Chapter 34: Lodging a Complaint

The joy of the Empress awakening spread throughout the entire palace.

Especially after several imperial physicians took turns checking her pulse and confirmed that as long as she rested well, she would make a full recovery, the dark shadow that had been looming over the Emperor’s heart finally dissipated.

Kangxi’s happiness manifested in various rewards.

First, he generously rewarded the imperial physicians who had toiled for more than half a month. Then, he spent some time chatting with the Empress and the Eldest Princess. Seeing the Empress show signs of fatigue, Kangxi quietly took his leave, deciding to take a stroll through the Imperial Garden to express his excitement before returning to Qianqing Palace to handle court affairs.

In the Imperial Garden, the branches were lush, and the apricot, plum, and peach trees were blooming in competition to welcome spring. Everywhere was full of vibrant life and prosperity, radiating strong vitality.

It was truly a good omen.

Kangxi’s mood grew even better. At that moment, he felt a growl in his stomach and suddenly recalled that upon hearing the news from Kunning Palace early that morning, he had only hastily eaten two pastries before rushing over. Now, he was so hungry his stomach was practically stuck to his back.

Kangxi awkwardly touched his stomach.

Liang Jiugong immediately sent someone to fetch some pastries from the kitchen, but before he could speak, Kangxi interrupted, “Let’s go to Xianfu Palace.”

Speaking of food reminded him of Xianfu Palace.

If Wan Changzai happened to have come up with something new, he could also give it a try.

Kangxi thought about how every time he went to Xianfu Palace he got to taste something fresh and novel, and instantly felt that his idea was brilliant—well worth a thumbs-up.

Liang Jiugong could only click his tongue in astonishment.

To be able to attract the Emperor’s attention through food alone, Xianfu Palace—no, Wan Changzai—had certainly found her own path. While feeling emotional, he slightly bowed and said, “Yes, your servant will send someone to notify them—”

Before he could finish his sentence—

A voice sounded from not far away.

“That Wan Changzai is just too much… Her Majesty the Empress is still seriously ill, yet she’s already drinking and making merry.” A slightly raised female voice entered Kangxi’s ears. His previously relaxed expression instantly froze, and his thick brows furrowed tightly.

Liang Jiugong’s voice also abruptly stopped.

He lowered his head slightly, holding his breath to listen carefully to the conversation nearby.

“Hiss… no way? I heard that Her Majesty the Empress treated Wan Changzai quite well.”

“I heard it from the newly appointed Xu Changzai. Weren’t they previously living in the same palace quarters? She said Wan Changzai was secretly drinking and having fun… tsk tsk!”

“Whoa… is that true?!”

“Right? And let me tell you, back when we were in Chengqian Palace…”

The two female voices went from near to far, and from loud to soft, gradually fading away. Hiding behind a tree, Kangxi lifted his gaze and only saw the backs of two women dressed in light green palace robes. He narrowed his eyes, and the cold aura emanating from him made Liang Jiugong’s mouth go dry and his heart shudder in fear.

“Your Majesty, shall I bring those two palace maids back?”

“No… Find out where they’re from,” Kangxi replied ambiguously.

He did not doubt Wan Changzai; rather, he suspected the two gossipy palace maids—why did they conveniently appear in the Imperial Garden right as he happened to be strolling through, and insist on badmouthing Wan Changzai right there? A coincidence? Kangxi did not believe in coincidences.

Finding out about the two palace maids took only a moment. Before long, Liang Jiugong came back with a report: “Your Majesty, the identities of those two palace maids have been verified. One is from Yongshou Palace, and the other from the Needlework Room.”

After a pause, Liang Jiugong added, “The one from Yongshou Palace used to serve beside Wan Changzai but was reassigned there after Wan Changzai fell ill.”

Kangxi snorted.

He had previously investigated Wan Changzai. When she was gravely ill, the entire harem avoided her, except for Consort Xuan who took pity on her—otherwise, she might have already been abandoned in some desolate corner of the palace.

