The Virtuous Concubine

Malu was busy preparing materials. She originally wanted to use cowhide, but cows were very precious in the farming era. She could have cowhide if she wanted, but it was not suitable for large-scale promotion. She also couldn't just go straight to replicating modern inventions with a clear goal.

Kangxi would definitely be suspicious, so she had to gradually explore and then unfold the process to fool Kangxi. And she didn't want to do what Kangxi said and make something suitable for the navy.

If she really found it out, according to Kangxi's level 10 suspiciousness, she and her child would be suppressed to death. She could just make some life-saving supplies, and when it was promoted, it would save a lot of lives, which would be a good deed.

The really good things should be left to Xiao Si'er.

Finally, she called Bai Xia: "Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and ask for a few large gourds, wooden racks, light empty jars, sheepskin, water-resistant glue, and pig and cow offal... Just urine bags or bladders."

Bai Xia was surprised to hear Malu talking. "Okay. But what does the master need these for? They sound dirty. Let me take care of them."

Ma Lu smiled: "Fourth Prince wants to learn how to play in the water, so I prepared some auxiliary tools for him."

Bai Xia's face turned pale when she heard this, showing some embarrassment and sadness. However, she was always loyal, and she believed whatever Malu said, and went directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Bai Fu, who was standing by, waited for Bai Xia to leave, and then reluctantly explained to Ma Lu: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Bai Xia has no objection to your will... She is just very sad."

Malu was slightly startled. She had noticed Bai Xia's changes, but after hearing what Bai Fu said, she realized that things were not simple. She looked at Bai Fu and motioned for her to continue.

Bai Fu continued softly, "Bai Xia...she has always had a crush on Doctor Rong. Recently, the Fourth Prince has been learning to swim, and we were afraid that he would choke on the water or catch a cold, so we called Doctor Rong to come every day. Bai Xia probably couldn't sit still, so she mustered up the courage to confess her feelings to Doctor Rong a few days ago, but was politely rejected by Doctor Rong."

Oh! Malu suddenly realized that Bai Xia was heartbroken. She still remembered that Bai Xia had praised Rong Taiyi for her good looks and medical skills. She asked her if she wanted to grant her marriage. Bai Xia agreed as a joke. She didn't expect that she would really fall in love with Rong Taiyi.

So many true words were said in the form of jokes. Why didn't Bai Xia, this silly girl, tell me?

But it was really uncomfortable, so she asked tentatively: "What does Bai Xia think?"

If Bai Xia really likes him, then just grant him the marriage. Although she respects Doctor Rong very much, Bai Xia is closer to her. They have been through thick and thin together for so many years. It’s not too much to give her a man she likes...

Seeing how cautious the queen was, Bai Fu couldn't help but laugh, "What else can I think? She got really angry when she got home! She wanted to tear up the love sachet that she prepared for Doctor Rong, but after a long argument, she felt bad and said that it was rare to embroider it so well, and it couldn't be wasted because of a man."

Malu laughed: "This is Bai Xia! I thought she had changed her personality, but she is still the same hot pepper." Malu reminded her: "Bai Xia is too careless. How could she do such a thing? Where is the sachet?"

Bai Fu quickly explained, "We have been following the Majesty for so many years, and we have been careful. This sachet was not given to her at all. It was prepared by Bai Xia in advance. She originally thought that after Doctor Rong 'followed' her, she would have a clear path in front of the Majesty and give it to her when they got married. I have seen it, and there are some patterns on it that cannot be mistaken."

Malu was relieved after hearing this, and she found it even funnier. It wasn't that she didn't have sisterly feelings for Bai Xia, it was just that Bai Xia was so enthusiastic that she had even thought about getting married without even confessing her feelings!

At this moment, she felt a little regretful: "Then you should handle all matters related to swimming equipment in the future. Let Bai Xia accompany me more, so as to avoid embarrassment for her."

Bai Fu was actually a little afraid that Malu would treat Bai Xia coldly in order to allow the imperial physician to run. Seeing her own queen caring for Bai Xia like this, she felt happy and safe in her heart: "Yes, queen."

After a while, Bai Xia returned to Malu. She no longer looked embarrassed and sad. Malu looked at her standing there with a stubborn look and couldn't help but laugh: "Bai Xia, don't you have anything to say to me?"

Bai Xia was a little confused at first, but when he looked up and saw Bai Fu's mischievous expression, he immediately understood: "Bai Fu, you betrayed me!!" Bai Xia's face turned red, and he didn't know whether it was out of shame or annoyance.

Malu and Bai Fu couldn't help laughing. The relaxed atmosphere made Bai Xia's embarrassment disappear a lot. Malu waved to Bai Xia and asked her to come to him: "Okay, Bai Xia, don't blame Bai Fu. She told me because she was worried about you."

Bai Xia lowered her head, twisting the corner of her clothes with her fingers unconsciously, and said in a voice as low as a mosquito's hum: "My lady, I... I am sorry for making you worry."

Malu understood very well, and even envied Bai Xia a little: "Bai Xia, who can control things like feelings? You don't need to blame yourself, and you don't need to worry that I will blame you for it. In my eyes, you are all my relatives, and I just hope you can be happy."

Hearing this, Bai Xia couldn't hold back her tears. She was just angry or sad when she was rejected before, but she didn't cry. Her own queen is so good to her!

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Ma Lu asked her, "Why did he reject you? What do you think? Do you still like Doctor Rong?"

Bai Xia finally came to her senses: "Thank you for your help, Madam, but I don't care about this man! He said that he has a lover, and there is no room for another one in his heart or around him. He treated me like a fool, and I have already asked someone to find out..."

Malu was curious: "You are quite careful. You even investigated Doctor Rong?"

Bai Xia was very proud: "After all, it is a lifelong event. Moreover, I came from the master's side, and I am really afraid that if he is not a good person, it will bring trouble to the queen. I know his family background very well!"

Malu chuckled. He didn't expect Bai Xia to be so smart! Seeing that she could protect herself like this, Malu was relieved. But thinking that Bai Xia could do something that the Wuya family couldn't do... It's really frustrating to compare yourself to others. Malu asked in a flattering manner: "So what did you find out?"

Bai Xia cleared his throat, as if ready to start from the beginning: "Doctor Rong, his family has been practicing medicine for generations, and his character and medical skills are well-known. He has been learning medicine since he was a child, but when he was twelve years old, he told his family that he did not want to inherit the family business, and wanted to take the imperial examination to seek an official position. Seeing that he wanted this, his family did not force him, but arranged a marriage for him early on, hoping that his grandchildren would inherit the family business. The girl is said to be gentle and virtuous, and the two have been childhood sweethearts and have a deep relationship."

Bai Fu was also curious when she heard this: "Then why did Imperial Doctor Rong... become Imperial Doctor Rong in the end?"

Bai Xia sighed, "Later, the girl died of illness. Doctor Rong blamed himself and returned from the academy to continue studying medicine. He continued to treat patients until he took over the mantle of deputy judge and entered the Imperial Hospital. He said that the reason he rejected me was not because he looked down on me, but because he was loyal to the old relationship."

After hearing this, Malu couldn't help but think more highly of Doctor Rong. Loyalty is such a rare quality in this era. She said to Bai Xia, "It seems that Doctor Rong is a good person. Bai Xia, I am very pleased that you have such vision and can distinguish right from wrong."

Bai Xia felt a little embarrassed when she heard Malu praising her like this: "Your Majesty, I understand that feelings cannot be forced. I have let it go in my heart, but I still feel embarrassed. I will serve you more attentively in the future."