Qingyin quickly noticed the commotion on the Empress Dowager's side, and she immediately put down the medicine bowl and prepared to bow.
"Greetings to Grandmother and Grandmother." Qingyin's squatting body was immediately caught by the Empress Dowager, who was walking quickly.
The Empress Dowager looked at Qingyin tenderly, her eyes full of love and pity: "You child, you're already so heavy, why are you still bowing?"
The Empress Dowager's authoritative words followed, "It's not too late for Ke'er to pay his respects when he's fully recovered."
Feeling the loving gazes of her two elders, Qingyin nodded obediently, making their eyes even more loving.
Looking at her granddaughter Qingyin, who, despite her young age, already possessed stunning beauty, the Empress Dowager suddenly felt that her Cining Palace was somewhat empty. However, since the Emperor had just taken Ke'er away, she couldn't very well send Ke'er back to her place, especially since Ke'er's health was a serious issue.
With the tacit approval of the three powerful figures in the palace, Qingyin lived a life of ease, with food and clothes provided for her. However, she had to take several bowls of dark, bitter medicine and bland medicinal meals every day. Fortunately, Qingyin had already shut down her sense of taste, otherwise, the days would have been unbearable.
Given Qingyin's frequent minor and major illnesses, everyone treated her like a precious treasure, more fragile than anything else, and let her do whatever she wanted as long as it didn't involve her health.
Bored, Qingyin learned to fold grasshoppers from straw under Taosu's guidance to pass the time. Her folded grasshoppers were always popular, and the first one to receive one was her father, the Emperor. Kangxi, unable to contain his joy at receiving the small gift, excitedly showed it off to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, successfully arousing their jealousy.
Fortunately, Qingyin broke a few more, which finally appeased their jealousy.
As autumn fades into winter, the royal family's annual winter hunt is fast approaching.
In the Qianqing Palace, a blazing stove had already been set up, bringing waves of warmth to the chilly early winter.
Tao Su picked up the freshly heated medicine, and the closer she got to the inner room, the lighter her footsteps became, afraid that her soft, sandy steps would disturb the frail, paper-thin figure inside.
Despite her attempts to walk quietly, she was still noticed by the person inside. Her slender, delicate hands weakly turned the pages of her book. Turning her head, she revealed eyebrows like emerald feathers and eyes like stars, like the moon falling on the water at night, or the rising sun in winter. A small black mole adorned the corner of her eye, adding a touch of cold beauty to her gaze. Her skin was almost translucent white, and a few strands of silver hair drooped by her ears, making her lips, the only color on her face, appear even redder. Her plain, sheer gauze dress made her skin appear even whiter, so white it was heartbreaking. Yet, the whiteness was overwhelming, the redness overwhelming, making one doubt the reality of her appearance.
Tao Su was well-educated and had read poems praising the former imperial concubines and beauties for their stunning and unforgettable beauty. However, she felt that those ornate words were insufficient to describe the princess and could not compare to her in any way.
Tao Su had always known that the princess was beautiful, and every time she saw her, she felt that the princess's beauty had become even more stunning. When she saw the princess looking at her, she lowered her tear-filled face so that the princess wouldn't notice.
"Princess, the medicine has just been heated up."
"Okay," Qingyin took the medicine from in front of her and gulped it down in one go. Her slender, jade-like hands made one wonder if she could even lift that bowl of dark brown medicine.
When Qingyin finished drinking with a slight frown, Taosu cleverly handed over the prepared candied dates. This was a rare treat for Qingyin, made by the imperial physicians after Emperor Kangxi consulted with them. Although it contained little sugar, the dates' natural sweetness made it a delicious dessert.
Qingyin had been less ill lately and was in much better spirits, so she flipped through the miscellaneous books that the Crown Prince had sent her.
Even the slightest movement triggered another fit of agitated coughing.
The movements were quite vigorous, and once on the bed, the girl's face was pale, and she was overcome with sleepiness. Tao Su tenderly wiped away the fine beads of sweat from her face, tucked her in, and then gently massaged Qingyin's calves, whispering, "Princess, Princess."
As always, there was no response. The girl showed no reaction, and her breathing was so weak it was almost nonexistent. At first, Tao Su was quite frightened by Qing Yin's appearance. She repeatedly brought her fingertips to her nose to check if she was still breathing, and her tears almost dried up during those attempts. Now, she began to calm down and, following the imperial physician's instructions, pressed on Qing Yin's calves to ease the princess's pain.
The room was silent, save for the soft sounds of Tao Su's movements and the chirping of birds outside.
When Kangxi returned, he saw his youngest daughter sleeping soundly. Looking at her pale face, his eyes were filled with heartache. He waved his hand, dismissing Tao Su, and personally took Tao Su's place, massaging Qingyin's legs. At that moment, he did not seem like the emperor revered by all, but a father who loved his daughter dearly.
So thin, and always eats well, how come she hasn't gained any weight?
Perhaps sensing her father's presence, Qingyin slowly opened her eyes. She had been taking the incurable pill during this time, and the expected reactions were no less pronounced; sincerity is always better than pretense.
"Father, you're back."
"Hmm, has Ke'er eaten?"
Qingyin replied obediently, "I just drank my medicine, so I haven't had any yet."
Kangxi gently stroked her head and said in a voice even softer than when coaxing a child, "Father will have a meal with you, okay?"
"Hmm, Father Emperor, is the winter hunt about to begin?"
Without considering anything else, Kangxi said directly, "Yes, three days after the winter hunt."
"Father, I want to go."
These words stumped Kangxi, who looked at Qingyin's expectant eyes and was caught in a dilemma.
Ke'er is so weak. What if the cold wind makes her sick again during the winter hunt? But Ke'er is usually so well-behaved. She takes her medicine and eats her medicinal food without refusing. She never makes any demands. She is so well-behaved that it breaks his heart. He really can't refuse this first request from Ke'er.
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