As for Yongshou Palace…

They didn’t want Wan Changzai, but were willing to take her palace maid instead? A cold glint flashed through Kangxi’s eyes. “And Xu Changzai?”

“Xu Changzai also moved to Yongshou Palace a few days ago.”

“…What are Consort An and Consort Jing doing? Stuffing all sorts of riff-raff into the palace?” Kangxi immediately frowned.

Who couldn’t see through Xu Changzai’s petty schemes?

Alright then… Considering how naïve Wan Changzai could be, she probably didn’t notice anything.

Kangxi shook his head.

Seeing that the Emperor clearly didn’t take the palace maids’ words to heart, Liang Jiugong smiled and said, “If you ask me, perhaps Wan Changzai was simply celebrating the Empress’s recovery with a little festivity.”

Kangxi’s expression relaxed.

He nodded in agreement: “I think so too. Come, let’s go take a look at Xianfu Palace.”

But before they even reached the entrance of Xianfu Palace, they heard a commotion inside. The palace was so chaotic that there wasn’t even a eunuch guarding the door. Kangxi took a step forward and saw a crowd of people gathered in disarray, with Consort Xuan and the others encircled in the center.

Kangxi looked puzzled.

He stopped Liang Jiugong, who was about to scold the crowd, and leaned forward to see what was going on.

Consort Xuan looked both annoyed and amused.

She sighed as she held her forehead: “Can someone please tell me what exactly is going on here?”

A noble consort, drunk in the palace?

If word got out, wouldn’t Xianfu Palace lose all face? Consort Xuan reached out and pinched Wan Changzai’s flushed, drunken face, only to hear her humming and murmuring, which made her even more irritated.

“Her Ladyship just had some apricot blossom wine earlier…”

“Don’t try to fool me!” Consort Xuan cast a sideways glance at Haitao. “I’ve had apricot blossom wine before. Just a tiny bit of rice wine wouldn’t get her this drunk.”

They had drunk it together last time.

And she had clearly had less this time than before!

Haitao looked embarrassed.

She fell to her knees with a loud thud and kowtowed twice, hard. “This servant deserves to die—it’s all my fault!”

“What happened?”

“The first pot her Ladyship drank was indeed apricot blossom wine, but the second pot… was mistakenly swapped with wine meant for cooking from the palace kitchen,” Haitao explained, cold sweat pouring down her back. Under Consort Xuan’s shocked gaze, her voice grew softer and softer, “Her Ladyship drank burning liquor after that…”

No wonder she got drunk!

Consort Xuan’s face went black. Kangxi, who had been listening in amusement, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

His laughter immediately drew everyone’s attention.

First, the crowded eunuchs sensed something amiss. As one after another knelt to the ground with a thud, Consort Xuan and the rest finally realized something was wrong.

The sight of the yellow imperial robe made their vision go dark.

They had just been talking about the Emperor—and now he was here! But what to do with the drunken cat behind them?

Kangxi stepped forward.

Wan Changzai’s cheeks were bright red, her face bare of makeup. Her usually soft and restrained features now looked vivid and enchanting, her eyes and brows full of spring charm. She rubbed her head against Consort Xuan like a little puppy, mumbling vaguely, “So happy… so happy… let’s keep drinking!”

Still wanting to drink?!

Did she not realize how inappropriate she looked in front of the Emperor? Cold sweat streamed down Consort Xuan’s back. She gave a discreet glance to the palace maids, signaling them to support Wan Changzai—but before Zisu and Jubai could step forward, Kangxi had already moved faster and caught her.

Everyone in the courtyard fell utterly silent, as if their throats had been strangled. Consort Xuan and the others stood dumbfounded, staring as Kangxi picked up Wan Changzai like a kitten and carried her into the east wing.

Liang Jiugong’s heart skipped a beat.

