Chapter 15 – Custody

If earlier he had still treated Yu Ying’s thoughts as some kind of joke, now, suddenly learning the length of his own reign, Kangxi could no longer remain calm.

His sharp gaze fell directly on Yu Ying, the restrained majesty that he had deliberately held back now dispersing in all directions.

Yu Ying was standing close—anyone would have felt it, even a block of wood.

The concubines all looked at the suddenly changed Kangxi, assuming that this brazen concubine had used the opportunity of looking at the Thirteenth Prince to do something that had angered His Majesty. They couldn’t stop throwing her glances sharp as knives.

Yu Ying felt her scalp tingle. She stood there frozen in fright.

What’s going on? Weren’t things fine just a moment ago? Why did he suddenly start giving off such a chill?

Fortunately, at this moment, the Thirteenth Prince, who had been lying quietly in the swaddling cloth, suddenly let out a loud cry.

“Waa—”

Defei was still in a daze. Noble Consort Niugulu and Consort Rong looked unconcerned. Xipin took the opportunity to step forward, squeezing Yu Ying aside and taking the child from Qiuhua’s hands.

“Oh, you poor little thing—look at how heartbreakingly you’re crying. It makes this concubine ache with pity.” She gently rocked him as she patted the swaddling cloth.

Consort Rong couldn’t stand her affected airs and mocked her:

“Sister, you’ve never borne children yourself, so naturally you wouldn’t know. This Thirteenth Prince is probably hungry. Shouldn’t you hand him over to the maids so they can carry him out to the wet nurse for feeding? If you delay any longer, it might wound your tender mother’s heart.”

The child was carried away. Yu Ying no longer wanted to stay here. She was about to ask Consort An for permission to go visit Shu Consort Zhangjia when she heard Xipin impatiently speak up:

“Your Majesty, this concubine feels an immense affection for the Thirteenth Prince. Since Elder Sister Consort An has always preferred tranquility, and the child is young and bound to disturb her peace, why not entrust the Thirteenth Prince to this concubine’s care? I will surely treat him as if he were my own.”

At these words, several expressions froze. Even Kangxi, who moments before had had an inscrutable look, withdrew his gaze.

Yu Ying, too, held her tongue and silently stood aside.

Everyone knew that in the Qing dynasty, only concubines of the rank of pin and above were qualified to raise an imperial son. Shu Consort Zhangjia, as a lower-ranking consort, obviously did not meet that requirement.

Yu Ying had only just recalled this perverse Qing regulation from memory and belatedly understood.

Who could say how many of the concubines in this courtyard were all harboring intentions of raising a prince themselves?

Historically—who was it again that eventually raised the Thirteenth Prince?

Xipin was still kneeling. Kangxi neither accepted nor declined.

And because of her words, the other concubines with similar ambitions could no longer stay silent. One after another, they spoke up.

“Your Majesty, since entering the palace decades ago, this concubine has never conceived. I know it must be my poor fortune. I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of all these years I have served you, to grant this concubine the chance to fulfill the wish of becoming a mother!”

Consort Duan also knelt beside Xipin.

Xipin turned her head and snapped, “You, Consort Duan—normally so quiet, never showing your ambitions—yet now, at the crucial moment, you reveal your wolfish heart!”

“Your Majesty, please pay her no heed!” Xipin quickly added. “Consort Duan, you yourself admit you are of poor fortune, so why insist on courting disappointment? If your ill luck were to harm the Thirteenth Prince, tell me—could you bear that responsibility?”

These words were harsh indeed. Normally, Xipin relied on being the younger sister of Empress Hesheli and the aunt of the Crown Prince to speak without restraint. Kangxi was willing to indulge her to some degree, which only made her more arrogant.

Yu Ying even saw Consort Duan’s body sway slightly, though she still held herself upright and refused to yield.

Xipin gave her a look of disdain and then lifted her chin, her gaze resolute. She was determined to have this child.

The Crown Prince had never been close to her. And as for her fellow Niugulu clan sister—now the Noble Consort—why was she only a low-ranking consort while the other enjoyed such status? Was it not because the Niugulu woman had been lucky enough to bear a prince? If she herself had a prince, would the rank of consort not fall into her hands as easily as turning a palm? Then she’d no longer have to exhaust herself currying favor with the Crown Prince.

