Chapter 42: I Like You

  Mingfei had just entered the Changchun Palace when four inner guards came and blocked the palace gate. Within eight days, no one was allowed to enter or leave without special reason.

  Mingfei sat dazed on the bamboo chair under the eaves, and Wang's voice was almost tearful: "Master, what can be done about this?"

  "Master, what's wrong with you today? How could you say such things? The Emperor will surely be angry. Even if it were the edict of the Empress Dowager, you can't just speak carelessly without considering the consequences."

  She glanced at Wang's nurse and lay down on the bamboo chair to look at the distant sky: "Nurse didn't understand, but I understood very clearly. Today I can only do this, otherwise who knows what will happen next?"

  The queen mother was taken aback: "What does this mean, Your Majesty?"

  Ming Fei narrowed her eyes slightly: "The Emperor's move was planned a long time ago, but I only realized it today. How could someone like the Emperor be easily infatuated with Wei Ruxue? The Empress Dowager was deceived because of the previous emperor's affairs and thought the Emperor was really infatuated. She tried to advise him several times but couldn't persuade him, so she remembered me. The Emperor must have anticipated that the Empress Dowager would ask me to advise him, so he waited for me on the road, even bringing Wei Ruxue to provoke me into saying those words. From an outsider's perspective, it seems like I used inappropriate language and angered the Emperor, making my punishment justified. No one can see through this."

  The queen mother said in a daze: "Your Majesty is like this..."

  Mingfei smiled self-deprecatingly: "The emperor is a monarch, how would he be willing to have a noble consort with a son in his harem who is dominant and has a child? He wouldn't even be able to sleep soundly. He is openly suppressing me, giving Niu Cui the opportunity to gain a foothold, and also implying that he wants to deal with the Tong family. There must be something else I don't know about, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to such great lengths."

  Wang's aunt wanted to say something else, but Mingfei waved her hand: "Auntie doesn't need to say anything, let me be alone for a while and pay more attention to the fourth brother."

  。”

  The queen quietly retreated.

  The sun was setting in the west, and she sat here watching as if it were just like when she first arrived. The high palace walls looked out as if they still surrounded a palace, blocking out most of the sky, leaving only a small patch visible. At that time, she couldn't help but think, "Am I really going to spend my whole life here?"

  At this time she was still thinking, really just going to spend a lifetime here?

  She suddenly had some yearning for outside the palace, and by the time Abao became emperor, she would be truly free. However, by that time, she would have grown old and only have the pleasure of doting on her grandchildren left, with no other desires or aspirations. Her life would have already begun its countdown to the end. When she looked back, she would say, "This lifetime of mine was spent within those high palace walls."

  As soon as she thought of this, she began to feel anxious and got up from her chair, slowly standing in the middle of the courtyard.

  The sky is high and far away, with a different kind of freedom, but does that freedom belong to her? And what exactly should she be seeking?

  She didn't know how long she had been standing in the courtyard either.

  "Master, the Empress Dowager has asked Miss Ruoxuan to come and pay her respects to you," Pei Huan called out softly from behind Mingfei.

  Mingfei turned her head to look at Pei Huan, nodded, and sat back down in her chair.

  Because living conditions improved, three-year-old Xu Ruoxuan's face clearly had baby fat and her height also increased.

  Mingfei did not let anyone wait on her in front of her, and she allowed Xu Ruoxuan to sit down in front of her.

  Xu Ruoxuan's voice still has a childish and lovely feeling, but her tone doesn't sound like a kid at all.

  "The concubine's matter, I just heard about it."

  Mingfei looked at this little girl and also found her extremely clever, but didn't know what to say next.

  "The emperor treats the noble consort very well."

  Ming Fei sneered and glanced at her: "It turns out you're also a fool."

  Xu Ruoxuan looked at her with a hint of indifference: "Does the Imperial Consort not wonder why the Emperor would deceive even the Empress Dowager?"

  Ming Fei's expression turned serious: "Where did you get this from again?"

  Xu Ruoxuan smiled lightly and said: "An outsider can see through this kind of thing at a glance, how could I not see it?"

  。”

  Mingfei's expression didn't change, but in her heart she was secretly shocked. This person from her past life was unexpectedly a high-ranking individual, and had even guessed something like this.

  She glanced at Xu Ruoxuan a few times: "Alright then, you can speak now."

  "The Emperor wants to deceive the Empress Dowager, simply to make her think that he treats all women like this, even if the Imperial Consort is different, he will also be ruthless towards the Imperial Consort for another woman."

  The rest of the words don't need to be explained, and Fei also understands that as long as Xiaozhuang thinks Mingfei is not special in Kangxi's heart, Kangxi will treat Mingfei casually, and Mingfei's unique position in the harem can be guaranteed.

  It seems that what Xiaozhuang said at the time was not necessarily all true, because the previous emperor's affairs were in front of her and she was still on guard against Mingfei.

