Chapter 46: The Fetus Stirs

The consorts were all visibly shaken.

Every pair of eyes reflected shock—even the Empress of the Niohuru clan could not conceal her surprise. But she quickly resumed her composure and replied as usual, “If the Noble Consort likes it, she may take a few more boxes.”

Consort Rong nudged Consort Xuan with her elbow.

She whispered under her breath, “Is the Noble Consort… ill, perhaps?”

In truth, what Consort Rong wanted to say was: Did the Noble Consort hit her head or sleep herself stupid? Otherwise, how could she suddenly back down for no reason at all? Every consort in the palace knew clearly in their hearts that the Tong Noble Consort had never submitted to the Empress. Whatever the Empress praised, the Noble Consort would surely object to.

So why the sudden change?

This very question lingered in every consort’s mind, but only the straightforward and indiscreet Consort Rong dared voice it aloud.

Consort Xuan glared at her—What nonsense are you spouting?

Consort Rong stuck out her tongue. She might be brash, but she wasn’t foolish. Ever since the Empress entered the palace and took charge of palace affairs, she had managed everything thoroughly and competently. For someone of Consort Rong’s modest background—someone with no chance of ever becoming Empress—a fair and impartial Empress was a true blessing.

Just like last time.

When the Tong Noble Consort managed palace affairs, she pushed away responsibility yet wanted a good reputation. She was difficult to please and even harder to talk to.

What if she had taken charge again?

The very thought gave Consort Rong a headache. While she had been busy managing the longevity festival duties, she also copied many scriptures in secret to pray for the Empress’s recovery. As a result of this effort, not only was she rewarded after the Empress recovered, but she also became known as a staunch supporter of the Empress. Recently, she had even been entrusted with numerous palace duties by imperial appointment.

So if not her, who would speak up?

Though her voice wasn’t loud, there weren’t many consorts present in the Kunning Palace, so naturally everyone heard her words.

The consorts all adopted the expression of eager gossipers.

Wan Anran was sipping tea—the rose tea specially ordered for her by the Empress. It had herbs beneficial for pregnant women and was aromatic and pleasant. Paired with light and refreshing pastries, she found both the sight and taste delightful.

Unfortunately, the Noble Consort showed no sign of anger.

Her expression was calm, as though she hadn’t heard what Consort Rong said. Not only that, under everyone’s curious, astonished, and even mocking gazes, the Noble Consort gracefully gestured for the maid to bring the ointment over. She even applied it to her own hands in an open and dignified manner, astonishing everyone present.

The consorts exchanged puzzled glances.

The Tong Noble Consort lowered her gaze and composed herself. When the itching subsided, her eyes curved in a smile. “Because of these mosquito bites, I haven’t spoken properly for a long while. Today I’m truly grateful to the Empress, Consort Xuan, Sister Nara, and Sister Wan. Thanks to your blessings, I finally feel some relief.”

Consort Xuan, Noble Lady Nara, and Wan Anran rose with smiles.

Though shocked inside, they all wore just the right expressions on their faces and exchanged a few polite words. Just as all three of them were tensed in full alert—worried that the Noble Consort might suggest visiting each other’s palaces—they were stunned when the Noble Consort’s words came to a clean stop.

Even after they sat back down, the three of them were still bewildered.

As for the rest of the consorts, their excitement was barely concealed. Once they left the palace, they clustered in groups of twos and threes to whisper amongst themselves.

The Tong Noble Consort quietly took her leave.

She ignored all the strange gazes directed at her, stepped steadily onto her palanquin, and let the gauze curtain shield her from their stares. Head bowed, she gently fingered her prayer beads, her face void of joy or sorrow.

“Master, why put yourself through this…” Nanny Zhao spoke with heartache. The Noble Consort had been pampered since childhood, raised with care in the palm of the hand. Everyone knew she was destined for the palace, but when had she ever suffered even the slightest grievance?

“No need to speak further,” the Noble Consort replied calmly.

Now that she had taken this step, she felt as if a long breath had been released. Her family believed she was destined to become the Empress. She, too, once believed she was the most unique person in her cousin’s heart. But now, she had started to think differently.

Ever since the Empress recovered, the Emperor had changed.

