Chapter 10 Reaching the Heavens’ Ears  

Fourth Master felt his face grow warm, wondering how she could say such things without hesitation.  

He couldn’t be bothered to scold her anymore. Instead, he adjusted Nian Jiao’s head, placing her on the soft stool like a kitten, then sat beside her and deftly picked up a porcelain bowl to serve rice.  

Fourth Master was not one to fuss over the refinement of his meals. Having lived in the palace as a child, where every meal was strictly controlled by the matrons, he had developed an aversion to the rituals of being served and disliked being waited on. Aside from the Fu Jin, who had some inkling of this, none of his other consorts knew, and certainly none had the privilege of having the Prince personally serve them rice.  

But now, here was the audacious Consort Nian. Nian Jiao naturally took the bowl, giving him a sweet smile before quickly furrowing her brows in distress.  

She had no appetite.  

The lavish feasts she had dreamed of had turned into fleeting fantasies, making her inner self drool with longing—only to snap back to the bleak reality before her.  

Fourth Master glanced at the vegetarian dishes in front of her. “Don’t like them?”  

Nian Jiao immediately replied, “I do.”  

Seeing that Fourth Master didn’t quite believe her, she racked her brain for an excuse and pitifully added, “It’s just… the bird’s nest porridge at noon wasn’t tasty…”  

Bird’s nest porridge?  

If he recalled correctly, that had been prepared by the main kitchen.  

Fourth Master met her beautiful eyes, brimming with grievance, and inexplicably felt his heart tremble.  

The corner of his lips twitched. He thought Nian Shi was being spoiled, but after a moment, he said, “If you truly can’t stomach it, I’ll permit you to set up a small kitchen in the Dwelling of Peach Blossoms.”  

……  

Nian Jiao was stunned by this unexpected blessing.  

As far as she knew, Yong Prince’s Manor only had one main kitchen. Now, by sheer accident, she had secured the right to have her own private kitchen?  

“You’re so kind…” Nian Jiao was moved to tears. Her appetite no longer mattered—if she hadn’t been holding the bowl Fourth Master had given her, she would have thrown herself into his arms and recited ten or eight poems of praise on the spot.  

*Wuwu, Boss is such a good person!*  

After the meal, Nian Jiao remained overjoyed, sticking close to Fourth Master like a little shadow.  

Fourth Master had expected her to be touched, but not to this extent. He chuckled, a strange emotion rising in his chest, though he couldn’t quite name it.  

He instinctively frowned but quickly composed himself. “Tomorrow, I’ll have Su Peisheng assign some people to you…”  

For every sentence Fourth Master spoke, Nian Jiao eagerly agreed. Once done, she clung to his arm and refused to let go. “Will you not review documents tonight, my lord?”  

Just as Fourth Master was about to reply, Nian Jiao stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. After a moment’s hesitation, she even gave them a little nibble.  

It was as light as a dragonfly skimming water—not painful in the slightest, more accurately described as a “lick.” Yet, it was enough to unsettle even the most composed of men.  

Fourth Master often wondered how Nian Jiao had grown up to know so many… methods of seeking favor. Given her nature, he could only conclude it was innate.  

Innocence and allure, two opposing traits, melded seamlessly in the beauty before him. He pressed his lips together, his gaze darkening.  

The next moment, he took control.  

……  

Nian Jiao regretted it once again.  

She was now a thoroughly exhausted little demon. If not for the fact that she didn’t have to pay respects the next day, the entire Royal Residence would have witnessed her disgrace.  

Trembling, she touched her lips as she sat by the window, too drained to even write in her diary.  

A burning question surfaced—*Why did this happen??*  

She had only meant to express gratitude, but Boss had wanted to devour her instead!  

Last night, Fourth Master had gripped her knees and whispered in her ear, “Does it still hurt?”

Nian Jiao said with a sob in her voice, “It stopped hurting long ago…”

Fragments of memories flickered in her mind from time to time, leaving Consort Nian feeling as if she were burning up. Only news from the small kitchen could bring her some comfort.

She peeked out, trembling slightly as she gazed through the window. The Dwelling of Peach Blossoms was bustling with activity, filled with an air of celebration. Su Peisheng and Mama Qiu stood together, directing servants as they moved kitchenware.