  Ming Fei was still somewhat perplexed: "If I'm supposed to be one-of-a-kind, why do I have to make way for Nalan Hongwu..."

  Xu Ruoxuan smiled and said, "The emperor's suspicions are not unreasonable. He wants the three consorts to be on an equal footing, which is for the sake of the crown prince as well as himself. The noble consort is perfect in every way, but she doesn't treat the emperor like a person at all. Everyone has emotions and desires, can't the noble consort see that the emperor truly likes her? Wanting the consort to have an unbeatable position in the palace is just for his own peace of mind. With this move, the emperor has settled the situation in the palace and calmed his own heart. From now on, the consort's days will naturally become better."

  This remark suddenly made Minnie brighten up, but she subconsciously forgot to say something like "for her own sake" because she never believed it.

  Ming Fei suddenly wanted to ask Xu Ruoxuan, what did you do in your past life? Although it is said that an onlooker sees most clearly, this analysis is so convincing that it's not something an ordinary person can do.

  But some things are better left unspoken and understood intuitively, for once they are explicitly stated, they lose their beauty.

  The originally chaotic thoughts were smoothed out by Xu Ruoxuan's words, and my mind cleared up. My heart also felt lighter, and I didn't want to dwell on it too much, so I changed the subject: "What are your plans for the future?"

  Xu Ruoxuan smiled: "I believe in Buddhism, and what I'm saying is just going with the fate"

  。”

  Mingfei smiled and glanced at her: "Really just follow the chicken with the chicken and follow the dog with the dog?"

  Xu Ruoxuan seemed to have been choked, her face was not as good as before: "I won't get married!"

  Mingfei exclaimed in surprise: "Not getting married? How could you have such an idea, did Su Mu's nanny influence you?"

  Xu Ruoxuan rarely made a mischievous face and gave her a white eye: "It has nothing to do with Su Mo, it's just that I don't want to get married myself. I want to atone for my sins and spend the rest of my life in front of Buddha."

  It seems to be related to Xu Ruoxuan's past life, so Mingfei didn't ask any more questions and slowly said: "This is a lifetime thing, don't take it too lightly."

  Xu Ruoxuan nodded casually.

  Jingzhou sent an urgent report for help, and Kangxi had to put aside all matters and respond with full force. The matter of Consort Tong was quickly spread to the front line. Tong Guifei asked for an imperial edict to lead troops to rush to the front line, but the number of people who supported it decreased rapidly. It was Ebi Long who recommended Nu Dahai, who had made military achievements in the three battles, and the number of people who supported him was extremely high. Kangxi immediately decided to go ahead with the plan, with grain and grass preceding, and the large army set off three days later.

  It's not a big deal either, after handling it, Kangxi relaxed and his heart seemed to be stirred up again.

  He had never experienced such a taste, with thousands of emotions tangled together, making him feel restless. He sat down and stood up several times, suddenly turning his head to ask Li Dequan: "Was I too harsh on the imperial concubine today?"

  Li Dequan suddenly realized, it turned out to be for the sake of the imperial concubine. He immediately said: "Your Majesty is following the rules, there's nothing harsh about it. Besides, Your Majesty has forbidden her from leaving the palace, but didn't say anything about not allowing people to visit her. At most, Your Majesty can just go and take a look at the imperial concubine."

  Kangxi nodded and said: "Your cleverness is useful at times, just follow me, no need for others to come with us."

  "Ah!"

  Because of the heat, it was already evening and Ming Fei was still sitting in the courtyard with Ah Bao to cool off. Xue Ruo Xuan probably felt that pretending to be a good kid in front of others was exhausting, so she felt more at ease in front of Ming Fei and didn't leave, speaking more than usual.

  Because she didn't have to see anyone, Mingfei dressed very casually, with her hair tied up in a high bun, wearing a light blue plain skirt under a moon-white jacket, and a pair of embroidered slippers on her feet. In the dim candlelight, she seemed to have an ethereal quality, as if she had a hint of otherworldly aura.

  。

  Xu Ruoxuan smiled and said: "The Empress looks really beautiful."

  Mingfei smiled and glanced at her, staring at Abao who was walking around with a lantern: "What's the use of being beautiful?"

  Xu Ruoxuan supported her cheek with her hand and took a closer look: "Even more beautiful than Wei Rusi!"

  "Talking nonsense again."

  Xu Ruoxuan said seriously: "Wei Rusong looks good, but I think she doesn't have the charm of Guifei Niangniang, and can't compare to her elegance. If it weren't for shallow people, everyone would think so."

  Since there were still servants around, Ming Fei couldn't help but cover up for Xu Ruoxuan a bit: "You're just a child, you don't understand anything, don't talk nonsense."

  Xu Ruoxuan just smiled.

  Mingfei glanced around at the several palace maids standing nearby, all of whom were in their twenties, and suddenly let out a soft sigh.

  Xu Ruoxuan was shocked: "What's wrong with Princess Gui?"

