Harigana sat up groggily, her consciousness slowly returning. But she was still very sleepy, her head nodding off.
Helpless, Kangxi took her into his arms and coaxed her to sleep. After confirming that she was asleep, he gently lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside.
"Aunt Su Ma, is there something the Empress Dowager wants to discuss with me?"
In fact, according to Kangxi's habits, Sumalagu would definitely have been summoned to his carriage! But now Harigana was lying on his lap, and this scene could not be seen by outsiders under any circumstances. It wasn't that Kangxi felt it was inappropriate, but rather that he was afraid it would bring trouble to Harigana.
It's better to avoid trouble. Although he can protect Harigana, why not just enjoy a peaceful life instead of creating more problems?
Sumalagu was indeed very surprised. The imperial carriage was very high, and Sumalagu could only look up to speak to Kangxi.
"Your Majesty, this servant greets you! Your Majesty, it was the Empress Dowager who saw the imperial physicians rushing over and sent this servant to check if Your Majesty's health is unwell!"
Although Emperor Kangxi did not want to deceive Bumbutai, he decided not to tell anyone, including his grandmother, because of the previous unpleasant encounters and the Empress Dowager's dislike of Harigana.
Although he knew that his grandmother would not harm her own offspring, he secretly did not want anyone to know that Harigana was pregnant. At least before returning to the palace, he absolutely could not reveal a word of it.
"Aunt Su Ma, I'm fine! I was feeling a little unwell just now, and Consort Chen was worried, so she sent the imperial physician to check my pulse. Please tell my grandmother that I'm alright!"
Su Mala Gu was even more puzzled. If the Emperor was unharmed, why did Imperial Physician Zhao have that expression just now? Had she misunderstood, or was the Emperor trying to hide something from the Empress Dowager?
However, none of this concerned her. She was merely a servant; conveying the message verbatim was enough to fulfill her duty. The deeper matters were for the Empress Dowager to ponder.
"Yes! Your servant obeys!"
Kangxi said no more, lowered the curtain, and picked up a fan to fan Harigana. Although he valued Sumalagu highly, their conversation outside the tent last time had diminished his regard for her.
It's not that Su Ma La Gu was bad, nor that Kangxi was too harsh; rather, everyone has their place and must fulfill their duties. Su Ma La Gu was the Empress Dowager's person, while he was now the Emperor, the master of the Qing Dynasty! Even the Empress Dowager had to show him respect, let alone a mere servant!
"You're saying that Emperor Xuan Ye didn't let you go up?"
Bumbutai also sensed that something was amiss. It was a stretch to say that the reason they hadn't called for help was because the woman from the Borchijin tribe was there!
"Yes, Empress Dowager!"
Bumbutai's expression was deep and thoughtful. Suddenly, he looked at Sumalagu and asked, "Suma, is there any movement from the carriage?"
Su Ma La Gu instantly understood what the Empress Dowager meant. Her face flushed, and she awkwardly replied, "Empress Dowager, this servant didn't hear anything!"
Bumbutai regretted her question immediately; her thoughts were too frightening. Even if that woman was very beautiful, Xuan Ye was someone she had personally trained—how could he possibly do such a thing!
The long journey had left her feeling a bit confused!
"Alright! It's good that Xuan Ye is alright!"
Bumbutai stopped worrying and was about to return to her hometown, wanting to truly savor its atmosphere. Perhaps this was the last time she would come back!
Thinking about it this way, the Empress Dowager began to recall her childhood and her time in Huang Taiji's harem, completely forgetting about Kangxi and Harigana.
Harigana slept exceptionally soundly; if Emperor Kangxi hadn't called her, she probably would have slept until noon the next day.
"Jiaojiao! Wake up, okay? If you keep talking, you won't be able to sleep tonight. Besides, it's almost dinner time, you can't go hungry!"
Kangxi's voice was very gentle, but Harigana really didn't want to get up. She turned over and buried her head in Kangxi's abdomen. The scent of ambergris was very strong, and she unconsciously nuzzled against him.
"I can't get up, I'm not hungry, but I can sleep!"
After answering, Harigana wanted to continue sleeping, but after speaking, he felt something was off. He moved his head, trying to find a comfortable position.
"Jiaojiao!"
The veins on Kangxi's forehead bulged, and the fan in his hand was already deformed from his grip. Seeing that the culprit was completely unaware, he was about to pick her up when, unexpectedly, she sat up abruptly!
"Jiaojiao, be careful of your stomach!"
Now Kangxi had no mind to tease Harigana anymore. He reached out to support her, afraid that she might hurt her back and stomach.
Harigana's stomach and waist were fine, but the movement had strained her back wound. She frowned slightly, about to say she was alright, when she heard Kangxi anxiously ask, "Jiaojiao! Does your back wound hurt? Let me see!"
After Kangxi finished speaking, he tried to take off Harigana's clothes. In just a short while, two buttons were already undone!
"It's okay, it's okay! No need to check, I guarantee everything will be fine!"
Harigana held down Kangxi's hand. They were inside the carriage, and to see her back, he would have to take off his outer garment, which was unacceptable to her!
Emperor Kangxi was worried, but he couldn't do the opposite of what Harigana suggested, otherwise the pregnant woman would get angry, which would be a real problem.
Are you sure you're okay?
Harigana nodded quickly, and Kangxi could only help her re-button her clothes. By this time, Kangxi had calmed down, but the two of them tacitly avoided mentioning the embarrassing incident.
As she had said, Harigana fell asleep quickly after eating and drinking that night, leaving Kangxi alone by the bed, watching the soundly sleeping Harigana and pondering matters.
This morning, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau said that their observations of the night sky indicated that a capable person was indeed coming to his side. They advised him to let things take their natural course and not to actively seek out that person, as he would naturally come to him and offer his assistance. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau even added, "This person will be beneficial to the strengthening of the nation and its people!"
Harigana then became pregnant and wanted a boy!
He wasn't without suspicion that the child in Harigana's belly was the capable person the Imperial Observatory had mentioned, but if it really was him, it would take at least a decade. And what would happen to Yinreng then?
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