Pointing to the bundle on the carriage, suppressing her nervousness, she reached out to open it, but Kangxi pulled her into his arms: "Jiaojiao, inside is a gift I gave you. I'll show it to you tonight!"
Harigana really wanted to give him a piece of his mind.
That wasn't a gift for her; it was clearly meant to be a gift to her.
She was held and couldn't move, but she didn't struggle. She just leaned on his shoulder and looked at the scenery outside.
Emperor Kangxi was a really good person in every way, but it was only recently discovered that he had a lot of needs and didn't know what it meant to be tired.
He was perfectly well-behaved when she was pregnant, but ever since that day in the Qianqing Palace when he started eating meat, he's been thinking about how to torment her every day.
Kangxi couldn't hear Harigana's inner turmoil, otherwise he would have said: "He is lustful, but he is not a beast."
If someone were to lay a hand on a pregnant woman, would they even be human?
"Jiaojiao, we can set off for Mulan Hunting Ground in a few days."
It's almost August 20th now, so going hunting in the hunting grounds in four or five days isn't too early.
After staying there for a while, we can set off back to Beijing.
When he got back, he had a big surprise for Harigana.
"Wow, that was fast!"
Harigana calculated the time and realized that a month had already passed since he left. By the time he returned from Mulan Weichang, it would be around mid-September.
Time flies so fast; another year has passed in the blink of an eye.
"Yes! Time flies."
"Don't worry, Jiaojiao, I'll bring you out whenever I have the chance."
Kangxi thought for a moment, then continued, "Let's see next year. If it's possible, I'll take you to the south of the Yangtze River."
Harigana grew up on the grasslands, so he should appreciate the tranquility of a small town in Jiangnan.
The mountains and rivers are beautiful, and it is spring-like all year round.
Especially in southern Yunnan, the flowers are beautiful, perfect for a beautiful woman like Harigana.
"Alright! Xuan Ye can decide as he sees fit. I'm fine with whatever you say."
But just because I broke your rules doesn't mean you can't go next year or the year after. There will always be time to go.
The trip to the south of the Yangtze River is a minor matter; matters of the imperial court are the most important.
"We've already visited the Summer Palace this year; if we go on a similar trip to the south next year, will the court officials submit a memorial to the emperor?"
Sitting up straight, her voice full of worry warmed Kangxi's heart.
I really want to go, but I never give him my opinion, for fear of making things difficult for him.
"Okay! Don't worry, I'll weigh it carefully."
He tightened his grip on the person holding him: "My dear, Jiaojiao!"
Harigana looked at the ice blocks on the carriage and could only let him hold them.
Li Dequan was so thoughtful; with this thing in the carriage, she couldn't even find an excuse about it being hot.
"Xuan Ye, after we go back, can we move into Qingxi Palace?"
"Okay! That's fine."
They chatted casually for a while, and soon arrived in town.
This time, Harigana didn't need Kangxi's reminder; she took the veil herself to avoid any accidents.
We strolled around, bought some toys for the kids, and then ate something at a nice restaurant.
Dusk had already fallen when I came out of the restaurant.
"Xuan Ye, you are truly unique."
Two large lanterns were lit in the windows of every household. The lanterns were all made in the same way and were the same size.
Holding Kangxi's hand, the two strolled leisurely, just like two ordinary people.
"Hmm! Well done. I will commend the officials here when we get back."
Harigana turned his head and glared at him. No wonder he's the emperor; he's still thinking about these things at a time like this.
Kangxi touched his nose, thinking it was just a habit and he had no other thoughts.
There were people selling lanterns by the small bridge. I picked out a rabbit one and held it in my hand. I couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship of the ancients.
"Xuan Ye, there's a sugar figurine maker over there. Shall we make one together?"
I don't want to eat, I just want to make one.
Emperor Kangxi naturally agreed, gave Li Dequan a look, and the latter went straight to queue up.
"Jiaojiao, are you tired?"
Harigana shook his head and walked slowly, how could he be tired!
She regretted it as soon as she shook her head. She should have said she was tired and went straight to sleep when she got to the inn.
Is it too late to back out now?
"I'm glad you're not tired. I'll take you to a hot spring tonight. There's a hot spring pool nearby, and I've had it prepared."
It was as if Kangxi had grasped her thoughts, making it impossible for her to refuse.
"Madam, you may proceed now."
Dulan quietly moved closer to Harigana, completely ignoring Kangxi.
The sugar figurines were sculpted quickly, and according to Harigana's requirements, each sugar figurine had half of two people's faces on it.
"reward!"
Emperor Kangxi was very pleased and instructed Li Dequan to give the old man a reward.
Li Dequan immediately took out a piece of silver and placed it on the table. The old man wanted to stand up, but Kangxi stopped him: "Old man, your craftsmanship is so good, have you always been working on the street?"
"That's right, I've been here all this time, to support my family!"
The old man held the silver in his hand, his smile revealing his teeth.
Kangxi glanced at his legs: "Your legs?"
The old man glanced at it and waved his hand dismissively: "I was on the battlefield when I was young, and these are the wounds I got back then."
It's been like this for many years; I've gotten used to it.
Kangxi's expression tightened. Could it be that people who had retired from the battlefield and risked their lives for the Qing Dynasty were now living in such hardship?
Harigana stepped forward and quietly took his hand, then asked softly, "Uncle, didn't the imperial court give you any compensation?"
The old man sighed, looked left and right to make sure no one was around, and then said, "The imperial court does have documents saying that it will compensate wounded soldiers, but it's just talk. With so many people retiring every year, how can they afford to pay them?"
Kangxi's face instantly turned ugly. If it weren't for today, he wouldn't have known that such a situation would occur.
Li Dequan was inwardly apprehensive. This living ancestor really knew how to pick a good one, managing to find a corrupt official for the emperor right away, one who embezzled military funds.
Now, the Emperor will be busy again.
"Li Dequan, find out the details and have someone investigate!"
After Kangxi finished speaking in a deep voice, he thought for a moment and said, "Give this old man five hundred taels of silver. We'll talk to him about it after we leave. We can't let these people feel disheartened."
Li Dequan quickly responded, and after watching Kangxi leave, he took out a silver note, placed it in Kangxi's hand, and whispered a few words in his ear.
The old man paused for a moment, then knelt on the ground, supporting his legs, and kowtowed in the direction of Kangxi and Harigana without saying a word.
"Uncle, I'll have someone take you to get the silver later. Please keep it safe."
Remember, don't let anyone know about this.
The old man nodded repeatedly, wiped his tears with his tattered sleeve, and looked at Li Dequan: "Sir, please tell that official that I am grateful for your kindness!"
Li Dequan sighed, "I will deliver it, don't worry." He then beckoned behind him, and a young eunuch immediately stepped forward, "My lord!"
“Take the old man to get the silver, and then safely take him home.”
The young eunuch immediately responded and helped the old man pack his things.
Li Dequan did not linger and turned to find Kangxi and Harigana.
The lives of ordinary people are far from the peaceful and stable life the emperor imagined; this is something he has witnessed firsthand.
There are still many more we haven't met!
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