  Mingfei gently waved her fan and gazed at the horizon: "Lying down to watch the Cowherd and Weaving Maiden stars."

  Xu Ruoxuan looked puzzled and asked: "What does this mean?"

  Abao walked with a lantern for a while and felt bored, then ran back: "Let Ruoxuan come together."

  "Hey, look at you, all sweaty. Why don't we take a break and rest for a bit before going out to play again?"

  The words had hardly fallen when Abao suddenly cried out: "Imperial Father!"

  Mingfei smiled and patted him: "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, how can you come here? If you want to think about it for a few more days, your mother will take you there."

  Only a few slaves knelt down: "We have seen the emperor!"

  Mingfei only then realized that Kangxi had really come, she stood up in surprise, and indeed saw Kangxi behind her. She was a bit dazed, what did Kangxi mean by coming now?

  Kangxi stood still behind Mingfei, he had been in for a while, and when he heard the sentence "lying down to see the Cowherd and Weaving Maiden stars", his heart felt sour and swollen again, and even exuded a few strands of indescribable sweetness.

  。

  Li Dequan cleverly cleared the scene and led everyone away. He himself stood guard far away from the scene.

  Kangxi took a few more steps forward, he wanted to say something, but so many words reached the tip of his tongue and not one could be said. What did he want to say? That the reason for my house arrest was different? Or that I actually just wanted you to be the empress?

  He couldn't utter a single word of these sentences.

  He stretched out his hand and hugged Mingfei tightly, saying only one sentence: "I will never let you suffer again!"

  Mingfei's stiff body gradually softened, and she tentatively hugged Kangxi: "I know that Your Majesty has done this for a reason, I...Your Majesty doesn't have to..."

  Kangxi suddenly loosened his grip on Mingfei, and then lowered his head to look at him. His thumb rubbed against the corner of Mingfei's mouth: "How did you understand?"

  "Emperor..."

  Everything was submerged in the overbearing yet gentle kiss, so hard to part with and reluctant to speak, as if it had brought a thousand words and countless entanglements. It wasn't until this moment that Mingfei realized that Kangxi might actually like her.

  The bright stars are rising gradually at the horizon, and soon it will be a starry sky.

  Abao sat beside Xu Ruoxuan: "Why hasn't Mother come yet?"

  Xu Ruoxuan pulled his chubby little hand: "The emperor and the noble concubine are probably busy with important things."

  "Doing big things?"

  "The slave and servant also made their own guesses, they were doing a very big thing."

  Xu Ruoxuan's mind was filled with bad thoughts, perhaps it had already reached a critical point, but that would be an extremely big deal.

  A Bao let out an "oh".

  Xu Ruoxuan said strangely: "Fourth Brother is unhappy?"

  Ah Bao shook his head: "Not unhappy, just thinking of Mother"

  。”

  Xu Ruoxuan smiled and said: "Fourth Brother is so sticky with Imperial Consort Gui."

  Ah Bao covered her mouth with her fingers and didn't speak.

  Xu Ruoxuan also didn't know what she thought of, and for a moment, she was also a bit dazed.

  Mingfei's lips were swollen and didn't look like their usual self, she lay in Kangxi's arms, breathing slightly, her voice carrying a spoiled tone of complaint: "How did I see Yin Zhen just now?"

  Kangxi's mood suddenly became cheerful, and his anxious heart seemed to have been warmed and moistened by the sweet rain. He patted Mingfei's back, coaxing her like a child: "It's all right if we don't see each other."

  Mingfei discontentedly shifted his position: "Your Majesty is standing and talking without getting a sore waist!"

  Kangxi smiled and kissed her forehead: "Then what should I do?"

  Mingfei thought for a moment and said, "If Your Majesty gives me some kind of miraculous medicine, I'll use it on my lips and they won't be swollen and red anymore, that would be great."

  Kangxi smiled as he looked at Mingfei, his fingers stroking her face, and said in a nonsensical manner: "How can anyone compare to my Mingfei?"

  Mingfei looked up at Kangxi.

  "Today in the Imperial Garden, you probably guessed what I was going to do. You're so clever, I don't know whether it's good or bad. Just understand that I will never really harm you. You are different from others, there is no need for you to be sad by yourself. Even if there were many people in the harem, you would still be different, and there is no need for you to compare yourself with those who don't matter. As long as you take care of yourself, I will protect you."

  Mingfei rubbed against Kangxi's cheek, and Kangxi, feeling comfortable or something else, rubbed back.

  Ming Fei was stunned for a moment and let out a soft "en".

  Kangxi hugged Mingfei tightly again: "You must believe me!"

  The author has something to say: Kangxi indeed liked Wei Ruxue, a woman with a beautiful appearance, from the beginning, and then followed suit, setting the tone for the rest of the story.

  Openly suppressing Ming Fei as the harem's tripod, secretly lifting Ming Fei to let her become the master of the harem safely and steadily. The previous dynasty was affected, and the Nian Gao Lu lineage rose up.