The Virtuous Concubine

Hearing him say this, Malu couldn't help but laugh and push him away: "Idiot! What do you mean by life or death?"

Rong Ji knew very well that the actions of the two people just now had crossed the boundary between the monarch and his subjects. He was reluctant to let go, but he didn't dare to do anything else. He could only reluctantly let go of her hand and stand up straight.

"Your Majesty, it's...it's my fault." Rong Ji lowered his head, feeling a little embarrassed.

Ma Lu looked at Rong Ji's drooping eyebrows and high nose bridge, and her heart was a little complicated. She knew that Rong Ji's embrace gave her an unprecedented sense of security, but she also knew that there should not be too much involvement between them.

At this time, Bai Fu and Bai Xia outside could no longer wait. Bai Fu's voice rang out from outside the door: "Madam, Madam?"

Malu and Rong Ji quickly stood further away, with a hint of reluctance and embarrassment in each other's eyes, as if the intimacy just now was a dream that should not have happened.

After Malu checked the appearance of the two people again, he responded in a gentle voice: "Come in."

When Bai Fu and Bai Xia rushed in, they saw Rong Ji bowing to Ma Lu and said, "Your Majesty, I will take my leave first."

Malu nodded: "Go ahead, Doctor Rong."

Rong Ji slowly left the room. The moment his back disappeared from the door, Malu felt an inexplicable emptiness in her heart. She sighed softly and asked Bai Xia and Bai Fu to help her bathe and change clothes.

Bai Fu and Bai Xia looked at each other. They were both smart people, so they could naturally realize that what had just happened in the room was definitely unusual.

But they also understand that some things can only be seen but not spoken of.

This brief embrace, though fleeting, became a silent oath. Ambiguity also quietly took root in this embrace, becoming a special bond between them, a deep affection that only they could understand.

Doctor Rong walked outside in a very orderly manner, but he was already very happy. She likes me too! Or she took the initiative, right? Was she the one who took the initiative?

Rong Ji only felt dizzy, as if he had drunk the strongest and most delicious wine in the world, which made his thoughts wander and his heart agitated.

Finally, he reached a secluded place in the Imperial Hospital, and he dared to smile unconsciously. However, he was extremely cautious. After knocking over a cup of tea, he used the excuse that his clothes were dirty and asked for leave to go home to change clothes and take a bath.

The concubine should be protected from gossips even if she is perfumed. Although they are in the deep palace, they cannot do as they please. There are many places that need to be avoided.

Rong Ji felt even happier when he thought about how he and Concubine De had read the Sutra of Rebirth together for the child in Queen Tong's belly. This was the tacit understanding that was destined in the dark!

The imperial physician was beaming with joy, but Kangxi in the Qianqing Palace was feeling extremely restless and uneasy. Although he didn't know that he had been robbed, it didn't affect his mood at the moment, which was like a dark cloud pressing down on his head, and it was hard to dispel it.

He, who had always been diligent in his work, simply threw the memorial away, stood up and paced back and forth in the Qianqing Palace. The conflict and struggle in his heart were obvious.

As he walked around, he looked up and saw Malu's "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains", and his brows furrowed even more. He needed someone he could trust to confide his worries and discuss matters with Concubine De.

"Someone, call Nalan Rongruo!" Emperor Kangxi's voice echoed in the Qianqing Palace with a hint of urgency.

This embroidery reminded him that when it comes to women's thoughts and emotions, only Nalan Rongruo can talk about it.

Wasn’t it him who discovered the little secret in the Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains last time?

Soon, Nalan Rongruo hurried over. Seeing Kangxi's expression, he knew that the emperor was in a bad mood today: "Your Majesty, you summoned me here, but what worries you?"

Kangxi looked at Nalan Rongruo, a minister who was both a talented scholar and a confidant, and the burden in his heart seemed to have found an outlet: "Rongruo, I have been feeling quite uneasy these days... I still need you to give me some advice."

Nalan was slightly startled. This? He had never thought that the emperor would discuss his concerns with him.

Although the emperor favored him, he only talked to him about love, poetry and songs, and never talked about state affairs. It was as if he had become the Li Bai of the past, who had talent but could not realize his ambitions.

He asked the emperor tentatively: "Your Majesty, I wonder what has caused Your Majesty to be so worried? If I can do my best, I will definitely do my best."

Kangxi hesitated for a while before saying ambiguously: "Rong Ruo, what do you think in women's hearts? Why are their minds so unpredictable? Even if I am the ruler of a country, it is difficult to understand their minds."

Nalan Rongruo pondered for a moment, then carefully picked out some safe words to say: "Your Majesty, women's hearts are delicate and profound, and sometimes even they themselves can't explain it. Sometimes all they want is to be treated with sincerity, or to be understood and respected."

Kangxi seemed a little impatient. He shook his head and interrupted Nalan Rongruo: "It's not that kind of thing. The good things I gave her are so worthless that others would beg for them, but she just refused to take them."

Nalan Rongruo was even more confused, but with his understanding of the emperor and his sensitivity to the affairs of the harem, he gradually understood who the woman the emperor was referring to.

He replied softly, "Your Majesty, what is honey to you may be like poison to her. Everyone's desires and wishes are different. Perhaps what she values ​​is not these material rewards."

Seeing that Nalan Rongruo was gradually coming to his senses, Kangxi did not hide it: "I wanted Concubine De to adopt the Fourth Prince to Empress Xiaoyi, but Concubine De not only refused, she also had a big quarrel with me!"

Nalan Rongruo was shocked when he heard this. Did Concubine De disobey the order? He carefully considered his words and tried to say something good for Concubine De: "Your Majesty, Concubine De's refusal may not be disrespectful, but a reflection of her deep affection for the Fourth Prince... Concubine De's love for the child is well-known in the harem and the previous dynasty."

After hearing this, Kangxi's expression eased a little. He sighed, "Rong Ruo, you are right. I also understand Concubine De's feelings for the Fourth Prince. The sweater, swimming ring, and the messy toys in the back are all for the little Fourth Prince. But I do this for my own reasons..."

When talking about Empress Xiaoyi's regret, Kangxi choked up a little. His eyes were full of sadness, as if he was recalling the good times that had passed: "Empress Xiaoyi loved the Fourth Prince the most during her lifetime. She even quarreled with me for a while in order to raise the Fourth Prince... After she left, I have always wanted to fulfill her last wish."

In fact, Nalan Rongruo could no longer keep up with the emperor's train of thought. He really felt that the emperor was constantly hurting the hearts of one woman after another.

Empress Xiaoyi never experienced the joy of family life when she was alive, and only mentioned adoption after her death. If she knew about this in the afterlife, would she really be happy?

Not only did he not take care of Concubine De when she was well, but he also wanted to take her child away...

To put it bluntly, Rong Ruo thought to himself, if Concubine De could not get over it and took her own life, would the Emperor regret it? What would be the point of changing his ways then?