The Virtuous Concubine

If the mother keeps silent, she won't give anyone a chance to criticize her, and her pregnancy will become unstable. She will also be disliked by the Emperor for being greedy. Isn't that good?

Why do we have to do it so openly and boldly?

But I might as well resolve the issue of Concubine Mi today, so that I can go to Jiangnan with peace of mind afterwards.

The two talked as they walked, and soon arrived at the Imperial Garden where Kangxi was.

Kangxi was sitting in the pavilion, looking at the flowers in full bloom in the garden, looking a little tired. He saw Wenxian and Yinzuo coming and nodded slightly to signal them to come over.

When the two children came and stood in front of him, Kangxi asked them a few questions about their studies. He looked at Wen Xian with a bit of love in his eyes: "Wen Xian, have you made any progress in your studies recently? I heard from your fourth brother that you have become obsessed with reading history books recently."

Wen Xian smiled sweetly, without any trace of his previous anger: "Father, I read history and learned about the rise and fall of the past and present, and the way to behave in the world is all in it. Good and evil will be rewarded, and the law of nature is clear. As recorded in the history books, treacherous and cunning people will not last long."

Kangxi frowned slightly, as if he heard the hidden meaning in Wen Xian's words, but did not point it out.

He nodded: "You have always had a bit of chivalry in your nature. Read more history books to calm your temperament. When doing things, it is far from enough to just be passionate."

Yinzuo lowered his head respectfully beside him, and his heart was moved when he heard these words.

Was the Emperor just saying this casually, or did he have other expectations for my sister?

Before Yinzuo could figure it out, Kangxi looked at him again: "Yinzuo, what about you? Do you have any difficulties with your studies?"

Yinzuo replied respectfully: "Father, I am doing fine. I have studied hard according to what my master taught me and have not dared to slack off. It's just that..."

He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "But I think that what you learn from books should also be put into practice. Otherwise, it will be boring and shallow to talk about it on paper all day long."

Kangxi laughed loudly: "Everyone of you has something to say today. Do you still want me to guess your thoughts?"

Kangxi's eyes swept back and forth between Wen Xian and Yin Zuo, with a look that was both kind and sharp as if he saw through everything.

Wen Xian and Yin Zuo looked at each other, and their thoughts instantly met.

Wen Xian hurriedly said, "Father, I dare not. I just expressed my feelings and have no other intentions."

Kangxi waved his hand to stop her from talking: "Forget it, you are all my children, you can speak your mind if you have any ideas."

Yinzuo simply told Kangxi that he wanted to leave the palace to study: "After my sister came back from Jiangnan, I was very envious. I also want to go out and travel to broaden my horizons. Your Majesty, you cannot be partial and only allow my sister and others to have this opportunity." As he spoke, he looked at Kangxi with expectant eyes.

When Kangxi heard that Wen Xian was too young to think about marriage and work, and was only thinking about going out, his first reaction was to reach out and knock on Wen Xian's head: "What did you say to your brother, girl? You have made a good kid's mind wild."

Wen Xian covered his head with his hands, looking innocent: "Father, I didn't instigate him. Why can't it be that Yinzuo is envious of me because he sees that I have made great progress since I came back from Jiangnan?"

Kangxi looked at Wen Xian and shook his head helplessly, with a bit of doting in his tone: "You just know how to quibble. Don't I know you? You are very cunning. You must have told Yinzuo a lot of interesting stories about Jiangnan, which made him think like this."

Seeing that Kangxi did not believe him, Wen Xian hurriedly said, "Father, I am only telling you the truth. Brother Yinzuo is very smart and has his own ideas. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Kangxi snorted slightly: "You have read so many books! I won't travel far away while my parents are still alive."

Wen Xian was not afraid of Kangxi's scolding. Instead, he continued with a smile: "This 'When parents are alive, do not travel far' is followed by 'Travel must have a plan'. Then, can't we just ask Yinzuo to write more letters to you and mother? I think this sentence does not mean that we should be complacent. If meaningful travel can help us better understand everything in the world, and better serve the court in the future and relieve the worries of the emperor, then it will not be considered a violation of the sacred precepts."

Kangxi smiled and tapped Wen Xian again: "It is Yinzuo who wants to leave the palace. Why are you talking so much about this? What's the benefit of being his lobbyist?"

Wen Xian smiled shyly, revealing two cute dimples: "My daughter's trip to Jiangnan this time is also thanks to Yinzuo, and I want to make it up to him. He is really going crazy from being locked up, please have pity on him and agree to him. Father Huang, please——"

As he spoke, Wen Xian pulled Kangxi's sleeve and shook it gently.

Kangxi was a little shaken when he saw Wen Xian's expression, but he still pretended to be serious and said, "Humph, you girl, you only know how to use these words to coax me. Traveling outside the palace is not a trivial matter. If something happens to Yinzuo, how can I explain to my ancestors? Moreover, if I agree to Yinzuo today, the rest of you princes will follow his example and clamor to go out to study. What should I do?"

Wen Xian stuck out his tongue and said, "Why don't you use the same old trick again and let Yinzuo take on an inspection mission, and then give him a royal sword to kill the tyrants and corrupt officials——"

Seeing that Wen Xian's words were getting more and more outrageous, even saying something as treasonous as beheading the tyrant, Yinzuo was so anxious that he stepped on her foot in front of Kangxi.

Wen Xian felt pain, cried out "Ouch", and jumped up.

Kangxi was not angry. He looked relaxed and even smiled as he watched the two children singing in unison in front of him.

"Tell me the truth, Yinzuo also wants to go to Jiangnan, why?"

Before the two could finish their prepared remarks, a delicate voice sounded not far away: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be well and at peace."

When everyone looked over, they saw Concubine Mi, wearing a gorgeous blue palace dress, standing among the flowers, lightly supporting her already bulging belly. Behind her followed two palace maids, following her closely, showing their utmost respect.

Without waiting for Kangxi to call her over, Concubine Mi saw that Kangxi and the others were looking at her, so she walked past Liang Jiugong and walked in front of Kangxi, bowing gracefully like a willow in the wind: "Your Majesty, I was walking in the Imperial Garden and met you here, so I came to pay my respects to you."

She lowered her eyes, looking gentle and docile, but her eyes inadvertently swept towards Wen Xian and Yin Zuo.

Kangxi looked at Concubine Mi and nodded slightly: "My beloved concubine, please don't be polite. A few days ago you said you were not feeling well, so why did you come here for a walk?"

Facing Kangxi's pointed questioning, Concubine Mi raised her eyes slightly, revealed a perfect smile, and said in a delicate voice: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The scenery in this imperial garden is pleasant. I will feel good if I take a walk. I believe it will also be beneficial to the fetus."

As she spoke, she gently stroked her belly, her eyes full of maternal love.