His expression remained calm, but he quickly instructed the palace staff to prepare hangover soup and bring over some dishes and snacks.

Consort Xuan was momentarily dazed.

Then she waved her hand and ordered Nanny Xia to make arrangements quickly.

Wan Anran was completely dazed.

The alcohol rushed to her head, making her face and limbs feel warm. But the large hand touching her body was also burning hot. Wan Anran subconsciously pouted and reached out to push away the rough palm.

Kangxi had never seen a consort this drunk before.

A little wine could enhance elegance, like the last time Wan Changzai and the others drank slightly—it added to their charm. But being this foolishly drunk in front of him wasn’t charming; it was downright silly.

But wasn’t Wan Changzai just such a silly woman?

Kangxi chuckled softly and reached out to poke Wan Changzai’s doughy cheek with his finger.

“So hot… it’s so hot!” Wan Anran shook her head in displeasure. Since it was hot, what should she do? She tilted her head in a daze for a while, then began to take off her jacket—if she took off all her clothes, wouldn’t that cool her down?

Liang Jiugong and the other eunuchs immediately lowered their heads, sweat pouring down their faces.

Kangxi was scared out of his wits by Wan Changzai’s bold behavior. Fortunately, Zisu and Jubai were quick to react and hurriedly stopped her. Even so, she kept whining and fidgeting non-stop.

“Where’s the hangover soup?!”

“Your Majesty, the hangover soup still needs a bit more time to prepare.”

Then they’d just have to restrain her for now.

As Kangxi held Wan Changzai’s wrist to keep her still, he began pondering—what would he do once she sobered up?

Give her a good scolding…?

Suddenly, a tear fell onto Kangxi’s fingertip. His mind blanked for a moment, and he looked up in a daze.

Just a moment ago, Wan Changzai was still grinning, but suddenly, she burst into tears.

There wasn’t even a hint of that poetic “weeping like raindrops on pear blossoms” or a pitiful, delicate look—her face scrunched up into a mess, with teardrops the size of beans running down in all directions, making her look not beautiful but downright ridiculous. She sobbed, “That’s so great… It’s so great… The Empress is awake, sob sob sob… That’s so great…”

After a bout of crying, Wan Anran bounced up again.

She smiled foolishly, spun around on one foot like a child with arms lifted in a flower-scattering pose.

As silly as one could look.

But Kangxi couldn’t help feeling a soft warmth in his heart. He could feel Wan Changzai’s genuine joy at the Empress waking up, could sense that burning, sincere heart of a child.

The Empress had indeed chosen the right person.

And so had he.

Liang Jiugong inwardly groaned in despair.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the drunken Wan Changzai making a scene—what a useless mess!

Unexpectedly, the Emperor didn’t appear frightened or angry. Instead, he chuckled and gently caught the dizzy Wan Changzai as she stumbled from spinning too much, even patting her back softly in comfort, “It’s alright now. The Empress is fine. In a couple of days, you’ll be able to see her.”

Liang Jiugong’s jaw nearly dropped.

Wan Changzai whimpered, “Of course, hoo hoo! Once I see the Empress, hoo hoo, I’m going to tattle, hee hoo hoo!”

“…Tattle? Tattle about what?”

“…Not telling you.” Wan Anran tilted her head and looked at him for a long time. “Telling you is pointless. You’re not the Empress.”

“Then what am I?”

“A bald head?” Wan Anran stared at Kangxi’s forehead. “Mmm… no, wait! You’re a baldie!”

Liang Jiugong and the surrounding palace staff all shivered.

They silently shrank back, trying to make themselves invisible, not daring to look at the Emperor’s darkening expression.

“No, that’s not it.” Wan Changzai spoke again.

She cupped Kangxi’s chin in her hands, peering left and right, poking and pinching: “You don’t have wrinkled brows… so you’re not an old baldie?”

Wan Anran stared at Kangxi for a while, then shook her head.