At first, the Emperor still visited as usual. But as time passed, whether it was because of Wuya Changzai’s constant racket, or her own frequent complaints, or some other reason, his visits became less frequent. This month, he hadn’t come at all.

At first, the Noble Consort consoled herself, believing the Emperor was too busy with state affairs. But when news came yesterday that he had gone to Xianfu Palace, the last glimmer of hope in her heart was completely crushed.

She had sent over food and medicine many times, but not once had he come. Yet the moment Noble Lady Wan created some ointment, the Emperor went to her? As the Noble Consort’s heart sank to the depths yesterday, she finally calmed down and reflected.

All her efforts to win favor—

In the Emperor’s eyes… could they have been nothing but a dispensable performance?

Once this thought surfaced, it would not leave her.

If Kangxi had known her thoughts, he’d have cried injustice!

Good news had come from the frontlines—Wu Sangui was suspected to be gravely ill. Kangxi had been so busy he hadn’t even spared a moment for the harem. He had practically lived in the Qianqing Palace day and night. As for his visit to Xianfu Palace, that had only been prompted by the Empress Dowager’s suggestion. Kangxi had gone to confront Noble Lady Wan—not with any intent to spend the night. After a brief conversation, he had immediately returned to Qianqing Palace.

And as for the ointment, Kangxi was still fuming. He had returned to Qianqing Palace with great anticipation, eager to use it himself.

But the eunuchs hadn’t received it at all.

At first, Kangxi didn’t believe it. He questioned the entire group of eunuchs, one by one, and when he finally confirmed no one had received it, he flew into a rage—You brazen Noble Lady Wan! How dare you deceive your emperor!

Especially when, upon waking that morning, Kangxi found two mosquito bites on his cheek—his fury soared to the heavens.

He entered the court with a dark face, scaring the officials half to death. Those who had just yesterday urged caution on the battlefield, casting doubt on Wu Sangui’s illness, all changed their tune today—competing to express that swift and decisive action must be taken to crush Wu Sangui in one go.

Though he didn’t understand why the officials had shifted so dramatically, Kangxi was quite pleased with their aggressive stance.

He gravely instructed Grand General of Pacification An Yuan, Shangshan, and Prince Shun Lerjin to lead a full assault on Yuezhou. Simultaneously, he dispatched agents to Yunnan to investigate Wu Sangui’s condition.

Still, no matter how consumed he was with state affairs, those mosquito bites were relentlessly itchy—the kind of itch that drove one mad. Even after court adjourned, Kangxi hadn’t forgotten about Noble Lady Wan. He turned to Liang Jiugong and said coldly, “I want to—” give Xianfu Palace a harsh punishment.

Perhaps a demotion or something of the sort.

Kangxi had made up his mind to teach Noble Lady Wan a severe lesson. But before he could finish his sentence, a young eunuch came walking along the wall into the hall. “Your Majesty, someone from Xianfu Palace seeks audience. They say it’s something sent by Noble Lady Wan this morning.”

Ha!

Did she think she could make up for it afterward? Kangxi’s face darkened further. He was about to refuse, then reconsidered—she needed to understand what exactly she had done wrong. He waved a hand. “Go! I want to see exactly what she’s sent!”

Liang Jiugong respectfully obeyed.

As he left, he shook his head—Noble Lady Wan has truly offended His Majesty this time. And now she wanted to remedy the situation? Isn’t that just arrogance born of favor?

Hmm? Why did that thought feel oddly familiar?

Liang Jiugong scratched his ear. It seemed he had reacted this way once, twice… no, maybe three or four times now? He couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard he thought. So he simply followed His Majesty out to the front courtyard of the Qianqing Palace.

A group of people spotted two young eunuchs from a distance, standing rigidly with nervous expressions, heads bowed and hands held at their sides.

This was the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Palace), after all.

The two eunuchs held their breath, standing as still as statues—they didn’t even dare glance sideways. Naturally, the Emperor paid them no mind. Kangxi’s gaze fell directly upon the black vat in front of him. He froze for a moment before recalling that this was the so-called miraculous mosquito trap that Noble Lady Wan had mentioned the day before.

His expression darkened at once.

