"Xuan Ye, after all these years, it seems I've never really understood you!"
Bumbutai didn't call out to anyone or say anything else; his face simply showed signs of weariness.
"Grandmother, please take good care of yourself. We will be setting off for the capital tomorrow morning. Please take care of yourself."
After Kangxi finished speaking, he waited for a while until Bumbutai waved his hand before he stood up.
"Grandmother, Xuan Ye takes his leave!"
Bumbutai kept her eyes closed and remained silent. Only when the door closed did she slowly open them, and her gaze instantly sharpened as she looked at the closed door.
Emperor Kangxi felt a great sense of relief; he had said everything he wanted to say and expressed his meaning.
Moreover, he believed that the Empress Dowager was a smart woman and would not do anything during the time when Harigana was pregnant.
However, he still needed to be prepared, since he couldn't afford to be careless with the people from the Hesheli and Tongjia clans.
When Kangxi returned, Harigana was still asleep, but his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare.
"Jiaojiao!"
With lunchtime fast approaching, he had no choice but to wake the person up.
Even if she weren't pregnant, she still had to eat lunch.
Harigana was a restless sleeper to begin with, and she woke up after Kangxi called her twice.
"Um!"
Her voice was soft and sweet, and it melted Kangxi's heart.
"Jiaojiao, wake up, you can't sleep anymore."
Upon hearing the sound, Harigana turned over and lay on his side on the bed. He closed his eyes and reached out to touch Kangxi's hand, then grabbed it and pulled it into his arms.
Looking at the girl who depended on him so much, Kangxi was filled with emotion.
The Empress Dowager had just said that Harigana didn't actually like him, but was just going along with things. Although he firmly believed in the girl's feelings, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
But her current unconscious actions, unless she has been specially trained, have no reason to be like this except that she does what she thinks.
Kangxi was absolutely certain that Harigana had feelings for him. He was also very grateful that he had just spoken to the Empress Dowager, letting her know his feelings; otherwise, something unexpected might have truly happened.
"Jiaojiao, wake up, okay?"
Kangxi turned and lay down beside her, gently touching her cheek with his fingers. The touch was so wonderful that he couldn't resist kissing her forehead.
"Okay! Coming right away!"
Harigana's voice was very soft; if Kangxi hadn't been so close, he probably wouldn't have been able to hear her.
Looking at the delicate young girl, he was once again glad that he had gone to the riverbank that day to clear his mind. He was even a little grateful to the Empress Dowager; if she hadn't forced him that day, he probably wouldn't have met this charming and soft-spoken beauty.
Harigana opened her eyes, looked at the man in front of her, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed when she thought about her crazy behavior just now.
"Awake? Are you hungry? Do you feel unwell?"
Kangxi's voice was gentle, as if nothing had happened before. But Harigana remembered it clearly; she hadn't been dreaming.
She not only hit Emperor Kangxi, but also cursed the Aisin Gioro clan.
Thinking of this, she paused in holding Kangxi's hand, and was about to let go, but he grabbed her hand in return.
"Jiaojiao, you're so carefree. I was trying to explain to you seriously, but I didn't expect you to fall asleep."
Kangxi's voice held a hint of grievance, as if Harigana were a heartless man who had bullied him and then left, leaving him alone to grieve and be heartbroken.
"Xuan Ye, it's me..."
Harigana's voice was a little hoarse after waking up. Her already sweet voice sounded even more alluring now, making Kangxi unable to resist kissing her directly.
He kissed her while explaining why he hadn't responded to her immediately, saying that he would give Harigana a chance to catch her breath after saying a few words, and then continue kissing her until she was breathless before letting her go.
"Jiaojiao, please don't say things that make me sad anymore, okay? I've already made it very clear to Grandmother that you don't need to go to any unnecessary occasions."
Harigana nodded, her lips feeling a little numb; she didn't want to speak. Nevertheless, she reached out and hugged Kangxi's neck, burying her head in his chest.
For a moment, the atmosphere between the two was just right. Although they were not an old married couple, they got along very well.
Neither of them mentioned what happened at noon, tacitly leaving each other room to maneuver.
Kangxi didn't mention it because he was afraid Harigana would feel guilty and ashamed. Harigana was also afraid that Kangxi would hold her accountable later. She might feel ashamed, but it was absolutely impossible for her to feel guilty.
The rabbit was not eaten in the end; Harigana let Dulan release it.
The next morning, they set off back to Beijing. Without Kangxi giving any instructions, Li Dequan had arranged everything clearly, and no accidents occurred along the way.
On the 28th day of the ninth month of the 20th year of the Kangxi reign (1681), the Qing emperor finished his tour of the games and arrived at the city gate of Beijing at 3:45 am.
"Jiaojiao, don't be afraid in a little while. I will have Li Dequan with you, and Xiao Lizi will be there too. They will tell you what to do."
Kangxi looked at the somewhat nervous Harigana, gently pulled her into his arms, and told her again and again not to worry.
Actually, she didn't feel anything at first, but she started to get nervous after Kangxi said that after entering the city, the people would kneel down to greet her, and the officials at the palace gate would also kneel down to welcome her.
"Xuan Ye, what about you?"
Harigana hugged Kangxi, looking at him with dependent eyes. The strength in her arms was enough to show her unease, and Kangxi quickly comforted her.
“Jiaojiao, I will be by your side. When the time comes, you will come with me, the Empress Dowager and the Grandmother to walk into the palace together.”
The reason Kangxi told Harigana this in advance was not only to let her know that many people would be watching them, but also the concubines of the harem and the older children.
The only thing he hasn't made clear to Harigana so far is the issue of the child. He's afraid the girl will change her mind, so he hasn't dared to bring it up.
He thought maliciously that as long as they entered the palace, as long as she entered the Forbidden City, everything would be fine.
Neither Emperor Kangxi nor Harigana realized that ever since he said he was humiliated by the Empress Dowager hitting him with a teacup, his feelings for the young girl had become increasingly obsessive.
"Okay, I understand! Don't worry!"
Harigana nodded, closed his eyes, and imagined in his mind what might happen and who he might meet.
Presumably, Kangxi didn't tell everyone. At the palace gate, there were not only commoners and officials, but also his former mistresses and his eight sons.
The thought of being a teenager and having someone only a few years younger than her calling her "Mother" made her feel uneasy.
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