With pity, she patted his shoulder. “To go bald at such a young age, you really need to eat more black sesame for nourishment.”

Haotao, just walking in, nearly tripped and fell flat on her face.

Thank goodness she remembered she was carrying the hangover soup. She managed to steady herself with great effort and steadily brought the soup to the Emperor.

The soup smelled sweet.

As soon as Wan Anran caught a whiff of the sweet scent, she immediately reverted to her obedient self—except for her wide-open mouth, eagerly waiting to be fed like a baby bird. Under the Emperor’s astonished gaze, Haotao spooned the soup into her mouth one ladle at a time, while inwardly wailing in misery.

Now that her mistress was awake…

She might as well dig a hole in the East Wing and crawl in on the spot!

Once the soup was finished, snacks and dishes were brought in.

Kangxi raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Wan Changzai usually eats this little?”

A tiny plate of stir-fried bean sprouts, a small plate of cold cucumber, a plate of garlic eggplant, and only one meat dish—yam meatball soup. It was simplicity to the extreme.

Kangxi was full of suspicion.

He strongly suspected the palace maids were trying to save face for Wan Changzai. He vividly remembered how she had once fought him over food—it seemed like her appetite was at least twice this much… maybe even triple.

Haotao blushed deeply.

Zisu quickly replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the young mistress hasn’t had much of an appetite lately and is eating light.”

But this was too light.

Kangxi ordered Liang Jiugong to add two more main dishes, then turned his gaze toward Haotao. “Tell me, what exactly was your mistress planning to tattle about?”

Haotao jolted with fear.

Her knees gave way and she instinctively fell to the floor with a thud.

The Emperor’s cold, penetrating gaze bored into her back. Haotao gulped and quickly began to speak the truth, “Replying to Your Majesty, actually—”

Before she could finish, Wan Anran raised her hand high. “Me me me, I’ll say it! I’ll say it!”

She was sober now?

Kangxi looked up at Wan Anran’s flushed cheeks and bright, slightly dazed eyes, then sighed and rubbed his forehead.

But Wan Anran wasn’t having it when she didn’t get a response from him.

She leaned in and clung to his arm, whining, “I’ll say it! Let me say it! I want to say it!!!”

There’s no reasoning with a drunk.

Kangxi pushed her head away with his palm. “Alright, alright, say it, say it!”

Drunken Wan Anran was very good at talking.

She chirped away non-stop, only missing a wooden clapper to go with her rhythm: “With no tiger in the mountain, the monkey becomes king! The Empress falls ill, and the whole harem suffers! If you don’t believe it, let me perform it for you: Today there’s less fabric, tomorrow no pearls, the day after they just tell you—nothing at all! And if you pressure them, they bawl and wail. Ask them when? Say it with me now: tomorrow and tomorrow, tomorrow again, always tomorrow, with no end to tomorrow…”

Her crisp, loud voice rang out from the East Wing.

Consort Xuan, who had been anxiously waiting outside just in case Wan Changzai offended the Emperor and needed someone to step in, was stunned when she heard the report. Her mind went blank.

Nanny Xia gulped hard.

She had never encountered anything so dumbfounding in her life. With a face like she was attending a funeral, Nanny Xia said, “Mistress, we… we… what should we do now?”

Should they go in and intervene?

Wouldn’t the Emperor have them dragged out and beheaded on the spot?

But if they didn’t intervene…

Either way, they were walking straight into disaster! Nanny Xia looked miserably toward Consort Xuan for a miracle.

“This Consort truly regrets…”

“…Huh?” Nanny Xia looked completely confused.

Ever graceful and poised, Consort Xuan’s face twisted.

Her shoulders began to shake, faster and faster, until finally, she broke down. Clutching her belly, she bent over laughing. “Pffft hahahahaha—! This Consort truly regrets not being there to see the Emperor’s face! Hahahahahaha!”

Nanny Xia: …………