Although Emperor Kangxi had specifically brought Harigana to see the peach blossom grove, he didn't linger there. It was winter, and it would be a loss if she caught a cold!
When Harigana returned to the palace, he brought back a bunch of peach branches. Although they couldn't survive, he was happy to have them in his room.
After returning to the palace, before Kangxi could say anything, she took his hand and led him to the study, where she used fallen flower petals to make bookmarks.
Although the craftsmanship was rough, it was the first time Kangxi had seen such a unique item, and it was made by Harigana himself. He treasured it terribly after receiving it.
"Jiaojiao, I'm going to the Qianqing Palace. You can rest for a while at noon, but don't sleep too much, or you won't be able to sleep tonight!"
Emperor Kangxi spent three whole days with Harigana. During those three days, the two of them did many interesting things. This period of time only ended on the fourth day when Emperor Kangxi began attending the morning court session.
Seeing his nervous expression, Harigana quickly nodded, not wanting to hold him back.
It is now 1682. Harigana doesn't know what will happen in the next few years, but it will either be Taiwan, Dzungar, or Tsarist Russia.
However, this shouldn't be Tsarist Russia now. She remembered that the Treaty of Nerchinsk was signed when Emperor Kangxi was almost forty years old. Emperor Kangxi is not even thirty years old now, so it's impossible for him to sign that.
Harigana was right, except he made one mistake: Tsarist Russia had invaded!
Kangxi had just received an urgent message, but at that time she went to her study to get a book and was unaware that Li Dequan had come in to report.
"Alright! Go ahead! I'll stay in Qingxi Palace and won't go out! Don't worry!"
What Harigana didn't expect was that Kangxi didn't return for two days after his departure, spending the entire time in the Qianqing Palace discussing with his ministers how to deal with Tsarist Russia.
Although she was anxious, there were ministers present, so she couldn't help much if she went there; in fact, it would only distract her.
The Qianqing Palace.
Looking at the officials arguing incessantly below, Kangxi felt mentally exhausted for the first time.
Half the people said we must fight, while the other half said we shouldn't, because it would cause widespread suffering.
For a time, arguments erupted in the imperial study, with everyone exchanging their opinions.
Kangxi suddenly wanted to return to Qingxi Palace and talk to Harigana. He felt that whenever he encountered a problem, as long as she was by his side, everything would be resolved.
"Alright, you may all go back now! Let me think about this carefully!"
Upon hearing Kangxi's words, the ministers immediately fell silent and took their leave.
When I returned to Qingxi Palace after calming down, Harigana was standing under the eaves watching Li Zi and the others build a snowman.
"This servant greets Your Majesty!"
The eunuchs quickly put down their tools and knelt on the ground to pay their respects.
"Xuan Ye!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Harigana's eyes. He had only taken two steps toward Kangxi when he reached the corridor and embraced him!
Sensing the delicate fragrance unique to the young girl, Kangxi felt much more at ease.
"Jiaojiao, be careful! I'll be right there. Just wait for me from now on, okay?"
Harigana blushed, which made Kangxi even happier.
Are you cold?
Although Harigana was dressed warmly, it was still winter, and they were worried she might catch a cold while playing.
"It's not cold, I'm holding a hot water bottle!" she said, taking his hand and leading him into the inner hall.
People outside continued building snowmen; they were already used to the scene of the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine spending time together.
Moreover, the Imperial Concubine treated them very well. Having been in Qingxi Palace for so long, this was the first time the Imperial Concubine had directed them to do things, and the little eunuchs worked very hard.
Once inside the house, Kangxi removed the cloaks from the two women and put them away. Only then did he realize that in just two days, the young girl's belly seemed to have grown much larger.
"Xuan Ye, have you lost weight? Is something serious? How come you've lost so much weight in just two days?"
Before Kangxi could even show concern for Harigana, the person opposite him reached out and touched his cheek, his face full of heartache.
"It's not that difficult, it's just that I don't know what to choose! Why did you decide to build a snowman?"
Kangxi did not intend to tell her those upsetting things at this time. He had finally returned, and he could not burden the young girl with problems and make her worry as well.
Harigana saw that he didn't want to say more, so he didn't press him further.
“Xuan Ye, I asked Xiao Li Zi, and he said that the snow will be cleared away. I was thinking that although it is snow now, it will melt into water when the weather gets warmer.”
So I had people bring over the snow from the Imperial Garden and the official road. Since they were just going to throw it out anyway, I figured I might as well transport it to Qingxi Palace to build a snowman!
When spring comes next year, the servants won't have to go through the trouble of watering the garden, and building a snowman will look quite nice, won't it!
Harigana looked smug, as if he had discovered some incredible secret, which instantly revived Kangxi's previously weary spirit.
"Jiaojiao is so clever. In a little while, I'll have Li Dequan pile all the snow in the palace into snowmen, okay?"
Kangxi pinched her nose, then half-embraced her and walked into the house.
Although he really wanted to sit with her in his arms, her belly was too big, and he was afraid that he might accidentally hurt her, so he could only put his arm around her shoulder and sit near the fire to keep warm.
"Xuan Ye! Let's forget about the entire palace!"
Harigana thought for a moment and then said, "Not everyone likes snow. They'll say you're a tyrant!"
Actually, she thought that the servants in the palace were the ones in her Qingxi Palace who were dressed the best and warmest, so there wouldn't be any major problems doing some work outside. In fact, when she returned to her own servants' quarters, there would be thick blankets and hot water available!
But it's hard to say about the other palace staff. Sweating while working is inevitable, but if they catch a cold, who knows if they might die!
It wasn't that she wanted to think too badly of people, but rather that in this world, servants were simply not treated as human beings!
She couldn't change this mindset, nor did she ever think of changing anything. To think she could single-handedly change the rule of a royal family and achieve equality for all was simply a pipe dream.
Who doesn't love power? Once you've risen to a position and enjoyed the benefits of power, who would willingly give it up?
Kangxi didn't know what she was thinking, but since she said no, then no.
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