Rebirth of His Royal Highness Prince Chenghu

An hour later, the inner hall of Kunning Palace

Qingyao was so angry that her fingers trembled. She pointed at his nose and cursed, "You bastard! You..."

Kangxi, wearing only a bright yellow nightgown, gently embraced her in his arms and whispered with emotion, "Qingqing, you are the only one besides the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager who dares to scold me."

Qingyao said helplessly, "I clearly told you not to, but you insisted on doing this. I scolded you out of helplessness. We just got back, and according to the rules, we should go to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager first. Besides, I didn't stop you from staying overnight."

Kangxi: "It's my husband's fault. This is the only time. It won't happen again." He stroked her back to comfort her.

Qingyao whispered softly, "Husband, can you help me choose a Manchu dress? I am willing to forgive your mistakes for this."

Kangxi asked, "My dear, what is your favorite color?"

Qingyao: "Husband, please choose for yourself. I trust your judgment."

Kangxi touched her forehead lovingly, smiled and said, "I have really spoiled you to the point of being lawless." Then he carefully selected a Manchu dress for her.

Qingyao: "I never forced you to pamper me. Everything was done willingly by you. If you want, you can also pamper the sisters in the harem."

Kangxi personally selected an elegant purple Manchu dress for her and said with a smile, "This Manchu dress best highlights your temperament. Only when the emperor and empress are in harmony can the country be stable."

Qingyao gently accepted the Manchu dress and carefully put it on, then called Chunyu to help her dress up. She smiled at the bronze mirror and said softly, "I thought you chose the Manchu dress to please me, but I didn't expect you to make me angry. I don't want to see you again after I pay my respects. Come back to see me tonight."

Kangxi asked softly, "My dear, what did I say that made you so unhappy?"

Qingyao gently stroked her tassels, changed into high-heeled shoes of the same color as her clothes, and then ordered Chunyu to prepare the sedan chair. She turned to look at him, her eyes firm and resolute: "If you feel that your favor towards me is too much, Your Majesty can take it back. There are many beauties in the harem, you can favor them as much as you want. As for the legitimate sons mentioned earlier, I only have two and will not have any more. From now on, I will abide by the palace rules like other concubines in the harem. I only hope that Your Majesty will visit me on time on the first and fifteenth day of each month. I will abide by my duties and do my best to be the queen." After saying this, she turned around and slowly walked out of the inner hall.

Kangxi seemed to want to say something but stopped himself. He looked at her back as she walked away. He seemed to have something to say, but he remained silent.

Qingyao left Kunning Palace and boarded a sedan chair. Chunyu followed closely behind, and together they headed to Cining Palace.

Cining Palace

Su Malagu gently patted the back of Gege's hand and said soothingly, "Don't worry, Gege. I've sent someone to the palace gate to inquire. I heard that the Emperor and his men have returned to the palace and are probably cleaning and changing clothes in their bedrooms right now. I think they'll be here soon, so please don't worry."

The Empress Dowager said, "Indeed, they have returned from a long journey and it is time for them to bathe and change their clothes."

"The maid outside the curtain saw the Empress's procession not far away, hurriedly lifted the curtain, and respectfully announced: "Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress has arrived."

The Empress Dowager opened her red lips and ordered, "Hurry and prepare the refreshments."

The palace maid said: "Yes, Empress Dowager." She stepped back and prepared.

Qingyao got off the sedan chair and walked to the door.

The maid quickly knelt down and respectfully greeted the Empress: "Long live the Empress."

The Empress Dowager ordered, "Su Ma, go and welcome the Queen."

Su Ma walked to the door and raised the curtain herself: "Hail, Queen."

Qingyao said anxiously, "Aunt Suma, you don't need to perform such a grand ceremony." Then she slowly walked into the main hall.

Su Ma followed the Queen's footsteps and entered the main hall together, returning to the side of the Empress Dowager.

Qingyao: "Granddaughter-in-law pays respects to the Empress Dowager, may the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health."

The Empress Dowager said lovingly: "Good boy, please stand up and sit down."

Qingyao: "Thank you, Madam Queen." Then she walked to the side and sat down gracefully.

The Empress Dowager asked with concern, "Queen, are the children all right?"

Qingyao responded, "Madam, the children are all well. My grandson's wife will bring them to you tomorrow to pay their respects and let you see them."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Everything is fine. That's good."

Qingyao smiled and said, "Madam, you can just call me by my name or nickname. It's more intimate that way."