Yesterday, when Consort Nian had kissed the Prince’s cheek, Su Peisheng had quietly led everyone out of the room. Thus, Mama Qiu truly had no idea how Nian Jiao had managed to secure the small kitchen.

While feeling proud that her Princess had grown so capable, she also mused—perhaps there was truth to the old saying her mistress often repeated: “Simple folks have simple blessings”?

.

In the eastern courtyard, Niuhulu listened to the faint commotion from the west and softly asked, “How many days has it been since Consort Nian entered the residence?”

Her personal maid, Rumu, thought for a moment. “Less than half a month.”

Niuhulu lowered her eyes. “Count again—how many times has the Prince visited the Dwelling of Peach Blossoms?”

Rumu hesitated before whispering, “Nine… nine times…”

Nine times.

Niuhulu said calmly, “When I was pregnant with the Fourth Prince, even if I occasionally craved something and wanted to cook, Fu Jin would permit it—but a small kitchen was absolutely out of the question.”

Though this was partly because she was only a Princess, even Consort Li, who held the same rank as Consort Nian, hadn’t been granted one.

Everyone in the capital knew the temperament of Yong Prince. That was why Niuhulu found this situation unusual. Even if Nian Shi was a rare beauty, was the Prince really the kind of shallow man who would be immobilized by a pretty face?

The Prince’s favor toward Nian Shi was excessive. If Consort Nian were to bear a son…

No, it wouldn’t happen. She didn’t need to panic. The position of heir apparent in the Royal Residence would never go to Nian Shi’s son.

Niuhulu felt slightly reassured, though a faint bitterness lingered.

The Prince had never favored her. If not for the fortune of conceiving the Fourth Prince, she would have remained an insignificant Princess forever. In truth, even that stroke of luck had come at the cost of a near-fatal illness she endured while serving the Prince. Without strong backing, she had to tread carefully in every situation.

Meanwhile, Nian Shi was young, beautiful, and came from an outstanding family—she could effortlessly win the Prince’s favor. Niuhulu smiled wryly. If she didn’t maintain her composure, her heart would surely be corroded by jealousy.

A few days ago, she had miscalculated. The one most likely to act—Consort Li—had surprisingly held back, only verbally targeting Nian Shi before letting the matter drop.

Niuhulu felt a twinge of regret but quickly regained her calm.

—In the inner courtyard, how many women longed for a son, or for the Prince’s favor? She was hardly the only one.

.

At the same moment, the Thirteenth Prince stepped into Yong Prince’s residence, glancing around before turning to Zhang Qilin. “What’s all the coming and going outside the archway?”

Zhang Qilin replied respectfully, “This servant doesn’t know. Would the Thirteenth Prince like to ask His Highness?”

The Thirteenth Prince had only mentioned it in passing and didn’t press further.

His steps were hurried. The first thing he said upon seeing the Fourth Master was, “I saw the Crown Prince yesterday.”

“Second Brother, the Crown Prince…” The Thirteenth Prince’s voice grew strained. “He’s grown increasingly dissolute. A censor impeached the Eastern Palace for indulging in wine and women, neglecting state affairs—yet the Emperor withheld the memorial without response.”

The Thirteenth Prince had once addressed the Emperor as “Father Emperor.” At some point, his address had shifted to “the Emperor.”

The Fourth Master fell silent and did not speak for a long time.

Both he and the Thirteenth Prince knew all too well that indulging in wine and women was not the Crown Prince’s true nature. This served as a lesson to him—even the heir apparent of a nation could not live for himself, so what was he, Yinzhen, the Yong Prince, in comparison?

The Emperor was his father, but above all, his sovereign. The divide between ruler and subject was as vast as an unbridgeable chasm. He had to be even more cautious, ensuring not a single misstep…

The study remained silent for a long while before the stagnant air slowly began to stir.

The brothers seamlessly shifted topics as if nothing had happened. The Fourth Master patted the Thirteenth Prince’s shoulder, retrieved a jar of ointment from the antique shelf, and handed it to him.

The Thirteenth Prince instinctively declined, “No need, Fourth Brother.”

He smiled wryly. “Since the start of this year, I’ve used no less than eight or ten jars of medicine, yet none have had any real effect. There’s no need for you to seek out any folk physicians either—it’d be a wasted effort. Just let this leg rot…”

Before he could finish, he was abruptly cut off.

