Rebirth of His Royal Highness Prince Chenghu

Cheng Hu: "Thank you, Father."

Kangxi frowned slightly and said gently to Tuantuan, "Tuantuan, why didn't you let Baocheng assist you, but instead entrusted Yinzhen to plan the tent arrangements for the palace?"

Cheng Hu gently advised, "Father, Baocheng is still young, so let him play with Xiaowu."

Kangxi shook his head slightly and said earnestly, "You dote on Baocheng and Xiaowu so much, I'm afraid they will be spoiled by you sooner or later."

Cheng Hu said softly: "Bao Cheng is well-behaved and obedient, and will not be spoiled by his son."

Kangxi nodded and said solemnly, "In that case, you go in person. I will send additional guards to ensure your safety."

Cheng Hu solemnly promised: "Father, please rest assured that your son will do his best to live up to your trust and complete the task you have entrusted to him."

Kangxi looked at Chenghu and said, "You are a child whom I have personally and carefully taught. I have full confidence in your abilities."

Chenghu asked Kangxi, "Father, I'd like to ask if my eldest and second uncles can come along."

Kangxi: "I'm afraid that's not possible. I've already promised your mother that I'll let you, Guo Luomafa and the others, stay after the morning court session so that she can meet them."

Cheng Hu said softly, "Well, I'll visit Guo Luo Mafa's residence later. But I was worried about my mother at the time, so I didn't have the chance to meet Guo Luo's mother."

Kangxi said to Chenghu, "Tuantuan, your Prince's Mansion is now complete. Please take some time to inspect it and see if it suits your taste. If there is anything unsatisfactory, feel free to instruct the Ministry of Works to make modifications."

Cheng Hu asked with a hint of anticipation, "Father, when can our son move out?"

Kangxi said, "You don't need to think about this anymore. You can move out when you get married. Your mother, Huang Wuku, and the others won't let you move out now."

Cheng Hu nodded and responded: "Father, I understand. I will take my leave now."

Kangxi asked the Imperial Observatory about the dragon turning over.

Kunning Palace

Qingyao opened her red lips and asked softly, "Madam Ling, is my period delayed this month?"

Matron Ling whispered softly, "Your Highness, it seems the date is a little late this month."

Qingyao whispered, "Could it be that she's pregnant? His Majesty has been staying in Kunning Palace for most of this month."

Matron Ling said softly, "I will go and have someone fetch Imperial Physician Wang for you. He is the Imperial Physician who specializes in the care of the Empress, and he will surely be able to relieve your worries."

Qingyao: "Perhaps it would be more appropriate to ask the imperial physician to come and investigate. If she is indeed pregnant, I'm sure His Majesty will be delighted."

Nanny Ling immediately ordered the maid to call the imperial physician.

Yikun Palace

Concubine Yi spoke softly and gently, "Sister, I am now over three months pregnant. According to palace rules, I should send a maid to Kunning Palace to report this to the Empress."

Noblewoman Guo Luoluo said softly, "Sister, you only need to send your personal maid to Kunning Palace to pass on the message."

Concubine Yi gently opened her red lips and said tactfully, "This is exactly the rule the Grand Empress Dowager mentioned. If a concubine in the harem is pregnant, she must report it to the Empress promptly. The Empress will then carefully arrange for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare all necessary supplies and dispatch capable palace maids to serve them, ensuring that the sisters in the palace receive proper care during their pregnancy, so as to prevent them from accidentally consuming forbidden foods due to ignorance of the rules."

Noblewoman Guo Luoluo said softly, "That's right. When I was pregnant with Kejing, it was the Empress who carefully arranged for someone to take care of her."

Concubine Yi opened her red lips and said softly, "Lianxiang."

Lianxiang whispered softly: "My Lady~"

Concubine Yi instructed, "Hurry to Kunning Palace and tell the Empress that I am pregnant and that it is already three months."

Lianxiang: "Yes, Madam, I will go right away."

Kunning Palace

Chunyu respectfully reported to the inner chamber: "Your Majesty, Madam Ling, Imperial Physician Wang has arrived."

Qingyao opened her red lips slightly, her voice as sweet as a spring: "Let the doctor come in."

Chunyu took the imperial physician into the inner room.

Doctor Wang: "Your servant pays respects to the Empress."

Qingyao: "No thanks."

Matron Ling: "Doctor Wang, the Empress's wedding has been postponed for quite some time."

Doctor Wang said: "I will take the Empress's pulse right away." He took out a pulse pillow from the medicine box and placed it on the table.

Qingyao raised her jade hand and gently placed it on the pulse pillow.

Nanny Ling picked up a soft handkerchief and carefully placed it on the queen's wrist.

Doctor Wang reached out to feel the pulse, then withdrew his hand after a moment: "I, your servant, congratulate your majesty. You are pregnant, and it will be less than a month."

Qingyao whispered softly, "Madam Ling, please reward Dr. Wang on my behalf. But remember, don't reveal this to His Majesty for now. I'll report it to him personally later."

Nanny Ling: "Yes" and personally escort Doctor Wang out.

