Chapter 9 – The System Comes Online

After water was called three times within the hall, the passion subsided.

Kangxi and Yu Ying each washed again and were helped back into their clothes.

Yu Ying forced herself to endure the discomfort in her body and bowed to take her leave. “Your Majesty, this servant begs leave.”

At that moment, Kangxi resembled a great cat that had just eaten its fill. Much of his usual severity had faded, and he looked lazy and relaxed. Amused, he decided to show the little concubine who had just served him a measure of courtesy, so he personally reached out to help Yu Ying up, giving her hand a gentle, affectionate pat. “In a few days, I will come find you again.”

Perhaps unable to believe the Emperor had personally lifted her to her feet, the young concubine who was just about to bow properly instead threw herself into his embrace. She wrapped her soft arms around his waist and called out in a tender voice, “Your Majesty—”

Startled by this boldness, Kangxi was about to rebuke her, but then she looked up at him with those clear, limpid eyes, brimming with tears that seemed about to fall.

Forget it. She was young still—he could teach her more in the future.

The petty irritation that had simmered in Kangxi’s heart all day was thus extinguished.

All the servants around them were quietly shocked by Wei Daying’s daring, but none dared raise their heads. They only lowered them further and busied themselves with their tasks. His Majesty valued decorum above all—this sort of conduct was outrageous. That Wei Daying was truly unafraid of provoking his displeasure.

Kangxi raised an arm to encircle Yu Ying, the other hand gently patting her hair. “Don’t worry. I will remember you.”

By the time Yu Ying finally dawdled her way out of Qianqing Palace, another quarter of an hour had passed.

The late autumn night wind was piercingly cold. Qingtiao hurried forward to drape a heavy cloak around her.

“My Lady, let’s go back.” Seeing Yu Ying unmoving, Qingtiao softly reminded her.

When they had come, it had been in grand procession, sedan chairs carried by a whole retinue. Now, returning, there were only Yu Ying and Qingtiao walking alone in the chill. Such was imperial favor.

By the time Yu Ying reached Changchun Palace, it was already the hour of the rat—midnight.

The night was deep and still. Only a single chamber glowed with faint candlelight.

Master and servant spoke in low voices.

“Qingtiao, you can leave now. You’ve been working all day—go rest early.”

Qingtiao withdrew as told. Seeing Yu Ying still seemed disinclined to sleep, she couldn’t help but fuss a bit more, “My Lady, you should get some rest too. According to the palace rules, you must pay respects to the Imperial Noble Consort first thing tomorrow.”

Yu Ying nodded.

When she was finally alone, she could no longer keep her expression steady.

Ugh—so painful!

That damned man! Not the least bit gentle, only caring about his own pleasure! A man in his thirties, yet still so shameless! An old bull eating tender grass!

Her face twisted in indignation as she cursed him in her heart countless times before she finally drifted off into a hazy sleep.

Meanwhile, within the Emperor’s sleeping chamber at Qianqing Palace…

The dim candle flames flickered behind layer upon layer of gauze curtains.

Kangxi was already lying down. The vast bedchamber was utterly silent. Liang Jiugong, seated beside the dragon bed, nodded drowsily, afraid he might fall into too deep a sleep.

Kangxi had yet to close his eyes. His mind was still turning over affairs of state.

Just then—

“Aisin Gioro Xuanye, greetings.”

A sudden, unfamiliar voice echoed in Kangxi’s mind, cutting across his thoughts.

“How dare you!”

Kangxi was enraged.

How could he not be furious? Since ascending the throne, no one had ever dared to call the Son of Heaven by his personal name. This was arrogance beyond measure—an affront to imperial dignity. What was even more alarming was that this person had somehow slipped past the heavily guarded Forbidden City, hidden right here in Qianqing Palace itself!

Realizing his very life had been in unseen danger, Kangxi wished he could drag out and execute every guard on duty.

Liang Jiugong jolted awake in terror, instantly dropping to his knees. “Your Majesty, forgive me!”

Trembling all over, Liang Jiugong pressed his forehead to the floor. He had no idea what had happened to incite such sudden rage.

The voice spoke again.

“Aisin Gioro Xuanye, you need not be alarmed. I mean you no harm.”

Kangxi ignored it, silently gripping the dagger hidden beneath his pillow. He turned and asked coldly, “Liang Jiugong. Tell Me—did you hear anything just now?”

“Your servant…your servant heard nothing…”

“No one but you can hear my voice.”

Both voices sounded simultaneously by Kangxi’s ear.

His brows furrowed deeply. He could not tell whether this was some demon or spirit.

A tense silence settled over the chamber. Only the faint footsteps of the guards changing shifts outside could be heard.

Sensing Kangxi’s suspicions, a small ball of light appeared before his eyes. Startled, he thrust a hand out to swat it away—but to his shock, his hand passed right through.

“If you don’t stop, your servant will be frightened to death.”

Kangxi paused. He shot Liang Jiugong a glance.

Liang Jiugong, pale with terror, stared at Kangxi as if he were seeing a ghost. Meeting the Emperor’s gaze, he flinched again, stammering, “Your servant deserves to die… Your servant deserves to die…”

“I already said—only you can see and hear me. You cannot kill me. All you can do is trust that I truly mean you no harm.”

Kangxi fell silent. The ball of light drifted in place, no longer moving.

At last, Kangxi waved a hand. Liang Jiugong took the cue and scrambled out in a panic.

Only Kangxi and this inexplicable thing remained.

“What are you? What is your purpose?”

After a long moment, Kangxi stared at the light and spoke.

“I am a system from beyond the Four Directions of Heaven.”

The ball of light seemed to pulse. The voice sounded again.

System? This unknown term made Kangxi all the more wary, though he showed no sign of it outwardly.

The voice continued.

“Because of a distortion in time and space, the timeline that was once fated has developed an unforeseen deviation. This has never happened before. Therefore, even the Four Directions cannot foresee what will occur next. So—”

“Enough. I don’t care what you are. Just now—what did you mean by foresee? Are you saying you can see the future?”

Truly worthy of an Emperor—he had immediately grasped the critical point.

Kangxi could not decide whether to believe this glowing sphere.

Yet the spectacle before him defied all reason. If this entity truly possessed knowledge of the future… Kangxi’s heart blazed hot with the possibilities. He realized in an instant how tremendous an advantage this could become.

The system fell silent briefly.

“Yes. But the future is predetermined. Not even the Four Directions can interfere or change it. Unless you can identify the soul from another world…”

…

The next morning, though Kangxi had not slept a wink, he appeared energetic as he attended court at dawn.

Whether the high officials or the close-serving Liang Jiugong, all could sense that the Emperor seemed in an uncommonly good mood.

After court, Kangxi had made up his mind. He began to summon officials one by one—first the trusted Tong Guowei, Mingzhu, Songgotu, then even those fourth-rank ministers only newly qualified to attend discussions.

Through the night, the ball of light had finally convinced Kangxi of its origins and explained about the foreign soul.

It told him: as soon as the foreign soul came near, he would sense it immediately.

Therefore, Kangxi intended to begin his investigation among the ministers of the front court.

“Aisin Gioro Xuanye, remember—when the foreign soul appears, the future of this dynasty will become unknown. All things under Heaven have their appointed fate. Whether what comes will be good or ill will depend on you.”

Could a system have feelings? No one could say.

Yet as it delivered this message, the system designated 4688 could not help repeating its warning over and over.

It hoped that this vigorous young Emperor truly might change everything.

Gazing ahead at all the calamities that would unfold along this timeline, system 4688, for once, wished that this would become a better future.