inspire-indiana Chapter 170 Arriving at Changchun to Intercept Kangxi (Revised)
Chapter 170 Arriving at Changchun to Intercept Kangxi (Revised)
The curtain of the imperial carriage was lifted, and Kangxi came out from inside. He said, "Get up," and turned around and stretched out a hand towards the curtain.
The next moment, a white and slender little hand stretched out from behind the door curtain. The fingers were long and white, the nails were round and clean, and there was a faint luster. It was gently placed in Kangxi's palm.
Kangxi held it tightly with his backhand, and then Shi Nanxi, with a pale face, appeared. With the help of Kangxi, she got off the carriage carefully with her thin body. After getting off the carriage, Shi Nanxi glanced at the huge group of concubines.
She clutched Kangxi's sleeve and struggled timidly.
"Your Majesty, I am much better now. I can stand on my own."
"Don't move." Kangxi put his arm around the little girl's waist and let her lean half of her body against him.
He directly rejected her struggle and noticed that her complexion looked better than before in the carriage, and he felt relieved.
The concubines who stood up watched this scene with their pupils shrinking suddenly. It seemed that the news from the palace was true. The emperor really doted on this girl. But she seduced the emperor in front of them. Wasn't she looking down on them too much?
Concubine Hui, who was standing in the first position, had her eyes slightly darkened and spoke first:
"Your Majesty, is Concubine Xian suffering from carriage sickness? It's urgent. I will ask someone to call the imperial physician right away."
Soon after, Concubine Rong and Concubine De also spoke.
Kangxi glanced around and was not surprised not to see the Crown Prince and other princes. He was the one who told the Crown Prince and others to study hard and not come to greet him. He retracted his gaze and fell on Concubine Hui.
"I didn't expect that Concubine Xian would be so seriously sick in carriages. The imperial physician who accompanied the team examined her said that Concubine Xian has a weak constitution and is more prone to carriage sickness than others. She has already been given medicine."
As she spoke, Imperial Concubine Nianhulu got down from the carriage at the back, led a few nobles and ladies over, bowed again, and then looked towards Shi Nanxi.
Shi Nanxi knew that the road conditions were poor in ancient times, but he didn't expect the road to be so bumpy. He almost fell apart, but he felt much better after taking motion sickness medicine. The reason why he still looks so weak now is that he had a flash of inspiration while on the road.
The concubines in Changchun Garden now are no better than those left in the palace. In addition, the Empress Dowager is still here. She plans to give people the impression of being in poor health when she arrives at Changchun Garden in order to confuse everyone.
With mixed feelings in her mind, she did not forget to greet Kangxi. She struggled to get up from Kangxi's arms and greeted him, while calling him:
"Sister Imperial Concubine, Concubine Hui..."
Before she could finish her words, Kangxi increased his strength and restrained her body again, with a look of disapproval on his face.
"You are just being polite. If you are uncomfortable, there is no need to act stubbornly. Imperial Concubine Nianhulu and the others will not mind.
Noble Concubine Nianhulu/Concubine Hui and the other three concubines: “…” Who said they didn’t mind? They minded very much.
Finally, Concubine Nianhulu spoke. Although she was smiling, the corners of her mouth were a little stiff.
"Yes, Sister Xian Fei, we are all sisters. You are not feeling well, so why should you be so polite?"
"That's right. The sun is about to set and it's still a bit hot outside. Let's go in and have a rest first." Concubine Hui seemed concerned.
"After you go in, it's better to let the imperial physician take a look to make sure you're at ease." Defei said gently.
Shi Nanxi glanced at the expressions of her sisters and really wanted to award them an Ottoman statuette. Although they clearly disliked her, the expressions of worry and concern on their faces were genuine.
But the eldest brother didn't talk about the second brother. She was also influenced by the remarkable acting skills. She leaned weakly on Kangxi. After looking at everyone, she quickly retracted her gaze, grasped Kangxi's sleeve nervously, and whispered:
"Thank you all for your concern, I'm fine. I'll be fine after a rest."
Kangxi glanced at the crowd and wanted the little girl to rest early, so he thought for a moment and said to Shi Nanxi:
"I haven't paid my respects to the Empress Dowager for many days. I'll go to Shouchun Yong first. If you're not feeling well, go back to Danningju to rest. I'll tell the Empress Dowager, she knows..."