Xia He knocked gently on the door: "Your Majesty, Lianxiang, who is with Concubine Yi of Yikun Palace, is here and wants to see you."

Qingyao: "Let her in."

Xia He took Lianxiang into the inner room.

Lianxiang knelt and saluted: "Your servant Lianxiang pays respects to the Empress."

Qingyao: "Get up. What do you want to see me for?"

Lianxiang: "In reply to your Majesty, my master is Concubine Yi. She is already three months pregnant. She said that according to the rules, she should inform your Majesty, so she sent me to Kunning Palace to inform you, the Empress."

Qingyao: "I understand, you can go back."

On July 28, the 18th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, a magnitude 8 earthquake struck the capital and surrounding areas.

One month later, Kunning Palace

Qingyao: "What? My husband, you want me to go back to Hesheli Mansion to take a look?"

Kangxi nodded gently and spoke leisurely, "A month ago, a landslide struck, and the people were in a state of panic. When my father-in-law and his family heard the news, they led everyone in the palace to lend a hand without hesitation. My mother-in-law even personally led the construction of shelters, provided porridge and medicine, and did her best to help the people affected. I am deeply grateful for this kindness. Therefore, I have decided to let you return to Hesheli Mansion to visit your relatives."

Qingyao responded gently: "Husband, these things are as they should be. Moreover, all of this was arranged by Mafa."

Kangxi said softly, "Tomorrow is an auspicious day. You can take the children back to Hesheli Mansion to visit your parents. There is no need to choose another one."

Qingyao: "I will obey my husband and return tomorrow."

Kangxi said softly, "I have instructed Liang Jiugong to deliver the items prepared for you to take back to Hesheli Mansion to your Kunning Palace tomorrow."

Qingyao asked gently, "Husband, would you like to go with me tomorrow?"

Kangxi: "Alright, then wait until I finish my morning court session and we'll go back together as a family."

Early the next morning

In the morning, when the first ray of sunlight gently shone through the window, Qingyao woke up early and carefully selected the clothes she would wear today.

Kangxi opened his eyes to a familiar voice, and then saw his wife meticulously selecting clothes. He couldn't help but ask softly, "My dear, you're pregnant, why are you awake so early today?"

Qingyao opened her red lips slightly and turned towards the source of the voice, her eyes full of tenderness: "Husband, you are awake. We are going back to Hesheli Mansion today. I couldn't sleep, so I got up early and carefully selected clothes and jewelry. I look forward to going back with you."

Kangxi glanced at the nearby grandfather clock and said gently to the person selecting clothes, "My dear, it's only the first quarter of the morning hour, which is really too early. Even if I had finished my morning court, I would have to wait until the morning hour. If we want to leave the palace and go to the Hesheli Mansion, I'm afraid we have to wait until at least the morning hour. It's too early, and my father-in-law and his family haven't had breakfast yet."

Qingyao opened her red lips slightly, her voice as gentle as water: "Husband, it's getting late, you should get up and prepare for the morning court."

Kangxi said gently, "After I leave, you can take a rest for a while."

Qingyao stepped forward, picked up his court robe, and carefully placed it beside the phoenix couch. She leaned down slightly and gently put on his court boots.

Kangxi looked at her tenderly and said softly, "My dear, take care of your stomach. Let Liang Jiugong and the others change my clothes for me. Why do you have to do it yourself?"

Qingyao gently helped him put on his court boots and stood up, extending her slender hand to support him. She said softly, "You're with the other concubines, and Liang Jiugong and the others will naturally serve you wholeheartedly. But since we're husband and wife, isn't it only natural for me to change your husband's clothes myself? Besides, it's only been three months, so it doesn't matter. Or do you, my husband, not consider me your wife? If that's the case, I will abide by my duties and serve as your legitimate queen."

Kangxi embraced her affectionately and said softly, "My dear, your worries are completely unnecessary. How could I not consider you my wife? You are the only one I have ever married from the Qing Dynasty. In this life, you are the only one in my heart. Those small things like helping me change clothes will be done by Liang Jiugong and others. You don't have to be angry about it. In the future, as long as I am in your bedroom, I only hope that you can help me change clothes."

Qingyao gently stretched out her arms, wrapped them around his waist, and said with a hint of pouting, "My husband is really something. He always likes to tease my emotions."

Kangxi said softly: "It was my negligence. Thank you for your hard work. Please help me change my clothes."

Qingyao gently released her hand, took the court robe from the phoenix couch, and carefully put it on him, buttoning every button perfectly. She expertly fastened his belt, then led him to the dressing table, untied his braids, and re-braided his hair. She said gently, "My husband, remember to ask Liang Jiugong to fetch some bird's nest porridge and your favorite snacks from the kitchenette. Eat them before going to the morning court. Don't go hungry."

Kangxi said softly, "I understand. You go and take a short rest first. After I finish my morning court session, we will leave the palace together."

Qingyao reached out her hand delicately, carefully arranging his court beads and putting on his crown. Everything seemed so natural and smooth. She whispered, "My husband, everything is ready. Let's go to the morning court quickly and don't miss the time."

Kangxi: "Okay, I'm leaving now. Take a short rest and remember to eat."