The Virtuous Concubine

Malu kept moving her hands and replied softly, "Your Majesty, I think it's late at night, and rose oil has a soothing effect, which is more suitable for relieving your Majesty's fatigue. Besides, changing the scent occasionally can also add some different atmosphere to this palace and smell fresh."

Malu was secretly shocked. She decided not to change it randomly next time. This rose essential oil cream was made by Rong Ji as a gift to her. He gave her many scents. She liked the jasmine one, so she kept it for herself.

Unexpectedly, Kangxi discovered it.

Malu was a little nervous, wondering if Kangxi would continue to ask. She continued to massage Kangxi carefully, but Kangxi didn't think much about it. He just said slowly, "You are thoughtful."

Malu heard the calmness in Kangxi's tone and felt relieved. She said softly, "This is just a token of my love. I think that Your Majesty has been busy in the past, and as long as he can relax his body and mind, I will be satisfied."

Kangxi nodded slightly, said no more, pulled her over and let her lie in his arms.

Malu lay on Kangxi's body, listening to his heartbeat. In fact, this position was very uncomfortable for her, her waist was twisted, and she didn't dare to lie down properly. She had to hold her whole body in place, and she couldn't be stiff, she had to soften her body to be hugged by Kangxi.

It's so difficult!

Malu secretly complained in her heart, but she didn't dare to show any discomfort. She tried to adjust her posture, trying to make herself a little more comfortable. However, Kangxi didn't notice her awkwardness, but just hugged her gently, enjoying this moment of tranquility.

After a while, Kangxi asked her: "Have you thought of the names and titles for your two daughters? This time, let's name them Heshuo Princesses."

After saying this, Kangxi was afraid that Malu would be unhappy, so he added: "I am also considering Wen Xian's feelings. If you think Princess Gulun is better, then wait and bring it up again after a while."

Malu was very surprised - Kangxi could be so thoughtful? Was there something wrong?

She put aside her doubts and said softly, "Your Majesty has considered everything carefully, and I have no objection. The title of Heshuo Princess is already a great honor, and I am grateful. As for the names of the daughters, I still need to consider it carefully."

Kangxi nodded and said, "Okay, think about it slowly and make sure you choose a good name."

Ma Lu smiled and pulled Kangxi's beard: "Your Majesty is being lazy. He doesn't even want to think of a name for his daughter. It turns out that he has too many children and doesn't care anymore."

Kangxi pretended to be angry and grabbed Malu's hand, saying, "How dare you pull my beard."

Malu chuckled and said, "Your Majesty is still upset? I will pay attention to naming my daughter, but Your Majesty can't just ignore it."

Kangxi shook his head helplessly and said, "Okay, okay, I'll think about it. But the name must have a good meaning and not be too vulgar."

As he said this, he stood up, asked Liang Jiugong to bring paper and pen, and held Malu's hand to write down the titles of several princesses.

"Duanxian, Zhenxian, Ningxian, Gongxian, which one do you like?"

Ma Lu smiled and nodded: "Duan Xian and Gong Xian are both good, I'm just afraid that everyone will be like Wen Xian, not warm, not decent, and not respectful!"

Kangxi couldn't help laughing and said, "My beloved concubine, you are worrying too much. Wen Xian is also a very good-natured child. These two children must be good. Moreover, with your careful teaching, they will definitely become well-educated princesses."

After saying that, he asked Liang Jiugong to issue an edict. From today on, the two princesses would be Princess Duanxian, Princess Gongxian and Princess Shuo!

Malu was immune to these good news. She lowered her eyes slightly. Although she was happy in her heart, it was still limited.

When did Kangxi become so easy to talk to?

Malu raised her eyes and looked at Kangxi quietly, wondering in her heart whether there was any other meaning behind this sudden favor.

Although Malu was suspicious, Kangxi felt that he was considerate and was unable to extricate himself from the peaceful atmosphere at that time.

At this moment, he even felt that Malu's qualifications and mentality were worthy of being a successor.

Kangxi even began to seriously consider the possibility of Malu becoming the empress. She was gentle, intelligent, considerate, and had great skills in handling harem affairs. If she became the empress, she might be able to better manage the harem and relieve him of his worries.

All of her children were outstanding. She also took good care of the crown prince and never showed favoritism to her own son.

If she became the queen, the prince would be considered half her son, and she would definitely be more devoted to the prince, so that he would not be isolated and helpless in the harem. Moreover, she could also suppress the fourth prince, making the relationship between the princes more balanced and stable.

Even if the prince loses in the end, with her around, the prince won't have a miserable end.

Thinking of this, Kangxi felt a slight chill in his heart.

After planning for Yinreng for so long, he might still lose to Yinzhen in the end. Kangxi was heartbroken and helpless, but he also had some expectations.

If the fourth brother really won, and was able to defeat Yinreng and fight against himself, it would surely be a blessing for the Qing Dynasty.

The balance in Kangxi's heart kept swaying. On the one hand, Malu did show many potentials to become queen; on the other hand, the matter of establishing a queen involved so many things that he had to be cautious.

Kangxi decided to observe for a while to see how Malu would behave in various situations. However, Malu was completely unaware of this and continued to live his life as usual.

There is only one thing, that is, after the prince successfully saved his reputation for kicking the fourth prince, he seemed to have severed all ties with Yonghe Palace.

The prince seemed to be deliberately keeping his distance, fearing that any further action would cause unnecessary trouble.

As for Yonghe Palace, although Malu felt it was strange, she did not investigate further. She just thought that the prince had become estranged from her and continued to focus on her own life and duties.

Things like feelings and fate cannot be forced.

She herself didn’t mind the Crown Prince kicking the Fourth Prince, even though she was his biological mother—but the Fourth Prince was a little bit rude, wasn’t he… But the Crown Prince minded the threat the Fourth Prince brought to him, and there was nothing she could do about it.

If she persuaded the prince to resolve his emotional issues, it would only give Yinzhen another opportunity to stab the prince.

So... Although she would occasionally think of that stubborn boy and his persistent eyes in her spare time, she could only choose to remain silent.

The prince in Yuqing Palace was also in great pain, anxious about his own feelings and the current situation.

The rise of the Fourth Prince made him feel unprecedented pressure, and the dark thoughts deep in his heart made him feel very guilty.

He felt sorry for his father and Malu. Under such oppression, the prince seemed to be trapped in a quagmire that he could not escape. He was gloomy in Yuqing Palace every day, with a lot of thoughts in his mind but no way out.

This situation continued until Soetu concluded the negotiations with Tsarist Russia and won a very favorable situation and rich benefits for the Qing Dynasty, and then returned to the court in glory.