The Virtuous Concubine

As soon as the court was dismissed today, Kangxi came to Yonghe Palace. He came here to see the camping bag. The prince asked for it last night during the lesson and complained that the eldest prince had taken the fourth prince's bag. Kangxi had no choice but to have the eldest prince punished first and then come here in person.

Otherwise, if he only said one sentence, wouldn't it be the same as robbery? Malu was surprised to see that he came for the package. "It's just a package. How can it be worth your special trip? I have already instructed the Ministry of Internal Affairs yesterday to prepare a copy for each prince according to the regulations."

Kangxi also laughed when he heard this: "Everyone has it, then what about me? You thought of everyone, but only mistreat me?"

Malu smiled and said, "How can I let the emperor use the same thing as the prince? I was going to make one for you myself, but the emperor is wronging me like this, so it seems that he doesn't want it anymore."

In fact, it was because Malu always liked to make three or four versions of things that he asked the Imperial Household Department to make. There happened to be a larger one in the Yonghe Palace, and the items inside were not suitable for children. Malu remembered this obsolete version and took it out to fool people.

Emperor Kangxi couldn't help laughing after hearing Malu's words. His originally irritated mood because of his eldest prince's lack of brotherly love seemed to become cheerful because of this: "Good, good, good! I want to see what this thing you made with your own hands is like. I can also go back and tell the prince about it."

Malu winked at Bai Fu, and Bai Fu brought the bag over. Kangxi was very curious, and he found the bag very novel. But the more he looked at it, the more excited he became. This bag was perfect for marching and fighting in harsh environments!

Especially the small saber inside, and these items, can save lives at critical moments. Kangxi was suspicious, how could a woman in the harem be so well prepared? He didn't show it on his face, still smiling and asked: "It's hard for you to prepare so well, you are so experienced."

Malu immediately sensed that something was not right in the atmosphere, but she pretended not to know. Instead, after hearing the "praise", she enthusiastically explained to Kangxi one thing after another: "It's because of Xiao Si and Xiao Wu, who keep chattering about wanting to barbecue, hunt, and sleep in tents when they go there. How can a mother not worry about food, clothing, shelter, and transportation? Look at this salt, this sugar, and this pepper powder... I wanted to add some sauce, but I was afraid that if it broke, it would dirty other things, so I gave up."

Kangxi watched her take out bottles and jars one by one like a magic trick, and his suspicion was reduced a little. He picked up a bottle and opened it, and it was really peppercorns! He choked and sneezed loudly. Malu didn't wipe it for him, but just smiled: "The fourth prince loves this very much. I was afraid that he would have no taste when eating barbecue, so I added it specially."

When Kangxi heard this, his doubts were almost completely dispelled by the sneeze: "What is this? It doesn't look like clothes."

Malu saw him twisting the sleeping bag with two fingers in disgust, looking left and right and finding it funny: "Your Majesty, this is for sleeping. Although the tent is good, it can't prevent wind and moisture, nor can it prevent insects. Why don't you try it? It's very warm!"

Kangxi also became interested. He shook the sleeping bag and crawled into it as Malu taught him. Wow! So warm! So comfortable! And it looked like it wouldn't be uncomfortable to sleep directly on the ground. Malu tied the sleeping bag's straps on Kangxi and wrapped him up like a big silkworm pupa, while she kept talking about how she was worried about Xiao Si'er's poor sleep and how she had worked so hard to come up with a sleeping bag.

Kangxi stayed inside for a while and then came out. He felt a little jealous of Xiao Si'er. Defei was really a loving mother. She thought of every aspect. He looked at it for a while and asked what the small folding knife was used for.

Malu showed him the different sized main blades and small blades that could be used for cutting things, as well as knives for skinning and bleeding, knives for drilling, hooks, tweezers, rulers and even an ear spoon!

Kangxi looked at Malu with a strange look: "Xiao Si'er is just going hunting, what is this knife for? It seems a bit unnecessary."

Malu was a little confused by the question. She blinked and replied, "Your Majesty, this is just a portable dagger. It is always convenient when you are out and about, dealing with prey or other small things."

Kangxi shook his head: "You, these trivial matters will naturally be taken care of by the servants, why do you need to worry about it yourself." You don't even know how to please me! As he said this, he asked Liang Jiugong to put the package away, and he would look at it with the prince later.

Malu was not angry, she was just being nice, and was ready to send the guest away. Unexpectedly, Kangxi asked her, "Can you ride a horse and hunt?"

Malu smiled and recalled the days when she rode freely in the farmland outside the city as a child: "Which Manchu girl doesn't know how to ride a horse? As for hunting, although I have never chased prey like boys, I have seen my father and brother hunting, so I know a thing or two."

Kangxi laughed out loud and said, "Okay, I like women with courage. If you are willing, let me see your riding and archery skills during the autumn hunt."

Ma Lu was delighted. She knew that Kangxi had specially allowed her to participate in the horseback archery activity. "Your Majesty's grace, I am honored. Hunting alone is boring. I wonder if you can let the sisters in the harem go with you to share the grace of the emperor?"

If she was the only one who could go, wouldn't everyone tear her apart?

Kangxi also found Malu's proposal very interesting: "If there are people in the harem who are willing to participate in horseback riding and archery, I will naturally not stop them. You don't need to ask me again. I will approve it. When the time comes, I will open up a separate hunting area for you, so that you can have fun on your own."

Malu's eyes brightened even more, and she bowed slightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Malu was no longer angry after receiving such a great benefit. He happily sent Kangxi off, and ordered his servants to prepare a few more clothes for riding and hunting. He also went to Shanglinyuan to ask if he could practice riding recently - he hadn't ridden for a long time and was not very good at it!

Time passed quickly as everyone was busy with preparations, and soon it was time to set off for Mulan Paddock.

The northern hunting route from the capital to Mulan Paddock is divided into two sections, inside and outside the Great Wall, with Gubeikou as the boundary. Emperor Kangxi carefully selected a route that goes out of Dongzhimen, passes through Sanjiadian and Niulanshan in Shunyi, then passes through Huairou and Miyun, and finally reaches Gubeikou. This route is not only a passage for marching, but also an important link between the capital and the border.

As the large group of people and horses slowly moved forward, the villages, mountains, and rivers along the way were bathed in the golden sunshine of autumn, showing a moving picture. The soldiers were dressed in military uniforms, the horses were vigorous, the flags were fluttering, and the momentum was magnificent. Kangxi ordered many princes and nobles to accompany him, including Nalan Rongruo. However, the team of concubines in the harem was far away from the horses of the ministers of the previous dynasty, and Nalan Rongruo did not dare to look around, so naturally he did not even see Malu's carriage.

When the team passed Gubeikou and entered the outside of the Great Wall, they came to a vast grassland, where the Mulan Paddock was located. On the grassland, there were herds of cattle and sheep, eagles flying in the sky, and a vibrant scene.