The Virtuous Concubine

Malu was naturally well prepared. While writing the calligraphy and painting, she had already worked out with the system what Kangxi would think and ask if he noticed the words.

It's true that she wrote a lot, but these are the ones she wrote that were useless. She exchanged all the good ones for points. Although there are a lot of rewards after entering the palace after pregnancy, a little bit adds up to a lot! Who would complain about having too much money?

It would be best if Kangxi noticed her calligraphy. Then she could slowly show her learning ability and then openly change to better works.

Kangxi gently stroked the calligraphy, feeling the harmonious brushwork, and the more he looked at it, the better he thought it was. Nowadays, the ladies and ministers in the palace either wrote Dong Qichang's calligraphy to please him, or wrote hairpin flower small regular script or official script. This square, peaceful, open and broad calligraphy is really refreshing.

He couldn't help but admire, "Malu, you really gave me a surprise. This calligraphy has an indescribable charm, quite similar to Zhao Mengfu's, which is really rare."

Ma Lu was a little embarrassed by the praise from Emperor Kangxi. Her cheeks flushed slightly, making her look even more charming. She whispered, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I just wrote this for fun. How dare I accept your praise?"

Kangxi asked: "You must have practiced for a long time, right? Who is your teacher? How can you be taught in Wuya's house when you have such good calligraphy?"

Malu shook her head, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I should thank you. When I was little, I could only learn from the things my brother didn't use. Later, my brother changed to martial arts and trained his muscles all day long. I could only use water as ink and write on the ground. The water was stained with dust, and my skirt was covered with mud. I was scolded every day. It was only after I entered the palace that I had the opportunity to continue learning during the selection of female officials."

Kangxi was so disappointed when he heard this: "You are so talented! If you practice hard, you will definitely achieve more than what you have today."

Malu's words dispelled Kangxi's doubts. He was eager to learn from her and decided to discuss calligraphy with Malu more often to see if it was as she said. He would also give her more pens, inkstones, paper, and books as rewards.

The two chatted for a while, and they became happier and happier. Kangxi really felt that he might have met a confidant in calligraphy. And this confidant was a charming and graceful beauty who only had him in her heart. Kangxi immediately swept away the depression he had felt in Chengqian Palace with Concubine Tong.

But after chatting for a long time, the pregnant woman Malu was a little tired, and she hadn't eaten yet! Aunt Shuyu next to her naturally saw it. She was supposed to supervise Malu to finish her meal and then go back to deal with the tea room, and leave the rest to Bai Xia and Bai Fu. But today the emperor came, she couldn't just leave, so she stayed until now.

Aunt Shu Yu gently reminded, "Your Majesty, have you not had dinner yet? It's getting late. You should take care of yourself and have dinner on time."

Kangxi heard this and noticed that it was getting late outside the window and Malu looked tired. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty and asked with concern: "Malu, are you hungry too? I was negligent."

Malu smiled slightly, shook her head and said, "Your Majesty is very busy, it is an honor for you to come visit me. I am not hungry."

How could Kangxi not see her thoughtfulness? He felt even more pity for her, and immediately ordered: "Counselor, serve the meal. I will have dinner here today, and Noble Lady Wuya will accompany me."

In fact, the consultants had already ordered the meal and had it ready. When Kangxi spoke, they asked the palace servants to prepare it in no time.

Kangxi and Malu held hands and sat at the table affectionately. Kangxi watched Aunt Shuyu carefully pick up food for Malu and also looked at her meal, with concern on his face.

In fact, there is no need to worry about the meal. The manager of the imperial kitchen is Ecan, and he will never let his granddaughter starve, okay!

Seeing this, Aunt Shuyu was also happy for Malu. She knew that being favored by the emperor would be a great guarantee for Malu and her unborn child. Seeing that Malu picked up the chopsticks and looked at her, she bowed to Emperor Kangxi and Malu, then quietly left the room, leaving the space for the emperor and his concubine.

Seeing that Aunt Shuyu had left, Malu winked at Kangxi playfully: "Finally she left. Aunt Shuyu was too strict with me, not allowing me to eat this or that. Today, while the emperor is here, I want to enjoy myself -"

Kangxi laughed at her: "Why, do you think I don't care about you? If you eat anything recklessly, I will ask someone to remove the dishes."

Malu looked fearless and said, "Your Majesty, you won't be so cruel. Look, I have been chatting with you about calligraphy for so long today, and it is hard work. Shouldn't I reward myself?"

Kangxi was amused by her cute appearance. He pretended to be serious and said, "It depends on what kind of dish it is. You are not alone now. You have to take care of the children. You can't just do what you want."

Malu nodded. She knew that Emperor Kangxi cared about her, so she pretended to be aggrieved: "The emperor only has eyes for the children, not Malu."

Seeing her like this, Emperor Kangxi could not bear to tease her any more, so he said softly, "You are so unreasonable. How can I not feel sorry for you? You are so sour."

Malu's face was filled with a joyful smile: "A gentleman's word is his bond."

Kangxi smiled and nodded: "A gentleman's word is a good word. Well, let's eat quickly."

Malu smiled and responded, then started eating. She loved the bird's nest, chicken, and apple and the fried venison with leeks, and ate a lot of them.

At the dinner table, Emperor Kangxi and Malu did not care about the rule of not talking while eating or sleeping. They ate and chatted in a harmonious atmosphere. Kangxi asked Malu about her daily life from time to time, and Malu answered in a soft voice, which was very warm.

After the meal, Emperor Kangxi chatted with Malu for a while. When Malu showed signs of sleepiness, he gently helped her lie down and said softly, "Have a good rest. I will come to see you when I am free."

Ma Lu looked at Kangxi reluctantly, but she knew that the emperor was busy with state affairs and did not dare to stay any longer. She said softly: "Farewell, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, you must also take care of your health."

After leaving Malu's palace, Emperor Kangxi returned to the western warm room of the Qianqing Palace in a happy mood. He felt that today's depression was swept away, replaced by deep love for Malu and expectations for future children.

After Kangxi left, Malu quickly lay down. It was really tiring to deal with Kangxi! After getting pregnant, she really got angry. It might be because of hormones. She could still pretend before, but now she can't stand it at all when acting. If it weren't for the system repeatedly nagging her to restrain herself, she would have started to curse.

"You said this guy came and he was so arrogant that he made me sit there with him and talk to him while I was hungry. He has the nerve to do that!"

Malu complained about the system while chewing an apple.

The system dared not to provoke her, and kept agreeing: "How shameless!"

Malu ignored the system and continued, "Fortunately, I was prepared, otherwise he would really suspect that I was deliberately trying to get close to him. Look at that word, he was testing me today, shameless!"

The system quickly followed up: "Shame on you!"

Seeing that the system was so timid and perfunctory in her response, Malu became angry, threw the apple away, and lay down.

Today, Concubine Tong fainted. Kangxi personally visited her and then went to stay with Concubine Wuya for a long time. The palace concubines who were very sharp-eyed and sharp-eared could not hide it. Many people did not fall asleep until late at night.

The lights in Chengqian Palace were on all night, and Concubine Tong did not wake up until the next day.

Concubine Tong gradually regained consciousness in a daze. She felt a burning sensation in her heart and her body was extremely weak. She slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the familiar bed curtains in Chengqian Palace and Liuying's concerned face.

"Your Highness, you're finally awake!" Liuying said excitedly, "Hurry up and inform the Emperor that the Imperial Concubine is awake!"