Good heavens! He had thought she was sending over that herbal ointment—what was this nonsense? Kangxi’s face clouded over as he stepped forward, examining the vat.

It was just a water vat… or was it?

He blinked, his thoughts pausing midstream as he stared wide-eyed at the container.

What the hell was this thing?

Recalling what Noble Lady Wan and the others had said the day before, his face took on a strange expression. He asked in disbelief, “Is it really just sugar, flour, and water inside?”

The young eunuch took a deep breath.

Steadying his nerves, he answered with a trembling voice, “Your Majesty, yes, that is indeed the case.”

Kangxi fell silent, deep in thought.

How could these three simple things attract so many mosquitoes? The dense swarm within gave him goosebumps just looking at it.

Liang Jiugong peeked in and marveled aloud.

Angry or not, if it was effective, it should be put to good use. Kangxi quickly ordered Liang Jiugong to set up a few more of these in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. If it could reduce the number of mosquitoes, then by all means, they should reduce them.

One of the eunuchs suddenly remembered what Noble Lady Wan had instructed the day before and stepped forward, saying, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the mistress said this thing is only effective at night.”

Kangxi nodded, though he looked a little disappointed.

Then his brows suddenly furrowed, his face darkening again as he asked coldly, “Wait… do you know where Noble Lady Wan’s herbal ointment was delivered?”

The herbal ointment?

Could it be… it didn’t arrive here? The eunuch went momentarily blank, almost blurting out his question.

A wave of icy dread stopped him just in time.

The words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down, and he immediately regained his composure. “This servant does not know. However…”

He paused to rack his brain.

Finally, he opened his mouth cautiously and said, “This servant recalls that yesterday, Nanny Xia delivered a good amount of it to the Empress.”

Kangxi smiled coldly.

He flicked his sleeve. Now he was determined to find out exactly where that ointment had gone.

When he entered the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Palace), his expression grew even colder.

He saw Noble Lady Wan sitting in a chair, the Empress and Consort Xuan on either side of her, each reaching out to touch her belly. Their expressions were tinged with astonishment, and they murmured to each other in low voices. Noble Lady Nara stood to the side, gently speaking to the Crown Prince, the Eldest Princess, and the Ninth Prince.

The scene looked extremely strange.

Kangxi stomped heavily into the hall, finally drawing everyone’s attention. As soon as they looked up and saw the Emperor had arrived, they immediately rose to bow and greet him.

Kangxi ordered them to rise with a cold face.

But that cold expression didn’t last long, as the Crown Prince Baocheng excitedly rushed forward: “Imperial Father, Imperial Father! Feel Noble Lady Wan’s belly!!!”

His little face was flushed bright red.

The Crown Prince’s eyes sparkled like stars, and he flailed his arms in excitement. “My little brother moved! He and I bumped fists!”

Kangxi was momentarily stunned.

The Empress laughed and added, “Truly. Just now, Noble Lady Wan was having abdominal pain and gave us quite a fright. I daresay, the baby in her belly must be a lively one. So small and already so restless.”

“Perhaps he sensed all the people around.”

“No, no! He must’ve recognized that his big brother was outside!”

“How many more months till we can see our new little brother?”

“Ah! But Noble Lady Wan said it might be a little sister instead!”

The three little ones immediately began chattering noisily.

Kangxi cautiously stepped forward. Looking at the round, protruding belly, he suddenly felt unsure of how to proceed.

Crown Prince Baocheng noticed this.

He widened his eyes and pouted a little: “Imperial Father, aren’t you a Baturu (hero)? How can you not even have the courage to touch a belly?”

Who said I didn’t?

Kangxi shot a look at Baocheng, then, with a dark expression, reached out and placed his hand on Noble Lady Wan’s stomach.

It was completely still.

Kangxi, feeling a bit disappointed and embarrassed, was just about to pull his hand away when suddenly, he felt a soft, feather-light ripple under his palm, and his whole body trembled.

Was that an illusion?

As the thought rose, another, stronger ripple passed through his palm—as if in protest. It was far more distinct than the first time, as if the child inside was greeting him for the first time, or asserting their presence.

A foolish smile began to spread across Kangxi’s face.

He couldn’t help but blurt out in praise: “Such strength! What a wonderful child!”