“I’ve searched far and wide for physicians, consulted every possible healer, and even mobilized the entire household for this matter. If even I haven’t given up, how dare you utter such despairing words?” the Fourth Master snapped coldly. “Hesitating and second-guessing—is this the conduct of a true man?!”

The Thirteenth Prince froze, never having been scolded like this before.

The Fourth Master fixed him with a stare. “This was made by Nian Xiyao, the elder brother of Consort Nian. I’ve had it tested—every ingredient is of the finest quality. Whether you use it or not is up to you.”

With that, he shoved the pottery jar into the Thirteenth Prince’s hands and signaled Zhang Qilin to see him out.

Zhang Qilin didn’t dare even breathe loudly. The Thirteenth Prince clutched the jar, unmoving for a long time.

After a while, his eyes reddened, and he murmured softly, “A true man need not hesitate… even if he fails, it doesn’t matter…”

“Good,” he said, raising his head and calling out, “Fourth Brother, I’m willing to try.”

If only to repay the kindness of Sister-in-law Nian and her brother!

…

Far away in Zhili, Nian Xiyao sneezed, the lingering notes of his zither abruptly halting.

In his early thirties, his features gentle and demeanor serene, he let go of the strings and gazed thoughtfully at the ancient zither resting on his lap.

He must have caught a chill.

His wife, Qijia, had written some days ago, mentioning that Nian Jiao had been mistreated. Nian Xiyao’s reluctance to serve as an official grew even stronger. Were it not for his subordinates’ desperate pleas, he would have resigned on the spot and rushed straight to the capital.

Now, he’d caught a cold… but it wouldn’t hinder his poetry. His thoughts might be a bit sluggish, that was all.

He had already written three poems overnight. Now, as he played the zither for inspiration, Nian Xiyao calculated that he could complete seven or eight more today to send back to his younger sister.

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Heavenly Purity within the Forbidden City—the symbol of the empire’s supreme authority—Emperor Kangxi opened Nian Gengyao’s secret memorial.

Only those closest to the Emperor knew that Nian Gengyao, the Governor of Sichuan, sent a secret memorial by express courier every month. Though called a memorial, it was more akin to a personal letter.

It was filled with trivial matters, interspersed with declarations of loyalty and patriotism. Yet the Emperor cherished these, seeing not trivialities but the devotion of a subject.

The memorial sprawled across thousands of characters as usual, but a few inconspicuous lines caught Kangxi’s attention. Nian Gengyao mentioned passing by a street performance where he saw three siblings performing together, their deep bond and seamless coordination reminding him of his own elder brother and younger sister.

My elder brother is learned and versatile, with wide-ranging interests—a true gentleman. As for his younger sister… since childhood, I have admonished him to be humble and cautious, not to look down his nose at others, nor to be arrogant and rude. After he entered court service, my admonitions became even more frequent.

“Hmm?” Kangxi was amused. “What is Liangong writing here? Everyone in the court knows Nian Gengyao is the epitome of caution and humility. Could it all be due to the teachings of Fourth Master’s consort?”

It was no wonder Kangxi remembered well—he himself had arranged the marriage between Nian Gengyao’s younger sister and his fourth son as a consort. He nodded. “Let’s take it as true. Consort Nian has been admonishing her elder brother since childhood—commendable.”

The chief eunuch Li Dequan listened with a smile, but his gaze sharpened slightly at these words. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Your Majesty…”

Kangxi waved for him to speak.

It was also fortunate that this secret memorial arrived at an opportune time. Li Dequan bowed and recounted the incident that had occurred in the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility on the day Consort Nian entered the palace.

By rights, this was a trivial matter. The Emperor, burdened with myriad affairs of state, had no mind to listen to the petty disputes of the inner palace. Moreover, the Empress Dowager was the Emperor’s mother by law—out of filial piety, he would never slight her dignity.

But now things were different. Consort Nian had received the Emperor’s personal praise! Even if it was said in jest, it could not be taken lightly.

Upon hearing this, Kangxi frowned.

The next day, when Kangxi went to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, he casually brought up the matter: “…It would be best if the Empress Dowager conveyed a few words. It would be improper for Us to speak directly. For a beile’s Fu Jin to harass a prince’s consort—who taught her such manners? Eighth Master ought to discipline his household better.”