According to the prevailing view at that time, all Manchus were essentially the emperor's slaves. Although Li Tiao was a member of the Han Banner Army, she was still considered to have joined the Banner Army.
They were naturally the emperor's household slaves.
When the Emperor asked Li Tiao about her future plans, the standard answer was simple: Li Tiao was the Emperor's servant, and she would follow the Emperor's arrangements. If the Emperor asked her to herd chickens, she would absolutely not herd ducks; if the Emperor asked her to walk the dog, she would absolutely not hold the cat.
Although she could come up with the standard answer easily, Li Tiao didn't dare to say it, since she didn't even know what Master Kang meant.
However, remaining silent was not an option. After thinking for a moment, Li Tiao cautiously spoke up: "Your Majesty, I haven't decided yet."
"Still haven't made up your mind?" Master Kang asked. "Then you should think about it some more. But I'm reminding you, after the New Year, once the provisions and everything are prepared, I will leave the capital. You'd better think it through before then."
"Yes, Li Tiao has remembered."
Having said that, Li Tiao felt that Master Kang should probably leave by now. Even if he didn't leave, she would know how to respond to anything else he said.
But Master Kang taught Li Tiao once again what it meant to "never guess what the emperor is thinking"!
He actually asked Li Tiao, "I heard that you've been quite lively here while you've been recuperating. The Fourth Prince and his... what's-his-name-Princess... Princess Song... have all come to see you?"
Li Tiao almost suffocated.
Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor, let alone this palace. The Fourth Prince and his Consort Song came to see her, and Li Tiao did not think she could keep it a secret from Master Kang.
But now Master Kang is asking it so bluntly...
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your relationship with that Princess Song... is quite good?"
Listening to Master Kang's carefully chosen words, which even carried a hint of hesitation, Li Tiao was even more unsure how to respond.
What exactly did this emperor, who held the power of life and death, mean?
"Your Majesty, it's just a normal relationship," Li Tiao replied cautiously.
Master Kang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Li Tiao, "Or do you still want to be with Lao Si...?"
Is this a test or a warning?
Li Tiao tried hard to discern Kang Shifu's true purpose and meaning from his attitude and tone, but whether it was because of her previous preconceived notions or because Kang Shifu was simply too skilled, Li Tiao couldn't figure out what he meant.
Not being with the Fourth Prince seems like something Li Tiao doesn't need to think about much.
So even though she didn't know what Master Kang really thought, Li Tiao still said according to her own opinion: "Your Majesty, Li Tiao has no such thoughts."
"That's good. Now you should think carefully about what to do next." After saying that, Master Kang stood up and walked out.
"Li Tiao respectfully sees the Emperor off."
As soon as Kangxi left, Li Tiao, leaning on the kang table, sat down on the edge of the kang as if she had collapsed.
After calming herself down a bit, Li Tiao asked Hongye, "What did the Emperor mean just now?"
"Your Majesty, I don't know, but judging from His Majesty's last words, it seems he doesn't want you to be involved with the Fourth Prince?"
Although Hongye felt that this was what Kangxi meant, she still used a question.
Li Tiao naturally understood Kangxi's meaning, which is why she asked Hongye.
So, does this mean that Emperor Kangxi had some unspeakable motive in sending the Fourth Prince to accompany him on his personal military campaign?
Although Li Tiao knew that the Fourth Prince was unlikely to die at this time, what if he did? After all, she was now a variable, and what if there was a butterfly effect?
"My lord, don't think too much about it. Although I don't understand, I know that war is a big deal. Although His Majesty has made a decision, leaving the capital is not something that can be done immediately. So you still have time to think it over."
You've been sick for so long and haven't been eating properly. I asked the kitchen to prepare something especially for you, and you should be feeling better by now. I'll go check on you."
After Hongye left, Li Tiao thought that leaving the palace seemed to be an urgent matter.
Remembering that she had expressed this idea to Su Ma La Gu before she fell ill, Li Tiao decided to go see Su Ma La Gu again later and ask her about it.
When Hongye returned from the small kitchen, she also brought the food to Li Tiao.
"Is Granny Su still chanting scriptures? I'm all better now, I need to go and pay my respects to her."
"Your Majesty, His Majesty hasn't left yet. It seems he went to see Granny Su and also offered incense to the Empress Dowager."
After finishing her meal, Li Tiao tidied herself up a bit to make herself look less haggard, and then went to pay her respects to Su Mala Gu after the Emperor left.
"This old servant sees that your condition is still not very good. I'll have the kitchen prepare some good food for you to help you recover. The Imperial Hospital has some medicinal diet recipes that are quite good. You can have Hongye go to the Imperial Hospital to inquire about them."
"Thank you, Granny Su. Li Tiao is alright, just a cold. She probably hasn't been sleeping well for a while, so she doesn't look well. She'll be fine in a few days."
"That's good." Although Su Mala Gu seemed to be looking at the wooden fish and maintaining a detached attitude of not caring about worldly affairs, there were many emotions in her eyes.
“Granny Su, Li Tiao previously asked you to help her… I wonder if you, Granny Su, could help her…”
The sound of striking the wooden fish stopped, and Granny Su looked at Li Tiao: "This old servant will help you."
Li Tiao was stunned for a moment, then became extremely excited: "Thank you, Granny Su."
"No need to thank me. After all, if you were still in the palace, there would be too many things involved. It's normal for the Fourth Prince to personally lead the army and for the Emperor to go to the battlefield, but because of you... it's become a bit abnormal. I think even if the Empress Dowager were here, she wouldn't sit idly by."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