The Empress Dowager asked curiously, "You actually have a nickname?"

Qingyao said softly, "Indeed, there is. My granddaughter-in-law's full name was chosen by Mafa, Qingyao. And her nickname was chosen by her mother, Qingqing."

The Empress Dowager said, "From now on, I will also call you by your nickname, how about that?"

Qingyao: "The Royal Madam is our elder, so it's natural for her to do so."

The Empress Dowager looked at Qingqing and asked in confusion, "Qingqing, why did you come alone? Where's Xuanye? Isn't he with you?"

Qingyao responded, "Madam, perhaps His Majesty is sleeping peacefully in the Qianqing Palace right now."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly to show that she understood.

Qingyao: "Madam, I will take my leave now and go pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager kindly instructed, "Qingqing, remember to bring the children to me tomorrow."

Qingyao: "Yes, Empress Dowager, your granddaughter-in-law has taken note of it." She stood up, knelt down and took her leave.

The Empress Dowager nodded and watched her leave.

Qingyao gently lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and said to Chunyu beside her, "Let's go to Ningshou Palace."

Ningshou Palace

Shanhu comforted the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, there's no need to worry. I've already sent Haitang to investigate. If the Empress and the others return, Haitang will be sure to inform you promptly."

Haitang gently lifted the curtain, walked in slowly, and said softly, "Empress Dowager, the Empress has returned to the palace and should be here soon. Don't worry too much."

The Empress Dowager lovingly instructed, "Haitang, quickly make a pot of good tea and prepare some exquisite snacks."

Haitang: "Yes, my lady. I will prepare it right away." She walked out.

The maid saw the empress's procession not far away, and hurriedly lifted the curtain and respectfully announced: "Empress Dowager, the Empress has arrived.

The Empress Dowager immediately ordered: "Go and welcome him!"

"Yes, Queen Mother." The maid responded respectfully and then quietly left the room.

Qingyao got off the sedan chair and walked to the door.

The maid quickly knelt down and respectfully greeted the Empress: "Long live the Empress."

Qingyao said softly, "Get up." Then she slowly walked into Ningshou Palace, her steps revealing calmness and elegance.

The Empress Dowager: “Shanhu, serve the tea quickly.”

Shanhu responded respectfully: "As you wish, I will do it right away."

Qingyao said to the Empress Dowager solemnly, "Your daughter-in-law pays her respects to the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager be blessed with good health." Then she knelt down and saluted gracefully and appropriately.

The Empress Dowager urged kindly, "Don't be so reserved, sit down quickly."

Qingyao responded respectfully, "Thank you, Empress Dowager." Then she walked lightly to the side and sat down gracefully.

The Queen Mother: "Why aren't the children here?"

Qingyao replied respectfully, "My Queen Mother, I had originally planned to bring the children to pay my respects to you and the Royal Madam tomorrow. However, since returning to the palace to pay my respects to you and the Royal Madam would let you know that I and the children have returned safely, I have come here early to pay my respects."

The Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with doting, and a hint of warmth appeared on the corners of her mouth: "You are such a filial child."

Qingyao said: "Respecting our elders is our responsibility."

Coral lightly brought a cup of hot tea and exquisite snacks, carefully placed them on the table, and then lightly left.

The Empress Dowager smiled and handed Qingyao a piece of exquisite dessert, saying softly: "Try this, it may evoke your long-lost taste buds."

Qingyao took the snack, took a bite, and smiled, "The snacks here, Empress Dowager, are truly delicious. Every bite is filled with your care and love."

The Queen Mother smiled slightly, her tone filled with endless doting: "As long as you like it, that's the best."

Qingyao finished her snack and said goodbye to the Empress Dowager: "I, your daughter-in-law, will not disturb your rest."

The Queen Mother opened her red lips and slowly uttered two words: "Go."

Qingyao bowed respectfully, then walked out of the hall and got on the sedan chair. Chunyu followed closely behind, and the group returned to Kunning Palace.

Kunning Palace

Kangxi leaned lazily on the couch, holding a book in his hands and flipping through it casually.

The maid knelt and saluted: "Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen, long live the Queen."

Qingyao said softly, "Get up." Then she slowly stepped into Kunning Palace, with lotus flowers blooming at every step, like a fairy in a painting.

Kangxi lowered his head and continued to immerse himself in the pages of the book, quietly savoring every word.

