"Get up!"
"Thank you, Grandmother!"
"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"
Emperor Kangxi and Harigana both expressed their gratitude.
After helping Harigana to his feet and settling him in, he then told the kneeling concubines to stand up.
The concubines standing at the back didn't see it, but those at the front did!
In the past, they might have felt very sad, but now that half a year has passed and they have been disciplined several times, they are now very obedient.
Of course, except for Consort Yi, who embarrassed herself last night because of Harigana.
"Xuan Ye, you should rest well these few days. You've been busy all year, so it's good to take care of your health."
Bumbutai still felt sorry for Kangxi. She used to handle government affairs with him, and although she was not as tired as she was at the beginning, there were still many problems to deal with.
"Xuan Ye thanks His Majesty for his concern. His Majesty, please rest assured, the Consort already reminded Xuan Ye yesterday!"
Upon hearing this, Harigana's forehead creased with annoyance; she truly didn't know how to evaluate the current Kangxi Emperor.
She glanced at the Empress Dowager and saw that the old lady was smiling and showed no signs of anger. She immediately became alert.
"Good, good, good! It's good to have someone who cares about you by your side! Sumalagu, bring in my reward!"
"Yes, this servant will go right away!"
For a moment, only the Emperor Kangxi and the Empress Dowager were talking casually in the hall. Apart from the Empress Dowager asking about Harigana's child and the pregnancy, the other women remained quiet.
Sumalagu returned quickly, followed by several eunuchs carrying trays.
"Imperial Consort!"
The Empress Dowager looked at Harigana. Although she didn't want to talk to her, she had no choice but to do so because Kangxi was there.
"Empress Dowager!"
Harigana tried to stand up and bow, but before the Empress Dowager could say anything, Kangxi said directly, "Stand and listen, but be careful of your belly!"
Bumbutai originally wanted to invite Kangxi to dine at Cining Palace, but seeing his appearance, she immediately changed her mind. She didn't want to see the two of them being so affectionate at the dinner table.
"Xuan Ye is right. You're carrying the dragon's offspring, so it's best to be cautious!"
At this moment, Lady Tongjia was more sorrowful than ever before. The tea ceremony earlier, the protection yesterday, and the assistance today—she had never enjoyed any of these things in all her years in the palace.
The Empress Dowager initially disliked her, for no apparent reason, simply because she was from the Tongjia clan and entered the palace as a concubine.
So for a long time, this old hag not only made things difficult for him in palace affairs, but she would also secretly make things difficult for him when he paid his respects.
She had complained to the Emperor before, but the Emperor said that Xiu was being ridiculous, that was his grandmother!
She always believed that the Emperor truly respected the Empress Dowager, so even when she was targeted later, she gritted her teeth and persevered.
But now she realized that the Emperor wasn't unwilling to take action, but rather that he didn't want to.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress Dowager!"
Bumbutai gave her a set of red jadeite jewelry, saying it was a gift from Emperor Taizu when she gave birth to Princess Gulun.
Harigana almost cursed. Who would want something from someone who's been dead for decades on such a festive day? Besides, she herself wasn't favored by Huang Taiji. That Princess Gulun had only been dead for three years; who would want this thing?
It's really annoying to have her like this during the Chinese New Year!
Despite her thoughts, she still respectfully expressed her gratitude and asked Granny Hu to take the things.
People in ancient times might not have thought much of it, and might even have thought that she was highly favored by the Empress Dowager because of this item.
He turned his head to look at Kangxi and saw the smile on his face.
In that instant, she was completely overwhelmed!
But she couldn't vent her anger, nor could she do so. She could only take a deep breath and try to calm herself down.
Fortunately, only a few high-ranking concubines came out to receive the rewards. Starting from the rank of concubine, they didn't need to be called up one by one!
"Jiaojiao, what's wrong?"
After leaving the Cining Palace, Harigana didn't want to ride in the imperial carriage, so the two of them walked back slowly.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
Composing himself, he turned to look at Kangxi, his face full of confusion.
"You seem to be in a bad mood. Are you feeling unwell?"
Harigana shook his head, thinking: Even if I'm really uncomfortable, I can't tell you!
"No! I feel like it's been ages since we strolled around like this. I wanted to take a walk with you!"
Harigana clung to Kangxi's arm and leaned against him, which eased some of Kangxi's doubts.
He has been very busy lately and hasn't been able to take her out for a walk like this for a long time!
"Jiaojiao, some court officials will be coming to the palace to pay their respects in a little while. After it's over, I'll take you out of the palace to play, okay?"
Emperor Kangxi has an estate in the suburbs of Beijing, and behind the estate is a peach orchard. We can take Harigana there for a stroll, and then come back tomorrow!
However, this estate no longer belongs to Emperor Kangxi; its new owner is the little girl in front of him, who is now clinging to him and acting coquettishly.
"Really?"
Upon hearing Kangxi's words, Harigana stood up straight and looked at him with bright, sparkling eyes.
She really wanted to see how people in ancient times celebrated the New Year.
Before, we were on the grasslands, where in the dead of winter, you could see nothing but snowfields.
"Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?"
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