“Your Majesty, I beg of you!” Xipin reached out, grabbing Kangxi’s sleeve, giving it two light tugs.

Consort An said nothing but also knelt at the side, expressing her stance.

Kangxi did not look at any of the kneeling women. His eyes swept around the courtyard.

“Is there anyone else who also wishes to raise this prince?” he asked.

Lady Tongjia was the first to speak:

“This concubine is already blessed to have the Fourth Prince. That is enough.”

Noble Consort Niugulu also lightly shook her head. “Since Sister Zhangjia has safely delivered, this concubine will take her leave. The Tenth Prince is still small and cannot be away from me for long.”

Consort Xuan, who had been sent by the Grand Empress Dowager, took the chance to excuse herself as well. She hadn’t wanted to come in the first place. If the Grand Empress Dowager hadn’t forced her, she wouldn’t have set foot in this mess.

Only Defei was left standing there, her face clouded since Lady Tongjia mentioned the Fourth Prince. She said nothing, merely lifted her tearful eyes to Kangxi. And yet, in that look, it was as though she had said everything.

Yu Ying had watched quite a show. She wished she could pull out some melon seeds and munch on them.

What’s the difference between this and a live-action murder mystery game?

But she still couldn’t remember who, in the end, raised the Thirteenth Prince. In her heart, she secretly hoped Consort An would be chosen. After all, they lived in the same palace. Zhangjia could see her son often, and it would be easier to keep their bond.

Kangxi was also considering this carefully. Now that he knew the Thirteenth Prince would grow up, this made an enormous difference. There was all the world between an imperial child who would die young and one who would survive.

Xipin? Unsuitable. He would never allow the Hesheli clan to have a second grown imperial son.

Consort Duan? He would think about it.

Consort An? He’d pretend he didn’t see her kneeling there.

Defei…

Having weighed everything, Kangxi finally spoke:

“Then let Defei raise him.”

I remember now! It was Defei!

Two voices exploded in Kangxi’s ears at the same time. His expression tightened. Once again, she had guessed right.

Wuwuwu how could I forget something this important? Little Thirteen is going to Yonghe Palace. How am I supposed to build a bond with him now?

Heavens above—my life is too hard. I finally glimpsed some hope, and you still have to snatch it away.

Her thoughts continued to flow into his mind. Kangxi’s brows drew together in a deeper frown.

“This concubine thanks Your Majesty!” Defei curtsied gracefully.

The others still wanted to plead for another chance, but Kangxi spoke before they could:

“Enough. You may all rise.”

“Xipin, you are still young. One day, you will have your own children.”

Liar! She never had any children, not even by the time she died!

“Consort Duan, you may return to your palace as well. When I have time, I will visit you.”

Sure you will, you big liar—just empty promises to string people along.

With no one able to hear her, Kangxi said a sentence, and Yu Ying would rebut it in her mind.

Hmm? What about Consort An? Not even a perfunctory excuse for her?

Kangxi’s face turned darker and darker.

“Enough. This matter is settled. After the third-day bath, Defei will take the child into her care. I will return to the Qianqing Palace. If you have nothing else, go back to your own palaces.”

With that, he strode off.

“Your concubines bid farewell to Your Majesty.”

Truly worthy of the title “scumbag.” She bore you a child, and you couldn’t even look at him once.

Just before leaving, she sent this final sigh into his ears.

After everyone had escorted the last of the honored guests out of Changchun Palace, Consort An looked toward where they had disappeared and spoke:

“You two should go rest as well. Wei-shi, go check on Zhangjia. Let her know the Thirteenth Prince will be raised by Defei. Tell her to spend the next few days visiting the child as much as she can.”

“The Emperor has no regard for me. He would never let me raise the Thirteenth Prince. You should help Zhangjia see that clearly too. The child growing up with Defei will be better than staying in the quarters of a minor consort.”

Having said this, she didn’t wait for anyone’s response and left with the help of a maid.

Yu Ying watched her go, feeling that her retreating figure was full of desolation, as if she and the cold winter day had blended into one.

No favor. No children. Even a palace’s principal consort ended up like this.

Then what about her?

She, who still had to rely on Consort An to survive—what was she supposed to do?