"Your Majesty." Shi Nanxi looked a little anxious: "I am really fine. I feel much better now after getting off the car. Let me follow you and the Imperial Concubine to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."
Emperor Kangxi had already gone to pay his respects, and how could she, a concubine, be more arrogant than the emperor? Moreover, she was not the only concubine who came today. The Empress Dowager would live for a long time, and she did not want to offend her unless it was necessary.
Facing the anxious look of the little girl, Kangxi pursed his lips. He knew what she was worried about, but his health was more important. Before he could persuade her again, Madam Hu, who had been watching silently for a while, came forward to greet her:
"This old servant greets His Majesty, and greets all the ladies and mistresses."
When Kangxi saw that it was Madam Hu who was beside the Empress Dowager, he was quite polite:
"It's Madam Hu. Please get up. How is the Empress Dowager feeling these days?"
Madam Hu stood up and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is in good health. She told me to tell you that you are tired from the journey and you don't need to rush to pay your respects. She asked you to go back and rest for a day and pay your respects tomorrow."
"The Empress Dowager is considerate. I understand." Kangxi said with a smile without refusing.
"Go back and tell the Empress Dowager that I will not be going there today. I will pay my respects to her after the court tomorrow."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will pass your words to the Queen Mother. She will definitely be very happy."
Nanny Hu was neither humble nor arrogant, and she withdrew tactfully, but before leaving, she gave Shi Nanxi a subtle glance.
Concubine Nianhulu and others who had been paying attention to this place noticed this and their eyes flickered slightly. As people who came to Changchun Garden every year, it was not uncommon for the emperor to return to the palace halfway and come to Changchun Garden again.
The emperor who returned paid his respects to the empress dowager as soon as possible. The empress dowager had met the emperor at that time, but not this time. They immediately understood that it seemed that the empress dowager did not like Concubine Xian very much!
Concubine Niuhulu used a handkerchief to hide the upturned corners of her mouth.
Since there was no need to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, Kangxi decided to send the little girl to Danningju first. Before leaving, he looked around and finally set his sights on Concubine Nianhulu.
"Empress Xian is not feeling well. I will send her to Dan Ning Residence first. The sun is strong now. You, the noble concubines, should go back as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off."
As they watched the Emperor and Empress Xian leave in their sedan chair, no one looked unusual, and no one knew what they were thinking. For a moment, the peaceful Changchun Garden became turbulent.
Danningju was specially left by Kangxi for Shi Nanxi. It was not far from the Jiujing Sanshi Hall. It had been cleaned long ago and the ice jar had been set up in advance.
As soon as Shi Nanxi and Kangxi entered the house, they felt a cool breeze and became more energetic.
"Really? Don't we need to ask the imperial physician to take a look?" Kangxi squeezed Shi Nanxi's hand, feeling a little worried when he saw her pale face.
Shi Nanxi shook her head. The so-called severe motion sickness was only half true and half acted. If she really asked the imperial physician for help, she would be exposed.
"Really, no need. I just need to rest for a while."
Seeing that she was not trying to be stubborn, Kangxi stopped trying to persuade her. They simply washed up and Kangxi was about to rest with her when Liang Jiugong walked in with some embarrassment.
"Your Majesty, Lord Wang requests to see you."
Kangxi frowned slightly. Before he could say anything, Shi Nanxi pulled back her hand and said in a well-behaved and sensible manner:
"Your Majesty, government affairs are urgent. Changchun Garden is cool. I have Xixi to accompany me to rest. Please go and get busy."
"Xixi" who was mentioned meowed to show its presence.
Upon seeing this, Kangxi took Shi Nanxi's hand again and squeezed it gently.
"Okay, I'll be back soon, you take a rest first."
"Well, I will obey your Majesty."
Kangxi kissed Shi Nanxi on the forehead and left with Liang Jiugong. After they left, Hongying asked in a low voice:
"My queen, will the emperor come back tonight?"
Shi Nanxi leaned on the soft couch,
Affirmative tone:
"will not."
As Shi Nanxi had expected, Kangxi came back as soon as he said he would. However, after meeting with the ministers, he was invited by Concubine Hui in the name of the eldest prince. In the end, although he did not stay in Concubine Hui's Yunya Pavilion, he did not return to Danningju either. After sending someone to notify, he returned to the Jiujing Sanshi Hall.