The Virtuous Concubine

After Rong Fei and Yi Fei came in, they bowed and said, "Your Highness, I pay you respects."

Kangxi said calmly: "Get up, what are you doing here at this time?"

Concubine Yi glanced around and didn't see Malu, so she said, "This afternoon, the Imperial Concubine and I were dealing with palace affairs together and felt a little unwell. She just held on and refused to call the imperial physician. I heard that the Emperor was with Concubine De, so I came to see if the Emperor could persuade the Imperial Concubine."

Kangxi snorted coldly: "You are thoughtful. You are in charge of things right after the confinement period."

Concubine Yi hurriedly smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I am also worried about the health of the Imperial Concubine, so I came here rashly."

Rong Fei also echoed, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine has always been strong-willed. I am really worried about her. After all, she is ready to attack at any time."

Kangxi frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "If that's the case, I will go and take a look."

Afterwards, Kangxi showed no intention of getting up to visit the imperial concubine. When Yifei and Rongfei saw this, they looked at each other, each with their own thoughts.

Concubine Yi thought to herself: Since Concubine De is so favored now, we must find a way to suppress her. She rolled her eyes and said, "I wonder if Concubine De would like to go with us to take a look? She is usually close to the Imperial Concubine, so she must care about the Imperial Concubine."

Kangxi's expression was stern, and he said, "You are becoming more and more capable now. You are in charge of the harem, me, the Imperial Concubine, and the Virtuous Concubine."

What a heart-breaking remark! Concubine Yi was shocked and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I have spoken out of turn."

Rong Fei quickly tried to smooth things over, "Your Majesty, Yi Fei was also anxious at the moment, and thought that if more people went to visit the Imperial Concubine, it would make her feel more at ease."

Kangxi was silent for a moment, then said, "Forget it, you guys go ahead. I'll follow you."

Concubine Yi and Concubine Rong then took their leave. Concubine Yi said to Concubine Rong bitterly, "This Concubine De is really good at tricks. She actually made the Emperor protect her like this. Seeing the Emperor protecting Concubine De, it really makes people feel unhappy."

Rong Fei openly advised: "Sister, be careful with your words and don't bring trouble to yourself." After looking around, she added, "Sister, don't act rashly or you will get into trouble. Look at Concubine Hui..."

Concubine Yi snorted coldly: "I just don't believe that I can't cure Concubine De."

After Concubine Hui was promoted to Concubine Hui, Concubine Rong and Concubine Yi were both excited and scared, so they formed an alliance. The two of them supported each other and fought against Concubine Gui, and the palace was relatively peaceful.

Malu never participated in these things, and he was also considered a powerful force, so Kangxi turned a blind eye to the current situation in the harem.

At the same time, Kangxi entered the inner room and asked Malu if he had packed up and if he wanted to go see the imperial concubine.

Ma Lu looked at Kangxi's expression carefully, and said carefully: "I have packed everything, and of course I am worried about the Imperial Concubine... But I think about her, and she might be more willing to see the Emperor make a special trip over there than to see me and her."

Kangxi was delighted to hear the words "putting oneself in others' shoes" - Concubine De also loved him. He smiled and touched Malu's cheek: "You are a jealous person."

It’s not that he didn’t want to see the imperial concubine, but he was also unwilling to lose face for Malu for the imperial concubine.

Malu said coquettishly: "Your Majesty always makes fun of me. I just said what I really think."

Kangxi embraced Malu and said softly, "I know you are sincere. I will go to see the imperial concubine now. I will be back soon."

Malu knew very well that he would not come back. No matter how the imperial concubine was, he would not come back, but she still responded gently: "Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off."

Kangxi pulled Malu up and said, "Don't worry, my beloved concubine. I will go and take a look and then be back."

Malu's eyes were full of reluctance and understanding: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will wait for your return in the palace."

After Kangxi left, Malu asked Bai Fu to help her change into her usual clothes before taking a bath. She also ordered many dishes she wanted using Kangxi's portion and waited for her to enjoy the food after she finished taking a bath.

Today, Kangxi ordered his own meal, so the meal was naturally served in Yonghe Palace. Kangxi also said that he would be back, so it was only right for her to order according to Kangxi's portion.

Bai Fu was holding a watering can when she saw her master wet her hair, as if she was going to wash it. She was startled and said, "Your Highness, wait a minute, the Emperor—"

In the Qing Dynasty, women’s hair was very long and difficult to tie into a bun. There were no hair dryers yet… So they seldom washed their hair. Washing it once every two weeks was considered too much. After washing the hair, it would take a while for it to dry.

I can't serve the emperor with wet hair later.

Malu didn't care and chuckled, "It doesn't matter. If the emperor really cares about me, why would he care whether my hair is wet or not? What's more, the emperor is unlikely to come back today."

Bai Fu understood immediately that her queen ordered the emperor's meal either for show or because she wanted to eat it herself.

Bai Fu pursed her lips and said, "Your Majesty is very clear-headed. I am the one who overthinks."

Malu sighed softly and said, "In this palace, don't take everything too seriously. The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment."

Bai Fu nodded and said, "Your Majesty is right. But if the Emperor really comes back and sees you like this, it will not be good."

Malu smiled and scooped up water with both hands and sprinkled it on himself: "If he comes back, I will have my own excuse. If he doesn't come back, it's just a normal thing."

Kangxi stayed in the imperial concubine's palace for a long time and asked several doctors. They all said that it would take several days for the onset of pregnancy and that the current discomfort was normal.

So he got up and wanted to go back to Yonghe Palace.

Seeing this, the imperial concubine said in a tender voice, "Your Majesty, are you leaving now? Could it be that the person I chose to serve you is not to your liking?"

When a concubine was pregnant or inconvenient, it was common for a palace maid to take her place.

Hearing what the imperial concubine said, the two palace maids beside her were so scared that they knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly. When they looked up, they puffed out their chests and arched their backs, with tears in their eyes, looking so pitiful.

Kangxi frowned slightly and said, "My beloved concubine, please don't talk nonsense. I am just worried about the many government affairs that have not been dealt with."

The imperial concubine said angrily, "Your Majesty, I am doing this for your own good. You have been busy with state affairs all day, so you should relax a little."

The two maids were still trembling, sobbing, "Please spare our lives, Your Majesty, Your Majesty. If there is anything we have done wrong, we will definitely correct it."

Kangxi shook his head helplessly and said, "Forget it, my beloved concubine, take a good rest. I will come to see you another day."

Saying that, he was about to leave.

The imperial concubine grabbed Kangxi's sleeve and said softly, "Your Majesty, please stay. Otherwise, how will these two beauties cope with the situation? If the emperor doesn't like them, the palace won't allow them to stay."

Kangxi hesitated for a moment, then finally sat down without saying a word.

Seeing this, the imperial concubine supported her aching waist with one hand and asked Kangxi with a smile: "It seems that I have done something wrong and annoyed the emperor. Otherwise, there is such a beautiful woman in front of you, but the emperor is still so reluctant."

As they spoke, the two palace maids raised their tear-stained faces, as if they wanted Kangxi to see them clearly.