Emperor Kangxi was quite restrained and did not engage in any lewd acts during the day. He lay on the bed, holding the person in his arms, and closed his eyes.
Youqing was a heavy sleeper, and in the winter heat, with a warm man beside her on the bed, she felt sleepy even if she wasn't, and she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
When Youqing woke up again, it was already dark outside.
Kangxi sat by the bed and, hearing her waking up, said, "She's awake."
Youqing asked, "Your Majesty, what time is it?"
Kangxi spoke for an hour, around 6:30 pm, when Youqing said, "It's all my fault, I slept too soundly."
"It's alright."
Then Youqing called someone in to help her wash up and get up, because she was hungry.
For dinner, Youqing ordered a hot pot with two broths, along with some rice and dishes. Kangxi ate the rice and dishes, but after only a couple of bites, they got a little cold and he felt uncomfortable eating them, so he and Youqing decided to eat the hot pot with two broths.
I didn't touch the food much.
I thought she was exaggerating when she said the food was a bit cold in winter, but it turns out it was true.
It's no wonder that Kangxi was unaware of this for the first time. When he ate with the concubines in the inner palace, he always dined at the main seat of the palace. Concubines and those of higher rank were allowed to have their own small kitchens, so it was impossible for them to serve Kangxi cold food.
After finishing the meal, Emperor Kangxi said, "This hot pot with two broths is perfect for winter. Although it's a bit spicy, it's very warming. With the sauce, it's a rare delicacy."
"If His Majesty is pleased, that's good."
"Keep me company while I read a book."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After giving the order, Liang Jiugong brought over the books they wanted to read. Kangxi was reading the Records of the Grand Historian, while Youqing was reading a travelogue. The travelogue was full of descriptions of the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, and Youqing, who had already become accustomed to classical Chinese, was quite engrossed in it.
In modern times, with mobile phones always at hand and various entertainment options available, who has the patience to read books about geography and customs? Only in the deep palace could one find the time to read such things.
Even if one's body is not one's own, one's mind must be free.
Seeing that she was engrossed in reading, Kangxi didn't want to disturb her, so he followed her and looked at the book. He had also read this book, and the scenery of Jiangnan was described in a very appealing way.
"Does my beloved concubine like Jiangnan?"
Youqing snapped out of her reverie and said, "I have never been to Jiangnan, so how would I know if I would like it? It's just that I long for the scenery described in the book, but I regret not being able to see it with my own eyes."
"Then you must like it. When the time comes, I will take my beloved concubine to Jiangnan."
Youqing knew that Kangxi liked to travel to the south of the Yangtze River, and this was not just a perfunctory remark.
"Then this concubine thanks Your Majesty."
However, Youqing didn't have much hope. She wasn't particularly interesting, and although she didn't know why Kangxi suddenly favored her, nothing lasts forever. She was afraid that she would fall out of favor before that time came. Going to Jiangnan was not as good as putting her hopes on herself.
She believed there would always be a chance to get out.
If there were no system, that would be fine, but since there is a system, she is unwilling to spend her whole life in this palace.
As long as you have a dream, you can always escape the palace.
Kangxi had no idea what Youqing was thinking. He had already begun to consider when to go to Jiangnan. Winter was obviously out of the question, but spring would be a good time.
Youqing looked at the Records of the Grand Historian in Kangxi's hand and asked knowingly, "What book is Your Majesty reading?"
Although he knew the answer already, Kangxi patiently explained to her, "My beloved concubine, could you read the Biography of Qin Shi Huang in the Records of the Grand Historian?"
"I have never read the Records of the Grand Historian, and I find it obscure and difficult to understand. I have read the Rhapsody on the Epang Palace, and the Epang Palace is what impressed me most about the Qin Dynasty. I am deeply moved by the description of the Epang Palace in the Rhapsody."
Emperor Kangxi smiled and said, "The Epang Palace mentioned in the Epang Palace Rhapsody is indeed rare, but it is a pity that no trace of it has been left."
Youqing laughed and said, "Perhaps it was just something someone made up! The 'Epang Palace Rhapsody' perfectly captures the extravagant lifestyle of Qin Shi Huang. I don't think the 'Epang Palace Rhapsody' ever really existed."
Historical records portray Qin Shi Huang as arrogant, extravagant, and licentious, burning books and burying scholars alive, enslaving the people and causing them endless suffering, which is why the Qin dynasty only lasted two generations.
However, there is ample evidence to prove Qin Shi Huang's great achievements.
Kangxi's expression shifted slightly, but he still smiled and said, "Does my beloved concubine think that Qin Shi Huang was not extravagant and indulgent? Are you pleading for Qin Shi Huang?"
Youqing chuckled: "Your Majesty thinks too highly of me. How could I possibly comment on Qin Shi Huang? These are just some low-class opinions. Take the Great Wall for example. Meng Jiangnu cried at the Great Wall, and it collapsed. Many scholars and writers used this to criticize Qin Shi Huang's tyranny in enslaving the people. But was the Great Wall really collapsed because of Meng Jiangnu's crying?"
I don't think so. Confucius said, "I do not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits." There are no miracles. It's just that some people with ulterior motives are causing trouble. The Great Wall brought Qin Shi Huang a lot of infamy, but who can deny its military role? The infamy is for Qin, but the merit is for all time.
Qin Shi Huang conquered the six states, and the wealth he amassed was considerable. His construction of the Great Wall is said in historical records to have been a drain on the people's resources and finances. While it is true that it was a drain on the people's resources and finances, it was Qin Shi Huang's own money that was being drained. He had the money, so what was wrong with spending his own money to build the Great Wall?
There would inevitably be casualties during the construction of the Great Wall, but at that time, the Xiongnu outside the Great Wall were watching with predatory eyes. Even without the construction of the Great Wall, there would still be war, and war would also result in deaths. Compared to the two, the casualties during the construction of the Great Wall were probably less.
Furthermore, the Great Wall took five years to build. If the hundreds of thousands of people who worked on it were truly destitute and starving during those five years, how could they have possibly finished the project? If they were truly oppressed, they would probably have revolted within a year or two. Would the Great Wall still have been completed then? This is just my humble opinion; please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
After she finished speaking, Youqing was suddenly startled and broke out in a cold sweat. Kangxi's behavior was so ordinary that she forgot their identities and started talking non-stop. In the Qing Dynasty, was this the kind of topic that women could discuss?
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