The Virtuous Concubine

Feeling Nalan's gaze, Kangxi thought Nalan Rongruo was looking at his expression!

Su Rina's face regained its composure at this time. She smiled brightly, showing the strength and generosity of a Mongolian woman: "Your Majesty, I understand what Master Nalan said. Feelings cannot be forced. Let's just regard today's incident as a misunderstanding."

Gendun Darza bowed to Kangxi and Nalan Rongruo and said, "Your Majesty, I understand. It was my inconsiderateness that caused trouble to Master Nalan."

Kangxi smiled and waved his hand to signal everyone not to worry about the matter anymore: "Okay, okay. Let's put today's matter behind us. Let's continue." He nodded as a matter of course and helped Nalan to put the matter behind us, and asked people to come on stage and prepare to start Bu Ku.

Only Malu wanted to stab to death Nalan Rongruo, who had not given up and was always playing with fire. This was going to kill him! She turned her head and asked Huifei and Rongfei, in the next Buku, most men would have to go shirtless, should they put up the screen again? After all, according to the rules of the palace, concubines should not look directly at men's bodies.

Concubine Hui and Concubine Rong naturally agreed, and an ivory screen once again blocked everyone's view.

Sumo, a sport with a long history, is called "Buku" in Manchu. Twenty Buku wrestlers face each other in the open space outside the tent, competing in strength and skills.

The Buku contestants of the Zasak Mongols take off their hats and wear short-sleeved shirts. They win by knocking their opponent to the ground. The Buku contestants of the Eleuth Mongols are shirtless and do not wear boots or socks. Their winning criteria are more stringent. Not only must they make their opponent fall to the ground, but they must also control their head and shoulders after they fall to the ground so that they cannot break free.

As the competition progressed, Emperor Kangxi watched with great interest and gave wine to the winners as a reward. After winning the competition, the Buku contestant from the Eleuth Mongols drank the whole cup on the spot, showing the heroism and straightforwardness of a grassland man.

Emperor Kangxi was delighted to see this and rewarded them with a beautiful purse and a plate of delicious mutton. The victorious Eleuth warriors were not shy in front of the emperor. They just lifted the plate, grabbed the raw meat with both hands and began to chew it, showing the primitive charm of a grassland man.

This scene amazed everyone present. Su Rina's eyes were once again on the warrior, and she had long forgotten the previous embarrassment and disappointment. This guy named Nalan didn't know the goods, but the Mongolian man was not!

Kangxi noticed the change in Su Rina's expression and smiled slightly. He understood the frankness and sincerity of the emotions of the children of the grassland, and he also appreciated this unconcealed true nature.

The banquet ahead was lively and noisy with laughter, but Malu was a little restless.

Nalan Rongruo's look at her just now was so passionate and sad that even she was somewhat moved. She felt a little uneasy and confused, not understanding why Nalan Rongruo had such an obsession, and even more so why Nalan was always so inappropriate.

Isn’t it good to be an ordinary person in the Qing Dynasty?

Malu bit her lower lip, not wanting to let her mood be disturbed unnecessarily. Concubine Hui next to her noticed Malu's uneasiness and asked with concern: "Concubine De, what's wrong with you?"

Ma Lu came back to her senses, smiled and shook her head: "Thank you for your concern, sister Huifei, it's okay, but the banquet is too long, and I can't sit still anymore. During this time in the grassland, I have been exercising every day, and I am not used to being stuck here all of a sudden."

Concubine Hui gently patted Malu's hand and said, "Go and rest if you are tired. Why force yourself to do anything? If the emperor asks us, just tell him."

Malu looked at Concubine Hui gratefully and nodded: "That's great, thank you, sister. I'll excuse myself first and go out for some fresh air." Then he let Bai Xia help him back to his tent.

Bai Xia witnessed the whole process of Master Nalan's feelings for his master that day. She thought that his master's cold rejection would definitely make Nalan disheartened. If he was a lesser person, he would be angry. But Master Nalan did not act as she expected. There was no anger in his eyes, only deep sadness.

She also noticed the deer-like mournful look, and Master Nalan's courage in openly saying that he had someone in his heart, which was truly shocking.

But seeing that her master remained silent, she did not dare to speak either.

Love and not love, it is really too complicated. If the emperor said he loves his master, why is he on guard and using her? But if he said he doesn't love her, he can't give her such honor and favor. If Master Nalan said he loves his master, everything he does is very dangerous, and his love itself is also very dangerous. But if he said he doesn't love her, what is the reason for his persistence?

Here, Nalan had shrunk into the corner among the guards, hoping to avoid the curious and scrutinizing eyes at the banquet, but he could not escape the jokes of the guards.

The eldest prince was also there, of course. His mother and Nalan were from the same clan, so naturally they had a special bond. He pulled the fourth prince over, obviously wanting to help Nalan out.

"Nalan, who are you hiding from?" The eldest prince's voice was loud and playful, and the guards around him saluted the eldest prince and the fourth prince. The eldest prince's aura and status made them dare not do anything rash, and they stood aside respectfully.

Nalan smiled bitterly: "Greetings to the eldest and fourth princes. I am not worthy of the kindness of a beauty, so I came here to seek some peace and quiet."

Since the last fight between the Crown Prince and the eldest prince, the Fourth Prince has been able to speak a few words on the side of the eldest prince and the Crown Prince. Although the eldest prince and the Crown Prince are enemies, the Fourth Prince is able to play both sides. Therefore, the Fourth Prince was also dragged to watch the fun.

The Fourth Prince had no special feelings towards Nalan. He remembered that Nalan Rongruo was a big hit with Emperor Kangxi, but apart from his poetry and fame among the ladies, he had no outstanding achievements. He was not among the people that his mother had found for him, so he naturally had an indifferent attitude towards him.

Time is precious, don't waste it on such insignificant people. Of course, he didn't know that this elegant young man in front of him had fallen in love with his own mother, otherwise he would have stabbed him twice if he offended the eldest prince.

Therefore, Yinzhen just said gently: "Brother Nalan, a banquet is a time for gatherings, there is no need to be too restrained. The emperor has already made a decision on this matter, just be at ease."

Nalan loved the Fourth Prince, so he naturally loved him. After talking for a while, Yinzhen changed his opinion of Nalan Rongruo. He found that Nalan was not only talented, but also had a sincere and sensitive heart. Nalan had a unique insight into poetry and a deep understanding of human relationships, which made Yinzhen look at him with new eyes.

"Brother Nalan's talent is truly admirable." Yinzhen said sincerely, "I envy you, brother! Concubine Hui's family actually has such a talented young man."

The eldest prince smiled heartily and looked quite proud: "Nalan is indeed the pride of the Yehe Nara clan and the pride of Prime Minister Ming. We can interact more often in the future. Fourth brother, you like those literary things, but I can't get them." The eldest prince's idea was very simple. If Nalan had a good relationship with the fourth prince, the fourth prince and his younger brother, the seventh prince, would be more inclined to him.

What's the point of a prince fighting alone?