Qingyao slowly raised her jade hand, gently parted the pearl curtain, and stepped into the inner hall. The man before her immediately caught her eye. She knelt in greeting and said softly, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May your Highness be blessed with good health." She bowed her head respectfully, awaiting his response.

Kangxi said softly to Qingyao, "My dear, you and I are husband and wife. Why should we be so bound by formalities?"

Qingyao shook her head lightly and whispered, "I really don't deserve it."

Kangxi hurried forward and gently helped her up, his tone full of love and tenderness: "Qingqing~"

Qingyao slowly stood up following his strength and responded, "Your Highness is here."

Kangxi: "We are husband and wife, why should we be bound by worldly etiquette? Calling yourself a concubine seems strange."

Qingyao: "I dare not. Your Majesty, don't you want to dote on me? I naturally dare not offend you."

Kangxi gently embraced her in his arms and said softly, "How could I not pamper you? I linger here every month. If I don't pamper you, who else should I pamper?"

Qingyao nodded slightly and agreed, "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

Kangxi said to Qingyao gently, "Qingqing, from now on, call me husband."

Qingyao opened her red lips slightly, and her melodious voice sounded like the sound of nature: "Husband~" This call was like a spring breeze, gentle and affectionate.

Kangxi asked, "My husband is here, what do you want to say?"

Qingyao: "In a month, it will be the Empress Dowager's birthday, which coincides with the Golden Award Festival. I will ask Concubine Hui and the others to help us prepare for this grand celebration.

Kangxi spoke softly, full of warmth and concern: "Qingqing, you have worked hard."

Qingyao lowered her head and smiled: "I would like to ask for your help in preparing this birthday gift for my concubine, my husband."

Kangxi raised his eyebrows in interest: "Oh? What are your plans, lord?"

Qingyao's eyes sparkled with mischief, and she pretended to be mysterious: "I would like to ask my husband for a calligraphy work."

Kangxi's eyes were filled with smiles: "Are you planning to offer flowers to Buddha?" His eyes were full of doting.

Qingyao smiled and said, "Please give me a picture of a hundred years of longevity, my husband. I will embroider one for the Empress Dowager."

Kangxi chuckled dotingly and said, "You are really lazy. I remember your handwriting is also good." As he said that, he raised his hand and gently touched her nose.

Qingyao smiled and replied, "I am ashamed that my calligraphy is not as good as your husband's."

Kangxi exclaimed in admiration: "Your handwriting is also quite elegant."

Qingyao pulled his sleeve, shook it coquettishly, and said softly, "Husband, could you please give me some calligraphy?" Her eyes were full of anticipation.

Kangxi nodded and said with a smile, "No problem, but you have to grind the ink for me." Then he reached out and held her hand, and walked out of the inner hall together.

Qingyao walked slowly to the table, stood firmly, gently picked up the teacup, and slowly poured water into it. Then, she picked up the ink stick and ground it carefully.

Kangxi picked up the wolf hair brush, dipped it in thick ink, and wrote the word "Shou" (longevity), which means longevity.

Qingyao gently ground the ink while admiring his writing, and said with emotion: "My husband's calligraphy is beyond my reach."

Kangxi praised her, saying, "Your calligraphy has a unique charm."

Qingyao ground the ink gently and stood quietly by, watching him write with his brush.

Kangxi smiled faintly, turned to Qingyao, and said softly, "My dear, let us write this final, magnificent character for longevity together to add supreme splendor to this blessing."

Qingyao approached him, a look of confusion in her eyes: "How can we write together?"

Kangxi gently handed her the brush, his eyes full of doting and tenderness. He smiled and said, "Let me hold your hand and write this last character of longevity together, adding supreme splendor to this blessing."

Qingyao stood quietly before him, her brush tightly in her hand. He gently embraced her from behind, holding her tightly in his arms. His warm big hand wrapped around her small one, and together they wrote the last word for longevity.

Kangxi praised her, "Your writing is so beautiful and fluent, it's magical." He gently put down the brush in her hand and held her hand.

Qingyao said, "Let's not make my husband's pajamas for now. I have to start embroidering the longevity picture early tomorrow morning. This is a big project, so we have to hurry."

Kangxi said slowly: "Don't be anxious, prepare the birthday gift first." Then he hugged her and kissed her pink lips affectionately.

Qingyao let out a soft "hmm", then snuggled tightly in his arms, appearing exceptionally well-behaved.