around if anyone knows how to make flower tea. Don't let these go to waste." Perhaps they will become a symbol of her Kunning Palace or of her as the Empress.
Flower tea is indeed very good.
Qiaoling was in charge of food, and although the matter was later handed over to Qiaoyun due to other arrangements made by the Empress, no one could compare to her when it came to cooking.
“Your Highness, I know how to do this. I learned it from the steward in the manor when I was young. That steward was the one who served tea in the master’s study.”
At this point, Qiaoling happily picked the remaining flowers from the branch.
After all, the prince was young and didn't do things very carefully; there were still quite a few left on the tree.
"In that case, I'll leave this matter to you. After spring arrives, I'll designate an area for you to plant peonies for tea making."
After disciplining his son, he took the brat back to his bedroom.
The little one is growing up and should have her own courtyard. She can no longer live in front of her; she needs to move to the warm pavilion in the backyard or the side halls on the east and west sides.
Although we still live in the same palace, it's much farther away than it is now, sigh.
I'm reluctant to part with them, but what can I do? They're all grown up now.
Fanghua was feeling melancholy, but Chenghu didn't sense his mother's sorrow at all, and was playing around without a care in the world.
Hearing his cheerful laughter, all of Fanghua's worries vanished.
After playing with her son for a while, Fanghua scolded him several times, telling him to stop ruining her flowers.
The little guy responded obediently, "I know, Mother Empress, I won't tease you."
"I hope you can keep your word." Fanghua said irritably, tapping his forehead hard with her finger.
The little guy was caught off guard and fell backward. Luckily, it was a soft couch, otherwise Chenghu would definitely have bumped his head and gotten a big bump.
Fanghua was also startled; she felt she hadn't used much force.
"Are you alright?" He helped his son sit up with concern, checked him thoroughly, and only felt relieved after hearing Chenghu say that it didn't hurt.
"It's the Empress's fault, she shouldn't have used so much force." Her son is already a year old, and it's time to let him learn martial arts when he's older.
It seems she needs to have a talk with Xiaofeng. She herself cannot cultivate, but she hopes her son can.
At least he wouldn't die from overwork after becoming emperor.
"It doesn't hurt, it won't hurt if Mother Empress kisses me." Cheng Huyi was very perceptive and knew how to get what he wanted. "After a kiss, I won't play tricks on you."
Fanghua was amused by his words, "You brat, I knew you were going to cause trouble."
The mother and son played on the soft couch for a while until Chenghu yawned, at which point she stopped. "I know you have a habit of taking a nap. Alright, your mother will play with you again this afternoon."
After saying that, he picked up his son and carried him to his room.
After personally coaxing the person to sleep, Fanghua returned to handle some palace affairs.
After the palace affairs were sorted out, there wasn't much to do each day.
The Imperial Household Department is controlled by the Empress Dowager, so there aren't many things she can interfere with.
She thought the day would pass uneventfully, but for some unknown reason, the emperor came to her Kunning Palace.
Although the couple was not as loving as the rumors suggested, they were still harmonious. It was just that Fanghua was somewhat resistant, otherwise Kangxi would have visited even more frequently.
"Your Majesty has arrived at the perfect time. We've had a hot pot prepared for you today. Your Majesty is in for a treat."
Since everyone has come, Fanghua naturally treats them well.
Emperor Kangxi was in a bad mood all day. When he finally got into the inner palace, he went straight to Kunning Palace without thinking.
It seemed that only by coming here could he calm his restless heart.
"Oh, I am indeed fortunate to have such a good appetite. I had heard from the palace servants that the Empress's kitchen was excellent, but I had never tasted this dish before. I must have a good taste today," Kangxi said, showing his respect.
"That's right. I spend all my time around the stove, except for the children. If I don't come up with something new and interesting, wouldn't that be a waste of time?" Fanghua didn't mind belittling herself a little.
Besides, she also wanted him to know about the affairs of the harem.
Although the Phoenix Seal was in her hands, she had little say in the affairs of the harem, and she didn't believe that the emperor wouldn't know.
It's been so long, and he hasn't mentioned it or asked about it. I suppose he doesn't really want to control the power in the harem.
In fact, he and the Empress Dowager were both very suspicious and even more guarded.
What deep affection between husband and wife? That's just a lie to fool outsiders.
"Fang'er, don't underestimate yourself. I know you better than anyone. If the harem weren't managed by you, I don't know how much of a headache I would have. I heard that you've started having the Imperial Household Department prepare for the Second Prince's birthday celebration?"
The Emperor followed the Empress's lead to the dining table and sat down. He had a smile on his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, and it was unclear what he meant by those words.
Having followed him through two lifetimes, Fanghua naturally understood the meaning behind his words.
"Indeed." Hearing that he had designated Nara's son as the second prince, she was quite pleased, after all, she did not want her son to have an eldest son ahead of him.
Thinking of her son, Yinreng, she felt that her eldest son was an eyesore.
"The Second Prince will be one year old soon. I wonder what His Majesty's next plan is? Should he be adopted by a high-ranking concubine according to the old rules, or should he be promoted to the rank of Nara and raised by her?"
Don't ask why it's only mentioned when the child is one year old.
Fanghua did it on purpose. She hadn't forgotten how Nara had schemed to get the palace maid into bed. Punishing her with a year of constant anxiety was her mercy.
Kangxi did not respond immediately, but instead washed his hands with the help of his servants.
Seeing that there was wine on the table, he didn't let anyone pour him any. Instead, he poured himself a glass and slowly savored it.
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